which_o a_o good_a god_n design_v to_o bring_v he_o through_o virtue_n to_o glory_n and_o then_o at_o last_o a_o guilty_a conscience_n a_o distract_a mind_n and_o a_o most_o melancholy_a miserable_a death_n be_v the_o consequence_n and_o end_n of_o all_o this_o be_v the_o progress_n which_o our_o voluntary_a sin_n and_o folly_n make_v we_o can_v think_v that_o a_o good_a god_n can_v direct_v or_o necessitate_v we_o to_o these_o course_n they_o be_v as_o repugnant_a to_o his_o law_n as_o to_o our_o own_o interest_n and_o the_o same_o time_n we_o forfeit_v our_o happiness_n we_o disappoint_v his_o love_n and_o goodness_n all_o the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o god_n be_v kind_a and_o gracious_a and_o wise_a and_o rational_a inanimate_a body_n do_v not_o desert_v those_o office_n he_o have_v prescribe_v they_o animal_n move_v regular_o by_o those_o instinct_n he_o have_v implant_v in_o they_o and_o so_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o do_v necessary_o serve_v those_o excellent_a end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v create_v but_o man_n have_v no_o necessity_n but_o liberty_n weave_v into_o the_o constitution_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o have_v no_o compulsory_a but_o only_o direct_v law_n prescribe_v he_o have_v pervert_v his_o own_o way_n abuse_v his_o liberty_n and_o make_v that_o his_o ruin_n which_o 〈◊〉_d well-used_a have_v enhance_v his_o merit_n and_o reward_n this_o be_v the_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o man_n misery_n it_o impute_v it_o whole_o to_o himself_o and_o represent_v his_o obstinacy_n as_o ungrateful_a and_o displease_v to_o god_n as_o it_o be_v fatal_a to_o himself_o 38._o hos_fw-la 13._o ezek._n 38._o o_o israel_n thou_o have_v destroy_v thyself_o as_o i_o live_v i_o delight_v not_o bâ—_n the_o death_n of_o a_o sinner_n turn_v you_o into_o you_o 23._o math._n 23._o why_o will_v you_o die_v o_o jerusalem_n jerusalem_n thou_o that_o kill_v the_o prophet_n and_o stone_v they_o which_o be_v send_v unto_o thou_o how_o often_o will_v i_o have_v gather_v thy_o child_n together_o even_o as_o a_o heâ—_n gather_v her_o chicken_n under_o her_o wing_n and_o you_o will_v not_o nor_o be_v this_o account_n of_o thing_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v â—s_a any_o other_o than_o that_o which_o be_v general_o embrace_v by_o the_o heathen_n this_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o particular_a prepossession_n or_o private_a opinion_n instill_a by_o custom_n or_o education_n but_o of_o natural_a reason_n and_o fair_o and_o easy_o deduce_v from_o those_o notion_n of_o divine_a goodness_n which_o be_v universal_o entertain_v by_o all_o judicious_a and_o understand_a heathen_n and_o how_o scandalous_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o if_o that_o comfortable_a and_o heavenly_a truth_n which_o the_o darkness_n and_o idolatry_n of_o the_o superstitious_a can_v not_o extinguish_v in_o the_o pagan_a world_n shall_v be_v reject_v or_o suppress_v by_o christian_n 1._o jamblichus_n de_fw-fr vitâ_fw-la pythag._n l._n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v not_o the_o will_n of_o the_o god_n 2._o idem_fw-la l._n 2._o but_o the_o luxury_n and_o riot_n of_o man_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o those_o evil_n which_o infest_v the_o body_n etc._n etc._n hence_o that_o charitable_a piece_n of_o heathen_a devotion_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d o_o father_n jove_n from_o numerous_a evil_n free_a mankind_n or_o show_v they_o their_o ruin_n not_o from_o thou_o a_o gracious_a and_o benign_a deity_n but_o from_o themselves_o i_o will_v here_o add_v a_o testimony_n of_o apuleius_n as_o contain_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o platonic_a philosophy_n in_o this_o point_n of_o god_n government_n of_o mankind_n platonis_fw-la apul._n the_o dogmate_n platonis_fw-la omnia_fw-la quae_fw-la naturaliter_fw-la &_o