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duty_n article_n consideration_n great_a 17 3 2.0871 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A60954 Twelve sermons preached upon several occasions by Robert South ... ; six of them never before printed.; Sermons. Selections South, Robert, 1634-1716. 1692 (1692) Wing S4745; ESTC R13931 201,576 650

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light_n in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v every_o bishop_n duty_n to_o teach_v and_o to_o govern_v and_o his_o way_n to_o do_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v despise_v we_o will_v discourse_v of_o each_o respective_o in_o their_o order_n 1._o and_o first_o for_o the_o first_o branch_n of_o the_o great_a work_n incumbent_a upon_o a_o church_n ruler_n which_o be_v to_o teach_v a_o work_n that_o none_o be_v too_o great_a or_o too_o high_a for_o it_o be_v a_o work_n of_o charity_n and_o charity_n be_v the_o work_n of_o heaven_n which_o be_v always_o lay_v itself_o out_o upon_o the_o needy_a and_o the_o impotent_a nay_o and_o it_o be_v a_o work_n of_o the_o high_a and_o the_o noble_a charity_n for_o he_o that_o teach_v another_o gives_z a_o alm_n to_o his_o soul_n he_o clothes_n the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o understanding_n and_o relieve_v the_o want_n of_o his_o impoverish_v reason_n he_o indeed_o that_o govern_v well_o lead_v the_o blind_a but_o he_o that_o teach_v give_v he_o eye_n and_o it_o be_v a_o 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adversity_n as_o he_o who_o presume_v step_n into_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n so_o that_o he_o that_o despair_n limit_n a_o infinite_a power_n to_o a_o finite_a apprehension_n and_o measure_n providence_n by_o his_o own_o little_a contract_a model_n but_o the_o contrivance_n of_o heaven_n be_v as_o much_o above_o our_o politic_n as_o beyond_o our_o arithmetic_n of_o those_o many_o million_o of_o casualty_n which_o we_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o there_o be_v hardly_o one_o but_o god_n can_v make_v a_o instrument_n of_o our_o deliverance_n and_o most_o man_n who_o be_v at_o length_n deliver_v from_o any_o great_a distress_n indeed_o find_v that_o they_o be_v so_o by_o way_n that_o they_o never_o think_v of_o way_n above_o or_o beside_o their_o imagination_n and_o therefore_o let_v no_o man_n who_o own_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o providence_n grow_v desperate_a or_o forlorn_a under_o any_o calamity_n or_o straight_o whatsoever_o but_o compose_v the_o anguish_n of_o his_o thought_n and_o 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conscience_n so_o clear_a towards_o he_o as_o may_v encourage_v we_o with_o confidence_n to_o cast_v ourselves_o upon_o he_o and_o in_o all_o casualty_n still_o to_o promise_v ourselves_o the_o best_a event_n from_o his_o providence_n to_o who_o nothing_o be_v casual_a who_o constant_o will_v the_o true_a happiness_n to_o those_o that_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o work_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o that_o bless_a will._n to_o who_o be_v render_v and_o ascribe_v as_o be_v most_o due_a all_o praise_n may_v majesty_n and_o dominion_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o westminster-abbey_n april_n 30._o 1676._o 1_o cor._n iii_o 19_o for_o the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n be_v foolishness_n with_o god_n the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o world_n so_o call_v by_o a_o hebraism_n frequent_a in_o the_o write_n of_o this_o apostle_n for_o worldly_a wisdom_n be_v take_v in_o scripture_n in_o a_o double_a sense_n 1._o for_o that_o sort_n of_o wisdom_n that_o consist_v in_o speculation_n call_v both_o by_o st._n paul_n and_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o philosophy_n the_o great_a idol_n of_o the_o learned_a part_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o which_o divide_v it_o into_o so_o many_o sect_n and_o denomination_n as_o stoic_n peripatetic_n epicurean_o and_o the_o like_a it_o be_v profess_v and_o own_a by_o they_o for_o the_o