some_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n at_o first_o but_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o come_v to_o a_o more_o accurate_a exact_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n 3._o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v they_o come_v to_o the_o riches_n of_o the_o full_a assurance_n of_o understanding_n 1._o here_o be_v riches_n that_o set_v forth_o copiousness_n and_o abundance_n the_o apostle_n will_v not_o have_v they_o have_v some_o slender_a taste_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n only_o but_o he_o will_v have_v they_o enrich_v with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n phil._n 1.9_o this_o i_o pray_v that_o your_o love_n may_v abound_v yet_o more_o and_o more_o in_o knowledge_n and_o in_o all_o judgement_n 2._o he_o will_v have_v they_o labour_n to_o attain_v unto_o the_o great_a certainty_n and_o assurance_n in_o their_o knowledge_n he_o will_v have_v they_o come_v to_o the_o riches_n of_o the_o full_a assurance_n of_o understanding_n this_o full_a assurance_n of_o understanding_n i_o take_v to_o be_v oppose_v to_o waver_v and_o to_o doubt_v the_o apostle_n will_v have_v we_o to_o come_v to_o a_o certainty_n in_o our_o knowledge_n a_o christian_a shall_v not_o be_v fluctuate_a and_o hesitate_v in_o his_o thought_n concern_v god_n and_o christ_n but_o he_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o come_v to_o this_o that_o he_o may_v be_v able_a to_o say_v upon_o this_o bottom_n i_o can_v live_v and_o die_v that_o which_o i_o know_v concern_v god_n and_o christ_n be_v such_o a_o bottom_n that_o i_o can_v venture_v my_o hope_n my_o happiness_n my_o all_o upon_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o expression_n the_o full_a assurance_n of_o understanding_n now_o these_o be_v the_o thing_n above_o that_o we_o be_v to_o seek_v and_o to_o set_v our_o affection_n upon_o viz._n god_n and_o christ_n our_o thought_n be_v to_o be_v conversant_a about_o these_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v up_o in_o the_o study_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o then_o do_v we_o seek_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v above_o when_o we_o converse_v much_o in_o our_o thought_n with_o god_n and_o christ_n 2._o by_o the_o thing_n above_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o glory_n and_o blessedness_n of_o heaven_n by_o the_o thing_n above_o say_v a_o learned_a man_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n davenant_n davenant_n the_o beatifical_a vision_n of_o god_n those_o joy_n which_o the_o saint_n shall_v one_o day_n partake_v of_o with_o christ_n their_o head_n and_o the_o holy_a angel_n we_o ought_v to_o seek_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v above_o as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v we_o ought_v to_o mind_v the_o glory_n and_o blessedness_n of_o the_o future_a state_n this_o be_v also_o to_o be_v gather_v from_o the_o context_n if_o you_o be_v rise_v with_o christ_n seek_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v above_o where_o christ_n sit_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n as_o much_o as_o if_o the_o apostle_n shall_v say_v when_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o thing_n above_o i_o intend_v nothing_o else_o but_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v in_o heaven_n such_o thing_n as_o christ_n enjoy_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o father_n seek_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v above_o where_o christ_n sit_v on_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v say_v consider_v what_o it_o be_v christ_n now_o enjoy_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o father_n consider_v what_o glory_n christ_n be_v possess_v of_o christ_n be_v above_o sorrow_n above_o pain_n above_o misery_n above_o death_n christ_n enjoy_v perfect_a