beg_v as_o main_o and_o necessary_o conduce_v to_o the_o honour_v of_o a_o christian_n call_v especial_o by_o undaunted_a constancy_n and_o perseverance_n in_o the_o time_n of_o tribulation_n themean_n be_v two_o 1._o general_n 2_o special_a the_o general_n be_v fulfil_v all_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o his_o goodness_n by_o good_a pleasure_n i_o understand_v god_n decree_n and_o promise_v of_o bestow_v on_o his_o child_n all_o spiritual_a blessing_n needful_a for_o the_o attainment_n of_o eternal_a glory_n or_o his_o love_n and_o favour_n now_o begin_v to_o be_v execute_v and_o manifest_v to_o the_o thessalonian_o by_o effect_n and_o real_a gift_n accompany_v salvation_n this_o be_v amplify_v by_o the_o cause_n what_o be_v the_o root_n fountain_n and_o foundation_n of_o this_o good_a pleasure_n the_o goodness_n of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o kind_n and_o gracious_a nature_n of_o god_n whereby_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o deal_v bountiful_o with_o his_o creature_n the_o meaning_n than_o be_v we_o pray_v that_o the_o lord_n will_v accomplish_v and_o finish_v all_o those_o good_a thing_n he_o have_v intend_v to_o work_v in_o you_o and_o for_o you_o that_o he_o will_v give_v the_o fullness_n and_o perfection_n of_o all_o those_o grace_n wherewith_o of_o his_o mere_a grace_n and_o goodness_n he_o have_v purpose_v promise_a and_o already_o begin_v to_o enrich_v you_o the_o word_n may_v admit_v two_o other_o reading_n and_o interpretation_n for_o they_o may_v be_v turn_v all_v the_o well-pleasing_a of_o goodness_n that_o be_v all_o that_o goodness_n and_o holiness_n which_o be_v acceptable_a and_o well-pleasing_a to_o god_n and_o again_o all_o the_o desire_n of_o goodness_n that_o be_v all_o the_o good_a and_o godly_a desire_n of_o your_o heart_n but_o this_o latter_a sense_n be_v barren_a and_o not_o so_o suitable_a to_o the_o apostle_n word_n and_o scope_n &_o the_o former_a be_v include_v in_o that_o which_o we_o give_v in_o the_o first_o place_n which_o i_o judge_v to_o be_v full_a most_o proper_a and_o therefore_o most_o worthy_a to_o be_v prefer_v and_o follow_v the_o instruction_n to_o be_v draw_v out_o of_o this_o clause_n be_v three_o first_o that_o all_o good_a in_o man_n be_v from_o the_o mere_a goodness_n of_o god_n whatsoever_o grace_n god_n will_v to_o and_o work_v in_o his_o child_n it_o flow_v only_o from_o his_o free_a grace_n god_n say_v the_o apostle_n god_n work_v in_o we_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n you_o shall_v find_v the_o scripture_n exemplify_a this_o point_n in_o particular_n ascribe_v all_o the_o save_a benefit_n of_o god_n bestow_v on_o his_o people_n to_o his_o grace_n and_o good_a will_n election_n or_o predestination_n to_o life_n redemption_n remission_n of_o sin_n justification_n acceptation_n vocation_n revelation_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o give_v of_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n spiritual_a vivification_n and_o consequent_o sanctification_n regeneration_n comfort_n and_o hope_n after_o their_o call_n ability_n for_o the_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o calling_n deliverance_n from_o evil_n confirmation_n and_o persevetance_n glorification_n reason_n prove_v the_o same_o first_o it_o be_v a_o sure_a principle_n in_o divinity_n reason_n 1_o the_o most_o free_a will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v all_o one_o with_o his_o goodness_n be_v the_o first_o and_o supreme_a cause_n of_o all_o thing_n if_o god_n be_v not_o every_o way_n the_o first_o cause_n he_o have_v either_o a_o equal_a or_o a_o superior_a and_o consequent_o be_v not_o god_n nothing_o therefore_o do_v induce_v and_o move_v he_o to_o do_v good_a to_o his_o creature_n but_o his_o own_o goodness_n if_o something_o without_o he_o shall_v move_v his_o will_n that_o thing_n must_v needs_o be_v in_o nature_n before_o