Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	will_n	wit_n	word_n	39	3	4.1473	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A40102	A vindication of the Friendly conference, between a minister and a parishioner of his inclining unto Quakerism, &c. from the exceptions of Thomas Ellwood, in his pretended answer to the said conference / by the same author.	Fowler, Edward, 1632-1714.; Ellwood, Thomas, 1639-1713.	1678 (1678)	Wing F1729; ESTC R20275	188,159	354

command_n of_o god_n they_o will_v do_v it_o as_o of_o the_o ability_n which_o god_n give_v but_o this_o divine_a ability_n they_o rely_v not_o on_o nor_o indeed_o expect_v but_o school-learning_n and_o humane_a ability_n acquire_v by_o study_n and_o much_o read_n these_o they_o trust_v to_o these_o they_o depend_v on_o etc._n etc._n p._n 7._o min._n whether_o this_o impudent_a charge_n against_o a_o whole_a order_n of_o reverend_a divine_n be_v more_o foul_a or_o false_a be_v beyond_o my_o skill_n to_o determine_v while_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o they_o have_v by_o their_o humility_n and_o devotion_n make_v the_o contrary_a apparent_a i_o be_o sure_a he_o can_v charge_v no_o such_o thing_n upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n where_o do_v he_o find_v any_o such_o self-confidence_n teach_v or_o encourage_v in_o our_o article_n and_o homily_n or_o practise_v in_o our_o public_a and_o solemn_a form_n of_o devotion_n no_o where_o i_o be_o sure_a but_o the_o quite_o contrary_a it_o be_v the_o healthful_a spirit_n of_o god_n grace_n that_o we_o daily_o pray_v etc._n for_o and_o these_o be_v as_o great_a assurance_n as_o man_n who_o life_n be_v not_o open_o scandalous_a can_v give_v one_o another_o of_o the_o integrity_n of_o their_o heart_n this_o quaker_n therefore_o accuse_v we_o of_o a_o crime_n visible_a to_o god_n only_o and_o thereby_o strike_v at_o his_o prerogative_n who_o alone_o be_v the_o searcher_n of_o heart_n but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o of_o the_o clergy_n guilty_a of_o too_o great_a a_o measure_n of_o confidence_n in_o their_o own_o ability_n yet_o as_o this_o be_v best_a know_v to_o god_n and_o hard_o for_o we_o to_o judge_v so_o you_o be_v also_o to_o consider_v that_o after_o they_o be_v lawful_o ordain_v it_o be_v not_o some_o personal_a fault_n of_o they_o that_o can_v make_v void_a their_o ministry_n much_o less_o justify_v the_o accusation_n this_o reviler_n bring_v against_o the_o whole_a ministry_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o for_o human_a learning_n which_o he_o say_v we_o trust_v to_o be_v not_o he_o himself_o a_o pretender_n to_o it_o in_o his_o book_n and_o equal_o liable_a to_o the_o same_o censure_n but_o more_o of_o this_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n par._n but_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o another_o great_a reason_n why_o the_o people_n be_v not_o profit_v viz._n the_o disagreeableness_n of_o the_o present_a ministry_n to_o divine_a institution_n p._n 9_o which_o institution_n he_o tell_v we_o in_o the_o forego_n page_n be_v general_o urge_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n to_o his_o apostle_n mat._n 28._o 19_o go_v you_o therefore_o and_o teach_v all_o nation_n etc._n etc._n min._n it_o concern_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o party_n to_o leave_v out_o the_o late_a clause_n in_o that_o commission_n institute_v the_o holy_a ordinance_n of_o baptism_n for_o have_v he_o not_o so_o do_v he_o will_v have_v fall_v foul_a upon_o his_o brethren_n who_o most_o impious_o reject_v it_o contrary_a to_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n since_o its_o first_o institution_n but_o wherein_o do_v our_o ministry_n disagree_v with_o the_o divine_a institution_n par._n before_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o go_v forth_o to_o teach_v they_o be_v to_o receive_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o father_n and_o to_o tarry_v in_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n