the_o mind_n be_v enlighten_v so_o often_o be_v the_o heart_n affect_v by_o the_o which_o mean_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o of_o the_o aforesaid_a knowledge_n do_v often_o spring_v in_o unregenerate_a man_n a_o kind_n of_o faith_n common_o call_v temporary_a because_o for_o the_o most_o part_n it_o be_v lose_v in_o process_n of_o time_n it_o be_v to_o be_v discern_v from_o effectual_a and_o true_a faith_n by_o the_o fruit_n of_o it_o for_o as_o we_o can_v judge_v what_o life_n and_o virtue_n be_v in_o the_o root_n of_o a_o tree_n which_o lie_v hide_v in_o the_o ground_n but_o by_o the_o branch_n leaf_n and_o fruit_n which_o it_o send_v forth_o so_o faith_n which_o be_v hide_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n can_v be_v try_v by_o any_o other_o mean_n the_o fruit_n of_o true_a faith_n be_v all_o other_o spiritual_a grace_n all_o good_a and_o holy_a action_n the_o which_o it_o send_v forth_o plentiful_o and_o so_o carry_v with_o it_o a_o great_a train_n whereby_o it_o may_v be_v know_v but_o this_o temporary_a faith_n be_v naked_a and_o destitute_a of_o these_o thing_n either_o whole_o or_o in_o great_a part_n as_o have_v be_v say_v of_o this_o shadow_n of_o regeneration_n in_o the_o former_a chapter_n but_o that_o which_o be_v doubtful_a whilst_o this_o say_v stand_v be_v in_o time_n make_v manifest_a when_o as_o the_o final_a and_o total_a decay_n of_o it_o do_v show_v what_o manner_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v for_o true_a faith_n abide_v for_o ever_o but_o this_o temporary_a faith_n may_v be_v lose_v by_o many_o mean_n as_o first_o by_o heavy_a cross_n and_o affliction_n whereby_o it_o please_v god_n to_o try_v his_o servant_n as_o the_o pure_a gold_n be_v sever_v from_o the_o dross_n by_o the_o fire_n 7_o 1._o pet._n 1._o 7._o rejoice_v in_o your_o manifold_a temptation_n that_o your_o faith_n be_v try_v may_v be_v find_v to_o be_v sound_a but_o of_o this_o sort_n of_o believer_n christ_n say_v math._n 13._o 21._o 21._o that_o their_o faith_n dure_v for_o a_o season_n but_o have_v no_o deep_a root_n it_o fail_v when_o tribulation_n and_o persecution_n come_v true_a faith_n say_v although_o god_n shall_v kill_v i_o yet_o will_v i_o trust_v in_o he_o but_o this_o light_a faith_n be_v clean_o dismay_v and_o even_o nip_v in_o the_o head_n in_o time_n of_o any_o great_a misery_n likewise_o it_o be_v lose_v by_o the_o force_n of_o sin_n and_o of_o worldly_a pleasure_n which_o make_v man_n to_o forget_v god_n and_o all_o the_o affiance_n which_o they_o have_v in_o he_o and_o so_o seek_v for_o happiness_n in_o this_o present_a world_n even_o as_o the_o natural_a life_n of_o man_n be_v in_o the_o heart_n be_v sometime_o keep_v down_o with_o extreme_a sorrow_n &_o sometime_o dissolve_v with_o excesive_a joy_n 1._o tim._n 5._o 11._o 12._o young_a widow_n will_v wax_v wanton_a against_o christ_n 12._o have_v damnation_n because_o they_o have_v make_v void_a their_o first_o faith_n by_o this_o mean_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o many_o who_o in_o their_o young_a year_n have_v have_v notable_a grace_n in_o they_o become_v in_o process_n of_o time_n key_n cold_a in_o religion_n mere_a worldling_n and_o clean_a void_a of_o all_o faith_n for_o the_o long_a that_o a_o man_n live_v the_o more_o he_o feel_v the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o lay_v fast_o hold_n on_o they_o decrease_v in_o faith_n till_o it_o be_v utter_o lose_v as_o appear_v in_o many_o of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n who_o be_v at_o the_o first_o sincere_a in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n fall_v away_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o decrease_n of_o infidelity_n from_o the_o which_o there_o come_v a_o decrease_n of_o the_o other_o part_n of_o man_n sinfulness_n and_o a_o resemblance_n of_o all_o that_o holiness_n which_o