not_o dispair_n look_v on_o thing_n through_o black_a spectacle_n and_o give_v all_o for_o lose_v hope_n do_v the_o contrary_a q_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o hope_v against_o hope_n answ_n 1._o because_o of_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n upon_o which_o the_o soul_n do_v in_o great_a strait_n roll_v itself_o whatever_o let_v and_o impediment_n do_v arise_v between_o the_o promise_n and_o the_o fulfil_n of_o it_o though_o they_o be_v as_o high_a as_o mountain_n and_o as_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n yet_o the_o believer_n can_v by_o faith_n look_v upon_o they_o all_o but_o as_o difficulty_n which_o can_v check_v the_o power_n of_o christ_n but_o only_o magnify_v it_o for_o as_o jealous_a thought_n of_o the_o divine_a arm_n or_o fear_v that_o it_o may_v be_v encounter_v with_o some_o insuperable_a opposition_n make_v the_o hope_n of_o promised_n good_a to_o be_v weak_a and_o uncertain_a so_o the_o faithful_a and_o serious_a consideration_n of_o god_n power_n a_o rest_v upon_o it_o produce_v hope_n against_o hope_n it_o turn_v every_o valley_n of_o anchor_n into_o a_o door_n of_o hope_n administer_v manna_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o draw_v water_n out_o of_o the_o rock_n bring_v light_n out_o of_o darkness_n comfort_v out_o of_o every_o trial_n thus_o miconius_n write_v to_o calvin_n upon_o view_n of_o the_o church_n enemy_n reflect_v upon_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n gaudeo_fw-la quod_fw-la christus_fw-la dominus_fw-la est_fw-la alioquin_fw-la totus_fw-la desperassem_fw-la i_o be_o glad_a that_o christ_n reign_v otherwise_o i_o shall_v utter_o despair_v so_o the_o believer_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o strait_n rejoice_v in_o the_o power_n of_o christ_n who_o live_v and_o reign_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o 2._o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n inward_o work_v and_o nourish_v some_o spark_n of_o hope_n always_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o his_o people_n thus_o it_o be_v with_o job_n david_n paul_n and_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o other_o faithful_a soul_n who_o sparkle_v with_o the_o lightning_n ray_n of_o hope_n have_v lift_v up_o their_o palm_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o hazard_n and_o gain_v heaven_n by_o violence_n still_o lay_v the_o degree_n of_o their_o honour_n in_o the_o depth_n of_o suffering_n this_o like_o a_o anchor_n hold_v the_o ship_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o her_o great_a storm_n and_o like_o a_o helmet_n keep_v off_o the_o blow_v of_o the_o sword_n or_o arrow_n from_o enter_v 1_o thessaly_n 5.8_o let_v we_o who_o be_v of_o the_o day_n be_v sober_a put_v on_o the_o breastplate_n of_o faith_n and_o love_n and_o for_o a_o helmet_n the_o hope_n of_o salvation_n in_o time_n of_o public_a calamity_n the_o righteous_a have_v hope_n joel_n 3.16_o the_o lord_n will_v roar_v out_o of_o zion_n the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v shake_v but_o the_o lord_n will_v be_v the_o hope_n of_o his_o people_n so_o that_o if_o all_o outward_a hope_n be_v take_v away_o their_o hope_n in_o god_n be_v not_o take_v away_o upon_o this_o account_n it_o be_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v prisoner_n in_o babylon_n be_v call_v prisoner_n of_o hope_n zech._n 9.10_o if_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v ready_a to_o come_v together_o yet_o through_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n work_v in_o their_o heart_n believer_n have_v hope_n which_o as_o a_o bow_n in_o the_o heaven_n all_o furnish_v with_o