a_o pleasure_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v upon_o these_o three_o account_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v seldom_o or_o never_o that_o any_o man_n come_v to_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o impiety_n as_o to_o take_v pleasure_n in_o other_o man_n sin_n but_o he_o also_o show_v the_o world_n by_o his_o action_n and_o behaviour_n that_o he_o do_v so_o 2._o that_o there_o be_v few_o man_n in_o the_o world_n so_o inconsiderable_a but_o there_o be_v some_o or_o other_o who_o have_v a_o interest_n to_o serve_v by_o they_o and_o 3_o lie_n that_o the_o natural_a course_n that_o one_o man_n take_v to_o serve_v his_o interest_n by_o another_o be_v by_o apply_v himself_o to_o he_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o may_v most_o gratify_v and_o delight_v he_o now_o from_o these_o three_o thing_n put_v together_o it_o be_v not_o only_o easy_a but_o necessary_a to_o infer_v that_o since_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n be_v whole_o act_v by_o their_o present_a interest_n if_o they_o find_v those_o who_o can_v best_o 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his_o humour_n spend_v their_o credit_n and_o good_a name_n nay_o and_o their_o very_a soul_n too_o to_o serve_v he_o and_o that_o by_o the_o worst_a and_o base_a of_o service_n which_o be_v by_o make_v themselves_o like_o he_o it_o be_v but_o too_o notorious_a how_o long_a vice_n have_v reign_v or_o rather_o rage_v among_o we_o and_o with_o what_o a_o bare_a face_n and_o a_o brazen_a forehead_n it_o walk_v about_o the_o nation_n as_o it_o be_v elato_fw-la capite_fw-la and_o look_v down_o with_o scorn_n upon_o virtue_n as_o a_o contemptible_a and_o a_o mean_a thing_n vice_n can_v not_o come_v to_o this_o pitch_n by_o chance_n but_o we_o have_v sin_v a_o pace_n and_o at_o a_o high_a strain_n of_o villainy_n than_o the_o fop_n our_o ancestor_n as_o some_o be_v please_v to_o call_v they_o can_v ever_o arrive_v to_o so_o that_o we_o daily_o see_v maturity_n and_o age_n in_o vice_n join_v with_o youth_n and_o greenness_n of_o year_n a_o manifest_a argument_n no_o doubt_n of_o the_o great_a 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particular_a inscription_n yet_o in_o the_o drift_n and_o purpose_n of_o it_o be_v universal_a as_o design_v to_o convince_v all_o mankind_n who_o it_o suppose_v in_o pursuit_n of_o true_a happiness_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o seek_v for_o it_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o impossibility_n of_o find_v it_o elsewhere_o all_o without_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n be_v comprehend_v under_o the_o division_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n call_v here_o by_o the_o apostle_n greek_n the_o noble_a and_o more_o note_a part_n be_v use_v for_o the_o whole_a according_o from_o the_o 2d_o chapter_n down_o along_o he_o address_n himself_o to_o the_o jew_n show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o their_o law_n to_o justify_v or_o make_v they_o happy_a how_o much_o soever_o they_o