grand_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o certain_a guide_n to_o man_n chief_a happiness_n but_o for_o its_o utter_a insufficiency_n to_o make_v good_a so_o high_a a_o undertake_n we_o find_v it_o term_v by_o the_o same_o apostle_n coloss._n 28._o vain_a philosophy_n and_o 1_o tim._n 6.20_o science_n false_o so_o call_v and_o a_o full_a account_n of_o its_o uselessness_n we_o have_v in_o this_o 1_o cor._n 1.21_o where_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o it_o say_z that_o the_o world_n by_o wisdom_n know_v not_o god_n such_o a_o worthy_a kind_n of_o wisdom_n be_v it_o only_o make_v man_n accurate_o and_o laborious_o 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of_o action_n upon_o which_o the_o policy_n or_o wisdom_n here_o condemn_v by_o the_o apostle_n do_v proceed_v 2._o to_o show_v and_o demonstrate_v the_o folly_n and_o absurdity_n of_o they_o in_o relation_n to_o god_n in_o who_o account_n they_o receive_v a_o very_a different_a estimate_n from_o what_o they_o have_v in_o the_o world_n and_o first_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o shall_v set_v down_o four_o several_a rule_n or_o principle_n which_o that_o policy_n or_o wisdom_n which_o carry_v so_o great_a a_o vogue_n and_o value_n in_o the_o world_n govern_v its_o action_n by_o 1._o the_o first_o be_v that_o a_o man_n must_v maintain_v a_o constant_a continue_a course_n of_o dissimulation_n in_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o his_o behaviour_n where_o yet_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o dissimulation_n admit_v of_o a_o twofold_a acception_n 1._o it_o may_v be_v take_v for_o a_o bare_a concealment_n of_o one_o mind_n in_o which_o sense_n we_o common_o say_v that_o it_o be_v prudence_n to_o dissemble_v injury_n that_o be_v not_o always_o to_o declare_v our_o resentment_n of_o they_o and_o this_o must_v be_v allow_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o in_o most_o of_o the_o affair_n of_o humane_a life_n absolute_o necessary_a for_o certain_o it_o can_v be_v no_o man_n duty_n to_o write_v his_o heart_n upon_o his_o forehead_n and_o to_o give_v all_o the_o inquisitive_a and_o malicious_a world_n round_o about_o he_o a_o survey_n of_o those_o thought_n which_o it_o be_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n only_o to_o know_v and_o his_o own_o great_a interest_n to_o conceal_v nature_n give_v every_o one_o a_o right_a to_o defend_v himself_o and_o silence_n sure_o be_v a_o very_a innocent_a defence_n 2._o dissimulation_n be_v take_v for_o a_o man_n be_v positive_a profess_v himself_o to_o be_v what_o indeed_o he_o be_v not_o and_o what_o he_o
be_v irrefragable_o prove_v by_o this_o one_o argument_n that_o a_o man_n may_v act_n virtuous_o against_o his_o inclination_n but_o not_o against_o his_o will._n he_o may_v be_v incline_v to_o one_o thing_n and_o yet_o will_v another_o and_o therefore_o inclination_n and_o will_v be_v not_o the_o same_o for_o a_o man_n may_v be_v natural_o incline_v to_o pride_n lust_n anger_n and_o strong_o incline_v so_o too_o forasmuch_o as_o these_o inclination_n be_v found_v in_o a_o peculiar_a crasis_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o blood_n and_o spirit_n and_o yet_o by_o a_o steady_a frequent_a repetition_n of_o the_o contrary_a act_n of_o humility_n chastity_n and_o meekness_n carry_v thereto_o by_o his_o will_n a_o principle_n not_o to_o be_v control_v by_o the_o blood_n or_o spirit_n he_o may_v at_o length_n plant_v in_o his_o soul_n all_o those_o contrary_a habit_n of_o virtue_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o while_o inclination_n bend_v the_o soul_n one_o way_n a_o well-disposed_n and_o resolve_a will_n may_v effectual_o draw_v it_o another_o a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n doubtless_o that_o they_o be_v two_o very_a different_a thing_n for_o where_o there_o may_v be_v a_o contrariety_n there_o be_v certain_o a_o diversity_n a_o good_a inclination_n be_v but_o the_o first_o rude_a draught_n of_o virtue_n but_o the_o finish_n stroke_n be_v from_o the_o will._n which_o if_o well-disposed_a will_v by_o degree_n perfect_a if_o ill-disposed_a