after_o thing_n of_o a_o mysterious_a alloy_n and_o god_n know_v how_o miserable_o some_o man_n have_v mistake_v in_o their_o inquiry_n after_o a_o solution_n of_o the_o present_a doubt_n and_o if_o i_o can_v promise_v to_o myself_o to_o rectify_v those_o huge_a mistake_v some_o man_n have_v fall_v into_o this_o will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a justification_n of_o my_o present_a undertake_n but_o in_o order_n to_o the_o unfolding_n of_o this_o doubt_n i_o shall_v premise_v four_o thing_n which_o will_v contribute_v to_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o it_o first_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n that_o every_o man_n life_n have_v a_o period_n it_o be_v appoint_v for_o all_o man_n once_o to_o die_v this_o be_v a_o warfare_n from_o which_o there_o be_v no_o discharge_n what_o man_n be_v he_o that_o live_v and_o shall_v not_o see_v death_n as_o to_o this_o the_o prince_n and_o peasant_n stand_v upon_o even_a term_n and_o as_o the_o wiseman_n tell_v we_o the_o rich_a &_o poor_a meet_v together_o there_o be_v no_o justle_n in_o the_o grave_a for_o precedency_n i_o confess_v it_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o pain_n to_o consider_v the_o trivial_a instance_n take_v from_o the_o translation_n of_o euoch_n and_o elias_n to_o infringe_v this_o position_n for_o first_o we_o be_v not_o to_o debate_v what_o god_n may_v do_v he_o have_v a_o sovereignty_n over_o his_o creature_n and_o must_v not_o be_v call_v to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o his_o action_n all_o who_o way_n be_v tract_n of_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n second_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o translation_n he_o who_o will_v positive_o say_v that_o they_o do_v not_o undergo_v that_o which_o be_v equivalent_a to_o death_n will_v say_v more_o than_o he_o can_v prove_v i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o no_o sober_a man_n will_v say_v that_o they_o enter_v their_o heavenly_a habitation_n with_o their_o unrefined_a body_n no_o more_o than_o those_o who_o rise_v at_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o last_o 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and_o the_o cause_n of_o death_n many_o of_o they_o think_v that_o death_n be_v a_o natural_a accident_n original_o appertinent_a to_o humane_a nature_n and_o indeed_o if_o revelation_n have_v not_o declare_v the_o contrary_a i_o have_v be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o death_n have_v be_v no_o other_o thing_n but_o such_o a_o natural_a accident_n but_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o any_o man_n that_o have_v converse_v with_o sacred_a writ_n shall_v be_v of_o this_o opinion_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v the_o pelagian_n of_o old_a be_v great_a stickler_n for_o it_o hence_o be_v it_o that_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o council_n have_v condemn_v it_o with_o a_o curse_n in_o the_o milevitan_a council_n can._n 2._o we_o read_v thus_o placuit_fw-la ut_fw-la quicunque_fw-la dicit_fw-la adam_n primum_fw-la hominem_fw-la mortalem_fw-la sactum_fw-la ita_fw-la ut_fw-la sive_fw-la peccaret_fw-la sive_fw-la non_fw-la peccaret_fw-la moreretur_fw-la in_o corpore_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la de_fw-fr corpore_fw-la exiret_fw-la non_fw-la peccati_fw-la meriâ—o_fw-la sed_fw-la necessitate_v naturae_fw-la anathema_n sit_v in_o after-age_n the_o scotist_n the_o most_o subtle_a of_o all_o scholastic_a writer_n incline_v much_o to_o this_o opinion_n against_o who_o the_o thomist_n their_o irreconcilable_a enemy_n take_v up_o the_o cudgel_n among_o modern_a writer_n the_o seem_o rational_a socinian_n have_v own_v this_o groundless_a conceit_n but_o i_o can_v stay_v to_o debate_v this_o at_o length_n only_o in_o brief_a if_o death_n have_v be_v natural_a to_o man_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n it_o behove_v to_o have_v be_v because_o of_o these_o follow_a reason_n 1._o because_o adam_n natural_a constitution_n imply_v mortality_n the_o material_n of_o his_o constitution_n be_v not_o so_o amicable_a as_o to_o entertain_v a_o last_a amity_n and_o friendship_n 2._o it_o be_v the_o primitive_a precept_n be_v fruitful_a and_o multiply_v now_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o procreation_n include_v mortality_n in_o its_o notion_n and_o far_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v unconceivable_a how_o this_o little_a map_n of_o earth_n shall_v have_v contain_v a_o numerous_a