into_o a_o fix_a confirm_a habit_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v proper_o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o finish_n of_o sin_n end_v certain_o in_o death_n death_n not_o only_o as_o to_o merit_v but_o also_o as_o to_o actual_a infliction_n now_o peradventure_o in_o this_o whole_a progress_n prevent_v grace_n may_v sometime_o come_v in_o to_o the_o poor_a sinner_n help_n but_o at_o the_o last_o hour_n of_o the_o day_n and_o have_v suffer_v he_o to_o run_v all_o the_o former_a risk_a and_o maze_n of_o sin_n and_o to_o descend_v so_o many_o step_n downward_o to_o the_o black_a region_n of_o death_n as_o first_o from_o the_o bare_a thought_n and_o imagination_n of_o sin_n to_o look_v upon_o it_o with_o some_o beginning_n of_o appetite_n and_o delight_n from_o thence_o to_o purpose_n and_o intend_v it_o and_o from_o intend_v to_o endeavour_v it_o and_o from_o endeavour_v actual_o to_o commit_v it_o and_o have_v commit_v it_o perhaps_o for_o some_o time_n to_o continue_v in_o it_o and_o 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doubtful_a as_o to_o his_o apprehension_n secure_v in_o his_o pardon_n but_o miserable_a in_o the_o ignorance_n of_o it_o and_o so_o pass_v all_o his_o day_n in_o the_o disconsolate_a uneasy_a vicissitude_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_n at_o length_n go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n not_o know_v whither_o he_o go_v and_o what_o be_v this_o but_o a_o black_a cloud_n draw_v over_o all_o a_o man_n comfort_n a_o cloud_n which_o though_o it_o can_v hinder_v the_o support_a influence_n of_o heaven_n yet_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o intercept_v the_o refresh_a light_n of_o it_o the_o pardon_v person_n must_v not_o think_v to_o stand_v upon_o the_o same_o vantage_n ground_n with_o the_o innocent_a it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v both_o equal_o safe_a but_o it_o can_v be_v think_v that_o without_o a_o rare_a privilege_n both_o can_v be_v equal_o cheerful_a and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o advantageous_a effect_n of_o prevent_v above_o those_o of_o pardon_v grace_n which_o be_v the_o four_o and_o last_o argument_n bring_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o proposition_n pass_v we_o now_o to_o the_o next_o general_n thing_n propose_v for_o the_o prosecution_n of_o it_o namely_o 2._o it_o be_v application_n which_o from_o the_o forego_n discourse_n may_v afford_v we_o several_a useful_a deduction_n but_o chief_o by_o way_n of_o information_n in_o these_o three_o follow_v particular_n as_o first_o this_o may_v inform_v and_o convince_v we_o how_o vast_o great_a a_o pleasure_n be_v consequent_a upon_o the_o forbearance_n of_o sin_n than_o can_v possible_o accompany_v the_o commission_n of_o it_o and_o how_o much_o high_o a_o satisfaction_n be_v to_o be_v find_v from_o a_o conquer_a than_o from_o a_o conquer_a passion_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o which_o we_o need_v look_v no_o further_o than_o the_o great_a example_n here_o before_o we_o revenge_n be_v certain_o the_o most_o luscious_a morsel_n that_o the_o devil_n can_v put_v into_o the_o sinner_n mouth_n but_o do_v we_o think_v that_o david_n can_v have_v find_v half_o that_o pleasure_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o revenge_n that_o he_o express_v here_o upon_o the_o disappointment_n of_o it_o possible_o it_o may_v have_v please_v he_o in_o the_o present_a heat_n and_o hurry_v of_o his_o rage_n but_o must_v have_v displease_v he_o infinite_o more_o in_o the_o cool_a sedate_v reflection_n of_o his_o mind_n for_o sin_n can_v please_v no_o long_o than_o for_o that_o pitiful_a space_n of_o time_n while_o it_o be_v commit_v and_o sure_o the_o present_a pleasure_n of_o a_o sinful_a act_n be_v a_o poor_a countervail_v for_o the_o bitterness_n of_o the_o review_n which_o begin_v where_o the_o action_n end_n and_o last_v for_o ever_o there_o be_v no_o ill_a thing_n which_o a_o man_n do_v in_o his_o passion_n but_o his_o memory_n will_v be_v revenge_v on_o he_o for_o it_o afterward_o all_o pleasure_n spring_v from_o a_o gratify_v passion_n as_o most_o