will_n by_o the_o super-induction_n of_o ill_a habit_n quick_o deface_v it_o god_n never_o accept_v a_o good_a inclination_n instead_o of_o a_o good_a action_n where_o that_o action_n may_v be_v do_v nay_o so_o much_o the_o contrary_a that_o if_o a_o good_a inclination_n be_v not_o second_v by_o a_o good_a action_n the_o want_n of_o that_o action_n be_v thereby_o make_v so_o much_o the_o more_o criminal_a and_o inexcusable_a a_o man_n may_v be_v natural_o well_o and_o virtuous_o incline_v and_o yet_o never_o do_v one_o good_a or_o virtuous_a action_n all_o his_o life_n a_o bowl_n may_v lie_v still_o for_o all_o its_o bias_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o will_v virtue_n and_o virtuous_a action_n hearty_o but_o he_o must_v in_o the_o same_o degree_n offer_v at_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o dictate_v of_o the_o will_v be_v as_o we_o have_v show_v despotical_a and_o command_v the_o whole_a man_n it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n in_o morality_n for_o the_o will_v to_o go_v one_o way_n and_o the_o man_n another_o and_o thus_o as_o to_o the_o first_o abuse_v or_o mis-application_n of_o the_o great_a rule_n mention_v in_o the_o text_n about_o god_n accept_n the_o will_n i_o have_v show_v three_o notable_a mistake_v which_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o entertain_v concern_v the_o will_n and_o prove_v that_o neither_o a_o bare_a approbation_n of_o nor_o a_o mere_a wish_v or_o unactive_a complacency_n in_o nor_o last_o a_o natural_a inclination_n to_o thing_n 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in_o truth_n be_v not_o impossible_a and_o this_o i_o shall_v make_v appear_v by_o show_v some_o of_o the_o principal_a instance_n of_o duty_n for_o the_o performance_n of_o which_o man_n common_o plead_v want_n of_o power_n and_o thereupon_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o god_n and_o the_o law_n rest_v satisfy_v with_o their_o will._n now_o these_o instance_n be_v four_n 1._o in_o duty_n of_o very_a great_a and_o hard_a labour_n labour_n be_v confess_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o curse_n and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n if_o man_n fly_v from_o it_o which_o they_o do_v with_o so_o great_a a_o aversion_n that_o few_o man_n know_v their_o own_o strength_n for_o want_n of_o try_v it_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n think_v themselves_o real_o unable_a to_o do_v many_o thing_n which_o experience_n will_v convince_v they_o they_o have_v more_o ability_n to_o effect_n than_o they_o have_v will_n to_o attempt_v it_o be_v idleness_n that_o create_v impossibility_n and_o where_o man_n care_v not_o to_o do_v a_o thing_n they_o shelter_v themselves_o under_o a_o persuasion_n that_o it_o can_v be_v do_v the_o short_a and_o the_o sure_a way_n to_o prove_v a_o work_n possible_a be_v strenuous_o to_o set_v about_a it_o and_o no_o wonder_n if_o that_o prove_v it_o possible_a that_o for_o the_o most_o part_n make_v it_o so_o dig_v say_v the_o unjust_a steward_n i_o can_v but_o why_o do_v either_o his_o leg_n or_o his_o arm_n fail_v he_o no_o but_o day-labour_n be_v but_o a_o hard_a and_o a_o dry_a kind_n of_o livelihood_n to_o a_o man_n that_o can_v get_v a_o estate_n with_o two_o or_o three_o stroke_n of_o his_o pen_n and_o find_v so_o great_a a_o treasure_n as_o he_o do_v without_o digging_z for_o it_o but_o such_o excuse_n will_v not_o pass_v muster_n with_o god_n who_o will_v allow_v no_o man_n humour_n or_o idleness_n to_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o possible_a or_o impossible_a and_o to_o manifest_v the_o wretched_a hypocrisy_n of_o such_o pretence_n those_o very_a thing_n which_o upon_o the_o bare_a obligation_n of_o duty_n be_v decline_v by_o man_n as_o impossible_a present_o become_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o ready_o practicable_a too_o in_o a_o case_n of_o extreme_a necessity_n as_o no_o doubt_n that_o forementioned_a instance_n of_o fraud_n and_o laziness_n the_o unjust_a steward_n who_o plead_v that_o he_o can_v neither_o dig_v nor_o beg_v will_v quick_o have_v be_v bring_v both_o to_o dig_v