Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
doctrine_n authority_n scripture_n tradition_n 2,708 5 9.1860 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A26810 Spiritual perfection, unfolded and enforced from 2 Cor. VII, 1 having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God / by William Bates ... Bates, William, 1625-1699. 1699 (1699) Wing B1128; ESTC R4307 200,199 485

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

lawgiver_n and_o judge_n to_o call_v they_o to_o a_o account_n for_o their_o action_n can_v doubt_v of_o his_o eternal_a existence_n now_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n be_v prove_v the_o necessary_a consequence_n from_o that_o principle_n be_v that_o he_o must_v be_v honour_v and_o serve_v according_a to_o his_o own_o will_n and_o that_o it_o become_v his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o reveal_v his_o will_n to_o man_n the_o rule_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o that_o this_o be_v do_v in_o the_o most_o instructive_a and_o permanent_a way_n in_o write_v that_o be_v less_o liable_a to_o corruption_n than_o oral_a tradition_n and_o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v in_o it_o such_o conspicuous_a character_n of_o its_o descent_n from_o heaven_n beside_o the_o most_o undoubted_a testimony_n that_o it_o be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v and_o infallible_a that_o without_o violate_v the_o rule_n of_o sound_a discourse_n we_o must_v yield_v our_o assent_n to_o its_o divine_a authority_n and_o supernatural_a doctrine_n reveal_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o here_o amplify_v and_o illustrate_v these_o particular_n have_v in_o some_o discourse_n former_o publish_v of_o the_o existency_n of_o god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n manifest_v how_o desperate_a the_o cause_n of_o the_o atheist_n and_o deist_n be_v to_o unprejudiced_a mind_n now_o though_o the_o deduction_n specify_v be_v according_a to_o the_o true_a rule_n of_o ratiocination_n yet_o there_o be_v some_o that_o account_v it_o a_o slavery_n to_o fix_v their_o belief_n upon_o any_o authority_n but_o will_v be_v free_a in_o believe_v as_o they_o be_v in_o their_o action_n i_o will_v therefore_o brief_o produce_v some_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n that_o carry_v a_o uncontrollable_a evidence_n in_o they_o the_o abolish_n idolatry_n in_o the_o pagan_a world_n in_o the_o time_n foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n be_v a_o palpable_a proof_n that_o christian_a religion_n be_v from_o the_o true_a god_n the_o instrument_n of_o this_o great_a work_n be_v a_o few_o fisherman_n that_o have_v neither_o learning_n nor_o arm_n nor_o treasure_n patience_n be_v their_o strength_n poverty_n their_o choice_n disgrace_v their_o honour_n that_o without_o any_o force_n but_o of_o illumination_n and_o persuasion_n of_o humility_n and_o charity_n and_o endure_v the_o most_o terrible_a suffering_n they_o shall_v vanquish_v the_o pride_n of_o philosopher_n the_o tyrannous_a power_n of_o prince_n the_o rebellious_a opposition_n of_o man_n carnal_a lust_n be_v not_o conceivable_a without_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a strength_n that_o convince_v the_o most_o obstinate_a enemy_n that_o the_o doctrine_n be_v divine_a by_o the_o miracle_n do_v in_o confirmation_n of_o it_o beside_o that_o which_o the_o wise_a man_n in_o all_o age_n be_v search_v for_o that_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n at_o first_o engrave_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n by_o the_o author_n of_o it_o but_o in_o vain_a for_o although_o philosophy_n afford_v some_o notice_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a sufficient_a to_o check_v many_o notorious_a vice_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o direct_v man_n in_o their_o universal_a duty_n towards_o god_n other_o and_o themselves_o but_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o instructive_a light_n of_o our_o full_a duty_n it_o speak_v to_o the_o heart_n and_o change_v its_o thought_n and_o affection_n