of_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n do_v must_v needs_o determine_v with_o that_o passion_n it_o be_v short_a violent_a and_o fallacious_a and_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o imagination_n be_v disabused_a will_v certain_o be_v at_o a_o end_n and_o therefore_o des_n cartes_n prescribe_v excellent_o well_o for_o the_o regulation_n of_o the_o passion_n viz._n that_o a_o man_n shall_v fix_v and_o fore-arm_n his_o mind_n with_o this_o settle_a persuasion_n that_o during_o that_o commotion_n of_o his_o blood_n and_o spirit_n in_o which_o passion_n proper_o consist_v whatsoever_o be_v offer_v to_o his_o imagination_n in_o favour_n of_o it_o tend_v only_o to_o deceive_v his_o reason_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o real_a trapan_n upon_o it_o feed_v it_o with_o colour_n and_o appearance_n instead_o of_o argument_n and_o drive_v the_o very_a same_o bargain_n which_o jacob_n do_v with_o esau_n a_o mess_n of_o pottage_n for_o a_o birthright_n a_o present_a repast_n for_o a_o perpetuity_n second_o we_o have_v here_o a_o sure_a unfailing_a criterion_n by_o which_o every_o man_n may_v discover_v and_o find_v out_o the_o gracious_a or_o ungracious_a disposition_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n the_o temper_n of_o every_o man_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v of_o from_o the_o thing_n he_o most_o esteem_v and_o the_o object_n of_o his_o esteem_n may_v be_v measure_v by_o the_o prime_a object_n of_o his_o thanks_o what_o be_v it_o that_o open_v thy_o mouth_n in_o praise_n that_o fill_v thy_o heart_n and_o lift_v up_o thy_o hand_n in_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n to_o thy_o great_a creator_n and_o preserver_n be_v it_o that_o thy_o bag_n and_o thy_o barn_n be_v full_a that_o thou_o have_v escape_v this_o sickness_n or_o that_o danger_n alas_o god_n may_v have_v do_v all_o this_o for_o thou_o in_o anger_n all_o this_o fair_a sunshine_n may_v have_v be_v only_o to_o harden_v thou_o in_o thy_o sin_n he_o
commission_n of_o sin_n be_v not_o prevent_v whether_o ever_o it_o will_v come_v to_o be_v pardon_v in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o these_o two_o consideration_n 1._o that_o if_o sin_n be_v not_o thus_o prevent_v it_o will_v certain_o be_v commit_v and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o on_o the_o sinner_n part_n there_o will_v be_v always_o a_o strong_a inclination_n to_o sin_n so_o that_o if_o other_o thing_n concur_v and_o providence_n cut_v not_o off_o the_o opportunity_n the_o act_n of_o sin_n must_v needs_o follow_v for_o a_o active_a principle_n second_v with_o the_o opportunity_n of_o action_n will_v infallible_o exert_v itself_o 2_o lie_n the_o other_o consideration_n be_v that_o in_o every_o sin_n deliberate_o commit_v there_o be_v general_o speak_v many_o more_o degree_n of_o probability_n that_o that_o sin_n will_v never_o come_v to_o be_v pardon_v than_o that_o it_o will_n and_o this_o shall_v be_v make_v appear_v upon_o these_o three_o follow_a account_n 1._o because_o every_o commission_n of_o sin_n introduce_v into_o the_o soul_n a_o certain_a degree_n of_o hardness_n and_o a_o aptness_n to_o continue_v in_o that_o sin_n it_o be_v a_o know_a maxim_n that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o difficult_a to_o throw_v out_o than_o not_o to_o let_v in_o every_o degree_n of_o entrance_n be_v a_o degree_n of_o possession_n sin_n take_v into_o the_o soul_n be_v like_o a_o liquor_n pour_v into_o a_o vessel_n so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o it_o fill_v it_o also_o season_n the_o touch_n and_o tincture_n