thy_o prayer_n be_v hear_v to_o offer_v something_o unto_o he_o either_o for_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a the_o widow_n the_o orphan_n and_o distress_a one_o or_o the_o maintenance_n of_o his_o service_n and_o worship_n if_o god_n will_v be_v with_o i_o say_v jacob_n gen._n 28._o and_o keep_v i_o in_o this_o way_n that_o i_o go_v and_o will_v give_v i_o bread_n to_o eat_v and_o raiment_n to_o put_v on_o etc._n etc._n then_o shall_v the_o lord_n be_v my_o god_n and_o this_o stone_n which_o i_o have_v set_v for_o a_o pillar_n shall_v be_v god_n house_n and_o of_o all_o that_o thou_o shall_v give_v i_o i_o will_v sure_o give_v the_o ten_o unto_o thou_o see_v the_o use_n of_o vow_v by_o such_o as_o come_v to_o pray_v in_o god_n house_n eccles._n 5._o 4._o if_o thou_o come_v before_o god_n in_o any_o of_o these_o way_n thou_o shall_v not_o come_v emptyhanded_a but_o send_v not_o thy_o prayer_n single_a and_o alone_a the_o prayer_n with_o alm_n be_v the_o prayer_n god_n love_v hear_v what_o himself_o say_v psal._n 50._o 14._o offer_v unto_o god_n thanksgiving_n alms_n be_v a_o offer_n of_o 2_o thanksgiving_n and_o pay_v thy_o vow_n unto_o the_o most_o high_a so_o call_v upon_o i_o in_o the_o day_n of_o trouble_n and_o i_o will_v deliver_v thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v glorify_v i_o now_o i_o come_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n i_o propound_v the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n which_o prayer_n and_o alm_n have_v with_o god_n thy_o prayer_n and_o thy_o alm_n say_v the_o angel_n be_v come_v up_o for_o a_o memorial_n or_o be_v have_v in_o remembrance_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n god_n be_v say_v to_o remember_v our_o prayer_n when_o he_o grant_v they_o our_o alm_n and_o good_a deed_n when_o he_o reward_v they_o or_o in_o a_o word_n when_o he_o answer_v either_o of_o they_o with_o a_o blessing_n as_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o be_v say_v to_o remember_v iniquity_n when_o he_o send_v some_o judgement_n for_o it_o so_o god_n be_v say_v to_o remember_v hanna_n when_o he_o hear_v her_o prayer_n for_o a_o son_n 1_o sam._n 1._o 19_o and_o nehemiah_n speak_v cap._n 5._o 19_o of_o his_o deed_n of_o mercy_n and_o bounty_n show_v unto_o his_o poor_a brethren_n return_v from_o captivity_n say_v think_v upon_o i_o or_o remember_v i_o o_o my_o god_n for_o good_a according_a to_o all_o that_o i_o have_v do_v for_o this_o people_n thus_o be_v cornelius_n his_o prayer_n and_o alm_n remember_v prayer_n therefore_o and_o alm_n be_v they_o perform_v as_o they_o shall_v be_v be_v powerful_a and_o approve_a mean_n to_o obtain_v a_o blessing_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n to_o speak_v first_o of_o prayer_n what_o be_v it_o that_o prayer_n have_v not_o obtain_v it_o have_v shut_v and_o open_v heaven_n see_v the_o story_n of_o eliah_n it_o have_v make_v the_o sun_n and_o moon_n to_o stand_v still_o read_v the_o book_n of_o joshua_n it_o be_v the_o key_n that_o open_v all_o god_n treasure_n and_o blessing_n both_o spiritual_a and_o corporal_a for_o spiritual_a blessing_n cornelius_n we_o see_v obtain_v thereby_o illumination_n and_o instruction_n in_o god_n save_v truth_n and_o s._n james_n say_v if_o any_o man_n lack_v wisdom_n let_v he_o ask_v of_o god_n who_o give_v to_o all_o man_n liberal_o and_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v he_o ephraim_n in_o the_o 31._o of_o jeremy_n pray_v for_o convert_v grace_n turn_v thou_o i_o o_o lord_n and_o i_o shall_v be_v turn_v to_o who_o god_n present_o reply_v be_v ephraim_n my_o dear_a son_n be_v he_o a_o pleasant_a child_n for_o since_o i_o speak_v against_o he_o i_o do_v earnest_o remember_v he_o still_o therefore_o my_o bowel_n be_v trouble_v for_o he_o i_o will_v sure_o have_v mercy_n on_o he_o say_v the_o lord_n prayer_n obtain_v remission_n of_o