and_o reform_v the_o life_n according_a to_o the_o pure_a and_o perfect_a rule_n reveal_v in_o it_o now_o can_v a_o imposture_n produce_v such_o a_o perfection_n of_o virtue_n in_o the_o wicked_a world_n the_o true_a interpretation_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v from_o god_n alone_o v●x_fw-la hominem_fw-la non_fw-la sonat_fw-la can_v such_o a_o change_n be_v make_v without_o visible_a miracle_n if_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v plant_v and_o propagate_v without_o the_o confirmation_n of_o miracle_n it_o be_v a_o transcendent_a miracle_n and_o though_o we_o see_v not_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o apostle_n yet_o we_o see_v the_o permanent_a effect_n of_o they_o in_o the_o belief_n and_o life_n of_o true_a christian_n infidel_n be_v apt_a to_o reply_v if_o they_o see_v miracle_n perform_v to_o assure_v they_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n they_o will_v believe_v it_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a pretence_n that_o man_n will_v submit_v to_o the_o power_n of_o god_n declare_v by_o miracle_n who_o deny_v his_o authority_n make_v know_v in_o that_o eminent_a degree_n of_o evidence_n in_o his_o word_n abraham_n answer_v the_o rich_a man_n who_o desire_v a_o messenger_n from_o the_o dead_a may_v be_v send_v to_o convert_v his_o brethren_n they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o if_o they_o hear_v not_o they_o they_o will_v not_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a in_o short_a those_o who_o resist_v so_o strong_a a_o light_n as_o shine_v in_o the_o scripture_n the_o delusion_n of_o their_o mind_n be_v from_o their_o deprave_a heart_n speculative_a truth_n obtain_v the_o present_a and_o easy_a assent_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o truth_n directive_n of_o practice_n if_o opposite_a to_o man_n lust_n though_o their_o evidence_n be_v unexceptionable_a yet_o the_o carnal_a mind_n be_v very_o averse_a from_o receive_v they_o this_o account_n be_v give_v of_o the_o pharisee_n infidelity_n they_o repent_v not_o that_o 32._o they_o may_v believe_v in_o he_o when_o the_o will_n be_v engage_v in_o the_o love_n of_o sin_n and_o rebel_n against_o the_o sanctity_n and_o severity_n of_o the_o gospel_n command_v it_o be_v congruous_a to_o reject_v it_o the_o corrupt_a affection_n hinder_v the_o due_a application_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o consider_v the_o motive_n of_o credibility_n and_o stain_v the_o mind_n that_o it_o do_v not_o sincere_o judge_v of_o they_o though_o infidel_n pretend_v to_o be_v the_o only_o discourse_v wit_n of_o the_o age_n to_o have_v the_o oracle_n of_o reason_n in_o their_o breast_n and_o despise_v other_o as_o captive_n of_o a_o blind_a belief_n yet_o their_o folly_n be_v palpable_a and_o penal_a for_o have_v provoke_v god_n by_o their_o infidelity_n they_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o power_n of_o their_o lust_n and_o of_o the_o tempter_n and_o sink_v deep_o into_o darkness_n and_o become_v more_o harden_v and_o presumptuous_a those_o who_o embark_v with_o these_o distract_a pilot_n in_o such_o dangerous_a sea_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o perish_v for_o ever_o 2._o hyprocrisie_n be_v a_o spiritual_a pollution_n in_o its_o theological_a consideration_n it_o imply_v a_o counterfeit_a religion_n and_o virtue_n a_o affectation_n of_o the_o name_n join_v with_o a_o disaffection_n to_o the_o thing_n the_o have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n with_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o it_o according_o 1._o every_o titular_a christian_a who_o profess_v subjection_n to_o christ_n and_o life_n in_o habitual_a disobedience_n to_o his_o command_n be_v a_o hypocrite_n the_o action_n be_v the_o incarnate_a issue_n of_o the_o heart_n wherein_o they_o be_v form_v and_o the_o clear_a discovery_n of_o it_o a_o rebellious_a course_n of_o sin_n declare_v a_o person_n to_o be_v a_o infidel_n notwithstanding_o his_o own_n christ_n to_o be_v our_o king_n his_o life_n be_v a_o continual_a lie_n he_o vain_o presume_v that_o