he_o and_o more_o worthy_a than_o he_o he_o must_v depend_v upon_o it_o and_o suffer_v from_o it_o but_o these_o thing_n can_v agree_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o first_o cause_n wherefore_o either_o we_o must_v confess_v there_o be_v no_o grace_n and_o holiness_n in_o man_n which_o spring_v not_o from_o the_o sole_a goodness_n of_o god_n or_o else_o deny_v a_o most_o certain_a canon_n of_o religion_n and_o spoil_n god_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o prerogative_n royal_a second_o reason_n 2_o man_n can_v by_o any_o desert_n provoke_v god_n to_o be_v good_a and_o bountiful_a to_o he_o for_o 1._o while_o he_o be_v unregenerate_a there_o be_v no_o goodness_n in_o he_o nothing_o true_o good_a can_v come_v from_o he_o he_o be_v dead_a in_o sin_n whole_o corrupt_a and_o abominable_a his_o reason_n be_v blind_a his_o heart_n rebellious_a his_o wisdom_n enmity_n to_o god_n 2._o the_o good_a gift_n which_o be_v in_o man_n justify_v and_o renew_v and_o the_o exercise_n of_o they_o can_v if_o we_o will_v speak_v proper_o be_v a_o impulsive_a provoke_a cause_n of_o god_n augment_v these_o gift_n because_o 1._o god_n purpose_v in_o his_o eternal_a council_n before_o the_o world_n to_o bestow_v or_o work_v that_o increase_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o god_n will_n can_v be_v a_o cause_n of_o the_o same_o 2._o nothing_o temporary_a in_o man_n can_v be_v a_o cause_n of_o that_o which_o be_v eternal_a in_o god_n therefore_o god_n be_v not_o move_v by_o any_o thing_n fore-seen_a in_o time_n to_o decree_v this_o increase_n if_o nothing_o beside_o his_o own_o goodness_n move_v he_o to_o decree_v to_o work_v it_o nothing_o else_o move_v he_o actual_o to_o work_v it_o else_o the_o decree_n and_o the_o execution_n of_o it_o do_v not_o agree_v three_o god_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o man_n reason_n 3_o owe_v he_o nothing_o be_v a_o absolute_a monarch_n who_o have_v most_o full_a and_o free_a power_n to_o do_v with_o his_o own_o what_o he_o listen_v if_o he_o give_v his_o bounty_n be_v thereby_o manifest_v if_o he_o withhold_v he_o wrong_v none_o now_o if_o we_o can_v possible_o by_o any_o mean_n make_v god_n our_o debtor_n it_o follow_v that_o whatsoever_o good_a we_o have_v or_o receive_v it_o proceed_v from_o his_o only_a kindness_n first_o then_o here_o be_v confute_v use_v 1_o first_o some_o false_a doctrine_n of_o the_o papist_n as_o 1._o that_o a_o sinner_n not_o reconcile_v to_o god_n may_v by_o preparatory_a work_n of_o repentance_n deserve_v in_o some_o sort_n justification_n which_o they_o call_v the_o merit_n of_o congruity_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a how_o one_o of_o the_o master-dawbers_a of_o mystical_a babylon_n go_v about_o to_o salve_v this_o point_n by_o a_o favourable_a interpretation_n but_o if_o there_o be_v no_o snake_n in_o this_o grass_n i_o marvel_v why_o some_o of_o great_a name_n and_o note_n among_o they_o who_o doubtless_o understand_v well_o enough_o the_o tenet_n of_o their_o own_o time_n wish_v the_o abolish_n and_o abandon_v of_o it_o 2._o that_o man_n be_v able_a by_o a_o power_n natural_o inherent_a in_o his_o will_n if_o it_o be_v but_o help_v and_o waken_v by_o grace_n to_o believe_v and_o convert_v indeed_o they_o disavow_v this_o opinion_n as_o whoremaster_n be_v sometime_o ashamed_a of_o their_o bastard_n but_o they_o must_v be_v content_a will_v they_o will_v they_o to_o father_n it_o for_o the_o write_n of_o the_o jesuit_n who_o in_o this_o point_n be_v hot_o oppose_v by_o their_o own_o puefellow_n the_o dominican_n witness_v that_o beside_o the_o outward_a mean_n they_o acknowledge_v nothing_o necessary_a to_o conversion_n but_o inspiration_n illumination_n excitation_n they_o require_v not_o any_o supernatural_a habit_n or_o principle_n insuse_v into_o the_o will_n by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v dispose_v and_o elevate_v to_o produce_v