happiness_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o father_n now_o consider_v what_o christ_n enjoy_v and_o these_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v above_o this_o be_v manifest_a to_o be_v the_o apostle_n scope_n from_o the_o four_o verse_n when_o christ_n who_o be_v our_o life_n shall_v appear_v then_o shall_v we_o also_o appear_v with_o he_o in_o glory_n it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v say_v christ_n be_v now_o in_o glory_n and_o we_o shall_v one_o day_n be_v make_v like_o our_o head_n we_o also_o shall_v appear_v with_o he_o in_o glory_n the_o apostle_n will_v have_v we_o to_o mind_v this_o to_o think_v what_o that_o glory_n be_v that_o christ_n our_o head_n be_v possess_v of_o and_o what_o the_o glory_n be_v we_o shall_v be_v bring_v unto_o in_o conformity_n to_o christ_n our_o head_n the_o head_n and_o member_n must_v be_v like_o one_o another_o if_o christ_n be_v now_o in_o glory_n the_o same_o glory_n be_v prepare_v for_o all_o that_o be_v christ_n and_o this_o appear_v from_o our_o saviour_n last_o prayer_n the_o glory_n which_o thou_o give_v i_o i_o have_v give_v they_o that_o they_o may_v be_v one_o even_o as_o we_o be_v one_o joh._n 17.22_o therefore_o look_v what_o glory_n christ_n as_o man_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n enjoy_v we_o in_o our_o measure_n shall_v have_v a_o share_n in_o if_o we_o be_v christ_n and_o member_n of_o his_o body_n this_o than_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v by_o the_o thing_n above_o the_o glory_n and_o blessedness_n of_o the_o future_a state_n i_o have_v often_o think_v there_o be_v nothing_o we_o be_v more_o want_v and_o defective_a in_o then_o this_o viz._n in_o study_v and_o contemplate_v what_o the_o glory_n and_o blessedness_n of_o the_o future_a state_n be_v we_o stick_v in_o present_a sensible_a thing_n and_o do_v not_o elevate_v our_o heart_n to_o the_o future_a glory_n but_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o another_o frame_n 4._o 2_o cor._n 4._o paul_n tell_v we_o he_o look_v to_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o see_v that_o be_v unto_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o invisible_a world_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o blessedness_n of_o the_o saint_n there_o elsewhere_o he_o say_v he_o reckon_v that_o the_o suffering_n of_o this_o present_a time_n be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o glory_n which_o shall_v be_v reveal_v in_o we_o rom._n 8.18_o that_o be_v a_o argument_n he_o have_v his_o heart_n take_v up_o with_o the_o glory_n of_o that_o state_n 3._o by_o the_o thing_n above_o we_o may_v understand_v the_o life_n and_o employment_n of_o the_o saint_n in_o heaven_n and_o our_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o heaven_n we_o ought_v to_o seek_v the_o thing_n above_o that_o be_v we_o ought_v to_o think_v much_o of_o our_o future_a life_n and_o consider_v what_o our_o life_n and_o employment_n in_o eternity_n be_v like_a to_o be_v though_o this_o be_v of_o near_a affinity_n with_o the_o former_a because_o our_o happiness_n in_o heaven_n and_o the_o glory_n and_o blessedness_n of_o that_o estate_n consist_v in_o the_o life_n we_o shall_v live_v there_o yet_o we_o may_v consider_v this_o under_o a_o distinct_a head_n and_o the_o distinct_a consideration_n of_o this_o will_v help_v to_o illustrate_v the_o former_a particular_a the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o when_o we_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o body_n we_o shall_v be_v present_a with_o the_o lord_n 2_o cor._n 5.8_o from_o this_o scripture_n we_o may_v argue_v if_o when_o we_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o body_n we_o be_v present_a with_o the_o lord_n than_o there_o be_v a_o life_n in_o which_o the_o soul_n shall_v live_v with_o god_n when_o it_o be_v in_o a_o separate_a state_n from_o the_o body_n a_o life_n