reasonable_o think_v that_o st._n paul_n though_o he_o be_v a_o hebrew_n by_o parentage_n be_v well_o skilled_a iâ—_n greek_a it_o be_v his_o native_a tongue_n therefore_o a_o 6._o modern_a critic_n of_o great_a acuteness_n have_v well_o observe_v that_o the_o greek_a tongue_n be_v as_o familiar_a to_o he_o as_o hebrew_n or_o syriac_a shall_v any_o rational_a maâ—_n then_o think_v that_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o speak_v proper_o and_o grammatical_o nay_o shall_v we_o not_o conclude_v from_o his_o admirable_a write_n that_o he_o know_v how_o to_o plaâ—e_v his_o word_n and_o to_o speak_v with_o a_o good_a grace_n st._n jerom_n who_o particular_o take_v notice_n that_o st_n pawles_n write_n be_v full_a of_o parenthesis_n transition_n digression_n concise_a and_o abrupt_a say_n yet_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o be_v a_o most_o astonish_a peaker_n and_o â—ov_fw-mi thunder_v as_o often_o as_o he_o speak_v yea_o tho_o on_o the_o 3d_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n he_o hint_n that_o st._n paul_n write_n be_v destitute_a of_o rhetoric_n yet_o at_o pammach_n another_o time_n to_o let_v we_o know_v that_o he_o say_v not_o this_o absolute_o he_o own_v he_o to_o be_v flumen_fw-la eloquentiae_fw-la a_o flood_n or_o rather_o a_o torrent_n of_o true_a eloquence_n eusebius_n who_o be_v a_o good_a judge_n of_o eloquence_n pronounce_v st._n paul_n a_o 18._o most_o powerful_a spokesman_n and_o one_o that_o be_v admirable_o skilled_a in_o the_o whole_a parade_n and_o furniture_n of_o word_n and_o can_v do_v more_o this_o way_n than_o the_o most_o celebrate_a orator_n among_o the_o pagan_n so_o that_o man_n luther_n be_v in_o the_o right_a when_o he_o say_v one_o of_o st._n paul_n '_o s_z word_n contain_v well_o three_o of_o tully_n '_o s_z oration_n in_o fine_a no_o tongue_n can_v express_v the_o excellency_n of_o his_o profound_a write_n which_o not_o only_o comprise_v in_o they_o all_o the_o depth_n and_o mystery_n of_o christianity_n and_o astonish_v we_o with_o their_o high_a and_o heavenly_a matter_n but_o moreover_o do_v furnish_v we_o with_o many_o elegancy_n and_o embellishment_n of_o oratory_n with_o many_o florid_n and_o well_o compose_v period_n and_o abound_v every_o where_o with_o a_o most_o win_v eloquence_n with_o the_o charm_n of_o a_o most_o melt_a and_o affectionate_a rhetoric_n insomuch_o that_o in_o some_o of_o his_o epistle_n his_o warm_a blood_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o ink_n he_o write_v with_o and_o every_o leaf_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o very_a membrane_n of_o his_o heart_n beside_o st._n paul_n epistle_n which_o be_v fourteen_o in_o all_o there_o be_v seven_o other_o viz._n one_o of_o st._n james_n two_o of_o st._n peter_n three_o of_o st._n john_n and_o one_o of_o st._n jude_n all_o which_o except_o the_o two_o latter_a of_o st._n john_n be_v call_v catholic_n or_o general_a epistle_n because_o they_o be_v not_o direct_v to_o particular_a church_n in_o one_o place_n but_o to_o the_o disperse_a convert_v through_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n st._n james_n epistle_n be_v write_v to_o the_o christian_a jew_n that_o dwell_v in_o other_o region_n beside_o judea_n who_o consist_v partly_o of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n carry_v captive_a by_o salmanassar_n king_n of_o assyria_n who_o never_o that_o we_o read_v of_o return_v again_o and_o partly_o of_o the_o two_o tribe_n many_o of_o which_o still_o remain_v in_o exile_n wherefore_o st._n james_n send_v this_o epistle_n to_o the_o twelve_o tribe_n scatter_v abroad_o the_o two_o main_a thing_n in_o it_o be_v first_o concern_v the_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n which_o be_v to_o be_v undergo_v for_o christ_n sake_n where_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o patience_n under_o those_o great_a trial_n second_o concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n where_o he_o show_v they_o that_o justify_v faith_n must_v â—e_v know_v