sin_n i_o say_v say_v david_n psal._n 32._o i_o will_v confess_v my_o transgression_n unto_o the_o lord_n and_o thou_o forgave_v the_o iniquity_n of_o my_o sin_n for_o this_o shall_v every_o one_o that_o be_v godly_a prey_n unto_o thou_o in_o a_o time_n when_o thou_o may_v be_v find_v prayer_n also_o obtain_v corporal_a blessing_n when_o heaven_n be_v shut_v and_o it_o rain_v not_o eliah_n pray_v for_o rain_n and_o it_o rain_v hannah_n pray_v for_o a_o son_n and_o she_o conceive_v if_o we_o be_v sick_a say_v s._n james_n cap._n 5._o the_o prayer_n of_o faith_n shall_v heal_v the_o sick_a nehemiah_n pray_v that_o he_o may_v find_v favour_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o king_n artaxerxes_n and_o find_v it_o chap._n 2._o 4._o but_o some_o man_n will_v say_v if_o prayer_n have_v such_o power_n and_o efficacy_n how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o many_o even_o godly_a man_n oft_o pray_v and_o yet_o speed_v not_o i_o answer_v there_o be_v divers_a cause_n thereof_o either_o we_o pray_v not_o as_o we_o ought_v or_o we_o be_v not_o dispose_v as_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v when_o we_o pray_v we_o pray_v not_o as_o we_o ought_v either_o when_o we_o pray_v not_o hearty_o or_o not_o constant_o for_o god_n regard_v not_o formal_a and_o superficial_a prayer_n but_o prayer_n that_o come_v from_o the_o heart_n and_o love_v to_o be_v importune_v before_o he_o grant_v as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o woman_n and_o the_o unjust_a judge_n who_o though_o at_o first_o he_o will_v not_o hear_v yet_o importunity_n make_v he_o do_v her_o justice_n or_o second_o we_o rely_v not_o upon_o god_n as_o we_o ought_v when_o we_o pray_v but_o trust_v more_o to_o second_o mean_n to_o our_o wit_n to_o our_o friend_n or_o the_o like_a then_o to_o he_o and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v that_o waver_a in_o prayer_n s._n james_n speak_v of_o when_o he_o bid_v we_o pray_v in_o faith_n without_o waver_v chap._n 1._o that_o be_v without_o reel_v from_o god_n to_o rest_v upon_o second_o mean_n but_o as_o with_o our_o mouth_n we_o pray_v to_o he_o so_o shall_v our_o heart_n rely_v upon_o he_o to_o give_v we_o what_o we_o ask_v we_o often_o pray_v to_o god_n for_o fashion_n but_o indeed_o we_o look_v to_o speed_v by_o other_o and_o so_o god_n take_v himself_o mock_v and_o then_o no_o marvel_n if_o he_o hear_v we_o not_o if_o it_o be_v our_o own_o case_n we_o will_v not_o listen_v to_o such_o suitor_n or_o three_o we_o pray_v and_o speed_v not_o when_o we_o make_v not_o god_n glory_n the_o end_n of_o what_o we_o ask_v you_o ask_v say_v s._n james_n and_o receive_v not_o because_o you_o ask_v amiss_o that_o you_o may_v consume_v it_o upon_o your_o lust_n or_o four_a we_o may_v ask_v something_o that_o cross_v the_o rule_n of_o divine_a providence_n and_o justice_n and_o then_o also_o we_o must_v not_o look_v to_o speed_v david_n pray_v for_o the_o life_n of_o his_o child_n by_o bathsheba_n vriahs_n wife_n but_o be_v not_o hear_v because_o it_o stand_v not_o with_o the_o rule_n of_o divine_a justice_n that_o so_o scandalous_a a_o sin_n which_o make_v the_o enemy_n of_o god_n to_o blaspheme_v shall_v not_o have_v a_o exemplary_a punishment_n in_o like_a manner_n sundry_a time_n when_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n rebel_v against_o the_o lord_n and_o murmur_v against_o moses_n and_o aaron_n their_o governor_n moses_n pour_v forth_o very_o earnest_a prayer_n to_o god_n for_o remove_v his_o judgement_n from_o off_o the_o people_n but_o god_n will_v not_o hear_v he_o because_o their_o sin_n be_v scandalous_a and_o commit_v with_o so_o high_a a_o hand_n that_o it_o can_v not_o stand_v with_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o justice_n not_o to_o inflict_v punishment_n for_o they_o again_o sometime_o and_o that_o too_o often_o we_o be_v indispose_v