in_o sin_n and_o impenitency_n who_o can_v be_v sure_a that_o god_n will_v give_v he_o â—he_n grace_n to_o recover_v himself_o as_o those_o hoâ—y_a man_n do_v those_o who_o presume_v to_o sin_n as_o they_o do_v in_o hope_n that_o they_o shall_v in_o like_a manner_n wipe_v off_o their_o sin_n by_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n reason_n just_a like_o a_o man_n who_o shall_v swallow_v down_o poison_n and_o conclude_v it_o will_v not_o kill_v he_o because_o some_o who_o have_v be_v poison_v have_v escape_v death_n but_o that_o which_o deserve_v here_o our_o great_a consideration_n be_v the_o time_n which_o those_o saineâ—_n live_v in_o there_o be_v great_a difference_n between_o 〈◊〉_d christian_n and_o the_o good_a man_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n man_n before_o christ_n haâ—_n not_o by_o a_o great_a deal_n that_o light_n which_o we_o have_v and_o do_v not_o know_v as_o we_o do_v the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n our_o saviour_n teacheâ—_n we_o that_o distinction_n when_o he_o say_v 1._o say_v mat._n xii_o 1._o the_o john_n the_o baptist_n be_v the_o great_a among_o they_o who_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o woman_n but_o that_o the_o leâ—â—_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v great_a theâ—_n john_n the_o baptist_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o christian_n have_v a_o much_o great_a light_n than_o either_o john_n baptist_n or_o all_o the_o ancient_a prephet_n have_v now_o the_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o piety_n and_o therefore_o christian_n ought_v to_o excel_v the_o jew_n in_o holiness_n what_o god_n do_v bear_v with_o as_o that_o time_n will_v be_v in_o we_o altogether_o intoleable_a and_o how_o can_v it_o be_v lawful_a for_o we_o to_o imitate_v the_o ancient_n in_o their_o vice_n when_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o surpass_v their_o virtue_n this_o principle_n be_v of_o great_a moment_n and_o without_o it_o we_o can_v hardly_o silence_v profane_a person_n a_o libertine_n insist_v upon_o precedent_n will_v say_v that_o polygamy_n he_o keep_v of_o concubine_n murder_n divorce_v upon_o the_o slight_a pretence_n and_o such_o like_a disorder_n be_v not_o so_o criminal_a as_o they_o be_v imagine_v to_o be_v he_o will_v produce_v the_o instance_n of_o abraham_n and_o jacob_n of_o the_o judge_n of_o israel_n of_o david_n and_o the_o jew_n far_o be_v it_o from_o we_o to_o detract_v from_o the_o honour_n and_o praise_v due_a to_o those_o ancient_a worthy_n they_o have_v do_v much_o for_o the_o time_n they_o live_v in_o but_o god_n forbid_v too_o that_o we_o shall_v lessen_v the_o glory_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n if_o we_o speak_v like_o christian_n we_o will_v say_v that_o god_n in_o his_o goodness_n do_v pass_v over_o many_o thing_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o time_n and_o of_o the_o natural_a temper_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v a_o gross_a and_o carnal_a people_n our_o saviour_n answer_n to_o the_o pharisee_n coneern_v divorce_n be_v very_o much_o to_o our_o purpose_n xix_o purpose_n mat._n xix_o moses_n suffer_v you_o to_o put_v away_o your_o wife_n but_o from_o the_o beginning_n it_o be_v not_o so_o and_o then_o he_o add_v that_o whosoever_o shall_v imitate_v the_o jew_n and_o do_v that_o which_o have_v be_v do_v and_o tolerate_v till_o then_o shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o adultery_n we_o may_v easy_o apply_v this_o answer_n to_o the_o instance_n of_o st._n peter_n since_o before_o our_o saviour_n ascension_n the_o apostle_n be_v weak_a as_o yet_o and_o possess_v with_o various_a prejudices_fw-la but_o i_o think_v myself_o bind_v to_o add_v a_o word_n or_o two_o concern_v the_o example_n of_o st._n paul_n because_o it_o be_v common_o mistake_v that_o apostle_n say_v 15._o say_v 1_o tim._n i._n 13_o 15._o that_o he_o be_v a_o blasphemer_n a_o persecutor_n who_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v call_v a_o apostle_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o sinner_n at_o the_o first_o hear_v of_o these_o word_n many_o imagine_v that_o st._n paul_n have_v be_v a_o profligate_n man_n a_o swearer_n and_o a_o godless_a wretch_n and_o yet_o he_o mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o that_o he_o have_v once_o persecute_v the_o church_n for_o otherwise_o st._n paul_n before_o his_o conversion_n to_o christianity_n be_v a_o good_a man_n and_o his_o life_n be_v blameless_a and_o exemplary_a for_o this_o he_o appeal_v to_o god_n and_o the_o jew_n act_n xxiii_o 1._o and_o xxvi_o 4._o if_o he_o do_v persecute_v the_o church_n then_o it_o be_v through_o a_o blind_a zeal_n and_o ignorance_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n as_o he_o tell_v we_o himself_o ver_fw-la 13._o he_o obtain_v mercy_n from_o god_n be_v not_o this_o quite_o another_o case_n than_o that_o of_o those_o christian_n who_o know_o and_o wilful_o allow_v themselves_o in_o sin_n it_o be_v another_o mistake_n to_o make_v st._n paul_n say_v as_o some_o do_v that_o he_o be_v the_o great_a of_o sinner_n he_o do_v not_o say_v that_o he_o say_v only_o that_o he_o be_v the_o chief_a or_o the_o first_o of_o those_o sinner_n who_o jesus_n christ_n do_v save_v his_o meaning_n be_v that_o he_o hold_v the_o first_o rank_n among_o convert_a sinner_n that_o he_o be_v a_o remarkable_a instance_n of_o the_o divine_a mercy_n and_o that_o jesus_n have_v begin_v by_o he_o to_o show_v his_o clemency_n and_o goodness_n thus_o he_o explain_v himself_o verse_n 16._o for_o this_o cause_n say_v he_o i_o obtain_v mercy_n that_o in_o i_o first_o jesus_n christ_n may_v show_v forth_o all_o long-suffering_a for_o a_o pattern_n to_o they_o which_o shall_v hereafter_o believe_v on_o he_o this_o be_v exact_o what_o he_o mean_v for_o as_o to_o what_o some_o imagine_v that_o st._n paul_n out_o of_o humility_n acknowledge_v himself_o the_o great_a of_o all_o sinner_n i_o think_v that_o explication_n be_v wrong_a and_o that_o it_o neither_o agree_v with_o truth_n nor_o piety_n nor_o good_a sense_n a_o good_a man_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o think_v himself_o worse_o than_o the_o great_a sinner_n on_o the_o contrary_a he_o ought_v to_o bless_v god_n for_o that_o good_a which_o the_o divine_a grace_n have_v wrought_v if_o he_o but_o as_o the_o last_o refuge_n of_o sinner_n be_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n so_o they_o common_o abuse_v those_o place_n which_o set_v forth_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o mercy_n they_o find_v this_o principal_o upon_o these_o word_n where_o sin_n do_v abound_v grace_n do_v much_o more_o abound_v under_o the_o covert_a of_o this_o short_a sentence_n the_o most_o flagitious_a sinner_n think_v themselves_o safe_a but_o the_o bare_a read_n of_o st._n paul_n discourse_n will_v soon_o convince_v we_o that_o this_o be_v to_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n into_o a_o false_a and_o pernicious_a sense_n the_o apostle_n design_n be_v to_o show_v that_o all_o man_n be_v render_v sinner_n in_o adam_n and_o by_o the_o law_n the_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v so_o great_a that_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o save_o they_o through_o jesus_n christ_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v this_o truth_n he_o have_v prove_v thâ—_n before_o christ_n sin_n and_o death_n reign_v erery_a where_n not_o only_o among_o the_o heathen_a but_o also_o among_o the_o jew_n upon_o this_o â—â—adds_n that_o where_o sin_n do_v abound_v grace_n â—â—mercy_o more_o abound_v to_o signify_v god_n hauâ—â—â—_n mercy_n on_o they_o when_o they_o be_v involve_v in_o sin_n and_o death_n in_o a_o word_n st._n pâ—â—_n set_v the_o happy_a condition_n to_o which_o mâ—â—_n be_v advance_v by_o jesus_n christ_n in_o opposition_n to_o that_o which_o they_o be_v in_o before_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o place_n and_o the_o drift_n of_o the_o whole_a epistle_n can_v any_o one_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o now_o we_o may_v free_o sin_n and_o that_o grace_n will_v exert_v in_o self_n reward_v we_o whatever_o sin_n we_o may_v commit_v it_o be_v fit_a to_o observe_v beside_o that_o whiâ—â—_n st._n paul_n speak_v of_o grace_n he_o do_v not_o only_o mean_v the_o pardon_v but_o likewise_o the_o sanctify_a grace_n which_o destroy_v the_o pretention_n of_o the_o libertine_n the_o apoâ—â—_n himself_o confute_v it_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o vehemence_n he_o foresee_v that_o some_o will_v ague_n like_o those_o we_o now_o contend_v with_o aâ—â—_n he_o make_v this_o objection_n to_o himself_o 12._o himself_o rom._n 6.1_o 2_o 3_o 11_o 12._o whâ—â—_n then_o shall_v we_o continue_v in_o sin_n that_o grace_n may_v bound_v and_o this_o be_v his_o answer_n god_n forbid_v how_o shall_v we_o that_o be_v dead_a to_o sin_n live_v 〈◊〉_d long_o therein_o we_o who_o have_v be_v baptize_v into_o christ_n death_n that_o we_o shall_v walk_v in_o newness_n of_o life_n reckon_v you_o also_o yourselves_o dead_a unto_o sin_n but_o alive_a unto_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n let_v not_o sin_n therefore_o reign_v in_o your_o mortal_a body_n
of_o holiness_n which_o he_o require_v of_o they_o the_o apostle_n give_v we_o another_o notion_n of_o those_o who_o know_v and_o believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n they_o represent_v to_o we_o indeed_o the_o miserable_a condition_n in_o which_o man_n natural_o be_v and_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o corruption_n but_o they_o tell_v we_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o christ_n be_v come_v to_o deliver_v they_o from_o that_o state_n 4.13_o state_n phil_n 4.13_o that_o a_o christian_n can_v do_v all_o thing_n through_o christ_n that_o strengthen_v he_o 11.21_o he_o 2_o tim._n 11.21_o that_o he_o be_v perfect_a and_o thorough_o furnish_v to_o all_o good_a work_n 34._o work_n 1_o john_n ver_fw-la 34._o that_o he_o who_o love_v god_n keep_v his_o commandment_n and_o overcome_v the_o world_n this_o plain_o import_v that_o we_o be_v no_o long_o in_o that_o state_n of_o corruption_n and_o death_n wherein_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o himself_o be_v a_o slave_n to_o sin_n or_o at_o least_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o long_o in_o that_o state_n after_o all_o that_o which_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n have_v do_v for_o we_o it_o be_v the_o great_a injury_n that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o christ_n and_o his_o grace_n to_o say_v that_o his_o come_v his_o death_n his_o gospel_n and_o his_o spirit_n be_v not_o able_a to_o sanctify_v man_n and_o that_o after_o they_o be_v redeem_a and_o adopt_a by_o god_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v good_a and_o to_o do_v what_o he_o command_v if_o this_o be_v true_a where_o will_v be_v the_o power_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o what_o can_v we_o think_v of_o god_n proceed_n when_o he_o address_v his_o commandment_n to_o we_o at_o this_o rate_n he_o give_v we_o a_o law_n not_o that_o we_o shall_v keep_v it_o but_o rather_o to_o convince_v we_o that_o we_o can_v observe_v it_o in_o this_o case_n what_o will_v become_v of_o our_o saviour_n precept_n and_o what_o be_v we_o to_o think_v of_o those_o pure_a and_o exalt_a moral_n which_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o evangelical_n holiness_n will_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o imaginary_a and_o unpracticable_a sanctity_n those_o idea_n of_o perfection_n will_v be_v but_o mere_a idea_n without_o any_o reality_n like_o those_o of_o that_o philosopher_n who_o form_v a_o fine_a scheme_n of_o the_o best_a government_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n but_o it_o be_v a_o project_n which_o can_v never_o be_v execute_v it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v we_o may_v remember_v that_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n we_o be_v no_o long_a heathen_n and_o that_o man_n shall_v be_v encourage_v and_o not_o dishearten_v by_o extravagant_a maxim_n and_o discourse_n which_o be_v the_o imitate_v those_o cowardly_a spy_n who_o after_o they_o have_v view_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n go_v about_o to_o dispirit_v the_o israelite_n and_o to_o persuade_v they_o that_o the_o conquest_n of_o that_o land_n be_v impossible_a 2._o it_o be_v not_o only_o say_v that_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o be_v so_o holy_a as_o the_o gospel_n require_v but_o it_o be_v add_v beside_o that_o god_n will_v not_o have_v we_o be_v so_o that_o he_o make_v use_v of_o sin_n to_o keep_v we_o humble_a and_o to_o make_v we_o feel_v