and_o manifest_v by_o good_a work_n beside_o many_o excellent_a caveat_n and_o admonition_n be_v intermingle_v touch_v riches_n covetousness_n hear_v the_o word_n swear_v unruliness_n of_o the_o tongue_n envy_n wrath_n pride_n rash_n judge_v of_o other_o self-confidence_n forgetfulness_n of_o god_n sovereignty_n and_o providence_n in_o the_o world_n and_o sundry_a other_o thing_n of_o very_a great_a use_n in_o the_o live_v of_o christian_n especial_o of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o affliction_n and_o adversity_n wherefore_o this_o epistle_n be_v chief_o calculate_v for_o such_o st._n peter_n also_o who_o be_v the_o apostle_n of_o the_o circumcision_n write_v to_o the_o disperse_a jew_n such_o as_o be_v scatter_v throughout_o pontus_n galatia_n cappadocia_n asia_n i._n e._n the_o lesser_a and_o bythinia_n five_o province_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n those_o that_o voluntary_o live_v among_o the_o gentile_n ever_o since_o the_o great_a dispersion_n and_o be_v now_o become_v christian_n and_o fare_v the_o worse_a among_o the_o heathen_n and_o obstinate_a jew_n for_o be_v so_o and_o perhaps_o here_o may_v be_v mean_v those_o likewise_o that_o by_o persecution_n be_v drive_v from_o their_o home_n in_o judea_n and_o therefore_o be_v call_v stranger_n 1_o epist_n ch_n 1._o v._n 1._o to_o these_o distress_a jew_n or_o of_o what_o kind_n soever_o they_o be_v for_o 89._o st._n augustine_n and_o ribera_n some_o other_o think_v the_o convert_v gentile_n in_o several_a country_n be_v not_o here_o exclude_v he_o write_v his_o first_o epistle_n to_o confirm_v and_o strengthen_v they_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o they_o have_v hitherto_o make_v and_o to_o exhort_v they_o to_o a_o great_a proficiency_n in_o it_o and_o to_o comfort_v they_o in_o their_o persecution_n against_o the_o scandal_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o last_o to_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o the_o exercise_n of_o all_o christian_a grace_n and_o duty_n many_o of_o which_o as_o mutual_a love_n patience_z watchfulness_n perseverance_n obedience_n to_o magistrate_n with_o the_o particular_a duty_n of_o servant_n to_o their_o master_n of_o husband_n and_o wife_n towards_o one_o another_o of_o spiritual_a pastor_n towards_o their_o flock_n he_o most_o excellent_o though_o brief_o describe_v his_o second_o epistle_n for_o it_o be_v undoubted_o he_o as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o though_o hugo_n grotius_n or_o he_o that_o publish_v those_o posthumous_n annotation_n labour_n to_o offer_v argument_n to_o the_o contrary_a which_o be_v enervate_v by_o dr._n hammond_n in_o his_o note_n on_o this_o epistle_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o first_o exhort_v the_o believe_a jew_n to_o a_o life_n worthy_a of_o christian_n to_o add_v one_o virtue_n to_o another_o and_o to_o increase_v in_o all_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n he_o assert_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o gospel_n he_o show_v the_o danger_n of_o backstide_v he_o warn_v they_o against_o heretical_a teacher_n and_o profane_a scoffer_n that_o shall_v come_v in_o the_o last_o day_n of_o who_o he_o give_v a_o very_a lively_a character_n in_o several_a remarkable_a particular_n he_o vouch_v the_o certainty_n of_o christ_n come_v to_o judgement_n and_o the_o conflagration_n of_o the_o world_n and_o thence_o infer_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o that_o last_o catastrophe_n by_o a_o blameless_a life_n and_o conversation_n all_o which_o be_v express_v in_o most_o apt_a and_o choice_a word_n and_o with_o that_o concernedness_n and_o zeal_n which_o become_v so_o eminent_a a_o apostle_n the_o first_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n which_o be_v call_v catholic_n or_o general_n as_o be_v write_v to_o all_o the_o christian_a jew_n wheresoever_o they_o be_v be_v partly_o direct_v against_o seducer_n and_o impostor_n who_o he_o call_v antichrist_n rise_v up_o in_o those_o