that_o we_o shall_v live_v in_o the_o divine_a presence_n now_o this_o be_v to_o seek_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v above_o to_o consider_v what_o the_o life_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v live_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o the_o holy_a angel_n when_o we_o have_v lay_v down_o this_o burden_n of_o flesh_n and_o be_v discharge_v from_o the_o body_n of_o death_n and_o shall_v be_v make_v free_a among_o the_o heavenly_a society_n and_o admit_v into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a to_o know_v what_o our_o life_n and_o employment_n shall_v be_v in_o that_o state_n this_o be_v to_o seek_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v above_o though_o we_o can_v comprehend_v full_o and_o perfect_o what_o this_o life_n will_v be_v yet_o we_o may_v understand_v a_o little_a of_o it_o as_o the_o scripture_n do_v reveal_v it_o the_o scripture_n teach_v we_o thus_o much_o that_o hereafter_o we_o shall_v walk_v by_o sight_n 2_o cor._n 5.7_o now_o we_o walk_v by_o faith_n not_o by_o sight_n that_o intimate_v when_o the_o life_n of_o faith_n end_n than_o the_o life_n of_o sight_n and_o vision_n begin_v here_o indeed_o we_o live_v the_o life_n of_o faith_n hereafter_o we_o shall_v live_v the_o life_n of_o sight_n and_o vision_n matth._n 5.8_o bless_a be_v the_o pure_a in_o heart_n for_o they_o shall_v see_v god_n the_o scripture_n teach_v we_o when_o we_o shall_v appear_v we_o shall_v be_v
of_o mr._n rutherford_n be_v these_o glory_n glory_n dwell_v in_o emmanuels_n land_n we_o shall_v pray_v for_o the_o clear_a sight_n and_o prospect_n that_o may_v be_v of_o the_o heavenly_a glory_n the_o clear_a sight_n we_o can_v get_v of_o eternal_a thing_n the_o more_o shall_v we_o find_v our_o heart_n crucify_v to_o the_o thing_n of_o time_n and_o the_o more_o shall_v we_o find_v our_o heart_n carry_v up_o aloft_o to_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v above_o even_o whilst_o we_o be_v fain_o to_o use_v these_o other_o thing_n for_o our_o present_a necessity_n we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o doctrine_n why_o we_o ought_v to_o lay_v hold_n on_o eternal_a life_n reason_n 1_o 1._o this_o life_n be_v a_o short_a transient_a thing_n it_o soon_o glide_v and_o slip_v away_o how_o soon_o do_v we_o pass_v from_o one_o state_n to_o another_o from_o infancy_n to_o childhood_n from_o thence_o to_o youth_n thence_o to_o grow_v age_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o old_a age_n and_o death_n my_o day_n be_v swift_a than_o a_o weaver_n shuttle_n job_n 7.6_o swift_a than_o a_o post_n they_o go_v away_o job_n 9.25_o this_o life_n be_v a_o vanish_v thing_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a prospect_n to_o see_v to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o the_o long_a life_n here_o on_o earth_n be_v nothing_o to_o eternity_n therefore_o since_o this_o life_n be_v so_o shppery_a short_a and_o uncertain_a it_o be_v our_o great_a wisdom_n to_o set_v our_o heart_n upon_o that_o life_n that_o be_v solid_a durable_a permanent_a what_o wisdom_n be_v it_o to_o set_v our_o heart_n upon_o that_o which_o be_v not_o perminent_a we_o have_v here_o no_o continue_a city_n heb._n 13.14_o thsi_fw-la life_n be_v madeup_n of_o change_n and_o vicissitude_n and_o abide_v in_o no_o consistency_n it_o be_v our_o great_a concernment_n to_o mind_v that_o life_n which_o be_v stable_n and_o endure_a reason_n 2_o 2._o eternal_a life_n be_v that_o state_n that_o we_o must_v rest_v and_o abide_v in_o that_o life_n which_o we_o shall_v live_v in_o the_o other_o world_n will_v always_o stick_v and_o abide_v by_o we_o as_o we_o be_v then_o we_o shall_v ever_o be_v it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o we_o now_o we_o be_v not_o now_o as_o we_o shall_v ever_o be_v we_o be_v still_o change_v from_o one_o state_n to_o another_o but_o eternal_a life_n be_v that_o