the_o constant_a need_n we_o have_v of_o his_o grace_n as_o well_o as_o to_o kindle_v in_o we_o the_o desire_n of_o a_o better_a and_o more_o perfect_a life_n this_o maxim_n represent_v corruption_n as_o a_o thing_n unavoidable_a agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o in_o some_o measure_n useful_a but_o what_o can_v be_v more_o false_a than_o to_o pretend_v that_o god_n will_v not_o have_v we_o be_v holy_a why_o then_o do_v he_o command_v we_o to_o be_v so_o why_o do_v st._n paul_n say_v 4.3_o say_v 1_o thess_n 4.3_o this_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o wit_n your_o sanctification_n what_o can_v be_v mean_v by_o these_o word_n of_o st._n peter_n 16._o peter_n 1_o pet._n 1.15_o 16._o as_o he_o who_o have_v call_v you_o be_v holy_a be_v you_o also_o holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n for_o it_o be_v write_v be_v you_o holy_a for_o i_o be_o holy_a if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v have_v we_o be_v holy_a but_o not_o perfect_o holy_a as_o we_o shall_v be_v in_o heaven_n i_o ask_v no_o more_o who_o do_v ever_o pretend_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v as_o holy_a in_o this_o world_n as_o we_o be_v to_o be_v in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v nothing_o else_o be_v require_v of_o man_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v as_o holy_a as_o god_n will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v and_o as_o holy_a as_o his_o grace_n enable_v they_o to_o be_v in_o this_o life_n to_o allege_v against_o this_o that_o god_n will_v not_o have_v we_o be_v so_o holy_a be_v a_o ridiculous_a evasion_n which_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n beside_o this_o maxim_n take_v in_o that_o sense_n which_o it_o first_o offer_n to_o the_o mind_n seem_v to_o make_v god_n the_o author_n of_o sin_n for_o it_o suppose_v not_o only_o that_o god_n will_v not_o have_v we_o to_o be_v so_o holy_a but_o which_o be_v more_o strange_a that_o he_o will_v the_o contrary_a that_o lie_n have_v his_o view_n design_n and_o reason_n why_o he_o shall_v not_o permit_v we_o to_o attain_v that_o degree_n of_o holiness_n to_o which_o the_o gospel_n call_v we_o that_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n that_o god_n make_v use_v of_o sin_n to_o keep_v we_o humble_a to_o make_v we_o feel_v the_o need_n we_o have_v of_o his_o grace_n and_o to_o make_v we_o long_o for_o another_o life_n if_o it_o be_v say_v only_o that_o god_n have_v some_o reason_n to_o permit_v sin_n such_o a_o assertion_n will_v be_v true_a but_o those_o who_o allege_v this_o maxim_n to_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o obey_v the_o gospel_n ascribe_v to_o god_n a_o positive_a design_n and_o a_o direct_a intention_n which_o render_v that_o obedience_n impossible_a which_o derogate_v from_o his_o holiness_n and_o justice_n and_o which_o be_v manifest_o contrary_a to_o those_o declaration_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v make_v in_o scripture_n if_o it_o be_v further_o say_v that_o our_o sin_n ought_v to_o humble_v we_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v serve_v to_o make_v we_o wise_a and_o more_o circumspect_a for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v and_o to_o raise_v in_o we_o a_o longing_n after_o a_o happy_a state_n this_o will_v be_v very_o reasonable_a but_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v from_o thence_o that_o we_o be_v to_o ascribe_v to_o god_n those_o view_v and_o intention_n which_o this_o maxim_n ascribe_v to_o he_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o design_n which_o god_n propose_v to_o himself_o and_o the_o event_n of_o thing_n these_o two_o shall_v never_o be_v confound_v neither_o ought_v the_o natural_a effect_n of_o sin_n to_o be_v confound_v with_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o the_o natural_a effect_n of_o sin_n can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o evil_n if_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o be_v not_o always_o fatal_a and_o if_o man_n reap_v some_o advantage_n from_o it_o that_o be_v as_o we_o say_v by_o accident_n however_o god_n have_v no_o need_n of_o vice_n to_o form_v we_o to_o humility_n he_o have_v other_o mean_n enough_o to_o humble_v we_o and_o to_o make_v we_o feel_v the_o need_n we_o stand_v in_o of_o his_o grace_n without_o be_v necessitate_v to_o let_v we_o live_v under_o the_o dominion_n of_o sin_n to_o produce_v those_o disposition_n in_o we_o and_o there_o remain_v still_o even_o in_o the_o very_o holy_a man_n matter_n enough_o for_o they_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o divine_a mercy_n and_o to_o aspire_v to_o a_o better_a life_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o progress_n they_o can_v make_v in_o holiness_n this_o will_v be_v full_o clear_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o chapter_n 3._o here_o be_v another_o maxim_n which_o be_v pretty_a common_a it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o world_n be_v the_o place_n of_o corruption_n that_o this_o life_n be_v the_o time_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o holiness_n be_v reserve_v for_o heaven_n man_n mind_n be_v so_o infect_v with_o this_o imagination_n that_o we_o hear_v it_o say_v every_o day_n even_o by_o those_o who_o have_v some_o piety_n that_o we_o live_v in_o this_o world_n only_o to_o offend_v god_n and_o that_o we_o do_v nothing_o but_o sin_n but_o certain_o nothing_o be_v more_o contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n than_o this_o for_o though_o it_o be_v true_a in_o a_o sound_a sense_n that_o this_o world_n be_v the_o place_n of_o corruption_n and_o that_o sin_n will_v never_o be_v entire_o abolish_v but_o in_o heaven_n yet_o that_o do_v by_o no_o mean_n excuse_v we_o from_o serve_v and_o fear_v god_n as_o long_o as_o we_o live_v here_o the_o first_o thing_n a_o
of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o christianity_n or_o of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o its_o precept_n promise_n and_o threaten_n i_o grant_v then_o that_o corruption_n be_v great_a that_o the_o course_n of_o the_o world_n be_v very_o bad_a and_o that_o in_o all_o probability_n there_o will_v always_o be_v wickedness_n upon_o earth_n but_o that_o this_o corruption_n shall_v be_v always_o the_o same_o so_o that_o no_o reformation_n can_v be_v hope_v be_v what_o can_v be_v maintain_v without_o affront_a religion_n without_o introduce_v fatality_n and_o extinguish_v all_o zeal_n among_o christian_n by_o the_o maxim_n we_o have_v hitherto_o examine_v man_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n be_v either_o of_o no_o great_a necessity_n or_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o there_o be_v some_o other_o which_o represent_v the_o study_n of_o virtue_n as_o dangerous_a so_o that_o here_o vicious_a man_n do_v not_o stand_v bare_o upon_o the_o defensive_a part_n but_o they_o attack_v their_o adversary_n who_o recommend_v the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n 1._o they_o pretend_v that_o we_o can_v insist_v so_o much_o upon_o work_n without_o obscure_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o divine_a mercy_n we_o must_v ascribe_v all_o say_v they_o to_o mercy_n and_o nothing_o to_o our_o own_o righteousness_n there_o be_v no_o true_a christian_n but_o acknowledge_v that_o our_o salvation_n be_v entire_o owe_v to_o the_o divine_a mercy_n and_o reject_v the_o opinion_n which_o attribute_n any_o merit_n to_o goodwork_n it_o be_v that_o mercy_n which_o give_v we_o christ_n for_o our_o redeemer_n and_o our_o salvation_n be_v found_v upon_o that_o redemption_n it_o be_v that_o mercy_n which_o pardon_v the_o sin_n of_o those_o who_o believe_v and_o repent_v and_o which_o bear_v with_o the_o infirmity_n of_o regenerate_v christian_n and_o it_o be_v from_o the_o same_o mercy_n that_o we_o expect_v that_o glorious_a and_o un-merited_n reward_n which_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o heaven_n for_o good_a men._n all_o these_o be_v as_o many_o act_n of_o the_o pure_a mercy_n of_o god_n but_o as_o we_o have_v show_v that_o the_o mercy_n which_o save_v we_o do_v not_o excuse_v we_o from_o goodwork_n so_o the_o necessity_n of_o goodwork_n do_v not_o lessen_v in_o the_o least_o the_o riches_n of_o god_n mercy_n unless_o we_o admit_v that_o there_o be_v contradiction_n in_o scripture_n we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o sanctification_n do_v perfect_o agree_v with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o grace_n and_o in_o truth_n to_o say_v that_o god_n give_v up_o his_o son_n to_o death_n in_o order_n to_o save_o man_n and_o that_o he_o will_v grant_v remission_n of_o sin_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n to_o every_o believe_v and_o repent_v sinner_n be_v as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v say_v to_o magnify_v the_o divine_a mercy_n except_o we_o shall_v pretend_v that_o god_n will_v be_v more_o merciful_a if_o he_o do_v indifferent_o save_o all_o mankind_n and_o reward_v vice_n and_o virtue_n alike_o but_o this_o will_v be_v a_o horrid_a thought_n and_o no_o less_o than_o downright_a blasphemy_n then_o sinner_n may_v say_v indeed_o let_v we_o continue_v in_o sin_n that_o grace_n may_v abound_v let_v we_o suppose_v that_o a_o prince_n pardon_v a_o rebellious_a subject_n and_o that_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o confer_v the_o great_a honour_n and_o benefit_n upon_o he_o on_o condition_n that_o this_o subject_a shall_v accept_v of_o the_o pardon_n that_o be_v offer_v he_o and_o shall_v relapse_n no_o more_o into_o the_o same_o crime_n will_v any_o man_n be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o say_v that_o the_o clemency_n of_o that_o prince_n will_v be_v much_o great_a if_o he_o do_v grant_v his_o favour_n to_o this_o rebel_n though_o he_o shall_v persist_v in_o his_o crime_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o some_o man_n will_v have_v god_n do_v it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o any_o one_o shall_v think_v to_o honour_n god_n by_o such_o conceit_n as_o do_v not_o only_o injure_v his_o mercy_n but_o his_o other_o perfection_n too_o because_o god_n be_v merciful_a must_v we_o forget_v that_o he_o be_v holy_a just_a and_o good_a it_o be_v say_v that_o we_o must_v ascribe_v all_o to_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n what_o then_o must_v we_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o his_o holiness_n his_o justice_n and_o his_o truth_n mu_o what_o the_o scripture_n tell_v of_o these_o last_o perfection_n be_v faint_o and_o tender_o expound_v whilst_o we_o press_v and_o serve_v up_o to_o the_o high_a pitch_n what_o it_o say_v of_o mercy_n as_o to_o what_o be_v add_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o ascribe_v nothing_o to_o our_o own_o righteousness_n it_o be_v unquestionable_o true_a but_o do_v we_o ascribe_v any_o thing_n to_o man_n when_o we_o say_v that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v his_o duty_n and_o to_o accept_v the_o favour_n which_o god_n be_v please_v to_o bestow_v upon_o he_o can_v any_o man_n say_v that_o the_o rebel_n i_o mention_v just_a now_o be_v the_o author_n of_o his_o own_o happiness_n and_o that_o he_o deserve_v the_o pardon_n grant_v he_o by_o his_o prince_n because_o he_o accept_v of_o it_o and_o fulfil_v the_o condition_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v offer_v what_o reason_n then_o have_v a_o man_n to_o value_v himself_o upon_o his_o own_o righteousness_n or_o to_o arrogate_v any_o merit_n to_o himself_o since_o he_o be_v indebt_v to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n both_o for_o the_o beginning_n and_o the_o progress_n of_o his_o sanctification_n in_o short_a we_o shall_v take_v heed_n that_o for_o fear_n of_o ascribe_v any_o thing_n to_o man_n we_o may_v not_o rob_v the_o divine_a grace_n of_o what_o belong_v to_o it_o by_o not_o acknowledge_v its_o gift_n and_o power_n in_o a_o regenerate_v man._n 2._o here_o be_v another_o maxim_n which_o be_v allege_v in_o confirmation_n of_o the_o precede_a and_o which_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o mark_n it_o be_v this_o that_o we_o must_v not_o speak_v so_o much_o of_o goodwork_n lest_o we_o inspire_v man_n with_o pride_n and_o presumption_n and_o to_o support_v this_o maxim_n it_o be_v usual_a to_o run_v out_o upon_o man_n inclination_n to_o pride_n and_o upon_o the_o heinousness_n of_o that_o sin_n but_o this_o maxim_n proceed_v only_o from_o the_o false_a and_o confuse_a notion_n which_o man_n have_v about_o religious_a matter_n either_o this_o maxim_n have_v no_o sense_n at_o all_o or_o else_o it_o mount_v to_o this_o that_o whosoever_o apply_v himself_o to_o holiness_n and_o