and_o to_o beg_v too_o rather_o than_o starve_v and_o if_o so_o what_o reason_n can_v such_o a_o one_o produce_v before_o god_n why_o he_o can_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o same_o hardship_n rather_o than_o cheat_v and_o lie_v the_o former_a be_v but_o destructive_a of_o the_o body_n this_o latter_a of_o the_o soul_n and_o certain_o the_o high_a and_o dear_a concern_v of_o a_o temporal_a life_n be_v infinite_o less_o valuable_a than_o those_o of_o a_o eternal_a and_o consequent_o aught_o without_o any_o demur_n at_o all_o to_o be_v sacrifice_v to_o they_o whensoever_o they_o come_v in_o competition_n with_o they_o he_o who_o can_v digest_v any_o labour_n rather_o than_o die_v must_v refuse_v no_o labour_n rather_o than_o sin_n 2_o dly_z the_o second_o instance_n shall_v be_v in_o duty_n of_o great_a and_o apparent_a danger_n danger_n as_o the_o world_n go_v general_o absolve_v from_o duty_n this_o be_v a_o case_n in_o which_o most_o man_n according_a to_o a_o very_a ill_a sense_n will_v needs_o be_v a_o law_n to_o themselves_o and_o where_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a for_o they_o to_o be_v religious_a their_o religion_n shall_v be_v to_o be_v safe_a but_o christianity_n teach_v we_o a_o very_a different_a lesson_n for_o if_o fear_n of_o suffer_v can_v take_v off_o the_o necessity_n of_o obey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n will_v certain_o be_v a_o very_a idle_a and_o a_o senseless_a thing_n and_o christ_n will_v never_o have_v pray_v father_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a let_v this_o cup_n pass_v from_o i_o have_v the_o bitterness_n of_o the_o draught_n make_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v drink_v of_o if_o death_n and_o danger_n be_v thing_n that_o real_o can_v be_v endure_v no_o man_n can_v ever_o be_v oblige_v to_o suffer_v for_o his_o conscience_n or_o to_o die_v for_o his_o religion_n it_o be_v altogether_o as_o absurd_a to_o imagine_v a_o man_n oblige_v to_o suffer_v as_o to_o do_v impossibility_n but_o those_o primitive_a hero_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n can_v not_o so_o easy_o blow_v off_o the_o doctrine_n of_o passive_a obedience_n as_o to_o make_v the_o fear_n of_o be_v passive_a a_o discharge_n from_o be_v obedient_a no_o they_o find_v martyrdom_n not_o only_o possible_a but_o in_o many_o case_n a_o duty_n also_o a_o duty_n dress_v up_o indeed_o with_o all_o that_o be_v terrible_a and_o afflictive_a to_o human_a nature_n yet_o not_o at_o all_o the_o less_o
such_o want_n so_o say_v i_o too_o and_o the_o more_o shame_n be_v it_o for_o the_o whole_a nation_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o but_o still_o what_o will_v you_o give_v why_o then_o answer_v the_o man_n of_o mouth-charity_n again_o and_o tell_v you_o that_o you_o can_v come_v in_o a_o worse_a time_n that_o money_n be_v nowadays_o very_o scarce_o with_o he_o and_o that_o therefore_o he_o can_v give_v nothing_o but_o he_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o pray_v for_o the_o poor_a gentleman_n ah_o thou_o hypocrite_n when_o thy_o brother_n have_v lose_v all_o that_o ever_o he_o have_v and_o lie_v languish_v and_o even_o gasp_v under_o the_o utmost_a extremity_n of_o poverty_n and_o distress_n do_v thou_o think_v thus_o to_o lick_v he_o whole_a again_o only_o with_o thy_o tongue_n just_a like_o that_o old_a formal_a hocus_n who_o deny_v a_o beggar_n a_o farthing_n and_o put_v he_o off_o with_o his_o blessing_n why_o what_o be_v the_o prayer_n of_o a_o covetous_a wretch_n worth_n what_o will_v thy_o blessing_n go_v for_o what_o will_v it_o buy_v be_v this_o the_o charity_n that_o the_o apostle_n here_o in_o the_o text_n press_v upon_o the_o corinthian_n this_o the_o case_n in_o which_o god_n accept_v the_o willingness_n of_o the_o mind_n instead_o of_o the_o liberality_n of_o the_o purse_n no_o assure_o but_o the_o measure_n that_o god_n mark_v out_o to_o thy_o charity_n be_v these_o thy_o superfluity_n must_v give_v place_n to_o thy_o neighbour_n great_a convenience_n thy_o convenience_n must_v veil_v to_o thy_o neighbour_n necessity_n and_o last_o thy_o very_a necessity_n