god_n be_v his_o father_n when_o his_o action_n declare_v he_o to_o 44._o be_v a_o child_n of_o the_o devil_n 2._o hypocrisy_n in_o a_o strict_a sense_n be_v when_o man_n presume_v their_o spiritual_a condition_n to_o be_v good_a upon_o false_a ground_n it_o be_v observable_a no_o man_n be_v a_o hypocrite_n to_o himself_o out_o of_o choice_n he_o do_v not_o deliberate_o deceive_v himself_o but_o one_o may_v be_v a_o hypocrite_n without_o his_o knowledge_n by_o ignorance_n and_o error_n he_o may_v think_v his_o inclination_n to_o some_o virtue_n and_o his_o aversion_n from_o some_o vice_n to_o be_v divine_a grace_n but_o sympathy_n and_o antipathy_n proceed_v often_o from_o natural_a temper_n and_o not_o from_o the_o renew_a mind_n and_o will_n from_o judgement_n and_o choice_n a_o tame_a dog_n be_v as_o true_o a_o beast_n as_o a_o wild_a wolf_n a_o man_n that_o perform_v only_o some_o good_a thing_n and_o abstain_v from_o some_o evil_n from_o natural_a conscience_n be_v as_o true_o in_o the_o state_n of_o pollute_a nature_n as_o one_o that_o be_v whole_o careless_a of_o his_o duty_n and_o free_o indulge_v every_o carnal_a lust._n one_o may_v be_v exact_a in_o light_a matter_n as_o the_o pharisee_n in_o tithing_n mint_n and_o cummin_n and_o neglect_v substantial_a duty_n he_o may_v be_v zealous_a in_o the_o outward_a part_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o neglect_v righteousness_n and_o mercy_n and_o think_v to_o compensate_a his_o defect_n in_o the_o duty_n of_o one_o table_n by_o strict_a observe_v the_o duty_n
the_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o reason_n bu●_n in_o different_a respect_n reason_n may_v discover_v they_o by_o ascend_v from_o effect_n to_o their_o cause_n or_o descend_v from_o cause_n to_o their_o effect_n faith_n receive_v they_o as_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n by_o faith_n we_o know_v 11._o the_o world_n be_v make_v which_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o clear_a reason_n 2._o the_o object_n of_o faith_n the_o general_a object_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o special_a be_v those_o doctrine_n and_o promise_n and_o thing_n that_o reason_n can_v discover_v by_o its_o own_o light_n nor_o perfect_o understand_v when_o reveal_v the_o word_n of_o god_n contain_v a_o narrative_a of_o thing_n past_a and_o prediction_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o old_a world_n by_o a_o deluge_n of_o water_n and_o the_o consumption_n of_o the_o present_a world_n by_o a_o deluge_n of_o fire_n be_v object_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o the_o trinity_n of_o divine_a person_n the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n his_o eternal_a counsel_n respect_v man_n redemption_n never_o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v but_o be_v as_o far_o above_o our_o thought_n as_o the_o heaven_n be_v above_o the_o earth_n and_o can_v be_v comprehend_v god_n may_v be_v consider_v absolute_o in_o himself_o or_o as_o reveal_v himself_o and_o his_o will_n to_o we_o we_o have_v some_o knowledge_n of_o his_o be_v and_o divine_a attribute_n wisdom_n power_n goodness_n in_o his_o work_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n but_o we_o believe_v in_o he_o as_o declare_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n to_o we_o in_o his_o word_n we_o may_v know_v a_o person_n and_o his_o excellent_a virtue_n intellectual_a and_o moral_a but_o we_o can_v believe_v in_o he_o without_o some_o discovery_n of_o his_o thought_n and_o affection_n to_o we_o 3._o the_o motive_n of_o belief_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v divine_a faith_n must_v have_v a_o divine_a foundation_n faith_n may_v be_v absolute_o true_a and_o relative_o false_a many_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n upon_o no_o other_o ground_n than_o the_o turk_n believe_v the_o alcoran_n because_o it_o be_v the_o reign_a religion_n of_o their_o country_n and_o by_o the_o impression_n of_o example_n from_o hence_o their_o faith_n be_v like_o the_o house_n build_v on_o the_o sand_n and_o when_o a_o storm_n