emerald_n never_o lose_v it_o force_n 3._o their_o former_a experience_n be_v a_o foundation_n of_o hope_n against_o hope_n rom._n 5.4_o and_o experience_n hope_v hos_fw-la 2.5_o i_o will_v give_v the_o valley_n of_o anchor_n for_o a_o door_n of_o hope_n this_o valley_n of_o anchor_n so_o call_v from_o achans_n sacrilege_n to_o deter_v man_n from_o sin_n some_o think_v to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o engeddi_n mention_v so_o often_o in_o the_o canticle_n however_o both_o be_v near_o to_o jericho_n and_o in_o it_o they_o taste_v the_o first_o fruit_n of_o canaan_n as_o a_o earnest_n of_o the_o rest_n in_o it_o they_o see_v abundance_n of_o plenty_n and_o be_v delight_v and_o refresh_v therewith_o all_o that_o the_o lord_n do_v then_o for_o his_o people_n and_o now_o say_v he_o will_v give_v it_o to_o the_o church_n for_o a_o door_n of_o hope_n a_o believer_n bring_v in_o a_o catalogue_n of_o experience_n psal_n 119.65_o thou_o have_v deal_v well_o with_o thy_o servant_n in_o how_o many_o case_n have_v he_o have_v experience_n of_o god_n when_o sin_n and_o temptation_n have_v be_v strong_a he_o have_v come_v in_o with_o auxiliary_a force_n and_o his_o grace_n have_v prove_v sufficient_a when_o the_o poor_a soul_n have_v be_v even_o sink_v under_o fear_n god_n have_v recover_v he_o out_o of_o the_o quicksand_n and_o lift_v his_o head_n above_o the_o deep_a water_n psal_n 33._o o_o lord_n thou_o be_v my_o glory_n and_o the_o lifter_n up_o of_o my_o head_n when_o david_n be_v in_o the_o mouth_n of_o danger_n the_o lord_n deliver_v he_o i_o be_v pluck_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lion_n so_o saint_n paul_n the_o believer_n have_v many_o experience_n and_o these_o beget_v hope_n thou_o have_v and_o will_v deliver_v say_v experimental_a david_n 4._o by_o look_v on_o thing_n not_o as_o they_o be_v at_o present_a or_o in_o their_o own_o power_n but_o as_o they_o shall_v be_v by_o the_o lord_n promise_v sure_o say_v the_o poor_a believer_n he_o be_v faithful_a that_o have_v promise_v as_o he_o be_v able_a to_o fulfil_v the_o least_o jota_n of_o whatever_o he_o have_v speak_v so_o he_o be_v infallible_a in_o what_o he_o promise_v as_o no_o impediment_n can_v arise_v to_o hinder_v his_o power_n so_o no_o contingency_n can_v fall_v out_o to_o alter_v his_o will_n all_o his_o promise_n be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n yea_o and_o amen_o 2_o cor._n 1.20_o these_o and_o such_o like_a meditation_n serve_v to_o uphold_v and_o keep_v believer_n from_o be_v injurious_a to_o god_n or_o themselves_o and_o to_o believe_v in_o hope_n against_o hope_n use_v 2._o this_o doctrine_n administer_v incomparable_a comfort_n whosoever_o be_v christ_n be_v enable_v to_o believe_v in_o hope_n against_o hope_n when_o comfort_n can_v neither_o be_v see_v feel_v nor_o apprehend_v when_o fear_n and_o distress_n be_v on_o every_o side_n and_o all_o hope_n of_o safety_n be_v take_v away_o when_o nature_n afford_v no_o ground_n of_o hope_n or_o encouragement_n to_o expect_v the_o fulfil_n of_o a_o promise_n but_o suggest_v many_o pose_a argument_n to_o impede_fw-la and_o gainsay_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o to_o make_v faith_n as_o feeble_a as_o their_o body_n when_o old_a and_o crazy_a then_o to_o hope_v against_o hope_n 1._o that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v raise_v and_o preserve_v from_o so_o many_o enemy_n be_v against_o hope_n 2_o chron._n 20.12_o o_o our_o god_n will_v thou_o not_o judge_v we_o for_o we_o have_v not_o may_v against_o this_o great_a company_n that_o come_v against_o we_o neither_o know_v we_o what_o to_o do_v but_o our_o eye_n be_v upon_o thou_o 2._o that_o a_o