a_o vanity_n which_o i_o have_v observe_v in_o many_o pretender_n to_o nobility_n and_o learning_n when_o man_n seek_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o one_o by_o their_o coat_n of_o arm_n and_o the_o record_n of_o their_o family_n and_o the_o other_o by_o a_o gown_n or_o a_o title_n or_o their_o name_n stand_v in_o the_o register_n of_o the_o university_n rather_o than_o by_o the_o accomplishment_n and_o behaviour_n of_o gentleman_n or_o scholar_n a_o like_a vanity_n i_o doubt_v may_v be_v observe_v in_o many_o pretender_n to_o religion_n some_o be_v search_v god_n decretal_n to_o find_v their_o name_n write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v study_v to_o find_v god_n name_n write_v upon_o their_o heart_n holiness_n to_o the_o lord_n engrave_v upon_o their_o soul_n some_o be_v busy_a examine_v themselves_o by_o note_n and_o mark_n without_o they_o when_o they_o shall_v labour_v to_o find_v the_o mark_n and_o print_n of_o god_n and_o his_o nature_n upon_o they_o some_o have_v their_o religion_n in_o their_o book_n and_o author_n which_o shall_v be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n unwritten_a in_o the_o table_n of_o the_o heart_n some_o glory_n in_o the_o bulk_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o in_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o pompous_a performance_n and_o religious_a achievement_n cry_v with_o jehu_n come_v see_v here_o my_o zeal_n for_o the_o lord_n whereas_o it_o be_v much_o more_o excellent_a if_o one_o can_v see_v their_o likeness_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o character_n of_o divine_a beauty_n and_o holiness_n draw_v upon_o their_o heart_n and_o life_n but_o we_o if_o we_o will_v judge_v right_o of_o our_o religious_a state_n must_v view_v ourselves_o in_o god_n who_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n and_o holiness_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o all_o perfection_n value_v yourselves_o by_o your_o soul_n and_o not_o by_o your_o body_n estate_n friend_n or_o any_o outward_a accomplishment_n as_o most_o man_n do_v but_o that_o be_v not_o enough_o if_o man_n rest_v there_o they_o may_v make_v a_o idol_n of_o the_o fair_a of_o god_n creature_n even_o their_o own_o soul_n therefore_o value_v your_o soul_n themselves_o by_o what_o they_o have_v of_o god_n in_o they_o to_o study_v the_o bless_a and_o glorious_a god_n in_o his_o word_n and_o to_o converse_v with_o he_o in_o his_o work_n be_v indeed_o a_o excellent_a and_o honourable_a employment_n but_o oh_o what_o a_o bless_a study_n be_v it_o to_o view_v he_o in_o the_o communication_n of_o himself_o and_o the_o impression_n of_o his_o grace_n upon_o our_o own_o soul_n all_o the_o thin_a and_o subtle_a speculation_n which_o the_o most_o raise_a philosopher_n have_v of_o the_o essence_n and_o nature_n of_o god_n be_v a_o poor_a and_o low_a and_o beggarly_a employment_n and_o attainment_n in_o comparison_n of_o those_o bless_a vision_n of_o god_n which_o a_o godly_a soul_n have_v in_o itself_o when_o it_o find_v itself_o partaker_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n and_o live_v a_o divine_a life_n oh_o labour_n to_o view_n god_n and_o his_o divine_a perfection_n in_o your_o own_o soul_n in_o those_o copy_n and_o transcript_n of_o they_o which_o his_o holy_a spirit_n draw_v upon_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o godly_a man_n this_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a discovery_n of_o god_n that_o any_o soul_n be_v capable_a of_o it_o be_v better_a and_o more_o desirable_a than_o that_o famous_a discovery_n that_o be_v make_v to_o moses_n in_o the_o cleft_n of_o the_o rock_n exod._n 34._o nay_o i_o shall_v much_o either_o desire_n to_o see_v the_o real_a impression_n of_o a_o godlike_a nature_n upon_o my_o own_o soul_n to_o see_v the_o crucify_a of_o my_o own_o pride_n and_o self-will_n the_o mortify_n of_o the_o more_o sensual_a life_n and_o a_o divine_a life_n spring_v up_o in_o my_o soul_n instead_o of_o it_o i_o