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authority_n of_o holy_a sripture_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o right_a reason_n require_v he_o shall_v but_o as_o his_o own_o passion_n and_o inclination_n prompt_v he_o to_o do_v 3._o a_o three_o thing_n require_v to_o docility_n be_v that_o a_o man_n be_v free_a from_o prejudice_n he_o that_o will_v advance_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o find_n out_o of_o truth_n must_v bring_v to_o it_o that_o traveller_n indifference_n which_o the_o heathen_a so_o long_o since_o recommend_v to_o the_o world_n he_o must_v not_o desire_v it_o shall_v lie_v on_o the_o one_o side_n rather_o than_o the_o other_o lest_o his_o desire_n that_o it_o shall_v prompt_v he_o without_o just_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o do_v and_o so_o in_o religion_n too_o he_o that_o will_v make_v a_o right_a judgement_n what_o to_o believe_v or_o what_o to_o practice_n must_v first_o throw_v off_o all_o prejudice_n in_o favour_n of_o his_o own_o opinion_n or_o against_o any_o other_o and_o resolve_v never_o to_o be_v so_o 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person_n both_o to_o consider_v and_o if_o it_o may_v be_v to_o prevent_v the_o endure_a of_o they_o and_o however_o man_n may_v please_v to_o put_v the_o evil_a day_n far_o from_o they_o and_o hope_v that_o it_o shall_v not_o because_o it_o be_v their_o interest_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o too_o soon_o overtake_v they_o yet_o neither_o can_v any_o of_o we_o say_v how_o soon_o it_o may_v come_v upon_o we_o and_o be_v it_o at_o never_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n yet_o let_v we_o but_o remember_v that_o when_o it_o do_v come_v it_o bring_v a_o eternity_n along_o with_o it_o and_o we_o shall_v be_v force_v to_o confess_v that_o no_o present_a consideration_n how_o great_a soever_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v be_v yet_o fit_a to_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o it_o he_o must_v be_v a_o very_a foolish_a or_o a_o very_a necessitous_a man_n indeed_o that_o will_v part_v with_o the_o certain_a reversion_n of_o a_o thousand_o pound_n a_o year_n for_o the_o obtain_v a_o present_a penny_n 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shall_v conclude_v we_o have_v see_v the_o sad_a the_o unspeakable_a and_o what_o be_v yet_o more_o the_o eternal_a misery_n of_o he_o that_o fall_v from_o his_o steadfastness_n can_v i_o now_o represent_v to_o you_o the_o as_o infinite_a reward_n of_o the_o constant_a christian_a can_v i_o delineate_v to_o you_o but_o a_o small_a part_n of_o those_o joy_n which_o be_v prepare_v for_o such_o a_o one_o what_o a_o illustrious_a crown_n of_o glory_n shall_v adorn_v his_o triumphant_a head_n to_o all_o eternity_n i_o may_v then_o hope_v to_o have_v full_o accomplish_v the_o design_n of_o this_o exhortation_n and_o to_o have_v effectual_o secure_v you_o against_o fall_v away_o from_o your_o steadfastness_n but_o this_o be_v a_o argument_n above_o my_o capacity_n to_o illustrate_v eye_n have_v not_o see_v 9_o nor_o ear_n hear_v nor_o do_v it_o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v what_o god_n have_v prepare_v for_o they_o that_o love_v he_o we_o have_v neither_o thought_n to_o imagine_v any_o thing_n comparable_a to_o its_o greatness_n much_o less_o word_n to_o express_v it_o and_o methinks_v even_o this_o shall_v be_v enough_o to_o recommend_v it_o to_o we_o that_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o express_v it_o that_o its_o excellency_n so_o far_o surpass_v whatever_o experience_n we_o can_v pretend_v to_o of_o any_o felicity_n in_o this_o life_n that_o we_o can_v so_o much_o as_o find_v upon_o it_o any_o tolerable_a apprehension_n of_o the_o joy_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o other_o at_o least_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o convince_v you_o how_o incomparable_o more_o worthy_a our_o desire_n and_o pursuit_n such_o a_o reward_n of_o our_o firmness_n be_v than_o whatsoever_o can_v be_v offer_v to_o draw_v we_o aside_o from_o it_o and_o now_o have_v show_v you_o both_o what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v true_o steadfast_a in_o our_o faith_n and_o how_o great_a a_o obligation_n there_o lie_v upon_o we_o so_o to_o be_v what_o remain_v but_o that_o i_o brief_o