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a_o sermon_n preach_v in_o lent_n before_o the_o king_n at_o whitehall_n by_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n herbert_n lord_z bishop_n of_o hereford_n london_n print_v for_o charles_n harper_n at_o the_o flower-de-luce_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n 1676._o phil._n 1.21_o for_o to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n and_o to_o die_v be_v gain_v he_o that_o ponder_v well_o this_o say_n and_o the_o author_n of_o it_o will_v stand_v amaze_v at_o the_o strange_a and_o miraculous_a operation_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n etc._n etc._n i_o have_v no_o other_o thought_n no_o other_o delight_n but_o christ_n as_o the_o hart_n desire_v the_o water-brook_n so_o long_v my_o soul_n after_o christ_n my_o life_n without_o he_o be_v worse_a than_o death_n and_o death_n with_o he_o be_v a_o gain_n beyond_o life_n a_o very_a passionate_a and_o wonderful_a affection_n and_o who_o be_v this_o so_o passionate_o in_o love_n with_o christ_n it_o be_v paul_n the_o apostle_n where_o be_v then_o the_o wonder_n who_o more_o full_a of_o fervent_a expression_n towards_o christ_n wherefore_o i_o tell_v you_o it_o be_v saul_n the_o persecutor_n he_o that_o but_o even_o now_o breathe_v nothing_o but_o wrath_n and_o vengeance_n against_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n now_o breathe_v nothing_o but_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o this_o a_o wonderful_a change_n but_o the_o manner_n of_o this_o change_n be_v yet_o more_o wonderful_a for_o how_o be_v he_o reconcile_v and_o so_o firm_o unite_v to_o christ_n be_v it_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n by_o gift_n honour_n advancement_n possession_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v our_o way_n especial_o with_o man_n of_o spirit_n and_o resolution_n violent_a and_o compulsary_a way_n do_v but_o exasperate_v and_o harden_v such_o and_o the_o rule_n be_v general_a oderunt_fw-la quem_fw-la timent_fw-la man_n hate_v who_o they_o fear_v but_o let_v we_o see_v how_o christ_n deal_v with_o saul_n who_o be_v ride_v on_o as_o furious_o as_o jehu_n to_o damascus_n to_o oppose_v christ_n and_o destroy_v his_o disciple_n christ_n at_o first_o dash_n tumble_v he_o down_o to_o the_o earth_n strike_v he_o blind_a and_o though_o afterward_o he_o restore_v he_o his_o sight_n yet_o it_o be_v as_o a_o worldling_n will_v think_v on_o very_o hard_a condition_n to_o forsake_v all_o wealth_n honour_n friend_n country_n and_o go_v preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o infidel_n and_o what_o be_v his_o reward_n for_o his_o great_a labour_n and_o travel_v reproach_n fetter_n whip_n stone_n and_o be_v this_o the_o way_n to_o beget_v love_n or_o rather_o to_o convert_v great_a love_n into_o great_a hatred_n be_v it_o not_o then_o very_a true_a which_o the_o lord_n say_v isa_n 55.8_o my_o thought_n be_v not_o your_o thought_n neither_o be_v your_o way_n my_o way_n christ_n cast_v saul_n body_n to_o the_o earth_n but_o elevate_v his_o soul_n to_o heaven_n cover_v his_o corporal_a eye_n with_o blind_a scale_n but_o take_v the_o darken_n veil_n from_o his_o spiritual_a eye_n discover_v unto_o he_o the_o infinite_a love_n and_o goodness_n of_o his_o saviour_n who_o he_o so_o blind_o persecute_v and_o give_v he_o a_o ravish_a taste_n of_o his_o divine_a sweetness_n saul_n be_v become_v paul_n the_o persecutor_n a_o apostle_n and_o so_o zealous_a a_o disciple_n as_o he_o know_v no_o other_o delight_n no_o other_o joy_n but_o christ_n for_o his_o sake_n he_o glad_o