for_o god_n to_o grant_v our_o request_n as_o first_o when_o some_o sin_n unrepented_a of_o lie_n at_o the_o door_n and_o keep_v god_n blessing_n out_o psal_n 66._o 18._o if_o i_o regard_v say_v david_n iniquity_n in_o my_o heart_n the_o lord_n will_v not_o hear_v i_o 16._o and_o his_o son_n solomon_n observe_v it_o prov._n 28._o 9_o where_o he_o say_v he_o that_o turn_v away_o his_o ear_n from_o hear_v the_o law_n even_o his_o prayer_n shall_v be_v abomination_n so_o god_n will_v not_o hear_v joshua_n pray_v for_o the_o israelite_n when_o they_o flee_v before_o the_o man_n of_o ai_fw-fr because_o of_o achans_n sacrilege_n get_v thou_o up_o say_v god_n why_o lie_v thou_o thus_o upon_o thy_o face_n israel_n have_v sin_v for_o they_o have_v take_v of_o the_o accurse_a thing_n that_o be_v the_o thing_n that_o curse_a be_v those_o that_o meddle_v therewith_o therefore_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n can_v not_o stand_v before_o their_o enemy_n because_o they_o be_v accurse_v neither_o will_v i_o be_v with_o you_o any_o more_o except_o you_o put_v the_o accurse_a thing_n from_o among_o you_o or_o last_o
prayer_n for_o the_o house_n of_o onesiphorus_n for_o like_v good_a service_n do_v to_o the_o office_n of_o god_n house_n the_o lord_n say_v he_o grant_v unto_o he_o that_o he_o may_v find_v mercy_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o that_o day_n that_o be_v the_o day_n of_o judgement_n which_o be_v tempus_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d when_o every_o one_o shall_v receive_v according_a to_o his_o work_n the_o controversy_n therefore_o between_o the_o romanist_n and_o we_o be_v not_o whether_o there_o be_v a_o reward_n promise_v unto_o our_o work_n we_o know_v the_o scripture_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v full_a of_o testimony_n that_o way_n and_o encourage_v we_o to_o work_v in_o hope_n of_o the_o reward_n lay_v up_o for_o we_o we_o know_v that_o in_o keep_v of_o god_n commandment_n there_o be_v great_a reward_n psa._n 19_o 11._o and_o that_o unto_o he_o that_o sow_v in_o righteousness_n shall_v be_v a_o sure_a reward_n prov._n 11._o 18._o we_o know_v our_o saviour_n say_v mat._n 5._o 12._o bless_a be_v you_o when_o man_n revile_v and_o persecute_v you_o for_o great_a be_v your_o reward_n in_o heaven_n also_o that_o he_o that_o receive_v a_o prophet_n in_o the_o name_n of_o a_o prophet_n shall_v receive_v a_o prophet_n reward_n and_o whosoever_o shall_v give_v a_o cup_n of_o gold_n water_n only_o to_o one_o of_o his_o little_a one_o in_o the_o name_n of_o a_o disciple_n shall_v not_o lose_v his_o reward_n mat._n 10._o again_o we_o read_v luk._n 6._o 35._o love_v your_o enemy_n do_v good_a and_o lend_v and_o your_o reward_n shall_v be_v great_a and_o you_o shall_v be_v the_o child_n of_o the_o high_a we_o know_v also_o what_o s._n john_n say_v 2_o ep._n v_o 8._o look_v to_o yourselves_o that_o you_o lose_v not_o those_o thing_n which_o you_o have_v wrought_v but_o that_o you_o may_v receive_v a_o full_a reward_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whence_o this_o reward_n come_v whether_o from_o the_o worth_n or_o worthiness_n of_o the_o work_n as_o a_o debt_n of_o justice_n due_a thereto_o or_o from_o god_n mercy_n as_o a_o recompense_n free_o bestow_v out_o of_o god_n gracious_a bounty_n and_o not_o in_o justice_n due_a to_o the_o worth_n of_o the_o work_n itself_o which_o question_n i_o think_v nehemiah_n here_o in_o my_o text_n may_v determine_v when_o he_o say_v remember_v i_o o_o lord_n for_o my_o good_a deed_n according_a to_o thy_o great_a mercy_n and_o the_o prophet_n hosea_n chap._n 10._o 12._o when_o he_o bid_v we_o sow_n to_o ourselves_o in_o righteousness_n and_o reap_v in_o mercy_n and_o s._n paul_n rom._n 6._o 23._o where_n though_o he_o say_v that_o the_o wage_n of_o sin_n be_v death_n yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o