wound_n shall_v be_v heal_v it_o be_v against_o hope_n prov._n 18.14_o a_o wound_a spirit_n who_o can_v bear_v 3._o that_o many_o and_o strong_a lust_n shall_v be_v vanquish_v and_o subdue_v rom._n 7.24_o o_o wretched_a man_n that_o i_o be_o who_o shall_v deliver_v i_o from_o this_o body_n of_o sin_n and_o death_n 4._o that_o a_o impure_a soul_n shall_v be_v prepare_v for_o and_o receive_v into_o heaven_n it_o be_v against_o hope_n yet_o see_v isa_n 1.18_o come_v let_v we_o reason_n together_o say_v the_o lord_n though_o your_o sin_n be_v as_o red_a as_o crimson_a i_o will_v make_v they_o white_a as_o snow_n to_o day_n shall_v thou_o be_v with_o i_o in_o paradise_n oh_o strive_v for_o this_o heavenly_a hope_n q._n how_o may_v it_o be_v attain_v a._n as_o other_o grace_n be_v wrought_v so_o be_v this_o it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n wherefore_o he_o be_v call_v the_o god_n of_o all_o grace_n 1_o pet._n 5.10_o he_o be_v the_o first_o planter_n the_o promoter_n and_o finisher_n of_o grace_n god_n be_v call_v the_o father_n of_o light_n and_o he_o must_v light_v up_o this_o candle_n in_o your_o soul_n more_o particular_o it_o be_v obtain_v 1._o by_o experience_n rom._n 5.4_o as_o david_n argue_v 1_o sam._n 17.37_o and_o holy_a paul_n 2_o cor._n 1.20_o experience_n breed_v confidence_n thou_o have_v thou_o shall_v be_v the_o ordinary_a argument_n use_v by_o the_o psalmist_n and_o so_o the_o church_n comfort_v herself_o and_o nourish_v her_o hope_n lament_n 3.21,24_o this_o i_o recall_v to_o mind_n therefore_o i_o hope_v in_o thou_o and_o the_o lord_n be_v my_o portion_n say_v my_o soul_n therefore_o will_v i_o hope_v in_o he_o the_o observation_n of_o god_n merciful_a act_n of_o providence_n to_o his_o church_n in_o general_n as_o to_o any_o of_o his_o people_n in_o
their_o be_v order_n and_o continuance_n gen._n 18.14_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n too_o hard_o for_o thâ—_n lâ—rd_n numb_a 23.19_o god_n be_v not_o as_o mâ—n_z that_o he_o shall_v lie_v neither_o the_o son_n of_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v repent_v have_v he_o say_v and_o shall_v he_o not_o do_v it_o mat._n 19.26_o with_o god_n all_o thing_n be_v possible_a but_o what_o need_v of_o proof_n it_o be_v a_o truth_n write_v as_o with_o ray_n of_o the_o sun_n confirm_v at_o least_o 70_o time_n in_o the_o scripture_n of_o god_n as_o some_o have_v take_v pain_n to_o reckon_v they_o add_v we_o may_v 1._o the_o confession_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o saint_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n 2_o chron._n 20.12_o o_o our_o god_n will_v thou_o not_o judge_v they_o 2_o chron._n 25.9_o god_n have_v power_n to_o help_v and_o to_o cast_v down_o fly_v from_o their_o enemy_n both_o inward_a and_o outward_a to_o rest_v upon_o his_o rock_n of_o power_n rom._n 7.25_o i_o thank_v god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n 1_o cor._n 15.57_o o_o death_n where_o be_v thy_o sting_n thanks_o be_v to_o god_n through_o christ_n 2._o the_o work_n of_o christ_n cure_v the_o disease_a mark_v 5.26,27_o cleanse_v the_o temple_n math._n 21.12,13_o which_o jerom_n attribute_n to_o his_o omnipotency_n that_o he_o so_o mean_v shall_v attempt_v a_o matter_n so_o considerable_a against_o so_o many_o proud_a insolent_a person_n arm_v with_o authority_n and_o at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o extol_v it_o above_o raise_v of_o lazarus_n from_o the_o dead_a restore_a the_o blind_a to_o sight_n and_o the_o lame_a to_o their_o limb_n this_o be_v his_o divine_a work_n not_o to_o omit_v the_o mention_v of_o his_o change_a water_n into_o wine_n john_n 27._o thus_o