goodwork_n be_v in_o danger_n of_o fall_v into_o pride_n and_o that_o a_o neglect_n of_o virtue_n contain_v a_o man_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o humility_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v holy_a without_o humility_n and_o humble_a without_o holiness_n two_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a and_o contradictory_n that_o can_v be_v assert_v at_o this_o rate_n it_o will_v be_v a_o dangerous_a thing_n to_o be_v a_o good_a man_n and_o more_o safe_a to_o be_v otherwise_o by_o pursue_v virtue_n and_o holiness_n a_o man_n draw_v near_o to_o sin_n and_o to_o the_o great_a of_o sin_n i_o mean_v pride_n and_o by_o neglect_v holiness_n he_o attain_v humility_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a christian_a virtue_n if_o this_o be_v true_a all_o that_o we_o call_v vice_n or_o virtue_n be_v but_o a_o empty_a sound_n it_o be_v much_o that_o man_n shall_v not_o see_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o holiness_n without_o humility_n nor_o humility_n without_o holiness_n that_o where_o there_o be_v holiness_n there_o be_v humility_n and_o pride_n be_v exclude_v and_o that_o where_o pride_n be_v there_o be_v no_o true_a sanctification_n the_o holy_a a_o man_n grow_v he_o become_v the_o more_o humble_a and_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o come_v the_o near_a to_o pride_n by_o proceed_v in_o holliness_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o remove_v the_o far_o from_o it_o the_o instance_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n who_o be_v both_o perfect_o holy_a and_o perfect_o humble_a be_v a_o proof_n that_o humility_n be_v not_o incompatible_a with_o holiness_n but_o the_o nature_n of_o humility_n be_v not_o well_o understand_v there_o be_v many_o who_o conceive_v no_o other_o humility_n but_o that_o which_o arise_v from_o the_o disorder_n of_o a_o vicious_a and_o irregular_a life_n so_o that_o when_o they_o will_v humble_v good_a man_n they_o rank_v they_o among_o the_o vile_a sinner_n they_o make_v they_o say_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o wickedness_n and_o abomination_n in_o they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v deserve_v eternal_a damnation_n by_o innumerable_a sin_n which_o they_o have_v commit_v every_o moment_n of_o their_o life_n and_o even_o by_o the_o best_a action_n they_o have_v do_v the_o strong_a expression_n and_o the_o most_o excessive_a hyperbole_n be_v scarce_o sufficient_a to_o
give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o dispute_n with_o st._n peter_n and_o of_o his_o reprove_v he_o for_o his_o too_o great_a compliance_n with_o the_o jew_n he_o affirm_v that_o we_o be_v justify_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o not_o by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n why_o have_v not_o than_o difference_n be_v observe_v which_o st_n paul_n make_v about_o work_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n he_o call_v they_o the_o work_v of_o the_o law_n or_o bare_o work_v but_o when_o he_o treat_v of_o the_o work_n which_o the_o gospel_n prescribe_v he_o call_v they_o good_a work_n because_o they_o be_v real_o good_a holy_a and_o profitable_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n but_o this_o title_n of_o good_a work_n be_v never_o bestow_v upon_o the_o work_v of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n which_o consider_v in_o themselves_o have_v nothing_o of_o goodness_n or_o holiness_n in_o they_o in_o a_o word_n good_a work_n in_o st._n paul_n stile_n be_v quite_o another_o thing_n than_o bare_o work_v or_o the_o work_v of_o the_o law_n if_o this_o have_v be_v consider_v such_o great_a â—ains_n need_v not_o to_o have_v be_v take_v to_o make_v 3.27_o make_v rom._n 3.27_o st._n paul_n agree_v with_o st._n james_n 11.16_o james_n galat._n 11.16_o st._n paul_n say_v that_o man_n be_v justify_v by_o faith_n without_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n 11.24_o law_n jam._n 11.24_o and_o st._n james_n â—hat_n man_n be_v justify_v by_o work_n and_o not_o by_o faith_n â—nly_o there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n between_o these_o two_o apostle_n both_o follow_v one_o hypothesis_n and_o argue_v upon_o the_o same_o principle_n st._n paul_n dispute_v against_o the_o jew_n who_o will_v tie_v christian_n to_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n â—â—ffrms_n that_o faith_n in_o christ_n be_v sufficient_a provide_v it_o bring_v forth_o good_a work_n be_v â—nd_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o observe_v the_o moysaicall_a rite_n st._n james_n dispute_v against_o heretic_n who_o pretend_v that_o faith_n do_v â—ave_n without_o good_a work_n and_o so_o do_v â—ntirely_o ruin_v our_o saviour_n moral_n deâ—lares_v that_o faith_n which_o do_v not_o produce_v good_a work_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o salvation_n be_v not_o this_o the_o same_o doctrine_n with_o st._n paul_n but_o instead_o of_o reconcile_a these_o two_o apostle_n some_o people_n find_v here_o great_a difficulty_n they_o do_v not_o reconcile_v st._n james_n with_o st._n paul_n but_o they_o rather_o refute_v st._n james_n by_o st._n paul_n st._n james_n be_v expound_v with_o great_a caution_n as_o if_o he_o have_v go_v too_o far_o by_o say_v that_o man_n be_v justify_v by_o work_n and_o not_o by_o faith_n only_o this_o proposition_n be_v soften_v as_o much_o as_o possible_a it_o be_v excuse_v rather_o than_o explain_v but_o as_o for_o what_o st._n paul_n say_v that_o faith_n alone_o justfiy_v without_o work_n it_o be_v take_v in_o the_o utmost_a strictness_n so_o that_o all_o be_v ascribe_v to_o faith_n and_o nothing_o to_o good_a work_n nay_o faith_n be_v set_v in_o opposition_n to_o good_a work_n and_o god_n to_o god_n himself_o the_o passage_n of_o scripture_n which_o speak_v of_o faith_n be_v bring_v out_o against_o those_o which_o relate_v to_o work_n it_o be_v true_a say_v some_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o without_o holiness_n no_o manshall_n see_v god_n but_o it_o be_v likewise_o write_v that_o we_o be_v not_o justify_v by_o our_o work_n but_o only_o by_o faith_n and_o by_o this_o way_n of_o reason_v man_n raise_v themselves_o above_o the_o reproach_n and_o accusation_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n i_o say_v it_o once_o more_o this_o be_v to_o attack_v and_o confute_v the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o itself_o and_o to_o charge_v the_o holy_a ghost_n with_o self-contradiction_n for_o in_o short_a if_o a_o man_n can_v be_v justify_v without_o good_a work_n he_o can_v be_v save_v without_o they_o too_o since_o the_o be_v justify_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o the_o be_v save_v now_o if_o a_o man_n can_v be_v save_v without_o good_a work_n he_o may_v see_v the_o face_n of_o god_n without_o holiness_n which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o what_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 21.14_o we_o heb._n 21.14_o that_o without_o holiness_n no_o man_n shall_v see_v the_o lord_n 2._o a_o great_a many_o people_n imagine_v that_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o privilege_n of_o christian_n not_o to_o be_v tie_v to_o the_o observation_n of_o god_n law_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v some_o mistake_a place_n give_v occasion_n to_o that_o error_n and_o particular_o this_o 6._o this_o rom._n 6._o we_o be_v no_o more_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n these_o word_n be_v thus_o interpret_v the_o law_n do_v prescribe_v work_n but_o the_o gospel_n require_v only_a faith_n the_o law_n do_v threaten_v but_o the_o gospel_n speak_v only_o of_o grace_n and_o pardon_n so_o that_o to_o require_v work_n at_o this_o time_n of_o day_n be_v to_o bring_v back_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o law_n there_o be_v something_o of_o truth_n in_o this_o reason_n but_o those_o who_o make_v use_v of_o it_o to_o free_v themselves_o from_o the_o observation_n of_o god_n commandment_n do_v very_o little_o understand_v either_o what_o the_o law_n or_o the_o gospel_n be_v and_o wherein_o these_o two_o dispensation_n differ_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o law_n be_v a_o dispensation_n of_o severity_n it_o do_v not_o propose_v to_o man_n remission_n of_o sin_n and_o salvation_n as_o the_o gospel_n do_v the_o law_n have_v not_o that_o power_n and_o efficacy_n to_o sanctify_v man_n which_o grace_n have_v the_o law_n lay_v upon_o the_o jew_n great_a many_o obligation_n which_o be_v not_o only_o burdensome_a and_o painful_a but_o which_o beside_o have_v no_o intrinsical_a holiness_n in_o they_o and_o those_o duty_n be_v enjoin_v under_o a_o curse_n the_o law_n itself_o be_v a_o time_n of_o severity_n and_o malediction_n in_o respect_n to_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n since_o all_o the_o while_n that_o oeconomy_n do_v subsist_v they_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o covenant_n which_o god_n have_v make_v with_o the_o jew_n in_o these_o several_a regard_n we_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n but_o if_o from_o this_o that_o we_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n we_o shall_v infer_v that_o we_o be_v no_o long_o bind_v to_o do_v what_o be_v just_a this_o inference_n will_v overturn_v the_o whole_a gospel_n and_o transform_v religion_n into_o libertinism_n iâ—_n because_o we_o be_v under_o grace_n we_o ought_v to_o speak_v no_o more_o of_o work_n why_o shall_v the_o gospel_n prescribe_v work_n and_o the_o same_o work_n which_o the_o law_n enjoin_v except_v only_o the_o ceremony_n why_o shall_v this_o gospel_n call_v we_o to_o a_o holiness_n which_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o enforce_v this_o obligation_n with_o more_o terrible_a threaten_n than_o those_o of_o the_o law_n why_o do_v our_o saviour_n john_n the_o baptist_n and_o the_o apostle_n preach_v up_o repentance_n and_o enter_v upon_o their_o ministry_n with_o these_o word_n 4.4_o word_n mat._n 3.2_o and_o 4.4_o repent_v you_o according_a to_o the_o hypothesis_n of_o these_o man_n they_o shall_v have_v speak_v to_o they_o after_o this_o manner_n 11.17_o manner_n act_n 11.17_o this_o be_v the_o time_n of_o grace_n the_o law_n be_v past_a and_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n be_v abolish_v therefore_o fear_v nothing_o let_v not_o your_o sin_n trouble_v you_o for_o salvation_n be_v promise_v to_o all_o mankind_n whence_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o our_o 5.6.7_o our_o mat._n 5.6.7_o saviour_n speak_v only_o of_o work_n in_o his_o sermon_n upon_o the_o mount_n or_o that_o st._n paul_n declare_v that_o the_o natural_a intention_n and_o the_o proper_a effect_n of_o grace_n be_v to_o teach_v man_n to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o temperance_n justice_n and_o godliness_n must_v we_o say_v that_o god_n be_v alter_v that_o he_o do_v not_o love_v holiness_n so_o much_o now_o as_o he_o do_v heretofore_o of_o that_o sin_n be_v become_v less_o odious_a to_o he_o since_o it_o be_v expiate_v by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n but_o it_o be_v say_v we_o be_v no_o more_o under_o the_o law_n what_o be_v christian_n then_o a_o lawless_a people_n on_o the_o contrary_n we_o be_v under_o the_o law_n i_o mean_v under_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n under_o 8.2_o under_o rom._n 8.2_o the_o law_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o life_n which_o make_v we_o free_a from_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n and_o death_n but_o let_v we_o hear_v st._n paul_n himself_o in_o what_o sense_n and_o respect_n do_v he_o say_v that_o we_o be_v no_o more_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n he_o say_v this_o precise_o to_o show_v that_o
