father_n but_o if_o any_o of_o they_o start_v from_o or_o turn_v out_o of_o the_o way_n they_o be_v not_o like_a to_o see_v he_o schism_n i_o grant_v may_v be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o they_o be_v sinful_a and_o sad_a but_o schism_n from_o the_o church_n be_v immediate_o subvert_v to_o salvation_n unfitting_a contention_n may_v arise_v between_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n 15.39_o acts._n 15.39_o unto_o a_o undue_a heat_n concern_v society_n with_o a_o defective_a brother_n insomuch_o that_o they_o may_v part_v asunder_o the_o one_o pass_v to_o cyprus_n the_o other_o to_o gilicia_n anâ—_n yet_o both_o may_v meet_v in_o heaven_n but_o barnabas_n and_o peter_n contrariety_n to_o the_o course_n of_o christianity_n in_o a_o slavish_a compliance_n with_o the_o circumcision_n be_v to_o be_v contradict_v by_o a_o zealous_a paul_n as_o destructive_a to_o salvation_n 14._o gal._n 2.11_o 12_o 13_o 14._o i_o withstand_v he_o to_o the_o face_n for_o he_o be_v to_o be_v blame_v because_o he_o walk_v 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read_v to_o distribute_v 19_o 1_o tim._n 6.17_o 18_o 19_o willing_a to_o communicate_v sell_v that_o which_o they_o have_v to_o give_v unto_o the_o poor_a sometime_o the_o passage_n may_v be_v so_o straight_o that_o they_o must_v strip_v themselves_o of_o their_o very_a necessary_n land_n live_n friend_n house_n brethren_n sister_n wife_n child_n and_o life_n itself_o without_o which_o they_o can_v praise_v god_n nor_o pâ—ess_n in_o the_o way_n to_o life_n lie_v dead_a in_o the_o way_n by_o press_v for_o motion_n and_o progress_n in_o the_o course_n of_o christianity_n be_v many_o time_n the_o event_n of_o the_o saint_n labour_n and_o their_o actual_a formal_a entrance_n into_o the_o city_n of_o life_n nor_o do_v the_o straitness_n of_o this_o gate_n or_o narrowness_n of_o this_o way_n call_v for_o and_o more_o necessitate_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v thus_o strip_v then_o that_o when_o thus_o it_o do_v also_o stâ—op_v bow_v down_o bend_v unto_o the_o very_a dust_n and_o creep_v on_o its_o 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point_n murder_n he_o determine_v in_o a_o scornful_a word_n in_o gesture_n adultery_n in_o the_o cast_n of_o the_o eye_n disobedience_n in_o the_o neglect_n of_o a_o parent_n profane_v god_n naâ—e_n in_o a_o groundless_a and_o trivial_a oath_n the_o whole_a matter_n of_o his_o sermon_n be_v most_o strict_a rule_n in_o the_o observation_n whereof_o he_o place_v perfection_n in_o similitude_n to_o god_n and_o in_o this_o very_a text_n the_o strait_n be_v oppose_v to_o the_o wide_a gate_n the_o narrow_a to_o the_o broad_a way_n the_o way_n of_o sin_n be_v a_o open_a common_a the_o champain_n ground_n in_o which_o the_o mighty_a hunter_n against_o the_o lord_n do_v sport_n themselves_o without_o any_o limit_n but_o the_o way_n of_o sanctity_n be_v a_o enclosure_n a_o passage_n perilous_a fickle_a difficult_a dangerous_a in_o which_o man_n can_v move_v without_o fear_n and_o care_n without_o pain_n and_o grief_n without_o cross_n and_o loss_n without_o smart_n and_o suffering_n without_o 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difficulty_n and_o danger_n to_o pass_v into_o life_n and_o corrupt_a nature_n can_v and_o do_v create_v many_o way_n to_o hell_n but_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n be_v eternal_a life_n to_o be_v obtain_v in_o and_o by_o that_o one_o and_o