of_o singular_a instance_n of_o providence_n in_o reward_n of_o the_o good_a and_o punishment_n of_o the_o bad_a and_o relate_v not_o only_o particular_a example_n of_o this_o kind_n but_o also_o from_o the_o frequency_n of_o they_o form_v and_o deliver_v general_a rule_n that_o wickedness_n never_o escape_v unpunished_a or_o innocence_n unrewarded_a in_o short_a it_o be_v the_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o man_n to_o act_n cheerful_o and_o submissive_o in_o that_o station_n on_o in_o those_o circumstance_n wherein_o the_o supreme_a author_n of_o life_n have_v place_v he_o to_o receive_v not_o only_o without_o murmur_v but_o also_o with_o reverence_n all_o dispensation_n proceed_v from_o he_o he_o have_v just_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v not_o forsake_v he_o if_o sincere_o put_v his_o trust_n in_o he_o nor_o suffer_v his_o innocence_n to_o pass_v unregarded_a which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a motive_n of_o rely_v on_o his_o providence_n and_o a_o necessary_a one_o of_o submit_v to_o it_o but_o the_o certain_a and_o infallible_a assurance_n of_o these_o hope_n the_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o the_o method_n of_o providence_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o unerring_a experience_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n and_o goodness_n herein_o be_v to_o be_v find_v only_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v abundant_o find_v there_o i_o come_v next_o to_o show_v by_o consider_v in_o the_o second_o place_n ii_o what_o force_n and_o weight_n the_o christian_a religion_n have_v superad_v to_o the_o natural_a or_o precedent_a reason_n and_o '_o ground_n of_o trust_n and_o reliance_n in_o god_n and_o therein_o of_o consolation_n in_o danger_n and_o affliction_n in_o the_o natural_a or_o under_o the_o mosaic_a law_n the_o apparent_a hope_n of_o mankind_n be_v terminate_v in_o this_o life_n and_o although_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a justice_n and_o the_o visible_a experience_n of_o the_o great_a disproportion_n in_o the_o distribution_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o this_o life_n induce_v many_o to_o believe_v that_o a_o more_o equal_a and_o impartial_a survey_n of_o the_o action_n of_o man_n will_v be_v take_v after_o death_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o dissolution_n receive_v then_o the_o merit_n or_o demerit_n of_o its_o action_n as_o consider_v man_n can_v not_o but_o esteem_v this_o as_o most_o rational_a in_o itself_o so_o not_o unlikely_a yet_o the_o persuasion_n of_o it_o be_v in_o the_o gentile_n little_o more_o than_o some_o faint_a hope_n and_o wish_n and_o in_o the_o jew_n wrap_v up_o in_o obscure_a prophecy_n or_o uncertain_a interpretation_n but_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n these_o conjecture_n be_v advance_v into_o certainty_n these_o hope_n into_o assurance_n the_o reliance_n and_o trust_n in_o god_n consequent_a to_o they_o which_o in_o the_o former_a can_v not_o but_o be_v faint_a and_o weak_a become_v now_o lively_a and_o vigorous_a to_o a_o christian_n who_o profess_v himself_o a_o stranger_n and_o pilgrim_n in_o the_o earth_n who_o disow_v the_o place_n of_o his_o hope_n on_o this_o side_n heaven_n it_o seem_v not_o strange_a that_o god_n shall_v suffer_v he_o to_o labour_n under_o difficulty_n and_o calamity_n since_o these_o affect_v not_o his_o grand_a concern_v hinder_v not_o his_o real_a happiness_n and_o many_o time_n tend_v high_o to_o promote_v it_o in_o take_v that_o profession_n on_o he_o he_o renounce_v the_o immoderate_a love_n of_o the_o world_n the_o gratify_v his_o lust_n and_o the_o ease_n of_o his_o body_n profess_v himself_o a_o citizen_n of_o another_o country_n and_o list_v himself_o under_o the_o banner_n of_o a_o crucify_a saviour_n and_o in_o virtue_n of_o these_o resolution_n proceed_v in_o a_o steady_a course_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n to_o attain_v his_o end_n be_v not_o amaze_v at_o