multiply_a and_o never-dying_a offspring_n 3._o humane_a nature_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n do_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o meat_n and_o drink_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o gen._n 1._o 19_o now_o the_o end_n of_o eat_v and_o drink_v be_v not_o only_o to_o hold_v up_o but_o to_o repair_v the_o decay_n of_o our_o body_n which_o will_v sudden_o return_v to_o dust_n if_o they_o be_v not_o this_o renew_v &_o strengthen_v 4._o if_o death_n be_v only_o the_o effect_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v call_v a_o murderer_n from_o the_o beginning_n because_o of_o his_o tempt_v our_o first_o parent_n to_o eat_v of_o the_o forbid_a fruit_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o since_o christ_n come_v to_o take_v away_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n and_o to_o destroy_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n that_o he_o also_o take_v away_o the_o wage_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v death_n than_o which_o nothing_o be_v more_o contrary_a to_o daily_a experience_n 5._o immortality_n seem_v to_o be_v entail_v only_o to_o the_o state_n of_o future_a glory_n where_o corruption_n shall_v put_v on_o incorruption_n and_o mortality_n shall_v be_v swallow_v up_o in_o life_n and_o then_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o death_n rev._n 21._o 4._o these_o be_v the_o most_o material_a reason_n i_o can_v find_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o opinion_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v desire_v the_o five_o follow_a consideration_n may_v be_v weigh_v consid._n 1._o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v that_o the_o eternal_a wisdom_n furnish_v our_o first_o parent_n with_o all_o these_o accomplishment_n their_o specific_a nature_n can_v suffer_v the_o signature_n of_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n be_v legible_a in_o the_o low_a &_o least_o regard_v piece_n of_o the_o creation_n but_o in_o man_n in_o a_o more_o eminent_a manner_n conspicuous_a it_o be_v almost_o impossible_a for_o we_o in_o this_o fall_a state_n to_o conceive_v what_o those_o endowment_n be_v take_v conditional_o and_o so_o under_o various_a consideration_n it_o may_v be_v attribute_v either_o first_o to_o perfect_v saint_n who_o be_v state_v in_o glory_n where_o the_o primitive_a image_n lose_v by_o man_n fall_n be_v renew_v and_o perfect_v and_o of_o those_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o gospel_n of_o luke_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o can_v die_v no_o more_o luke_n 20._o 36._o or_o second_o to_o our_o first_o parent_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n for_o so_o long_o as_o they_o remain_v obedient_a to_o the_o law_n of_o heaven_n immortality_n be_v entail_v upon_o their_o nature_n for_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o primitive_a threaten_n be_v in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v die_v where_o temporal_a death_n seem_v to_o be_v threaten_v which_o have_v be_v idle_a and_o vain_a if_o man_n have_v die_v although_o they_o have_v never_o eat_v the_o forbid_a fruit._n i_o know_v some_o man_n think_v that_o sin_n only_o lay_v a_o necessary_a obligation_n upon_o man_n to_o die_v and_o provoke_v god_n to_o remove_v that_o supernatural_a and_o superadded_a quality_n and_o gift_n which_o preserve_v they_o from_o death_n with_o such_o sort_n of_o man_n i_o have_v no_o great_a quarrel_n although_o i_o think_v that_o god_n can_v as_o easy_o have_v make_v man_n constitution_n so_o last_v and_o the_o constituent_a part_n of_o his_o fabric_n so_o harmonious_a that_o he_o shall_v have_v never_o die_v if_o he_o have_v not_o sin_v as_o to_o create_v a_o superad_v be_v to_o preserve_v he_o safe_a for_o reason_n will_v plead_v that_o that_o superadded_a gift_n require_v another_o and_o so_o in_o infinitum_fw-la but_o far_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o infer_v man_n corruption_n from_o that_o precept_n be_v fruitful_a and_o multiply_v for_o although_o in_o some_o sense_n