till_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o power_n from_o on_o high_a p._n 8._o min._n that_o this_o promise_v relate_v to_o the_o extraordinary_a effusion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v very_o manifest_a from_o the_o visible_a effect_n of_o that_o effusion_n which_o be_v miraculous_a and_o do_v not_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n but_o be_v actual_o cease_v long_o ago_o and_o therefore_o can_v without_o presumption_n be_v expect_v in_o these_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o church_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o or_o any_o other_o promise_n in_o holy_a scripture_n but_o if_o the_o quaker_n expect_v the_o spirit_n in_o that_o manner_n as_o the_o apostle_n have_v it_o then_o according_a to_o the_o condition_n of_o that_o promise_n why_o go_v they_o not_o to_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o receive_v it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o shall_v be_v happy_o rid_v of_o they_o however_o if_o they_o lay_v claim_v to_o the_o whole_a promise_n why_o do_v they_o not_o make_v it_o evident_a as_o the_o apostle_n do_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o power_n from_o on_o high_a by_o work_a miracle_n heal_v all_o disease_n raise_v the_o dead_a and_o the_o like_a when_o do_v these_o new_a light_n speak_v with_o new_a tongue_n for_o according_a to_o ellwood_n similar_v cause_n shall_v have_v similar_v effect_n but_o for_o as_o much_o as_o the_o contrary_n be_v evident_a that_o the_o quaker_n be_v not_o endue_v with_o this_o power_n with_o what_o confidence_n can_v they_o lay_v claim_n to_o this_o promise_n par._n you_o tell_v i_o that_o the_o strong_a grow_v christian_n measure_v the_o goodness_n of_o the_o ministry_n from_o its_o tendency_n to_o conscentious_a obedience_n that_o be_v the_o performance_n of_o all_o duty_n in_o its_o latitude_n both_o to_o god_n to_o man_n and_o to_o ourselves_o now_o if_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o duty_n to_o god_n to_o man_n and_o ourselves_o be_v the_o tendency_n of_o a_o good_a ministry_n how_o can_v that_o ministry_n be_v good_a which_o deny_v that_o all_o duty_n to_o god_n to_o man_n and_o ourselves_o can_v be_v perform_v in_o this_o life_n p._n 10._o min._n the_o word_n immediate_o subjoin_v do_v show_v that_o by_o latitude_n there_o i_o mean_v not_o the_o perfection_n of_o a_o unsinning_a state_n but_o the_o universality_n of_o our_o obedience_n to_o god_n and_o man_n together_o with_o ourselves_o as_o it_o there_o follow_v that_o be_v a_o sincere_a respect_n to_o all_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n which_o zacharias_n and_o elizabeth_n be_v commend_v for_o luk._n 1._o 6._o though_o zacharias_n '_o his_o imperfection_n be_v plain_o discover_v in_o ver_fw-la 20_o 22._o where_o you_o may_v read_v he_o be_v strike_v dumb_a for_o his_o unbeleif_n but_o more_o of_o this_o subject_n when_o we_o come_v to_o his_o chapter_n of_o perfection_n par._n but_o he_o tell_v we_o the_o poople_n may_v plain_o see_v the_o reason_n of_o their_o not-profiting_a under_o your_o ministry_n because_o it_o design_n to_o seat_v the_o religion_n even_o of_o the_o grow_v christian_a in_o the_o rational_a power_n p._n 12._o min._n the_o rational_a power_n be_v the_o understanding_n and_o the_o will_v as_o any_o smatterer_n in_o ordilearning_n can_v inform_v he_o for_o these_o be_v they_o which_o distinguish_v a_o man_n from_o a_o beast_n and_o religion_n be_v the_o most_o rational_a thing_n where_o can_v it_o be_v more_o proper_o seat_v than_o in_o the_o rational_a power_n that_o religion_n which_o be_v not_o seat_v there_o be_v but_o a_o zeal_n without_o knowledge_n such_o as_o seduce_v the_o jew_n to_o reject_v christ_n and_o the_o samaritan_n to_o worship_n they_o know_v not_o what_o so_o that_o ellwood_n religion_n it_o seem_v by_o his_o own_o confession_n have_v no_o seat_n in_o his_o understanding_n here_o he_o have_v discover_v the_o true_a ground_n of_o the_o fanaticism_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o