close_v all_o with_o the_o last_o particular_a i_o propose_v to_o speak_v to_o iii_o how_o high_o necessary_a in_o its_o self_n but_o especial_o how_o advantageous_a to_o this_o great_a end_n it_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v all_o of_o we_o endeavour_v what_o in_o we_o lie_v to_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n i_o can_v wish_v i_o have_v some_o long_a time_n to_o improve_v as_o i_o ought_v this_o great_a and_o useful_a exhortation_n but_o i_o have_v insist_v too_o long_o already_o and_o therefore_o may_v not_o enlarge_v upon_o it_o the_o duty_n in_o short_a recommend_v to_o we_o be_v this_o that_o we_o shall_v serious_o endeavour_v according_a to_o our_o several_a opportunity_n to_o increase_v every_o day_n in_o our_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o a_o suitable_a practice_n and_o performance_n of_o it_o and_o he_o who_o true_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o do_v this_o need_v never_o fear_v fall_v away_o from_o his_o steadfastness_n his_o knowledge_n will_v teach_v he_o what_o be_v the_o right_a way_n and_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n root_v in_o his_o heart_n will_v establish_v he_o that_o no_o unworthy_a consideration_n shall_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o draw_v he_o aside_o from_o it_o 1._o for_o what_o concern_v the_o former_a of_o these_o knowledge_n he_o must_v understand_v but_o very_o little_a of_o the_o true_a spirit_n of_o christianity_n that_o be_v not_o able_a at_o the_o first_o sight_n to_o discover_v the_o illusion_n of_o those_o false_a teacher_n that_o be_v at_o present_a the_o most_o busy_a among_o we_o *_o christianity_n be_v a_o gospel_n of_o peace_n and_o charity_n it_o command_v we_o to_o love_v and_o to_o do_v good_a to_o all_o man_n even_o our_o very_a enemy_n to_o bless_v they_o that_o curse_v we_o 44_o to_o do_v good_a to_o they_o that_o hate_v we_o and_o to_o pray_v for_o those_o that_o despiteful_o use_v we_o and_o persecute_v we_o and_o can_v those_o be_v its_o disciple_n who_o scatter_v nothing_o but_o hatred_n and_o malice_n confusion_n and_o disorder_n wherever_o they_o come_v and_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o conscience_n to_o root_v out_o and_o destroy_v from_o off_o the_o earth_n all_o those_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o who_o religion_n consist_v in_o a_o maxim_n of_o the_o most_o detestable_a uncharitableness_n that_o all_o must_v be_v damn_v that_o be_v not_o of_o their_o persuasion_n *_o christianity_n be_v a_o wise_a and_o reasonable_a religion_n a_o religion_n become_v a_o most_o wise_a god_n to_o plant_v and_o rational_a creature_n to_o embrace_v but_o our_o new_a teacher_n be_v for_o a_o blind_a and_o unreasonable_a piety_n they_o be_v for_o a_o faith_n and_o a_o worship_n full_a of_o the_o great_a contradiction_n and_o esteem_v the_o true_a character_n of_o a_o thorough-paced_a believer_n to_o be_v to_o believe_v not_o only_o without_o any_o just_a ground_n but_o even_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n of_o mankind_n *_o christianity_n be_v a_o honest_a a_o upright_a a_o sincere_a religion_n a_o religion_n that_o require_v the_o great_a plainness_n and_o simplicity_n in_o all_o our_o word_n and_o action_n and_o can_v those_o be_v christian_n who_o be_v whole_o make_v up_o of_o fraud_n and_o dissimulation_n who_o palliate_v the_o very_a doctrine_n they_o profess_v deny_v the_o very_a article_n of_o their_o faith_n when_o it_o be_v requisite_a thereby_o to_o seduce_v man_n to_o their_o party_n and_o plain_o show_v that_o they_o value_v not_o what_o they_o do_v or_o say_v as_o often_o as_o the_o mother-interest_n of_o their_o church_n require_v they_o to_o deceive_v *_o christianity_n teahce_n we_o to_o worship_v