arise_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o fall_v the_o firm_a foundation_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o essential_a supreme_a perfection_n of_o god_n unerring_a knowledge_n immutable_a truth_n infinite_a goodness_n almighty_a power_n it_o be_v equal_o impossible_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v deceive_v or_o deceive_v his_o infinite_a understanding_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o his_o perfect_a veracity_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v the_o object_n of_o his_o will_n be_v the_o object_n of_o his_o power_n for_o to_o will_n and_o to_o do_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o he_o it_o be_v true_a the_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n by_o experimental_a sense_n be_v a_o clear_a perception_n than_o the_o persuasion_n of_o they_o by_o faith_n the_o first_o be_v to_o see_v the_o original_n the_o other_o be_v to_o see_v the_o copy_n that_o usual_o fall_v short_a of_o it_o it_o be_v therefore_o say_v we_o now_o see_v in_o a_o glass_n dark_o but_o the_o divine_a testimony_n in_o itself_o have_v the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n above_o the_o assurance_n we_o can_v have_v by_o the_o report_n of_o our_o sense_n which_o often_o deceive_v we_o through_o the_o indisposition_n of_o the_o faculty_n or_o the_o unfitness_n of_o the_o medium_n or_o distance_n of_o the_o object_n or_o the_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n by_o discursive_a ratiocination_n the_o objective_a certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v infallible_a we_o know_v with_o the_o high_a assurance_n that_o god_n can_v no_o more_o lie_v than_o he_o can_v die_v it_o be_v say_v all_o thing_n be_v possible_a with_o god_n but_o to_o lie_v or_o die_v be_v not_o possibility_n but_o passibility_n not_o the_o effect_n of_o power_n but_o proceed_v from_o weakness_n we_o know_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o the_o signature_n of_o his_o perfection_n wisdom_n holiness_n goodness_n justice_n and_o by_o the_o miracle_n perform_v by_o the_o penman_n of_o they_o that_o prove_v they_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o consequent_o infallible_a in_o what_o they_o write_v from_o hence_o faith_n be_v often_o express_v by_o knowledge_n nicodemus_n give_v this_o testimony_n of_o our_o saviour_n we_o know_v thou_o 2._o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n we_o believe_v and_o be_v sure_a thou_o be_v that_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n we_o know_v that_o if_o the_o 1._o house_n of_o this_o earthly_a tabernable_a be_v dissolve_v we_o have_v a_o building_n make_v without_o hand_n eternal_a in_o the_o heaven_n we_o know_v that_o he_o 5._o be_v manifest_v that_o he_o may_v take_v away_o sin_n we_o know_v that_o when_o christ_n shall_v appear_v 3._o we_o shall_v be_v like_o he_o for_o we_o shall_v see_v he_o as_o he_o be_v i_o will_v not_o insist_v upon_o the_o particular_a supernatural_a doctrine_n reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n for_o there_o be_v little_a new_a to_o be_v say_v upon_o those_o point_n if_o man_n with_o renew_a mind_n and_o heart_n consider_v the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n there_o will_v need_v no_o more_o argue_v but_o i_o will_v lay_v down_o some_o consideration_n that_o prove_v divine_a faith_n to_o be_v the_o reasonable_a act_n of_o the_o humane_a understanding_n 2._o answer_v the_o objection_n allege_v to_o justify_v the_o disbelief_n of_o divine_a doctrine_n that_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceive_v nor_o comprehend_v 1._o that_o god_n be_v true_a be_v a_o principle_n immediate_o evident_a not_o dependent_o upon_o a_o antecedent_n motive_n this_o by_o its_o native_a irresistible_a evidence_n be_v beyond_o all_o dispute_n and_o exempt_v from_o all_o critical_a inquiry_n there_o be_v no_o principle_n write_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n with_o clear_a character_n it_o be_v the_o saying_n of_o a_o wise_a heathen_a if_o god_n will_v converse_v visible_o with_o man_n he_o will_v assume_v