quit_v all_o glad_o suffer_v all_o and_o now_o to_o he_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n and_o to_o die_v for_o christ_n be_v a_o gain_n beyond_o all_o to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n etc._n etc._n i_o have_v hitherto_o by_o way_n of_o preface_n show_v you_o the_o wonderful_a love_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o a_o languish_a idle_a passion_n but_o amor_n efficax_n a_o efficacious_a operate_a love_n like_o active_a fire_n which_o convert_v every_o thing_n into_o the_o same_o nature_n so_o this_o divine_a flame_n infuse_v into_o the_o breast_n of_o saul_n convert_v the_o whole_a man_n into_o a_o new_a creature_n his_o earthly_a carnal_a nature_n be_v now_o become_v spiritual_a and_o divine_a for_o so_o st._n peter_n express_v it_o that_o by_o grace_n we_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n 2_o pet._n 1.4_o this_o seem_v to_o carnal_a man_n a_o thing_n wonderful_a and_o incredible_a and_o yet_o we_o have_v daily_o before_o our_o eye_n effect_n in_o some_o measure_n as_o wonderful_a but_o the_o frequency_n of_o they_o take_v away_o the_o wonder_n and_o instead_o of_o admirable_a render_v they_o scarce_o considerable_a do_v not_o we_o see_v the_o same_o earth_n convert_v into_o various_a substance_n by_o the_o diversity_n of_o seed_n cast_v into_o it_o and_o from_o thence_o spring_v up_o corn_n tare_n flower_n weed_n grass_n thistle_n all_o out_o of_o the_o same_o earth_n such_o be_v the_o efficacious_a power_n of_o the_o little_a seed_n as_o each_o one_o work_n such_o a_o total_a change_n in_o the_o earth_n that_o our_o brain_n will_v never_o conceive_v it_o possible_a be_v not_o our_o eye_n daily_o convince_v of_o this_o truth_n shall_v any_o man_n come_v and_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o indies_n it_o be_v common_a to_o file_v iron_n into_o dust_n and_o to_o sow_v it_o and_o from_o thence_o in_o a_o short_a time_n to_o spring_v forth_o a_o plentiful_a crop_n of_o iron-bar_n shall_v not_o we_o esteem_v he_o a_o large_a talk_a traveller_n and_o let_v this_o pass_v for_o a_o mere_a fable_n and_o i_o pray_v why_o be_v it_o not_o more_o probable_a from_o iron-dust_n to_o spring_v up_o iron_n than_o from_o a_o little_a dry_a black_a kernel_n to_o sprout_v forth_o a_o tall_a moist_a green_a twig_n thence_o bud_n forth_o leave_v then_o curious_a blossom_n then_o lovely_a pleasant_a fruit_n certain_o this_o in_o appearance_n be_v a_o much_o more_o improbable_a change_n and_o will_v be_v less_o credible_a be_v it_o not_o daily_o visible_a so_o shall_v i_o come_v to_o some_o carnal_a covetous_a wretch_n or_o to_o some_o debauch_a lustful_a youth_n and_o tell_v they_o that_o will_v god_n be_v so_o gracious_a as_o to_o sow_v in_o their_o corrupt_a earthly_a heart_n the_o seed_n of_o his_o divine_a grace_n there_o will_v spring_v forth_o from_o thence_o most_o vigorous_a branch_n lade_v with_o rich_a and_o lovely_a fruit_n of_o temperance_n chastity_n meekness_n mercy_n charity_n the_o money_n they_o now_o hug_v so_o close_o they_o will_v then_o scatter_v abroad_o among_o the_o poor_a the_o epicurean_a delight_n they_o now_o greedy_o hunt_v after_o then_o offer_v they_o will_v reject_v the_o paint_a beauty_n they_o now_o adore_v they_o will_v then_o contemn_v and_o in_o fine_a it_o will_v work_v so_o strange_a a_o transformation_n in_o they_o as_o to_o make_v they_o love_v lowliness_n and_o poverty_n hunger_n and_o thirst_n cold_a and_o nakedness_n imprisonment_n and_o stripe_n any_o thing_n for_o christ_n sake_n and_o to_o rejoice_v more_o in_o these_o than_o in_o any_o carnal_a pleasure_n