must_v yield_v to_o thy_o neighbour_n extremity_n this_o be_v the_o gradual_a process_n that_o must_v be_v thy_o rule_n and_o he_o that_o pretend_v a_o disability_n to_o give_v short_a of_o this_o prevaricate_v with_o his_o duty_n and_o evacuate_v the_o precept_n god_n sometime_o call_v upon_o thou_o to_o relieve_v the_o needs_o of_o thy_o poor_a brother_n sometime_o the_o necessity_n of_o thy_o country_n and_o sometime_o the_o urgent_a want_v of_o thy_o prince_n now_o before_o thou_o fly_v to_o the_o old_a stale_a usual_a pretence_n that_o thou_o can_v do_v none_o of_o all_o these_o thing_n consider_v with_o thyself_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o be_v not_o to_o be_v flam_v off_o with_o lie_n who_o know_v exact_o what_o thou_o can_v do_v and_o what_o thou_o can_v not_o and_o consider_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o best_a husbandry_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v damn_a to_o save_v charge_n 4_o thly_a the_o four_o and_o last_o duty_n that_o i_o shall_v mention_v in_o which_o man_n use_v to_o plead_v want_n of_o power_n to_o do_v the_o thing_n they_o have_v a_o will_n to_o be_v the_o conquer_a of_o a_o long_a inveterate_a ill_a habit_n or_o custom_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o be_v nothing_o that_o leave_v a_o man_n less_o power_n to_o good_a than_o this_o do_v nevertheless_o that_o which_o weaken_v the_o hand_n do_v not_o therefore_o cut_v it_o off_o some_o power_n to_o good_a no_o doubt_n a_o man_n have_v leave_v he_o for_o all_o this_o and_o therefore_o god_n will_v not_o take_v the_o drunkard_n excuse_n that_o he_o have_v so_o long_o accustom_a himself_o to_o intemperate_a drink_v that_o now_o he_o can_v leave_v it_o off_o nor_o admit_v of_o the_o passionate_a man_n apology_n that_o he_o have_v so_o long_o give_v his_o unruly_a passion_n their_o head_n that_o he_o can_v now_o govern_v or_o control_v they_o for_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o so_o since_o no_o man_n be_v guilty_a of_o a_o act_n of_o intemperance_n of_o any_o sort_n but_o he_o may_v have_v forbear_v it_o not_o without_o some_o trouble_n i_o confess_v from_o the_o struggle_n of_o the_o contrary_a habit_n but_o still_o the_o thing_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v do_v and_o he_o may_v after_o all_o have_v forbear_v it_o and_o as_o he_o forbear_v one_o act_n so_o he_o may_v have_v forbear_v another_o and_o after_o that_o another_o and_o so_o on_o till_o he_o have_v by_o degree_n weaken_a and_o at_o length_n mortify_v and_o extinguish_v the_o habit_n itself_o that_o these_o thing_n indeed_o be_v not_o quick_o or_o easy_o to_o be_v effect_v be_v manifest_a and_o nothing_o will_v be_v more_o ready_o grant_v and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n itself_o own_v so_o much_o by_o express_v and_o represent_v these_o mortify_a course_n by_o act_n of_o the_o great_a toil_n and_o labour_n such_o as_o be_v warfare_n and_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n and_o by_o act_n of_o the_o most_o terrible_a violence_n and_o contrariety_n to_o nature_n such_o as_o be_v cut_v off_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o pluck_v out_o the_o right_a eye_n thing_n infinite_o grievous_a and_o afflictive_a yet_o still_o for_o all_o that_o feasible_a in_o themselves_o or_o else_o to_o be_v sure_a the_o eternal_a wisdom_n of_o god_n will_v never_o have_v advise_v and_o much_o less_o have_v command_v they_o for_o what_o god_n have_v command_v must_v be_v do_v and_o what_o must_v be_v do_v assure_o may_v be_v do_v and_o therefore_o all_o plea_n of_o impotence_n or_o inability_n in_o such_o case_n be_v utter_o false_a and_o impertinent_a and_o will_v infallible_o be_v throw_v back_o in_o the_o face_n of_o such_o as_o make_v they_o but_o you_o will_v say_v do_v not_o the_o scripture_n itself_o acknowledge_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n impossible_a for_o a_o man_n bring_v under_o a_o custom_n of_o sin_n to_o forbear_v sin_v in_o jer._n 13.23_o can_v the_o aethiopian_a change_n his_o skin_n or_o the_o leopard_n his_o spot_n then_o may_v you_o also_o do_v good_a that_o