go_v together_o so_o that_o although_o the_o body_n of_o the_o liquor_n shall_v be_v pour_v out_o again_o yet_o still_o it_o leave_v that_o tangle_n behind_o it_o which_o make_v the_o vessel_n fit_a for_o that_o than_o for_o any_o other_o in_o like_a manner_n every_o act_n of_o sin_n strange_o transform_v and_o work_n over_o the_o soul_n to_o its_o own_o likeness_n sin_n in_o this_o be_v to_o the_o soul_n like_o fire_n to_o combustible_a matter_n it_o assimilate_v before_o it_o destroy_v it_o 2_o lie_n a_o second_o reason_n be_v because_o every_o commission_n of_o sin_n imprint_n upon_o the_o soul_n a_o further_a disposition_n and_o proneness_n to_o sin_n as_o the_o second_o three_o and_o four_o degree_n of_o heat_n be_v more_o easy_o introduce_v than_o the_o first_o every_o one_o be_v both_o a_o preparative_n and_o a_o step_n to_o the_o next_o drink_v both_o quench_v the_o present_a thirst_n and_o provoke_v it_o for_o the_o future_a when_o the_o soul_n be_v beat_v from_o its_o first_o station_n and_o the_o mound_n and_o outwork_n of_o virtue_n be_v once_o break_v down_o it_o become_v quite_o another_o thing_n from_o what_o it_o be_v before_o in_o one_o single_a eat_v of_o the_o forbid_a fruit_n when_o the_o act_n be_v over_o yet_o the_o relish_n remain_v and_o the_o remembrance_n of_o the_o first_o repast_n be_v a_o easy_a allurement_n to_o the_o second_o one_o visit_n be_v enough_o to_o begin_v a_o acquaintance_n and_o this_o point_n be_v gain_v by_o it_o that_o when_o the_o visitant_n come_v again_o he_o be_v no_o more_o a_o stranger_n 3_o lie_n the_o three_o and_o grand_a reason_n be_v because_o the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v entitle_v the_o sinner_n to_o pardon_n which_o be_v repentance_n be_v not_o in_o the_o sinner_n power_n and_o he_o who_o go_v about_o the_o work_n will_v find_v it_o so_o it_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n and_o though_o god_n have_v certain_o promise_v forgiveness_n of_o sin_n to_o every_o one_o who_o repent_v yet_o he_o have_v not_o promise_v to_o any_o one_o to_o give_v he_o grace_n to_o repent_v this_o be_v the_o sinner_n hard_a lot_n that_o the_o same_o thing_n which_o make_v he_o need_v repentance_n make_v he_o also_o in_o danger_n of_o not_o obtain_v it_o for_o it_o provoke_v and_o offend_v that_o holy_a spirit_n which_o alone_o can_v bestow_v this_o grace_n as_o the_o same_o treason_n which_o put_v a_o traitor_n in_o need_n of_o his_o prince_n mercy_n be_v a_o great_a and_o a_o just_a provocation_n to_o his_o prince_n to_o deny_v it_o he_o now_o let_v these_o three_o thing_n be_v put_v together_o first_o that_o every_o commission_n of_o sin_n in_o some_o degree_n harden_v the_o soul_n in_o that_o sin_n second_o that_o every_o commission_n of_o sin_n dispose_v the_o soul_n to_o proceed_v further_o in_o sin_n and_o three_o that_o to_o repent_v and_o turn_v from_o sin_n without_o which_o all_o pardon_n be_v impossible_a be_v not_o in_o the_o sinner_n power_n and_o then_o i_o suppose_v there_o can_v but_o appear_v a_o great_a likelihood_n that_o a_o sin_n once_o commit_v will_n in_o the_o issue_n not_o be_v pardon_v than_o that_o it_o will_n to_o all_o which_o add_v the_o confirmation_n of_o general_a experience_n and_o the_o real_a event_n of_o thing_n that_o where_o one_o man_n ever_o come_v to_o repent_v a_o hundred_o i_o may_v say_v a_o thousand_o at_o least_o end_v their_o day_n in_o final_a impenitence_n all_o which_o consider_v sure_o there_o can_v need_v a_o more_o pregnant_a argument_n of_o the_o greatness_n of_o this_o prevent_v mercy_n if_o it_o do_v no_o more_o for_o a_o man_n than_o this_o that_o his_o grand_a