their_o great_a judge_n and_o demur_v to_o the_o equity_n of_o the_o sentence_n have_v they_o be_v condemn_v by_o he_o but_o it_o appear_v from_o hence_o that_o what_o be_v sufficient_a to_o render_v man_n inexcusable_a be_v not_o therefore_o sufficient_a to_o save_v they_o it_o be_v not_o say_v by_o the_o apostle_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v prove_v by_o any_o one_o else_o that_o god_n vouchsafe_v to_o the_o heathen_n the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n if_o so_o be_v the_o gospel_n be_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o i_o will_v not_o i_o dare_v not_o affirm_v that_o god_n will_v save_v none_o of_o those_o to_o who_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o gospel_n never_o reach_v though_o this_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o he_o do_v save_v any_o of_o they_o it_o must_v not_o be_v by_o that_o ordinary_a state_v appoint_a method_n which_o the_o scripture_n have_v reveal_v to_o we_o and_o which_o they_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o for_o grant_v that_o the_o heathen_n know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o 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that_o god_n will_v pardon_v sinner_n upon_o any_o term_n whatsoever_o possible_o it_o may_v know_v that_o god_n can_v do_v so_o but_o this_o be_v no_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o man_n to_o depend_v upon_o and_o then_o last_o of_o all_o as_o for_o the_o way_n of_o his_o pardon_v sinner_n that_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o upon_o a_o satisfaction_n pay_v to_o his_o justice_n by_o such_o a_o saviour_n as_o shall_v be_v both_o god_n and_o man_n this_o be_v utter_o impossible_a for_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n to_o find_v out_o for_o that_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o common_a work_n of_o god_n providence_n or_o be_v learn_v by_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n be_v preach_v the_o gospel_n as_o some_o have_v fond_o not_o to_o say_v profane_o enough_o assert_v it_o be_v infinite_o sottish_a to_o imagine_v and_o can_v indeed_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o turn_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n into_o wanton_a and_o unreasonable_a proposition_n it_o be_v clear_a therefore_o that_o the_o heathen_n have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o that_o way_n by_o which_o alone_o we_o expect_v salvation_n so_o that_o all_o the_o hope_n which_o we_o can_v have_v for_o they_o be_v that_o the_o gospel_n may_v not_o be_v the_o utmost_a limit_v of_o the_o divine_a mercy_n but_o that_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n may_v overflow_v and_o run_v over_o the_o pale_a of_o the_o church_n so_o as_o to_o reach_v even_o many_o of_o those_o who_o live_v and_o die_v invincible_o ignorant_a of_o he_o but_o whether_o this_o shall_v be_v so_o or_o no_o god_n alone_o know_v who_o only_o be_v privy_a to_o the_o great_a counsel_n of_o his_o own_o will._n it_o be_v a_o secret_a hide_v from_o we_o and_o therefore_o though_o we_o may_v hope_v compassionate_o yet_o i_o be_o sure_a we_o can_v pronounce_v nothing_o certain_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o that_o god_n have_v assert_v his_o justice_n even_o in_o his_o deal_v with_o those_o who_o he_o treat_v not_o upon_o term_n of_o evangelical_n mercy_n so_o that_o such_o person_n can_v neither_o excuse_v themselves_o nor_o yet_o accuse_v he_o who_o in_o the_o severe_a sentence_n that_o he_o can_v pronounce_v upon_o the_o sinner_n will_v as_o the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o be_v justify_v when_o he_o speak_v and_o clear_v when_o he_o be_v judge_v 2_o lie_n in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o gather_v hence_o the_o unspeakable_o wretched_a and_o deplorable_a condition_n of_o obstinate_a sinner_n under_o the_o gospel_n the_o sun_n of_o mercy_n have_v shine_v too_o long_o and_o too_o bright_a upon_o such_o to_o leave_v they_o any_o shadow_n of_o excuse_n for_o let_v they_o argue_v over_o all_o the_o topic_n of_o divine_a goodness_n and_o human_a weakness_n and_o