eternal_a life_n he_o change_v his_o style_n but_o say_v he_o eternal_a life_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o gracious_a gift_n of_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ._n for_o as_o for_o our_o work_n they_o be_v imperfect_a and_o whatsoever_o they_o be_v we_o owe_v they_o to_o he_o in_o who_o we_o live_v and_o have_v our_o be_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o reward_n or_o not_o promise_v for_o they_o neither_o do_v we_o hereby_o any_o whit_n detract_v from_o that_o axiom_n that_o god_n reward_v every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o work_n for_o still_o the_o question_n remain_v the_o very_a same_o whether_o there_o may_v not_o be_v as_o well_o merces_fw-la gratiae_fw-la as_o merces_fw-la justitiae_fw-la that_o be_v whether_o god_n may_v not_o judge_v a_o man_n according_a to_o his_o work_n when_o he_o sit_v upon_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n as_o well_o as_o when_o he_o sit_v upon_o his_o throne_n of_o justice_n and_o we_o think_v here_o that_o the_o prophet_n david_n have_v full_o clear_v the_o case_n in_o that_o one_o sentence_n psa._n 62._o 12._o with_o thou_o o_o lord_n be_v mercy_n for_o thou_o rewarde_a every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o work_n nay_o more_o than_o this_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o in_o some_o sense_n this_o reward_n may_v be_v say_v to_o proceed_v of_o justice_n for_o howsoever_o original_o and_o in_o itself_o we_o hold_v it_o come_v from_o god_n free_a bounty_n and_o mercy_n who_o may_v have_v require_v the_o work_n of_o we_o without_o all_o promise_n of_o reward_n for_o as_o i_o say_v we_o be_v his_o creature_n and_o owe_v our_o be_v unto_o he_o yet_o in_o regard_n he_o have_v covenant_v with_o we_o and_o tie_v himself_o by_o his_o word_n and_o promise_n to_o conferte_fw-la such_o a_o reward_n the_o reward_n now_o in_o a_o sort_n prove_v to_o be_v a_o act_n of_o justice_n namely_o of_o justitia_fw-la promissi_fw-la on_o god_n part_n not_o of_o merit_n on_o we_o even_o as_o in_o forgive_a our_o sin_n which_o in_o itself_o all_o man_n know_v to_o be_v a_o act_n of_o mercy_n he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a 1_o joh._n 1._o 9_o namely_o of_o the_o faithful_a performance_n of_o his_o promise_n for_o promise_n we_o know_v once_o make_v among_o honest_a man_n be_v account_v a_o due_a debt_n but_o this_o argue_v no_o more_o any_o worthiness_n of_o equality_n in_o the_o work_n towards_o the_o obtain_n of_o the_o reward_n then_o if_o a_o promise_n of_o a_o kingdom_n be_v make_v to_o one_o if_o he_o shall_v take_v up_o a_o straw_n it_o will_v follow_v thence_o that_o the_o lift_v up_o of_o a_o straw_n be_v a_o labour_n of_o a_o work_n worth_a a_o kingdom_n howsoever_o he_o that_o shall_v so_o promise_v be_v bind_v to_o give_v it_o thus_o be_v moses_n careful_a to_o put_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o mind_n touch_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v a_o type_n of_o our_o eternal_a habitation_n in_o heaven_n that_o it_o be_v a_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o not_o of_o merit_n which_o god_n give_v they_o to_o possess_v not_o for_o their_o righteousness_n or_o for_o their_o upright_a heart_n but_o that_o he_o may_v perform_v the_o word_n which_o he_o swear_v unto_o their_o father_n abraham_n isant_n and_o jaacob_n whereupon_o the_o levite_n in_o this_o book_n of_o nehemiah_n say_v in_o their_o prayer_n to_o god_n thou_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o abraham_n to_o give_v to_o his_o seed_n the_o land_n of_o the_o canaanite_n and_o have_v perform_v thy_o word_n because_o thou_o be_v just_a that_o be_v true_a and_o faithful_a in_o keep_v thy_o promise_n now_o because_o the_o lord_n have_v make_v a_o like_a promise_n of_o the_o crown_n of_o life_n to_o they_o that_o love_v