extreme_o in_o real_a value_n beyond_o the_o injury_n he_o suffer_v and_o i_o very_o think_v i_o now_o speak_v the_o unfeigned_a sense_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n when_o he_o see_v his_o rival_n grovel_v in_o his_o blood_n when_o he_o reflect_v upon_o the_o sad_a trophy_n of_o his_o kill_v honour_n and_o have_v surfeit_v himself_o with_o his_o unnatural_a revenge_n the_o occasion_n of_o duel_v be_v observe_v for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o be_v either_o too_o small_a and_o bashful_a or_o too_o shameful_a and_o reserve_v to_o appear_v in_o a_o court_n of_o judicature_n but_o let_v the_o calumny_n be_v never_o so_o foul_a or_o public_a or_o so_o malicious_o contrive_v nothing_o stain_v like_o blood_n which_o consideration_n alone_o aught_o to_o restrain_v every_o man_n that_o be_v tender_a of_o his_o honour_n or_o salvation_n from_o shed_v it_o upon_o the_o high_a provocation_n that_o can_v be_v give_v he_o but_o more_o than_o this_o there_o be_v other_o way_n of_o heal_v our_o reputation_n and_o live_v in_o bright_a fame_n than_o ever_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a judge_n of_o honour_n the_o law_n be_v open_a let_v the_o party_n implead_v one_o another_o or_o if_o they_o must_v be_v fight_v let_v thy_o king_n and_o thy_o country_n bind_v the_o laurel_n of_o victory_n about_o thy_o head_n or_o embalm_v thy_o memory_n this_o be_v certain_o more_o honourable_a then_o to_o kill_v the_o worst_a man_n upon_o earth_n in_o a_o private_a quarrel_n and_o make_v the_o case_n of_o duel_v extreme_o different_a from_o that_o of_o one_o man_n kill_v another_o when_o he_o be_v force_v upon_o it_o in_o his_o own_o defence_n and_o after_o all_o i_o hope_v it_o be_v no_o affront_n to_o be_v reminded_a that_o we_o be_v christian_n nor_o any_o diminution_n of_o honour_n to_o adhere_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o our_o holy_a profession_n great_a spirit_n as_o they_o be_v better_o fit_v than_o other_o for_o great_a and_o excellent_a thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o as_o plato_n observe_v they_o be_v subject_a to_o great_a fail_n and_o error_n they_o have_v common_o very_o quick_a and_o pierce_a apprehension_n and_o be_v very_o lively_a in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o difficult_a affair_n but_o be_v not_o always_o so_o happy_a in_o their_o memory_n if_o i_o may_v so_o express_v it_o as_o to_o forget_v the_o injury_n that_o be_v offer_v they_o in_o imitation_n of_o he_o who_o forgive_v his_o enemy_n who_o forbid_v the_o draw_n of_o the_o sword_n in_o his_o own_o quarrel_n and_o express_o tell_v his_o disciple_n that_o he_o come_v not_o to_o destroy_v man_n life_n but_o to_o save_v they_o and_o since_o the_o son_n of_o god_n suffer_v the_o contradiction_n of_o sinner_n 56._o luk._n 9_o 56._o why_o shall_v the_o disciple_n aspire_v to_o be_v above_o his_o master_n i_o be_o sure_a to_o act_n contrary_a to_o the_o author_n of_o our_o religion_n look_v as_o if_o we_o be_v ashamed_a of_o be_v think_v his_o disciple_n and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o we_o can_v think_v it_o too_o great_a a_o condescension_n for_o his_o sake_n and_o our_o own_o to_o consider_v 1._o that_o the_o pretence_n of_o honour_n in_o the_o present_a case_n be_v apparent_o contrary_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n and_o redeemer_n and_o the_o rule_n he_o have_v give_v we_o to_o live_v by_o if_o we_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n we_o can_v deny_v but_o his_o law_n be_v of_o much_o better_a authority_n than_o any_o of_o those_o rule_n of_o honour_n which_o some_o man_n prescribe_v to_o themselves_o now_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o far_o from_o allow_v man_n to_o kill_v one_o another_o in_o a_o quarrel_n that_o he_o forbid_v