month_n and_o day_n thou_o alone_o know_v all_o those_o circumstance_n and_o to_o know_v the_o particular_a portion_n of_o day_n allow_v to_o every_o man_n do_v certain_o require_v a_o infinite_a and_o exact_a knowledge_n i_o will_v not_o curious_o inquire_v what_o truth_n there_o be_v in_o the_o pretend_a diabolical_a prediction_n of_o future_a event_n and_o whether_o stargazer_n from_o the_o conjunction_n and_o contrary_a aspect_n of_o celestial_a body_n can_v foretell_v the_o future_a number_n of_o the_o day_n and_o month_n of_o terrestrial_a and_o inferior_a sublunary_a being_n a_o pass_a view_n of_o this_o i_o will_v have_v occasion_n to_o take_v afterward_o at_o present_a we_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o this_o that_o a_o exact_a and_o comprehensive_a knowledge_n of_o our_o day_n and_o month_n be_v only_o the_o prerogative_n of_o he_o who_o hold_v our_o life_n in_o be_v the_o pretend_a knowledge_n any_o creature_n boast_v of_o be_v conjectural_a and_o uncertain_a if_o not_o as_o frequent_o it_o be_v fictitious_a unless_o when_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n for_o some_o secret_n and_o to_o we_o unknown_a end_n reveals_z to_o his_o creature_n such_o future_a event_n but_o second_o the_o phrase_n hold_v out_o the_o divine_a rule_n and_o dominion_n the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o that_o be_v they_o be_v in_o thy_o power_n thou_o may_v either_o prolong_v or_o shorten_v the_o day_n of_o man_n and_o i_o think_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o whole_a verse_n be_v comprehend_v under_o these_o two_o head_n which_o i_o shall_v afterward_o discourse_v of_o at_o more_o length_n thou_o have_v appoint_v his_o bound_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v not_o fate_n or_o fortune_n but_o the_o wise_a god_n who_o appoint_v to_o every_o man_n his_o time_n now_o the_o bound_n set_v to_o man_n may_v be_v consider_v under_o a_o two_o fold_v notion_n first_o as_o it_o signify_v that_o common_a and_o ordinary_a period_n which_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n have_v settle_v which_o man_n by_o the_o common_a course_n of_o nature_n may_v fulfil_v if_o no_o accidental_a circumstance_n hinder_v and_o it_o seem_v the_o psalmist_n only_o understand_v this_o common_a term_n of_o humane_a life_n psal._n 90._o 10._o the_o day_n of_o our_o year_n be_v threescore_o year_n and_o ten_o and_o if_o by_o reason_n of_o strength_n they_o be_v fourscore_o etc._n etc._n or_o second_o it_o may_v be_v understand_v in_o a_o more_o strict_a sense_n as_o it_o be_v take_v for_o the_o last_o moment_n of_o every_o individual_a and_o particular_a person_n and_o of_o both_o these_o i_o shall_v more_o full_o discourse_v afterward_o and_o show_v that_o the_o word_n seem_v to_o refer_v to_o the_o common_a term_n of_o humane_a life_n or_o if_o they_o mean_v this_o particular_a term_n in_o what_o sense_n they_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v determine_v appoint_a etc._n etc._n these_o and_o such_o like_o condescend_v phrase_n have_v be_v most_o unhappy_o use_v and_o sad_o misunderstand_v in_o the_o school_n some_o man_n no_o soon_o read_v in_o scripture_n of_o god_n determine_v or_o appoint_v but_o they_o instant_o conclude_v a_o physical_a previous_a necessitate_v act_n which_o inevitable_o and_o irresistible_o determine_v man_n and_o this_o kind_n of_o determination_n they_o plead_v for_o in_o all_o case_n so_o that_o man_n even_o in_o their_o vicious_a action_n be_v irresistible_o determine_v to_o do_v so_o i_o know_v no_o opinion_n which_o have_v render_v the_o reform_a church_n more_o odious_a than_o this_o will_v to_o god_n i_o can_v say_v the_o censure_n be_v causeless_a and_o that_o i_o be_v force_v to_o apologise_v for_o say_v our_o divine_n have_v err_v in_o this_o case_n but_o alas_o the_o opinion_n be_v grow_v strong_a and_o not_o long_o since_o it_o be_v not_o much_o less_o than_o heresy_n to_o condemn_v it_o and_o even_o to_o this_o day_n it_o be_v the_o study_n of_o some_o teacher_n to_o instill_v it_o into_o the_o heart_n of_o their_o hearer_n for_o the_o correct_v of_o this_o sour_a opinion_n i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o add_v some_o thing_n in_o this_o follow_a discourse_n now_o i_o shall_v desire_v it_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o while_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o divine_a determination_n appointment_n etc._n etc._n we_o speak_v of_o thing_n our_o knowledge_n can_v reach_v the_o best_a conception_n we_o can_v frame_v to_o ourselves_o of_o the_o divine_a volition_n be_v dangerous_a and_o imperfect_a our_o capacity_n in_o this_o lapse_v state_n be_v more_o narrow_a than_o we_o be_v aware_a of_o and_o although_o they_o be_v raise_v to_o a_o high_a pitch_n yet_o we_o can_v never_o comprehend_v his_o way_n of_o work_v who_o in_o all_o his_o way_n be_v unsearchable_a it_o be_v true_o sad_a to_o see_v the_o contend_a world_n so_o serious_a and_o restless_a