any_o terror_n or_o disaster_n which_o may_v meet_v he_o in_o the_o way_n decline_v they_o indeed_o as_o far_o as_o prudence_n will_v permit_v but_o will_v not_o forsake_v the_o right_a way_n to_o avoid_v they_o a_o natural_a consequence_n to_o a_o firm_a belief_n in_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o that_o opinion_n which_o be_v root_v in_o all_o true_a christian_n that_o the_o real_a happiness_n and_o perfection_n of_o man_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v in_o another_o life_n that_o cross_n and_o affliction_n in_o this_o world_n hinder_v not_o the_o acquifition_n of_o this_o supreme_a good_a and_o ofttimes_o promote_v it_o if_o public_a calamity_n invade_v the_o church_n if_o private_a misery_n affect_v himself_o a_o sincere_a christian_a be_v neither_o scandalize_v at_o the_o one_o nor_o despair_n through_o the_o other_o he_o consider_v that_o if_o he_o suffer_v for_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v happy_a if_o upon_o any_o other_o account_n without_o his_o own_o fault_n his_o affliction_n may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o he_o may_v correct_v his_o wander_a thought_n and_o fix_v his_o hope_n upon_o god_n alone_o but_o that_o in_o no_o case_n it_o tend_v to_o deprive_v he_o of_o his_o chief_a and_o ultimate_a end_n the_o fruition_n of_o god_n in_o another_o life_n the_o exceed_a happiness_n of_o that_o fruition_n so_o infinite_o surpass_v all_o the_o petty_a satisfaction_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o duration_n of_o it_o the_o continuance_n of_o this_o life_n that_o no_o affliction_n no_o calamity_n so_o grievous_a can_v happen_v to_o any_o one_o which_o will_v not_o seem_v light_n under_o the_o apprehension_n of_o those_o bless_a hope_n man_n may_v lessen_v our_o enjoyment_n here_o below_o but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o the_o rage_n or_o envy_n of_o man_n it_o be_v in_o our_o power_n to_o augment_v and_o improve_v they_o above_o for_o so_o the_o father_n do_v general_o expound_v the_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n follow_v the_o text_n in_o my_o father_n house_n be_v many_o mansion_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v many_o and_o different_a degree_n of_o glory_n prepare_v for_o you_o to_o be_v distribute_v according_a to_o your_o great_a or_o less_o perfection_n in_o holiness_n this_o be_v the_o only_a ambition_n worthy_a of_o a_o christian_a to_o aim_v at_o a_o eminent_a station_n in_o that_o bless_a place_n where_o preference_n will_v be_v no_o injury_n to_o another_o nor_o diminish_v another_o happiness_n contrary_a to_o the_o proceed_n of_o this_o world_n where_o the_o greatness_n or_o estate_n of_o one_o man_n can_v be_v raise_v no_o otherwise_o than_o upon_o the_o ruin_n or_o decay_n of_o another_o it_o can_v scarce_o be_v hope_v indeed_o nor_o be_v it_o expect_v by_o god_n that_o man_n shall_v free_v himself_o absolute_o from_o all_o concern_n for_o thing_n here_o below_o such_o impassibility_n will_v be_v one_o of_o our_o chief_a perfection_n when_o our_o nature_n shall_v be_v raise_v above_o this_o corruptible_a condition_n and_o become_v spiritualise_v but_o to_o aim_v at_o it_o in_o this_o life_n may_v perhaps_o be_v a_o impossible_a design_n but_o certain_o not_o our_o duty_n we_o be_v here_o citizen_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o as_o such_o bind_v to_o seek_v the_o good_a of_o mankind_n in_o general_a member_n of_o a_o civil_a society_n and_o as_o such_o oblige_v to_o promote_v the_o peace_n and_o welfare_n of_o our_o country_n member_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n and_o as_o such_o command_v to_o labour_n for_o the_o external_a peace_n and_o prosperity_n of_o jerusalem_n last_o in_o our_o own_o private_a capacity_n god_n design_v at_o least_o some_o sort_n of_o happiness_n even_o in_o this_o life_n for_o man_n when_o he_o place_v he_o in_o the_o world_n and_o this_o we_o may_v lawful_o pursue_v and_o improve_v as_o far_o as_o the_o rule_n of_o justice_n