day_n who_o subvert_v the_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n but_o more_o especial_o the_o deity_n and_o humanity_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o simonian_o gnostic_n carpocratian_o cerinthian_o ebioniâ—es_n and_o other_o mention_v by_o panario_n epiphanius_n and_o haeresib_n austin_n whence_o he_o advise_v the_o christian_n to_o try_v the_o spirit_n and_o not_o to_o be_v too_o credulous_a and_o hasty_a in_o embrace_v every_o doctrine_n that_o be_v offer_v they_o he_o have_v observable_a notice_n concern_v the_o grand_a privilege_n of_o adoption_n concern_v the_o love_n of_o the_o world_n concern_v the_o sin_n unto_o death_n but_o the_o main_a design_n of_o this_o epistle_n be_v to_o urge_v a_o godly_a and_o righteous_a life_n to_o convince_v those_o who_o be_v call_v by_o christ_n name_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o walk_a answerable_o to_o it_o indeed_o this_o apostle_n be_v force_v as_o st._n james_n before_o be_v to_o write_v on_o this_o subject_n to_o press_v good_a work_n and_o outward_a righteousness_n because_o some_o in_o those_o day_n turn_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n into_o licentiousness_n make_v faith_n exclude_v all_o external_n
master_n clothe_v his_o divine_a doctrine_n in_o he_o choose_v this_o way_n of_o deliver_v thing_n to_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o work_v the_o more_o powerful_o on_o their_o affection_n a_o fit_a parable_n move_v the_o mind_n with_o a_o wonderful_a force_n and_o efficacy_n it_o represent_v matter_n to_o we_o in_o their_o lively_a colour_n and_o moâ—t_o natural_a shape_v and_o apply_v they_o to_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n we_o be_v in_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v to_o say_v in_o the_o final_a close_o of_o it_o as_o that_o parabolical_a prophet_n to_o david_n tâ—ou_fw-mi be_v the_o man._n it_o come_v up_o close_o to_o we_o and_o with_o great_a plainness_n and_o freedom_n tell_v we_o our_o case_n and_o affect_v we_o proportionable_o to_o have_v dominion_n or_o authority_n and_o to_o speak_v in_o a_o parabolical_a way_n be_v express_v by_o the_o mashal_n same_o word_n in_o the_o hebrew_n this_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o our_o saviour_n reduce_v this_o criticism_n into_o practice_n and_o by_o this_o move_a way_n of_o preach_v let_v the_o world_n see_v that_o 22._o he_o teach_v as_o one_o that_o have_v authority_n thus_o i_o have_v brief_o show_v you_o the_o nature_n of_o parable_n and_o give_v some_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n so_o frequent_o use_v they_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o useful_a rule_n of_o st._n chrysostom_n which_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v by_o we_o if_o we_o will_v right_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n in_o this_o mystical_a way_n of_o express_v itself_o etc._n we_o must_v not_o say_v he_o over-curious_o five_o every_o word_n and_o passage_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o parable_n but_o our_o main_a business_n must_v be_v to_o understand_v the_o scope_n and_o design_n at_o which_o they_o aim_v and_o for_o which_o this_o sort_n of_o discourse_n be_v compose_v and_o have_v gather_v this_o out_o we_o ought_v to_o inquire_v no_o further_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o busy_v ourselves_o any_o long_o and_o that_o of_o maldonate_fw-it be_v a_o very_o good_a rule_n for_o the_o right_a interpret_n of_o parable_n we_o mâ—st_v know_v this_o 16._o that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o observe_v any_o accuracy_n in_o compare_v person_n with_o person_n and_o to_o be_v curious_a in_o suit_v particular_a thing_n to_o thing_n but_o we_o be_v to_o look_v at_o the_o grand_a matter_n and_o as_o it_o lie_v before_o we_o in_o gross_a so_o he_o for_o this_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o there_o be_v several_a circumstance_n insert_v into_o parable_n mere_o to_o adorn_v and_o set_v off_o the_o