the_o act_n of_o faith_n they_o make_v effectual_a grace_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o god_n persuade_v and_o call_v man_n in_o such_o a_o time_n place_n manner_z as_o he_o foresee_v most_o agreeable_a to_o their_o disposition_n inspire_v such_o motion_n as_o he_o see_v by_o their_o freewill_n they_o will_v embrace_v yea_o some_o of_o they_o ingenuous_o confess_v that_o the_o first_o radical_a cause_n of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o grace_n be_v the_o co-operation_n of_o man_n will_n 3_o that_o man_n may_v merit_v yea_o other_o for_o they_o increase_v of_o grace_n perseverance_n and_o restauration_n by_o repentance_n when_o they_o have_v fall_v how_o these_o romish_a opinion_n be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o doctrine_n in_o hand_n ground_v upon_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o the_o apostle_n he_o be_v blind_a that_o see_v not_o second_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o arminian_o who_o maintain_v that_o the_o ground_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n election_n be_v foresight_n of_o say_v and_o perseverance_n in_o person_n to_o be_v elect_v that_o god_n send_v the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n and_o offer_v his_o grace_n to_o this_o or_o that_o people_n because_o he_o do_v see_v and_o know_v they_o will_v with_o humble_a
their_o faith_n as_o be_v by_o the_o power_n of_o it_o alone_o they_o be_v able_a to_o stand_v against_o all_o blast_n resist_v all_o temptation_n for_o though_o it_o be_v a_o excellent_a grace_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o a_o creature_n and_o imperfect_a too_o and_o therefore_o in_o sense_n and_o distrust_n of_o our_o own_o weakness_n we_o have_v need_v to_o cry_v to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v shield_v we_o with_o his_o grace_n and_o support_n both_o we_o and_o our_o faith_n by_o his_o power_n last_o it_o follow_v hence_o use_v 6_o that_o faith_n do_v not_o justify_v by_o any_o valour_n virtue_n dignity_n of_o its_o own_o neither_o as_o a_o habit_n or_o quality_n nor_o as_o a_o work_n but_o as_o it_o be_v a_o mean_n or_o instrument_n of_o obtain_v that_o for_o which_o we_o be_v justify_v it_o be_v not_o the_o gift_n of_o faith_n dwell_v in_o the_o heart_n nor_o the_o act_n of_o believe_v as_o the_o noveller_n teach_v but_o the_o thing_n hold_v and_o possess_v by_o believe_v which_o be_v our_o righteousness_n for_o that_o thing_n by_o which_o we_o be_v in_o proper_a sense_n absolute_o and_o as_o i_o may_v say_v formal_o justify_v and_o present_v spotless_a before_o god_n must_v be_v perfect_a yea_o expiate_v infinite_a guiltiness_n answer_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n but_o this_o faith_n can_v do_v because_o it_o be_v imperfect_a as_o we_o see_v the_o second_o instruction_n or_o conclusion_n to_o be_v draw_v out_o of_o these_o word_n be_v christian_n must_v desire_v the_o accomplishment_n and_o perfection_n of_o faith_n above_o all_o other_o grace_n doct_v 2_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o faith_n of_o all_o grace_n which_o exist_v in_o we_o be_v the_o noble_a for_o excellency_n and_o of_o necessity_n it_o have_v the_o preeminence_n whether_o we_o consider_v the_o glory_n it_o bring_v to_o god_n or_o profit_n to_o man._n first_o reason_n 1_o no_o grace_n exalt_v and_o honour_v god_n as_o faith_n do_v for_o 1._o in_o the_o cause_n of_o justification_n and_o salvation_n faith_n utter_o annihilate_v man_n trample_v under_o foot_n all_o the_o glory_n of_o nature_n all_o goodness_n all_o privilege_n all_o work_n of_o man_n seek_v righteousness_n and_o life_n only_o from_o god_n grace_n in_o christ_n when_o a_o poor_a sinner_n see_v himself_o a_o condemn_a rebel_n and_o traitor_n feel_v nothing_o in_o himself_o but_o darkness_n unworthiness_n wrath_n and_o death_n have_v nothing_o to_o bring_v to_o god_n but_o shame_n and_o