party_n and_o have_v show_v in_o this_o frantic_a passage_n of_o he_o that_o whoever_o will_v be_v a_o right_a quaker_n must_v in_o the_o concern_v of_o religion_n lie_v aside_o his_o understanding_n reason_n wit_n and_o judgement_n rational_a argument_n be_v the_o proper_a medium_n by_o which_o the_o word_n of_o god_n work_v upon_o our_o will_n and_o affection_n therefore_o say_v god_n by_o his_o prophet_n isa._n 1._o 18._o come_v let_v we_o reason_n together_o and_o the_o apostle_n pray_v phil._n 1._o 13._o that_o the_o philippian_n love_n may_v abound_v more_o and_o more_o in_o all_o judgement_n and_o christ_n say_v joh._n 17._o 3._o this_o be_v life_n eternal_a that_o they_o may_v know_v thou_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o thou_o have_v send_v par._n but_o take_v his_o reason_n the_o people_n of_o god_n say_v he_o in_o age_n past_a have_v their_o religion_n seat_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o this_o he_o prove_v from_o the_o good_a ground_n in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o sour_a which_o by_o our_o saviour_n be_v delare_v to_o be_v they_o which_o 15._o not_o in_o a_o wise_a and_o know_a head_n not_o in_o the_o rational_a power_n as_o you_o speak_v but_o in_o a_o honest_a and_o good_a heart_n have_v hear_v the_o word_n keep_v it_o ibid._n min._n the_o quaker_n here_o have_v bring_v a_o instance_n direct_o against_o himself_o for_o by_o honest_a heart_n in_o that_o parable_n be_v not_o mean_v the_o passion_n and_o sensible_a consolation_n which_o be_v plain_a from_o vers_fw-la 13._o where_o it_o be_v say_v some_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o joy_n and_o want_v root_n

in_o time_n of_o temptation_n fall_v away_o therefore_o the_o heart_n be_v there_o distinguish_v from_o the_o low_a faculty_n must_v consequent_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o high_a that_o be_v the_o rational_a power_n act_v by_o mature_a deliberation_n constant_a resolution_n and_o sincere_a endeavour_n through_o the_o ignorance_n of_o this_o both_o good_a man_n and_o bad_a have_v oft_o mistake_v their_o condition_n and_o estate_n towards_o god_n good_a man_n be_v sometime_o discourage_v for_o the_o want_n of_o these_o consolation_n and_o bad_a man_n by_o the_o strange_a rapture_n of_o these_o fanciful_a joy_n common_o encourage_v themselves_o with_o a_o false_a conceit_n of_o be_v in_o the_o truth_n and_o a_o good_a estate_n and_o therefore_o may_v be_v true_o resemble_v to_o isaiah_n hungry_a man_n who_o dream_v he_o eat_v but_o he_o awake_v and_o his_o soul_n be_v empty_a isa._n 29._o 8._o which_o place_n do_v i_o never_o read_v but_o it_o put_v i_o in_o mind_n of_o the_o quaker_n as_o a_o true_a emblem_n of_o they_o par._n but_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o prophet_n david_n speak_v of_o the_o righteous_a say_v that_o the_o law_n of_o his_o god_n be_v in_o his_o heart_n p._n 13._o min._n where_o say_v i_o any_o thing_n to_o import_v the_o contrary_a but_o than_o do_v not_o the_o same_o david_n 9_o say_v give_v i_o understanding_n and_o i_o shall_v keep_v thy_o law_n and_o do_v not_o solomon_n beg_v of_o god_n a_o wise_a and_o understand_a heart_n when_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o heart_n with_o a_o relation_n to_o religion_n they_o mean_v the_o spirit_n the_o inward_a man_n the_o rational_a soul_n and_o therefore_o be_v far_o from_o set_v it_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o rational_a power_n which_o be_v the_o faculty_n of_o it_o and_o in_o which_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o reasonable_a soul_n consist_v man_n of_o understanding_n in_o job_n 34._o 10._o be_v in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n and_o according_o note_v in_o the_o margin_n cordati_fw-la man_n of_o heart_n mercerus_n upon_o the_o place_n give_v this_o reason_n m●…c_fw-la because_o the_o heart_n be_v the_o seat_n of_o wisdom_n in_o prov._n 6._o 32._o he_o lack_v understanding_n be_v in_o some_o readins_n d●…_n