of_o life_n and_o it_o be_v not_o without_o some_o violence_n that_o they_o break_v through_o the_o restraint_n of_o shame_n and_o modesty_n to_o pursue_v it_o sometime_o it_o set_v before_o they_o the_o obligation_n which_o their_o duty_n lay_v upon_o they_o to_o fulfil_v it_o how_o worthy_a and_o honourable_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o live_v virtuous_o what_o a_o credit_n and_o respect_v it_o gain_v a_o man_n here_o and_o what_o a_o glorious_a reward_n shall_v be_v the_o consequence_n of_o it_o hereafter_o sometime_o it_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o force_v they_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o to_o think_v of_o that_o time_n 9_o when_o for_o all_o these_o thing_n god_n will_v bring_v they_o to_o judgement_n and_o how_o they_o shall_v then_o be_v able_a to_o endure_v a_o eternity_n of_o torment_n in_o that_o wretched_a place_n 4â—_n where_o the_o worm_n die_v not_o and_o where_o the_o fire_n never_o shall_v be_v quench_v now_o all_o these_o and_o many_o other_o hindrance_n of_o the_o like_a kind_n which_o the_o sinner_n meet_v with_o in_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o his_o evil_a course_n be_v not_o only_o so_o many_o barrier_n which_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o set_v in_o our_o way_n to_o keep_v we_o from_o ruin_n but_o so_o many_o help_v too_o to_o assist_v we_o if_o we_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n be_v entice_v to_o do_v wicked_o to_o recover_v ourselves_o again_o out_o of_o it_o but_o by_o a_o long_a continuance_n in_o sin_n all_o these_o be_v overcome_v and_o we_o be_v not_o only_o thereby_o more_o deep_o engage_v in_o the_o way_n of_o wickedness_n but_o have_v lose_v all_o these_o assistance_n our_o retreat_n be_v also_o render_v infinite_o more_o difficult_a than_o whilst_o we_o lie_v under_o the_o restraint_n of_o shame_n and_o fear_v and_o conscience_n to_o reclaim_v we_o but_o this_o be_v not_o yet_o all_o for_o by_o continue_v in_o sin_n and_o put_v off_o the_o time_n of_o our_o repentance_n we_o do_v not_o only_o diminish_v our_o own_o natural_a strength_n and_o thereby_o render_v ourselves_o still_o less_o able_a to_o encounter_v with_o it_o but_o what_o be_v yet_o more_o to_o be_v consider_v we_o deprive_v ourselves_o of_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n grace_n too_o without_o which_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o we_o ever_o to_o overcome_v it_o it_o be_v lay_v down_o by_o isaiah_n as_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n forsake_v his_o ancient_a people_n the_o jew_n chap._n lxiii_o vers_fw-la 10._o that_o they_o rebel_v and_o vex_v his_o holy_a spirit_n therefore_o be_v he_o turn_v to_o be_v their_o enemy_n and_o he_o fight_v against_o they_o and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o his_o gospel_n everywhere_o proceed_v upon_o this_o measure_n in_o the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o grace_n that_o etc._n to_o he_o who_o have_v i._n e._n who_o make_v use_v of_o and_o improve_v what_o god_n have_v already_o bestow_v upon_o he_o shall_v be_v give_v and_o he_o shall_v have_v more_o abundant_o but_o from_o he_o that_o have_v not_o i._n e._n that_o do_v not_o make_v use_n of_o and_o improve_v what_o he_o have_v even_o that_o which_o he_o once_o have_v shall_v be_v take_v away_o and_o however_o it_o may_v sometime_o please_v god_n in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n to_o raise_v up_o sinner_n at_o the_o last_o and_o though_o they_o continue_v long_o in_o their_o wickedness_n yet_o nevertheless_o still_o continue_v his_o divine_a assistance_n to_o they_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n yet_o can_v this_o be_v any_o ground_n for_o any_o one_o to_o rely_v upon_o in_o this_o matter_n see_v it_o be_v plain_a both_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o common_a experience_n of_o mankind_n that_o in_o the_o ordinary_a method_n of_o god_n providence_n his_o grace_n be_v withdraw_v in_o proportion_n to_o man_n neglect_n of_o it_o till_o at_o last_o they_o be_v utter_o deprive_v of_o it_o 26_o and_o give_v up_o to_o be_v lead_v captive_a by_o the_o devil_n at_o his_o will._n hence_o it_o be_v that_o we_o sometime_o read_v in_o holy_a scripture_n of_o person_n deliver_v up_o to_o a_o hardness_n and_o impenitence_n of_o heart_n 5_o not_o that_o i_o think_v god_n ordain_v any_o man_n to_o destruction_n or_o deny_v he_o such_o a_o measure_n of_o his_o grace_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o preserve_v he_o from_o it_o but_o when_o man_n neglect_v his_o offer_n and_o despise_v and_o grieve_v his_o holy_a spirit_n and_o go_v on_o in_o their_o sin_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o method_n of_o his_o providence_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n when_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o iniquity_n be_v now_o fill_v up_o and_o they_o