he_o s._n paul_n stick_v not_o in_o like_a manner_n to_o attribute_v this_o also_o to_o god_n justice_n henceforth_o say_v he_o 2_o tim._n 4._o 8._o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n which_o the_o righteous_a judge_n shall_v give_v i_o at_o that_o day_n and_o not_o to_o i_o only_o but_o to_o all_o they_o that_o love_v his_o appear_v upon_o which_o s._n bernard_n most_o sweet_o as_o he_o be_v wont_a est_fw-la ergo_fw-la quam_fw-la paulus_n expectat_fw-la corona_fw-la justitiae_fw-la sed_fw-la justitiae_fw-la dei_fw-la non_fw-la suae_fw-la justum_fw-la quip_n est_fw-la ut_fw-la reddat_fw-la quod_fw-la debet_fw-la debet_fw-la autem_fw-la quod_fw-la pollicitus_fw-la est_fw-la last_o for_o the_o word_n merit_n it_o be_v not_o the_o name_n we_o so_o much_o scruple_n at_o as_o the_o thing_n wont_v now_o adays_o to_o be_v understand_v thereby_o otherwise_o we_o confess_v the_o name_n may_v be_v admit_v if_o take_v in_o the_o large_a and_o more_o general_a sense_n for_o any_o work_n have_v relation_n to_o a_o reward_n to_o follow_v it_o or_o whereby_o a_o reward_n be_v quocunque_fw-la modo_fw-la obtain_v in_o a_o word_n as_o the_o correlatum_fw-la indifferent_a either_o to_o merces_fw-la gratiae_fw-la or_o justitiae_fw-la for_o thus_o the_o father_n use_v it_o and_o so_o may_v we_o have_v do_v still_o if_o some_o of_o we_o have_v not_o grow_v too_o proud_a and_o mistake_v it_o since_o we_o think_v it_o better_o and_o safe_a to_o disuse_n it_o even_o as_o physician_n be_v wont_a to_o prescribe_v their_o patient_n recover_v of_o some_o desperate_a disease_n not_o to_o use_v any_o more_o that_o meat_n or_o diet_n which_o they_o find_v to_o have_v cause_v it_o and_o here_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o acquaint_v you_o with_o a_o observation_n of_o a_o like_a alteration_n of_o speech_n and_o i_o suppose_v for_o the_o selfsame_a cause_n happen_v under_o the_o old_a testament_n namely_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d change_v into_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d righteousness_n into_o that_o which_o find_v mercy_n for_o so_o the_o septuagint_n and_o the_o new_a testament_n with_o they_o render_v the_o hebrew_n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d justitia_fw-la not_o only_a when_o it_o be_v take_v for_o beneficience_n or_o alm_n as_o in_o that_o tongue_n it_o be_v the_o ordinary_a word_n in_o which_o use_n we_o be_v wont_n
therefore_o as_o none_o can_v be_v a_o priest_n but_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n so_o long_o there_o can_v be_v no_o church_n but_o of_o that_o people_n whereof_o levi_n be_v a_o tribe_n a_o point_n of_o sacred_a policy_n so_o to_o order_v the_o choice_n of_o minister_n as_o shall_v be_v most_o fit_a to_o uphold_v the_o present_a state_n of_o a_o establish_a church_n the_o other_o question_n we_o propound_v be_v why_o god_n choose_v levi_n before_o any_o other_o tribe_n and_o of_o this_o many_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v as_o first_o for_o moses_n sake_n who_o god_n will_v honour_v by_o advance_v the_o house_n of_o his_o father_n to_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o dignity_n that_o mortal_a man_n can_v attain_v to_o for_o what_o great_a honour_n then_o to_o be_v ambassador_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n to_o be_v admit_v unto_o the_o inspection_n of_o his_o most_o secret_a mystery_n to_o be_v god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d his_o proper_a and_o peculiar_a portion_n will_v god_n they_o either_o know_v or_o believe_v this_o who_o think_v their_o house_n disgrace_v and_o their_o blood_n stain_v if_o any_o of_o their_o kin_n become_v of_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v not_o so_o in_o god_n opinion_n no_o nor_o moses_n his_o neither_o for_o have_v it_o be_v levi_n of_o all_o tribe_n shall_v not_o have_v