he_o lack_v heart_n you_o know_v the_o decree_n against_o nabuchadnezzar_n dan._n 4._o 16._o let_v his_o heart_n be_v change_v from_o man_n and_o let_v a_o beast_n heart_n be_v give_v to_o he_o now_o do_v you_o suppose_v it_o be_v the_o real_a heart_n of_o a_o ox_n or_o ass_n or_o of_o any_o other_o brute_n that_o be_v give_v to_o he_o no_o heart_n there_o signify_v his_o rational_a power_n the_o use_n of_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v deprive_v of_o and_o this_o be_v evident_a from_o ver_fw-la 34._o and_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o day_n i_o nabuchadnezzar_n lift_v up_o my_o eye_n to_o heaven_n and_o my_o understanding_n return_v to_o i_o i_o wish_v the_o quaker_n be_v true_a at_o heart_n himself_o for_o i_o can_v hardly_o believe_v he_o such_o a_o iguar●…_n as_o here_o he_o make_v himself_o and_o it_o be_v well_o if_o his_o design_n be_v not_o the_o advance_v some_o other_o interest_n than_o that_o of_o quakerism_n and_o i_o wish_v those_o miserable_a delude_a people_n who_o true_a good_a only_a as_o the_o searcher_n of_o all_o heart_n know_v engage_v i_o in_o this_o controversy_n may_v serious_o consider_v of_o it_o par._n his_o next_o cause_n why_o the_o people_n be_v not_o profit_v by_o your_o ministry_n be_v the_o evil_a life_n of_o minister_n p._n 14._o min._n here_z most_o injurious_o and_o crafty_o do_v he_o pass_v by_o what_o he_o may_v have_v find_v in_o my_o book_n sufficient_a to_o convince_v if_o not_o he_o yet_o any_o sober_a man_n where_o i_o assert_v that_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o divine_a ordinance_n depend_v not_o on_o the_o worthiness_n of_o the_o minister_n friendly_a conference_n p._n 14_o but_o upon_o the_o power_n of_o god_n p._n 15._o that_o be_v upon_o his_o blessing_n and_o grace_n that_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o power_n as_o the_o apostle_n have_v it_o may_v be_v of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o we_o and_o why_o do_v he_o pass_v by_o that_o note_n i_o make_v of_o st._n paul_n rejoice_v that_o christ_n be_v preach_v though_o it_o be_v from_o a_o principle_n of_o strife_n and_o envy_n and_o if_o no_o benefit_n can_v come_v to_o the_o people_n by_o such_o man_n doctrine_n what_o ground_n have_v the_o apostle_n to_o rejoice_v see_v man_n respective_a duty_n to_o god_n and_o their_o neighbour_n be_v teach_v they_o from_o the_o pulpit_n why_o take_v he_o not_o notice_n of_o that_o unanswerable_a appeal_n i_o make_v to_o their_o conscience_n in_o these_o word_n will_v you_o tell_v the_o great_a judge_n at_o the_o great_a day_n that_o your_o non_fw-fr proficiency_n be_v occasion_v by_o the_o scandalous_a life_n of_o your_o minister_n or_o will_v a_o impudent_a upbraid_v your_o minister_n with_o his_o fault_n excuse_v you_o in_o the_o neglect_n of_o your_o duty_n conference_n p._n 16._o now_o judge_v whether_o ever_o this_o quaker_n design_v a_o sober_a and_o honest_a answer_n to_o my_o book_n as_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n when_o not_o only_o here_o but_o all_o along_o he_o pass_v by_o what_o be_v most_o considerable_a and_o wherein_o the_o strength_n of_o my_o argument_n lie_v at_o this_o rate_n he_o may_v easy_o answer_v any_o book_n whatsoever_o par._n i_o observe_v that_o he_o speak_v of_o minister_n as_o you_o say_v indefinite_o and_o therefore_o can_v tell_v whether_o he_o mean_v all_o or_o some_o for_o he_o do_v not_o explain_v himself_o as_o you_o use_v to_o do_v min._n then_o may_v you_o take_v notice_n of_o a_o jesu●…tical_a trick_n of_o this_o quaker_n frequent_o use_v by_o he_o to_o play_v fast_o and_o loose_a in_o such_o shift_a and_o ambiguous_a term_n if_o he_o mean_v that_o some_o minister_n only_o be_v scandalous_a why_o have_v he_o not_o the_o honesty_n to_o express_v it_o to_o free_v the_o innocent_a but_o then_o i_o suppose_v he_o foresee_v that_o his_o argument_n will_v have_v be_v hiss_v at_o as_o ridiculous_a and_o impertinent_a in_o accuse_v the_o ministry_n itself_o and_o deny_v its_o efficacy_n mere_o for_o