propterea_fw-la rectè_fw-la feruntur_fw-la providentiae_fw-la custodiâ_fw-la gubernantur_fw-la nec_fw-la ullius_fw-la mali_fw-la causa_fw-la deo_fw-la poterit_fw-la ascribi_fw-la all_o the_o motion_n of_o providence_n be_v wise_a and_o regular_a nor_o must_v any_o evil_a be_v ascribe_v to_o god_n as_o its_o cause_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o we_o gain_v from_o the_o assurance_n of_o god_n infinite_a goodness_n that_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o apprehend_v any_o harm_n or_o mischief_n from_o he_o that_o he_o can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o our_o misery_n but_o we_o may_v confident_o persuade_v ourselves_o on_o the_o other_o side_n second_o that_o he_o be_v most_o ready_a and_o willing_a to_o further_o and_o assist_v we_o in_o all_o our_o endeavour_n after_o happiness_n and_o now_o methinks_v i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o question_v the_o possibility_n of_o attain_v happiness_n that_o i_o begin_v already_o to_o feel_v and_o enjoy_v it_o i_o see_v the_o day_n break_v in_o upon_o i_o from_o above_o how_o can_v he_o choose_v but_o be_v happy_a who_o be_v the_o love_n the_o care_n of_o god_n i_o may_v walk_v like_o peter_n on_o the_o wave_n and_o bid_v defiance_n to_o the_o storm_n i_o know_v i_o shall_v never_o sink_v while_o that_o god_n uphold_v i_o who_o call_v i_o this_o way_n to_o he_o i_o can_v now_o easy_o believe_v that_o my_o temper_n may_v be_v transform_v my_o corruption_n may_v be_v put_v off_o and_o i_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n since_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n will_v dwell_v with_o i_o the_o light_n of_o god_n will_v always_o shine_v upon_o i_o and_o the_o power_n of_o god_n will_v always_o succour_v and_o aid_v i_o can_v i_o imagine_v as_o much_o as_o any_o colour_n or_o pretext_n why_o i_o shall_v not_o now_o be_v able_a to_o attain_v to_o a_o excellent_a state_n of_o virtue_n or_o why_o this_o virtue_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o vanquish_v all_o those_o difficulty_n that_o oppose_v my_o happiness_n since_o i_o be_o assure_v that_o god_n will_v not_o refuse_v i_o his_o spirit_n if_o i_o ask_v it_o and_o that_o his_o grace_n will_v be_v sufficient_a for_o i_o you_o see_v of_o what_o vast_a importance_n this_o truth_n be_v that_o god_n will_v be_v always_o ready_a to_o assist_v every_o man_n in_o his_o endeavour_n after_o happiness_n and_o therefore_o tho'_o it_o stand_v here_o as_o a_o necessary_a and_o undeniable_a conclusion_n from_o the_o forego_n discourse_n tho'_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n do_v amount_v to_o a_o little_a less_o than_o a_o demonstration_n of_o it_o for_o 22._o for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d max._n tyrius_n disser_n 22._o beneficence_n to_o his_o creature_n be_v as_o necessary_o include_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o perfection_n as_o perfection_n be_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n yet_o as_o well_o for_o my_o own_o pleasure_n as_o that_o interest_n which_o be_v near_o concern_v in_o this_o truth_n i_o will_v dwell_v a_o little_a long_o on_o the_o confirmation_n and_o illustration_n of_o it_o there_o be_v three_o eminent_a act_n of_o divine_a assistance_n the_o first_o be_v such_o a_o direction_n of_o the_o event_n of_o secular_a affair_n that_o they_o may_v tend_v to_o our_o good_a the_o second_o be_v his_o assistance_n of_o we_o in_o the_o attainment_n of_o virtue_n and_o the_o three_o be_v his_o recruit_v we_o by_o fresh_a supply_n of_o strength_n in_o all_o our_o hazardous_a conflict_n and_o extraordinary_a trial_n now_o tho'_o i_o can_v not_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o manner_n how_o god_n perform_v this_o kind_a work_n of_o his_o providence_n yet_o ought_v not_o that_o to_o dissuade_v i_o from_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o because_o we_o know_v that_o our_o