only_a way_n which_o he_o have_v determinate_v bound_v and_o reveal_v this_o gate_n and_o way_n to_o life_n be_v straight_o and_o narrow_a because_o few_o arg._n 3_o there_o be_v that_o find_v it_o paucity_n of_o traveler_n do_v make_v as_o well_o as_o proclaim_v difficulty_n in_o the_o way_n of_o motion_n for_o because_o few_o pass_n through_o it_o it_o be_v untract_n untrodden_a not_o easy_o to_o be_v discern_v christ_n flock_n be_v a_o little_a flock_n the_o elect_n be_v but_o a_o remnant_n there_o be_v but_o a_o few_o name_n who_o be_v find_v faithful_a many_o may_v follow_v christ_n but_o there_o be_v few_o will_v sell_v that_o they_o have_v and_o give_v to_o the_o poor_a some_o will_v deny_v themselves_o take_v up_o their_o cross_n and_o follow_v 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of_o error_n though_o they_o continue_v to_o scandalize_v he_o and_o his_o practice_n and_o hinder_v the_o publication_n of_o the_o same_o these_o thing_n i_o note_v unto_o thou_o reader_n that_o thou_o may_v see_v mr._n crofton_n practice_n in_o this_o case_n be_v not_o new_a or_o rash_a but_o resolve_v and_o deliberate_a and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o defection_n from_o that_o it_o be_v a_o upright_o walk_v according_a to_o his_o apprehension_n of_o the_o gospel_n howsoever_o i_o can_v i_o will_v not_o now_o dilate_v in_o defence_n of_o his_o principle_n and_o practice_n nor_o break_v out_o to_o a_o large_a and_o sharp_a invective_n against_o the_o licentiousness_n of_o the_o tongue_n and_o the_o lie_a spirit_n of_o seem_a saint_n so_o notorious_o extravagant_a against_o a_o person_n so_o innocent_a and_o upright_o and_o therefore_o expose_v to_o the_o violence_n and_o rage_n of_o man_n on_o both_o extreme_n of_o reformation_n for_o hereby_o i_o know_v i_o shall_v incense_v he_o who_o 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observe_v the_o bastard_n brood_n of_o noncommunicating_a separate_a sect_n take_v 〈◊〉_d vagrant_n and_o whip_v home_o to_o their_o repute_a parent_n to_o lie_v at_o the_o door_n and_o â—â—rk_n under_o the_o wing_n of_o reform_v non-conformiâ—â—_a who_o do_v ever_o disow_v they_o and_o drive_v they_o out_o as_o not_o they_o but_o destructive_a to_o their_o honest_a design_n i_o know_v mr._n crofton_n to_o be_v zealous_a lest_o the_o policy_n of_o some_o and_o weakness_n of_o other_o shall_v so_o far_o embrace_v those_o as_o to_o make_v spectator_n think_v they_o their_o natural_a child_n i_o know_v mr._n crofton_n be_v sensible_a many_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o he_o in_o negative_n against_o profaneness_n against_o superstition_n against_o corruption_n against_o disorder_n but_o be_v his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o positives_n for_o no_o order_n for_o no_o communion_n for_o no_o church_n i_o be_o sure_a mr._n crofton_n have_v sad_o resent_v that_o scandal_n under_o which_o nonconformity_n groan_v and_o be_v make_v odious_a viz._n it_o be_v a_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n against_o every_o thing_n but_o for_o nothing_o mr._n crofton_n well_o know_v those_o who_o clamour_n against_o his_o communion_n make_v church_n entity_n not_o church_n purity_n their_o quarrel_n and_o controversy_n he_o have_v observe_v their_o church_n gather_v commence_v and_o proceed_v under_o the_o endeavour_n of_o reformation_n and_o unto_o the_o supplant_n and_o subversion_n thereof_o mr._n crofton_n be_v convince_v that_o christ_n