they_o ever_o enjoy_v think_v you_o will_v they_o not_o rank_v i_o with_o the_o large_a talk_a traveller_n and_o think_v this_o the_o very_a fable_n in_o the_o world_n no_o doubt_n on_o it_o yet_o bless_a be_v god_n such_o be_v the_o powerful_a operation_n of_o his_o heavenly_a grace_n as_o it_o have_v often_o wrought_v these_o wonderful_a conversion_n in_o man_n of_o the_o foul_a carnal_a temper_n zacheus_n a_o publican_n to_o give_v half_a his_o good_n to_o the_o poor_a matthew_n the_o publican_n to_o forsake_v all_o marry_o magdalen_n the_o sinner_n of_o the_o city_n make_v the_o saintly_o penitent_a of_o the_o world_n the_o furious_a persecutor_n saul_n the_o most_o fervent_a apostle_n paul_n who_o do_v neither_o care_n to_o enjoy_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o know_v any_o thing_n save_v christ_n and_o he_o crucify_v 1_o cor._n 2.2_o and_o to_o gain_v christ_n how_o ready_o do_v he_o quit_v all_o even_o in_o the_o infancy_n of_o his_o conversion_n yea_o count_v all_o but_o as_o dung_n so_o he_o may_v gain_v christ_n as_o dung_n which_o with_o loathe_v a_o man_n hasty_o cast_v from_o he_o far_o from_o affectionate_o seek_v they_o this_o be_v the_o first_o step_n of_o his_o giant-pace_n wherewith_o he_o begin_v his_o course_n towards_o christ_n at_o the_o next_o stride_n he_o pass_v over_o kindred_n and_o friend_n his_o brethren_n according_a to_o the_o flesh_n they_o be_v all_o now_o become_v his_o enemy_n they_o daily_o plot_v mischief_n and_o muster_v up_o all_o their_o force_n against_o he_o and_o though_o death_n like_o a_o cannon_n plant_v in_o the_o rear_n stand_v ready_a with_o open_a mouth_n to_o devour_v he_o yet_o he_o be_v less_o terrify_v with_o that_o grim_a visage_n than_o samson_n with_o the_o lion_n which_o he_o rend_v in_o piece_n like_o a_o kid_n
to_o come_v up_o full_o to_o it_o yet_o press_v towards_o it_o but_o alas_o we_o have_v no_o such_o aim_n not_o a_o thought_n that_o way_n we_o press_v not_o towards_o christ_n our_o captain-general_n nor_o towards_o this_o great_a captain_n st._n paul_n nor_o any_o thing_n like_o it_o we_o have_v far_o rather_o be_v pioner_n to_o dig_v and_o moyl_v in_o the_o earth_n to_o cast_v up_o bank_n and_o raise_v bulwark_n of_o earthly_a riches_n that_o we_o may_v skulk_v under_o they_o and_o avoid_v all_o gun-shot_n or_o be_v wagon-driver_n to_o attend_v on_o the_o carriage_n of_o provision_n like_o the_o base_a israelite_n that_o draw_v back_o and_o will_v not_o follow_v their_o noble_a captain_n moses_n but_o still_o hankered_a after_o the_o fleshpot_n of_o egypt_n the_o belly-comfort_n as_o most_o of_o we_o do_v our_o ambition_n reach_v no_o high_a than_o to_o arrive_v to_o a_o full_a measure_n of_o those_o lustful_a sordid_a delight_n which_o the_o mean_a and_o foul_a beast_n enjoy_v as_o full_o as_o any_o man_n can_v do_v what_o wretched_a thought_n be_v these_o for_o man_n of_o honour_n the_o steam_n of_o these_o fleshpot_n have_v so_o blind_v our_o eye_n so_o stupefy_v and_o besot_v our_o brain_n that_o like_a man_n bereave_v of_o common_a sense_n we_o can_v discern_v betwixt_o light_n and_o darkness_n virtue_n and_o vice_n honour_n and_o shame_n but_o all_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o chaos_n of_o confusion_n for_o shame_n let_v we_o rouse_v up_o ourselves_o out_o of_o this_o deadly_a lethargy_n let_v we_o show_v we_o have_v some_o spark_n of_o honour_n and_o true_a nobility_n in_o we_o nobilitas_fw-la sola_fw-la est_fw-la atque_fw-la unica_fw-la virtus_fw-la virtue_n be_v the_o only_a true_a nobility_n a_o heathen_a say_v it_o consider_v then_o the_o high_a price_n of_o