matter_n and_o to_o make_v the_o representation_n and_o similitude_n more_o graceful_a therefore_o we_o must_v not_o insist_v on_o every_o particular_a and_o think_v that_o a_o argument_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o all_o the_o circumstance_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o such_o discourse_n no_o the_o main_a thing_n which_o be_v the_o design_n be_v to_o be_v attend_v to_o in_o a_o parable_n if_o we_o observe_v this_o rule_n we_o shall_v gain_v a_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o our_o saviour_n mean_v in_o his_o parable_n but_o otherwise_o we_o shall_v busy_v our_o head_n to_o little_a purpose_n and_o mistake_v the_o true_a design_n and_o intention_n of_o our_o lord_n in_o this_o kind_n of_o instruction_n there_o be_v other_o passage_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n wherein_o a_o secondary_a or_o mystical_a sense_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v as_o the_o 24_o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n one_o part_n of_o which_o according_a to_o most_o expositor_n speak_v of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o ierusalem_n destruction_n and_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o sign_n of_o christ_n come_v to_o judgement_n but_o if_o you_o look_v narrow_o into_o the_o whole_a chapter_n you_o will_v observe_v that_o these_o forerunner_n and_o sign_n of_o both_o sort_n be_v intermix_v and_o so_o promiscuous_o place_v that_o it_o be_v difficult_a to_o tell_v precise_o which_o precede_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o which_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n which_o give_v i_o this_o hint_n first_o of_o all_o that_o this_o whole_a chapter_n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o those_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n beforementioned_a in_o a_o double_a sense_n viz._n a_o primary_n and_o a_o secondary_a in_o the_o former_a you_o must_v understand_v our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o those_o prodigy_n and_o calamity_n which_o shall_v befall_v the_o jew_n before_o the_o final_a overthrow_n of_o their_o city_n and_o temple_n in_o the_o latter_a you_o must_v conceive_v he_o foretell_v the_o dreadful_a sign_n and_o concomitant_n of_o the_o last_o day_n wherein_o not_o only_a jew_n but_o all_o the_o world_n be_v concern_v here_o be_v a_o twofold_a mean_v of_o chriâ—t's_n word_n here_o be_v a_o double_a literal_a or_o historical_a sense_n and_o the_o latter_a of_o they_o be_v not_o so_o obvious_a and_o evident_a as_o the_o other_o and_o that_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o it_o have_v not_o be_v find_v out_o may_v be_v call_v the_o mystical_a sense_n for_o it_o be_v so_o indeed_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o whereas_o then_o expositor_n be_v divide_v in_o interpret_n this_o chapter_n some_o refer_v some_o passage_n in_o it_o to_o the_o devastation_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o other_o interpret_n other_o part_n whole_o of_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n we_o may_v compromise_v the_o matter_n and_o reconcile_v the_o different_a interpreter_n by_o assert_v that_o both_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o calamity_n of_o the_o last_o day_n be_v understand_v by_o both_o part_n of_o the_o chapter_n except_v only_o one_o or_o two_o particular_a expression_n which_o may_v seem_v to_o refer_v altogether_o to_o one_o of_o these_o in_o short_a the_o forerunner_n and_o harbinger_n of_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o of_o the_o last_o come_v of_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o same_o so_o that_o while_o he_o speak_v of_o one_o he_o also_o foretell_v the_o other_o this_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o double_a meaning_n a_o simple_a and_o a_o compound_n one_o in_o the_o very_a same_o word_n of_o this_o chapter_n when_o the_o apostle_n in_o eph._n 5._o have_v speak_v of_o the_o marry_a state_n and_o of_o