sobriety_n and_o religion_n will_v permit_v to_o be_v unconcern_v in_o all_o these_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o duty_n or_o require_v by_o god_n that_o in_o most_o case_n it_o may_v become_v a_o crime_n but_o the_o exhortation_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o this_o place_n and_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n require_v we_o not_o to_o be_v anxious_a and_o solicitous_a about_o any_o contingency_n on_o this_o side_n heaven_n not_o to_o suffer_v ourselves_o to_o be_v so_o transport_v with_o passion_n arise_v from_o either_o the_o sense_n or_o the_o prospect_n of_o unhappy_a accident_n in_o this_o world_n as_o may_v embroil_v our_o mind_n disturb_v our_o thought_n and_o hinder_v the_o performance_n of_o more_o noble_a and_o divine_a duty_n much_o less_o to_o conclude_v ourselves_o unhappy_a to_o despond_v and_o murmur_v to_o repine_v at_o the_o public_a government_n of_o the_o world_n and_o distract_v the_o soul_n with_o melancholy_a thought_n of_o private_a misfortune_n such_o a_o perturbation_n of_o mind_n will_v be_v most_o unworthy_a a_o rational_a man_n much_o moâ—…e_o a_o know_v christian_a who_o can_v but_o be_v convince_v that_o it_o
and_o withal_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o method_n whereby_o to_o obtain_v the_o one_o or_o escape_v the_o other_o but_o a_o hearty_a and_o sincere_a repentance_n and_o yet_o with_o this_o belief_n and_o confession_n shall_v continue_v in_o a_o state_n of_o unrepentance_n or_o if_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v possible_a that_o two_o such_o contrary_a thing_n shall_v consist_v together_o yet_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o by_o his_o action_n he_o proclaim_v his_o unbelief_n to_o the_o world_n who_o neglect_v this_o necessary_a duty_n of_o repentance_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o deferr_v to_o perform_v it_o this_o be_v the_o second_o head_n propose_v namely_o the_o time_n prefix_v by_o god_n to_o our_o repentance_n to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v not_o your_o heart_n or_o as_o the_o apostle_n express_v it_o hebr._n iii_o 13._o while_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n which_o may_v either_o import_n the_o term_n of_o our_o natural_a life_n for_o that_o repentance_n will_v take_v no_o place_n after_o death_n agreeable_o to_o that_o of_o our_o saviour_n john_n ix_o 4._o the_o night_n come_v wherein_o no_o man_n can_v work_v so_o that_o repentance_n be_v necessary_o to_o be_v perform_v in_o this_o life_n and_o no_o more_o of_o this_o life_n be_v certain_a to_o we_o than_o that_o moment_n which_o we_o now_o enjoy_v it_o ought_v to_o commence_v from_o this_o very_a moment_n or_o else_o which_o seem_v most_o natural_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o the_o psalmist_n and_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o iii_o of_o the_o hebrew_n repent_v to_o day_n that_o be_v immediate_o while_o god_n continue_v his_o offer_n of_o mercy_n before_o it_o be_v too_o late_a for_o that_o he_o will_v not_o await_v our_o repentance_n till_o we_o please_v nor_o suffer_v his_o goodness_n to_o be_v wilful_o slight_v this_o term_n of_o repentance_n fix_v by_o god_n to_o every_o man_n may_v be_v easy_o discover_v as_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o first_o moment_n of_o his_o conviction_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o repentance_n when_o that_o conviction_n be_v once_o thorough_o form_v when_o man_n be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v their_o indispensable_a duty_n to_o conform_v themselves_o to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n when_o they_o know_v withal_o that_o this_o conformity_n consist_v in_o practise_v all_o the_o divine_a precept_n of_o holiness_n justice_n and_o sobriety_n and_o that_o all_o habitual_a sin_n be_v a_o open_a opposition_n to_o it_o when_o they_o be_v asâ—…ured_v that_o god_n have_v proclaim_v his_o pardon_n to_o penitent_a and_o denounce_v