have_v be_v declare_v in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n for_o the_o carnal_a man_n have_v this_o knowledge_n and_o faith_n of_o god_n do_v serve_v and_o worship_v he_o by_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o that_o with_o gladness_n by_o pray_v unto_o god_n and_o by_o all_o other_o mean_n likewise_o he_o obey_v god_n in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n he_o forsake_v his_o sin_n and_o be_v humble_v with_o sorrow_n in_o regard_n of_o they_o he_o live_v unblamable_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n yea_o and_o may_v be_v indeed_o just_a upright_o honest_a in_o all_o his_o deal_n and_o final_o do_v in_o every_o respect_n resemble_v the_o true_a believer_n and_o yet_o the_o one_o be_v true_o renew_v unto_o eternal_a life_n the_o other_o be_v but_o light_o affect_v and_o change_v and_o that_o to_o his_o great_a condemnation_n chap._n vi_o of_o the_o natural_a and_o supernatural_a increase_n of_o sinfullnesse_n now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o increase_n of_o sin_n the_o which_o be_v as_o natural_a to_o man_n as_o it_o be_v for_o the_o smoke_n to_o fly_v upward_o may_v be_v more_o common_o find_v and_o more_o evident_o see_v than_o the_o decrease_n of_o it_o but_o the_o more_o that_o it_o be_v know_v of_o itself_o the_o less_o explication_n it_o need_v and_o therefore_o it_o shall_v suffice_v to_o declare_v it_o brief_o after_o this_o manner_n the_o increase_n of_o sin_n be_v the_o diminish_n of_o the_o relic_n of_o god_n image_n in_o man_n or_o thus_o to_o increase_v natural_a sinfulness_n be_v to_o be_v sinful_a against_o the_o law_n and_o light_n of_o nature_n sinfulness_n for_o beside_o that_o man_n from_o his_o first_o infancy_n as_o he_o grow_v up_o in_o strength_n of_o body_n and_o mind_n do_v also_o grow_v in_o sinfulness_n till_o he_o come_v to_o the_o state_n and_o ripeness_n of_o it_o which_o have_v be_v declare_v in_o the_o second_o section_n of_o the_o first_o and_o second_o part_n there_o be_v a_o other_o increase_n of_o sin_n whereby_o man_n go_v yet_o further_o and_o so_o exceed_v himself_o and_o his_o natural_a corruption_n this_o point_n of_o doctrine_n be_v set_v down_o at_o large_a 1._o rom._n 1._o from_o the_o 18._o verse_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n where_o the_o apostle_n show_v first_o the_o increase_n of_o sin_n against_o the_o first_o table_n of_o the_o law_n in_o that_o the_o gentiles_n do_v worship_n god_n in_o the_o likeness_n of_o man_n or_o of_o bruit_n beast_n whereas_o man_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n shine_v in_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n see_v that_o god_n be_v of_o a_o far_o more_o excellent_a powerful_a and_o wonderful_a nature_n than_o be_v man_n or_o any_o other_o creature_n then_o from_o the_o 24._o verse_n to_o the_o end_n he_o show_v the_o increase_n of_o sin_n against_o the_o second_o table_n in_o that_o they_o be_v give_v to_o unnatural_a lust_n to_o the_o violate_v of_o all_o common_a equity_n truth_n and_o honesty_n in_o lie_v break_v covenante_n in_o commit_v horrible_a murder_n in_o want_v all_o natural_a love_n and_o affection_n to_o their_o parent_n and_o kinsfolk_n in_o be_v cruel_a merciless_a and_o savage_a even_o as_o be_v bruit_n beast_n and_o which_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o in_o be_v profess_a inventor_n of_o new_a sin_n and_o open_a maintainer_n of_o wicked_a and_o lewd_a man_n in_o this_o catalogue_n of_o the_o increase_n of_o sin_n against_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o nature_n the_o apostle_n insert_v one_o sin_n of_o the_o first_o table_n to_o wit_n that_o many_o of_o the_o gentiles_n become_v hater_n of_o god_n whereas_o man_n natural_o have_v a_o kind_n of_o devout_a love_n unto_o his_o god_n for_o so_o we_o be_v to_o distinguishe_v the_o fall_n of_o man_n