state_n we_o shall_v always_o rest_v and_o abide_v in_o when_o once_o we_o be_v enter_v into_o eternal_a life_n we_o may_v say_v it_o shall_v never_o be_v otherwise_o with_o i_o than_o now_o it_o be_v this_o be_v the_o state_n i_o must_v take_v up_o with_o and_o thus_o it_o shall_v be_v for_o ever_o now_o do_v it_o not_o become_v we_o to_o be_v reach_v out_o in_o our_o soul_n after_o this_o state_n certain_o we_o ought_v to_o overlook_v this_o life_n and_o the_o whole_a of_o our_o time_n as_o a_o little_a short_a thing_n and_o fasten_v our_o eye_n upon_o the_o unchangeable_a state_n above_o where_o we_o must_v six_o and_o abide_v for_o ever_o we_o look_v not_o to_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v see_v for_o they_o be_v temporal_a but_o to_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o see_v for_o they_o be_v eternal_a 2_o cor._n 4.18_o reason_n 3_o 3._o eternal_a life_n be_v the_o only_a true_a life_n it_o be_v the_o most_o noble_a and_o excellent_a life_n what_o a_o poor_a life_n be_v this_o life_n to_o converse_v with_o this_o world_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o it_o in_o comparison_n of_o eternal_a life_n in_o which_o we_o shall_v converse_v with_o god_n and_o the_o holy_a angel_n what_o a_o poor_a life_n be_v this_o life_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o want_n of_o sorrow_n of_o complaint_n of_o misery_n of_o distress_n of_o he_o constant_a fear_n and_o expection_n of_o death_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o life_n where_o there_o be_v all_o joy_n no_o sorrow_n all_o fullness_n no_o want_n all_o satisfaction_n no_o complaint_n all_o happiness_n no_o misery_n all_o life_n no_o death_n nor_o fear_v of_o death_n oh_o this_o be_v the_o life_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v suspire_v and_o breathe_v after_o reason_n 4_o 4._o we_o ought_v to_o lay_v hold_n on_o eternal_a life_n because_o the_o thought_n and_o expection_n of_o eternal_a life_n will_v carry_v we_o up_o above_o the_o difficulty_n trouble_n and_o affliction_n of_o this_o life_n he_o that_o see_v the_o port_n before_o he_o though_o he_o be_v out_o at_o sea_n and_o be_v toss_v with_o wave_n and_o tmepest_n yet_o he_o know_v if_o he_o can_v get_v safe_a to_o the_o port_n all_o be_v quiet_a placid_a and_o serene_a there_o he_o that_o hatha_fw-mi prospect_n by_o the_o eye_n of_o faith_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o the_o heavenly_a country_n though_o he_o be_v toss_v up_o and_o down_o with_o many_o affliction_n trial_n and_o distress_n here_o yet_o he_o know_v all_o be_v tranquil_a and_o serene_a above_o ibi_fw-la nulla_fw-la mors_fw-la nulla_fw-la aegritudo_fw-la there_o be_v no_o sickness_n no_o death_n the_o thought_n of_o eternal_a life_n may_v well_o swallow_v up_o all_o our_o affliction_n this_o life_n be_v but_o for_o a_o moment_n in_o eternal_a life_n there_o shall_v be_v none_o of_o these_o thing_n to_o trouble_v or_o disquiet_v we_o let_v we_o wait_v patient_o for_o the_o bless_a hope_n and_o the_o revelation_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o we_o shall_v know_v these_o sorrow_n no_o more_o reason_n 5_o 5._o if_o we_o lay_v hold_v on_o eternal_a life_n death_n will_v be_v no_o surprise_n or_o terror_n to_o we_o when_o this_o life_n fail_v we_o shall_v have_v another_o life_n in_o view_n nay_o we_o shall_v feel_v the_o beginningso_n f_o another_o life_n in_o we_o this_o be_v eternal_a life_n to_o know_v thou_o etc._n etc._n joh._n 7.3_o so_o much_o as_o we_o know_v god_n adhere_v to_o he_o rest_n in_o he_o live_v upon_o he_o and_o be_v satisfy_v with_o he_o we_o have_v the_o beginning_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o this_o be_v such_o a_o life_n as_o shall_v never_o end_v that_o natural_a life_n which_o be_v in_o a_o saint_n fail_v and_o must_v have_v anend_n oh_o but_o there_o be_v in_o his_o soul_n the_o seed_n of_o eternal_a life_n joh._n 4.14_o the_o