will_v much_o rather_o desire_v to_o see_v my_o soul_n glorify_v in_o the_o image_n and_o beauty_n of_o god_n put_v upon_o it_o which_o be_v indeed_o a_o pledge_n yea_o and_o a_o part_n of_o eternal_a glory_n than_o to_o have_v a_o vision_n from_o the_o almighty_a or_o hear_v a_o voice_n witness_v from_o heaven_n and_o say_v thou_o be_v my_o belove_a son_n in_o who_o my_o soul_n be_v well_o please_v this_o that_o i_o be_o speak_v of_o be_v a_o true_a foundation_n of_o heaven_n itself_o in_o the_o soul_n a_o real_a beginning_n of_o happiness_n for_o happiness_n heaven_n itself_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n a_o cheerful_a and_o eternal_a compliance_n of_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o soul_n with_o the_o will_n of_o god_n so_o that_o as_o far_o as_o a_o godly_a soul_n be_v thus_o conform_v to_o god_n and_o fill_v with_o his_o fullness_n so_o far_o be_v he_o glorify_v upon_o earth_n sed_fw-la heu_fw-la quantum_fw-la distamus_fw-la ab_fw-la illo_fw-la 2._o let_v wisdom_n then_o be_v justify_v of_o her_o child_n let_v the_o child_n of_o god_n those_o that_o be_v his_o genuine_a offspring_n rise_v up_o and_o call_v he_o bless_v in_o imitation_n of_o their_o lord_n and_o saviour_n that_o elder_a son_n of_o god_n that_o first_o bear_v among_o many_o brethren_n who_o rejoice_v in_o spirit_n and_o say_v i_o thank_v thou_o father_n lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n that_o thou_o have_v reveal_v these_o thing_n luk._n 10._o 21._o or_o according_a to_o the_o style_n of_o the_o apostle_n peter_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 3_o bless_a be_v the_o god_n and_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o according_a to_o his_o abundant_a mercy_n have_v beget_v we_o again_o there_o be_v no_o great_a contradiction_n in_o the_o world_n than_o a_o man_n pretend_v religion_n and_o yet_o ascribe_v it_o to_o himself_o whereas_o pure_a religion_n be_v pure_o of_o a_o divine_a original_a beside_o religion_n do_v principal_o consist_v in_o the_o subdue_a of_o self-will_n in_o conformity_n to_o and_o compliance_n with_o the_o divine_a will_n in_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o god_n glory_n in_o the_o world_n then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o may_v a_o soul_n be_v true_o call_v religious_a when_o god_n become_v great_a of_o all_o to_o it_o and_o in_o it_o and_o the_o interest_n of_o god_n be_v so_o powerful_o plant_v in_o it_o that_o no_o other_o interest_n no_o self-interest_n no_o creature-love_n no_o particular_a private_a end_n can_v grow_v by_o it_o no_o more_o than_o the_o magician_n can_v stand_v before_o moses_n when_o he_o come_v in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o work_v wonder_n so_o that_o solomon_n say_v of_o self-seeking_a prov._n 25._o 27._o for_o man_n to_o seek_v their_o own_o glory_n be_v not_o glory_n the_o like_a i_o may_v safe_o say_v upon_o that_o double_a ground_n that_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o self-religion_n be_v not_o religion_n how_o vain_o and_o mad_o do_v man_n dream_v of_o their_o self_n religion_n carry_v they_o to_o heaven_n when_o heaven_n itself_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o perfection_n of_o self-denial_n and_o god_n become_v all_o thing_n to_o the_o saint_n 1_o cor._n 15._o 28._o instead_o of_o advance_v man_n towards_o heaven_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n that_o do_v more_o direct_o make_v war_n against_o heaven_n than_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o siracides_n call_v it_o that_o proud_a and_o petulant_a spirit_n of_o self-will_n that_o rule_v in_o the_o child_n of_o disobedience_n so_o that_o when_o the_o holy-ghost_n will_v describe_v david_n one_o of_o the_o best_a man_n to_o the_o best_a advantage_n he_o describe_v he_o with_o opposition_n to_o self_n and_o self-will_n 1_o sam._n 13._o 14._o a_o man_n after_o god_n own_o heart_n and_o again_o act_v 13._o 36._o he_o serve_v the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o