from_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o wicked_a angel_n as_o in_o other_o respect_n so_o also_o in_o this_o that_o they_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a measure_n of_o natural_a strength_n and_o grace_n which_o be_v give_v unto_o they_o fall_v from_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o holiness_n into_o the_o contrary_a extremity_n of_o sin_n be_v now_o so_o far_o from_o love_a god_n as_o they_o do_v before_o that_o they_o bear_v a_o most_o desperate_a and_o extreme_a hatred_n unto_o he_o as_o to_o their_o deadly_a enemy_n desire_v and_o endevor_v by_o all_o mean_n to_o hurt_v and_o despite_n he_o by_o obscure_v his_o glory_n whereas_o man_n natural_o and_o common_o have_v a_o blind_a affection_n towards_o god_n desire_v both_o to_o worship_n and_o to_o honour_v he_o if_o we_o desire_v example_n of_o this_o increase_n of_o sin_n although_o it_o have_v not_o place_n in_o all_o unregenerate_a man_n of_o who_o some_o do_v diminish_v their_o sinfulness_n by_o mean_n either_o of_o natural_a or_o of_o spiritual_a gift_n as_o have_v be_v declare_v and_o far_o mo_z doe_n so_o restrain_v it_o that_o it_o can_v increase_v in_o the_o which_o rank_n all_o
sin_n be_v thereto_o carry_v by_o the_o force_n of_o temptation_n as_o in_o a_o great_a tempest_n by_o a_o mighty_a gale_n of_o wind_n before_o they_o can_v be_v think_v themselves_o what_o they_o be_v about_o to_o do_v or_o what_o will_v be_v the_o issue_n of_o it_o whereof_o it_o come_v that_o this_o decrease_n of_o holiness_n stay_v itself_o in_o one_o or_o a_o few_o action_n do_v not_o necessary_o argue_v any_o inward_a want_n of_o the_o contrary_a grace_n or_o any_o inward_a decrease_n of_o holiness_n either_o go_v before_o or_o follow_v after_o because_o a_o man_n may_v fall_v into_o it_o as_o of_o a_o sudden_a before_o he_o be_v aware_a and_o immediate_o recover_v his_o former_a station_n by_o true_a and_o unfeigned_a repentance_n as_o we_o be_v not_o to_o judge_n either_o david_n void_a of_o continency_n for_o that_o adultery_n commit_v with_o berseba_n or_o peter_n to_o have_v want_v faith_n because_o he_o do_v at_o one_o time_n renounce_v the_o faith_n or_o noah_n to_o have_v be_v a_o intemperate_a person_n because_o he_o be_v once_o drink_v no_o more_o than_o we_o be_v to_o think_v he_o a_o weak_a man_n who_o stumble_v by_o chance_n at_o a_o block_n lie_v in_o his_o way_n and_o yet_o do_v straight_o way_n save_o himself_o from_o fall_v yea_o sudden_a sin_n may_v be_v with_o great_a grace_n than_o they_o have_v who_o be_v free_a from_o the_o aforesaid_a sin_n of_o noah_n lot_n david_n peter_n be_v far_o inferior_a in_o holiness_n to_o they_o yet_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o who_o profess_v themselves_o the_o seruamt_n of_o god_n to_o labour_v by_o all_o mean_n to_o keep_v themselves_o pure_a and_o free_a as_o from_o the_o least_o and_o most_o secret_a sin_n so_o especial_o from_o open_a &_o gross_a sin_n and_o that_o for_o these_o cause_n first_o because_o by_o they_o they_o dishonour_v god_n his_o religion_n worship_n and_o name_n open_v the_o mouth_n of_o atheist_n and_o infidel_n to_o blaspheme_v his_o holy_a name_n the_o which_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v more_o grievous_a and_o bitter_a unto_o they_o then_o a_o thousand_o death_n and_o torment_n second_o they_o provoke_v god_n to_o lay_v some_o fearful_a punishment_n upon_o they_o who_o howsoever_o he_o suffer_v the_o reprobate_a one_o to_o go_v on_o all_o their_o life_n time_n in_o sin_n yet_o he_o never_o suffer_v any_o notorious_a sin_n of_o his_o servant_n to_o go_v unpunished_a three_o they_o wound_v their_o own_o conscience_n by_o a_o fearful_a expectation_n of_o god_n heavy_a iudgmente_n holiness_n they_o grieve_v the_o holy_a spirit_n against_o who_o will_n they_o commite_v that_o sin_n they_o offend_v their_o brethren_n show_v themselves_o to_o be_v