water_n that_o i_o shall_v give_v shall_v be_v in_o he_o a_o well_o of_o water_n spring_v up_o to_o everlasting_a life_n a_o true_a believer_n have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n a_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n dwell_v in_o he_o and_o this_o be_v the_o seed_n o_o eternal_a life_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n which_o have_v begâ—â—_n the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o love_n to_o god_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o a_o saint_n here_o on_o earth_n will_v continue_v that_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o love_n to_o god_n in_o the_o soul_n to_o eternity_n yea_o in_o eternal_a life_n this_o knowledge_n this_o love_n shall_v be_v perfect_v and_o consummate_v hence_o be_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n rom._n 8.10_o the_o body_n be_v dead_a because_o of_o sin_n but_o the_o spirit_n be_v life_n because_o of_o righteousness_n the_o body_n die_v and_o the_o life_n of_o it_o perish_v and_o vanish_v away_o but_o the_o spirit_n the_o soul_n of_o a_o saint_n which_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o habitation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n continue_v and_o live_v when_o the_o life_n of_o the_o body_n cease_v if_o the_o soul_n shall_v die_v with_o the_o body_n than_o grace_n itself_o must_v be_v extinct_a and_o perish_v but_o say_v the_o apostle_n the_o spirit_n be_v life_n because_o of_o righteousness_n the_o spirit_n of_o a_o godly_a man_n have_v a_o principle_n of_o righteousness_n in_o it_o continues_z in_o be_v and_o the_o spiritual_a life_n of_o it_o remain_v when_o the_o body_n die_v it_o be_v true_a the_o soul_n of_o a_o wicked_a man_n be_v immortal_a and_o continue_v to_o live_v when_o his_o body_n die_v but_o the_o life_n which_o remain_v to_o a_o wicked_a man_n after_o this_o life_n be_v a_o life_n of_o misery_n and_o torment_n the_o scripture_n choose_v to_o call_v it_o by_o the_o name_n of_o death_n rather_o than_o of_o life_n but_o a_o godly_a man_n enjoy_v a_o happy_a and_o a_o bless_a life_n in_o his_o soul_n when_o this_o life_n cease_v hence_o be_v it_o that_o we_o read_v of_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a heb._n 12.23_o and_o paul_n desire_v to_o be_v dissolve_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a phil._n 1.23_o now_o when_o we_o feel_v such_o a_o life_n in_o we_o as_o can_v expire_v neither_o can_v be_v take_v away_o from_o we_o why_o shall_v we_o fear_v death_n luther_n observe_v that_o the_o great_a cause_n why_o man_n fear_v death_n be_v a_o secret_a suspicion_n that_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o heart_n quasi_fw-la non_fw-la semper_fw-la victuri_fw-la as_o if_o they_o shall_v not_o
live_v always_o if_o i_o be_o sure_a to_o live_v why_o do_v i_o fear_v death_n if_o we_o lay_v hold_v on_o eternal_a life_n and_o find_v the_o beginning_n of_o that_o life_n in_o our_o soul_n we_o have_v that_o life_n set_v up_o in_o we_o which_o can_v expire_v joh._n 6.44_o he_o that_o eat_v my_o flesh_n and_o drink_v my_o blood_n have_v eternal_a life_n how_o can_v that_o be_v lose_v which_o be_v eternal_a that_o which_o be_v eternal_a can_v be_v lose_v it_o be_v a_o great_a skill_n to_o be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v between_o this_o natural_a life_n which_o we_o live_v in_o common_a with_o other_o man_n and_o that_o spiritual_a life_n which_o we_o live_v as_o christian_n the_o natural_a life_n of_o a_o saint_n be_v subject_a to_o death_n as_o other_o man_n be_v although_o the_o curse_n of_o it_o be_v take_v away_o but_o there_o be_v a_o life_n in_o a_o saint_n and_o that_o be_v the_o life_n which_o he_o live_v in_o and_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v such_o a_o life_n as_o can_v be_v extinguish_v we_o shall_v labour_v for_o that_o spiritual_a skill_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v