our_o call_v far_o above_o heathen_n we_o be_v call_v christian_n son_n of_o the_o everliving_a god_n fellow-heir_n with_o christ_n heir_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n let_v we_o walk_v worthy_a of_o this_o vocation_n wherewith_o we_o be_v call_v not_o in_o riot_v and_o drunkenness_n not_o in_o chamber_v and_o wantonness_n not_o in_o strife_n and_o envy_n worse_o than_o heathen_n but_o in_o sobriety_n chastity_n charity_n as_o good_a christian_n if_o we_o can_v walk_v with_o st._n paul_n passibus_fw-la aequis_fw-la and_o keep_v up_o close_o with_o he_o yet_o let_v we_o cord_n fervido_fw-la hasten_v after_o and_o press_v towards_o he_o we_o serve_v a_o gracious_a god_n who_o will_v accept_v of_o desire_n for_o deed_n a_o bruise_a reed_n shall_v he_o not_o break_v and_o the_o smoke_a flax_n shall_v he_o not_o quench_v but_o rather_o inflame_v it_o take_v a_o candle_n new_o put_v out_o and_o yet_o smoke_v bring_v it_o near_o a_o flame_a candle_n the_o flame_n of_o that_o will_v descend_v by_o the_o smoke_n of_o the_o other_o and_o set_v it_o on_o fire_n so_o will_v we_o but_o with_o heart_n like_o smoke_a flax_n draw_v near_o unto_o god_n his_o holy_a spirit_n will_v descend_v and_o set_v they_o a_o flame_a oh_o then_o let_v we_o earnest_o desire_v at_o least_o and_o endeavour_v with_o st._n paul_n to_o live_v to_o christ_n and_o the_o infinite_a mercy_n of_o god_n will_v accept_v we_o and_o enable_v we_o to_o live_v to_o christ_n and_o then_o doubtless_o our_o death_n will_v like_o st._n paul_n be_v gain_n unto_o we_o whereof_o i_o be_o now_o to_o treat_v to_o die_v be_v gain_v many_o in_o time_n of_o paganism_n consider_v the_o small_a and_o momentary_a pleasure_n man_n enjoy_v in_o this_o life_n the_o grievous_a and_o durable_a misery_n man_n suffer_v all_o which_o death_n deliver_v they_o from_o do_v thereupon_o conclude_v death_n to_o be_v a_o great_a advantage_n and_o a_o wonderful_a gain_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o plato_n in_o apo._n socr._n and_o cicero_n de_fw-fr fin._n who_o in_o all_o thing_n follow_v plato_n call_v death_n portum_fw-la malorum_fw-la perfugium_fw-la aerumnosae_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la a_o haven_n and_o shelter_n from_o a_o tempestuous_a miserable_a life_n but_o zeno_n the_o stoick-master_n shall_v make_v answer_n to_o this_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o misery_n in_o this_o life_n but_o as_o we_o make_v it_o so_o and_o that_o a_o wise_a philosopher_n be_v always_o happy_a in_o all_o condition_n and_o a_o disciple_n of_o his_o seneca_n discourse_n the_o same_o at_o large_a show_v how_o the_o riches_n of_o the_o mind_n be_v much_o improve_v by_o noble_a suffering_n and_o these_o be_v of_o a_o far_o great_a value_n than_o any_o earthly_a riches_n the_o noble_a sufferer_n be_v happy_a by_o enlarge_n these_o though_o his_o body_n or_o estate_n suffer_v detriment_n and_o then_o the_o conclusion_n must_v be_v that_o death_n can_v be_v no_o gain_n first_o because_o it_o deprive_v a_o man_n of_o life_n which_o be_v a_o good_a thing_n of_o its_o self_n and_o second_o it_o rob_v we_o of_o the_o opportunity_n to_o increase_v the_o riches_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o true_a philosopher_n improve_v by_o suffering_n i_o doubt_v plato_n and_o cicero_n and_o such_o academic_n will_v be_v foul_o puzzle_v to_o answer_v from_o natural_a reason_n these_o argument_n of_o zeno_n and_o seneca_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o stoic_n but_o i_o will_v leave_v they_o to_o canvas_n and_o justle_v one_o another_o in_o the_o dark_a for_o