be_v god_n holy_a one_o the_o second_o reason_n be_v the_o nobility_n of_o this_o tribe_n for_o levi_n be_v enable_v both_o general_o as_o be_v the_o son_n of_o a_o lawful_a wife_n and_o not_o the_o son_n of_o a_o handmaid_n and_o special_o as_o be_v of_o kin_n to_o moses_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o congregation_n in_o the_o first_o respect_n he_o be_v noble_a than_o many_o of_o his_o brethren_n in_o the_o second_o more_o noble_a than_o any_o of_o they_o this_o example_n of_o god_n own_o choice_n of_o man_n for_o his_o holy_a service_n if_o we_o will_v look_v unto_o we_o will_v not_o sin_v the_o sin_n of_o jeroboam_fw-la to_o make_v priest_n almost_o of_o no_o other_o but_o of_o the_o low_a of_o the_o people_n i_o speak_v not_o only_o of_o the_o low_a for_o external_a condition_n but_o of_o the_o low_a for_o the_o gift_n of_o their_o mind_n for_o i_o know_v it_o be_v true_a which_o the_o virgin_n have_v in_o she_o magnificat_fw-la that_o god_n often_o put_v down_o the_o mighty_a from_o their_o seat_n and_o exalt_v they_o of_o low_a degree_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o know_v it_o be_v true_a that_o he_o often_o fill_v the_o hungry_a with_o good_a thing_n and_o the_o rich_a he_o send_v empty_a away_o but_o we_o shall_v know_v that_o whensoever_o we_o offer_v unto_o he_o he_o require_v the_o best_a thing_n in_o our_o hand_n and_o therefore_o for_o this_o worthy_a call_v we_o be_v to_o give_v unto_o he_o as_o far_o as_o may_v be_v the_o worthy_a among_o the_o son_n of_o man_n another_o reason_n why_o god_n choose_v this_o tribe_n afore_o other_o may_v be_v the_o smallness_n thereof_o be_v not_o above_o the_o sixty_v part_n of_o the_o people_n a_o number_n which_o god_n in_o his_o wisdom_n see_v fit_a for_o that_o church_n as_o be_v both_o sufficient_a for_o instruct_v the_o people_n and_o discharge_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o order_n and_o not_o too_o great_a to_o live_v of_o god_n ordinary_a his_o tithe_n and_o the_o other_o offering_n of_o the_o altar_n whereas_o the_o least_o of_o the_o other_o tribe_n be_v as_o big_a as_o three_o of_o it_o but_o the_o last_o reason_n and_o as_o it_o seem_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a be_v that_o which_o moses_n intimate_v in_o the_o very_a verse_n follow_v my_o text_n speak_v thus_o of_o levi_n that_o he_o say_v unto_o his_o father_n and_o to_o his_o mother_n i_o have_v not_o see_v they_o neither_o do_v he_o acknowledge_v his_o brethren_n nor_o know_v his_o own_o child_n but_o observe_v god_n word_n and_o keep_v his_o covenant_n in_o which_o word_n moses_n allude_v unto_o their_o forward_a zeal_n to_o avenge_v the_o lord_n of_o the_o people_n which_o worship_v the_o golden_a calf_n exod._n 32._o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o moses_n stand_v in_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o camp_n and_o cry_v whosoever_o be_v on_o the_o lord_n side_n let_v he_o come_v unto_o i_o and_o all_o the_o son_n of_o levi_n gather_v themselves_o unto_o he_o then_o say_v moses_n thus_o say_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n put_v every_o man_n his_o sword_n by_o his_o side_n and_o go_v in_o and_o out_o from_o gate_n to_o gate_n throughout_o the_o camp_n and_o slay_v every_o man_n his_o brother_n and_o every_o man_n his_o companion_n and_o every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n and_o the_o child_n of_o levi_n do_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o moses_n etc._n etc._n for_o moses_n have_v say_v so_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o text_n consecrate_v yourselves_o unto_o the_o lord_n this_o day_n even_o every_o man_n upon_o his_o son_n and_o upon_o his_o brother_n that_o there_o may_v be_v give_v you_o abless_v this_o day_n this_o blessing_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v our_o urim_n and_o