be_v become_v ripe_a for_o vengeance_n then_o god_n be_v please_v sometime_o to_o withdraw_v his_o grace_n from_o they_o and_o seal_v they_o up_o unto_o destruction_n and_o though_o he_o may_v sometime_o permit_v they_o for_o other_o end_n of_o his_o providence_n to_o continue_v still_o in_o this_o world_n yet_o he_o no_o long_o continue_v the_o power_n and_o assistance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n this_o i_o take_v to_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o pharaoh_n after_o the_o six_o judgement_n till_o then_o 32._o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o harden_v his_o herd_n or_o that_o his_o heart_n be_v harden_v but_o when_o his_o own_o magician_n confess_v that_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n plain_o show_v itself_o in_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n and_o yet_o he_o still_o continue_v obstinate_a then_o god_n declare_v that_o he_o harden_v he_o exod._n ix_o 12_o and_o cause_v he_o to_o stand_v i._n e._n keep_v he_o alive_a when_o he_o have_v deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v with_o a_o quick_a destruction_n for_o this_o very_a end_n that_o he_o may_v show_v in_o he_o his_o power_n exod._n ix_o 16_o many_o be_v the_o declaration_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o confirm_v this_o to_o we_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o state_n of_o the_o old_a world_n before_o the_o flood_n god_n himself_o declare_v gen._n vi_fw-la 3_o that_o his_o spirit_n shall_v not_o always_o strive_v with_o man_n yet_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n and_o if_o they_o repent_v not_o in_o that_o time_n than_o he_o will_v bring_v a_o utter_a destruction_n upon_o they_o and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n we_o find_v holy_a david_n speak_v in_o the_o person_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o rebellious_a israelite_n and_o which_o i_o the_o rather_o remark_n because_o saint_n paul_n apply_v it_o hebr._n iii._o 12_o to_o the_o very_a purpose_n of_o what_o i_o be_o now_o speak_v that_o because_o they_o harden_v their_o heart_n and_o tempt_v and_o grieve_a god_n forty_o year_n therefore_o he_o at_o last_o swear_v to_o they_o in_o his_o wrath_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o his_o rest_n and_o the_o application_n which_o the_o apostle_n make_v be_v this_o plain_a conclusion_n take_v heed_n 11._o brethren_n lest_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o you_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o live_a god_n 12._o but_o exhort_v one_o another_o daily_a while_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n lest_o any_o of_o you_o be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n and_o last_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o the_o same_o be_v the_o declaration_n which_o solomon_n make_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o harden_a and_o impenitent_a sinner_n prov._n i._n where_o have_v first_o set_v forth_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n ready_a to_o assist_v they_o if_o they_o will_v repent_v verse_n 22_o 23._o how_o long_o you_o simple_a one_o will_v you_o love_v simplicity_n and_o you_o scorner_n delight_v in_o their_o scorn_v and_o fool_n hate_v knowledge_n turn_v you_o at_o my_o reproof_n behold_v i_o will_v pour_v out_o my_o spirit_n upon_o you_o i_o will_v make_v know_v my_o word_n unto_o you_o he_o afterward_o declare_v the_o just_a indignation_n of_o god_n against_o they_o if_o they_o shall_v still_o continue_v obstinate_a and_o impenitent_a verse_n 24_o 25_o 26._o because_o i_o have_v call_v and_o you_o refuse_v i_o have_v stretch_v out_o my_o hand_n and_o no_o man_n regard_v but_o you_o have_v set_v at_o nought_o all_o my_o counsel_n and_o will_v have_v none_o of_o my_o reproof_n i_o also_o will_v laugh_v at_o your_o calamity_n and_o mock_v when_o your_o fear_n come_v and_o again_o verse_n 28_o 29_o 30._o then_o shall_v they_o call_v upon_o i_o but_o i_o will_v not_o answer_v they_o shall_v seek_v i_o early_o but_o they_o shall_v not_o find_v i_o for_o they_o hate_v knowledge_n and_o do_v not_o choose_v the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n they_o will_v none_o of_o my_o counsel_n they_o despise_v all_o my_o reproof_n therefore_o shall_v they_o eat_v of_o the_o fruit_n of_o their_o own_o