light_n for_o a_o body_n and_o have_v truth_n for_o his_o soul_n god_n be_v most_o jealous_a of_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o truth_n thou_o have_v magnify_v thy_o word_n above_o all_o thy_o name_n truth_n be_v the_o supreme_a character_n of_o the_o deity_n the_o apostle_n build_v the_o assurance_n of_o christian_n upon_o the_o promise_n and_o their_o strong_a consolation_n upon_o this_o infallible_a rock_n god_n that_o 6._o can_v lie_v from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o in_o supernatural_a doctrine_n we_o must_v first_o consider_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o revealer_n and_o then_o the_o nature_n of_o doctrine_n 2._o god_n jurisdiction_n extend_v to_o our_o understanding_n as_o well_o as_o to_o our_o will_n he_o rule_v our_o understanding_n by_o light_n our_o will_n by_o empire_n if_o god_n do_v command_v we_o to_o believe_v only_o truth_n in_o themselves_o evident_a our_o receive_v they_o will_v not_o be_v a_o undoubted_a respect_n to_o his_o authority_n but_o to_o believe_v his_o testimony_n without_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n be_v a_o obedience_n worthy_a of_o he_o and_o we_o be_v equal_o oblige_v to_o believe_v his_o testimony_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n notwithstanding_o the_o reluctancy_n of_o the_o carnal_a mind_n and_o their_o seem_a repugnance_n to_o the_o natural_a notion_n of_o reason_n as_o to_o obey_v his_o precept_n notwithstanding_o the_o reluctancy_n of_o the_o corrupt_a will_n and_o the_o inclination_n to_o forbid_a thing_n 3._o god_n never_o require_v our_o assent_n to_o supernatural_a thing_n reveal_v in_o his_o word_n but_o afford_v sufficient_a conviction_n that_o they_o be_v divine_a revelation_n when_o god_n depute_v any_o by_o commission_n for_o a_o extraordinary_a work_n he_o always_o afford_v a_o light_n to_o discover_v the_o commission_n be_v uncounterfeit_v moses_n be_v send_v from_o god_n with_o a_o command_n to_o pharaoh_n to_o release_v the_o israelite_n from_o their_o cruel_a servitude_n and_o he_o have_v the_o wonder-working_a rod_n to_o authorise_v his_o commission_n and_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o message_n by_o miracle_n the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n shine_v with_o that_o clear_a and_o strong_a evidence_n that_o only_o those_o who_o mind_n be_v prevent_v with_o a_o conceit_n of_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o and_o pervert_v by_o their_o passion_n can_v resist_v it_o colour_a object_n be_v not_o discern_v more_o clear_o by_o their_o colour_n nor_o light_n by_o its_o lustre_n than_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n reason_n be_v a_o essential_a faculty_n of_o man_n and_o by_o it_o we_o be_v direct_v
appetite_n and_o pretend_v they_o can_v resist_v the_o attractiveness_n and_o unbind_v the_o charm_n that_o fasten_v they_o to_o the_o object_n of_o their_o impure_a desire_n let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o a_o little_a contempt_n or_o coldness_n of_o the_o person_n by_o who_o they_o be_v charm_v a_o favourable_a aspect_n upon_o a_o competitor_n will_v turn_v their_o love_n into_o disdain_n and_o break_v all_o society_n between_o they_o and_o shall_v one_o carnal_a passion_n vanquish_v another_o and_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o torment_n of_o a_o everlasting_a hell_n be_v ineffectual_a to_o restrain_v they_o the_o remembrance_n of_o this_o will_v cover_v they_o with_o eternal_a confusion_n in_o the_o next_o world_n the_o traveller_n complain_v of_o the_o roughness_n of_o the_o way_n when_o a_o thorn_n in_o his_o foot_n make_v it_o uneasy_a carnal_a man_n complain_v it_o be_v a_o sad_a task_n to_o obey_v the_o gospel_n but_o their_o lust_n make_v it_o so_o 3._o it_o be_v allege_v that_o the_o strive_v after_o perfect_a holiness_n be_v unnecessary_a by_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n a_o man_n may_v be_v save_v without_o it_o before_o i_o discover_v the_o falseness_n of_o this_o pretence_n i_o shall_v observe_v that_o carnal_a man_n that_o they_o may_v live_v easy_o endeavour_v