between_o these_o two_o kind_n of_o life_n and_o not_o be_v without_o hope_n as_o other_o man_n when_o this_o natural_a life_n cease_v we_o shall_v remember_v there_o be_v a_o life_n in_o we_o that_o can_v die_v if_o we_o have_v begin_v to_o know_v god_n to_o love_n god_n to_o live_v upon_o he_o and_o to_o live_v to_o he_o here_o on_o earth_n we_o shall_v not_o cease_v to_o know_v he_o to_o love_v he_o to_o live_v upon_o he_o to_o live_v to_o he_o in_o eternity_n and_o to_o eternity_n use_v 1_o 1._o we_o come_v now_o to_o the_o use_v of_o this_o doctrine_n and_o there_o be_v only_o two_o that_o we_o shall_v make_v of_o it_o the_o first_o use_n shall_v be_v of_o reprehension_n if_o we_o ought_v to_o lay_v hold_n on_o eternal_a life_n two_o thing_n be_v hence_o to_o be_v reprehend_v 1._o that_o we_o be_v so_o much_o take_v up_o in_o follow_v this_o world_n and_o in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o temporal_a thing_n 2._o that_o we_o be_v so_o much_o addict_v to_o the_o love_n of_o this_o life_n i._o we_o be_v to_o be_v reprehend_v that_o we_o be_v so_o much_o take_v up_o in_o follow_v this_o world_n and_o in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o temporal_a thing_n lay_v hold_n on_o eternal_a life_n if_o we_o ought_v to_o lay_v hold_n on_o eternal_a life_n than_o we_o ought_v to_o live_v above_o the_o world_n and_o contemn_v it_o the_o eager_a pursuit_n of_o this_o world_n be_v most_o contrary_a to_o our_o lay_n hold_v on_o eternal_a life_n we_o can_v pursue_v two_o thing_n at_o once_o while_o we_o be_v pursue_v hard_o after_o the_o world_n we_o must_v needs_o let_v heaven_n and_o salvation_n go_v the_o great_a part_n of_o man_n think_v not_o on_o eternal_a thing_n they_o live_v as_o if_o they_o be_v always_o to_o live_v here_o on_o earth_n they_o never_o think_v of_o a_o future_a state_n nor_o do_v they_o provide_v for_o it_o but_o if_o we_o ought_v to_o lay_v hold_n of_o eternal_a life_n if_o that_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o mark_n and_o scope_n in_o our_o eye_n that_o show_v that_o we_o be_v far_o wide_a of_o that_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v our_o true_a mark_n and_o scope_n when_o we_o be_v whole_o take_v up_o with_o temporal_a thing_n and_o neglect_v eternal_a ii_o we_o be_v to_o be_v reprehend_v that_o we_o be_v so_o much_o addict_v to_o the_o love_n of_o this_o life_n we_o be_v command_v to_o love_v eternal_a life_n and_o to_o lay_v hold_n on_o that_o but_o we_o be_v find_v of_o this_o life_n and_o loath_a to_o part_v with_o it_o he_o be_v a_o rare_a soul_n that_o be_v satisfy_v with_o life_n here_o on_o earth_n and_o have_v such_o a_o apprehension_n of_o the_o reality_n and_o excellency_n of_o eternal_a life_n that_o this_o life_n grow_v out_o of_o esteem_n with_o he_o i_o grant_v that_o this_o natural_a life_n be_v a_o blessing_n as_o other_o temporal_a blessing_n be_v but_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o love_v other_o thing_n too_o much_o so_o it_o be_v possible_a yea_o too_o common_a to_o love_v this_o life_n too_o much_o and_o it_o be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o embitter_v this_o life_n to_o we_o by_o many_o affliction_n because_o we_o be_v so_o fond_a of_o it_o and_o that_o he_o may_v weary_v we_o out_o of_o it_o and_o cause_v we_o to_o long_o for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o true_a life_n vita_fw-la long_fw-mi long_o a_o infirmitas_fw-la a_o long_a life_n be_v a_o long_a infirmity_n and_o we_o may_v add_v longa_n tentatio_fw-la a_o long_a temptation_n what_o be_v our_o whole_a life_n but_o a_o life_n of_o trial_n and_o temptation_n it_o be_v true_a we_o may_v value_v and_o prize_n life_n for_o these_o two_o end_n 1._o to_o work_v out_o our_o salvation_n to_o make_v ready_a for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o bridegroom_n 2._o that_o we_o may_v do_v some_o work_n and_o service_n for_o god_n that_o