misery_n faith_n lead_v he_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n and_o make_v he_o bold_a to_o beg_v and_o expect_v pardon_n in_o christ_n blood_n for_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o because_o god_n be_v gracious_a yea_o when_o his_o many_o mighty_a ugly_a sin_n discourage_v and_o terrify_v he_o to_o cleave_v still_o to_o the_o free_a and_o everlasting_a goodness_n of_o god_n acknowledge_v the_o lord_n mercy_n infinite_o to_o surpass_v his_o iniquity_n thus_o faith_n give_v the_o whole_a praise_n of_o man_n salvation_n to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n 2._o faith_n believe_v god_n upon_o his_o bare_a word_n if_o god_n have_v reveal_v or_o promise_v this_o or_o that_o though_o all_o the_o world_n say_v it_o can_v be_v though_o reason_n can_v comprehend_v how_o or_o why_o it_o shall_v be_v though_o many_o reason_n appear_v why_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v believe_v none_o at_o all_o why_o it_o shall_v but_o this_o that_o god_n have_v speak_v faith_n will_v still_o all_o contrary_a surmise_n and_o subscribe_v to_o god_n testimony_n as_o more_o stable_n and_o steadfast_a than_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o earth_n thus_o faith_n high_o honour_v god_n truth_n 3._o faith_n proclaim_v god_n to_o be_v able_a to_o effect_v whatsoever_o he_o have_v promise_v and_o believe_v that_o though_o a_o thousand_o difficulty_n stand_v in_o the_o way_n the_o overcome_a of_o which_o flesh_n and_o blood_n judge_v not_o only_o a_o thing_n improbable_a but_o impossible_a it_o be_v as_o sure_a as_o if_o it_o be_v do_v already_o 21._o rom._n 4.20_o 21._o thus_o it_o give_v glory_n to_o the_o power_n of_o god_n 4._o faith_n cause_v a_o man_n deny_v and_o renounce_v his_o own_o judgement_n wisdom_n will_n as_o foolishness_n to_o bless_v god_n as_o well_o when_o he_o deny_v or_o take_v away_o as_o when_o he_o give_v as_o well_o for_o the_o worst_a as_o the_o best_a and_o to_o rest_v persuade_v that_o the_o worst_a estate_n be_v the_o best_a for_o he_o when_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o that_o poverty_n be_v better_a than_o abundance_n when_o god_n will_v have_v he_o poor_a restraint_n than_o liberty_n when_o god_n will_v have_v he_o restrain_v etc._n etc._n that_o it_o be_v great_a gain_n to_o lose_v all_o thing_n for_o christ_n that_o god_n love_v in_o smite_v heal_v by_o wound_v exalt_v by_o humble_v through_o the_o gate_n of_o death_n bring_v unto_o life_n thus_o faith_n extol_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n 5._o faith_n make_v man_n justify_v god_n in_o all_o his_o decree_n judgement_n deal_n subscribe_v to_o the_o equity_n of_o they_o all_o even_o when_o he_o conceive_v not_o of_o they_o adore_v the_o unsearchableness_n of_o they_o reverent_o submit_v unto_o they_o yea_o when_o they_o thwart_v his_o desire_n pronounce_v approve_v all_o his_o way_n to_o be_v pure_a and_o righteous_a when_o he_o neither_o see_v nor_o ask_v any_o reason_n thereof_o but_o god_n will_n be_v not_o this_o a_o great_a honour_n which_o faith_n give_v to_o god_n righteousness_n 6._o it_o behold_v he_o that_o be_v invisible_a every_o where_o present_a persuade_v that_o he_o see_v and_o know_v all_o thing_n and_o so_o glorifi_v he_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o omnipresence_n in_o a_o word_n that_o i_o be_v not_o too_o long_o in_o multiply_a particular_n faith_n if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v give_v unto_o god_n his_o whole_a divinity_n and_o of_o all_o grace_n most_o sanctify_v his_o name_n by_o acknowledge_v and_o confirm_v as_o it_o be_v by_o seal_n all_o those_o excellent_a property_n and_o perfection_n which_o the_o scripture_n ascribe_v to_o he_o indeed_o other_o grace_n also_o as_o love_v fear_v joy_n and_o the_o rest_n do_v honour_n god_n nor_o do_v i_o mean_v to_o rob_v they_o of_o their_o due_a praise_n but_o neither_o primary_o for_o