comprehension_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v the_o standard_n of_o divine_a perfection_n nor_o the_o narrow_a bound_n of_o our_o imagination_n be_v the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o the_o almighty_n power_n however_o it_o be_v not_o difficult_a so_o to_o explain_v this_o assistance_n of_o god_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o may_v free_v it_o from_o the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n for_o first_o as_o to_o his_o direction_n and_o conduct_n of_o temporal_a event_n how_o easy_a will_v it_o be_v for_o we_o to_o conceive_v this_o possible_a to_o god_n if_o we_o consider_v first_o that_o god_n can_v form_v what_o impression_n he_o please_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o inspire_v they_o with_o what_o affection_n he_o shall_v think_v most_o serviceable_a to_o his_o design_n for_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o pretext_n or_o colour_n to_o imagine_v that_o the_o soul_n be_v any_o more_o exempt_a from_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n than_o the_o body_n or_o that_o god_n can_v do_v that_o which_o the_o great_a or_o the_o cunning_a or_o the_o eloquent_a nay_o the_o popular_a and_o ambitious_a do_v seldom_o fail_v to_o do_v raise_v what_o passion_n he_o please_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man._n or_o if_o we_o consider_v second_o that_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o nature_n be_v whole_o in_o his_o
suffering_n of_o confessor_n and_o martyr_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o mortification_n any_o prejudice_n to_o this_o assertion_n for_o neither_o affliction_n nor_o mortification_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o true_a happiness_n of_o man_n that_o affliction_n be_v not_o the_o example_n of_o those_o very_a martyr_n and_o confessor_n triumph_v over_o it_o do_v sufficient_o evince_v that_o mortification_n be_v not_o be_v unanimous_o confess_v by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o such_o as_o be_v conduct_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o of_o such_o too_o as_o be_v entire_o devote_v to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n and_o that_o upon_o undeniable_a ground_n have_v thus_o remove_v this_o first_o objection_n against_o the_o possibility_n of_o attain_v happiness_n by_o vindicate_a scripture_n from_o require_v any_o thing_n injurious_a to_o the_o happiness_n of_o this_o life_n or_o assert_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v damp_n or_o discourage_v our_o hope_n of_o it_o it_o be_v now_o high_a time_n to_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n i_o propose_v that_o be_v sect_n ii_o to_o make_v good_a the_o truth_n of_o this_o assertion_n that_o happiness_n may_v be_v attain_v by_o plain_a and_o obvious_a proof_n and_o here_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v mistake_v imperfect_a the_o happiness_n of_o this_o life_n grant_v imperfect_a i_o think_v it_o be_v fit_a that_o i_o shall_v tell_v the_o reader_n that_o i_o do_v not_o promise_v he_o a_o heaven_n upon_o earth_n that_o i_o do_v not_o promise_v he_o the_o happiness_n of_o angel_n but_o of_o man_n and_o that_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v happiness_n in_o this_o proposition_n of_o that_o which_o be_v every_o way_n perfect_a and_o absolute_a to_o which_o fancy_n it_o self_n can_v add_v nothing_o but_o of_o that_o which_o be_v like_o our_o nature_n incomplete_a and_o imperfect_a speak_v comparative_o and_o yet_o true_o great_a and_o excellent_a in_o itself_o too_o seneca_n do_v somewhere_o describe_v his_o happy_a man_n much_o after_o this_o manner_n he_o be_v one_o who_o despise_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o change_n who_o account_v nothing_o good_a or_o bad_a but_o virtue_n or_o vice_n who_o be_v not_o puff_v up_o by_o prosperous_a event_n nor_o cast_v down_o by_o adverse_a one_o one_o who_o great_a