the_o personal_a fail_n of_o some_o minister_n as_o if_o iudas_n fault_n have_v make_v void_a the_o doctrine_n both_o of_o himself_o and_o his_o fellow_n apostle_n on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o to_o avoid_v this_o absurdity_n he_o purposely_o order_v his_o discourse_n that_o ignorant_a people_n may_v believe_v all_o minister_n be_v scandalous_a this_o be_v after_o the_o rate_n of_o his_o modesty_n and_o that_o which_o bless_v be_v god_n the_o world_n know_v to_o be_v a_o foul_a and_o malicious_a slander_n par._n you_o tell_v i_o that_o in_o a_o settle_a national_a ministry_n consist_v of_o great_a number_n in_o holy_a order_n it_o can_v be_v expect_v but_o that_o some_o man_n for_o a_o corrupt_a interest_n will_v intrude_v themselves_o into_o those_o sacred_a office_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v charge_v upon_o their_o function_n see_v there_o be_v a_o judas_n among_o the_o choose_a twelve_o from_o hence_o t._n e._n infer_v that_o you_o palliate_v and_o extenuate_v the_o crime_n p._n 15._o min._n who_o crime_n that_o of_o the_o scandalous_a minister_n will_v any_o man_n endue_v with_o common_a sense_n say_v that_o the_o import_n of_o that_o passage_n be_v to_o palliate_v or_o cloak_v their_o crime_n when_o it_o contain_v a_o relation_n of_o so_o great_a a_o crime_n as_o that_o of_o intrude_a for_o a_o corrupt_a interest_n into_o sacred_a office_n no_o any_o one_o that_o be_v not_o blind_a may_v see_v that_o there_o i_o be_o do_v quite_o another_o thing_n that_o be_v excuse_v the_o church_n and_o government_n from_o the_o blame_n of_o such_o a_o inconveniency_n as_o indeed_o be_v unavoidable_a par._n but_o he_o wonder_n that_o you_o shall_v say_v these_o scandalous_a minister_n shall_v intrude_v themselves_o see_v all_o man_n that_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o they_o know_v that_o according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o your_o government_n none_o can_v intrude_v themselves_o into_o the_o ministry_n but_o must_v be_v admit_v and_o have_v letter_n of_o induction_n from_o the_o bishop_n p._n 16._o min._n that_o there_o be_v due_a care_n take_v to_o prevent_v scandalous_a man_n from_o intrude_a into_o the_o ministry_n be_v as_o free_o confess_v by_o i_o as_o it_o be_v true_o intimate_v by_o this_o quaker_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o our_o church_n though_o against_o his_o will_n yet_o as_o the_o church_n may_v unavoidable_o and_o unblamable_o receive_v some_o into_o her_o outward_a visible_a communion_n who_o afterward_o may_v prove_v apostate_n so_o may_v she_o when_o all_o be_v do_v as_o unavoidable_o admit_v some_o man_n into_o holy_a order_n who_o may_v afterward_o prove_v hypocrite_n for_o whereas_o christ_n

and_o withal_o t._n e._n as_o you_o can_v but_o observe_v be_v so_o unconstant_a to_o his_o own_o assertion_n and_o confuse_a in_o his_o notion_n of_o perfection_n and_o the_o right_n fix_v the_o notion_n of_o thing_n be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_a proceed_n in_o affirm_v or_o deny_v any_o thing_n concern_v they_o i_o will_v digress_v a_o little_a to_o state_n the_o case_n and_o that_o in_o three_o particular_n by_o which_o many_o of_o my_o adversarie_n objection_n will_v fall_v without_o take_v any_o further_a notice_n of_o they_o we_o shall_v therefore_o consider_v 1._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o perfection_n and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v grant_v or_o deny_v concern_v it_o 2._o whether_o the_o best_a of_o man_n can_v attain_v such_o a_o perfection_n as_o that_o they_o need_v not_o or_o ought_v not_o to_o acknowledge_v themselves_o sinner_n and_o offender_n 3._o what_o be_v the_o result_n tendency_n and_o consequent_a of_o assert_v or_o deny_v such_o a_o perfection_n par._n i_o shall_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o have_v a_o just_a account_n of_o these_o particular_n min._n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o perfection_n or_o be_v perfect_a be_v take_v in_o