the_o cause_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o that_o honour_n be_v in_o faith_n nor_o yet_o in_o such_o ample_a and_o full_a manner_n as_o faith_n see_v then_o nothing_o be_v so_o glorious_a to_o god_n as_o faith_n and_o consequent_o the_o more_o faith_n any_o man_n have_v the_o more_o he_o glorify_v god_n do_v it_o not_o stand_v every_o christian_a in_o hand_n above_o all_o grace_n to_o labour_n for_o perfection_n of_o faith_n second_o reason_n 2_o no_o grace_n be_v more_o useful_a more_o profitable_a to_o man_n than_o faith_n whether_o we_o consider_v life_n spiritual_a or_o natural_a for_o spiritual_a life_n 1._o faith_n espouse_v and_o conjoyn_v man_n to_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o who_o he_o find_v and_o obtain_v the_o dignity_n or_o prerogative_n of_o sonship_n and_o justification_n of_o life_n which_o thing_n the_o better_o they_o be_v know_v the_o more_o they_o be_v feel_v and_o seal_v up_o in_o the_o soul_n by_o believe_v the_o more_o be_v the_o heart_n refresh_v with_o unspeakable_a comfort_n 2._o faith_n purify_v and_o sanctifi_v because_o 1._o be_v a_o gift_n of_o a_o holy_a and_o heavenly_a nature_n descend_v from_o above_o it_o will_v oppose_v and_o fight_v against_o corruption_n as_o light_n expel_v darkness_n heat_n cold_a and_o antidote_n poison_n 2._o laying_z hold_v on_o christ_n it_o draw_v and_o derive_v from_o he_o the_o fountain_n virtue_n and_o power_n whereby_o corruption_n be_v master_v and_o mortify_v as_o a_o leaden_a pipe_n bring_v water_n from_o the_o spring_n wherein_o vessel_n be_v wash_v and_o cleanse_v 3._o faith_n be_v the_o mother_n and_o root_n of_o all_o other_o holy_a grace_n in_o a_o christian_a and_o therefore_o as_o faith_n increase_v the_o rest_n will_v increase_v the_o more_o perfect_a that_o faith_n grow_v the_o near_a the_o persection_n be_v the_o whole_a cluster_n of_o heavenly_a gift_n in_o the_o child_n of_o god_n the_o more_o a_o man_n know_v and_o believe_v the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o he_o the_o more_o fervent_o he_o will_v love_v god_n the_o more_o reverent_o he_o will_v fear_v he_o burn_v with_o zeal_n of_o his_o glory_n patient_o hope_v earnest_o desire_v to_o be_v with_o he_o in_o heaven_n and_o so_o of_o the_o rest_n 3._o faith_n strengthen_v 1._o to_o obey_v god_n in_o lead_v a_o holy_a life_n in_o perform_v all_o duty_n and_o do_v all_o the_o good_a work_n he_o require_v of_o his_o people_n so_o as_o they_o may_v please_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n 2._o to_o fight_v against_o and_o foil_v all_o spiritual_a enmity_n faith_n make_v a_o poor_a soul_n able_a to_o resist_v the_o devil_n
of_o his_o spirit_n to_o blow_v upon_o the_o garden_n of_o our_o heart_n that_o the_o spice_n thereof_o may_v flow_v forth_o 4._o improve_n 4.16_o song_n 4.16_o and_o blow_v up_o grace_n by_o spiritual_a exercise_n of_o read_v singing_z meditation_n conference_n private_a communication_n of_o gift_n 5._o evacuation_n purge_v out_o by_o renew_a repentance_n such_o matter_n as_o may_v cause_v a_o oppilation_n of_o those_o passage_n in_o which_o grace_n shall_v flow_v unto_o we_o for_o christ_n to_o who_o we_o be_v join_v as_o member_n if_o we_o be_v believer_n be_v a_o head_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n full_a of_o grace_n &_o truth_n if_o we_o desire_n to_o receive_v abundant_o of_o his_o fullness_n we_o must_v take_v heed_n the_o nerve_n of_o faith_n and_o pipe_n of_o god_n ordinance_n be_v not_o stop_v or_o make_v ineffectual_a in_o we_o by_o our_o worldliness_n deadness_n of_o spirit_n lust_n or_o some_o know_a corruption_n too_o indulgent_o handle_v 6._o lay_v our_o heart_n low_a before_o the_o lord_n in_o humiliation_n and_o humility_n for_o the_o low_a valley_n because_o they_o receive_v most_o due_a and_o rain_n into_o their_o bosom_n be_v most_o fruitful_a so_o the_o humble_a heart_n the_o break_a spirit_n be_v of_o all_o other_o