pleasure_n be_v to_o despise_v pleasure_n one_o above_o either_o desire_n or_o fear_v content_a with_o the_o riches_n which_o be_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a possession_n of_o virtue_n and_o covet_v nothing_o more_o such_o a_o one_o he_o think_v can_v choose_v but_o be_v happy_a and_o i_o think_v so_o too_o and_o i_o fear_v a_o great_a deal_n happy_a than_o any_o man_n on_o earth_n can_v ever_o be_v this_o be_v a_o gay_a dream_n but_o well-suiting_a that_o philosophy_n which_o require_v the_o tranquillity_n and_o steadiness_n or_o constancy_n of_o god_n to_o be_v join_v with_o the_o frailty_n of_o man_n a_o composition_n of_o thing_n infinite_o more_o incompatible_a than_o that_o of_o a_o immortal_a soul_n and_o mortal_a body_n can_v be_v fancy_v to_o be_v for_o my_o part_n i_o be_o content_a to_o call_v a_o building_n beautiful_a tho'_o there_o be_v something_o in_o it_o which_o do_v not_o answer_v the_o test_n of_o the_o strict_a art_n or_o at_o least_o of_o the_o most_o accurate_a fancy_n i_o be_o content_a to_o call_v it_o day_n tho'_o flit_a cloud_n and_o shower_n do_v now_o and_o then_o a_o little_a obscure_a the_o light_n so_o can_v i_o not_o choose_v but_o call_v he_o righteous_a who_o be_v sincere_a tho'_o not_o perfect_a who_o life_n be_v general_o speak_v bright_a and_o exemplary_a tho'_o not_o utter_o void_a of_o spot_n and_o blemish_n who_o motion_n be_v a_o progress_n towards_o virtue_n tho'_o it_o be_v sometime_o retard_v nay_o sometime_o interrupt_v and_o so_o be_o i_o content_a to_o think_v he_o a_o happy_a man_n not_o who_o be_v utter_o exempt_a from_o all_o disturbance_n in_o mind_n or_o body_n not_o who_o live_v in_o constant_a ecstasy_n but_o he_o who_o pleasure_n be_v more_o and_o great_a than_o his_o trouble_n who_o hope_n be_v more_o and_o great_a than_o his_o fear_n one_o who_o enjoyment_n tho'_o they_o do_v not_o transport_v do_v satisfy_v he_o one_o who_o serenity_n and_o calm_a of_o mind_n though_o it_o may_v suffer_v interruption_n suffer_v but_o few_o and_o slight_a one_o i_o will_v entreat_v the_o reader_n to_o admit_v of_o this_o notion_n of_o happiness_n here_o till_o we_o gradual_o advance_v to_o a_o clear_a and_o full_a discovery_n of_o it_o now_o as_o we_o be_v not_o to_o lay_v aside_o any_o advice_n of_o be_v virtuous_a because_o we_o can_v arrive_v at_o the_o height_n and_o constancy_n of_o holy_a angel_n so_o neither_o be_v we_o to_o cast_v off_o all_o thought_n of_o happiness_n because_o we_o can_v equal_v they_o for_o if_o we_o be_v happy_a in_o such_o a_o degree_n as_o the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o this_o inferior_a state_n will_v permit_v if_o we_o can_v free_v ourselves_o from_o those_o misery_n which_o do_v involve_v the_o foolish_a and_o vicious_a part_n of_o mankind_n if_o we_o can_v possess_v ourselves_o of_o those_o humble_a and_o modest_a joy_n that_o humane_a nature_n be_v here_o capable_a of_o it_o will_v be_v worth_a all_o the_o time_n and_o travail_n we_o can_v spend_v upon_o the_o design_n and_o that_o we_o may_v advance_v thus_o far_o the_o follow_a consideration_n will_v prove_v the_o possibility_n etc._n etc._n prove_v i_o think_v render_v it_o more_o than_o probable_a other_o because_o some_o be_v happy_a than_o other_o 1._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o some_o man_n be_v more_o happy_a or_o at_o least_o less_o miserable_a than_o other_o who_o will_v deny_v titus_n to_o have_v be_v infinite_o more_o happy_a than_o nero_n titus_n who_o government_n of_o the_o roman_a people_n be_v not_o more_o mild_a and_o gentle_a than_o the_o impartial_a reflection_n of_o his_o conscience_n upon_o himself_o and_o action_n titi._n sueton._n in_o vitâ_fw-la titi._n if_o we_o credit_v suetonius_n in_o his_o relation_n of_o his_o death_n nero_n that_o guilty_a wretch_n who_o conscience_n be_v no_o less_o a_o plague_n to_o he_o than_o he_o to_o rome_n who_o prefer_v not_o the_o character_n of_o mitio_fw-la in_o the_o