immortal_a concern_v more_o valuable_a to_o he_o than_o ten_o thousand_o world_n be_v not_o throw_v upon_o a_o critical_a point_n that_o he_o be_v not_o bronght_n to_o his_o last_o stake_n that_o he_o be_v rescue_v from_o the_o first_o descent_n into_o hell_n and_o the_o high_a probability_n of_o damnation_n for_o whatsoever_o the_o issue_n prove_v it_o be_v certain_o a_o miserable_a thing_n to_o be_v force_v to_o cast_v lot_n for_o one_o life_n yet_o in_o every_o sin_n a_o man_n do_v the_o same_o for_o eternity_n and_o therefore_o let_v the_o bold_a sinner_n take_v this_o one_o consideration_n along_o with_o he_o when_o he_o be_v go_v to_o sin_n that_o whether_o the_o sin_n he_o be_v about_o to_o act_v ever_o come_v to_o be_v pardon_v or_o no_o yet_o as_o soon_o as_o it_o be_v act_v it_o quite_o turn_v the_o balance_n put_v his_o salvation_n upon_o the_o venture_n leave_v he_o but_o one_o cast_n for_o all_o and_o which_o be_v yet_o much_o more_o dreadful_a make_v it_o ten_o to_o one_o odds_o against_o he_o but_o let_v we_o now_o alter_v the_o state_n of_o the_o matter_n so_o as_o to_o leave_v no_o doubt_n in_o the_o case_n but_o suppose_v that_o the_o sin_n which_o upon_o non-prevention_n come_v to_o be_v commit_v come_v also_o to_o be_v repent_v of_o and_o consequent_o to_o be_v pardon_v yet_o in_o the_o four_o and_o last_o place_n the_o greatness_n of_o this_o preventing-mercy_n be_v eminent_o prove_v from_o those_o advantage_n accrue_v to_o the_o soul_n from_o the_o prevention_n of_o sin_n above_o what_o can_v be_v have_v from_o the_o bare_a pardon_n of_o it_o and_o that_o in_o these_o two_o great_a respect_n 1._o of_o the_o clearness_n of_o a_o man_n condition_n 2._o of_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o first_o for_o the_o clearness_n of_o his_o condition_n if_o innocence_n be_v preferrible_a to_o repentance_n and_o to_o be_v clean_o be_v more_o desirable_a than_o to_o be_v cleanse_v then_o sure_o prevention_n of_o sin_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o precedence_n of_o its_o pardon_n for_o so_o much_o of_o prevention_n so_o much_o of_o innocence_n there_o be_v indeed_o various_a degree_n of_o it_o and_o god_n in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n do_v not_o deal_v forth_o the_o same_o measure_n of_o his_o prevent_v grace_n to_o all._n sometime_o he_o may_v suffer_v the_o soul_n but_o just_a to_o begin_v the_o sinful_a production_n in_o reflect_v upon_o a_o sin_n suggest_v by_o the_o imagination_n with_o some_o complacency_n and_o delight_n which_o in_o the_o apostle_n phrase_n be_v to_o conceive_v sin_n and_o then_o in_o these_o early_a imperfect_a beginning_n god_n perhaps_o may_v present_o dash_v and_o extinguish_v it_o or_o possible_o he_o may_v permit_v the_o sinful_a conception_n to_o receive_v life_n and_o form_n by_o pass_v into_o a_o purpose_n of_o commit_v it_o and_o then_o he_o may_v make_v it_o prove_v abortive_a by_o stifle_v it_o before_o ever_o it_o come_v to_o the_o birth_n or_o perhaps_o god_n may_v think_v fit_a to_o let_v it_o come_v even_o to_o the_o birth_n by_o some_o strong_a endeavour_n to_o commit_v it_o and_o yet_o then_o deny_v it_o strength_n to_o bring_v forth_o so_o that_o it_o never_o come_v into_o actual_a commission_n or_o last_o god_n may_v suffer_v it_o to_o be_v bear_v and_o see_v the_o world_n by_o permit_v the_o endeavour_n of_o sin_n to_o pass_v into_o the_o commission_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o last_o fatal_a step_n but_o one_o which_o be_v by_o frequent_a repetition_n of_o the_o sinful_a act_n to_o continue_v and_o persist_v in_o it_o till_o at_o length_n it_o settle_v