man_n to_o be_v too_o just_a or_o too_o wise_a and_o whether_o there_o can_v be_v a_o vicious_a excess_n in_o righteousness_n or_o wisdom_n if_o a_o man_n may_v be_v over-righteous_a he_o may_v likewise_o love_v god_n too_o much_o for_o to_o be_v righteous_a and_o to_o love_n god_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n now_o god_n require_v that_o we_o shall_v love_v he_o with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o consequent_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v as_o righteous_a as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o be_v but_o far_o from_o be_v over-righteous_a we_o can_v never_o be_v righteous_a enough_o and_o if_o we_o can_v never_o be_v righteous_a enough_o be_v there_o any_o occasion_n to_o exhort_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v over-righteous_a i_o wish_v man_n have_v at_o least_o that_o reverence_n for_o the_o scripture_n as_o not_o to_o make_v it_o speak_v absurdity_n i_o know_v the_o ordinary_a evasion_n vicious_a man_n will_v say_v that_o when_o piety_n run_v to_o excess_n it_o lead_v to_o superstition_n or_o pride_n and_o become_v troublesome_a and_o ridiculous_a every_o body_n say_v that_o but_o without_o reason_n i_o have_v refute_v that_o opinion_n and_o show_v that_o true_a piety_n never_o degenerate_v into_o superstition_n or_o pride_n and_o that_o devout_a man_n who_o be_v superstitious_a or_o troublesome_a have_v but_o a_o false_a devotion_n or_o a_o misguide_a zeal_n this_o may_v direct_v we_o to_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o sentence_n in_o question_n solomon_n do_v not_o speak_v here_o of_o true_a justice_n and_o wisdom_n for_o whether_o he_o may_v have_v a_o eye_n here_o upon_o superstitious_a or_o hypocritical_a person_n who_o righteousness_n be_v but_o imaginary_a which_o sense_n be_v adopt_v by_o many_o interpreter_n or_o whether_o he_o speak_v of_o those_o who_o exercise_n justice_n with_o too_o much_o severity_n as_o some_o think_v or_o whether_o as_o it_o be_v conceive_v by_o other_o he_o give_v this_o advice_n to_o busy_a and_o presumptuous_a people_n who_o meddle_v in_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o concern_v they_o and_o fancy_v themselves_o able_a to_o determine_v all_o matter_n however_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o solomon_n do_v not_o speak_v here_o of_o good_a man_n who_o exact_o follow_v the_o rule_n of_o true_a justice_n and_o wisdom_n if_o we_o stick_v to_o the_o last_o of_o these_o three_o exposition_n which_o seem_v to_o agree_v best_a with_o solomon_n design_n then_o the_o meaning_n of_o this_o place_n be_v clear_a and_o rational_a and_o have_v nothing_o in_o it_o contrary_a to_o piety_n whereas_o the_o sense_n which_o be_v put_v upon_o these_o word_n by_o the_o libertine_n be_v both_o absurd_a and_o impious_a those_o who_o will_v either_o justify_v or_o excuse_v corruption_n use_v to_o object_n in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o since_o the_o scripture_n teach_v that_o all_o man_n and_o even_o good_a man_n be_v deep_o engage_v in_o corruption_n it_o must_v follow_v from_o thence_o that_o holiness_n and_o goodwork_n be_v not_o so_o very_o necessary_a and_o that_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o be_v impossible_a now_o to_o prove_v this_o universal_a corruption_n of_o all_o man_n they_o bring_v several_a declaration_n of_o scripture_n and_o this_o among_o the_o rest_n there_o be_v not_o one_o that_o do_v good_a no_o not_o one_o etc._n etc._n psal_n 14._o rom._n 3._o if_o their_o meaning_n in_o cite_v these_o word_n be_v only_o to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o man_n altogether_o free_a from_o sin_n and_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o the_o otherhand_n that_o good_a man_n do_v not_o sin_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o the_o wicked_a do_v i_o will_v not_o quarrel_n much_o about_o this_o interpretation_n though_o not_o altogether_o exact_a or_o agreeable_a to_o the_o scope_n of_o david_n in_o the_o 19_o psalm_n but_o there_o be_v another_o design_n in_o it_o which_o be_v to_o infer_v from_o these_o word_n that_o man_n differ_v very_o little_a from_o one_o another_o that_o they_o be_v all_o guilty_a of_o many_o great_a sin_n and_o that_o none_o do_v or_o can_v practice_v the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n in_o a_o word_n this_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o apology_n of_o corruption_n and_o to_o silence_v those_o who_o oppose_v it_o if_o what_o david_n say_v in_o this_o place_n be_v to_o be_v strict_o understand_v it_o will_v follow_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o good_a man_n upon_o earth_n that_o all_o man_n be_v pervert_v that_o they_o be_v all_o become_v abominable_a by_o their_o sin_n and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o single_a person_n that_o be_v just_a or_o that_o fear_n god_n but_o this_o consequence_n raise_v horror_n it_o be_v contrary_a to_o truth_n and_o experience_n and_o to_o what_o the_o scripture_n declare_v in_o a_o thousand_o place_n where_o it_o speak_v of_o good_a man_n and_o distinguish_v they_o from_o the_o wicked_a nay_o this_o consequence_n may_v be_v destroy_v from_o what_o we_o read_v in_o that_o very_a psalm_n which_o mention_n the_o just_a who_o be_v protect_v by_o god_n and_o the_o wicked_a who_o persecute_v they_o this_o complaint_n of_o david_n must_v therefore_o be_v understand_v with_o some_o restriction_n by_o read_v the_o fourteen_o psalm_n we_o may_v perceive_v that_o david_n intend_v to_o describe_v in_o it_o the_o extreme_a corruption_n of_o man_n in_o his_o time_n there_o he_o draw_v the_o picture_n of_o impiety_n and_o atheism_n and_o speak_v of_o those_o fool_n who_o say_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n and_o who_o life_n be_v a_o continue_a chain_n of_o sin_n it_o must_v be_v observe_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o when_o st._n paul_n cite_v these_o word_n out_o of_o the_o fourteen_o psalm_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n chap._n iii_o he_o do_v it_o with_o a_o design_n to_o show_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v not_o much_o better_a than_o the_o heathen_n and_o that_o they_o have_v as_o much_o need_n of_o a_o saviour_n 9_o saviour_n v._o 9_o what_o then_o be_v we_o better_o than_o they_o no_o in_o no_o wise_a for_o we_o have_v before_o prove_v both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n that_o they_o be_v all_o under_o sin_n this_o be_v the_o assertion_n which_o st._n paul_n maintain_v and_o which_o he_o prove_v from_o that_o complaint_n which_o david_n make_v of_o old_a 19_o old_a v._o 19_o there_o be_v not_o one_o that_o do_v good_a etc._n etc._n from_o whence_o he_o conclude_v that_o all_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v and_o that_o all_o the_o world_n be_v become_v guilty_a before_o god_n so_o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n can_v neither_o justify_v nor_o sanctify_v the_o jew_n but_o he_o teach_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o christ_n be_v come_v to_o rescue_v man_n out_o of_o that_o miserable_a condition_n and_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a thing_n if_o we_o must_v dill_n say_v of_o christian_n that_o there_o be_v none_o that_o do_v good_a no_o not_o one_o 2._o this_o answer_n be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o that_o place_n in_o the_o ephesian_n where_o it_o be_v say_v i._n say_v ephes_n ii_o 1._o i._n that_o we_o be_v dead_a in_o trespass_n and_o sin_n for_o to_o the_o same_o end_n these_o word_n be_v quote_v i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o all_o man_n abstract_v from_o the_o divine_a grace_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o dead_a in_o their_o sin_n that_o be_v st._n paul_n meaning_n in_o that_o place_n he_o speak_v here_o of_o the_o natural_a state_n of_o man_n and_o particular_o of_o heathen_n which_o be_v a_o state_n of_o corruption_n and_o death_n in_o which_o they_o have_v perish_v have_v not_o god_n take_v pity_n upon_o they_o but_o the_o apostle_n intend_v to_o make_v the_o ephesian_n sensible_a of_o that_o unparalleled_a mercy_n of_o god_n by_o which_o they_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n be_v but_o poor_a heathen_n before_o who_o be_v dead_a in_o their_o sin_n and_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n he_o do_v not_o say_v to_o they_o you_o be_v dead_a in_o your_o sin_n it_o be_v falsify_v the_o text_n to_o cite_v it_o so_o and_o to_o say_v we_o be_v dead_a in_o our_o sin_n but_o you_o be_v dead_a he_o speak_v of_o the_o time_n past_o when_o they_o be_v heathen_n &c_n heathen_n and_o 5._o &c_n &c_n among_o who_o say_v he_o speak_v of_o the_o jew_n we_o have_v our_o conversation_n in_o time_n past_a in_o the_o lust_n of_o our_o flesh_n fulfil_v the_o desire_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o of_o the_o mind_n but_o now_o he_o add_v god_n have_v quicken_v we_o together_o with_o christ_n both_o you_o that_o be_v heathen_n and_o we_o that_o be_v jew_n be_v raise_v again_o from_o this_o spiritual_a death_n by_o virtue_n of_o god_n great_a mercy_n this_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o that_o place_n which_o give_v we_o a_o lively_a idea_n of_o man_n natural_a corruption_n and_o of_o that_o happy_a state_n to_o which_o christ_n
that_o they_o offend_v god_n at_o every_o foot_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v what_o man_n will_v establish_v from_o this_o maxim_n that_o the_o just_a man_n sin_n seven_o time_n a_o day_n those_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o quote_v the_o scripture_n shall_v neither_o add_v to_o nor_o diminish_v from_o it_o they_o shall_v not_o alter_v the_o word_n nor_o divide_v sentence_n from_o what_o go_v before_o and_o what_o follow_v for_o otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o absurdity_n or_o impiety_n which_o may_v not_o be_v prove_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n 5._o but_o our_o adversary_n will_v say_v whether_o that_o place_n be_v allege_v right_a or_o wrong_n it_o do_v not_o matter_n much_o since_o there_o be_v other_o which_z say_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o strong_a expression_n do_v not_o st._n paul_n say_v rom._n vii_o vii_o vii_o rom._n vii_o i_o be_o carnal_a sell_v under_o sin_n for_o in_o i_o dwell_v no_o good_a thing_n for_o that_o which_o i_o do_v i_o allow_v not_o and_o what_o i_o will_v that_o do_v i_o not_o but_o what_o i_o hate_v that_o do_v i._o i_o see_v a_o law_n in_o my_o member_n war_a against_o the_o law_n of_o my_o mind_n and_o bring_v i_o into_o captivity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v in_o my_o member_n o_o wretched_a man_n that_o i_o be_o who_o shall_v deliver_v i_o from_o the_o body_n of_o this_o death_n if_o st._n paul_n himself_o speak_v after_o this_o manner_n who_o can_v deny_v that_o the_o great_a saint_n fall_v into_o very_o heinous_a sin_n and_o have_v still_o a_o large_a stock_n of_o corruption_n in_o they_o those_o who_o draw_v this_o inference_n from_o the_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n make_v he_o speak_v that_o which_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o his_o thought_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o say_v any_o thing_n that_o favour_v the_o cause_n of_o sinner_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a his_o design_n be_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o to_o make_v man_n sensible_a of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o reference_n to_o sanctification_n he_o have_v this_o in_o his_o view_n in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n where_o he_o represent_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o corrupt_a and_o a_o regenerate_v man_n and_o between_o the_o condition_n of_o man_n under_o the_o law_n and_o his_o state_n under_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o all_o he_o say_v of_o the_o carnal_a man_n sell_v under_o sin_n etc._n etc._n be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o corrupt_a man_n live_v under_o the_o law_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o divine_n otherwise_o able_a and_o pious_a man_n have_v think_v that_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o himself_o in_o this_o chapter_n and_o that_o he_o represent_v there_o what_o pass_v within_o a_o regenerate_v man_n but_o i_o know_v likewise_o that_o a_o great_a many_o orthodox_n divine_v have_v reject_v that_o exposition_n as_o contrary_a to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o h_o a_o sad_a thing_n that_o when_o a_o place_n be_v capable_a of_o two_o sense_n man_n shall_v pitch_v upon_o that_o which_o come_v near_o to_o the_o pretension_n of_o sinner_n i_o do_v not_o intend_v here_o to_o enter_v into_o a_o dispute_n nor_o to_o offend_v those_o of_o a_o contrary_a opinion_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o they_o have_v no_o design_n to_o countenance_v corruption_n but_o as_o in_o all_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o seek_v the_o truth_n and_o as_o the_o truth_n here_o be_v of_o great_a consequence_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o piety_n so_o i_o entreat_v those_o who_o may_v have_v scruple_n concern_v those_o word_n to_o make_v these_o follow_a reflection_n 1._o let_v they_o serious_o and_o impartial_o consider_v whether_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o st._n paul_n be_v a_o carnal_a man_n fold_n under_o sin_n a_o man_n who_o do_v no_o good_a but_o evil_n and_o a_o man_n involve_v in_o death_n these_o be_v the_o strong_a expression_n which_o can_v be_v use_v and_o which_o the_o scripture_n use_v to_o give_v as_o the_o character_n of_o