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a_o good_a prince_n and_o father_n of_o his_o country_n be_v very_o solicitous_a before_o his_o death_n to_o lay_v the_o firm_a foundation_n he_o can_v devise_v of_o the_o future_a happiness_n and_o prosperity_n of_o that_o people_n in_o who_o present_a settlement_n he_o have_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n be_v so_o successful_a a_o instrument_n and_o because_o he_o know_v no_o mean_n so_o effectual_a to_o this_o end_n as_o to_o confirm_v they_o in_o the_o religion_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n who_o have_v by_o so_o remarkable_a and_o miraculous_a a_o providence_n plant_v they_o in_o that_o good_a land_n he_o summon_v the_o people_n together_o and_o represent_v to_o they_o all_o those_o consideration_n that_o may_v engage_v they_o and_o their_o posterity_n for_o ever_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o true_a religion_n he_o tell_v they_o what_o god_n have_v already_o do_v for_o they_o and_o what_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o do_v more_o if_o they_o will_v be_v faithful_a to_o 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edicta_fw-la valent_fw-la ut_fw-la vita_fw-la regentis_fw-la the_o life_n and_o action_n of_o prince_n have_v usual_o a_o great_a sway_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n than_o their_o law_n all_o these_o observation_n be_v i_o think_v very_o natural_a and_o very_o considerable_a i_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o speak_v to_o they_o all_o but_o shall_v proceed_v so_o far_o as_o the_o time_n and_o your_o patience_n will_v give_v i_o leave_v first_o it_o be_v here_o suppose_a that_o a_o nation_n must_v be_v of_o some_o religion_n or_o other_o joshua_n do_v not_o put_v it_o to_o their_o choice_n whether_o they_o will_v worship_v any_o deity_n at_o all_o that_o have_v be_v too_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a a_o supposition_n and_o which_o it_o be_v likely_a in_o those_o day_n have_v never_o enter_v into_o any_o man_n mind_n but_o he_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o all_o people_n will_v
suppose_v to_o die_v so_o imperfect_a that_o they_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o be_v purge_v and_o according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o imperfection_n be_v to_o be_v detain_v a_o short_a or_o a_o long_a time_n in_o purgatory_n but_o now_o beside_o that_o there_o be_v no_o text_n in_o scripture_n from_o whence_o any_o such_o state_n can_v probable_o be_v conclude_v as_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o many_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o even_o that_o text_n which_o they_o have_v most_o insist_v upon_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v yet_o so_o as_o by_o fire_n be_v give_v up_o by_o they_o as_o insufficient_a to_o conclue_n the_o thing_n estius_n be_v very_o glad_a to_o get_v off_o it_o by_o say_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o against_o purgatory_n why_o no_o body_n pretend_v that_o but_o we_o may_v reasonable_o expect_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v something_o for_o it_o in_o a_o text_n which_o have_v be_v so_o often_o produce_v and_o urge_v by_o they_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o i_o say_v beside_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o scripture_n for_o purgatory_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n against_o it_o and_o utter_o inconsistent_a with_o it_o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o rich_a man_n and_o lazarus_n which_o be_v design_v to_o represent_v to_o we_o the_o different_a stair_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n in_o another_o world_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o purgatory_n but_o that_o good_a man_n pass_v immediate_o into_o a_o state_n of_o happiness_n and_o bad_a man_n into_o a_o place_n of_o torment_n and_o st._n john_n rev._n 14.13_o pronounce_v all_o that_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n happy_a because_o they_o rest_v from_o their_o labour_n which_o they_o can_v be_v say_v to_o do_v who_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o great_a anguish_n and_o torment_n as_o those_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v who_o be_v in_o purgatory_n but_o above_o