true_a church_n though_o corrupt_a and_o christ_n own_o ordinance_n though_o disorderly_o administer_v be_v to_o be_v embrace_v adhear_v unto_o and_o attend_v when_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n companion_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v i_o be_o confident_a mr._n crofton_n be_v resolve_v to_o follow_v his_o lord_n when_o come_v from_o the_o flock_n to_o thethreshold_n of_o the_o temple_n but_o he_o dare_v not_o go_v before_o he_o reader_n if_o this_o be_v a_o error_n help_v mr._n crofton_n to_o conviction_n and_o then_o thou_o may_v hear_v his_o recantation_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n join_v with_o i_o in_o prayer_n that_o god_n will_v give_v repentance_n to_o the_o man_n who_o have_v call_v good_a evil_n and_o evil_a good_a and_o uncharitable_o represent_v a_o conscientious_a practice_n of_o well_o consider_v open_o declare_v deliberate_o resolve_v principle_n to_o be_v a_o apostasy_n defection_n recantation_n backslide_n base_a comply_v and_o conformity_n the_o lord_n increase_v the_o number_n of_o such_o apostate_n who_o will_v by_o preach_v write_a and_o practice_v under_o the_o reproach_n and_o rage_n of_o all_o man_n show_v their_o endeavour_n of_o reformation_n in_o that_o strait_a gate_n and_o narrow_a way_n of_o careful_a industrious_a nonconforming_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n in_o christ_n ordinance_n between_o those_o rock_n which_o on_o each_o hand_n work_v its_o ruin_n this_o be_v the_o hearty_a desire_n and_o prayer_n of_o august_n 9_o 1662._o thou_o in_o and_o for_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n h._n m._n the_o hard_a way_n to_o heaven_n explain_v &_o apply_v in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v on_o the_o 27_o of_o july_n 1662._o the_o text_n matthew_n 7.14_o because_o straight_o be_v the_o gate_n and_o narrow_a be_v the_o way_n which_o lead_v unto_o life_n i_o can_v but_o conceive_v many_o in_o this_o audience_n act_v more_o by_o curiosity_n then_o christianity_n come_v with_o a_o expectation_n that_o i_o will_v declare_v and_o discourse_v the_o thing_n of_o myself_o or_o god_n deal_n with_o i_o in_o my_o late_a condition_n but_o i_o must_v let_v you_o know_v i_o must_v herein_o disappoint_v you_o experiency_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v my_o own_o comfort_n what_o be_v to_o i_o in_o common_a with_o other_o christian_n i_o shall_v declare_v to_o your_o edification_n and_o that_o be_v in_o general_a the_o serious_a reflection_n of_o my_o thought_n under_o the_o strate_n of_o my_o late_a condition_n concern_v which_o i_o may_v say_v as_o that_o eminent_a martyr_n of_o our_o reform_a religion_n john_n philpot_n say_v in_o the_o like_a case_n in_o the_o lollard_n tower_n pass_v through_o six_o or_o seven_o door_n i_o come_v to_o my_o logdeing_n through_o many_o strait_n where_o i_o callâ—d_v to_o remembrance_n straight_o be_v the_o gate_n and_o narrow_a be_v the_o way_n which_o lead_v unto_o life_n the_o strait_a passage_n which_o lead_v to_o glory_n aught_o to_o be_v always_o ponder_v but_o the_o thought_n thereof_o be_v most_o proper_a and_o profitable_a when_o we_o be_v lock_v up_o in_o they_o and_o the_o sense_n thereof_o by_o a_o necessity_n of_o suffer_v what_o we_o can_v escape_v without_o sin_n the_o heathen_a account_v it_o their_o honour_n to_o represent_v virtue_n to_o be_v a_o straight_a and_o narrow_a way_n and_o therefore_o itself_o the_o reward_n of_o