be_v accustom_v to_o do_v evil_a now_o if_o this_o can_v be_v no_o more_o do_v than_o the_o former_a be_v it_o not_o a_o demonstration_n that_o it_o can_v be_v do_v at_o all_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o word_n mention_v be_v tropical_a or_o figurative_a and_o import_v a_o hyperbole_n which_o be_v a_o way_n of_o express_v thing_n beyond_o what_o real_o and_o natural_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o and_o consequent_o the_o design_n of_o this_o scripture_n in_o say_v that_o this_o can_v be_v do_v be_v no_o more_o than_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v very_o hardly_o and_o very_o rare_o do_v but_o not_o in_o strict_a truth_n utter_o impossible_a to_o be_v do_v in_o vain_a therefore_o do_v man_n take_v sanctuary_n in_o such_o misunderstand_v expression_n as_o these_o and_o from_o a_o false_a persuasion_n that_o they_o can_v reform_v their_o life_n break_v off_o their_o ill_a custom_n and_o root_v out_o their_o old_a vicious_a habit_n never_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v endeavour_n or_o go_v about_o it_o for_o admit_v that_o such_o a_o habit_n seat_v in_o the_o soul_n be_v as_o our_o saviour_n call_v it_o a_o strong_a man_n arm_v get_v into_o possession_n yet_o still_o he_o may_v be_v dispossess_v and_o throw_v out_o by_o a_o strong_a luke_n 11.21_o 22._o or_o be_v it_o as_o st._n paul_n call_v it_o a_o law_n in_o our_o member_n rom._n 7.23_o yet_o certain_o ill_a law_n may_v be_v break_v and_o disobeyed_n as_o well_o as_o good_n but_o if_o man_n will_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v enslave_v and_o carry_v away_o by_o their_o lust_n without_o resistance_n and_o wear_v the_o devil_n yoke_n quiet_o rather_o than_o be_v at_o the_o trouble_n of_o throw_v it_o off_o and_o thereupon_o sometime_o feel_v their_o conscience_n gall_v and_o grieve_v by_o wear_v it_o they_o must_v not_o from_o these_o secret_a sting_n and_o remorse_n feel_v by_o they_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o their_o sin_n present_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o their_o will_n be_v good_a and_o well-disposed_a and_o consequent_o such_o as_o god_n will_v accept_v though_o their_o life_n remain_v all_o the_o while_o unchanged_a and_o as_o much_o under_o the_o dominion_n of_o sin_n as_o ever_o these_o reason_n i_o know_v lie_v deep_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o most_o man_n and_o relieve_v and_o support_v their_o heart_n in_o spite_n and_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o sin_n but_o they_o be_v all_o but_o sophistry_n and_o delusion_n and_o false_a proposition_n contrive_v by_o the_o devil_n to_o hold_v man_n fast_o in_o their_o sin_n by_o final_a impenitence_n for_o though_o possible_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n may_v in_o some_o case_n be_v irresistible_a yet_o it_o will_v be_v a_o infinite_a reproach_n to_o his_o providence_n to_o affirm_v that_o sin_n either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v so_o and_o thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o four_o principal_a instance_n in_o which_o man_n use_v to_o plead_v the_o will_n instead_o of_o the_o deed_n upon_o a_o pretend_a impotence_n or_o disability_n for_o the_o deed._n namely_o in_o duty_n of_o great_a labour_n in_o duty_n of_o much_o danger_n in_o duty_n of_o cost_n and_o expense_n and_o last_o in_o duty_n require_v a_o resistance_n
and_o a_o extirpation_n of_o inveterate_a sinful_a habit_n in_o the_o neglect_n of_o all_o which_o man_n relieve_v their_o conscience_n by_o this_o one_o great_a fallacy_n run_v through_o they_o all_o that_o they_o mistake_v difficulty_n for_o impossibility_n a_o pernicious_a mistake_n certain_o and_o the_o more_o pernicious_a for_o that_o man_n be_v seldom_o convince_v of_o it_o till_o their_o conviction_n can_v do_v they_o no_o good_a there_o can_v be_v a_o weighty_a or_o more_o important_a case_n of_o conscience_n for_o man_n to_o be_v resolve_v in_o than_o to_o know_v certain_o how_o far_o god_n accept_v the_o will_n for_o the_o deed_n and_o how_o far_o he_o do_v not_o and_o withal_o to_o be_v inform_v true_o when_o