different_a sense_n in_o holy_a scripture_n sometime_o in_o a_o positive_a sense_n and_o sometime_o in_o a_o comparative_a a_o positive_a perfection_n be_v that_o which_o include_v such_o a_o compleatness_n wherein_o nothing_o be_v want_v or_o deficient_a to_o the_o answer_v and_o come_v up_o to_o those_o measure_n by_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v and_o examine_v now_o the_o measure_n by_o which_o the_o perfection_n of_o man_n must_v be_v judge_v of_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n first_o the_o capacity_n of_o our_o nature_n take_v in_o its_o best_a and_o sinless_a estate_n and_o the_o holy_a and_o perfect_a law_n of_o god_n to_o which_o it_o be_v in_o every_o respect_n exact_o conformable_a and_o hence_o the_o first_o sense_n of_o perfection_n be_v when_o a_o man_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o enjoy_v as_o great_a good_a and_o satisfaction_n and_o as_o high_a purity_n and_o freedom_n from_o all_o stain_n of_o evil_a as_o either_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n can_v arrive_v unto_o or_o as_o the_o perfect_a law_n of_o god_n do_v require_v this_o be_v our_o state_n in_o paradise_n and_o will_v be_v in_o heaven_n this_o be_v the_o perfection_n speak_v of_o 1_o cor._n 13._o 10._o and_o probable_o eph._n 4._o 13._o heb._n 12._o 23._o and_o elsewhere_o the_o second_o measure_n by_o which_o a_o man_n perfection_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v of_o be_v the_o capacity_n of_o our_o nature_n since_o the_o ●…all_n and_o the_o term_n which_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n prescribe_v and_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n accept_v hence_o the_o second_o sense_n of_o perfection_n be_v when_o a_o man_n live_v as_o holy_o as_o ever_o he_o can_v in_o this_o frail_a estate_n sincere_o strive_v to_o do_v all_o christian_a duty_n and_o to_o avoid_v all_o sin_n and_o supply_v his_o fail_n by_o faith_n and_o repentance_n so_o that_o god_n accept_v he_o upon_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o perfect_o righteous_a in_o and_o through_o christ_n this_o may_v be_v call_v evangelical_n perfection_n and_o be_v speak_v of_o heb._n 10._o 14._o and_o 13._o 21._o jam._n 3._o 2._o and_o this_o be_v oft_o express_v by_o the_o perfect_a heart_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n perfect_a be_v oppose_v to_o wicked_a job._n 9_o 22._o and_o be_v explain_v by_o be_v upright_o psal._n 37._o 37._o and_o this_o may_v be_v consistent_a with_o some_o fail_n that_o there_o be_v two_o measure_n of_o perfection_n appear_v by_o that_o instance_n i_o give_v you_o of_o st._n paul_n who_o acknowledge_v himself_o perfect_a according_o to_o one_o measure_n and_o yet_o not_o perfect_a according_a to_o another_o phil._n 3._o 12_o and_o 15._o compare_v so_o according_a to_o this_o second_o measure_n and_o god_n gracious_a acceptance_n asa_n heart_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v perfect_a all_o his_o day_n 1_o king_n 15._o 14._o yet_o come_v he_o far_o short_a of_o a_o sinless_a perfection_n for_o the_o high_a place_n be_v not_o take_v away_o ibid._n and_o he_o be_v sinful_o passionate_a against_o hanani_n 2_o chron._n 16._o 10._o who_o do_v but_o his_o office_n in_o reprove_v he_o for_o rely_v on_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n ver_fw-la 7_o and_o be_v lame_a on_o his_o foot_n seek_v not_o to_o the_o lord_n but_o to_o the_o physician_n ver_fw-la 12._o now_o let_v ellwood_n ask_v what_o notion_n the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v of_o perfection_n who_o record_v asa_n both_o perfect_a and_o a_o sinner_n therefore_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o this_o second_o sense_n of_o perfection_n the_o hebrew_n word_n for_o perfect_a be_v by_o our_o translator_n often_o render_v upright_o and_o make_v use_v of_o to_o express_v the_o necessary_a qualification_n for_o obtain_v god_n favour_n psal._n 15._o 2._o compare_v with_o ver_fw-la 1_o 5._o and_o psal._n 18._o 23._o elsewhere_o it_o