if_o not_o whole_o destitute_a of_o that_o special_a grace_n wherewith_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v restrain_v from_o sin_n yet_o but_o weak_a christian_n in_o that_o respect_n as_o we_o may_v be_v bold_a to_o judge_v that_o the_o faith_n of_o peter_n the_o continency_n of_o david_n the_o temperance_n of_o noah_n be_v at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o fall_n but_o weak_a howsoever_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o great_a measure_n of_o other_o grace_n last_o one_o heinous_a sin_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v because_o usual_o it_o draw_v more_o after_o it_o for_o when_o as_o a_o man_n have_v once_o take_v a_o taste_n of_o sin_n and_o feel_v the_o sensual_a sweetness_n of_o it_o he_o be_v far_o more_o easy_o draw_v to_o it_o than_o he_o be_v before_o and_o so_o he_o go_v from_o the_o first_o degree_n of_o the_o decrease_n of_o holiness_n to_o the_o second_o namely_o to_o a_o habit_n of_o some_o one_o sin_n or_o the_o want_n of_o some_o particular_a grace_n the_o which_o appear_v by_o the_o often_o commit_v and_o iterate_v of_o the_o same_o sin_n yea_o after_o that_o the_o faithful_a man_n have_v often_o by_o repentance_n labour_v to_o purge_v himself_o from_o that_o sin_n and_o by_o prayer_n to_o obtain_v the_o contrary_a grace_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n this_o decrease_n also_o have_v sometime_o place_n in_o a_o man_n true_o regenerate_v especial_o in_o that_o kind_n of_o sin_n whereunto_o he_o be_v either_o by_o the_o natural_a constitution_n of_o his_o body_n and_o mind_n or_o a_o evil_a custom_n get_v before_o his_o conversion_n natural_o incline_v whether_o it_o be_v pride_n anger_n covetousness_n or_o any_o other_o sin_n but_o as_o it_o be_v far_o more_o grievous_a than_o the_o first_o degree_n so_o it_o be_v with_o great_a care_n to_o be_v avoid_v for_o it_o double_v and_o triple_v the_o wrath_n and_o heavy_a judgement_n of_o god_n the_o offence_n of_o the_o godly_a the_o reproach_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o dishonour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o corrosive_a of_o a_o gnaw_a conscience_n and_o last_o it_o make_v a_o ready_a way_n for_o high_a degree_n of_o decrease_n to_o wit_n the_o habit_n of_o diverse_a sin_n the_o want_n of_o many_o particular_a grace_n and_o so_o to_o the_o high_a and_o most_o fearful_a degree_n which_o be_v a_o general_a decrease_n of_o holiness_n which_o be_v now_o brief_o to_o be_v declare_v where_o first_o we_o be_v to_o put_v a_o difference_n betwixt_o a_o general_a and_o a_o total_a decrease_n a_o general_a decrease_n be_v when_o all_o the_o part_n of_o renew_a holiness_n and_o of_o spiritual_a grace_n receive_v be_v diminish_v but_o a_o total_a decrease_n be_v a_o utter_a decay_n of_o holiness_n as_o whereby_o nothing_o be_v leave_v this_o can_v not_o happen_v to_o any_o one_o who_o be_v true_o regenerate_v who_o in_o the_o great_a extremity_n and_o depth_n of_o his_o fall_n retain_v some_o relic_n of_o god_n spirit_n and_o of_o grace_n receive_v yea_o somelife_o of_o faith_n whereby_o he_o live_v to_o god_n in_o christ_n howsoever_o he_o be_v to_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o man_n and_o even_o in_o his_o own_o conscience_n a_o dead_a rot_a stock_n even_o as_o we_o know_v that_o the_o tree_n have_v heat_n and_o life_n in_o their_o root_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o cold_a and_o sharp_a winter_n yea_o as_o many_o beast_n lie_v all_o the_o winter_n long_o in_o hole_n of_o the_o earth_n without_o eat_v drink_v stir_v or_o have_v any_o jot_n of_o heat_n sense_n or_o life_n in_o any_o of_o their_o outward_a part_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o remnant_n of_o life_n and_o of_o heat_n lurk_v in_o the_o heart_n which_o be_v in_o summer_n stir_v uppe_o do_v revine_a the_o beast_n so_o