a_o subject_n most_o capable_a of_o the_o spirit_n and_o shall_v be_v most_o plentiful_o water_v with_o the_o shower_n of_o grace_n because_o the_o god_n of_o all_o grace_n and_o goodness_n have_v promise_v to_o dwell_v in_o such_o a_o spirit_n do_v you_o now_o see_v the_o way_n walk_v in_o it_o that_o you_o may_v find_v rest_n to_o your_o soul_n do_v you_o know_v these_o thing_n bless_a be_v you_o if_o you_o do_v they_o and_o therefore_o still_o suffer_v the_o word_n of_o exhortation_n in_o the_o use_n of_o these_o mean_n propound_v this_o mark_n to_o yourselves_o to_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n with_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n with_o all_o riches_n of_o full_a assurance_n with_o all_o might_n patience_n and_o long_a sufferance_n with_o joy_n and_o peace_n in_o believe_v to_o be_v full_a of_o good_a work_n of_o mercy_n and_o good_a fruit_n of_o thankfulness_n and_o god_n praiset_n all_o the_o day_n oh_o spare_v no_o pain_n for_o store_v up_o abundance_n of_o grace_n as_o david_n say_v of_o his_o child_n the_o fruit_n of_o the_o womb_n happy_a be_v the_o man_n that_o have_v his_o quiver_n full_a of_o they_o so_o may_v i_o much_o more_o true_o say_v of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o spirit_n happy_a be_v the_o man_n that_o have_v his_o heart_n full_a of_o this_o treasure_n here_o only_a covetousness_n yea_o violence_n be_v lawful_a and_o holy_a say_v not_o within_o yourselves_o this_o be_v a_o hard_a doctrine_n and_o impossible_a what_o we_o can_v be_v perfect_a here_o such_o thought_n be_v prompt_v by_o satan_n to_o make_v you_o lazy_a and_o rob_v you_o of_o your_o crown_n the_o apostle_n paul_n be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o this_o yet_o he_o forget_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v behind_o and_o stretch_v himself_o unto_o the_o thing_n before_o yea_o labour_a if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o attain_v to_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a so_o that_o though_o we_o can_v reach_v a_o entire_a and_o complete_a perfection_n yet_o we_o may_v and_o must_v grow_v still_o more_o and_o more_o perfect_a and_o though_o our_o attainment_n shall_v never_o in_o this_o life_n overtake_v and_o equal_a our_o desire_n yet_o as_o he_o that_o shoot_v at_o the_o noon-sun_n though_o he_o be_v sure_a he_o shall_v never_o hit_v the_o mark_n be_v sure_o to_o shoot_v high_a than_o he_o that_o aim_v at_o a_o bush_n so_o if_o we_o desire_v and_o aim_v at_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o grace_n we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o outstrip_v our_o fellow_n and_o attain_v such_o a_o measure_n as_o shall_v make_v our_o profession_n both_o comfortable_a to_o our_o own_o soul_n exemplary_a to_o our_o brethren_n and_o glorious_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o stranger_n and_o thus_o much_o touch_v this_o branch_n of_o paul_n prayer_n for_o though_o i_o perceive_v there_o be_v one_o point_n more_o couch_v in_o it_o which_o have_v not_o be_v handle_v yet_o for_o brevity_n i_o will_v refer_v and_o reserve_v it_o to_o be_v wrap_v up_o as_o well_o it_o may_v in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o next_o member_n which_o now_o remain_v to_o be_v open_v wherein_o a_o second_o thing_n be_v crave_v by_o the_o apostle_n as_o a_o necessary_a and_o more_o special_a mean_n of_o make_v they_o worthy_a their_o call_n the_o word_n be_v be_v the_o work_n of_o faith_n with_o power_n where_n consider_v 1._o the_o blessing_n ask_v which_o be_v fulfil_v the_o work_n of_o faith_n by_o work_n of_o faith_n may_v either_o be_v mean_v the_o exercise_n operation_n fruit_n of_o faith_n faith_n stir_v act_v labour_a produce_v such_o work_n as_o be_v proper_a to_o she_o or_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v god_n work_n in_o man_n the_o grace_n or_o habit_n of_o faith_n wrought_v by_o god_n in_o