all_o quarrel_v and_o provocation_n in_o word_n or_o action_n ch._n verse_n 22._o of_o this_o ch._n and_o represent_v the_o danger_n of_o those_o liberty_n which_o man_n give_v to_o their_o passion_n though_o they_o proceed_v no_o far_o than_o to_o reproachful_a language_n to_o be_v no_o less_o than_o that_o of_o hellfire_n he_o also_o require_v we_o to_o forgive_v our_o brother_n 12.19_o mat._n 18.22_o ro._n 12.19_o as_o often_o as_o he_o offend_v and_o not_o to_o revenge_v our_o self_n but_o to_o give_v place_n unto_o wrath_n and_o have_v teach_v we_o to_o pray_v for_o forgiveness_n at_o god_n hand_n as_o we_o forgive_v they_o that_o trespass_n against_o we_o unless_o therefore_o to_o kill_v be_v to_o forgive_v and_o to_o break_v christ_n commandment_n must_v go_v for_o honour_v he_o no_o christian_a can_v engage_v with_o honour_n in_o a_o single_a combat_n and_o i_o can_v imagine_v with_o what_o success_n he_o can_v hope_v to_o do_v it_o while_o he_o fight_v against_o heaven_n and_o grapple_v with_o one_o who_o he_o know_v be_v infinite_o strong_a than_o himself_o 2._o this_o be_v to_o fall_v great_o short_a of_o the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n which_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o verse_n immediate_o before_o the_o text_n unless_o we_o exceed_v we_o shall_v in_o no_o case_n enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n these_o man_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o never_o deny_v but_o that_o kill_v a_o man_n either_o in_o hot_a or_o cod_n blood_n without_o public_a authority_n be_v a_o notorious_a violation_n of_o god_n commandment_n nay_o to_o do_v this_o in_o hot_a boud_n be_v in_o their_o opinion_n a_o crime_n worthy_a of_o death_n as_o be_v plain_a in_o the_o case_n of_o barrabas_n who_o by_o their_o law_n be_v sentence_v to_o die_v at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n crucifixion_n 7._o mark_v 15_o 7._o for_o commit_v murder_n in_o the_o insurrection_n and_o according_o there_o be_v no_o dispute_n between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o jew_n concern_v this_o meaning_n of_o the_o law_n and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v our_o fight_a gallant_n will_v consider_v who_o follower_n they_o be_v and_o whether_o they_o also_o do_v not_o prefer_v barrabas_n before_o jesus_n and_o under_o pretence_n of_o revenge_a their_o own_o lay_v his_o with_o their_o own_o honour_n in_o the_o dust_n 3._o for_o man_n to_o stake_v their_o life_n in_o a_o duel_n be_v to_o run_v the_o most_o desperate_a hazard_n i_o mean_v of_o die_v in_o a_o sin_n which_o seldom_o allow_v a_o few_o moment_n to_o repent_v of_o it_o or_o of_o kill_v another_o person_n it_o may_v be_v their_o old_a dear_a and_o confident_a friend_n and_o perhaps_o eternal_o by_o cut_v off_o his_o time_n of_o repentance_n and_o make_v his_o peace_n with_o god_n he_o that_o attempt_v to_o kill_v his_o brother_n whether_o he_o kill_v he_o or_o not_o mortal_o hate_v he_o for_o he_o will_v be_v the_o death_n of_o he_o if_o he_o can_v and_o then_o i_o fear_v he_o forfeit_v something_o more_o than_o his_o honour_n that_o attempt_n it_o 15._o 1_o joh._n 3_o 15._o for_o st._n john_n tell_v we_o he_o that_o hate_v his_o brother_n be_v a_o murderer_n and_o we_o know_v that_o no_o murderer_n have_v eternal_a life_n abide_v in_o he_o and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o dueller_n what_o a_o dreadful_a venture_n be_v it_o to_o stake_v two_o precious_a life_n and_o two_o immortal_a soul_n upon_o a_o mere_a imaginary_a point_n of_o honour_n if_o this_o be_v the_o honour_n of_o christian_n who_o religion_n as_o st._n james_n describe_v it_o be_v first_o pure_a then_o peaceable_a gentle_a 17._o jam._n 3_o 17._o and_o easy_a to_o be_v entreat_v full_a of_o mercy_n and_o good_a fruit_n without_o