that_o it_o be_v able_a to_o go_v or_o run_v up_o and_o down_o and_o to_o perform_v all_o natural_a action_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o do_v before_o this_o christ_n do_v plain_o teach_v joh._n 4._o 14._o 14._o saying_n whosoever_o drink_v of_o the_o water_n which_o i_o shall_v give_v he_o that_o be_v whosoever_o believe_v in_o i_o as_o it_o be_v expound_v john_n 7._o 38_o shall_v never_o be_v more_o a_o thirst_n 38._o but_o the_o water_n that_o i_o will_v give_v he_o shall_v be_v in_o he_o a_o well_o of_o water_n spring_v up_o into_o everlasting_a life_n 9_o and_o 1_o joh._n 3._o 9_o whosoever_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n sin_v not_o total_o for_o the_o seed_n of_o god_n remain_v in_o he_o and_o therefore_o he_o can_v not_o fall_v clean_o away_o from_o god_n because_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n yet_o a_o man_n regenerate_v may_v decrease_v not_o only_o in_o one_o in_o a_o few_o or_o in_o many_o grace_n but_o also_o general_o in_o all_o spiritual_a grace_n this_o decrease_n of_o renew_a holiness_n be_v of_o two_o kind_n for_o as_o of_o bodily_a disease_n some_o begin_v at_o the_o hart_n which_o be_v the_o root_n and_o fountain_n of_o life_n in_o the_o body_n and_o so_o spread_v themselves_o over_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n other_o have_v their_o beginning_n in_o some_o outward_a and_o inferior_a part_n and_o pierce_v in_o till_o that_o they_o come_v to_o the_o heart_n so_o of_o these_o general_n decrease_v of_o holiness_n which_o be_v as_o grievous_a disease_n of_o the_o soul_n some_o begin_v at_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o root_n and_o fountain_n of_o spiritual_a life_n and_o so_o have_v stop_v the_o fountain_n do_v easy_o dry_v up_o the_o stream_n issue_v from_o it_o other_o begin_v at_o the_o mean_a and_o base_a part_n of_o sanctification_n and_o so_o first_o kill_v the_o fruit_n than_o the_o branch_n and_o the_o body_n of_o the_o tree_n till_o at_o length_n they_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o root_n itself_o both_o these_o way_n do_v sathan_n use_v to_o destroy_v this_o wonderful_a work_n of_o regeneration_n wrought_v in_o the_o faithful_a by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o first_o way_n be_v the_o near_a and_o ready_a for_o if_o faith_n once_o fail_v all_o holiness_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n whereas_o faith_n may_v stand_v in_o some_o sort_n although_o most_o of_o the_o
other_o part_n of_o santification_n be_v want_v as_o the_o body_n may_v live_v although_o it_o lack_v the_o arm_n leg_n and_o other_o part_n but_o if_o the_o heart_n be_v once_o wound_v death_n be_v then_o hard_a at_o hand_n and_o therefore_o satan_n do_v most_o of_o all_o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n labour_v to_o overthrow_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o faithful_a man_n desire_v to_o strike_v through_o the_o hart_n at_o the_o first_o stroke_n that_o so_o as_o abisai_n say_v 1._o sam._n 26._o 8._o 8._o he_o may_v save_v the_o labour_n of_o strike_v twice_o this_o christ_n tell_v peter_n that_o sathan_n have_v desire_v to_o tempt_v he_o 2._o but_o he_o have_v pray_v for_o he_o that_o his_o faith_n whereat_o sathan_n will_v direct_o strike_v shall_v not_o fail_v the_o weapon_n wherewith_o he_o use_v to_o strike_v at_o faith_n be_v many_o and_o diverse_a as_o namely_o these_o first_o the_o cross_n and_o misery_n of_o this_o present_a life_n which_o god_n lay_v on_o his_o child_n for_o the_o trial_n of_o their_o faith_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 7._o 7._o but_o they_o feel_v they_o bitter_a and_o after_o a_o sort_n intolerable_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n labour_n by_o earnest_n and_o continual_a prayer_n as_o also_o by_o all_o other_o mean_v to_o be_v free_v from_o they_o the_o which_o thing_n