all_o industry_n in_o and_o for_o it_o sure_o i_o be_o it_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o christianity_n that_o it_o be_v never_o propound_v to_o the_o world_n as_o a_o estate_n of_o ease_n christ_n be_v never_o preach_v without_o his_o cross_n nor_o be_v heaven_n glory_n ever_o declare_v without_o a_o determination_n of_o hardship_n in_o the_o attainment_n thereof_o straight_a iâ—_n the_o gate_n and_o narrow_a be_v the_o way_n which_o lead_v unto_o life_n be_v the_o doctrine_n preach_v by_o the_o lord_n himself_o and_o the_o truth_n thereof_o be_v daily_o prove_v by_o the_o experience_n of_o his_o disciple_n these_o word_n be_v part_n of_o our_o saviour_n sermon_n preach_v in_o the_o mountain_n in_o which_o many_o particular_a doctrine_n and_o special_a duty_n be_v by_o he_o state_v and_o direct_v whether_o this_o sermon_n be_v a_o set_v solemn_a and_o continue_a discourse_n of_o the_o preacher_n as_o by_o its_o circumstance_n it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v or_o the_o evangilist_n collection_n and_o composure_n of_o those_o many_o passage_n and_o particular_a discourse_n which_o pass_v from_o our_o saviour_n on_o several_a occasion_n at_o sundry_a time_n as_o calvin_n do_v conceive_v i_o shall_v not_o now_o stand_v to_o inquire_v or_o debate_v in_o the_o forego_n verse_n our_o saviour_n persuade_v his_o hearer_n to_o a_o hard_a task_n enter_v in_o at_o the_o straight_a gate_n and_o enforce_v his_o exhortation_n with_o and_o by_o a_o disparity_n of_o the_o different_a path_n in_o which_o man_n pass_v unto_o different_a end_n for_o wide_o be_v the_o gate_n and_o broad_a be_v the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o destruction_n and_o many_o there_o be_v who_o go_v in_o thereat_o because_o straight_o be_v the_o gate_n and_o narrow_a be_v the_o way_n which_o lead_v unto_o life_n and_o few_o there_o be_v who_o find_v it_o the_o one_o be_v easy_a and_o undo_a the_o other_o be_v hard_a and_o happy_a doctrine_n the_o doctrine_n our_o text_n be_v the_o second_o and_o counter_a part_n of_o our_o saviour_n reason_n viz._n that_o way_n
discern_v the_o truth_n that_o you_o may_v embrace_v it_o in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o and_o you_o shall_v easy_o believe_v lie_n the_o caution_n in_o scripture_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o man_n who_o cast_v off_o distinction_n take_v heed_n what_o you_o hear_v beware_v of_o the_o leaven_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o the_o like_a be_v insignificant_a direction_n to_o man_n of_o no_o distinction_n the_o neglect_n of_o distinction_n will_v make_v peter_n a_o sinful_a conformist_n as_o well_o as_o those_o point_a at_o in_o heb._n 10_o 25._o be_v sinful_a non-communicants_a there_o be_v no_o estate_n in_o which_o we_o be_v in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v not_o on_o both_o hand_n bound_v with_o sin_n be_v we_o prosperous_a it_o be_v a_o narrow_a point_n to_o receive_v the_o creature_n of_o god_n with_o thanksgiving_n to_o use_v they_o humble_o and_o with_o sobriety_n not_o unto_o pride_n and_o tyranny_n security_n and_o carnal_a confidence_n in_o the_o cast_n off_o god_n or_o contempt_n of_o our_o brethren_n with_o discretion_n to_o esteem_v enjoy_v and_o use_v they_o as_o god_n good_a blessing_n and_o yet_o not_o to_o abuse_v they_o to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o our_o sensual_a lust_n and_o the_o entangle_v of_o our_o soul_n in_o