whatsoever_o other_o pretence_n poor_a sink_v sinner_n be_v apt_a to_o catch_v at_o to_o support_v and_o save_v themselves_o by_o yet_o how_o trifle_a must_v be_v their_o plea_n how_o impertinent_a their_o defence_n for_o admit_v a_o impenitent_a heathen_a to_o plead_v that_o albeit_o his_o conscience_n tell_v he_o that_o he_o have_v sin_v yet_o it_o can_v not_o tell_v he_o that_o there_o be_v any_o provision_n of_o mercy_n for_o he_o upon_o his_o repentance_n he_o know_v not_o whether_o amendment_n of_o life_n will_v be_v accept_v after_o the_o law_n be_v once_o break_v or_o that_o there_o be_v any_o other_o righteousness_n to_o atone_v or_o merit_n for_o he_o but_o his_o own_o but_o no_o christian_a who_o have_v be_v take_v into_o the_o arm_n of_o a_o better_a covenant_n and_o grow_v up_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o a_o saviour_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o repentance_n from_o dead_a work_n can_v speak_v so_o much_o as_o one_o plausible_a word_n for_o his_o impenitence_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v say_v of_o he_o who_o come_v to_o the_o marriage-feast_n without_o a_o wedding-garment_n that_o be_v charge_v and_o apprehend_v for_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o be_v speechless_a strike_v with_o shame_n and_o silence_n the_o proper_a effect_n of_o a_o overpower_v gild_n too_o manifest_a to_o be_v deny_v and_o too_o gross_a to_o be_v defend_v his_o reason_n desert_v and_o his_o voice_n fail_v he_o find_v himself_o arraign_v convict_a and_o condemn_v in_o the_o court_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n so_o that_o if_o after_o all_o this_o his_o great_a judge_n have_v free_o ask_v he_o what_o he_o can_v allege_v or_o say_v for_o himself_o why_o he_o shall_v not_o have_v judgement_n to_o die_v eternal_o and_o sentence_n to_o be_v award_v according_a to_o the_o utmost_a rigour_n of_o the_o law_n he_o can_v not_o in_o this_o forlorn_a case_n have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o very_a last_o plea_n of_o a_o cast_v criminal_a nor_o so_o much_o as_o have_v cry_v mercy_n lord_n mercy_n for_o still_o his_o conscience_n will_v have_v reply_v upon_o he_o that_o mercy_n have_v be_v offer_v and_o abuse_v and_o that_o the_o time_n of_o mercy_n be_v now_o past_a and_o so_o under_o this_o overwhelm_a conviction_n every_o gospel-sinner_n must_v pass_v to_o his_o eternal_a execution_n take_v the_o whole_a load_n of_o his_o own_o damnation_n sole_o and_o entire_o upon_o himself_o and_o acquit_v the_o most_o just_a god_n who_o be_v righteous_a in_o all_o his_o work_n and_o holy_a in_o all_o his_o way_n to_o who_o therefore_o be_v render_v and_o ascribe_v as_o be_v most_o due_a all_o praise_n may_v majesty_n and_o dominion_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_n sacramental_a preparation_n set_v forth_o in_o a_o sermon_n on_o matthew_n xxii_o 12._o preach_v at_o westminster-abbey_n on_o the_o 8_o the_o of_o april_n 1688._o be_v palm-sunday_n matthew_n xxii_o 12._o and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o friend_n how_o come_v thou_o in_o hither_o not_o have_v a_o wedding-garment_n the_o whole_a scheme_n of_o these_o word_n be_v figurative_a as_o be_v a_o parabolical_a description_n of_o god_n vouchsafe_v to_o the_o world_n the_o invaluable_a blessing_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o the_o similitude_n of_o a_o king_n with_o great_a magnificence_n solemnize_n his_o son_n marriage_n and_o with_o equal_a bounty_n bid_v and_o invite_v all_o about_o he_o to_o that_o royal_a solemnity_n together_o with_o his_o severe_a animadversion_n both_o upon_o those_o who_o will_v not_o come_v and_o upon_o one_o who_o do_v come_v in_o a_o very_a unbeseeming_a manner_n for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o which_o word_n we_o must_v observe_v that_o in_o all_o parable_n two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v first_o the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o parable_n and_o second_o the_o circumstantial_a passage_n serve_v only_o to_o complete_a and_o make_v up_o the_o narration_n according_o in_o our_o application_n of_o any_o parable_n to_o the_o thing_n design_v and_o set_v forth_o by_o it_o we_o must_v not_o