as_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v measure_v by_o a_o small_a shadow_n on_o the_o earth_n so_o many_o time_n there_o need_v but_o few_o word_n to_o illustrate_v a_o great_a virtue_n the_o reason_n be_v many_o i_o shall_v choose_v out_o and_o insist_v upon_o two_o only_a 1._o the_o unity_n of_o nature_n common_a to_o all_o the_o person_n john_n 17.22_o as_o we_o be_v one_o vnum_fw-la per_fw-la vnitatem_fw-la i._n e._n by_o the_o absolute_a simplicity_n of_o nature_n phil._n 2.6_o who_o reckon_v himself_o equal_a with_o god_n in_o that_o incomprehensible_a abundance_n of_o perfection_n whereof_o the_o supreme_a adorable_a nature_n be_v full_a as_o life_n goodness_n immensity_n eternity_n holiness_n and_o all_o other_o property_n which_o it_o have_v in_o a_o infallible_a manner_n now_o from_o the_o purity_n and_o perfection_n of_o that_o infinite_a be_v we_o may_v thus_o argue_v for_o omnipotency_n viz._n that_o which_o have_v be_v and_o be_v most_o distant_a from_o passive_a power_n be_v ens_fw-la simplissimum_fw-la &_o actus_fw-la purissimus_fw-la a_o most_o simple_a be_v and_o a_o most_o pure_a act_n must_v partake_v infinite_o of_o active_a power_n which_o be_v omnipotency_n again_o in_o who_o be_v find_v the_o perfection_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o he_o be_v also_o find_v the_o perfection_n of_o power_n but_o in_o christ_n be_v find_v the_o perfection_n of_o all_o thing_n eminent_o as_o be_v already_o prove_v therefore_o in_o he_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o power_n which_o be_v omnipotency_n to_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v add_v 2._o the_o equality_n of_o attribute_n as_o be_v his_o knowledge_n so_o be_v his_o will_n and_o power_n psal_n 135.6_o whatsoever_o the_o lord_n please_v that_o do_v he_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n now_o knowledge_n and_o power_n be_v according_a to_o the_o condition_n of_o nature_n man_n know_v and_o can_v do_v something_o angel_n know_v and_o can_v do_v more_o but_o god_n most_o of_o all_o his_o knowledge_n be_v infinite_a and_o so_o must_v his_o power_n need_v be_v the_o second_o doctrine_n from_o hence_o now_o come_v to_o hand_n viz._n that_o this_o be_v a_o principal_a ground_n of_o faith_n see_v heb._n 11.6_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n for_o he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o gen._n 17._o when_o god_n will_v encourage_v abraham_n he_o make_v himself_o know_v by_o the_o glorious_a attribute_n of_o his_o almighty_a power_n i_o be_o god_n alsufficient_a math._n 8.2_o lord_n if_o thou_o will_v thou_o can_v make_v i_o clean._n there_o be_v no_o such_o proper_a pillar_n to_o uphold_v a_o fall_a spirit_n as_o this_o of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n no_o shade_n like_o to_o this_o toward_z off_z the_o stroke_n of_o evil._n one_o shine_v of_o this_o attribute_n in_o its_o full_a lustre_n of_o glory_n be_v able_a to_o dispel_v in_o a_o moment_n all_o the_o night_n of_o fear_n doubt_n temptation_n which_o may_v at_o any_o time_n overspread_v the_o heaven_n of_o the_o soul_n it_o cause_v they_o utter_o to_o vanish_v here_o be_v the_o adamantine_a bulwark_n against_o all_o adversary_n power_n the_o devil_n be_v mighty_a but_o not_o almighty_a as_o my_o god_n and_o saviour_n be_v be_v that_o comfort_v luther_n that_o incarnate_a seraphin_n and_o champion_n of_o christ_n how_o it_o be_v so_o will_v further_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v 1._o the_o difficulty_n of_o thing_n offer_v both_o for_o matter_n and_o manner_n as_o that_o all_o thing_n shall_v be_v we_o again_o after_o they_o be_v lose_v that_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n