in_o dig_v those_o deep_n that_o be_v unfathomable_a it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o man_n do_v not_o find_v their_o pretend_a knowledge_n of_o the_o divine_a volition_n on_o the_o basis_n of_o their_o own_o silly_a volition_n and_o do_v not_o argue_v from_o what_o we_o find_v in_o ourselves_o to_o be_v the_o same_o in_o god_n it_o be_v true_a the_o holy_a spirit_n have_v condescend_v to_o express_v thing_n suitable_a to_o our_o understanding_n &_o mean_a capacity_n therefore_o we_o read_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o divine_a determination_n appointment_n etc._n etc._n but_o yet_o to_o abuse_v such_o condescend_v expression_n and_o to_o imagine_v that_o there_o be_v real_o such_o purpose_n and_o volition_n in_o god_n as_o these_o we_o perceive_v in_o ourselves_o this_o be_v a_o heinous_a crime_n pray_v let_v we_o satisfy_v ourselves_o with_o this_o that_o god_n in_o a_o eminent_a and_o transcend_a manner_n do_v these_o thing_n which_o we_o can_v do_v without_o willing_a decree_a etc._n etc._n that_o he_o can_v pass_v or_o as_o other_o render_v it_o and_o he_o shall_v not_o pass_v which_o phrase_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o if_o the_o particular_a period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v so_o fatal_o fix_v that_o he_o can_v neither_o shorten_v nor_o prolong_v it_o for_o this_o be_v contrary_n to_o many_o clear_a text_n of_o scripture_n as_o shall_v afterward_o full_o appear_v but_o by_o this_o phrase_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o common_a term_n of_o humane_a life_n which_o be_v not_o mutable_a as_o the_o particular_a term_n be_v and_o yet_o be_v not_o so_o fix_v that_o it_o can_v be_v alter_v for_o god_n have_v still_o reserve_v in_o his_o own_o power_n the_o shorten_n and_o prolong_v of_o it_o and_o further_o we_o must_v not_o apprehend_v that_o the_o particular_a term_n of_o humane_a being_n be_v so_o mutable_a that_o god_n know_v they_o not_o and_o can_v foretell_v the_o precise_a period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n or_o that_o the_o divine_a counsel_n concern_v thing_n future_a be_v mutable_a no_o sure_a god_n have_v declare_v the_o contrary_a i_o be_o god_n and_o there_o be_v none_o like_o i_o say_v the_o almighty_a declare_v the_o end_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o from_o ancient_a time_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o do_v say_v my_o cousenl_n must_v stand_v and_o i_o will_v do_v all_o my_o pleasure_n isa._n 46._o 9_o two_o thing_n there_o be_v which_o occasion_n man_n to_o change_v their_o purpose_n and_o resolution_n 1._o their_o want_n of_o power_n to_o execute_v they_o 2._o their_o finite_a and_o shallow_a knowledge_n which_o can_v foresee_v those_o future_a circumstance_n which_o render_v their_o design_n ineffectual_a but_o now_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n that_o can_v pose_v the_o almighty_a with_o he_o all_o thing_n be_v possible_a it_o be_v the_o prophet_n argument_n the_o lord_n of_o host_n have_v purpose_v who_o shall_v disannul_v it_o his_o hand_n be_v stretch_v out_o and_o who_o shall_v turn_v it_o back_o isa._n 24._o 17._o and_o further_a there_o be_v no_o circumstance_n or_o condition_n that_o lie_v in_o the_o dark_a and_o unseen_a to_o he_o who_o knowledge_n be_v infinite_a and_o who_o equal_o comprehend_v thing_n past_a present_a and_o to_o come_v therefore_o be_v it_o that_o man_n can_v pass_v these_o bound_n prefix_v by_o the_o divine_a foreknowledge_n but_o of_o this_o afterward_o turn_v from_o he_o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v query_v whether_o job_n here_o petition_v a_o withdraw_a of_o god_n support_v presence_n and_o a_o cessation_n by_o death_n or_o a_o cessation_n from_o the_o affliction_n and_o trouble_n he_o lie_v under_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n that_o plead_v for_o the_o former_a interpretation_n 1._o because_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d place_v absolute_o signify_v to_o cease_v by_o death_n 1._o sam._n 2._o 5._o and_o they_o that_o be_v hungry_a cease_v i._n e._n die_v 2._o because_o the_o support_a hand_n of_o providence_n be_v remove_v man_n return_v to_o the_o dust._n thou_o hide_v thy_o face_n they_o be_v