discourse_n into_o do_v not_o natural_o engage_v i_o to_o prove_v they_o so_o but_o only_o to_o show_v what_o direct_o and_o necessary_o follow_v upon_o a_o supposal_n that_o they_o be_v so_o yet_o to_o give_v the_o great_a perspicuity_n and_o clearness_n to_o the_o prosecution_n of_o the_o subject_n in_o hand_n i_o shall_v brief_o demonstrate_v they_o thus_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o first_o mover_n and_o if_o so_o a_o first_o be_v and_o the_o first_o be_v must_v infer_v a_o infinite_a unlimited_a perfection_n in_o the_o say_v be_v for_o as_o much_o as_o if_o it_o be_v finite_a or_o limit_v that_o limitation_n must_v have_v be_v either_o from_o itself_o or_o from_o something_o else_o but_o not_o from_o itself_o since_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o nature_n that_o any_o be_v shall_v limit_v its_o own_o perfection_n nor_o yet_o from_o something_o else_o since_o than_o it_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v the_o first_o as_o suppose_v some_o other_o thing_n coevous_a to_o it_o which_o be_v against_o the_o present_a supposition_n so_o that_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o first_o be_v and_o that_o infinite_o perfect_a it_o will_v follow_v that_o all_o other_o perfection_n that_o be_v must_v be_v derive_v from_o it_o and_o so_o we_o infer_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o then_o suppose_v the_o world_n create_v by_o god_n since_o it_o be_v no_o way_n reconcileable_a to_o god_n wisdom_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o also_o govern_v it_o creation_n must_v need_v infer_v providence_n and_o then_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o god_n govern_v the_o world_n it_o will_v follow_v also_o that_o he_o do_v it_o by_o mean_n suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o govern_v and_o to_o the_o attainment_n of_o the_o proper_a end_n of_o government_n and_o moreover_o man_n be_v by_o nature_n a_o free_a moral_a agent_n and_o so_o capable_a of_o deviate_a from_o his_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o perform_v it_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v govern_v by_o law_n and_o since_o law_n require_v that_o they_o be_v enforce_v with_o the_o sanction_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n sufficient_a to_o sway_v and_o work_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o they_o and_o last_o since_o experience_n show_v that_o reward_n and_o punishment_n terminate_v only_o within_o this_o life_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o that_o purpose_n it_o fair_o and_o rational_o follow_v that_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n which_o god_n govern_v mankind_n by_o do_v and_o must_v look_v beyond_o it_o and_o thus_o i_o have_v give_v a_o brief_a proof_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o these_o principle_n namely_o that_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o future_a estate_n of_o happiness_n or_o misery_n for_o man_n after_o this_o life_n which_o principle_n while_o a_o man_n steer_v his_o course_n by_o if_o he_o act_v pious_o sober_o and_o temperate_o i_o suppose_v there_o need_v no_o further_a argument_n to_o evince_v that_o he_o act_v prudential_o and_o safe_o for_o he_o act_v as_o under_o the_o eye_n of_o his_o just_a and_o severe_a judge_n who_o reach_v to_o his_o creature_n a_o command_n with_o one_o hand_n and_o a_o reward_n with_o the_o other_o he_o spend_v as_o a_o person_n who_o know_v that_o he_o must_v come_v to_o a_o reckon_a he_o see_v a_o eternal_a happiness_n or_o misery_n suspend_v upon_o a_o few_o day_n behaviour_n and_o therefore_o he_o live_v every_o hour_n as_o for_o eternity_n his_o future_a condition_n have_v such_o a_o powerful_a influence_n upon_o his_o present_a practice_n because_o he_o entertain_v a_o continual_a apprehension_n and_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o it_o if_o a_o man_n walk_v over_o a_o narrow_a bridge_n when_o he_o be_v drink_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o he_o forget_v his_o caution_n while_o he_o overlook_v