comedian_n before_o that_o of_o demea_fw-la terent._n terent._n mitio_fw-la who_o smooth_a and_o kind_a as_o well_o as_o prudent_a behaviour_n render_v he_o easy_a and_o amiable_a to_o his_o family_n and_o relation_n and_o make_v the_o fortune_n of_o his_o whole_a life_n flow_v calm_o and_o gentle_o to_o the_o end_n demea_fw-la who_o four_o suspicious_a and_o severe_a behaviour_n do_v exasperate_v and_o ruffle_v the_o mind_n of_o all_o that_o relate_v to_o he_o and_o do_v disturb_v and_o muddy_a that_o stream_n of_o his_o affair_n which_o will_v have_v otherwise_o run_v smooth_a and_o clear_a who_o will_v compare_v the_o pleasant_a retirement_n the_o modest_a contentment_n the_o regular_a &_o virtuous_a enjoyment_n of_o atticus_n with_o the_o turbulent_a popularity_n of_o gracchus_n or_o the_o fatal_a luxury_n of_o catiline_n or_o the_o proud_a cruelty_n of_o sylla_n and_o marius_n what_o then_o shall_v we_o attribute_v no_o share_n of_o happiness_n or_o misery_n to_o the_o virtue_n or_o the_o vice_n of_o the_o one_o or_o other_o or_o no_o part_n of_o their_o virtue_n or_o vice_n to_o themselves_o but_o to_o i_o know_v not_o what_o fatal_a and_o irresistible_a cause_n if_o we_o assert_v the_o former_a with_o frontless_a confidence_n we_o contradict_v unquestionable_a matter_n of_o fact_n if_o the_o latter_a we_o rob_v the_o virtuous_a of_o that_o merit_n which_o render_v they_o belove_v in_o their_o life_n and_o ever_o since_o have_v preserve_v their_o memory_n sacred_a and_o honourable_a and_o we_o acquit_v those_o from_o all_o blame_n or_o guilt_n which_o the_o law_n of_o their_o own_o country_n and_o the_o common_a sense_n oâ—_n mankind_n have_v ever_o condemn_v and_o detest_a what_o gross_a and_o monstrous_a absurdity_n be_v these_o shall_v we_o now_o after_o the_o improvement_n of_o so_o many_o age_n for_o we_o pretend_v to_o grow_v more_o wise_a and_o learned_a daily_a dispute_v whether_o vice_n or_o virtue_n be_v the_o better_a guide_n of_o humane_a action_n or_o the_o more_o service_n able_a to_o humane_a life_n shall_v sloth_n and_o luxury_n be_v think_v to_o conduce_v as_o much_o to_o the_o prosperity_n and_o decency_n oâ—_n our_o life_n as_o industry_n and_o frugal_a temperance_n shall_v ambition_n pride_n and_o choler_n be_v now_o judge_v as_o instrumental_a to_o promote_v or_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o repose_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o state_n as_o modesty_n meekness_n and_o charity_n or_o if_o this_o be_v too_o dare_v a_o defiance_n to_o sense_n and_o experience_n shall_v we_o contend_v that_o the_o slothful_a and_o luxurious_a the_o unjust_a and_o cruel_a etc._n etc._n be_v as_o blameless_a and_o
the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v design_v then_o we_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v in_o every_o man_n power_n to_o be_v good_a and_o happy_a for_o it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o man_n can_v do_v what_o he_o can_v do_v or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o what_o god_n have_v put_v in_o his_o power_n to_o do_v by_o what_o a_o crowd_n of_o argument_n may_v i_o confirm_v this_o truth_n sufficient_a to_o bear_v down_o and_o even_o shame_v the_o most_o impudent_a caviller_n why_o be_v not_o man_n good_a why_o be_v they_o not_o happy_a shall_v we_o say_v that_o god_n do_v not_o vouchsafe_v they_o his_o grace_n shall_v we_o impute_v man_n misery_n to_o god_n shall_v we_o charge_v that_o glorious_a and_o most_o perfect_a be_v with_o want_n of_o compassion_n or_o sincerity_n towards_o his_o poor_a creature_n how_o easy_a will_v it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o appeal_v to_o the_o suffering_n of_o his_o son_n to_o the_o vigorous_a attempt_n and_o endeavour_n of_o his_o spirit_n to_o heaven_n and_o earth_n stamp_v with_o the_o impress_n of_o his_o power_n and_o goodness_n on_o purpose_n to_o teach_v invite_v and_o almost_o compel_v we_o to_o worship_n and_o obey_v he_o to_o