the_o duty_n of_o husband_n and_o wife_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o love_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o submission_n of_o the_o other_o he_o tell_v we_o in_o the_o close_a that_o this_o part_n of_o his_o epistle_n have_v a_o high_a mean_v than_o every_o ordinary_a reader_n of_o it_o will_v find_v out_o for_o beside_o the_o literal_a import_n of_o the_o word_n there_o â—s_v a_o more_o sublime_a and_o spiritual_a one_o this_o be_v a_o great_a mystery_n say_v he_o and_o i_o speak_v concern_v christ_n and_o the_o church_n v_o 32._o those_o word_n in_o gen._n 2._o 24._o mention_v immediate_o before_o have_v a_o mystical_a as_o well_o as_o a_o literal_a mean_v they_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o sacred_a union_n of_o chriâ—â—_n and_o his_o church_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o conjugal_a union_n of_o man_n and_o wife_n for_o marriage_n be_v a_o emblem_n of_o the_o sacred_a and_o inviolable_a tie_n between_o christ_n and_o believer_n and_o according_o whilst_o the_o apostle_n discourse_v in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o chapter_n concern_v the_o love_n and_o submission_n of_o husband_n and_o wife_n he_o let_v we_o know_v that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o secondary_a sense_n of_o christ_n love_n to_o his_o church_n and_o of_o the_o church_n subjection_n unto_o christ._n and_o divers_a other_o passage_n in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n have_v beside_o their_o literal_a a_o spiritual_a inward_a and_o mysterious_a acception_n even_o as_o to_o this_o the_o apostle_n word_n be_v true_a viz._n that_o he_o speak_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o a_o mystery_n i_o cor._n 2._o 7._o thus_o i_o have_v abundant_o prove_v the_o double_a sense_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o many_o place_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o evince_v it_o from_o many_o more_o instance_n if_o it_o be_v requisite_a i_o will_v only_o here_o in_o the_o close_o produce_v the_o word_n of_o a_o very_a profound_a and_o judicious_a man_n a_o worthy_a light_n of_o our_o church_n that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v think_v to_o be_v â—ingular_a in_o what_o i_o have_v assert_v under_o this_o head_n i._n many_o passage_n say_v he_o as_o well_o in_o the_o prophet_n as_o other_o sacred_a oracle_n admit_v of_o amphibology_n and_o ambiguous_a sense_n and_o the_o same_o prophecy_n be_v oftentimes_o fulfil_v according_a to_o both_o sense_n and_o he_o instance_n in_o several_a again_o a_o little_a after_o he_o have_v these_o admirable_a word_n 2._o see_v our_o sacred_a oracle_n be_v give_v many_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o event_n foretell_v by_o they_o and_o since_o exhibit_v
infallible_a this_o be_v that_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n which_o st._n peter_n prefer_v before_o eye-witness_n and_o voice_n from_o heaven_n 2_o pet._n 1._o 16_o etc._n etc._n yea_o though_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v preach_v any_o other_o doctrine_n than_o what_o the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o afterward_o commit_v to_o write_v st._n paul_n pronounce_v he_o accurse_v gal._n 1._o 8._o these_o infallible_a record_n these_o undoubted_a oracle_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o scripture_n be_v the_o stand_a rule_n of_o belief_n to_o all_o christian_n even_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n on_o this_o they_o may_v rely_v with_o confidence_n as_o on_o a_o unerring_a guide_n for_o it_o be_v not_o like_o other_o book_n which_o be_v make_v by_o man_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o void_a of_o error_n and_o mistake_v but_o the_o author_n of_o it_o be_v god_n who_o be_v truth_n itself_o and_o can_v neither_o deceive_v nor_o be_v deceive_v thus_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o complete_a and_o absolute_a rule_n of_o our_o belief_n and_o of_o all_o supernatural_a