wicked_a and_o impious_a man_n to_o believe_v this_o of_o st._n paul_n be_v so_o very_o hard_o that_o a_o man_n must_v be_v able_a to_o digest_v any_o thing_n who_o be_v not_o startle_v at_o it_o 2._o i_o desire_v they_o to_o attend_v to_o the_o drift_n of_o st._n paul_n he_o have_v undertake_v to_o show_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o justification_n by_o faith_n do_v not_o introduce_v licentiousness_n this_o he_o have_v prove_v in_o the_o whole_a vi_o chapter_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o the_o read_n it_o be_v it_o likely_a that_o in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n he_o shall_v overturn_v all_o that_o he_o have_v establish_v in_o the_o precede_a \_o and_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a man_n be_v captivate_v to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n if_o this_o be_v st._n paul_n doctrine_n what_o become_v of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o faith_n to_o produce_v holiness_n and_o how_o can_v he_o have_v answer_v that_o objection_n which_o he_o propose_v to_o himself_o chap._n vi_o 1._o and_o 15._o shall_v we_o continue_v in_o sin_n shall_v we_o sin_v we_o that_o be_v under_o grace_n st._n paul_n ought_v to_o have_v grant_v the_o objection_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o most_o regenerate_v be_v sell_v to_o sin_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o in_o the_o vii_o chapter_n he_o go_v on_o to_o prove_v what_o he_o have_v lay_v down_o already_o to_o wit_n that_o the_o gospel_n sanctify_v man_n and_o not_o only_o this_o but_o that_o the_o gospel_n alone_o can_v sanctify_v man_n and_o that_o the_o law_n can_v not_o this_o be_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o whole_a chapter_n in_o the_o very_a first_fw-mi four_o verse_n he_o show_v that_o christian_n be_v no_o long_o under_o the_o law_n nor_o consequent_o under_o sin_n and_o that_o they_o be_v dead_a to_o the_o law_n that_o they_o may_v bring_v forth_o fruit_n unto_o god_n he_o express_v himself_o more_o clear_o yet_o in_o the_o 5_o verse_n where_o he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o considerable_a difference_n between_o those_o who_o be_v under_o the_o law_n and_o those_o who_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n he_o plain_o distinguish_v these_o two_o state_n and_o the_o time_n pass_v from_o the_o present_a when_o we_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n say_v he_o the_o motion_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v by_o the_o law_n do_v work_v in_o our_o member_n to_o bring_v forth_o unto_o death_n but_o now_o we_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o law_n that_o we_o shall_v serve_v in_o newness_n of_o spirit_n these_o be_v the_o two_o state_n the_o sit_v pass_v be_v a_o state_n of_o corruption_n the_o presect_v state_n be_v a_o state_n of_o holiness_n but_o as_o it_o may_v have_v be_v infer_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o law_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o sin_n the_o apostle_n refute_v that_o imagination_n from_o the_o seven_o to_o the_o 14_o verse_n after_o this_o he_o describe_v the_o miserable_a condition_n of_o a_o man_n who_o be_v not_o regenerate_v by_o grace_n and_o who_o still_o be_v under_o the_o law_n he_o begin_v to_o do_v this_o from_o the_o 14_o verse_n by_o fay_v the_o law_n be_v spiritual_a but_o i_o be_o carnal_a sell_v under_o sin_n etc._n etc._n and_o here_o no_o doubt_n it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o st_n paul_n speak_v of_o himself_o and_o not_o of_o those_o who_o be_v under_o the_o law_n for_o say_v he_o i_o be_o carnal_a etc._n etc._n but_o one_o may_v easy_o see_v that_o the_o apostle_n use_v here_o a_o way_n of_o speak_v which_o be_v very_o ordidinary_a in_o discourse_n and_o by_o which_o he_o that_o speak_v put_v himself_n in_o the_o room_n of_o those_o he_o speak_v of_o and_o st._n paul_n have_v the_o more_o reason_n to_o express_v himself_o in_o this_o manner_n because_o he_o have_v be_v himself_o under_o the_o law_n before_o he_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n there_o be_v many_o instance_n in_o scripture_n of_o this_o way_n of_o speak_v and_o we_o find_v one_o in_o this_o very_a chapter_n which_o be_v beyond_o exception_n st_n paul_n say_v in_o the_o 9th_o verse_n i_o be_v alive_a without_o the_o law_n once_o etc._n etc._n if_o we_o do_v not_o admit_v here_o a_o figurative_a expression_n or_o if_o these_o word_n be_v strict_o take_v then_o we_o must_v say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o this_o apostle_n be_v without_o law_n which_o be_v both_o false_a and_o ridiculous_a as_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o when_o he_o say_v ver._n 9th_o i_o be_v without_o law_n he_o speak_v of_o the_o state_n of_o those_o man_n to_o wliom_n the_o law_n be_v not_o give_v so_o it_o be_v unquestionalbe_n that_o when_o he_o say_v i_o be_o carnal_a etc._n etc._n he_o describe_v the_o state_n of_o a_o
corrupt_a man_n live_v under_o the_o law_n and_o not_o his_o own_o this_o be_v the_o key_n which_o let_v we_o into_o the_o meaning_n of_o his_o discourse_n in_o which_o the_o law_n be_v mention_v almost_o in_o every_o verse_n 3._o last_o that_o which_o make_v it_o as_o clear_a as_o the_o sun_n that_o this_o be_v his_o true_a sense_n be_v that_o when_o the_o apostle_n consider_v and_o speak_v of_o himself_o as_o a_o christian_a he_o use_v quite_o another_o language_n to_o be_v satisfy_v of_o this_o we_o need_v but_o run_v over_o this_o chapter_n and_o compare_v it_o with_o other_o place_n in_o his_o epistle_n if_o he_o say_v here_o ver_fw-la 7_o 8._o that_o concupiscence_n be_v feel_v and_o reign_v within_o a_o man_n who_o be_v under_o the_o law_n he_o declare_v gal._n v._n 24._o that_o christian_n have_v crucify_v the_o flesh_n with_o the_o lust_n of_o it_o if_o he_o say_v ver_fw-la 9_o 10._o that_o sin_n live_v within_o he_o and_o that_o he_o be_v dead_a he_o have_v say_v chap._n vi_o 2_o 11._o that_o he_o be_v dead_a unto_o sin_n and_o live_n unto_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n if_o he_o say_v ver_fw-la 14._o that_o he_o be_v carnal_a and_o sell_v under_o sin_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o he_o do_v not_o there_o speak_v of_o himself_o since_o chap._n viii_o 1_o and_o 8._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o those_o who_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n be_v not_o in_o the_o fle_v and_o that_o those_o who_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n can_v please_v god_n and_o have_v not_o his_o spirit_n if_o he_o say_v here_o v._o 18._o i_o know_v that_o in_o i_o dwell_v no_o good_a thing_n he_o declare_v eph._n iii_o 17._o that_o christ_n dwell_v in_o our_o heart_n by_o faith_n if_o he_o say_v ver_fw-la 19_o the_o good_a that_o i_o will_v i_o do_v not_o and_o the_o evil_n which_o i_o hate_v that_o i_o do_v he_o testify_v in_o many_o place_n that_o the_o faithful_a do_v that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o abstain_v from_o evil_a if_o he_o complain_v ver_fw-la 21_o 22_o 23._o of_o his_o be_v captivate_v to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n he_o teach_v chap._n vi_o 17_o 22._o that_o christian_n be_v no_o long_o the_o servant_n of_o sin_n that_o they_o a_o free_v front_v it_o and_o become_v the_o servant_n of_o righteousness_n if_o he_o cry_v out_o ver_fw-la 24.0_o wretched_a man_n that_o i_o be_o who_o shall_v deliver_v i_o from_o the_o body_n of_o this_o death_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o these_o be_v not_o the_o expression_n of_o a_o man_n regenerate_v by_o jesus_n christ_n for_o he_o addâ—_n immediate_o i_o thank_v god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n there_o be_v therefore_o now_o as_o condemnation_n to_o they_o which_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n who_o walk_v not_o after_o the_o flesh_n but_o after_o the_o spirit_n for_o the_o law_n oft_o he_o spirit_n of_o life_n which_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n have_v make_v i_o free_a from_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n and_o death_n chap._n viii_o 12._o now_o let_v any_o body_n judge_n whether_o what_o be_v say_v in_o this_o chapter_n can_v be_v apply_v to_o st._n paul_n consider_v as_o a_o regenerate_v christian_n can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o concupiscence_n reign_v in_o he_o who_o have_v crucify_v it_o that_o sin_n live_v in_o he_o who_o be_v dead_a to_o sin_n that_o he_o who_o be_v not_o in_o the_o flesh_n be_v a_o carnal_a man_n that_o he_o who_o be_v free_v from_o sin_n be_v sell_v to_o sin_n that_o no_o good_a thing_n dwell_v in_o those_o in_o who_o christ_n dwell_v that_o a_o man_n be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n miserable_a and_o happy_a a_o slave_n and_o yet_o deliver_v by_o jesus_n christ_n dead_a and_o alive_a to_o say_v this_o be_v it_o not_o to_o call_v good_a evil_n and_o evil_a good_a to_o put_v darkness_n for_o light_n and_o light_n for_o darkness_n be_v it_o not_o to_o admit_v downright_a contradiction_n in_o scripture_n but_o especial_o be_v it_o not_o to_o open_v a_o door_n to_o licentiousness_n and_o to_o give_v we_o a_o strange_a notion_n of_o a_o regenerate_v man_n by_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o there_o be_v no_o remnant_n of_o corruption_n in_o those_o who_o be_v regenerate_v neither_o do_v 〈◊〉_d deny_v but_o that_o in_o those_o who_o regeneration_n be_v but_o begin_v there_o be_v some_o such_o struggle_n as_o that_o which_o be_v describe_v in_o this_o chapter_n this_o be_v musculus_n notion_n in_o his_o commentary_n upon_o the_o roman_n 118._o roman_n page_n 118._o but_o that_o this_o chapter_n shall_v be_v the_o picture_n of_o a_o regenerate_v man_n and_o of_o a_o true_a member_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o all_o he_o idea_n of_o religion_n that_o one_o can_v hardly_o â—imagine_v how_o there_o can_v ever_o be_v man_n who_o believe_v it_o but_o that_o which_o corrupt_a christian_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v by_o those_o passage_n i_o have_v mention_v they_o think_v to_o put_v out_o of_o all_o question_n by_o the_o example_n of_o those_o saint_n who_o sin_n be_v record_v in_o holy_a writ_n to_o this_o purpose_n they_o allege_v noah_n lot_n abraham_n samson_n david_n solomon_n st_n paul_n st._n peter_n &c_n &c_n and_o from_o these_o instance_n they_o conclude_v that_o since_o those_o great_a saint_n fall_v into_o such_o heavy_a sin_n sin_n be_v no_o obstacle_n to_o salvation_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o piety_n if_o we_o do_v make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o will_v draw_v a_o quite_o contrary_a influence_n from_o these_o instance_n and_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o plead_v precedent_n against_o a_o express_a law_n if_o we_o must_v needs_o be_v govern_v by_o example_n we_o ought_v certainâ—â—_n to_o choose_v the_o good_a and_o not_o the_o bad_a one_o to_o imitate_v what_o be_v praise_v worthy_a in_o the_o saint_n and_o not_o what_o deserve_v blame_v theâ—_n fault_n be_v like_o so_o many_o beacon_n set_v 〈◊〉_d to_o keep_v we_o from_o strike_v upon_o the_o samâ—_n rock_n but_o to_o answer_v direct_o i_o say_v first_o thaâ—_n we_o be_v a_o little_a too_o apt_a to_o rank_v among_o sainâ—_n some_o illustrious_a person_n mention_v in_o the_o sacred_a history_n who_o perhaps_o be_v nothing_o less_o than_o holy_a man_n and_o who_o it_o may_v be_v diâ—perish_v in_o their_o sin_n though_o god_n think_v iâ—_n to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o to_o carry_v on_o the_o design_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o to_o deliver_v hiâ—_n people_n it_o will_v be_v a_o rash_a thing_n to_o pronounce_v upon_o any_o man_n salvation_n or_o 〈◊〉_d speak_v irreverent_o of_o those_o great_a man_n bâ—_n the_o instance_n of_o solomon_n who_o salvation_n have_v be_v at_o all_o time_n question_v by_o divine_n shall_v teach_v we_o not_o to_o be_v so_o hasty_a in_o place_v those_o among_o saint_n of_o who_o the_o scripture_n speak_v with_o some_o honour_n and_o be_v shelter_v ourselves_o under_o their_o example_n as_o to_o those_o who_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n itself_o do_v true_o fear_n god_n 〈◊〉_d may_v observe_v that_o they_o fall_v but_o once_o into_o those_o sin_n relate_v in_o the_o sacred_a history_n which_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n favour_n impenitent_a and_o habitual_a sinner_n but_o this_o answer_n do_v not_o full_o satisfy_v for_o beside_o that_o it_o appose_v a_o thing_n which_o in_o respect_n of_o several_a person_n can_v certain_o be_v know_v there_o be_v â—ome_o sin_n which_o be_v so_o black_a such_o as_o adultery_n and_o apostasy_n that_o a_o man_n can_v hardly_o comâ—it_v they_o more_o than_o once_o except_o he_o be_v alâ—gether_o sell_v to_o sin_n and_o further_o any_o one_o of_o â—ose_a sin_n be_v incompatible_a with_o a_o state_n of_o â—egeneration_n we_o must_v therefore_o frank_o own_o that_o â—hen_o those_o great_a man_n sin_v in_o that_o manâ—er_n they_o do_v not_o act_v like_o saint_n that_o they_o â—ut_v themselves_o into_o a_o state_n which_o consider_v in_o itself_o be_v a_o state_n of_o damnation_n and_o â—hat_n they_o have_v perish_v if_o they_o have_v continue_v in_o it_o for_o as_o ezekiel_n say_v chap._n xxxiii_o â—8_o when_o the_o righteous_a turn_v from_o his_o â—ighteousness_n and_o commit_v iniquity_n he_o shall_v â—ven_o die_v thereby_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o the_o heinousness_n and_o danger_n of_o those_o sin_n by_o the_o deâ—ree_a of_o repentance_n which_o some_o of_o these_o man_n â—ave_n express_v for_o they_o and_o by_o the_o public_a acknowledgement_n they_o make_v of_o they_o what_o â—arms_n be_v david_n in_o when_o he_o compose_v he_o li_n psalm_n which_o be_v the_o psalm_n of_o his_o repentance_n what_o a_o deep_a sense_n have_v st._n peter_n of_o his_o fault_n in_o deny_v his_o master_n what_o do_v then_o such_o example_n signify_v to_o â—hose_v who_o live_v