wrangle_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o without_o hypocrisy_n then_o let_v light_a and_o darkness_n embrace_v and_o the_o plain_a contradiction_n assume_v the_o name_n of_o the_o bright_a reason_n and_o truth_n and_o now_o i_o hope_v it_o be_v worthy_a of_o a_o serious_a thought_n whether_o this_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o balance_v the_o mighty_a pretence_n of_o honour_n i_o know_v it_o be_v common_o say_v that_o a_o gentleman_n and_o a_o man_n of_o honour_n ought_v not_o to_o put_v up_o a_o affront_n when_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o revenge_v it_o but_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o a_o christian_a of_o the_o best_a rank_n and_o quality_n ought_v to_o do_v this_o and_o that_o great_a man_n must_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o gospel_n whether_o they_o will_v think_v fit_a to_o live_v by_o it_o or_o not_o 2._o for_o the_o case_n of_o self-murder_n or_o cast_v away_o our_o own_o life_n when_o we_o be_v weary_a of_o they_o if_o we_o look_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v not_o kill_v viz._n because_o every_o man_n bear_v the_o image_n of_o god_n it_o be_v as_o plain_a a_o violation_n of_o it_o to_o kill_v ourselves_o as_o to_o kill_v any_o other_o man_n and_o since_o we_o be_v command_v to_o love_v our_o neighbour_n as_o
the_o jew_n who_o be_v not_o call_v into_o the_o vineyard_n till_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o day_n be_v over_o and_o be_v stranger_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o life_n and_o peace_n many_o age_n after_o it_o be_v ratify_v to_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n shall_v yet_o enjoy_v the_o full_a benefit_n of_o it_o and_o assure_o receive_v the_o same_o reward_n of_o eternal_a life_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o the_o faithful_a and_o obedient_a israelite_n and_o the_o same_o reason_n there_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o whenever_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o call_v in_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n or_o any_o of_o the_o nation_n that_o never_o yet_o behold_v the_o great_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n their_o late_a entrance_n into_o the_o vineyard_n shall_v not_o bar_v they_o of_o a_o equal_a reward_n with_o those_o that_o have_v finish_v their_o work_n and_o be_v long_o since_o go_v to_o heaven_n before_o they_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a mean_v and_o importance_n of_o the_o parable_n and_o to_o have_v in_o many_o respect_v the_o advanvantage_n of_o that_o which_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o it_o which_o will_v more_o full_o appear_v if_o we_o try_v they_o by_o the_o rule_v before_o mention_v and_o consider_v 1._o the_o rise_n and_o occasion_n of_o this_o parable_n or_o the_o dependence_n it_o have_v upon_o the_o word_n which_o our_o saviour_n speak_v immediate_o before_o it_o ult_n chap._n 19_o ult_n many_o that_o be_v first_o shall_v be_v last_o and_o the_o last_o shall_v be_v first_o whereupon_o it_o follow_v for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v like_a unto_o a_o man_n that_o go_v out_o early_o in_o the_o morning_n to_o hire_v labourer_n into_o his_o vineyard_n 16._o chap._n 20._o 16._o etc._n etc._n and_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o our_o saviour_n close_v his_o parable_n with_o the_o same_o say_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o it_o and_o then_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o can_v be_v no_o good_a interpretation_n of_o it_o which_o do_v not_o square_a with_o this_o say_n and_o certain_o the_o true_a if_o any_o choice_n there_o be_v be_v that_o which_o sall_n in_o most_o natural_o with_o it_o now_o to_o put_v the_o matter_n upon_o this_o