his_o generation_n there_o have_v be_v of_o old_a a_o great_a number_n of_o philosophical_a man_n who_o be_v raise_v up_o above_o the_o speculation_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n which_o be_v the_o logical_a life_n unto_o a_o contemplation_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o be_v purge_v by_o a_o low_a kind_n of_o virtue_n and_o moral_a goodness_n from_o the_o pollution_n that_o be_v in_o this_o world_n through_o lust_n do_v yet_o ultimate_o settle_v into_o themselves_o and_o their_o own_o self-love_n they_o be_v full_a indeed_o but_o it_o be_v not_o with_o the_o fullness_n of_o god_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v but_o with_o a_o selfsufficiency_n the_o leaven_n of_o self-love_n lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n do_v make_v they_o swell_v with_o pride_n and_o self-conceit_n now_o these_o man_n though_o they_o be_v free_a from_o gross_a external_a enormity_n yet_o do_v not_o attain_v to_o a_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n nor_o any_o true_a religion_n because_o they_o do_v set_v up_o themselves_o to_o be_v their_o own_o idol_n and_o carry_v such_o a_o image_n of_o themselves_o continual_o before_o their_o eye_n that_o they_o have_v no_o
meditation_n read_v administration_n of_o our_o calling_n as_o the_o apostle_n intimate_v in_o the_o body_n of_o that_o forequoted_a epistle_n but_o perhaps_o there_o will_v a_o question_n arise_v concern_v some_o other_o thing_n which_o may_v seem_v to_o lay_v a_o constraint_n upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n i_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o the_o seem_o religious_a motion_n of_o many_o man_n be_v mere_o violent_a and_o their_o devotion_n be_v pure_o force_v as_o we_o shall_v see_v by_o and_o by_o but_o i_o affirm_v and_o i_o think_v have_v confirm_v it_o that_o true_a and_o sincere_a religion_n be_v perfect_o free_a and_o unconstrained_a this_o be_v premise_v now_o if_o you_o ask_v i_o what_o i_o think_v of_o affliction_n i_o confess_v god_n do_v ordinary_o use_v they_o as_o mean_n to_o make_v good_a man_n better_o and_o it_o may_v be_v sometime_o to_o make_v bad_a man_n good_a these_o may_v be_v as_o weight_n to_o hasten_v and_o speed_v the_o soul_n motion_n towards_o god_n but_o they_o do_v not_o principal_o beget_v such_o motion_n if_o you_o ask_v i_o of_o temporal_a prosperity_n common_o call_v mercy_n and_o blessing_n of_o promise_n and_o reward_v propound_v i_o confess_v they_o may_v be_v as_o oil_n to_o the_o wheel_n and_o aught_o to_o quicken_v and_o encourage_v to_o the_o study_n of_o true_a and_o powerful_a godliness_n but_o they_o be_v not_o the_o spring_n of_o the_o soul_n motion_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v unto_o we_o as_o dew_n upon_o the_o grass_n to_o refresh_v and_o fructify_v the_o soul_n but_o it_o be_v the_o root_n which_o proper_o give_v life_n and_o growth_n second_o it_o may_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o constraint_n and_o necessity_n lie_v upon_o the_o godly_a soul_n in_o its_o holy_a and_o most_o excellent_a motion_n according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 5._o 14._o the_o love_n of_o christ_n constrain_v we_o and_o again_o 1_o cor._n 9_o 16._o necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o i_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n but_o yet_o it_o hold_v good_a that_o grace_n be_v a_o most_o free_a principle_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o that_o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v there_o be_v liberty_n for_o the_o constraint_n that_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o be_v not_o oppose_v to_o freedom_n of_o soul_n but_o to_o not_o act_v now_o although_o the_o soul_n so_o principled_a and_o spirit_v can_v but_o act_n yet_o it_o act_v free_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v according_a to_o nature_n though_o they_o be_v do_v necessary_o yet_o be_v they_o do_v with_o the_o