be_v think_v mean_a and_o disgraceful_a it_o will_v therefore_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o they_o to_o correct_v the_o notion_n which_o man_n common_o have_v of_o religion_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o shall_v love_v and_o honour_v it_o other_o man_n will_v no_o long_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o but_o will_v place_v their_o glory_n in_o practise_v it_o this_o i_o be_o to_o enlarge_v upon_o in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n cause_n vi_o the_o delay_n of_o repentance_n i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o any_o illusion_n be_v more_o ordinary_a or_o contribute_v more_o to_o the_o support_n of_o vice_n in_o the_o world_n than_o that_o which_o i_o design_v to_o attack_v in_o this_o chapter_n and_o that_o be_v the_o delay_v repentance_n we_o must_v not_o believe_v that_o man_n be_v so_o blind_a and_o so_o harden_v as_o never_o to_o think_v of_o their_o salvation_n there_o be_v few_o who_o have_v not_o a_o general_a intention_n to_o obtain_v it_o even_o â—mong_a those_o who_o live_v ill_a many_o be_v convince_v that_o conversion_n be_v necessary_a and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n if_o it_o be_v ask_v why_o then_o they_o do_v notrepent_v i_o answer_v that_o so_o unreasonable_a a_o proceed_v which_o seem_v so_o contradictory_n to_o itself_o aught_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o hope_n they_o entertain_v of_o clear_v all_o score_n one_o day_n by_o repentance_n and_o of_o obtain_v the_o pardon_n of_o all_o their_o sin_n through_o the_o divine_a mercy_n this_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o be_v commit_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v that_o deceitful_a hope_n which_o frustrate_v all_o the_o endeavour_n that_o be_v use_v to_o make_v man_n for_o sake_n their_o vicious_a habit_n the_o delay_n of_o conversion_n ought_v therefore_o to_o be_v place_v among_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o bad_a life_n of_o christian_n and_o the_o importance_n of_o this_o subject_a have_v make_v i_o resolve_v to_o bestow_v a_o particular_a chapter_n upon_o it_o now_o to_o handle_v this_o matter_n right_a we_o be_v to_o observe_v two_o different_a way_n of_o put_v off_o conversion_n for_o all_o man_n do_v not_o delay_v it_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o the_o same_o sentiment_n and_o disposition_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v in_o they_o all_o some_o put_v it_o off_o to_o a_o remote_a time_n and_o to_o the_o very_a end_n of_o their_o life_n other_o do_v not_o adjourn_v it_o so_o long_o they_o design_v to_o go_v about_o it_o a_o good_a while_n before_o death_n at_o least_o they_o hope_v so_o and_o they_o put_v it_o off_o to_o a_o undetermined_a time_n the_o first_o sin_n proper_o in_o hope_n of_o pardon_n but_o the_o other_o sin_n in_o hope_n of_o repentance_n the_o former_a deceive_v themselves_o more_o gross_o they_o think_v that_o in_o order_n to_o be_v save_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o beg_v for_o mercy_n and_o to_o repent_v though_o never_o so_o late_o the_o illusion_n of_o the_o other_o be_v more_o subtle_a they_o conceive_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o reform_v and_o to_o forsake_v sin_n but_o for_o all_o that_o they_o do_v not_o convert_v themselves_o though_o these_o two_o way_n of_o delay_v have_v a_o affinity_n with_o one_o another_o and_o may_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n be_v encounter_v with_o the_o same_o argument_n yet_o i_o shall_v consider_v they_o here_o separately_z man_n common_o entertain_v this_o opinion_n that_o if_o they_o do_v but_o repent_v at_o the_o end_n of_o their_o life_n their_o sin_n will_v be_v no_o hindrance_n to_o their_o salvation_n they_o allot_v for_o this_o repentance_n the_o approach_n of_o death_n old-age_n or_o the_o time_n of_o sickness_n and_o they_o suppose_v that_o then_o they_o shall_v fit_v themselves_o for_o a_o christian_a death_n by_o confess_v their_o sin_n and_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o divine_a mercy_n it_o be_v not_o i_o think_v needful_a to_o prove_v that_o this_o opinion_n be_v very_o common_a for_o who_o can_v deny_v it_o neither_o will_v i_o go_v about_o to_o show_v that_o it_o feed_v corruption_n and_o encourage_v security_n by_o propose_v to_o man_n such_o a_o method_n of_o salvation_n as_o leave_v they_o at_o liberty_n to_o live_v still_o in_o sin_n for_o that_o be_v self-evident_a it_o be_v more_o important_a to_o let_v man_n see_v how_o false_a and_o dangerous_a a_o imagination_n that_o be_v which_o make_v they_o believe_v that_o so_o they_o repent_v before_o death_n they_o shall_v avoid_v damnation_n and_o be_v save_v in_o order_n to_o this_o we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o discover_v the_o principle_n they_o act_n upon_o and_o to_o unfold_v the_o true_a sentiment_n of_o their_o heart_n the_o delay_n of_o repentance_n include_v two_o different_a motion_n the_o one_o carry_v a_o man_n towards_o salvation_n and_o the_o other_o towards_o sin_n on_o the_o one_o have_v man_n be_v neither_o such_o a_o enemy_n to_o himself_o as_o to_o be_v altogether_o unconcern_v about_o his_o salvation_n nor_o so_o as_o blind_v not_o to_o perceive_v that_o repentance_n be_v necessary_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o be_v so_o addict_v to_o his_o lust_n that_o he_o can_v resolve_v to_o renounce_v they_o in_o perplexity_n self-love_n find_v he_o out_o a_o expedient_a by_o which_o he_o thing_n to_o reconcile_v with_o his_o appetite_n the_o care_n of_o his_o salvation_n and_o that_o be_v that_o if_o he_o sin_v yet_o he_o intend_v to_o repent_v but_o here_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o man_n put_v a_o cheat_n upon_o himself_o and_o that_o such_o sentiment_n proceed_v only_o from_o self-love_n and_o from_o a_o strong_a affection_n to_o sin_n nothing_o else_o but_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o die_v and_o of_o give_v a_o account_n to_o god_n oblige_v he_o to_o destin_a the_o end_n of_o his_o life_n to_o act_n of_o repentance_n for_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o of_o virtue_n have_v any_o share_n in_o this_o conduct_n be_v it_o any_o love_n or_o regard_n to_o god_n that_o make_v a_o man_n desire_v he_o in_o his_o last_o extremity_n and_o when_o he_o can_v enjoy_v the_o world_n no_o long_o this_o show_v that_o a_o man_n think_v of_o god_n only_o because_o he_o expect_v salvation_n at_o his_o hand_n which_o be_v to_o deal_v with_o he_o as_o with_o a_o enemy_n to_o who_o we_o surrender_v ourselves_o as_o late_a and_o upon_o as_o good_a term_n as_o we_o can_v and_o only_o that_o we_o may_v not_o perish_v such_o a_o delay_n include_v a_o positive_a resolution_n to_o offend_v god_n and_o to_o gratify_v one_o passion_n at_o least_o for_o the_o present_a he_o that_o think_v to_o repent_v hereafter_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o repent_v now_o he_o allot_v the_o present_a time_n for_o the_o satisfy_n of_o his_o lust_n and_o for_o the_o commit_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o his_o future_a repentance_n this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v fix_v and_o certain_a in_o his_o resolution_n for_o as_o to_o what_o he_o promise_v for_o the_o future_a it_o be_v most_o uncertain_a and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o thing_n right_a he_o promise_v nothing_o at_o all_o for_o he_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o he_o shall_v not_o die_v very_o soon_o nor_o what_o he_o shall_v do_v in_o case_n he_o live_v sometime_o long_o the_o hazard_n to_o which_o a_o man_n expose_v himself_o by_o this_o delay_n be_v evident_a in_o order_n to_o a_o complete_a repentance_n two_o thing_n be_v requisite_a the_o first_o be_v to_o have_v time_n and_o opportunity_n to_o repent_v the_o second_o be_v to_o make_v use_n of_o that_o time_n and_o opportunity_n those_o who_o put_v off_o their_o conversion_n to_o the_o last_o must_v suppose_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v these_o two_o advantage_n but_o these_o thing_n be_v extreme_o uncertain_a and_o no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o they_o 1._o no_o man_n can_v promise_v himself_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v time_n and_o opportunity_n to_o repent_v at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o life_n it_o be_v true_a in_o fact_n that_o more_o than_o one_o half_n of_o mankind_n die_v without_o have_v time_n to_o prepare_v for_o death_n if_o we_o reckon_v up_o all_o those_o who_o be_v snatch_v away_o in_o a_o instant_a by_o unforeseen_a accident_n or_o a_o sudden_a death_n all_o those_o who_o perish_v in_o war_n all_o those_o who_o be_v seize_v with_o distemper_n which_o take_v away_o their_o sense_n all_o those_o who_o the_o approach_n of_o death_n do_v not_o move_v to_o repentance_n because_o they_o do_v not_o apprehend_v themselves_o in_o any_o danger_n of_o die_v and_o if_o we_o add_v to_o these_o those_o who_o only_a preparation_n be_v to_o have_v a_o minister_n to_o pray_v by_o their_o bedside_n when_o they_o can_v hardly_o hear_v a_o few_o word_n of_o
what_o he_o say_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o all_o these_o together_o make_v up_o above_o the_o half_n of_o mankind_n upon_o this_o i_o ask_v even_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v time_n enough_o for_o a_o man_n to_o repent_v when_o he_o see_v death_n come_v whether_o it_o will_v not_o be_v folly_n and_o madness_n for_o he_o to_o venture_v his_o salvation_n upon_o the_o hope_n of_o repent_v then_o it_o seem_v to_o many_o that_o it_o be_v the_o way_n to_o drive_v sinner_n into_o despair_n to_o tell_v they_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o build_v the_o hope_n of_o salvation_n upon_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v in_o the_o extremity_n of_o life_n but_o what_o i_o have_v say_v just_a now_o prove_v evident_o that_o if_o salvation_n do_v depend_v upon_o the_o manner_n of_o die_v man_n must_v live_v in_o continual_a fear_n and_o in_o a_o kind_n of_o '_o desperation_n since_o their_o salvation_n will_v depend_v upon_o a_o thing_n which_o the_o half_n of_o mankind_n can_v reckon_v upon_o on_o the_o contrary_a nothing_o be_v more_o comfortable_a to_o man_n than_o to_o know_v that_o god_n grant_v they_o their_o whole_a life_n to_o work_v out_o their_o salvation_n in_o and_o that_o if_o they_o improve_v to_o that_o purpose_n the_o leisure_n and_o convenience_n they_o have_v their_o death_n will_v be_v happy_a which_o way_n soever_o it_o may_v happen_v but_o though_o what_o i_o have_v say_v be_v not_o true_a and_o though_o all_o may_v assure_v themselves_o that_o they_o shall_v perceive_v the_o approach_n of_o death_n and_o have_v time_n to_o prepare_v for_o that_o last_o passage_n yet_o what_o certainty_n have_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o that_o opportunity_n and_o that_o their_o conversion_n will_v not_o be_v most_o difficult_a if_o not_o impossible_a conversion_n be_v not_o wrought_v without_o god_n interpose_v by_o those_o mean_n which_o grace_n use_v for_o that_o end_n and_o can_v any_o man_n flatter_v himself_o with_o the_o hope_n that_o these_o mean_n shall_v be_v offer_v he_o to_o the_o last_o and_o that_o god_n in_o his_o just_a anger_n will_v not_o withdraw_v they_o from_o he_o there_o be_v neither_o particular_a revelation_n nor_o general_n promise_v to_o give_v such_o