when_o as_o they_o can_v bring_v to_o pass_v be_v suffer_v to_o languish_v yea_o often_o to_o perish_v outward_o in_o their_o trouble_n they_o straight_o way_n be_v move_v by_o sathan_n to_o think_v that_o god_n have_v forsake_v they_o and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o help_n or_o good_a thing_n to_o be_v look_v for_o at_o his_o hand_n this_o policy_n sathan_n himself_o do_v bewray_v and_o confess_v job._n 1._o 11_o do_v job_n fear_n god_n for_o nought_o thou_o have_v bless_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n but_o lay_v thy_o hand_n upon_o he_o in_o outward_a cross_n and_o thou_o shall_v see_v that_o he_o will_v be_v so_o far_o off_o from_o trust_v in_o thou_o 11._o that_o he_o will_v curse_v thou_o to_o thy_o face_n the_o temptation_n be_v then_o most_o forceable_a when_o as_o the_o faithful_a in_o their_o great_a misery_n be_v exasperate_v and_o as_o it_o be_v have_v their_o tooth_n set_v on_o edge_n by_o the_o great_a prosperity_n of_o the_o wicked_a insomuch_o that_o they_o often_o repent_v themselves_o that_o they_o have_v not_o choose_v that_o course_n &_o manner_n of_o life_n whereby_o they_o see_v they_o to_o flourish_v but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v withstand_v by_o consider_v that_o god_n do_v chastise_v his_o child_n and_o purge_v they_o in_o the_o furnace_n of_o affliction_n that_o so_o he_o may_v make_v glorious_a and_o heavenly_a vessel_n of_o they_o whereas_o the_o wicked_a be_v as_o sheep_n feed_v fat_a against_o the_o day_n of_o slaughter_n that_o they_o be_v by_o this_o mean_n make_v conformable_a to_o christ_n their_o head_n that_o the_o great_a affliction_n of_o this_o world_n be_v not_o to_o be_v compare_v to_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n of_o the_o life_n to_o come_v &_o that_o â—s_v it_o be_v luke_n 16._o 25._o 25._o as_o the_o wicked_a in_o this_o life_n have_v pleasure_n and_o the_o godly_a pain_n so_o in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v the_o godly_a shall_v be_v comfort_v and_o the_o other_o torment_v and_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o be_v undoubted_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o we_o read_v eccles._n 8._o 12._o 17._o though_o the_o wicked_a man_n do_v evil_a a_o hundred_o time_n and_o yet_o prolong_v his_o day_n yet_o i_o know_v that_o in_o the_o end_n it_o will_v be_v well_o with_o they_o that_o fear_v god_n and_o with_o no_o other_o again_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o godly_a be_v often_o tempt_v by_o consideration_n have_v of_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o dead_a body_n for_o so_o by_o measure_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n by_o their_o own_o shallow_a reason_n they_o stagger_v at_o it_o and_o sometime_o fall_v flat_o down_o 2._o tim._n 2._o 18._o 18._o hymeneus_n and_o philetus_n teach_v that_o the_o resurrection_n mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v already_o past_a and_o so_o they_o do_v subvert_v the_o faith_n of_o many_o but_o for_o this_o we_o be_v to_o know_v that_o nothing_o be_v impossible_a to_o god_n the_o third_o temptation_n be_v the_o obscure_a secret_a and_o hide_a manner_n of_o god_n work_v in_o these_o last_o age_n wherein_o he_o have_v reveal_v himself_o full_o in_o his_o son_n and_o in_o the_o gospel_n do_v hide_v himself_o from_o the_o eye_n even_o of_o the_o faithful_a in_o that_o he_o do_v not_o appear_v so_o in_o vision_n revelation_n dream_n the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n in_o temporal_a punishment_n and_o blessing_n oâ—_n in_o any_o other_o sensible_a manner_n but_o suffer_v all_o thing_n to_o go_v on_o and_o work_v after_o their_o own_o inclination_n as_o namely_o tyrant_n to_o rage_n and_o oppress_v his_o church_n to_o persecute_v his_o people_n to_o erect_v idolatry_n to_o deface_v his_o worship_n to_o blaspheme_v his_o