great_a freedom_n imaginable_a the_o water_n flow_v and_o the_o fire_n burn_v necessary_o yet_o free_o religion_n be_v a_o new_a nature_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o religious_a soul_n be_v touch_v effectual_o wiâ—h_v the_o sense_n and_o impress_v with_o the_o influence_n of_o divine_a goodness_n fullness_n and_o perfection_n be_v carry_v indeed_o necessary_o towards_o god_n as_o its_o proper_a centre_n and_o yet_o its_o motion_n be_v pure_a free_a generous_a and_o with_o the_o great_a delight_n and_o pleasure_n conceivable_a the_o necessity_n that_o lie_v upon_o paul_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o any_o external_a violence_n that_o be_v do_v to_o he_o much_o less_o of_o bodily_a necessity_n by_o reason_n of_o which_o many_o man_n serve_v their_o own_o belly_n in_o that_o great_a function_n more_o than_o the_o lord_n jesus_n for_o though_o he_o preach_v the_o gospel_n necessary_o yet_o do_v he_o preach_v free_o and_o willing_o as_o he_o oft_o profess_v the_o godly_a soul_n can_v but_o love_n god_n as_o his_o chief_a good_a yet_o he_o delight_v in_o this_o necessity_n under_o which_o he_o lie_v and_o be_v exceed_o glad_a that_o he_o find_v his_o heart_n frame_v and_o enlarge_v to_o love_v he_o i_o say_v enlarge_v because_o god_n be_v such_o a_o object_n as_o do_v not_o contract_n and_o pinch_v and_o straiten_v the_o soul_n as_o all_o create_a object_n do_v but_o ennoble_v ampliate_v and_o enlarge_v it_o the_o sinful_a soul_n the_o more_o it_o let_v out_o and_o lay_v out_o and_o spend_v itself_o upon_o the_o creature_n the_o more_o it_o be_v straighten_a and_o contract_v and_o the_o native_a freedom_n of_o it_o be_v enslave_v debase_v and_o destroy_v but_o grace_n do_v establish_v and_o ennoble_v the_o freedom_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o restore_v it_o to_o iâ—s_n primitive_a perfection_n so_o that_o a_o godly_a soul_n be_v never_o more_o large_a more_o at_o rest_n more_o at_o i_o berty_n thâ—â—_n when_o it_o find_v itself_o deliver_v from_o all_o self_n confine_v creature-loves_a and_o lust_n and_o under_o the_o most_o powerful_a influence_n and_o constraint_n of_o infinite_a love_n and_o goodness_n by_o this_o that_o have_v be_v say_v of_o the_o free_a and_o generous_a spirit_n of_o true_a religion_n we_o may_v learn_v what_o to_o think_v of_o the_o force_a devotion_n of_o many_o press_a soldier_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n militant_a that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n and_o distance_n between_o the_o press_v and_o the_o impress_v christian_a though_o indeed_o the_o freedom_n of_o the_o will_n can_v be_v destroy_v yet_o in_o opposition_n to_o a_o principle_n many_o man_n devotion_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v wring_v out_o of_o they_o and_o their_o obedience_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v constrain_v i_o shall_v explain_v it_o brief_o in_o two_o or_o three_o particular_n 1._o man_n force_v themselves_o many_o time_n to_o some_o thing_n in_o religion_n that_o be_v beside_o yea_o and_o against_o their_o nature_n and_o genius_n i_o need_v not_o instance_n in_o a_o overly_o conformity_n to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n and_o some_o external_a duty_n which_o they_o force_v themselves_o to_o perform_v as_o to_o hear_v pray_v give_v alm_n or_o the_o like_a in_o all_o which_o the_o violent_a and_o unnatural_a obedience_n of_o a_o pharisee_fw-mi may_v be_v more_o popular_a and_o specious_a than_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a obedience_n of_o a_o freeborn_a disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n if_o go_v on_o hunt_v and_o catch_v of_o venison_n may_v denominate_v a_o good_a and_o dutiful_a son_n esau_n may_v indeed_o be_v as_o acceptable_a to_o his_o father_n as_o jacob_n but_o god_n be_v not_o such_o a_o father_n as_o isaac_n who_o affection_n be_v bribe_v with_o fat_a morsel_n he_o feed_v not_o upon_o the_o pain_n of_o his_o child_n nor_o drink_v the_o sweat_n