all_o this_o reason_v of_o saint_n paul_n be_v utter_o inconsistent_a with_o any_o imagination_n of_o such_o a_o state_n for_o he_o encourage_v all_o christian_n in_o general_a against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o that_o happy_a state_n they_o shall_v immediate_o pass_v into_o by_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n which_o sure_o be_v not_o purgatory_n we_o be_v of_o good_a courage_n say_v he_o and_o will_v rather_o to_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o body_n and_o great_a reason_n we_o shall_v be_v so_o if_o so_o soon_o as_o we_o leave_v the_o body_n we_o be_v present_a with_o the_o lord_n but_o no_o man_n sure_o will_v be_v glad_a to_o leave_v the_o body_n to_o go_v into_o a_o place_n of_o exquisite_a and_o extreme_a torment_n which_o they_o tell_v we_o be_v the_o case_n of_o most_o christian_n when_o they_o die_v and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o unreasonable_a than_o to_o make_v the_o apostle_n to_o use_v a_o argument_n to_o comfort_v all_o christian_n against_o the_o sear_n of_o death_n which_o concern_v but_o very_o few_o in_o comparison_n so_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n reason_v be_v good_a that_o while_o we_o be_v in_o this_o life_n we_o be_v detain_v from_o our_o happiness_n and_o so_o soon_o as_o we_o depart_v this_o life_n we_o pass_v immediate_o into_o it_o and_o therefore_o death_n be_v desirable_a to_o all_o good_a man_n i_o say_v if_o this_o reason_n be_v good_a it_o be_v very_o clear_a that_o saint_n paul_n know_v nothing_o of_o the_o doctrine_n now_o teach_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n concern_v purgatory_n because_o that_o be_v utter_o inconsistent_a with_o what_o he_o express_o assert_n in_o this_o chapter_n and_o quite_o take_v away_o the_o force_n of_o his_o whole_a argument_n 3._o to_o encourage_v we_o against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n and_o this_o be_v the_o conclusion_n which_o the_o apostle_n make_v from_o this_o consideration_n therefore_o say_v he_o we_o be_v of_o good_a courage_n know_v that_o whilst_o we_o converse_v in_o the_o body_n we_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o lord_n there_o be_v in_o we_o a_o natural_a love_n of_o life_n and_o a_o natural_a horror_n and_o dread_n of_o death_n so_o that_o our_o spirit_n be_v apt_a to_o shrink_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o the_o approach_n of_o it_o but_o this_o fear_n may_v very_o much_o be_v mitigate_v and_o even_a overrule_v by_o reason_n and_o the_o consideration_n of_o religion_n for_o death_n be_v not_o so_o dreadful_a in_o itself_o as_o with_o regard_n to_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o and_o those_o will_v be_v as_o we_o be_v comfortable_a and_o happy_a to_o the_o good_a but_o dismal_a and_o miserable_a to_o the_o wicked_a so_o that_o the_o only_a true_a antidote_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n be_v the_o hope_n of_o a_o better_a life_n and_o the_o only_a firm_a ground_n of_o these_o hope_n be_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o jefus_fw-la christ_n upon_o our_o due_a preparation_n for_o another_o world_n by_o repentance_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n for_o the_o sting_n of_o death_n be_v sin_n and_o when_o that_o be_v take_v away_o the_o terror_n and_o bitterness_n of_o death_n be_v past_a and_o then_o death_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v dreadful_a that_o in_o reason_n it_o be_v extreme_o desirable_a because_o it_o let_v we_o into_o a_o better_a state_n such_o as_o only_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o life_n he_o vivunt_fw-la qui_fw-la ex_fw-la corporum_fw-la vinculis_fw-la tanquam_fw-la è_fw-la carcere_fw-la evolaverunt_fw-la vestra_fw-la vero_fw-la quae_fw-la dicitur_fw-la vita_fw-la mors_fw-la est_fw-la they_o true_o live_v can_v he_o heathen_a say_n who_o have_v make_v their_o escape_n out_o of_o this_o prison_n of_o the_o body_n but_o that_o which_o man_n common_o call_v life_n be_v rather_o death_n than_o life_n to_o live_v indeed_o be_v to_o be_v well_o and_o to_o be_v happy_a and_o that_o we_o shall_v never_o be_v till_o we_o be_v get_v beyond_o the_o grave_n 4._o this_o consideration_n shall_v comfort_v we_o under_o the_o loss_n and_o death_n of_o friend_n which_o