man_n do_v real_o will_v a_o thing_n and_o when_o they_o have_v real_o no_o power_n to_o do_v what_o they_o have_v will_v for_o sure_o it_o can_v but_o be_v matter_n of_o very_o dreadful_a and_o terrify_a consideration_n to_o any_o one_o sober_a and_o in_o his_o wit_n to_o think_v serious_o with_o himself_o what_o horror_n and_o confusion_n must_v needs_o surprise_v that_o man_n at_o the_o last_o and_o great_a day_n of_o account_n who_o have_v lead_v his_o whole_a life_n and_o govern_v all_o his_o action_n by_o one_o rule_n when_o god_n intend_v to_o judge_v he_o by_o another_o to_o which_o god_n the_o great_a searcher_n and_o judge_n of_o heart_n and_o rewarder_n of_o man_n according_a to_o their_o deed_n be_v render_v and_o ascribe_v as_o be_v most_o due_a all_o praise_n may_v majesty_n and_o dominion_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o christchurch_n oxon._n before_o the_o university_n octob._n 17._o 1675._o judge_n viii_o 34_o 35._o and_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n remember_v not_o the_o lord_n their_o god_n who_o have_v deliver_v they_o out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o their_o enemy_n on_o every_o side_n neither_o show_v they_o kindness_n to_o the_o house_n of_o jerubbaal_n namely_o gideon_n according_a to_o all_o the_o goodness_n which_o he_o have_v show_v unto_o israel_n these_o word_n be_v a_o result_n or_o judgement_n give_v upon_o matter_n of_o fact_n natural_o direct_v we_o to_o the_o forego_n story_n to_o inform_v we_o of_o their_o occasion_n the_o subject_n of_o which_o story_n be_v that_o heroic_a and_o victorious_a judge_n of_o israel_n gideon_n who_o by_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o achievement_n have_v merit_v the_o offer_n of_o a_o crown_n and_o kingdom_n and_o by_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o mind_n refuse_v it_o the_o whole_a narrative_n be_v contain_v and_o set_v before_o we_o in_o the_o 6._o 7.8_o and_o 9_o chapter_n of_o this_o book_n where_o we_o read_v that_o when_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n according_a to_o their_o usual_a method_n of_o sin_v after_o mercy_n and_o deliverance_n and_o thereupon_o return_v to_o a_o fresh_a enslavement_n to_o their_o enemy_n have_v now_o pass_v seven_o year_n in_o cruel_a subjection_n to_o the_o midianite_n a_o potent_a and_o insult_a enemy_n and_o who_o oppress_v they_o to_o that_o degree_n that_o they_o have_v scarce_o bread_n to_o fill_v their_o mouth_n or_o house_n to_o cover_v their_o head_n for_o in_o the_o 2_o d._n v_o of_o the_o 6._o ch_z we_o find_v they_o house_v themselves_o under_o ground_n in_o den_n and_o cave_n and_o in_o v_o 3_o 4._o no_o soon_o have_v they_o sow_v their_o corn_n but_o we_o have_v the_o enemy_n come_v up_o in_o army_n and_o destroy_v it_o in_o this_o sad_a and_o calamitous_a condition_n i_o say_v in_o which_o one_o will_v have_v think_v that_o a_o deliverance_n from_o such_o a_o oppressor_n will_v have_v even_o revive_v they_o and_o the_o deliverer_n eternal_o oblige_v they_o god_n raise_v up_o the_o spirit_n of_o this_o great_a person_n and_o ennoble_v his_o courage_n and_o conduct_v with_o the_o entire_a overthrow_n of_o this_o mighty_a and_o numerous_a or_o rather_o innumerable_a host_n of_o the_o midianite_n and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o with_o such_o strange_a and_o unparalleled_a circumstance_n that_o in_o the_o whole_a action_n the_o mercy_n and_o the_o miracle_n seem_v to_o strive_v for_o the_o pre-eminence_n and_o so_o quick_a a_o sense_n do_v the_o israelite_n immediate_o after_o it_o seem_v to_o entertain_v of_o the_o merit_n of_o gideon_n and_o the_o obligation_n he_o have_v lay_v upon_o they_o that_o they_o all_o as_o one_o man_n tender_v he_o the_o regal_a and_o hereditary_a government_n of_o that_o people_n in_o the_o 22._o v_o of_o this_o 8_o the_o ch_n then_o say_v the_o man_n of_o israel_n to_o gideon_n rule_v thou_o over_o we_o both_o thou_o and_o thy_o son_n and_o thy_o son_n son_n also_o for_o thou_o have_v deliver_v we_o from_o the_o hand_n of_o midian_a to_o which_o he_o answer_v as_o magnanimous_o and_o by_o that_o answer_n redouble_v