of_o their_o browâ—_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o a_o unprincipled_a christian_a that_o have_v the_o heart_n of_o a_o slave_n may_v also_o force_v himself_o to_o imitate_v the_o more_o spiritual_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o as_o it_o be_v to_o act_v over_o the_o very_a temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o a_o son_n of_o god_n therefore_o we_o read_v of_o a_o semblance_n of_o joy_n and_o zeal_n which_o be_v find_v in_o some_o who_o yet_o our_o saviour_n reckon_v no_o better_a than_o stony_a ground_n mark_n 4._o 16._o and_o of_o great_a ecstasy_n in_o some_o who_o yet_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v may_v come_v to_o nothing_o heb._n 6._o 5._o and_o what_o appearance_n of_o the_o most_o excellent_a and_o divine_a grace_n of_o patience_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n many_o of_o the_o sour_a sort_n of_o monastical_a papist_n and_o our_o mâ—ngrel_n breed_v of_o papist_n the_o quaker_n do_v make_v at_o this_o day_n all_o man_n know_v nay_o some_o of_o these_o last_o sort_n do_v seem_v to_o themselves_o i_o believe_v to_o act_v over_o the_o temper_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o chief_a apostle_n rejoice_v with_o peter_n and_o the_o rest_n that_o they_o be_v count_v worthy_a to_o suffer_v shame_n act._n 5._o 41._o and_o keep_v a_o catalogue_n of_o their_o stripe_n with_o paul_n 2_o cor._n 11._o 24._o and_o in_o these_o thing_n i_o be_o confident_a to_o use_v the_o apostle_n word_n that_o they_o think_v themselves_o not_o a_o whit_n behind_o the_o very_o chief_a apostle_n nay_o they_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o lay_v claim_n to_o that_o grace_n of_o grace_n self-denial_n which_o they_o have_v force_v themselves_o to_o act_v over_o so_o artificial_o that_o even_o a_o wise_a man_n may_v almost_o be_v deceive_v into_o a_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o they_o but_o that_o we_o know_v that_o while_o they_o profess_v it_o they_o destroy_v it_o for_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o self-denial_n to_o magnify_v and_o boast_v itself_o and_o indeed_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a to_o a_o wise_a observer_n that_o these_o man_n by_o a_o pretence_n of_o voluntary_a humility_n and_o counterfeit_a self-denial_n do_v in_o truth_n endeavour_v most_o of_o all_o to_o establish_v their_o own_o righteousness_n and_o erect_v a_o idol_n of_o self-supremacy_n in_o themselves_o and_o do_v real_o fall_v in_o love_n with_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o selfsufficiency_n
we_o shall_v see_v anon_o but_o it_o be_v god_n that_o work_v in_o they_o even_o this_o will_n phil._n 2_o 13._o man_v own_o freewill_n or_o selfsufficiency_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o perseverance_n in_o grace_n and_o holiness_n that_o i_o do_v believe_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n be_v more_o direct_o contrary_a to_o grace_v than_o habitual_a and_o predominant_a self_n confidence_n and_o even_o in_o the_o saint_n themselves_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o do_v strike_v a_o great_a stroke_n towards_o their_o apostasy_n than_o this_o self-conceit_n and_o confidence_n of_o their_o own_o strength_n as_o something_o distinct_a from_o god_n though_o the_o same_o be_v not_o habitual_a and_o predominant_a for_o they_o themselves_o be_v many_o time_n sad_o weaken_v and_o set_v back_o by_o that_o mean_n and_o suffer_v many_o lamentable_a spiritual_a decay_n this_o seem_v to_o have_v sometime_o be_v the_o case_n of_o hezekiah_n and_o of_o david_n too_o and_o have_v like_a to_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o paul_n when_o he_o have_v so_o much_o abound_v in_o revelation_n 2_o cor._n 12._o 7._o sure_a it_o be_v that_o nothing_o do_v more_o estrange_v the_o heart_n of_o god_n people_n from_o he_o nor_o bound_v up_o the_o influence_n of_o divine_a grace_n and_o favour_n from_o they_o than_o this_o security_n confidence_n