assurance_n to_o any_o man_n live_v so_o far_o from_o it_o that_o god_n tell_v we_o many_o thing_n in_o scripture_n which_o leave_v no_o ground_n for_o hope_n to_o those_o who_o abuse_v his_o mercy_n but_o further_a what_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o god_n will_v do_v in_o favour_n of_o a_o harden_a sinner_n at_o the_o time_n of_o death_n when_o god_n have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o preach_a of_o his_o word_n of_o exhortation_n promise_n threaten_n inward_a suggestion_n and_o motion_n of_o his_o grace_n when_o god_n i_o say_v have_v use_v all_o these_o mean_n for_o twenty_o thirty_o or_o forty_o year_n without_o any_o success_n i_o can_v apprehend_v what_o man_n expect_v that_o he_o shall_v do_v more_o at_o the_o hour_n of_o death_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o can_v by_o a_o particular_a dispensation_n by_o sudden_a inspiration_n by_o a_o kind_n of_o miracle_n convert_v a_o sinner_n in_o his_o last_o minute_n i_o will_v not_o dispute_v what_o god_n can_v do_v but_o i_o will_v not_o scruple_n to_o say_v that_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o grace_n conversion_n be_v not_o wrought_v by_o sudden_a and_o miraculous_a inspiration_n the_o gospel_n speak_v of_o nothing_o like_o that_o and_o those_o who_o look_v for_o such_o miracle_n have_v best_o see_v what_o they_o find_v their_o hope_n upon_o it_o be_v certain_a beside_o that_o repentance_n be_v most_o difficult_a on_o man_n part_n when_o he_o be_v at_o the_o point_n of_o death_n if_o a_o man_n have_v live_v in_o ignorance_n and_o vice_n be_v he_o not_o in_o great_a danger_n of_o die_v ignorant_a and_o harden_a how_o will_v he_o perform_v duty_n then_o of_o which_o he_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o notion_n can_v a_o man_n at_o that_o time_n change_v his_o ill_a inclination_n and_o shake_v of_o his_o vicious_a habit_n of_o a_o sudden_a all_o those_o who_o have_v apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o work_n of_o conversion_n know_v by_o experience_n that_o the_o conquest_n i_o will_v not_o say_v of_o many_o but_o of_o one_o single_a vice_n have_v require_v both_o time_n and_o assiduous_a and_o constant_a care_n vicious_a habit_n be_v not_o to_o be_v destroy_v but_o by_o degree_n and_o good_a one_o be_v acquire_v only_o by_o reiterated_a acts._n it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o man_n nature_n that_o this_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o a_o instant_a how_o can_v any_o one_o then_o reckon_v that_o so_o considerable_a a_o change_n as_o that_o which_o true_a conversion_n require_v will_v be_v effect_v in_o the_o short_a time_n of_o a_o sickness_n and_o if_o this_o be_v possible_a and_o through_o great_a endeavour_n may_v be_v do_v yet_o can_v any_o man_n assure_v himself_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v then_o all_o that_o freedom_n and_o all_o that_o strength_n of_o mind_n and_o body_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o set_v about_o this_o general_a reformation_n be_v the_o time_n of_o sickness_n wherein_o a_o man_n be_v so_o much_o sink_v and_o have_v the_o least_o either_o of_o leisure_n or_o strength_n so_o very_o sit_v for_o a_o business_n of_o this_o importance_n all_o that_o a_o man_n can_v do_v then_o be_v to_o betake_v himself_o to_o some_o confuse_a and_o abrupt_a devotion_n the_o ordinary_a refuge_n of_o those_o sinner_n who_o have_v live_v in_o a_o state_n of_o obduration_n but_o will_v that_o serve_v the_o turn_n be_v some_o hasty_a reflection_n upon_o a_o man_n past_a life_n some_o act_n of_o contrition_n some_o prayer_n proceed_v from_o trouble_n and_o agony_n and_o extort_a only_o by_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n some_o sob_n and_o groan_v indistinct_o breathe_v up_o to_o heaven_n be_v these_o i_o say_v sufficient_a to_o make_v amends_o for_o all_o that_o be_v past_a to_o extirpate_v many_o inveterate_a habit_n and_o to_o secure_v to_o a_o sinner_n a_o eternity_n of_o bliss_n i_o shall_v add_v two_o consideration_n which_o be_v convince_v and_o can_v be_v contest_v 1._o by_o grow_v in_o year_n man_n lose_v the_o sense_n and_o remembrance_n of_o their_o sin_n age_n and_o custom_n produce_v this_o effect_n except_v some_o extraordinary_a sin_n which_o can_v be_v forget_v most_o man_n do_v not_o remember_v their_o fault_n and_o how_o shall_v they_o remember_v they_o since_o for_o the_o most_o part_n they_o do_v not_o perceive_v when_o they_o commit_v they_o we_o daily_o see_v man_n who_o will_v lie_v and_o swear_v and_o fly_v out_o into_o passion_n almost_o every_o minute_n and_o yet_o do_v not_o reflect_v upon_o it_o nay_o they_o think_v themselves_o free_a from_o those_o fault_n this_o error_n proceed_v so_o far_o that_o some_o very_a great_a sinner_n who_o be_v live_v in_o criminal_a practice_n fancy_n themselves_o pious_a and_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n now_o since_o the_o custom_n of_o sin_v do_v blind_a man_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n be_v it_o likely_a that_o after_o they_o have_v spend_v their_o life_n in_o this_o security_n they_o will_v effectual_o repent_v at_o their_o death_n can_v a_o man_n repent_v who_o do_v not_o know_v the._n reason_n why_o he_o shall_v who_o doc_v not_o feel_v or_o have_v forget_v his_o sin_n and_o who_o think_v beside_o that_o he_o be_v in_o a_o good_a state_n and_o that_o he_o need_v no_o repentance_n 2._o if_o repentance_n suppose_v the_o knowledge_n of_o sin_n it_o suppose_v beside_o a_o hatred_n of_o it_o but_o hew_v ho_o have_v love_v sin_n to_o the_o last_o be_v less_o able_a than_o to_o hate_v than_o he_o be_v to_o know_v his_o sin_n i_o can_v comprehend_v how_o a_o man_n who_o have_v love_v the_o world_n all_o his_o life_n who_o have_v make_v it_o his_o only_a delight_n and_o study_v to_o gratify_v his_o lust_n and_o who_o have_v always_o be_v cold_a and_o indifferent_a towards_o religion_n shall_v when_o death_n appear_v sudden_o change_v his_o inclination_n hate_v what_o he_o love_v and_o love_v what_o till_o then_o he_o look_v upon_o with_o indifference_n so_o quick_a a_o passage_n from_o the_o love_n to_o the_o hatred_n of_o sin_n be_v very_o rare_a the_o sorrow_n for_o sin_n and_o the_o hatred_n of_o it_o be_v always_o faint_a and_o weak_a in_o the_o beginning_n of_o repentance_n even_o in_o those_o who_o repent_v sincere_o conversion_n proceed_v by_o degree_n a_o man_n must_v have_v discontinue_v sin_v and_o be_v already_o settle_v in_o the_o habit_n of_o virtue_n before_o he_o can_v have_v a_o strong_a aversion_n to_o sin_n and_o what_o kind_n of_o repentance_n then_o can_v that_o be_v which_o begin_v in_o the_o extremity_n of_o life_n 1._o but_o here_o it_o be_v object_v first_o that_o god_n be_v always_o
ready_a to_o restore_v the_o great_a sinner_n to_o his_o favour_n when_o they_o have_v recourse_n to_o his_o mercy_n and_o that_o there_o be_v express_a promise_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o assure_v we_o of_o this_o i_o grant_v it_o god_n never_o reject_v a_o repent_a sinner_n but_o before_o a_o man_n can_v build_v upon_o this_o the_o hope_n of_o be_v receive_v into_o god_n favour_n at_o the_o hour_n of_o death_n he_o must_v be_v sure_a that_o he_o shall_v then_o sincere_o repent_v now_o i_o think_v i_o have_v demonstrate_v that_o this_o be_v what_o no_o man_n can_v depend_v upon_o as_o to_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v make_v to_o repentance_n in_o the_o gospel_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v apply_v in_o a_o good_a sense_n to_o all_o sinner_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o be_v make_v in_o favour_n of_o those_o who_o god_n be_v to_o call_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o chief_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o heathen_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v to_o assure_v all_o man_n that_o the_o sin_n they_o have_v commit_v shall_v not_o exclude_v they_o from_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n provide_v they_o do_v sincere_o mourn_v for_o they_o and_o part_n with_o they_o when_o the_o heathen_n come_v to_o baptism_n nothing_o else_o be_v require_v of_o they_o but_o that_o they_o shall_v repent_v and_o make_v a_o solemn_a vow_n of_o be_v holy_a for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v but_o as_o to_o christian_n it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o god_n demand_v nothing_o of_o they_o but_o repentance_n and_o sorrow_n for_o sin_n for_o he_o call_v they_o to_o holiness_n upon_o pain_n of_o damnation_n in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v repentance_n and_o by_o this_o we_o may_v know_v how_o much_o christianity_n be_v decay_v that_o repentance_n which_o consist_v in_o the_o confession_n of_o sin_n and_o in_o a_o resolution_n to_o forsake_v they_o be_v the_o duty_n at_o which_o the_o heathen_n begin_v this_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n require_v of_o they_o it_o be_v preparatory_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n st._n paul_n vi._n paul_n heb._n vi._n place_v the_o doctrine_n of_o repentance_n among_o the_o fundamental_a point_n and_o the_o first_o duty_n in_o which_o the_o catechuman_n be_v instruct_v before_o baptism_n but_o now_o christian_n look_v upon_o repentance_n as_o the_o duty_n with_o which_o they_o be_v to_o end_v their_o life_n that_o be_v to_o say_v they_o design_v to_o end_v where_o the_o heathen_n begin_v and_o to_o enter_v heaven_n at_o the_o same_o gate_n which_o admit_v pagan_n into_o the_o church_n 2._o it_o will_v be_v say_v further_o that_o sometime_o man_n who_o have_v live_v in_o sin_n die_v to_o all_o appearance_n in_o very_o good_a disposition_n to_o this_o i_o reply_v that_o we_o see_v a_o great_a many_o more_o of_o those_o person_n who_o die_v in_o a_o state_n of_o insensibility_n and_o that_o by_o consequence_n a_o sinner_n who_o put_v off_o his_o repentance_n have_v more_o reason_n to_o fear_v than_o to_o hope_v for_o who_o have_v tell_v he_o that_o the_o fate_n of_o these_o last_o will_v not_o be_v his_o and_o what_o sure_a presage_v can_v there_o be_v of_o so_o tragical_a a_o death_n than_o the_o present_a hardness_n of_o his_o heart_n beside_o i_o do_v not_o know_v whether_o it_o happen_v frequent_o as_o the_o objection_n seem_v to_o suppose_v that_o person_n who_o have_v live_v ill_o be_v well_o dispose_v when_o they_o die_v if_o repentance_n can_v be_v save_v and_o effectual_a when_o it_o begin_v only_o upon_o a_o deathbed_n every_o body_n must_v own_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v very_o lively_a and_o deep_a attend_v with_o demonstration_n of_o the_o most_o bitter_a sorrow_n and_o with_o all_o the_o proof_n that_o a_o die_a man_n can_v give_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o his_o conversion_n but_o we_o do_v not_o see_v many_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n there_o be_v but_o few_o great_a sinner_n who_o express_v a_o lively_a compunction_n at_o their_o death_n or_o a_o sincere_a detestation_n of_o their_o sin_n who_o have_v a_o due_a sense_n of_o their_o wickedness_n and_o endeavour_v as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v to_o make_v reparation_n for_o it_o who_o practice_n restitution_n and_o edify_v all_o about_o they_o by_o discharge_v the_o other_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n it_o be_v but_o seldom_o that_o we_o see_v such_o penitent_n beside_o the_o expression_n of_o devotion_n and_o repentance_n which_o be_v use_v by_o die_a man_n be_v not_o always_o sincere_a it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o their_o repentance_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o certain_a emotion_n which_o the_o necessity_n of_o die_v and_o the_o approach_n of_o god_n judgement_n must_v needs_o raise_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o every_o man_n who_o have_v his_o wit_n about_o he_o and_o have_v some_o idea_n of_o religion_n nothing_o be_v more_o deceitful_a than_o the_o judge_n of_o a_o man_n by_o what_o he_o either_o say_v or_o do_v when_o he_o be_v under_o the_o effect_n of_o fear_n or_o trouble_n it_o be_v common_o say_v of_o those_o who_o have_v give_v some_o sign_n of_o piety_n upon_o their_o deathbed_n that_o they_o have_v make_v a_o very_a christian_a end_n but_o there_o be_v often_o a_o great_a mistake_n in_o that_o judgement_n and_o to_o be_v satisfy_v of_o it_o we_o need_v but_o observe_v what_o happen_v to_o some_o who_o have_v escape_v death_n or_o some_o eminent_a danger_n while_o the_o peril_n last_v who_o can_v be_v more_o humble_a and_o holy_a than_o they_o they_o show_v so_o much_o devotion_n and_o utter_v such_o discourse_n that_o all_o the_o standard_n by_o be_v edisy_v by_o they_o their_o tear_n their_o prayer_n their_o protestation_n