his_o danger_n but_o he_o who_o be_v sober_a and_o view_v that_o nice_a separation_n between_o himself_o and_o the_o devour_a deep_a so_o that_o if_o he_o shall_v slip_v he_o see_v his_o grave_a gape_v under_o he_o sure_o must_v needs_o take_v every_o step_n with_o horror_n and_o the_o utmost_a caution_n and_o solicitude_n but_o for_o a_o man_n to_o believe_v it_o as_o the_o most_o undoubted_a certainty_n in_o the_o world_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o his_o action_n here_o and_o after_o judgement_n receive_v a_o eternal_a recompense_n and_o yet_o to_o take_v his_o full_a swing_n in_o all_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n be_v it_o not_o a_o great_a frenzy_n than_o for_o a_o man_n to_o take_v a_o purse_n at_o tyburn_n while_o he_o be_v actual_o see_v another_o hang_v for_o the_o same_o fact_n it_o be_v real_o to_o dare_v and_o defy_v the_o justice_n of_o heaven_n to_o laugh_v at_o right-aiming_a thunderbolt_n to_o puff_n at_o damnation_n and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o bid_v omnipotence_n do_v its_o worst_a he_o indeed_o who_o thus_o walk_v walk_v sure_o but_o it_o be_v because_o he_o be_v sure_a to_o be_v damn_v i_o confess_v it_o be_v hard_o to_o reconcile_v such_o a_o stupid_a course_n to_o the_o natural_a way_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v act_v according_a to_o which_o the_o will_n move_v according_a to_o the_o proposal_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a make_v by_o the_o understanding_n and_o therefore_o for_o a_o man_n to_o run_v headlong_o into_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n while_o the_o eye_n of_o a_o see_v conscience_n assure_v he_o that_o it_o be_v bottomless_a and_o open_a and_o all_o return_n from_o it_o desperate_a and_o impossible_a while_o his_o ruin_n stare_v he_o in_o the_o face_n and_o the_o sword_n of_o vengeance_n point_v direct_o at_o his_o heart_n still_o to_o press_v on_o to_o the_o embrace_n of_o his_o sin_n be_v a_o problem_n unresolvable_a upon_o any_o other_o ground_n but_o that_o sin_n infatuate_v before_o it_o destroy_v for_o judas_n to_o receive_v and_o swallow_v the_o sop_n when_o his_o master_n give_v it_o he_o season_v with_o those_o terrible_a word_n it_o have_v be_v good_a for_o that_o man_n that_o he_o have_v never_o be_v bear_v sure_o this_o argue_v a_o furious_a appetite_n and_o a_o strong_a stomach_n that_o can_v thus_o catch_v at_o a_o morsel_n with_o the_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n all_o flame_a about_o it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v digest_v death_n itself_o and_o make_v a_o meal_n upon_o perdition_n i_o can_v wish_v that_o every_o bold_a sinner_n when_o he_o be_v about_o to_o engage_v in_o the_o commission_n of_o any_o know_a sin_n will_v arrest_v his_o confidence_n and_o for_o a_o while_n stop_v the_o execution_n of_o his_o purpose_n with_o this_o short_a question_n do_v i_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v real_o true_a that_o god_n have_v denounce_v death_n to_o such_o a_o practice_n or_o do_v i_o not_o if_o he_o do_v not_o let_v he_o renounce_v his_o christianity_n and_o surrender_v back_o his_o baptism_n the_o water_n of_o which_o may_v better_o serve_v he_o to_o cool_v his_o tongue_n in_o hell_n than_o only_o to_o consign_v he_o over_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o so_o black_a a_o apostasy_n but_o if_o he_o do_v believe_v it_o how_o will_v he_o acquit_v himself_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o bare_a reason_n for_o do_v he_o think_v that_o if_o he_o pursue_v the_o mean_n of_o death_n they_o will_v not_o bring_v he_o to_o that_o fatal_a end_n or_o do_v he_o think_v that_o he_o can_v grapple_v with_o divine_a vengeance_n and_o endure_v the_o everlasting_a burn_n or_o arm_v himself_o against_o the_o bite_v of_o the_o never-dying_a worm_n no_o sure_o these_o be_v thing_n not_o to_o be_v imagine_v and_o therefore_o i_o can_v conceive_v what_o security_n the_o presume_a sinner_n can_v promise_v himself_o but_o upon_o these_o two_o follow_a account_n 1._o that_o god_n be_v merciful_a and_o will_v not_o be_v so_o severe_a as_o his_o word_n and_o