be_v express_v by_o a_o heart_n that_o be_v sound_a in_o god_n statute_n and_o make_v to_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o sure_a hope_n and_o confidence_n in_o god_n mercy_n psal._n 119._o 80._o yea_o the_o hebrew_n word_n signify_v perfection_n be_v translate_v sincerity_n jos._n 24._o 14._o which_o t._n e._n seem_v to_o deny_v p._n 72._o this_o for_o the_o positive_a sense_n of_o perfection_n the_o next_o sense_n of_o perfection_n be_v comparative_a by_o which_o be_v mean_v such_o a_o perfection_n as_o be_v not_o exact_o complete_a in_o itself_o in_o respect_n to_o the_o first_o and_o high_a measure_n but_o only_o more_o complete_a than_o some_o other_o to_o which_o it_o be_v compare_v and_o this_o apply_v to_o our_o case_n consist_v in_o outdo_v the_o low_a sort_n of_o christian_n and_o come_v up_o to_o the_o high_a measure_n and_o degree_n of_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n perfection_n be_v take_v heb._n 6._o 1._o 1_o cor._n 11._o 6._o now_o to_o apply_v this_o threefold_a distinction_n of_o perfection_n the_o attain_v a_o comparative_a perfection_n be_v not_o only_o desirable_a and_o useful_a but_o possible_a nay_o it_o be_v actual_o arrive_v to_o by_o some_o though_o not_o by_o all_o who_o notwithstanding_o may_v be_v true_a christian_n the_o attain_v a_o evangelical_n perfection_n be_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o also_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o all_o true_a christian_n but_o a_o absolute_a perfection_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n about_o which_o the_o dispute_n lie_v though_o it_o be_v the_o crown_n we_o aim_v at_o yet_o be_v not_o attain_v by_o any_o in_o this_o life_n which_o be_v my_o next_o particular_a of_o which_o i_o shall_v now_o give_v you_o a_o account_n par._n as_o you_o propound_v it_o before_o it_o be_v this_o whether_o the_o best_a of_o man_n can_v in_o this_o world_n attain_v to_o such_o a_o perfection_n as_o they_o need_v not_o or_o ought_v not_o to_o acknowledge_v themselves_o sinner_n and_o offender_n min._n to_o which_o query_n i_o reply_v by_o lay_v down_o these_o proposition_n first_o that_o there_o be_v two_o measure_n by_o which_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o our_o perfection_n namely_o the_o perfect_a and_o exact_a law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o duty_n the_o second_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o our_o acceptance_n which_o be_v not_o one_o and_o the_o same_o under_o the_o gospel_n the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o a_o covenant_n require_v not_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o perfection_n in_o order_n to_o our_o acceptance_n though_o the_o law_n do_v still_o call_v for_o it_o for_o if_o it_o do_v salvation_n be_v impossible_a for_o we_o in_o our_o fall_a and_o frail_a estate_n yet_o still_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o dispensation_n of_o purity_n as_o well_o as_o grace_v nor_o be_v it_o the_o design_n thereof_o to_o cancel_v our_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n but_o rather_o to_o advance_v it_o and_o therefore_o it_o reject_v not_o any_o moral_a duty_n nor_o allow_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v moral_o evil_a for_o as_o it_o can_v be_v that_o any_o thing_n good_a or_o evil_a shall_v cease_v to_o be_v so_o under_o the_o gospel_n so_o it_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o that_o doctrine_n that_o establish_v god_n kingdom_n to_o discharge_v man_n from_o the_o obedience_n which_o he_o owe_v as_o a_o creature_n whence_o it_o follow_v second_o that_o all_o even_o the_o least_o evil_n be_v a_o sin_n because_o the_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n as_o well_o as_o the_o grosser_n act_n of_o sin_n all_o evil_a thought_n irregular_a desire_n and_o disorderly_a passion_n and_o also_o the_o omission_n of_o the_o due_a exercise_n of_o good_a thought_n and_o desire_n as_o well_o as_o of_o good_a word_n and_o action_n be_v breach_n of_o god_n