his_o wrath_n to_o impenitent_a sinner_n then_o be_v life_n and_o death_n true_o set_v before_o they_o then_o be_v it_o commit_v to_o their_o choice_n which_o they_o will_v prefer_v a_o easy_a choice_a one_o will_v imagine_v have_v not_o the_o deplorable_a experience_n of_o so_o many_o obstinate_a sinner_n teach_v we_o the_o unhappiness_n of_o mankind_n in_o choose_v the_o worse_o even_o under_o conviction_n of_o their_o interest_n and_o obligation_n to_o the_o contrary_n if_o we_o inquire_v after_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o miserable_a perverseness_n we_o find_v indeed_o the_o temptation_n to_o which_o mankind_n be_v expose_v to_o be_v very_o violent_a the_o lust_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o flesh_n to_o be_v very_o powerful_a and_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n of_o a_o bewitch_a nature_n yet_o all_o this_o will_v not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o master_n the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o natural_a desire_n of_o true_a happiness_n which_o be_v find_v in_o all_o do_v not_o a_o unhappy_a mistake_n misguide_v the_o practice_n of_o man_n and_o render_v all_o the_o present_a conviction_n of_o conscience_n ineffectual_a man_n be_v apt_a to_o raise_v false_a notion_n from_o the_o divine_a attribute_n of_o infinite_a mercy_n and_o flatter_v themselves_o with_o vain_a hope_n that_o the_o term_v prefix_v by_o god_n to_o their_o repentance_n be_v not_o yet_o expire_v that_o it_o will_v never_o be_v too_o late_o to_o begin_v their_o repentance_n and_o in_o virtue_n of_o it_o take_v out_o their_o pardon_n this_o be_v that_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n warn_v we_o in_o the_o aforementioned_a place_n lest_o any_o of_o we_o be_v harden_v through_o it_o after_o the_o example_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o who_o some_o when_o they_o have_v hear_v do_v provoke_v verse_n 16._o that_o be_v after_o a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o power_n and_o veracity_n of_o god_n refuse_v to_o obey_v his_o command_n or_o rely_v on_o his_o pomise_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o their_o refusal_n to_o go_v up_o and_o take_v possession_n of_o the_o land_n which_o god_n have_v give_v to_o they_o relate_v in_o the_o fourteen_o of_o number_n to_o which_o this_o psalm_n particular_o relate_v they_o immediate_o indeed_o repent_v of_o their_o folly_n and_o resolve_v forthwith_o to_o take_v up_o arm_n and_o enter_v upon_o the_o design_n but_o than_o it_o be_v too_o late_o they_o have_v slip_v their_o time_n and_o god_n refuse_v to_o be_v among_o they_o or_o to_o give_v they_o success_n it_o be_v frivolous_a therefore_o to_o plead_v the_o hope_n of_o continual_a offer_n of_o pardon_n for_o defer_v of_o repentance_n and_o to_o pretend_v that_o if_o they_o exact_o know_v the_o time_n beyond_o which_o the_o patience_n of_o god_n will_v not_o await_v they_o will_v immediate_o begin_v to_o form_v a_o sincere_a repentance_n such_o resolution_n may_v possible_o be_v true_a and_o indeed_o unless_o a_o monstrous_a stupidity_n intervene_v it_o can_v be_v otherwise_o but_o then_o the_o term_n be_v manifest_a and_o can_v be_v unknown_a to_o any_o be_v the_o moment_n from_o which_o we_o be_v convince_v that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o obey_v god_n and_o know_v what_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o obedience_n we_o must_v believe_v that_o god_n can_v do_v nothing_o irrational_a now_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o pardon_n to_o sinful_a man_n be_v found_v either_o in_o the_o invincible_a ignorance_n of_o his_o duty_n or_o in_o the_o infirmity_n of_o his_o nature_n prone_a to_o yield_v to_o powerful_a temptation_n the_o latter_a suppose_v a_o endeavour_n of_o obedience_n and_o piety_n and_o can_v consist_v with_o a_o fix_a and_o resolve_v unrepentance_n for_o then_o every_o sin_n will_v be_v the_o effect_n not_o of_o humane_a infirmity_n but_o of_o resolution_n the_o former_a