certain_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a grievance_n and_o trouble_n of_o humane_a life_n for_o if_o they_o be_v fit_a for_o god_n and_o go_v to_o he_o when_o they_o die_v they_o be_v infinite_o happy_a than_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o have_v be_v in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o trouble_n of_o their_o absence_n from_o we_o be_v full_o balance_v by_o their_o be_v present_a with_o the_o lord_n for_o why_o shall_v we_o lament_v the_o end_n of_o that_o life_n which_o we_o be_v assure_v be_v the_o begin_n of_o immortality_n one_o reason_n of_o our_o trouble_n for_o the_o loss_n of_o friend_n be_v because_o we_o love_v they_o but_o it_o be_v no_o sign_n of_o our_o love_n to_o they_o to_o grudge_v and_o repine_v at_o their_o happiness_n but_o we_o hope_v to_o have_v enjoy_v they_o long_o be_v it_o so_o yet_o why_o shall_v we_o be_v trouble_v that_o they_o be_v happy_a soon_o than_o we_o expect_v but_o they_o be_v part_v from_o we_o and_o the_o thought_n of_o this_o be_v grievous_a but_o yet_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o be_v part_v for_o a_o while_o be_v not_o near_o so_o sad_a as_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o happy_a meeting_n again_o never_o to_o be_v part_v any_o more_o be_v comfortable_a and_o joyful_a so_o that_o the_o great_a our_o love_n to_o they_o be_v the_o less_o shall_v be_v our_o grief_n for_o they_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o they_o be_v happy_a and_o that_o they_o be_v safe_a past_o all_o storm_n all_o the_o trouble_n and_o temptation_n of_o this_o life_n and_o out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o harm_n and_o danger_n for_o ever_o but_o though_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o duty_n in_o this_o case_n be_v very_o plain_a yet_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o be_v very_o difficult_a and_o when_o all_o be_v say_v natural_a affection_n will_v have_v its_o course_n and_o even_o after_o our_o judgement_n be_v satisfy_v it_o will_v require_v some_o time_n to_o still_o and_o quiet_a our_o passion_n 5._o this_o consideration_n shall_v wean_v we_o from_o the_o love_n of_o life_n and_o make_v we_o not_o only_o content_v but_o willing_a and_o glad_a to_o leave_v this_o world_n whenever_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o call_v we_o out_o of_o it_o this_o inference_n the_o apostle_n make_v ver_fw-la 8._o we_o be_v confident_a i_o say_v and_o willing_a rather_o to_o he_o absent_a from_o the_o body_n and_o present_a with_o the_o lord_n though_o there_o be_v no_o state_n of_o immortality_n after_o this_o life_n yet_o methinks_v we_o shall_v not_o desire_v to_o live_v always_o in_o this_o world_n habet_fw-la natura_fw-la say_v tully_n ut_fw-la aliarum_fw-la rerum_fw-la sic_fw-la vivendi_fw-la modum_fw-la as_o nature_n have_v set_v bound_n and_o measure_n to_o other_o thing_n so_o likewise_o to_o life_n of_o which_o man_n shall_v know_v when_o
2._o it_o be_v likewise_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o god_n do_v not_o design_n to_o create_v man_n in_o the_o full_a possession_n of_o happiness_n at_o first_o but_o to_o train_v he_o up_o to_o it_o by_o the_o trial_n of_o his_o obedience_n but_o there_o can_v be_v no_o trial_n of_o our_o obedience_n without_o some_o difficulty_n in_o our_o duty_n either_o by_o reason_n of_o powerful_a temptation_n from_o without_o or_o of_o cross_n and_o perverse_a inclination_n from_o within_o our_o first_o parent_n in_o their_o state_n of_o innocency_n have_v only_o the_o trial_n of_o temptation_n without_o to_o which_o they_o yield_v and_o be_v overcome_v have_v only_o a_o natural_a power_n to_o have_v resist_v the_o temptation_n without_o any_o aid_n of_o supernatural_a grace_n and_o that_o weakness_n to_o good_a and_o proneness_n to_o evil_n which_o they_o by_o wilful_a transgression_n contract_v be_v natural_o derive_v to_o we_o and_o we_o necessary_o partake_v of_o the_o bitterness_n and_o impurity_n of_o the_o fountain_n from_o whence_o we_o spring_v so_o that_o we_o now_o labour_v under_o a_o double_a difficulty_n be_v assault_v by_o temptation_n from_o without_o and_o incite_v by_o evil_a inclination_n from_o within_o but_o then_o to_o balance_v these_o we_o have_v a_o double_a advantage_n that_o a_o great_a reward_n be_v propose_v to_o we_o than_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v