issue_n by_o the_o labourer_n we_o understand_v the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a church_n and_o whereas_o our_o saviour_n tell_v that_o the_o last_o shall_v be_v first_o and_o the_o first_o last_o so_o the_o gentile_n that_o be_v hire_v last_o into_o the_o vineyard_n be_v the_o first_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v first_o call_v will_v be_v the_o last_o be_v cast_v off_o for_o reject_v the_o son_n 21.38_o mat._n 21.38_o who_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o vineyard_n send_v to_o receive_v the_o fruit_n of_o it_o in_o their_o season_n 25._o rom._n 11_o 25._o till_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v come_v in_o and_o thus_o our_o lord_n himself_o interpret_v this_o very_a passage_n mat._n 8.11_o 12._o many_o shall_v come_v from_o the_o east_n and_o west_n and_o shall_v sit_v down_o with_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o the_o child_n of_o the_o kingdom_n the_o unbelieve_a jew_n that_o reject_v the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v cast_v out_o into_o outer_a darkness_n thus_o far_o there_o be_v a_o manifest_a congruity_n between_o the_o sense_n which_o i_o have_v give_v of_o this_o text_n and_o that_o remarkable_a sentence_n which_o our_o saviour_n seem_v to_o have_v place_v at_o both_o end_n of_o the_o parable_n purposely_o to_o guide_v we_o through_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o let_v we_o see_v now_o how_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o that_o expound_v it_o of_o die_v penitent_n will_v suit_v with_o their_o be_v in_o the_o first_o rank_n of_o christian_n can_v they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v first_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n unless_o in_o the_o sense_n that_o judas_n be_v who_o be_v traitor_n to_o he_o till_o their_o last_o hour_n or_o do_v they_o do_v he_o better_o or_o long_a service_n than_o other_o that_o defer_v their_o repentance_n till_o they_o can_v do_v nothing_o but_o ask_v his_o forgiveness_n for_o what_o they_o have_v always_o do_v in_o contradiction_n to_o he_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o there_o be_v man_n that_o for_o many_o year_n from_o their_o youth_n to_o their_o die_a day_n have_v live_v in_o the_o sear_n of_o god_n and_o a_o constant_a exercise_n of_o virtue_n and_o piety_n and_o shall_v we_o say_v that_o the_o best_a of_o these_o come_v behind_o those_o who_o live_v as_o long_o without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n till_o they_o come_v to_o the_o very_a edge_n and_o point_n of_o eternity_n i_o confess_v i_o can_v imagine_v what_o construction_n these_o man_n can_v make_v of_o our_o saviour_n prophecy_n so_o the_o last_o shall_v be_v first_o and_o the_o first_o last_v unless_o they_o will_v venture_v to_o say_v that_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n who_o begin_v not_o to_o look_v towards_o god_n and_o religion_n till_o their_o last_o sickness_n be_v before_o other_o in_o his_o faviour_n and_o may_v therefore_o expect_v a_o great_a reward_n than_o such_o as_o spend_v their_o whole_a life_n in_o his_o service_n which_o be_v it_o true_a i_o grant_v will_v be_v a_o mighty_a credit_n and_o encouragement_n to_o a_o deathbed_n repentance_n 2._o if_o we_o view_v the_o context_n and_o follow_v the_o thread_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n 12._o v._o 11_o 12._o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o labourer_n that_o come_v first_o into_o the_o vineyard_n murmur_v at_o the_o goodman_n of_o the_o house_n for_o make_v the_o last_o equal_a with_o themselves_o who_o have_v bear_v the_o burden_n and_o heat_n of_o the_o day_n now_o this_o be_v exact_o true_a of_o the_o jew_n who_o repine_v mighty_o at_o the_o gentile_n come_v into_o the_o church_n upon_o all_o