thummim_n the_o blessing_n of_o sacred_a order_n so_o bountiful_o do_v god_n reward_v they_o who_o be_v so_o forward_o to_o be_v on_o his_o side_n when_o moses_n call_v they_o that_o himself_o vouchsafe_v to_o call_v they_o unto_o his_o side_n for_o ever_o whence_o first_o we_o may_v learn_v who_o we_o be_v chief_o to_o prefer_v unto_o this_o holy_a function_n namely_o those_o who_o be_v zealous_a for_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n who_o prefer_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n above_o all_o worldly_a respect_n whatsoever_o this_o get_v phinehas_n the_o son_n of_o eleazar_n the_o high_a priesthood_n this_o get_v all_o the_o son_n of_o levi_n the_o guerdon_n of_o urim_n and_o thummim_n the_o blessing_n of_o holy_a order_n second_o we_o may_v see_v by_o the_o advancement_n of_o this_o tribe_n how_o merciful_a our_o god_n be_v we_o know_v that_o levi's_fw-la fury_n do_v once_o as_o much_o offend_v he_o as_o his_o son_n zeal_n now_o please_v he_o and_o yet_o for_o this_o one_o action_n he_o forget_v the_o sin_n of_o their_o father_n in_o the_o bloody_a slaughter_n of_o the_o sichemite_n he_o remember_v not_o the_o curse_n of_o jacob_n into_o their_o secret_n let_v not_o my_o soul_n come_v my_o glory_n be_v not_o thou_o join_v with_o their_o assembly_n curse_a be_v their_o wrath_n for_o it_o be_v fierce_a and_o their_o rage_n for_o it_o be_v cruel_a gen._n 49._o 6_o 7._o nay_o he_o turn_v the_o very_a curse_n of_o jacob_n into_o a_o blessing_n by_o divide_v they_o in_o jacob_n and_o scatter_v they_o in_o israel_n here_o mercy_n and_o truth_n meet_v both_o together_o and_o justice_n and_o peace_n kiss_v each_o other_o last_o here_o god_n verify_v his_o own_o description_n of_o himself_o that_o though_o he_o be_v a_o jealous_a god_n and_o visit_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o father_n upon_o the_o child_n unto_o the_o three_o and_o four_o generation_n yet_o he_o be_v also_o a_o merciful_a god_n and_o show_v mercy_n even_o unto_o the_o thousand_o generation_n of_o they_o that_o love_v he_o and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n and_o thus_o have_v you_o see_v why_o of_o levi_n moses_n say_v this_o blessing_n and_o of_o levi_n he_o say_v now_o i_o come_v to_o the_o description_n of_o this_o bless_a tribe_n in_o these_o word_n god_n holy_a one_o let_v thy_o urim_n and_o thy_o thummim_n be_v with_o thy_o holy_a one_o how_o be_v levi_n here_o call_v holy_a how_o be_v this_o title_n give_v to_o he_o above_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o brethren_n be_v not_o all_o the_o lord_n people_n holy_a certain_o whatsoever_o be_v mean_v hereby_o it_o be_v something_o more_o special_o belong_v to_o levi_n then_o to_o any_o other_o tribe_n which_o that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o find_v we_o must_v take_v notice_n of_o a_o threefold_a holiness_n essential_a habitual_a relative_n essential_a holiness_n be_v the_o holiness_n of_o god_n all_o one_o with_o god_n himself_o and_o this_o be_v a_o glorious_a holiness_n who_o say_v moses_n be_v like_a unto_o thou_o o_o lord_n among_o the_o god_n who_o be_v like_a unto_o thou_o glorious_a in_o holiness_n exo._n 15_o 11._o habitual_a i_o call_v a_o inherent_a holiness_n such_o as_o be_v the_o holiness_n of_o righteous_a man_n integrity_n of_o life_n or_o righteous_a holiness_n whereof_o abraham_n job_n david_n and_o all_o the_o patriarch_n be_v call_v saint_n and_o holy_a man_n this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o greek_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o latin_n sanctimonia_fw-la relative_n holiness_n i_o define_v a_o special_a relation_n or_o relation_n of_o peculiarity_n which_o a_o thing_n have_v unto_o god_n either_o in_o regard_n of_o propriety_n of_o possession_n or_o speciality_n of_o presence_n that_o which_o be_v holy_a after_o this_o manner_n the_o greek_n