will_v have_v be_v confer_v on_o our_o first_o parent_n have_v they_o continue_v innocent_a and_o that_o we_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o supernatural_a power_n to_o conflict_n with_o these_o difficulty_n so_o that_o according_a to_o the_o merciful_a dispensation_n of_o god_n all_o this_o conflict_n between_o our_o inclination_n and_o our_o duty_n do_v only_o serve_v to_o give_v a_o fair_a opportunity_n for_o the_o fit_a trial_n of_o our_o obedience_n and_o for_o the_o more_o glorious_a reward_n of_o it_o 3._o god_n have_v provide_v a_o universal_a remedy_n for_o this_o degeneracy_n and_o weakness_n of_o humane_a nature_n so_o that_o what_o we_o lose_v by_o the_o first_o adam_n be_v abundant_o repair_v to_o we_o by_o the_o second_o this_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o at_o large_a rom._n 5._o that_o as_o by_o one_o man_n sin_n enter_v into_o the_o world_n and_o death_n by_o sin_n so_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n have_v abound_v to_o all_o man_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o to_o such_o a_o degree_n as_o effectual_o to_o countervall_n the_o ill_a effect_n of_o original_a sin_n and_o real_o to_o enable_v man_n if_o they_o be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o to_o master_n and_o subdue_v all_o the_o bad_a inclination_n of_o nature_n even_o in_o those_o who_o seem_v to_o be_v natural_o most_o corrupt_a and_o deprave_a and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a we_o may_v without_o any_o reflection_n upon_o god_n acknowledge_v that_o though_o he_o do_v not_o at_o first_o create_v man_n sick_a and_o weak_a yet_o he_o have_v make_v himself_o so_o his_o posterity_n be_v bear_v so_o but_o then_o god_n have_v not_o leave_v we_o helpless_a in_o this_o weak_a and_o miserable_a state_n into_o which_o by_o wilful_a transgression_n mankind_n be_v fall_v but_o as_o he_o command_v we_o to_o be_v sound_n so_o he_o afford_v we_o sufficient_a aid_n of_o his_o grace_n by_o jesus_n christ_n for_o our_o recovery_n and_o though_o there_o be_v a_o law_n in_o our_o member_n war_a against_o the_o law_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o captivate_v we_o to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n and_o death_n i._n e._n though_o our_o sensitive_a appetite_n and_o passion_n be_v apt_a to_o rebel_v against_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o our_o natural_a conscience_n yet_o every_o christian_a may_v say_v with_o st._n paul_n thanks_o be_v to_o god_n who_o have_v give_v its_o the_o victory_n through_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n i._n e._n have_v not_o leave_v we_o destitute_a of_o a_o sufficient_a aid_n and_o strength_n to_o enable_v we_o to_o conquer_v the_o rebellious_a motion_n of_o sin_n by_o the_o powerful_a assistance_n of_o that_o grace_n which_o be_v so_o plentiful_o offer_v to_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o those_o who_o live_v under_o the_o gospel_n as_o for_o other_o as_o their_o case_n be_v best_a know_v to_o god_n so_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n take_v that_o care_n of_o they_o which_o become_v a_o merciful_a creator_n though_o both_o the_o measure_n and_o the_o method_n of_o his_o mercy_n towards_o they_o be_v secret_n and_o unknown_a to_o we_o 4._o the_o hard_a contest_v between_o man_n inclination_n and_o duty_n be_v in_o those_o who_o have_v wilful_o contract_v vicious_a habit_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n render_v their_o duty_n much_o more_o difficult_a to_o themselves_o have_v great_o improve_v the_o evil_a inclination_n of_o nature_n by_o wicked_a practice_n and_o custom_n for_o the_o scripture_n plain_o suppose_v that_o man_n may_v debauch_v even_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o make_v themselves_o ten_o fold_n more_o the_o child_n of_o wrath_n and_o of_o the_o devil_n than_o they_o be_v by_o nature_n this_o be_v a_o case_n sad_o to_o be_v deplore_v but_o yet_o not_o utter_o to_o be_v despair_v of_o and_o therefore_o those_o who_o by_o a_o long_a progress_n in_o a_o evil_a course_n be_v plunge_v into_o this_o sad_a condition_n aught_o to_o consider_v that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v rescue_v out_o of_o it_o by_o a_o ordinary_a resolution_n and_o a_o common_a grace_n of_o god_n their_o case_n