sin_n how_o hard_o do_v we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o day_n of_o affliction_n and_o distress_n to_o shun_v sinful_a senseless_a apathy_n stoical_a stupidity_n and_o impatient_a anxiety_n pierce_v grief_n or_o fear_n heart-perplexing_a god-provoking_a care_n and_o complaint_n not_o to_o lay_v aside_o nor_o let_v our_o natural_a passion_n break_v out_o beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o sobriety_n reason_n or_o religion_n to_o fear_v without_o fret_a discern_v danger_n without_o diffidence_n to_o be_v angry_a without_o envy_n to_o grieve_v without_o grudge_v to_o mourn_v without_o murmur_v to_o be_v strike_v and_o smite_v of_o god_n afflict_v all_o the_o day_n long_o and_o lie_v in_o silence_n without_o repine_v or_o charge_v god_n foolish_o or_o charge_v piety_n to_o be_v perplex_v folly_n but_o to_o lay_v our_o mouth_n in_o the_o dust_n under_o our_o oppressed_a innocency_n because_o the_o lord_n have_v do_v it_o to_o be_v revile_v of_o man_n and_o not_o to_o revile_v again_o to_o be_v oppress_v and_o persecute_v yet_o free_a from_o revenge_n to_o bless_v they_o that_o curse_v we_o and_o pray_v for_o they_o who_o despiteful_o use_v we_o be_v a_o lesson_n not_o easy_o learn_v true_o friend_n my_o experience_n have_v find_v it_o a_o strait_a gate_n a_o narrow_a way_n to_o retain_v quick_a and_o lively_a sense_n under_o the_o restraint_n of_o a_o lively_a faith_n to_o fear_n and_o grieve_v and_o yet_o not_o fly_v in_o the_o face_n of_o man_n or_o forget_v god_n i_o can_v but_o observe_v apathy_n in_o affliction_n be_v manifest_a prophanesse_n 42.25_o isa_n 42.25_o and_o impatiency_n be_v no_o less_o than_o impious_a god_n aggravate_v israel_n prophanesse_n by_o their_o stupidity_n and_o shameful_a apathy_n 5.3_o jer._n 5.3_o when_o he_o set_v they_o on_o fire_n round_o about_o they_o know_v it_o nâ—t_o it_o burn_v they_o and_o they_o lay_v it_o not_o to_o heart_n 14._o isa_n 22.12_o 13_o 14._o he_o observe_v as_o a_o argument_n of_o insensibility_n under_o his_o hand_n he_o complain_v of_o they_o as_o impudent_o impious_a because_o when_o they_o be_v strike_v they_o do_v not_o grieve_v he_o charge_v it_o as_o a_o inniquity_n indelible_a to_o be_v merry_a and_o jovial_a in_o feast_n and_o full_a expression_n of_o joy_n when_o his_o providence_n and_o their_o perplex_v state_n do_v call_v for_o weep_v and_o mourn_v and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n he_o rebuke_v excess_n of_o passion_n as_o no_o less_o profane_a 13._o isa_n 15.12_o 13._o who_o be_v thou_o that_o be_v afraid_a of_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o oppressor_n and_o forgete_v the_o lord_n thy_o maker_n not_o to_o fear_n be_v inhuman_a to_o fear_v without_o faith_n be_v unchristian_a not_o to_o care_n be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n to_o care_v unto_o vexation_n diffidence_n concern_v future_a event_n be_v contrary_a to_o true_a religion_n not_o to_o mourn_v in_o misery_n be_v incongruous_a to_o man_n subject_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n to_o mourn_v as_o without_o hope_n be_v incongruous_a to_o christians_n in_o who_o reason_n be_v rectify_v and_o direct_v to_o expectation_n of_o a_o better_a change_n the_o nature_n of_o patience_n do_v charge_n sin_n on_o both_o extreme_n it_o presuppose_v it_o preserve_v passion_n existent_a whilst_o it_o abound_v restrain_v regulate_v the_o same_o we_o have_v hear_v of_o the_o passion_n of_o job_n i_o can_v