trouble_v thou_o take_v away_o their_o breath_n they_o die_v and_o return_v to_o their_o dust_n psal._n 104._o 29._o 3._o it_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o job_n former_a desire_n chap._n 3._o and_o 6._o why_o die_v i_o not_o from_o the_o womb_n why_o do_v i_o not_o give_v up_o the_o ghost_n when_o i_o come_v out_o of_o the_o belly_n for_o now_o shall_v i_o have_v lie_v still_o and_o be_v quiet_v i_o shall_v have_v steep_v then_o have_v i_o be_v at_o rest_n o_o that_o i_o may_v have_v my_o request_n even_o that_o it_o will_v please_v god_n to_o destroy_v i_o that_o the_o phrase_n can_v never_o admit_v the_o former_a gloss_n evident_o appear_v from_o the_o word_n immediate_o follow_v for_o if_o job_n have_v be_v plead_v for_o death_n why_o be_v that_o reason_n add_v that_o he_o may_v accomplish_v his_o day_n it_o be_v only_o then_o a_o cessation_n from_o his_o grievous_a affliction_n that_o he_o so_o earnest_o intreat_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v lord_n thy_o afflict_a hand_n be_v heavy_a and_o what_o be_o i_o but_o weak_a dust_n not_o able_a to_o bear_v thy_o heavy_a chastisement_n my_o soul_n be_v overburden_v with_o grief_n and_o will_v thou_o set_v thy_o terror_n before_o i_o to_o affright_v i_o have_v not_o poor_a man_n in_o this_o lapse_v state_n troop_n of_o misery_n attend_v he_o from_o which_o he_o may_v expect_v no_o freedom_n till_o mortality_n be_v swallow_v up_o in_o life_n and_o be_v not_o his_o few_o day_n labour_n and_o sorrow_n pain_n and_o affliction_n and_o will_v thou_o to_o those_o inseparable_a evil_n superadd_a a_o burden_n of_o pain_n more_o grievous_a and_o insufferable_a o_o do_v not_o measure_v out_o so_o dismal_a a_o condition_n to_o thy_o silly_a creature_n make_v i_o not_o the_o object_n of_o thy_o direful_a vengeance_n but_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o wrath_n remember_v mercy_n be_v thou_o not_o goodness_n itself_o and_o far_o more_o compassionate_a than_o the_o most_o tender_a parent_n and_o shall_v it_o be_v say_v thou_o have_v measure_v out_o so_o acute_a torment_n to_o vex_v thy_o poor_a creature_n i_o confess_v perfection_n be_v not_o the_o thing_n i_o plead_v yet_o may_v not_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o for_o my_o iniquity_n nor_o for_o my_o sin_n that_o thou_o have_v afflict_v i_o and_o let_v this_o consideration_n also_o prevail_v with_o thou_o that_o my_o untender_a friend_n sad_o mistake_v thy_o design_n in_o afflict_v i_o they_o conclude_v it_o be_v for_o some_o secret_a heinous_a crime_n that_o thy_o judgement_n be_v upon_o i_o o_o that_o thou_o will_v turn_v from_o thy_o wrath_n that_o i_o may_v enjoy_v some_o rest_n before_o i_o go_v whence_o i_o shall_v not_o return_v this_o phrase_n turn_v from_o he_o be_v sometime_o take_v in_o a_o very_a bad_a sense_n thus_o we_o find_v the_o wicked_a sad_o characterise_v as_o a_o people_n who_o desire_n god_n to_o depart_v from_o they_o but_o as_o it_o be_v utter_v by_o the_o people_n of_o god_n under_o the_o pressure_n of_o affliction_n it_o imply_v no_o more_o but_o a_o serious_a desire_n that_o god_n will_v be_v please_v to_o remove_v that_o burden_n now_o in_o such_o innocent_a petition_n there_o appear_v no_o crime_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o affliction_n simple_o consider_v be_v grievous_a even_o to_o the_o best_a of_o mankind_n there_o be_v no_o affliction_n say_v the_o apostle_n for_o the_o present_a that_o be_v joyous_a but_o grievous_a it_o be_v true_a impatience_n under_o affliction_n be_v a_o excess_n which_o no_o excuse_n whatsoever_o can_v pardon_v there_o be_v some_o person_n of_o such_o hasty_a complexion_n that_o they_o rise_v in_o passion_n against_o god_n if_o they_o meet_v with_o the_o least_o affliction_n just_o like_o that_o wretched_a man_n who_o say_v this_o evil_n be_v of_o the_o lord_n why_o shall_v we_o wait_v any_o long_o upon_o he_o but_o those_o petition_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o holy_a writ_n although_o at_o the_o first_o view_n they_o seem_v to_o be_v peremptory_a and_o absolute_a yet_o they_o be_v true_o qualify_v and_o submissive_a and_o at_o the_o most_o only_o express_v the_o harmless_a resentment_n of_o innocent_a nature_n that_o can_v but_o express_v how_o contrary_a affliction_n be_v to_o it_o that_o he_o may_v rest_v ut_fw-la quiescat_fw-la sc_n paululum_fw-la that_o his_o affliction_n be_v remove_v he_o may_v yet_o enjoy_v a_o little_a space_n to_o solace_v himself_o till_o he_o accomplish_v his_o day_n i_o will_v purposely_o decline_v the_o answer_n of_o that_o query_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o wish_v death_n when_o our_o condition_n be_v charge_v with_o a_o surplusage_n of_o calamity_n for_o the_o brevity_n i_o design_n will_v not_o suffer_v i_o to_o survey_v the_o difficulty_n of_o that_o case_n only_o