that_o his_o threaten_n of_o eternal_a torment_n be_v not_o so_o decretory_a and_o absolute_a but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a comfortable_a latitude_n leave_v in_o they_o for_o man_n of_o skill_n to_o creep_v out_o at_o and_o here_o it_o must_v indeed_o be_v confess_v that_o origen_n and_o some_o other_o not_o long_o since_o who_o have_v be_v so_o officious_a as_o to_o furbish_v up_o and_o re-print_n his_o old_a error_n hold_v that_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o damn_a be_v not_o to_o be_v in_o a_o strict_a sense_n eternal_a but_o that_o after_o a_o certain_a revolution_n and_o period_n of_o time_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o general_n gaol-delivery_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o prison_n and_o that_o not_o for_o a_o far_a execution_n but_o a_o final_a release_n and_o it_o must_v be_v further_o acknowledge_v that_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n like_o kind-hearted_a man_n have_v talk_v
under_o some_o law_n of_o man_n where_o you_o must_v be_v force_v to_o buy_v your_o counsel_n and_o oftentimes_o pay_v dear_a for_o bad_a advice_n no_o he_o be_v a_o light_n to_o those_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n and_o no_o man_n fee_n the_o sun_n no_o man_n purchase_v the_o light_n nor_o err_v if_o he_o walk_v by_o it_o the_o only_a price_n that_o christ_n set_v upon_o his_o counsel_n be_v that_o we_o follow_v it_o and_o that_o we_o do_v that_o which_o be_v best_a for_o we_o to_o do_v he_o be_v not_o only_a light_n for_o we_o to_o see_v by_o but_o also_o light_a for_o we_o to_o see_v with_o he_o be_v understand_v to_o the_o ignorant_a and_o eye_n to_o the_o blind_a and_o whosoever_o have_v both_o a_o faithful_a and_o a_o discreet_a friend_n to_o guide_v he_o in_o the_o dark_a slippery_a and_o dangerous_a passage_n of_o his_o life_n may_v carry_v his_o eye_n in_o another_o man_n head_n and_o yet_o see_v never_o the_o worse_o in_o 1_o cor._n 1._o 30._o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o 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satisfy_v about_o the_o estate_n of_o their_o soul_n with_o reference_n to_o god_n and_o the_o great_a concern_v of_o eternity_n in_o their_o judgement_n about_o which_o if_o they_o err_v final_o it_o be_v like_o a_o man_n miss_v his_o cast_n when_o he_o throw_v dice_n for_o his_o life_n his_o be_v his_o happiness_n and_o all_o that_o he_o do_v or_o can_v enjoy_v in_o the_o world_n be_v involve_v in_o the_o error_n of_o one_o throw_v and_o therefore_o it_o may_v very_o well_o deserve_v our_o best_a skill_n and_o care_n to_o inquire_v into_o those_o rule_n by_o which_o we_o may_v guide_v our_o judgement_n in_o so_o weighty_a a_o affair_n both_o with_o safety_n and_o success_n and_o this_o i_o think_v can_v be_v better_a do_v than_o by_o separate_v the_o false_a and_o fallacious_a from_o the_o true_a and_o certain_a for_o if_o the_o rule_n we_o judge_v by_o be_v uncertain_a it_o be_v odds_o but_o we_o shall_v judge_v wrong_a and_o if_o we_o shall_v judge_v right_a yet_o it_o be_v not_o proper_o skill_n but_o chance_n not_o a_o true_a judgement_n but_o a_o lucky_a hit_v which_o certain_o the_o eternal_a interest_n of_o a_o immortal_a soul_n be_v of_o much_o too_o high_a a_o value_n to_o be_v leave_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o first_o of_o all_o then_o he_o who_o will_v pass_v such_o a_o judgement_n upon_o his_o condition_n as_o shall_v be_v ratify_v in_o heaven_n and_o confirm_v at_o that_o great_a tribunal_n from_o which_o there_o lie_v no_o appeal_n will_v find_v himself_o woeful_o deceive_v if_o he_o judge_n of_o his_o spiritual_a estate_n by_o any_o of_o these_o four_o follow_a measure_n as_o 1._o the_o general_a esteem_n of_o the_o world_n concern_v he_o he_o who_o owe_v his_o piety_n to_o fame_n and_o hear-say_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o salvation_n to_o popular_a voice_n and_o opinion_n build_v his_o house_n not_o only_o upon_o the_o sand_n but_o which_o be_v worse_o upon_o the_o wind_n and_o write_v the_o deed_n by_o which_o he_o hold_v his_o estate_n 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