cause_n vanish_v when_o the_o ignorance_n of_o man_n be_v remove_v by_o a_o clear_a revelation_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n tell_v the_o athenian_n that_o god_n wink_v indeed_o at_o the_o time_n of_o ignorance_n but_o now_o after_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v all_o man_n every_o where_o to_o repent_v as_o for_o we_o christian_n we_o can_v pretend_v a_o ignorance_n of_o our_o duty_n much_o less_o those_o who_o have_v the_o happiness_n to_o be_v member_n of_o a_o church_n so_o excellent_o constitute_v we_o have_v the_o scripture_n open_v to_o we_o be_v admonish_v and_o incite_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o duty_n by_o weekly_a exhortation_n and_o disow_v all_o little_a art_n so_o usual_a in_o other_o church_n of_o procure_v salvation_n without_o a_o strict_a and_o real_a obedience_n there_o remain_v then_o to_o we_o only_o the_o plea_n of_o infirmity_n whereby_o to_o excuse_v our_o sin_n and_o not_o whole_o to_o despair_v of_o the_o divine_a mercy_n this_o suppose_v our_o sincere_a endeavour_n of_o perform_v our_o duty_n and_o a_o settle_a course_n of_o virtue_n and_o piety_n in_o which_o course_n we_o may_v be_v overtake_v with_o temptation_n and_o be_v unaware_o insuare_v by_o they_o may_v be_v betray_v into_o sin_n while_o the_o soul_n be_v cloud_v with_o a_o passion_n and_o by_o violent_a impression_n from_o the_o body_n or_o outward_a object_n have_v scarce_o the_o liberty_n of_o direct_v her_o thought_n aright_o but_o if_o when_o this_o tempest_n be_v allay_v this_o cloud_n remove_v when_o the_o mind_n regain_v its_o perfect_a freedom_n and_o enter_v into_o a_o serious_a thought_n of_o its_o condition_n it_o entertain_v any_o complacency_n with_o the_o sin_n perform_v or_o be_v willing_a to_o permit_v a_o continuance_n of_o it_o this_o be_v no_o long_o a_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n but_o of_o deliberate_a and_o resolve_a choice_n much_o more_o when_o any_o man_n resolve_v whole_o to_o stand_v out_o against_o the_o divine_a command_n and_o conviction_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n and_o to_o proceed_v in_o his_o unrepentance_n although_o but_o for_o a_o certain_a time_n this_o be_v a_o sin_n of_o so_o heinous_a a_o nature_n that_o no_o pardon_n be_v promise_v to_o it_o under_o the_o gospel_n nor_o indeed_o can_v it_o consist_v with_o the_o justice_n and_o holiness_n of_o god_n to_o give_v it_o and_o then_o even_o for_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n it_o be_v
authority_n of_o his_o example_n and_o direct_v we_o by_o the_o clearness_n of_o it_o but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o the_o apostle_n have_v once_o convert_v man_n to_o the_o belief_n and_o obedience_n of_o christ_n think_v no_o argument_n more_o powerful_a to_o persuade_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o christian_a grace_n than_o the_o example_n of_o their_o divine_a master_n this_o they_o urge_v upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o with_o this_o they_o recommend_v their_o precept_n and_o counsel_n particular_o st_n peter_n 1_o pet._n ii_o exhort_v all_o christian_n to_o patience_n under_o suffering_n and_o a_o constant_a resolution_n to_o endure_v the_o most_o grievous_a affliction_n and_o even_o death_n itself_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o religion_n a_o duty_n which_o may_v just_o be_v account_v the_o great_a and_o most_o difficult_a of_o christianity_n give_v this_o reason_n for_o it_o ver._n 21._o for_o even_o hereunto_o be_v you_o call_v because_o christ_n also_o suffer_v for_o we_o leave_v we_o a_o example_n that_o we_o shall_v follow_v his_o step_n by_o which_o reason_n he_o manifest_o show_v that_o it_o be_v the_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o christian_n to_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o thereunto_o we_o be_v chief_o call_v otherwise_o he_o can_v never_o have_v infer_v from_o those_o word_n that_o it_o be_v a_o obligation_n incumbent_a upon_o all_o