our_o heart_n i_o take_v this_o latter_a sense_n the_o difference_n be_v not_o great_a and_o this_o include_v the_o other_o 2._o the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o it_o god_n power_n for_o so_o i_o understand_v those_o last_o word_n with_o power_n that_o be_v by_o his_o own_o almighty_a power_n join_v they_o to_o the_o word_n fulfil_v rather_o than_o to_o faith_n which_o work_v powerful_o in_o believer_n the_o meaning_n than_o be_v as_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v say_v but_o above_o all_o other_o grace_n we_o make_v suit_n unto_o god_n for_o the_o perfect_a of_o that_o bless_a and_o singular_a work_n of_o faith_n which_o his_o grace_n have_v begin_v in_o you_o and_o that_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o own_o right_a hand_n who_o be_v omnipotent_a and_o all-sufficient_a the_o instruction_n to_o be_v gather_v from_o these_o word_n follow_v whereof_o the_o first_o be_v this_o the_o best_a faith_n have_v want_n doct_v 1_o understand_v it_o of_o faith_n in_o the_o son_n of_o man_n in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v plain_a in_o our_o text_n the_o apostle_n witness_v in_o his_o former_a epistle_n that_o this_o people_n receive_v the_o word_n with_o much_o assurance_n that_o their_o faith_n to_o godward_o be_v spread_v abroad_o in_o other_o place_n in_o this_o very_a chapter_n he_o have_v give_v thanks_o to_o god_n that_o their_o faith_n grow_v exceed_o yet_o here_o he_o tell_v we_o they_o have_v need_v to_o be_v pray_v for_o that_o god_n will_v perfect_v their_o faith_n a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n do_v further_o confirm_v it_o abraham_n faith_n do_v â—imp_n and_o halt_v a_o little_a when_o he_o hearken_v â—o_o the_o counsel_n of_o sarah_n in_o go_v in_o to_o hagar_n for_o he_o consent_v to_o the_o use_n of_o unlawful_a mean_n for_o bring_v about_o god_n purpose_n likewise_o when_o through_o fear_n he_o sain_v sarah_n to_o be_v his_o sister_n weakness_n appear_v in_o sarahs_n faith_n when_o she_o laugh_v at_o the_o promise_n of_o a_o son_n in_o jacob_n when_o tiding_n of_o esau_n come_n do_v so_o affright_v and_o distress_n he_o though_o he_o have_v a_o promise_n of_o god_n presence_n and_o protection_n in_o that_o journey_n in_o david_n when_o in_o his_o haste_n and_o fear_v he_o say_v i_o be_o câ—st_v out_o of_o thy_o sight_n all_o man_n be_v liar_n when_o he_o feign_v himself_o mad_a in_o peter_n when_o be_v afraid_a of_o his_o skin_n in_o the_o high_a priest_n hall_n he_o deny_v his_o master_n and_o no_o marvel_n for_o first_o if_o knowledge_n be_v imperfect_a in_o all_o christian_n confidence_n can_v be_v perfect_a in_o any_o how_o can_v the_o heart_n desire_n or_o cleave_v unto_o this_o or_o that_o further_o than_o the_o mind_n apprehend_v it_o as_o true_a and_o good_a i_o can_v rest_v upon_o a_o man_n believe_v he_o will_v do_v this_o or_o that_o for_o i_o further_o than_o i_o know_v he_o the_o measure_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o will_n depend_v upon_o and_o sollow_v the_o measure_n of_o light_n in_o the_o understanding_n 〈◊〉_d mean_v in_o respect_n of_o latitude_n not_o intention_n or_o in_o intrinsical_v vigour_n for_o otherwise_o i_o know_v there_o may_v be_v great_a faith_n where_o there_o be_v but_o small_a knowledge_n as_o in_o many_o martyr_n a_o man_n may_v know_v more_o than_o he_o believe_v so_o do_v many_o wicked_a man_n in_o the_o church_n but_o he_o can_v believe_v more_o than_o he_o know_v now_o its_o certain_a that_o we_o know_v but_o in_o part_n for_o neither_o do_v we_o apprehend_v the_o whole_a object_n of_o knowledge_n that_o be_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o divine_a truth_n my_o meaning_n be_v we_o know_v not_o all_o thing_n to_o be_v know_v we_o be_v still_o ignorant_a of_o many_o thing_n neither_o do_v we_o see_v those_o thing_n which_o now_o we_o know_v so_o full_o clear_o distinct_o as_o we_o shall_v and_o