name_n so_o as_o if_o he_o have_v clean_o cast_v off_o the_o care_n of_o all_o thing_n here_o in_o this_o world_n but_o this_o ought_v not_o to_o trouble_v we_o for_o sensible_a apparition_n blessing_n and_o action_n be_v for_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n which_o now_o be_v come_v to_o her_o ripe_a age_n and_o yet_o the_o action_n of_o god_n be_v no_o less_o wonderful_a than_o before_o yea_o they_o be_v as_o manifest_v to_o spiritual_a eye_n as_o ever_o they_o be_v to_o the_o carnal_a eye_n of_o man_n the_o last_o weapon_n wherewith_o satan_n strike_v at_o faith_n be_v minister_v unto_o he_o by_o the_o faithful_a themselves_o to_o wit_n their_o manifold_a and_o grievous_a sin_n especial_o those_o whereinto_o they_o fall_v again_o and_o again_o have_v often_o repent_v they_o &_o whereof_o they_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n get_v the_o upper_a hand_n here_o satan_n think_v that_o he_o have_v as_o much_o advantage_n against_o the_o faithful_a as_o he_o himself_o desire_v for_o in_o the_o other_o temptation_n he_o do_v fight_v against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o which_o now_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v on_o his_o side_n for_o whereas_o the_o scripture_n do_v everywhere_a teach_v that_o all_o who_o be_v justify_v be_v sanctify_v from_o a_o sinful_a life_n and_o have_v power_n give_v they_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o resist_v and_o mortify_v sin_n especial_o great_a and_o heinous_a sin_n hereof_o he_o infer_v after_o this_o manner_n thou_o have_v no_o such_o power_n or_o grace_n to_o resist_v sin_n thou_o can_v not_o for_o thy_o life_n abstain_v from_o commit_v it_o but_o do_v add_v one_o fall_v to_o another_o one_o sin_n to_o another_o even_o against_o thy_o own_o conscience_n &_o therefore_o thy_o faith_n be_v nothing_o but_o either_o mere_a hypocrisy_n and_o unbelief_n or_o at_o the_o most_o it_o be_v but_o some_o light_a shadow_n of_o faith_n which_o may_v be_v find_v in_o many_o reprobate_n this_o argument_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v answer_v and_o therefore_o it_o drive_v many_o faithful_a man_n to_o their_o wit_n end_n and_o even_o to_o despair_v of_o themselves_o and_o of_o the_o love_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n which_o be_v a_o most_o fearful_a thing_n kill_v all_o holiness_n even_o at_o the_o root_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v avoid_v by_o all_o mean_n especial_o by_o learning_n if_o we_o be_v as_o yet_o ignorant_a how_o to_o answer_v this_o argument_n thus_o cunning_o compact_v by_o satan_n the_o best_a answer_n that_o can_v be_v make_v be_v that_o he_o who_o be_v thus_o tempt_v labour_n by_o fast_v prayer_n continual_a read_n meditate_v and_o hear_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o avoid_v all_o occasion_n of_o sin_n and_o diligent_a weigh_v the_o nature_n and_o manifold_a evil_n ensue_v of_o it_o to_o purge_v himself_o of_o the_o sin_n wherewith_o satan_n do_v so_o buffet_v he_o and_o so_o to_o wring_v his_o weapon_n by_o force_n out_o of_o his_o hand_n but_o if_o this_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v as_o often_o the_o faithful_a can_v get_v the_o mastery_n over_o their_o sin_n and_o the_o corrupt_a desire_n of_o the_o flesh_n than_o we_o must_v answer_v that_o a_o true_a and_o save_a faith_n may_v be_v at_o some_o time_n without_o some_o fruit_n as_o the_o tree_n be_v in_o the_o winter_n season_n as_o appear_v manifest_o by_o the_o example_n of_o diverse_a faithful_a man_n as_o namely_o in_o david_n that_o notable_a man_n who_o do_v not_o only_o commit_v adultery_n which_o be_v a_o most_o grievous_a sin_n the_o harm_n whereof_o can_v by_v any_o mean_n be_v amend_v yea_o and_o add_v murder_n to_o it_o a_o more_o horrible_a sin_n but_o also_o as_o may_v be_v probable_o gather_v seem_v to_o have_v continue_v