in_o the_o general_n i_o shall_v add_v two_o thing_n 1._o if_o the_o affliction_n be_v violent_a fierce_a and_o seem_o durable_a render_v we_o uncapable_a of_o exercise_v any_o duty_n i_o question_v not_o but_o common_a reason_n will_v suggest_v to_o every_o sober_a man_n that_o in_o that_o case_n death_n be_v more_o eligible_a than_o life_n yet_o 2._o since_o we_o be_v ignorant_a what_o god_n design_n to_o we_o by_o send_v we_o such_o afflicti-ons_a it_o be_v our_o part_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o lord_n will_v and_o say_v good_a be_v the_o will_n of_o the_o lord_n thus_o although_o we_o may_v comparative_o and_o submissive_o wish_v death_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o some_o acute_a trial_n yet_o it_o be_v never_o lawful_a to_o be_v peremptory_a and_o absolute_a in_o such_o desire_n for_o frequent_o the_o happy_a event_n make_v man_n conclude_v that_o it_o be_v good_a for_o they_o they_o be_v afflict_v rest_v etc._n etc._n methinks_v the_o very_a sound_n of_o this_o word_n be_v full_a of_o ravish_a sweetness_n and_o pleasure_n and_o yet_o to_o those_o who_o be_v state_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o woe_n and_o misery_n it_o be_v bitter_a and_o harsh_a as_o the_o most_o ravish_a and_o pleasant_a music_n be_v in_o the_o ear_n of_o he_o who_o be_v sad_a those_o who_o never_o taste_v the_o honeycomb_n know_v not_o its_o sweetness_n the_o man_n who_o have_v be_v always_o drudge_n and_o slave_n have_v no_o discern_v what_o liberty_n be_v and_o those_o who_o from_o their_o birth_n have_v be_v accustom_v to_o pain_n know_v not_o their_o misery_n so_o sensible_o but_o to_o have_v once_o enjoy_v blessing_n and_o on_o a_o sudden_a to_o be_v deprive_v of_o they_o not_o only_o the_o unexpected_a change_n but_o also_o their_o former_a happiness_n add_v to_o their_o misery_n and_o make_v their_o condition_n more_o unsufferable_a if_o man_n have_v be_v create_v to_o toil_n and_o labour_n his_o eat_n of_o bread_n in_o the_o sweat_n of_o his_o face_n have_v be_v no_o curse_n but_o to_o have_v be_v place_v in_o a_o bless_a and_o happy_a state_n and_o by_o his_o folly_n to_o be_v hurl_v into_o a_o state_n of_o misery_n and_o pain_n that_o complete_v his_o calamity_n and_o make_v he_o sensible_a how_o miserable_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o have_v be_v happy_a this_o single_a consideration_n seem_v to_o add_v very_o much_o to_o job_n misery_n his_o condition_n be_v once_o more_o than_o ordinary_a happy_a and_o the_o amission_n of_o the_o comfort_n he_o former_o enjoy_v make_v he_o pathetical_o cry_v out_o o_o that_o i_o be_v as_o in_o month_n past_a as_o in_o the_o day_n when_o god_n preserve_v i_o but_o now_o as_o he_o sad_o complain_v they_o that_o be_v young_a than_o i_o have_v i_o in_o derision_n if_o job_n in_o this_o state_n of_o woe_n have_v be_v persuade_v of_o the_o certain_a change_n of_o his_o condition_n and_o that_o his_o latter_a end_n shall_v be_v more_o bless_v than_o his_o beginning_n the_o expect_a hope_n of_o this_o have_v serve_v to_o allay_v and_o mitigate_v his_o sorrow_n and_o to_o render_v his_o case_n more_o sufferable_a and_o easy_a it_o be_v the_o hop_n of_o rest_n that_o put_v strength_n in_o the_o weary_a traveller_n it_o be_v the_o expect_a reward_n and_o assurance_n of_o a_o future_a blessedness_n and_o better_a resurrection_n which_o make_v those_o worthy_n heb._n 11._o so_o cheerful_o undergo_v suffer_v what_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o saint_n rest_n be_v i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o represent_v it_o be_v so_o far_o above_o any_o thing_n we_o can_v in_o this_o imperfect_a state_n conceive_v or_o imagine_v the_o advantage_n that_o attend_v our_o present_a tranquillity_n and_o rest_n be_v many_o and_o great_a which_o to_o enumerate_v will_v be_v prolix_a and_o tedious_a but_o if_o from_o that_o we_o shall_v frame_v to_o ourselves_o a_o idea_n of_o that_o celestial_a rest_n how_o imperfect_a will_v it_o be_v any_o rest_v we_o enjoy_v here_o be_v uncertain_a a_o unthought-of_a causality_n may_v impair_v it_o but_o the_o rest_n that_o remain_v for_o the_o people_n of_o god_n