to_o make_v their_o principle_n correspondent_a with_o their_o practice_n they_o bend_v the_o rule_n to_o their_o deprave_a appetite_n and_o will_v not_o order_v their_o life_n by_o the_o holy_a rule_n the_o curse_a and_o crafty_a serpent_n will_v assist_v they_o in_o draw_v false_a conclusion_n from_o true_a premise_n and_o in_o oppose_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o its_o precept_n when_o the_o carnal_a affection_n corrupt_v the_o judgement_n the_o mind_n will_v give_v licence_n to_o the_o affection_n the_o case_n of_o such_o be_v dangerous_a if_o not_o desperate_a thus_o the_o loose_a opinion_n that_o man_n may_v be_v save_v without_o absolute_a perfection_n therefore_o strive_v after_o it_o be_v unnecessary_a make_v man_n remiss_a in_o religion_n and_o produce_v vain_a delusive_a hope_n that_o end_n in_o fearful_a disappointment_n to_o undeceive_v man_n the_o follow_a consideration_n may_v be_v effectual_a 1._o it_o be_v true_a we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o the_o preceptive_a moral_a part_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n and_o of_o grace_n and_o the_o foederal_n they_o agree_v in_o the_o former_a and_o differ_v in_o the_o latter_a the_o gospel_n enjoin_v perfect_a obedience_n as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n but_o the_o first_o make_v it_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o covenant_n whereas_o the_o second_o make_v provision_n for_o our_o imperfection_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o first_o the_o transgress_a of_o one_o command_n be_v a_o violation_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o death_n be_v the_o unavoidable_a consequence_n of_o sin_n for_o entire_a obedience_n be_v the_o condition_n of_o it_o adam_n sin_v once_o and_o must_v die_v for_o ever_o but_o to_o sin_n against_o the_o command_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o covenant_n be_v not_o the_o same_o the_o mediator_n interpose_v between_o the_o righteous_a judge_n and_o the_o sinner_n and_o faith_n in_o he_o notwithstanding_o the_o kill_a law_n and_o the_o accuse_a conscience_n secure_v we_o from_o revenge_a justice_n only_o final_a impenitence_n and_o unbelief_n cut_v off_o from_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o gospel_n 2._o though_o the_o gospel_n allay_v the_o severity_n and_o rigour_n of_o the_o law_n and_o pardon_v our_o defect_n yet_o it_o as_o strict_o require_v our_o sincere_a earnest_a endeavour_n after_o perfection_n as_o the_o law_n require_v exact_a obedience_n we_o be_v command_v to_o grow_v in_o grace_n it_o be_v direct_a matter_n of_o duty_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v holy_a as_o god_n be_v holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n the_o rule_n be_v inflexible_a and_o none_o can_v by_o dispensation_n or_o privilege_n be_v exempt_v from_o serious_a and_o constant_a endeavour_n to_o be_v entire_o like_o god_n those_o who_o be_v please_v with_o the_o pretence_n that_o perfect_a holiness_n be_v unattainable_a here_o and_o indulge_v their_o imperfection_n be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o unrenewed_a nature_n they_o be_v sure_o they_o shall_v be_v bad_a always_o and_o therefore_o will_v not_o labour_v to_o be_v better_o but_o the_o consideration_n that_o we_o can_v attain_v to_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o holiness_n be_v a_o spur_n and_o incitation_n to_o the_o saint_n to_o great_a diligence_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o example_n of_o st._n paul_n before_o cite_v it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v different_a age_n of_o the_o child_n of_o god_n some_o be_v as_o new_o bear_v babe_n in_o a_o state_n of_o infancy_n and_o infirmity_n other_o in_o their_o minority_n other_o be_v arrive_v to_o more_o maturity_n and_o as_o the_o cry_n of_o a_o infant_n discover_v life_n as_o well_o as_o active_a mirth_n so_o mourn_v for_o our_o imperfection_n discover_v the_o truth_n of_o grace_n and_o saint_n of_o different_a degree_n be_v receive_v into_o glory_n but_o none_o be_v who_o do_v not_o aim_v and_o