truth_n 2._o they_o be_v the_o perfect_a rule_n of_o life_n and_o manner_n they_o contain_v all_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v as_o well_o as_o to_o be_v believe_v here_o be_v the_o decalogue_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o our_o duty_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n and_o the_o necessary_a precept_n of_o life_n comprise_v in_o it_o be_v often_o repeat_v enlarge_v upon_o and_o explain_v through_o the_o whole_a sacred_a book_n to_o these_o be_v add_v the_o evangelical_n duty_n of_o self-denial_n mortification_n poverty_n of_o spirit_n purity_n of_o heart_n brotherly_a love_n heavenly-mindedness_a circumspect_a walk_v redeem_v the_o time_n abstain_v from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a give_v no_o offence_n to_o any_o and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n the_o write_n of_o the_o gospel_n forbid_v we_o to_o be_v carnal_a sensual_a and_o earthly_a and_o call_v upon_o we_o to_o converse_v with_o spiritual_a and_o celestial_a object_n to_o to_o set_v our_o affection_n on_o thing_n above_o and_o to_o work_v our_o mind_n to_o such_o a_o temper_n that_o we_o may_v desire_v to_o depart_v out_o of_o this_o body_n and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a than_o grovel_v here_o below_o and_o christianity_n promote_v this_o heavenly-mindedness_a by_o give_v we_o a_o power_n over_o ourselves_o by_o restore_v we_o to_o a_o government_n of_o our_o bodily_a appetite_n and_o passion_n so_o that_o the_o soul_n thereby_o become_v pure_a and_o defecate_a purge_v from_o all_o mundane_a dross_n and_o filth_n fit_v for_o heavenly_a joy_n and_o therefore_o most_o earnest_o breathe_v and_o belong_v after_o they_o here_o we_o learn_v that_o christianity_n be_v repugnant_a in_o all_o thing_n to_o satan_n kingdom_n and_o design_o promote_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n it_o bid_v we_o not_o seek_v ourselves_o and_o aim_v chief_o at_o worldly_a respect_n but_o it_o enjoin_v we_o to_o humble_a and_o debase_v ourselves_o and_o to_o glorify_v god_n in_o all_o to_o advance_v his_o honour_n in_o the_o world_n and_o next_o to_o that_o to_o look_v after_o the_o salvation_n of_o our_o own_o and_o other_o immortal_a soul_n these_o be_v the_o noble_a and_o worthy_a design_n of_o christianity_n and_o the_o law_n of_o it_o their_o business_n be_v to_o take_v we_o off_o from_o those_o low_a and_o mean_a project_n which_o man_n of_o the_o world_n carry_v on_o and_o to_o set_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o a_o right_a posture_n and_o to_o fix_v it_o on_o right_a ends._n the_o christian_a precept_n reach_v to_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n they_o restrain_v the_o secret_a thought_n and_o inward_a motion_n of_o the_o mind_n they_o curb_v the_o inordinate_a desire_n and_o wish_n they_o temper_v the_o affection_n and_o passion_n especial_o they_o forbid_v revenge_n malice_n hatred_n and_o they_o direct_v we_o to_o love_n god_n and_o to_o bear_v love_n to_o all_o man_n for_o his_o sake_n the_o christian_a law_n give_v rule_n for_o our_o word_n and_o speech_n and_o will_v not_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v idle_a and_o vain_a much_o less_o profane_a and_o impious_a but_o they_o command_v our_o discourse_n to_o be_v always_o with_o grace_n season_v with_o salt_n to_o favour_v of_o goodness_n and_o piety_n and_o to_o be_v for_o the_o edify_v of_o those_o we_o converse_v with_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v also_o govern_v the_o outward_a action_n of_o our_o life_n and_o bid_v we_o be_v holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n they_o enjoin_v chastity_n and_o continence_n temperance_n and_o sobriety_n they_o forbid_v lust_n and_o luxury_n pride_n and_o sensuality_n they_o teach_v courtesy_n affability_n meekness_n candour_n gentleness_n towards_o our_o brethren_n they_o bid_v we_o be_v kind_a and_o charitable_a to_o all_o and_o even_o to_o love_v our_o enemy_n christianity_n be_v a_o religion_n that_o