christian_n to_o be_v patient_a under_o suffering_n and_o adversity_n this_o be_v but_o a_o consequence_n of_o that_o grand_a and_o more_o general_a duty_n however_o that_o we_o may_v not_o doubt_v of_o it_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o he_o who_o say_v he_o abide_v in_o christ_n ought_v himself_o also_o so_o to_o walk_v even_o as_o he_o walk_v 1_o joh._n ii_o 6._o and_o in_o another_o place_n if_o any_o man_n have_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v none_o of_o christ_n so_o that_o if_o the_o command_n and_o intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n can_v oblige_v we_o if_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o exhortation_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v move_v we_o if_o the_o desire_n of_o union_n with_o christ_n and_o be_v account_v member_n of_o his_o body_n can_v persuade_v we_o we_o have_v on_o all_o side_n abundant_a reason_n to_o apply_v our_o self_n to_o the_o serious_a imitation_n of_o his_o most_o holy_a example_n 3._o that_o the_o example_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n be_v intend_v for_o our_o direction_n may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o triennial_n preach_v before_o his_o passion_n this_o consist_v not_o so_o much_o in_o reveal_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o inculcate_v the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o office_n and_o the_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n which_o he_o design_v as_o in_o perform_v illustrious_a miracle_n and_o show_v in_o his_o person_n a_o no_o less_o illustrious_a pattern_n of_o consummate_a virtue_n which_o after_o his_o resurrection_n be_v testify_v to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n the_o eye_n witness_n of_o his_o life_n and_o action_n may_v convince_v mankind_n that_o he_o be_v in_o all_o respect_v a_o divine_a person_n and_o when_o once_o convince_v may_v engage_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o direct_v they_o in_o it_o by_o the_o lustre_n of_o his_o own_o example_n that_o this_o not_o the_o clear_a revelation_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o grand_a design_n of_o his_o triennial_a ministry_n may_v be_v conclude_v from_o the_o gross_a ignorance_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v those_o thing_n not_o only_o during_o that_o time_n but_o even_o after_o his_o resurrection_n insomuch_o as_o they_o ask_v their_o lord_n be_v now_o ready_a to_o ascend_v up_o into_o heaven_n lord_n will_v thou_o at_o this_o time_n restore_v again_o the_o kingdom_n to_o israel_n act_n i._o 6._o they_o lay_v not_o aside_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o false_a expectation_n of_o a_o temporal_a mefsias_n till_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o enlighten_v their_o mind_n and_o dispel_v their_o ignorance_n now_o if_o the_o complete_a instruction_n of_o his_o disciple_n have_v be_v the_o chief_a design_n of_o our_o saviour_n while_n on_o earth_n we_o can_v without_o injury_n to_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n imagine_v that_o he_o shall_v so_o far_o fall_v short_a of_o his_o aim_n and_o not_o be_v able_a to_o effect_v his_o purpose_n so_o that_o the_o great_a intention_n of_o this_o triennial_a office_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v no_o other_o than_o to_o give_v abundant_a proof_n of_o his_o divine_a mission_n by_o miracle_n and_o the_o completion_n of_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n to_o finish_v the_o great_a work_n of_o our_o redemption_n upon_o the_o cross_n and_o exhibit_v in_o his_o own_o person_n and_o example_n of_o most_o perfect_a holiness_n that_o so_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v after_o his_o ascension_n testify_v to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o apostle_n the_o former_a may_v serve_v for_o the_o conviction_n the_o latter_a for_o the_o direction_n of_o mankind_n and_o according_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o