for_o this_o they_o think_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o immutability_n of_o the_o deity_n but_o other_o have_v be_v more_o illiberal_a in_o their_o concession_n think_v it_o enough_o if_o they_o grant_v that_o god_n have_v a_o care_n of_o mankind_n although_o he_o never_o regard_v lesser_a matter_n and_o that_o curate_n magna_fw-la deus_fw-la fortunae_fw-la parva_fw-la relinquit_fw-la by_o mean_n of_o these_o wild_a conceit_n this_o error_n have_v proceed_v from_o bad_a to_o worse_o yet_o very_a few_o of_o the_o old_a philosopher_n or_o any_o other_o rank_n of_o man_n atheist_n those_o anomalus_fw-la birth_n except_v have_v ever_o that_o confidence_n in_o impiety_n to_o say_v with_o the_o epicurean_o that_o the_o world_n be_v perfect_o leave_v to_o its_o own_o fortuitous_a and_o casual_a resolution_n or_o that_o i_o may_v express_v it_o in_o their_o poet_n own_o phrase_n sive_fw-la nihil_fw-la positum_fw-la est_fw-la sed_fw-la sor_n incerta_fw-la vagatur_fw-la fertque_fw-la refertque_fw-la vice_n &_o habent_fw-la mortalia_fw-la casum_fw-la that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v not_o so_o casual_a and_o fortuitous_a as_o these_o man_n imagine_v may_v be_v make_v evident_a by_o clear_a testimony_n from_o scripture_n concern_v the_o particular_a providence_n whereby_o god_n take_v care_n of_o every_o particular_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o because_o i_o will_v have_v occasion_n to_o consider_v this_o afterward_o i_o shall_v now_o add_v only_o a_o instance_n or_o two_o from_o scripture_n whereby_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o the_o most_o seem_o casual_a period_n of_o man_n be_v order_v by_o a_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o fall_v under_o the_o divine_a rule_n and_o dominion_n and_o first_o the_o manslayer_n who_o kill_v his_o neighbour_n unawar_n seem_v to_o be_v as_o casual_a a_o business_n as_o can_v be_v and_o yet_o we_o may_v read_v how_o far_o the_o divine_a providence_n be_v concern_v in_o this_o particular_a exod._n 21._o 13._o but_o far_o one_o of_o epicurus_n discples_n will_v ready_o conclude_v that_o ahab_n death_n be_v a_o piece_n of_o chance_n and_o govern_v by_o no_o supreme_a power_n it_o be_v but_o a_o archer_n draw_v his_o bow_n at_o a_o venture_n which_o by_o chance_n kill_v ahab_n but_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n inform_v we_o that_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o prophecy_n 1_o king_n 21._o 19_o be_v fulfil_v and_o that_o it_o come_v not_o to_o pass_v without_o the_o divine_a providence_n who_o rule_v among_o the_o child_n of_o men._n and_o now_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o two_o erroneous_a extreme_n which_o some_o man_n have_v inconsiderat_o run_v to_o for_o shelter_n the_o next_o thing_n i_o premise_v be_v to_o lay_v down_o the_o two_o common_a opinion_n that_o offer_v fair_a for_o remove_v the_o difficulty_n but_o i_o must_v say_v for_o the_o thing_n be_v palpable_a that_o i_o be_o now_o only_o to_o give_v the_o two_o former_a reject_a opinion_n of_o the_o stoic_n and_o epicurean_o dress_v up_o in_o better_a apparel_n and_o much_o refine_v from_o the_o impure_a dregs_o of_o heathenism_n as_o 1._o some_o run_v to_o the_o absolute_a and_o inconditionate_n decree_v of_o god_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o from_o the_o outgoing_n of_o eternity_n previous_a to_o the_o divine_a consideration_n of_o circumstance_n in_o which_o man_n be_v to_o be_v place_v god_n have_v so_o absolute_o determine_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n that_o it_o can_v neither_o be_v lengthen_v nor_o extend_v by_o care_n and_o diligence_n nor_o shorten_v by_o intemperance_n sword_n or_o plague_n 2._o other_o who_o see_v the_o inconvenience_n and_o absurdity_n that_o follow_v upon_o the_o grant_v that_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a be_v induce_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v ordinary_o mutable_a and_o may_v be_v both_o extend_v &_o shorten_v yet_o still_o they_o grant_v that_o god_n may_v as_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o he_o either_o extend_v or_o shorten_v it_o there_o be_v four_o very_a considerable_a particular_n that_o seem_v to_o strengthen_v the_o first_o opinion_n first_o there_o be_v many_o plain_a place_n of_o scripture_n that_o conclude_v the_o day_n of_o every_o man_n to_o be_v bound_v by_o the_o divine_a determination_n second_o there_o be_v many_o example_n in_o scripture_n which_o show_n that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v from_o the_o outgoing_n of_o eternity_n set_v and_o bound_v in_o by_o the_o divine_a will_n three_o it_o be_v a_o common_a opinion_n that_o the_o futurition_n of_o all_o thing_n depend_v upon_o the_o divine_a will_n antecedent_o to_o which_o thing_n be_v only_o possible_a and_o therefore_o four_o we_o can_v never_o give_v a_o rational_a and_o satisfy_a account_n