plain_o require_v a_o extraordinary_a remedy_n for_o he_o that_o be_v deep_o engage_v in_o vice_n be_v like_o a_o man_n lay_v fast_o in_o a_o bog_n who_o by_o a_o faint_a and_o lazy_a struggle_n to_o get_v out_o do_v but_o spend_v his_o strength_n to_o no_o purpose_n and_o sink_v himself_o the_o deep_a into_o it_o the_o only_a way_n be_v by_o a_o resolute_a and_o vigorous_a effort_n to_o spring_v out_o if_o possible_a at_o once_o and_o therefore_o in_o this_o case_n to_o a_o vigorous_a resolution_n there_o must_v be_v join_v a_o earnest_a application_n to_o god_n for_o his_o powerful_a grace_n and_o assistance_n to_o help_v we_o out_o of_o this_o miserable_a state_n and_o if_o we_o be_v true_o sensible_a of_o the_o desperate_a danger_n of_o our_o condition_n the_o press_a necessity_n of_o our_o case_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o inspire_v we_o with_o a_o mighty_a resolution_n for_o power_n and_o necessity_n be_v neighbour_n and_o never_o dwell_v far_o asunder_o when_o man_n be_v sore_o urge_v and_o press_v they_o find_v a_o power_n in_o themselves_o which_o they_o think_v they_o have_v not_o like_o a_o coward_n drive_v up_o to_o a_o wall_n who_o in_o the_o extremity_n of_o distress_n and_o despair_n will_v fight_v terrible_o and_o perform_v wonder_n or_o like_o a_o man_n lame_a of_o the_o gout_n who_o be_v assault_v by_o a_o present_a and_o terrible_a danger_n forget_v his_o disease_n and_o will_v find_v his_o leg_n 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bear_v therefore_o let_v my_o counsel_n be_v acceptable_a unto_o you_o break_v off_o your_o sin_n by_o repentance_n and_o your_o iniquity_n by_o righteousness_n and_o that_o instant_o and_o without_o delay_n lest_o any_o of_o you_o be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n if_o we_o have_v be_v enslave_v but_o a_o little_a to_o a_o vicious_a course_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o a_o task_n difficult_a enough_o to_o assert_v our_o own_o liberty_n to_o break_v these_o bond_n in_o sunder_o and_o to_o cast_v these_o cord_n from_o we_o but_o if_o we_o have_v be_v long_o under_o this_o bondage_n we_o have_v do_v so_o much_o to_o undo_v ourselves_o and_o to_o make_v our_o case_n desperate_a that_o it_o be_v god_n infinite_a mercy_n to_o we_o that_o there_o be_v yet_o hope_n therefore_o give_v glory_n to_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n before_o he_o cause_v darkness_n and_o your_o foot_n stumble_v upon_o the_o dark_a mountain_n and_o while_o you_o look_v for_o light_n he_o turn_v it_o into_o darkness_n and_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n i_o will_v conclude_v with_o that_o encourage_v invitation_n even_o to_o the_o great_a of_o sinner_n to_o repentance_n from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n himself_o isa_n 55._o incline_v your_o ear_n and_o come_v unto_o i_o hear_v and_o your_o soul_n shall_v live_v seek_v the_o lord_n while_o he_o may_v be_v find_v and_o call_v upon_o he_o while_o he_o be_v near_o let_v the_o wicked_a forsake_v his_o way_n and_o the_o unrighteous_a man_n his_o thought_n and_o let_v he_o return_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o will_v have_v mercy_n and_o to_o our_o god_n for_o he_o will_v abundant_o pardon_v to_o he_o let_v we_o apply_v out_o self_n and_o humble_o beseech_v he_o who_o be_v mighty_a to_o save_v that_o he_o will_v stretch_v forth_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o his_o power_n for_o our_o deliverance_n from_o this_o miserable_a and_o cruel_a bondage_n of_o our_o lust_n and_o that_o as_o the_o rain_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o return_v not_o thither_o but_o water_v the_o earth_n and_o make_v it_o to_o bring_v forth_o and_o bud_v so_o he_o will_v grant_v that_o his_o word_n may_v not_o return_v void_a but_o accomplish_v his_o pleasure_n and_o prosper_v in_o the_o thing_n to_o which_o he_o send_v it_o for_o his_o mercy_n sake_n in_o jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n mattthew_n xxiii_o 13._o woe_n unto_o you_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n hypocrite_n for_o you_o shut_v up_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n against_o man_n and_o you_o neither_o go_v in_o yourselves_o neither_o suffer_v you_o they_o that_o be_v enter_v to_o go_v in_o the_o scribe_n so_o often_o mention_v in_o the_o gospel_n