the_o obligation_n in_o the_o next_o verse_n i_o will_v not_o rule_v over_o you_o neither_o shall_v my_o son_n rule_v over_o you_o but_o the_o lord_n shall_v rule_v over_o you_o thus_o far_o then_o we_o see_v the_o work_n of_o a_o just_a gratitude_n in_o the_o israelite_n and_o goodness_n on_o the_o one_o side_n noble_o answer_v with_o greatness_n on_o the_o other_o and_o now_o after_o so_o vast_a a_o obligation_n own_v by_o so_o free_a a_o acknowledgement_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v expect_v but_o a_o continual_a interchange_n of_o kindness_n at_o least_o on_o their_o part_n who_o have_v be_v so_o infinite_o oblige_v and_o so_o glorious_o deliver_v yet_o in_o the_o 9th_o chapter_n we_o find_v these_o very_a man_n turn_v the_o sword_n of_o gideon_n into_o his_o own_o bowel_n cut_v off_o the_o very_a race_n and_o posterity_n of_o their_o deliverer_n by_o the_o slaughter_n of_o threescore_o and_o ten_o of_o his_o son_n and_o set_v up_o the_o son_n of_o his_o concubine_n the_o blot_n of_o his_o family_n and_o the_o monument_n of_o his_o shame_n to_o reign_v over_o they_o and_o all_o this_o without_o the_o least_o provocation_n or_o offence_n give_v they_o either_o by_o gideon_n himself_o or_o by_o any_o of_o his_o house_n after_o which_o horrid_a fact_n i_o suppose_v we_o can_v no_o long_o wonder_v at_o this_o unlooked_a for_o account_n give_v of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o text_n that_o they_o remember_v not_o the_o lord_n their_o god_n who_o have_v deliver_v they_o out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o their_o enemy_n on_o every_o side_n neither_o show_v they_o kindness_n to_o the_o house_n of_o gideon_n according_a to_o all_o the_o goodness_n which_o he_o have_v show_v unto_o israel_n the_o truth_n be_v they_o be_v all_o along_o a_o cross_n odd_a untoward_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o such_o as_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v choose_v and_o as_o the_o prophet_n sometime_o phrase_n it_o to_o have_v espouse_v to_o himself_o upon_o the_o very_a same_o account_n that_o socrates_n espouse_v xantippe_n only_o for_o her_o extreme_a ill_a condition_n above_o all_o that_o he_o can_v possible_o find_v or_o pick_v out_o of_o that_o sex_n and_o so_o the_o fit_a argument_n both_o to_o exercise_v and_o declare_v his_o admirable_a patience_n to_o the_o world_n the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n be_v a_o charge_n give_v in_o against_o the_o israelite_n a_o charge_n of_o that_o foul_a and_o odious_a sin_n of_o ingratitude_n and_o that_o both_o towards_o god_n and_o towards_o man._n towards_o god_n in_o the_o 34_o the_o v_o and_o towards_o man_n in_o the_o 35_o the_o such_o be_v ever_o the_o grow_a contagion_n of_o this_o ill_a quality_n that_o if_o it_o begin_v at_o god_n it_o natural_o descend_v to_o man_n and_o if_o it_o first_o exert_n itself_o upon_o man_n it_o infallible_o ascend_v to_o god_n if_o we_o consider_v it_o as_o direct_v against_o god_n it_o be_v a_o breach_n of_o religion_n if_o as_o to_o man_n it_o be_v a_o offence_n against_o morality_n the_o passage_n from_o one_o to_o the_o other_o be_v very_o easy_a breach_n of_o of_o duty_n towards_o our_o neighbour_n still_o involve_v in_o it_o a_o breach_n of_o duty_n towards_o god_n too_o and_o no_o man_n religion_n ever_o survive_v his_o moral_n my_o purpose_n be_v from_o this_o remarkable_a subject_n and_o occasion_n to_o treat_v of_o ingratitude_n and_o that_o chief_o in_o this_o latter_a sense_n and_o from_o the_o case_n of_o the_o israelite_n towards_o gideon_n to_o traverse_v the_o nature_n principle_n and_o property_n of_o this_o detestable_a vice_n and_o so_o draw_v before_o your_o eye_n the_o several_a lineament_n and_o part_n of_o it_o from_o the_o ugly_a aspect_n of_o the_o picture_n to_o leave_v it_o to_o your_o own_o heart_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o original_n for_o the_o effect_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v do_v these_o follow_a thing_n i._o i_o shall_v show_v what_o gratitude_n be_v and_o upon_o what_o the_o obligation_n to_o it_o be_v ground_v ii_o i_o shall_v give_v