shall_v be_v unite_v that_o a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v and_o bear_v a_o son_n what_o great_a and_o admirable_a thing_n be_v these_o here_o be_v matter_n which_o the_o clear_a understanding_n of_o man_n and_o angel_n entertain_v with_o amazement_n thing_n in_o a_o sphere_n above_o nature_n beyond_o all_o humane_a disquisition_n the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n the_o divine_a omnipotency_n can_v only_o maintain_v faith_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o possibility_n 2._o his_o propriety_n in_o and_o over_o all_o he_o make_v all_o give_v they_o a_o be_v according_a to_o the_o idea_n and_o platform_n present_v to_o the_o divine_a understanding_n and_o he_o have_v absolute_a right_o to_o dispose_v of_o all_o rom._n 9.18_o to_o do_v with_o his_o own_o as_o he_o will_n his_o power_n be_v independent_a and_o prerogative_n illimited_a psal_n 8.6_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o christ_n thou_o make_v he_o to_o have_v dominion_n over_o the_o work_n of_o thy_o hand_n which_o absolute_a power_n flow_v not_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o communicative_a bounty_n in_o bestow_v gift_n to_o some_o more_o to_o other_o less_o and_o so_o have_v more_o or_o less_o right_o over_o they_o for_o than_o his_o power_n shall_v be_v finite_a and_o limit_v as_o arminian_n hold_v only_o to_o cut_v off_o the_o absolute_a decree_n which_o the_o lord_n pass_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o right_n no_o creature_n be_v capable_a of_o a_o infinite_a measure_n of_o goodness_n but_o from_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o nature_n be_v omniscient_a omnipotent_a infinite_a eternal_a etc._n etc._n 3._o from_o the_o irresistability_n of_o his_o power_n all_o thing_n do_v obey_v he_o there_o be_v nothing_o from_o heaven_n to_o hell_n which_o bow_v not_o under_o his_o law_n rom._n 9.19_o who_o have_v resist_v his_o will_n luke_n 7.7,8_o say_v the_o word_n and_o thy_o servant_n shall_v he_o heal_v and_o this_o be_v true_a of_o christ_n as_o appear_v math_n 8.27_o even_o the_o wind_n and_o the_o sea_n obey_v he_o xerxes_n the_o persian_a monarch_n throw_v fetter_n into_o the_o sea_n as_o if_o he_o will_v have_v chain_v the_o unruly_a wave_n but_o to_o little_a purpose_n but_o when_o christ_n speak_v the_o wind_n and_o the_o sea_n shall_v obey_v he_o by_o a_o word_n he_o unpin_v the_o wheel_n and_o break_v the_o axletree_n of_o the_o whole_a creation_n in_o short_a whatever_o the_o divine_a unerstanding_n can_v comprehend_v so_o much_o the_o divine_a power_n can_v execute_v 4._o from_o the_o incommunicableness_n of_o this_o attribute_n no_o creature_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v omnipotent_a &_o quicquid_fw-la recipitur_fw-la ad_fw-la modum_fw-la recipientis_fw-la recipitur_fw-la beside_o every_o creature_n be_v resistable_a in_o the_o exercise_n of_o natural_a quality_n in_o he_o we_o live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v he_o support_v restrain_v and_o order_n all_o but_o here_o we_o meet_v with_o objection_n from_o some_o who_o imitate_v the_o sorcerer_n cast_a mist_n upon_o the_o bright_a morning_n 1_o object_n may_v not_o this_o omnipotency_n be_v impute_v to_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n answ_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o union_n hypostatical_a the_o property_n of_o both_o nature_n may_v be_v communicate_v to_o the_o person_n and_o yet_o not_o mutual_o between_o the_o nature_n the_o nature_n be_v not_o change_v nor_o their_o property_n confound_v each_o retain_v after_o what_o be_v peculiar_a before_o christ_n suffer_v and_o dye_v but_o according_a