true_o i_o can_v approve_v the_o opinion_n of_o either_o party_n or_o their_o principle_n for_o life_n be_v a_o natural_a please_a thing_n i_o can_v think_v it_o any_o gain_n to_o quit_v it_o without_o the_o assurance_n of_o a_o better_a life_n which_o philosopher_n have_v not_o nor_o can_v i_o think_v there_o be_v any_o happiness_n mere_o in_o suffering_n though_o ever_o so_o gallant_a it_o be_v true_a a_o man_n shall_v bear_v they_o like_o a_o man_n but_o this_o make_v not_o a_o happy_a man_n if_o no_o recompense_n follow_v and_o though_o the_o stoic_a anaxarchus_n pune_v in_o a_o large_a mortar_n affirm_v he_o be_v there_o happy_a and_o defy_v the_o tyrant_n nicocrean_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bruise_v the_o case_n of_o anaxarchus_n thou_o can_v not_o bruise_v nor_o touch_v the_o hide_a jewel_n therein_o my_o soul_n yet_o i_o believe_v can_v he_o have_v leap_v out_o of_o the_o mortar_n and_o escape_v the_o tyrant_n he_o will_v not_o hasty_o have_v leap_v into_o it_o again_o to_o renew_v that_o happiness_n these_o be_v brave_a flourish_n of_o the_o pen_n whilst_o man_n sit_v at_o ease_n in_o their_o study_n or_o a_o good_a face_n put_v on_o the_o matter_n when_o a_o man_n be_v so_o fetter_v in_o a_o evil_a as_o he_o see_v no_o possibility_n to_o escape_v then_o it_o be_v better_a to_o brave_v it_o gallant_o like_o a_o lion_n than_o to_o die_v sneak_o like_o a_o cur._n but_o let_v we_o now_o see_v st._n paul_n philosophy_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o much_o better_o thus_o far_o he_o agree_v with_o the_o stoic_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o misery_n in_o this_o life_n but_o that_o man_n may_v receive_v benefit_n by_o it_o all_o thing_n work_v together_o for_o good_a rom._n 8.28_o but_o to_o who_o to_o all_o man_n no_o but_o to_o they_o that_o love_n god_n who_o for_o god_n sake_n bear_v it_o patient_o and_o by_o god_n shall_v be_v reward_v liberal_o and_o thus_o all_o thing_n work_v together_o for_o good_a to_o they_o that_o love_n god_n but_o not_o to_o they_o who_o know_v not_o god_n much_o less_o love_v he_o for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o gracious_a god_n to_o recompense_v our_o suffering_n no_o other_o life_n after_o this_o to_o receive_v the_o reward_n then_o say_v st._n paul_n be_v we_o sufferer_n of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a 1_o cor._n 5.19_o sure_o very_o miserable_a to_o be_v make_v the_o filth_n of_o the_o world_n the_o offscouring_a of_o all_o thing_n 4.13_o and_o though_o st._n paul_n agree_v likewise_o with_o plato_n that_o death_n be_v a_o wonderful_a gain_n yet_o not_o in_o itself_o as_o in_o put_v off_o this_o house_n of_o clay_n for_o any_o house_n be_v better_a than_o no_o house_n but_o as_o death_n be_v a_o passage_n to_o a_o better_a house_n a_o house_n not_o make_v with_o hand_n eternal_a in_o the_o heaven_n 1_o cor._n 5.1_o and_o he_o desire_v to_o depart_v not_o so_o much_o to_o be_v rid_v of_o the_o present_a misery_n as_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n the_o only_a true_a felicity_n and_o though_o life_n here_o be_v good_a yet_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n be_v far_o better_a phil._n 1.23_o thus_o you_o see_v how_o much_o wise_a and_o better_a christianity_n be_v than_o heathen_a philosophy_n which_o at_o best_o be_v but_o gallant_a folly_n but_o we_o have_v some_o christian_a philosopher_n who_o endeavour_n to_o lessen_v much_o our_o gain_n by_o death_n tell_v we_o a_o fond_a dream_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n viz._n the_o soul_n sleep_v at_o death_n till_o