the_o various_a method_n of_o his_o providence_n contrive_v and_o pursue_v our_o happiness_n how_o easy_o last_o may_v he_o appeal_v for_o his_o purgation_n to_o our_o own_o conscience_n and_o these_o will_v tell_v we_o as_o they_o ever_o do_v in_o the_o distress_n of_o our_o fortune_n and_o the_o approach_n of_o danger_n and_o death_n to_o what_o we_o be_v to_o impute_v the_o cause_n of_o our_o ruin_n what_o shall_v we_o say_v then_o do_v god_n vouchsafe_v man_n his_o grace_n the_o revelation_n of_o his_o truth_n and_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o spirit_n but_o that_o this_o grace_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o we_o alas_o how_o easy_a be_v it_o for_o any_o of_o we_o to_o refute_v this_o fancy_n by_o appeal_n to_o the_o solemn_a covenant_n of_o our_o baptism_n to_o the_o character_n and_o description_n of_o good_a man_n in_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o effect_n which_o our_o reason_n teach_v we_o must_v be_v natural_a and_o inseparable_a from_o a_o true_a faith_n and_o divine_a assistance_n but_o i_o will_v choose_v to_o make_v use_n of_o one_o argument_n which_o st._n paul_n furnish_v we_o with_o 11._o heb._n 11._o heb._n 11._o there_o the_o apostle_n prove_v the_o possibility_n of_o please_a god_n by_o faith_n from_o undeniable_a instance_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n infer_v from_o what_o man_n have_v actual_o do_v what_o it_o be_v still_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o do_v omit_v the_o miraculous_a and_o extraordinary_a effect_n of_o faith_n i_o will_v reduce_v the_o instance_n of_o this_o chapter_n to_o three_o head_n first_o such_o wherein_o faith_n appear_v victorious_a over_o the_o temptation_n which_o arise_v from_o the_o vicious_a custom_n of_o the_o place_n man_n live_v in_o from_o the_o prevalency_n &_o fashionableness_n of_o sin_n among_o those_o they_o converse_v with_o second_o such_o wherein_o faith_n triumph_v over_o temptation_n arise_v from_o sensual_a pleasure_n three_o such_o wherein_o it_o overcome_v the_o sense_n of_o pain_n and_o fear_v of_o approach_a evil._n i_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o instance_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o consider_v the_o propension_n of_o our_o body_n and_o the_o vanity_n and_o sensuality_n which_o the_o mind_n natural_o derive_v from_o it_o and_o from_o its_o commerce_n with_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v a_o difficult_a thing_n to_o encounter_v temptation_n naked_a and_o alone_a how_o much_o more_o difficult_a when_o back_v and_o assist_v by_o custom_n and_o fashion_n when_o universal_a practice_n give_v authority_n and_o reputation_n to_o sin_n and_o folly_n and_o the_o poor_a man_n be_v leave_v destitute_a of_o the_o assistance_n of_o good_a counsel_n and_o the_o encouragement_n of_o good_a example_n to_o encounter_v not_o only_o the_o difficulty_n with_o which_o the_o reluctancy_n of_o our_o nature_n but_o also_o the_o reproach_n with_o which_o the_o popularity_n and_o prevalency_n of_o sin_n clog_v and_o imbitter_v virtue_n and_o yet_o behold_v enoch_n in_o a_o world_n it_o seem_v give_v up_o to_o sin_n do_v not_o only_o keep_v up_o in_o private_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o despise_a forsake_a virtue_n but_o be_v open_o and_o in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n eminent_a and_o exemplary_a in_o it_o and_o therefore_o be_v his_o end_n as_o extraordinary_a as_o his_o life_n for_o have_v obtain_v this_o testimony_n that_o he_o please_v god_n he_o be_v translate_v this_o be_v owe_v to_o his_o faith_n he_o be_v content_a to_o endure_v the_o reproach_n of_o the_o world_n that_o he_o may_v obtain_v the_o approbation_n of_o god_n and_o despise_v the_o honour_n and_o applause_n of_o popular_a vice_n and_o fashionable_a compliance_n that_o he_o may_v gain_v the_o kingdom_n wherein_o dwell_v righteousness_n such_o a_o other_o example_n be_v noah_n