of_o amendment_n in_o a_o word_n their_o whole_a deportment_n have_v in_o all_o appearance_n so_o much_o of_o christian_a zeal_n in_o it_o that_o the_o beholder_n be_v strike_v with_o admiration_n but_o be_v there_o many_o of_o these_o who_o when_o the_o danger_n be_v over_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o disposition_n remember_v their_o promise_n or_o alter_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o former_a course_n of_o life_n almost_o all_o of_o they_o return_v to_o their_o old_a habit_n as_o soon_o as_o the_o calamity_n be_v past_a these_o be_v general_o the_o fruit_n of_o that_o repentance_n which_o be_v excite_v by_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n in_o those_o who_o recover_v and_o what_o effect_n then_o can_v it_o have_v in_o respect_n of_o those_o that_o dye_n i_o confess_v we_o ought_v not_o to_o condemn_v any_o body_n but_o i_o think_v we_o shall_v not_o pronounce_v a_o definitive_a sentence_n in_o favour_n of_o those_o who_o have_v lead_v a_o ill_a life_n for_o though_o man_n judgement_n make_v no_o alteration_n in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o dead_a yet_o it_o may_v have_v a_o very_a pernicious_a effect_n upon_o the_o live_n who_o conclude_v from_o it_o that_o a_o man_n may_v die_v well_o though_o he_o have_v live_v ill_o and_o while_o i_o be_o upon_o this_o subject_a i_o must_v say_v that_o nothing_o contribute_v more_o to_o the_o keep_n up_o of_o these_o dangerous_a opinion_n than_o when_o the_o minister_n of_o religion_n commend_v without_o discretion_n the_o piety_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o yet_o this_o be_v frequent_o do_v especial_o in_o great_a town_n and_o in_o the_o court_n of_o prince_n there_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o those_o place_n mean-spirited_n and_o unworthy_a preacher_n who_o prostitute_v their_o tongue_n and_o their_o pen_n to_o the_o praise_n of_o some_o person_n who_o have_v nothing_o of_o christianity_n in_o their_o life_n and_o who_o condition_n shall_v rather_o make_v a_o man_n tremble_v but_o if_o some_o remnant_n of_o shame_n restrain_v they_o from_o carry_v their_o flattery_n so_o far_o as_o to_o commend_v the_o life_n of_o those_o who_o panegyric_n they_o have_v undertake_v then_o they_o seek_v the_o matter_n of_o their_o praise_n in_o some_o sign_n of_o piety_n which_o those_o person_n give_v before_o they_o leave_v the_o world_n now_o i_o dare_v say_v that_o the_o most_o atheistical_a discourse_n and_o the_o corrupte_v maxim_n of_o libertine_n be_v not_o by_o much_o so_o subtle_a a_o poison_n as_o such_o kind_n of_o eulogy_n deliver_v before_o man_n who_o be_v engage_v in_o all_o the_o disorder_n of_o the_o age_n and_o then_o disperse_v through_o the_o world_n 3._o the_o instance_n of_o the_o convert_v thief_n who_o pray_v to_o our_o saviour_n upon_o the_o cross_n and_o be_v receive_v into_o paradise_n be_v seldom_o forget_v but_o this_o instance_n be_v general_o very_o ill_o understand_v first_o it_o be_v suppose_v without_o any_o ground_n for_o it_o that_o this_o thief_n repent_v only_o upon_o the_o cross_n and_o that_o his_o conversion_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o sudden_a inspiration_n but_o
we_o ought_v to_o live_v no_o long_o in_o sin_n these_o be_v his_o own_o word_n 17.18_o word_n rom._n 7.14_o 15_o 16_o 17.18_o what_o then_o shall_v we_o sin_n because_o we_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n god_n forbid_v on_o the_o contrary_a sin_n shall_v not_o have_v dominon_n over_o you_o for_o you_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n you_o be_v former_o the_o servant_n of_o sin_n but_o now_o be_v make_v free_a from_o sin_n and_o become_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n you_o have_v your_o fruit_n unto_o holiness_n we_o need_v but_o read_v the_o sequel_n of_o his_o discourse_n to_o see_v how_o he_o inveigh_v against_o those_o who_o turn_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n into_o a_o pretence_n to_o live_v in_o sin_n before_o i_o leave_v this_o matter_n i_o shall_v taâ—â—_n notice_n of_o two_o error_n which_o be_v pretty_a common_a the_o first_o be_v the_o applying_z to_o christian_n at_o this_o day_n all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o old_a by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o convert_v jew_n it_o be_v say_v that_o we_o be_v no_o more_o under_o the_o law_n and_o christian_n be_v often_o exhort_v to_o bless_v god_n for_o be_v no_o long_o under_o the_o curse_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o yoke_n of_o moses_n and_o upon_o this_o a_o great_a many_o opposition_n be_v observe_v betwixt_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n for_o my_o part_n i_o do_v not_o think_v those_o exhortation_n and_o opposition_n so_o very_o proper_a to_o be_v insist_v on_o when_o we_o be_v speak_v to_o man_n who_o never_o be_v jew_n unless_o we_o do_v it_o with_o a_o design_n to_o show_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o gospel-covenant_n above_o that_o of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o christian_n above_o jew_n for_o after_o all_o the_o law_n be_v give_v only_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o gentile_n be_v never_o subject_v to_o the_o ceremony_n or_o the_o curse_n of_o it_o as_o the_o jew_n be_v why_o shall_v we_o then_o say_v to_o people_n who_o never_o be_v under_o the_o law_n you_o be_v no_o more_o under_o the_o law_n the_o apostle_n indeed_o speak_v in_o that_o manner_n to_o the_o convert_v jew_n but_o as_o to_o those_o who_o be_v former_o pagan_n it_o will_v be_v more_o fit_v to_o tell_v they_o 4.17_o they_o thess_n 1.9_o ephes_n 11.12_o &_o 4.17_o you_o have_v be_v convert_v from_o idol_n to_o the_o live_a god_n remember_v that_o you_o be_v in_o time_n past_o gentile_n without_o hope_n and_o without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o live_v no_o long_o like_o heathen_n it_o be_v a_o great_a fault_n not_o to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n according_a to_o the_o true_a scope_n of_o it_o and_o to_o apply_v all_o that_o it_o contain_v to_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n without_o distinction_n the_o other_o error_n be_v of_o great_a consequence_n people_n fancy_n that_o because_o we_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n which_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o rigour_n we_o be_v now_o to_o speak_v of_o nothing_o else_o to_o man_n but_o of_o grace_n and_o promise_n and_o that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o threaten_v and_o to_o denounce_v curse_n against_o sinner_n it_o have_v be_v say_v already_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o law_n be_v a_o covenant_n of_o rigour_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o the_o gospel_n have_v also_o its_o curse_n and_o they_o be_v much_o more_o terrible_a than_o those_o of_o the_o law_n the_o gospel_n speak_v of_o the_o future_a punishment_n of_o another_o life_n in_o much_o clear_a and_o strong_a expression_n than_o the_o law_n do_v to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o we_o need_v but_o reflect_v upon_o that_o opposition_n which_o st._n paul_n make_v between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o ten_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n he_o that_o despise_a moses_n law_n die_v without_o mercy_n under_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n of_o how_o much_o sore_a punishment_n suppose_v you_o shall_v he_o be_v think_v worthy_a who_o have_v tread_v under_o foot_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o have_v count_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o covenant_n wherewith_o he_o be_v sanctify_v a_o unholy_a thing_n and_o have_v do_v despite_n unto_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n we_o know_v he_o that_o have_v say_v vengeance_n belong_v unto_o i_o i_o will_v recompense_v faith_n the_o lord_n it_o be_v a_o fearful_a thing_n to_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o live_a god_n 3._o the_o libertine_n do_v likewise_o abuse_v what_o st._n paul_n say_v in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o 5._o the_o gal._n 5._o galatian_n concern_v christian_a liberty_n when_o he_o declare_v that_o christian_n be_v free_v from_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o law_n when_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o stand_v fast_o in_o that_o liberty_n and_o protest_v that_o christ_n prosit_v nothing_o to_o those_o who_o will_v be_v justify_v by_o the_o law_n but_o a_o man_n may_v see_v with_o half_a a_o eye_n that_o the_o apostle_n mean_v only_o that_o christian_n be_v no_o long_o bind_v to_o observe_v circumcision_n and_o the_o other_o ceremony_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o st._n paul_n have_v no_o other_o view_n or_o design_n but_o this_o will_v plain_o appear_v to_o every_o one_o who_o will_v read_v the_o whole_a epistle_n and_o particular_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o it_o in_o the_o v._o chapter_n we_o find_v two_o thing_n which_o be_v decisive_a in_o this_o matter_n 1._o st._n paul_n speak_v there_o express_o of_o circumcision_n v._n circumcision_n gal._n v._n behold_v i_o paul_n say_v unto_o you_o that_o if_o you_o be_v circumcise_v christ_n shall_v profit_v you_o nothing_o for_o i_o testify_v again_o to_o every_o man_n that_o be_v circumcise_v that_o he_o be_v a_o debtor_n to_o do_v the_o whole_a law_n 13._o law_n ver_fw-la 13._o christ_n be_v become_v of_o none_o effect_v unto_o yond_o whosoever_o of_o you_o be_v justify_v by_o the_o law_n you_o be_v fall_v from_o grace_n 2._o it_o be_v very_o observable_a with_o what_o circumspection_n the_o apostle_n deliver_v himself_o leave_v his_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v wrest_v to_o favour_v licentiousness_n after_o he_o have_v say_v you_o be_v call_v to_o liberty_n he_o add_v immediate_o only_o use_v not_o liberty_n for_o a_o occasion_n to_o the_o flesh_n he_o explain_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o live_v after_o the_o flesh_n by_o make_v a_o enumeration_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o the_o flesh_n produce_v and_o which_o exclude_v man_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n he_o exhort_v man_n to_o live_v after_o the_o spirit_n and_o to_o practice_v the_o christian_a virtue_n in_o the_o four_o chapter_n he_o pursue_v the_o same_o exhortation_n and_o he_o end_v the_o epistle_n with_o these_o remarkable_a word_n which_o contain_v the_o sum_n of_o his_o doctrine_n 15._o doctrine_n chap._n vi_o 15._o for_o in_o christ_n jesus_n neither_o circumcision_n avail_v any_o thing_n nor_o uncircumcision_n but_o a_o new_a creature_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o a_o man_n be_v a_o jew_n or_o a_o heathen_a it_o matter_n not_o so_o he_o believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o observe_v god_n commandment_n 16._o commandment_n ver_fw-la 16._o peace_n and_o mercy_n be_v on_o they_o all_o who_o walk_v after_o this_o rule_n be_v there_o anything_o plain_a than_o this_o doctrine_n and_o yet_o how_o clear_a soever_o it_o may_v be_v christian_a liberty_n be_v allege_v to_o set_v man_n free_a from_o the_o obligation_n to_o keep_v god_n s_o commandment_n all_o that_o st._n paul_n fay_v against_o circumcision_n and_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o law_n be_v by_o a_o enormous_a blasphemy_n turn_v against_o the_o holy_a commandment_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n can_v any_o thing_n more_o odious_a or_o profane_a be_v imagine_v than_o the_o pervert_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n at_o this_o rate_n 4._o those_o who_o plead_v on_o the_o side_n of_o corruption_n be_v wont_a to_o object_n against_o what_o be_v say_v in_o behalf_n of_o holiness_n this_o sentence_n of_o solomon_n 16._o solomon_n ephes_n vii_o 16._o be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_o neither_o make_v thyself_o over-wise_a and_o what_o inference_n do_v they_o riot_n draw_v from_o thence_o they_o conclude_v from_o this_o place_n that_o a_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o pretend_v so_o much_o to_o holiness_n or_o to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o good_a man_n and_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n mediocrity_n be_v best_a one_o may_v easy_o apprehend_v that_o such_o sentiment_n must_v needs_o introduce_v licentiousness_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v think_v to_o be_v support_v by_o a_o divine_a authority_n but_o let_v we_o see_v whether_o or_o no_o such_o conceit_n can_v be_v found_v upon_o this_o sentence_n of_o solomon_n i_o shall_v ask_v in_o the_o first_o place_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o