in_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o will_n and_o vain_a opinion_n of_o selfsufficiency_n which_o thing_n the_o sad_a experience_n of_o many_o holy_a christian_n do_v attest_v not_o only_o the_o apostle_n james_n and_o peter_n but_o indeed_o all_o the_o true_a disciple_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o world_n do_v agree_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o proverb_n god_n resist_v the_o proud_a but_o give_v grace_n to_o the_o humble_a in_o a_o word_n though_o to_o do_v just_o and_o to_o love_v mercy_n have_v indeed_o much_o of_o religion_n in_o they_o yet_o unto_o perseverance_n it_o be_v also_o require_v that_o a_o man_n deny_v himself_o and_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o this_o own_o freewill_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n expression_n walk_v humble_o with_o his_o god_n you_o know_v who_o brag_n it_o be_v though_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v offend_v because_o of_o thou_o yet_o will_v i_o never_o be_v offend_v and_o again_o though_o i_o shall_v die_v with_o thou_o yet_o will_v i_o not_o deny_v thou_o and_o what_o be_v the_o lamentable_a consequence_n of_o this_o selfconfidence_n you_o know_v likewise_o wherefore_o let_v he_o that_o stand_v by_o his_o own_o strength_n take_v heed_n lest_o he_o fail_v i_o proceed_v now_o to_o speak_v something_o affirmitive_o concern_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o saint_n perseverance_n in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n i_o have_v already_o show_v you_o that_o active_a grace_n be_v absolute_o of_o a_o immutable_a nature_n and_o although_o passive_a grace_n be_v not_o so_o yet_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v lose_v total_o and_o final_o for_o 1._o the_o grace_n of_o election_n can_v fail_v when_o i_o think_v of_o that_o uncertain_a conditional_a mutable_a decree_n of_o save_a man_n which_o some_o ascribe_v to_o god_n who_o be_v infinite_a and_o eternal_a wisdom_n and_o oneness_n methinks_v i_o may_v with_o great_a reason_n apply_v the_o apostle_n word_n speak_v concern_v himself_o and_o say_v when_o god_n be_v thus_o gracious_o mind_v to_o elect_a his_o people_n to_o eternal_a life_n do_v he_o use_v lightness_n or_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o purpose_v do_v he_o purpose_n according_a to_o the_o flesh_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n who_o be_v unsteady_a and_o waver_a in_o their_o determination_n be_v there_o with_o he_o yea_o yea_o and_o nay_o nay_o what_o do_v the_o apostle_n mean_v by_o those_o word_n 2_o tim._n 2._o 19_o the_o foundation_n of_o god_n stand_v sure_a have_v this_o seal_n the_o lord_n know_v they_o that_o be_v he_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o forego_n verse_n have_v relate_v the_o apostasy_n of_o hymeneus_n and_o philetus_n and_o the_o overthrow_n of_o some_o man_n faith_n by_o their_o mean_n immediate_o subjoin_v this_o comfortable_a doctrine_n of_o the_o steadfastness_n and_o firmness_n of_o god_n decree_n of_o election_n to_o prevent_v the_o offence_n which_o the_o saint_n may_v take_v against_o the_o fall_n of_o other_o and_o to_o relieve_v they_o against_o the_o fear_n that_o they_o may_v possible_o conceive_v concern_v their_o own_o perseverance_n q._n d._n let_v no_o one_o be_v offend_v as_o if_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o elect_a stand_v at_o uncertainty_n it_o appear_v that_o these_o man_n be_v none_o of_o god_n elect_v because_o they_o be_v seduce_v and_o the_o faith_n that_o they_o have_v be_v overthrow_v and_o as_o for_o your_o part_n who_o be_v elect_v fear_v not_o lest_o you_o also_o shall_v apostatise_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o deceive_v the_o elect_a in_o the_o necessary_a and_o fundamental_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n matth._n 24._o 24._o fear_v not_o lest_o you_o also_o shall_v be_v draw_v away_o by_o the_o error_n of_o the_o wicked_a unto_o perdition_n for_o the_o