his_o righteousness_n be_v like_o his_o ark_n afterward_o raise_v above_o a_o deluge_n not_o of_o water_n but_o impiety_n he_o live_v in_o a_o world_n so_o wicked_a that_o it_o grieve_v god_n at_o his_o heart_n that_o he_o have_v make_v it_o in_o this_o world_n he_o be_v a_o preacher_n and_o example_n of_o righteousness_n and_o his_o zeal_n by_o a_o antiperistasis_n be_v not_o quench_v but_o enkindle_v by_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o world_n he_o live_v in_o this_o too_o be_v owe_v to_o his_o faith_n he_o fear_v those_o threat_n which_o that_o impious_a world_n scoff_v at_o and_o so_o prepare_v a_o ark_n to_o the_o save_n of_o his_o house_n 7._o c._n 7._o by_o which_o he_o condemn_v the_o world_n and_o become_v heir_n of_o the_o righteousness_n which_o be_v by_o faith_n no_o doubt_n when_o this_o strange_a building_n be_v prepare_v noah_n be_v assault_v by_o all_o the_o raillery_n and_o contempt_n by_o all_o the_o show_v of_o wit_n and_o reason_n lust_n and_o profaneness_n can_v furnish_v a_o impious_a age_n with_o this_o man_n say_v they_o have_v ever_o be_v singular_a and_o fantastic_a in_o the_o whole_a method_n of_o his_o conversation_n there_o want_v but_o such_o a_o prank_n as_o this_o to_o complete_a fancy_n into_o madness_n he_o ever_o dream_v of_o judgement_n and_o yet_o we_o he_o threaten_v continue_v our_o mirth_n and_o pleasure_n he_o alone_o in_o fear_n and_o anxiety_n have_v suffer_v the_o evil_n which_o his_o melancholy_a fancy_n create_v and_o which_o be_v all_o that_o we_o shall_v ever_o see_v for_o how_o long_o have_v he_o be_v preach_v dreadful_a thing_n and_o yet_o still_o the_o sun_n shine_v the_o heaven_n be_v fair_a and_o clear_a our_o feast_n and_o lust_n have_v the_o same_o relish_n still_o nor_o do_v our_o experience_n only_o convince_v we_o of_o the_o falsehood_n but_o our_o reason_n of_o the_o impossibility_n of_o this_o man_n dream_n for_o which_o way_n shall_v the_o fix_a state_n of_o nature_n be_v turn_v upside_o down_o whence_o will_v this_o universal_a deluge_n come_v will_v his_o god_n break_v up_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o deep_a or_o will_v he_o open_v the_o cataract_n of_o heaven_n but_o while_o they_o thus_o profane_o scoff_v and_o measure_v the_o divine_a power_n by_o their_o deprave_a fancy_n noah_n religious_o fear_v who_o have_v a_o different_a sense_n of_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n and_o provocation_n of_o sin_n he_o know_v that_o as_o mercy_n so_o wrath_n be_v with_o god_n that_o as_o he_o be_v mighty_a to_o forgive_v 16._o eccles_n 16._o so_o be_v he_o too_o to_o pour_v out_o displeasure_n and_o by_o this_o faith_n he_o preserve_v himself_o as_o from_o the_o impiety_n so_o from_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o old_a world_n for_o tho'_o he_o be_v not_o like_o enoch_n translate_v yet_o be_v preserve_v out_o of_o a_o general_a ruin_n he_o live_v to_o see_v a_o end_n of_o the_o old_a world_n and_o give_v beginning_n to_o the_o new_a to_o these_o i_o may_v add_v lot_n who_o righteous_a soul_n be_v not_o infect_v but_o provoke_v and_o grieve_v by_o the_o impiety_n of_o sodom_n joshuah_n as_o eminent_a for_o his_o faith_n as_o victory_n who_o resolve_v whatever_o course_n the_o israelite_n will_v take_v who_o to_o the_o last_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o as_o great_a prodigy_n to_o rescue_v they_o from_o idolatry_n as_o once_o from_o egypt_n he_o and_o his_o house_n will_v serve_v the_o lord_n 24._o josh_n 24._o these_o instance_n be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v the_o power_n of_o faith_n in_o its_o victory_n over_o popular_a error_n and_o fashionable_a sin_n and_o by_o consequence_n over_o many_o inclination_n at_o once_o for_o the_o popularity_n and_o prevalency_n of_o any_o sin_n be_v a_o bait_n appropriate_v to_o our_o pride_n and_o vanity_n which_o make_v man_n affect_v precedence_n and_o superiority_n in_o all_o thing_n which_o the_o world_n