how_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n concern_v the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v infallible_a and_o certain_a if_o it_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o the_o basis_n of_o the_o sure_a absolute_a decree_n upon_o the_o other_o hand_n those_o who_o plead_v for_o the_o mutability_n of_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n endeavour_v to_o remove_v the_o forenamed_a doubt_n and_o to_o show_v the_o great_a inconvenience_n it_o be_v liable_a to_o that_o it_o quite_o evacuate_v the_o use_n of_o the_o mean_n and_o encourage_v man_n to_o expose_v themselves_o to_o any_o danger_n &c._n &c._n as_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v appear_v afterward_o and_o now_o i_o come_v to_o the_o chief_a thing_n i_o aim_v at_o in_o this_o undertake_n viz._n to_o attempt_v a_o satisfy_a answer_n of_o the_o present_a doubt_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o which_o intendment_n i_o shall_v observe_v this_o method_n first_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v how_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v determine_v second_o i_o shall_v show_v in_o what_o sense_n it_o be_v not_o determine_v and_o three_o how_o it_o be_v mutable_a and_o may_v be_v extend_v or_o shorten_v i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o how_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v determine_v and_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o do_v this_o in_o the_o two_o follow_v particular_n 1._o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v so_o far_o determine_v that_o it_o be_v not_o without_o a_o period_n to_o determine_v signify_v proper_o to_o set_v bound_n or_o limit_n to_o any_o thing_n now_o since_o it_o be_v appoint_v for_o all_o man_n once_o to_o die_v every_o man_n life_n be_v enclose_v and_o bound_v within_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o year_n and_o i_o must_v add_v that_o if_o i_o be_v not_o very_o much_o mistake_v this_o be_v the_o genuine_a sense_n of_o the_o most_o if_o not_o of_o all_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o express_v the_o determination_n of_o man_n day_n and_o indeed_o job_n word_n see_v his_o day_n be_v determine_v etc._n etc._n seem_v to_o mean_v no_o other_o thing_n but_o this_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v unquestionable_a that_o god_n have_v appoint_v our_o bound_n which_o we_o can_v pass_v but_o 2._o the_o period_n of_o every_o particular_a man_n life_n be_v determine_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o divine_a prescience_n now_o because_o this_o be_v a_o very_a considerable_a particular_a and_o as_o i_o tell_v in_o the_o explain_n of_o the_o text_n that_o which_o be_v intend_v by_o job_n when_o he_o say_v the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o i_o shall_v therefore_o endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o this_o truth_n by_o the_o plain_a and_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o can_v be_v in_o order_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o god_n have_v a_o perfect_a comprehension_n of_o all_o thing_n past_a present_a or_o to_o come_v and_o by_o consequence_n fore-knows_a the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n second_o i_o shall_v prove_v this_o by_o plain_a evidence_n from_o scriptural_a example_n three_o i_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v sole_o the_o prerogative_n of_o our_o maker_n to_o know_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n and_o last_o i_o shall_v answer_v the_o most_o material_a objection_n and_o doubt_n that_o be_v braught_fw-mi agaist_fw-mi it_o first_o that_o god_n have_v a_o perfect_a comprehension_n of_o all_o thing_n past_a present_a and_o to_o come_v be_v so_o reasonable_a a_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o it_o have_v be_v general_o own_v by_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o learned_a heathen_a and_o those_o impious_a wretch_n who_o at_o every_o turn_n take_v the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o vain_a in_o attest_v he_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o sometime_o themselves_o know_v be_v false_a sufficient_o imply_v that_o they_o believe_v god_n infinite_a knowledge_n beside_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o be_v plain_o hold_v out_o in_o scripture_n it_o be_v to_o this_o city_n of_o refuge_n peter_n do_v flee_v when_o his_o love_n be_v seem_o call_v in_o question_n lord_n say_v he_o thou_o know_v all_o thing_n