â—…he_a apostle_n confult_v about_o choose_v one_o into_o their_o number_n in_o the_o room_n of_o judas_n the_o traitor_n require_v before_o all_o thing_n this_o qualification_n in_o the_o person_n to_o be_v ohosen_v act_n i._o 21._o that_o he_o shall_v be_v one_o of_o those_o which_o have_v accompany_v with_o they_o all_o the_o time_n that_o the_o lord_n jesus_n go_v in_o and_o out_o among_o they_o by_o which_o phrase_n the_o jew_n be_v wont_n to_o design_n the_o moral_a conversation_n life_n and_o conduct_v of_o any_o man._n even_o the_o miraâ—…les_n of_o our_o saviour_n tend_v no_o less_o to_o demonstrate_v his_o admirable_a virtue_n than_o almighty_a power_n they_o all_o carry_v evident_a character_n of_o his_o love_n beneficence_n and_o charity_n to_o mankind_n and_o be_v employ_v in_o cure_v the_o disease_n heal_v the_o infirmity_n and_o relieve_v the_o necessity_n of_o man_n that_o so_o his_o goodness_n and_o power_n may_v equal_o appear_v in_o the_o same_o action_n and_o thus_o it_o appear_v that_o one_o great_a end_n of_o our_o saviour_n come_v into_o the_o world_n be_v to_o give_v a_o excellent_a example_n to_o it_o last_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o manner_n and_o quality_n of_o our_o saviour_n conduct_n which_o be_v peculiar_o adapt_v to_o the_o nature_n and_o condition_n of_o mankind_n and_o thereby_o render_v a_o fit_a object_n of_o imitation_n to_o it_o the_o holiness_n and_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n which_o so_o eminent_o appear_v in_o the_o whole_a deportment_n of_o his_o life_n be_v easy_a humane_a and_o natural_a it_o consist_v not_o in_o elaborate_a austerity_n and_o rigid_a act_n of_o mortification_n aim_v at_o no_o such_o extraordinary_a flight_n of_o apparent_a holiness_n as_o may_v amaze_v rather_o than_o instruct_v man_n and_o by_o the_o greatness_n of_o they_o dâ—…ter_v they_o from_o imitation_n his_o deportment_n be_v grave_a and_o compose_v his_o piety_n plain_a and_o unaffected_a his_o devotion_n sober_a and_o rational_a we_o may_v discover_v far_o more_o evident_a stroke_n of_o austerity_n and_o mortification_n in_o the_o life_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n not_o that_o the_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v less_o perfect_a but_o more_o humane_a such_o extraordinary_a act_n of_o apparent_a religion_n be_v necessary_a to_o john_n the_o baptist_n to_o excite_v the_o attention_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o his_o message_n and_o preach_v for_o since_o he_o come_v not_o invest_v with_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n somewhat_o be_v necessary_a to_o he_o to_o fix_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o he_o and_o create_v a_o belief_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o he_o be_v a_o divine_a prophet_n to_o this_o end_n it_o be_v require_v that_o he_o shall_v come_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o elias_n that_o be_v not_o only_o possess_v the_o same_o zeal_n for_o the_o divine_a honour_n and_o use_v the_o same_o unwearied_a diligence_n for_o restore_v decay_a religion_n among_o the_o jew_n but_o also_o practise_v the_o same_o rigour_n and_o maceration_n of_o his_o body_n and_o procure_v to_o himself_o respect_v by_o the_o same_o character_n of_o external_a holiness_n not_o that_o these_o unusual_a austerity_n have_v any_o thing_n excellent_a in_o themselves_o or_o be_v any_o certain_a indication_n of_o a_o more_o refine_a virtue_n but_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o he_o for_o the_o end_n before_o mention_v and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n who_o want_v no_o such_o recommendation_n his_o divine_a mission_n be_v abundant_o testify_v by_o his_o miracle_n and_o who_o life_n be_v to_o be_v the_o stand_a rule_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n to_o all_o age_n exercise_v no_o such_o wonderful_a austerity_n but_o give_v we_o a_o more_o easy_a and_o natural_a example_n which_o may_v not_o surpass_v the_o common_a reach_n