we_o may_v glorify_v he_o upon_o the_o earth_n and_o finish_v the_o work_n that_o he_o have_v give_v we_o to_o do_v but_o to_o be_v overfond_a of_o this_o life_n mere_o for_o life_n sake_n be_v a_o certain_a sign_n of_o unbelief_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n we_o have_v little_a knowledge_n of_o another_o life_n little_a acquaintance_n with_o eternal_a life_n have_v we_o a_o prospect_n by_o faith_n of_o a_o better_a and_o more_o excellent_a life_n we_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o over_o fond_a of_o this_o life_n use_v 2_o 2._o by_o way_n of_o exhortation_n to_o exhort_v we_o all_o to_o put_v the_o duty_n of_o the_o text_n in_o practice_n let_v we_o labour_n to_o lay_v hold_n on_o eternal_a life_n oh_o let_v we_o labour_n to_o call_v up_o our_o heart_n from_o visible_a thing_n to_o invisible_a from_o present_a thing_n to_o future_a from_o momentary_a thing_n to_o eternal_a the_o thing_n of_o the_o other_o world_n be_v never_o the_o less_o real_a because_o they_o be_v out_o of_o sight_n atheist_n think_v that_o eternal_a life_n and_o all_o future_a thing_n be_v but_o a_o fiction_n but_o we_o may_v use_v to_o they_o that_o speech_n of_o cyprian_a cyprian_a in_o aeternam_fw-la poenam_fw-la serò_fw-la tandem_fw-la credent_a qui_fw-la in_o aeternam_fw-la vitam_fw-la credere_fw-la noluerunt_fw-la cyprian_a they_o shall_v believe_v too_o late_o to_o their_o eternal_a torment_n who_o will_v not_o believe_v to_o eternal_a life_n but_o let_v atheist_n and_o scoffer_n say_v what_o they_o please_v we_o do_v know_v or_o aught_o to_o know_v that_o eternal_a life_n be_v the_o great_a reality_n god_n that_o can_v lie_v have_v promise_v we_o eternal_a life_n titus_n 1.2_o the_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v eternal_a life_n 1_o joh._n 2.25_o this_o be_v the_o promise_n that_o he_o have_v give_v to_o we_o eternal_a life_n unless_o we_o make_v god_n to_o be_v a_o liar_n we_o must_v take_v eternal_a life_n for_o the_o great_a reality_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o use_n i_o shall_v only_o propound_v some_o direction_n for_o the_o better_a put_v in_o practice_n of_o this_o duty_n to_o show_v we_o how_o we_o ought_v to_o lay_v hold_n of_o eternal_a life_n 1._o let_v we_o have_v great_a and_o admire_a thought_n of_o eternal_a life_n we_o shall_v labour_v to_o have_v our_o heart_n raise_v up_o with_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o this_o life_n dei._n quanta_fw-la erit_fw-la illa_fw-la faelicitas_fw-la ubi_fw-la nullum_fw-la erit_fw-la malum_fw-la nullum_fw-la latebit_fw-la bonum_fw-la aug._n civit._n dei._n how_o great_a shall_v that_o happiness_n be_v where_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o evil_a present_n and_o no_o good_a shall_v be_v want_v where_o we_o shall_v be_v whole_o take_v up_o in_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n and_o god_n shall_v be_v all_o in_o all_o we_o shall_v see_v and_o love_v love_n and_o praise_n as_o austin_n express_v it_o this_o natural_a life_n which_o now_o we_o live_v be_v not_o worth_a the_o name_n of_o life_n in_o comparison_n of_o eternal_a life_n nay_o it_o deserve_v to_o be_v call_v a_o death_n rather_o than_o a_o life_n for_o we_o always_o carry_v about_o sin_n with_o we_o which_o be_v the_o matter_n &_o cause_n of_o death_n but_o in_o eternal_a life_n we_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v free_a from_o sorrow_n but_o from_o sin_n the_o cause_n of_o sorrow_n yea_o we_o shall_v be_v free_a from_o the_o possibility_n of_o sin_v man_n first_o happiness_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n be_v posse_fw-la non_fw-la peccare_fw-la a_o power_n not_o to_o have_v sin_v his_o last_o happiness_n in_o heaven_n be_v non_fw-la posse_fw-la peccare_fw-la not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o sin_n at_o all_o though_o man_n in_o his_o first_o estate_n be_v endow_v with_o such_o a_o power_n