never_o understand_v the_o patience_n and_o meekness_n of_o malefactor_n who_o suffer_v the_o utmost_a sorrow_n under_o the_o great_a most_o manifest_a gild_n without_o the_o least_o of_o grief_n or_o fear_v commotion_n of_o mind_n or_o perplex_v apprehension_n yea_o under_o the_o great_a ostentation_n of_o joy_n &_o peace_n be_v cannonize_v by_o their_o friend_n for_o martyr_n on_o the_o only_a ground_n of_o their_o confidence_n which_o to_o the_o blasphemy_n of_o christianity_n and_o its_o martyr_n they_o call_v christian_a courage_n sure_o i_o be_o that_o they_o who_o rejoice_v with_o joy_n unspeakable_a and_o full_a of_o glory_n believe_v in_o who_o they_o have_v not_o see_v be_v in_o heavinese_n under_o all_o kind_n of_o grief_n through_o manifold_a temptation_n and_o they_o who_o trust_v in_o the_o live_a god_n who_o have_v deliver_v and_o will_v deliver_v be_v by_o the_o power_n of_o their_o passion_n press_v out_o of_o measure_n and_o above_o their_o strength_n a_o due_a deportment_n in_o every_o condition_n as_o man_n and_o christian_n be_v a_o narrow_a strait_n a_o estate_n of_o great_a difficulty_n and_o danger_n the_o same_o bound_n and_o strait_a limit_n attend_v our_o relation_n and_o the_o duty_n thereof_o how_o hard_o for_o subject_n as_o sincere_a david_n to_o retain_v loyalty_n and_o affection_n towards_o oppress_v persecute_v prince_n how_o hard_o for_o servant_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o master_n not_o only_o the_o meek_a and_o gentle_a but_o also_o to_o the_o froward_a to_o do_v well_o and_o suffer_v for_o it_o patient_o be_v a_o hard_a say_n who_o can_v bear_v it_o this_o straitness_n attend_v our_o whole_a conversation_n and_o the_o course_n of_o our_o life_n in_o common_a as_o christian_n to_o continue_v communion_n with_o christ_n church_n under_o many_o and_o great_a corruption_n and_o not_o to_o comply_v with_o and_o conform_v unto_o sinful_a imposition_n not_o to_o leave_v god_n ordinance_n when_o make_v grievious_a to_o the_o soul_n by_o humane_a appendant_o and_o disorder_n not_o to_o cease_v the_o offering_n of_o the_o lord_n when_o the_o profaneness_n and_o violent_a disorder_n of_o the_o son_n of_o elie_n make_v they_o loathe_v the_o same_o to_o hear_v they_o who_o say_v but_o do_v not_o only_o because_o they_o be_v in_o moses_n chair_n to_o beware_v of_o the_o leaven_n of_o the_o pharise_n be_v bind_v to_o 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prove_v he_o whâ—_n have_v begin_v his_o good_a work_n shall_v and_o will_v perfect_v it_o unto_o the_o day_n of_o his_o grace_n motive_n 4_o strive_v we_o to_o enter_v the_o strait_a gate_n for_o the_o end_n be_v more_o worth_a than_o the_o utmost_a of_o our_o endeavour_n heaven_n will_v make_v amends_o for_o all_o the_o hardship_n of_o the_o way_n thither_o how_o do_v the_o patriarch_n press_v on_o the_o bare_a perception_n of_o faith_n not_o have_v receive_v the_o promise_n which_o we_o have_v perform_v but_o see_v they_o afar_o off_o 11.13_o heb._n 11.13_o salute_v they_o at_o a_o distance_n our_o lord_n jesus_n have_v lead_v we_o this_o way_n for_o the_o joy_n which_o be_v set_v before_o he_o he_o endure_v the_o cross_n and_o despise_v the_o shame_n the_o conscience_n of_o duty_n will_v make_v a_o sincere_a saint_n confess_v that_o in_o the_o most_o exact_a of_o his_o obedience_n he_o be_v a_o unprofitable_a servant_n but_o when_o we_o shall_v come_v to_o make_v a_o sensible_a 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