endeavour_v to_o cleanse_v themselves_o from_o all_o pollution_n of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n and_o to_o perfect_a holiness_n for_o without_o sincerity_n we_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o the_o present_a favour_n of_o god_n nor_o future_a blessedness_n and_o sincerity_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o wilful_a neglect_n of_o our_o duty_n grace_n be_v a_o plant_n of_o heaven_n productive_a of_o fruit_n suitable_a to_o its_o quality_n and_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o its_o nature_n to_o be_v tend_v to_o perfection_n a_o tree_n that_o cease_v to_o grow_v before_o it_o be_v come_v to_o its_o perfection_n and_o bring_v not_o forth_o fruit_n in_o its_o season_n wither_v and_o die_v a_o christian_n that_o be_v unfruitful_a have_v no_o life_n but_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o just_a threaten_n of_o excision_n and_o the_o fire_n he_o that_o limit_n himself_o in_o religion_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o death_n i_o have_v insi_v the_o long_a upon_o this_o matter_n that_o by_o clearness_n and_o conviction_n man_n may_v be_v disenchant_v from_o that_o pernicious_a persuasion_n that_o without_o use_v sincere_a endeavour_n to_o be_v perfect_o holy_a they_o may_v safe_o go_v to_o heaven_n 3._o i_o shall_v add_v to_o what_o have_v be_v discourse_v of_o before_o some_o other_o argument_n and_o motive_n to_o excite_v we_o to_o be_v intentive_a to_o this_o great_a work_n i_o shall_v first_o consider_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o rule_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n 1._o the_o moral_a law_n in_o its_o purity_n and_o perfection_n that_o forbid_v sin_n in_o every_o kind_n and_o degree_n thou_o shall_v not_o covet_v and_o command_v holiness_n in_o the_o most_o spiritual_a sublimeness_n thou_o shall_v love_v the_o lord_n with_o all_o thy_o mind_n heart_n soul_n and_o strength_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o duty_n prescribe_v in_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v true_a that_o personal_a perfect_a obedience_n as_o the_o condition_n of_o life_n be_v abolish_v as_o be_v before_o observe_v if_o that_o live_v we_o must_v die_v for_o ever_o but_o the_o command_n bind_v without_o relaxation_n there_o be_v no_o permission_n of_o the_o least_o sin_n by_o the_o gospel_n the_o look_v to_o the_o brazen_a serpent_n do_v not_o alter_v the_o deadly_a quality_n of_o the_o poison_n of_o the_o fiery_a serpent_n but_o stop_v its_o deadly_a operation_n faith_n in_o christ_n do_v not_o change_v the_o nature_n of_o sin_n to_o make_v it_o lawful_a but_o hinder_v its_o deadly_a malignity_n in_o work_v our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o he_o come_v not_o to_o destroy_v the_o law_n but_o to_o fulfil_v it_o and_o that_o heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v pass_v away_o before_o one_o tittle_n of_o it_o shall_v fail_v that_o be_v lose_v its_o bind_a authority_n it_o be_v as_o unalterable_a as_o the_o lawgiver_n who_o purity_n it_o represent_v not_o only_o the_o mysterious_a and_o supernatural_a doctrine_n the_o object_n of_o faith_n but_o moral_a duty_n the_o matter_n of_o practice_n be_v full_o reveal_v only_o in_o the_o gospel_n the_o humane_a understanding_n be_v darkness_n to_o supernatural_a truth_n and_o dim_a with_o respect_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o life_n our_o saviour_n have_v clear_v the_o law_n from_o the_o false_a gloss_n of_o the_o pharisee_n who_o by_o favourable_a explication_n and_o corrective_n of_o its_o strictness_n instead_o of_o curb_v their_o lust_n do_v cherish_v and_o foment_n they_o but_o the_o oracle_n speak_v without_o ambiguity_n the_o interpretation_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v clear_a and_o decisive_a that_o the_o purify_n the_o heart_n as_o well_o as_o the_o cleanse_v the_o hand_n be_v a_o indispensable_a duty_n holiness_n must_v be_v so_o pure_a that_o we_o must_v not_o only_o abstain_v from_o pollute_a act_n but_o quench_v all_o pollute_a thought_n and_o desire_n we_o must_v not_o only_o