foundation_n of_o god_n stand_v sure_a etc._n etc._n in_o which_o sentence_n say_v dr._n arrowsmith_n almost_o every_o word_n breathe_v firmness_n and_o performance_n nothing_o be_v more_o firm_a in_o a_o building_n than_o the_o foundation_n that_o you_o may_v not_o doubt_v of_o that_o it_o be_v also_o call_v sure_a or_o steady_a this_o sure_a foundation_n be_v say_v to_o stand_v i._n e._n say_v the_o dutch_a annotat._n abide_v steadfast_a and_o certain_a for_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n not_o of_o man_n lay_v but_o of_o god_n with_o who_o there_o be_v no_o variableness_n nor_o shadow_n of_o change_n yea_o further_o this_o foundation_n be_v say_v to_o be_v seal_v now_o what_o be_v account_v more_o firm_a and_o sure_a than_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v seal_v with_o a_o seal_n especial_o such_o a_o seal_n as_o this_o the_o lord_n know_v who_o be_v he_o though_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n be_v oft_o deceive_v in_o their_o opinion_n yet_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v infinite_o infallible_a according_a to_o that_o of_o austin_n if_o any_o of_o the_o elect_n perish_v god_n be_v deceive_v but_o god_n be_v not_o deceive_v therefore_o none_o of_o the_o elect_n can_v perish_v for_o the_o lord_n know_v who_o be_v he_o when_o samuel_n indeed_o go_v to_o separate_v one_o of_o the_o son_n of_o jesse_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o brethren_n to_o be_v king_n over_o israel_n he_o first_o pitch_v upon_o eliab_n and_o afterward_o reject_v he_o 1_o sam._n 16._o but_o god_n be_v guilty_a of_o no_o such_o inconstancy_n in_o that_o eternal_a election_n which_o he_o make_v of_o man_n to_o be_v king_n and_o priest_n unto_o himself_o those_o several_a act_n of_o divine_a grace_n mention_v rom._n 8._o 29_o 30._o though_o they_o be_v many_o link_n yet_o run_v one_o into_o a_o other_o and_o all_o from_o first_o to_o last_o make_v up_o but_o one_o chain_n concern_v which_o divine_a and_o mysterious_a concatenation_n one_o may_v bold_o use_v that_o peremptory_a prohibition_n which_o our_o lord_n use_v concern_v a_o less_o indisputable_a conjunction_n matth._n 19_o 6._o what_o god_n have_v join_v together_o let_v no_o man_n put_v asunder_o 2._o the_o grace_n of_o justification_n be_v neither_o suspend_v nor_o violate_v it_o admit_v neither_o of_o intercision_n nor_o rescission_n neither_o of_o pause_n nor_o period_n there_o be_v nothing_o between_o justification_n and_o glorification_n in_o the_o apostle_n sentence_n but_o the_o copulative_a and_o rom._n 8._o 30._o there_o be_v nothing_o between_o a_o justify_v soul_n and_o glory_n but_o a_o mere_a passage_n into_o it_o may_v we_o be_v allow_v to_o triumph_v with_o the_o holy_a apostle_n in_o the_o forequoted_a chapter_n who_o shall_v bring_v a_o accusation_n against_o god_n elect_v it_o be_v god_n that_o justifi_v but_o what_o though_o you_o be_v at_o present_a justify_v may_v some_o say_v be_v there_o not_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v unjustified_a again_o may_v not_o the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o righteous_a be_v take_v from_o he_o may_v you_o not_o be_v condemn_v hereafter_o but_o who_o be_v he_o that_o shall_v condemn_v we_o it_o be_v christ_n that_o die_v as_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v say_v the_o love_n of_o god_n towards_o his_o justify_v once_o be_v not_o ground_v upon_o their_o purity_n loveliness_n or_o perfection_n but_o it_o be_v found_v in_o their_o redeemer_n which_o redeemer_n have_v do_v enough_o both_o to_o bring_v they_o into_o a_o justify_v state_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o in_o it_o for_o ever_o it_o be_v christ_n that_o die_v to_o free_v they_o from_o sin_n it_o be_v christ_n that_o be_v rise_v again_o for_o their_o justification_n that_o be_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n to_o deliver_v they_o from_o all_o their_o enemy_n that_o make_v intercession_n for_o they_o for_o their_o perseverance_n god_n