be_v exact_o just_a and_o give_v the_o strict_a rule_n of_o deal_v honest_o and_o upright_o with_o our_o neighbour_n even_o morality_n which_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n and_o groundwork_n of_o all_o religion_n be_v most_o illustrious_a here_o christianity_n have_v the_o impress_n of_o reason_n civility_n and_o all_o acceptable_a quality_n it_o forbid_v nothing_o that_o be_v fit_v and_o decorous_a it_o countenance_n all_o that_o be_v manly_n and_o generous_a it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n in_o these_o sacred_a write_n the_o duty_n of_o christian_n be_v set_v down_o not_o only_o as_o they_o be_v single_a but_o as_o they_o stand_v in_o relation_n to_o other_o and_o as_o they_o be_v member_n of_o the_o community_n there_o be_v peculiar_a lesson_n for_o person_n in_o every_o condition_n for_o husband_n and_o wife_n for_o master_n and_o servant_n for_o parent_n and_o child_n for_o superior_n equal_n and_o inferior_n they_o be_v all_o provide_v here_o with_o instruction_n and_o direction_n proper_a to_o that_o state_n they_o be_v in_o they_o be_v very_o remarkable_a word_n which_o a_o â—_o reverend_n divine_a of_o our_o church_n utter_v will_v man_n apply_v their_o mind_n say_v he_o to_o study_v scripture_n and_o observe_v their_o own_o and_o other_o course_n of_o life_n experience_n will_v teach_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o estate_n on_o earth_n nor_o humane_a business_n in_o christendom_n this_o day_n on_o foot_n but_o have_v a_o rule_v cafe_z in_o scripture_n for_o their_o issue_n and_o success_n this_o be_v a_o great_a truth_n and_o be_v no_o mean_a demonstration_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o these_o holy_a write_n which_o i_o be_o speak_v of_o here_o be_v also_o the_o most_o notable_a instance_n of_o all_o those_o virtue_n and_o grace_n which_o adorn_v the_o life_n of_o man._n here_o be_v the_o example_n of_o abel_n sincere_a and_o acceptable_a devotion_n of_o enoch_n walk_v with_o god_n of_o noah_n untainted_a faithfulness_n amid_o the_o temptation_n of_o the_o corrupt_a world_n of_o abraham_n faith_n and_o self-denial_n when_o he_o offer_v his_o only_a son_n on_o the_o altar_n of_o ioseph_n resolve_a chastity_n when_o he_o once_o and_o again_o resist_v the_o lustful_a solicitation_n of_o his_o mistress_n here_o be_v the_o example_n of_o moses_n public_a spirit_n who_o desire_v his_o name_n may_v be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n rather_o than_o that_o nation_n shall_v perish_v here_o you_o read_v of_o aaron_n submissive_a silence_n of_o reuben_n fraternal_a commiseration_n of_o rohab_n seasonable_a wisdom_n which_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o her_o faith_n in_o conceal_v the_o spy_n that_o be_v search_v for_o here_o we_o may_v observe_v phineas_n active_a zeal_n eli_n entire_a submission_n to_o the_o divine_a pleasure_n iob_n invincible_a patience_n iosiah_n early_a piety_n his_o and_o iehosaphat_n care_v to_o reform_v the_o church_n ionathan_n entire_a friendship_n manasses_n and_o peter_n repentance_n john_n baptist_n austerity_n the_o centurion_n faith_n stephen_n charity_n to_o his_o enemy_n at_o his_o death_n brief_o here_o be_v commemorate_a the_o religious_a and_o holy_a demeanour_n of_o all_o rank_n and_o degree_n of_o person_n whether_o in_o prosperity_n or_o adversity_n whether_o in_o youth_n manhood_n or_o old_a age_n or_o in_o whatsoever_o condition_n of_o life_n they_o be_v place_v where_o can_v we_o find_v such_o glorious_a achievement_n as_o the_o sacred_a history_n recount_v unto_o we_o where_o be_v there_o such_o perfect_a pattern_n of_o virtue_n where_o do_v you_o meet_v with_o such_o noble_a act_n as_o some_o of_o the_o holy_a patriarch_n prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v celebrate_v for_o the_o great_a hero_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o pagan_n be_v general_o but_o idea_n of_o virtue_n and_o a_o kind_n of_o harmless_a romance_n to_o preach_v goodness_n to_o men._n virgil_n aeneas_n xenophon_n