advantage_n imaginable_a be_v entitele_v to_o the_o same_o reward_n without_o observe_v the_o rite_n or_o feel_v any_o of_o the_o burden_n which_o they_o themselves_o have_v so_o many_o age_n labour_v under_o nay_o this_o raise_v their_o envy_n so_o high_a that_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o the_o great_a impediment_n to_o their_o conversion_n the_o main_a thing_n that_o hinder_v their_o effectual_a close_n with_o the_o gospel_n but_o still_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n for_o what_o be_v do_v suppose_v the_o jew_n to_o be_v the_o early_a and_o the_o gentile_n the_o late_a comer_n into_o the_o vineyard_n for_o though_o the_o world_n be_v grow_v old_a when_o the_o gentile_n be_v call_v yet_o be_v we_o general_o call_v as_o young_a as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o be_v and_o may_v work_v as_o long_o in_o the_o vineyard_n and_o perform_v as_o much_o and_o as_o faithful_a service_n as_o they_o do_v and_o therefore_o our_o come_n after_o they_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n why_o our_o great_a master_n shall_v not_o reward_v we_o as_o liberal_o to_o the_o full_a as_o they_o he_o that_o do_v a_o days-work_n the_o last_o day_n of_o the_o year_n if_o he_o be_v call_v to_o it_o no_o soon_o deserve_v a_o days-wage_n as_o well_o as_o he_o that_o be_v hire_v the_o first_o but_o i_o hope_v no_o man_n will_v say_v there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n why_o a_o deathbed_n sorrow_n after_o ten_o thousand_o call_n to_o repentance_n and_o newness_n of_o life_n shall_v be_v equal_o reward_v with_o the_o long_a holy_a and_o most_o religious_a life_n however_o that_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o of_o this_o mind_n may_v appear_v 3._o if_o we_o consider_v the_o plain_a scope_n and_o meaning_n of_o other_o parable_n such_o as_o that_o of_o the_o five_o foolish_a virgin_n who_o want_v oil_n in_o their_o lamp_n at_o the_o bridegroom_n come_v 12._o mat._n 25.10_o 11_o 12._o and_o while_o they_o go_v to_o buy_v be_v bar_v out_o of_o his_o presence_n which_o the_o wise_a be_v admit_v into_o and_o when_o they_o cry_v lord_n lord_n open_a to_o we_o methinks_v i_o hear_v the_o sorrowful_a deathbed_n cry_v receive_v this_o dreadful_a answer_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o i_o know_v you_o not_o and_o as_o little_a coherence_n will_v be_v find_v between_o a_o die_a penitent_n be_v equal_o reward_v with_o the_o most_o eminent_a christian_n as_o he_o must_v be_v if_o we_o rank_v he_o with_o the_o labourer_n in_o the_o text_n and_o the_o parable_n concern_v the_o talent_n the_o moral_a of_o which_o be_v apparent_o this_o that_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v reward_v according_a to_o the_o good_a they_o have_v do_v and_o the_o several_a advantage_n they_o be_v entrust_v with_o and_o they_o that_o have_v do_v none_o but_o squander_v away_o their_o life_n and_o opportuity_n of_o grace_n shall_v feel_v the_o high_a displeasure_n of_o god_n and_o with_o the_o unprofitable_a servant_n be_v cast_v into_o outer_a darkness_n let_v man_n impartial_o
and_o die_v in_o our_o sin_n it_o be_v not_o material_a what_o church_n we_o live_v or_o dye_v in_o communion_n with_o while_o we_o be_v in_o bondage_n to_o our_o lust_n all_o the_o absolution_n in_o the_o world_n can_v do_v we_o not_o good_n if_o we_o study_v to_o serve_v and_o please_v god_n we_o need_v not_o any_o indulgency_n from_o man_n and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o we_o shall_v be_v never_o the_o better_a for_o they_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v after_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v on_o both_o side_n i_o can_v see_v the_o least_o reason_n we_o have_v to_o change_v our_o religion_n to_o leave_v the_o straight_a path_n we_o be_v in_o and_o to_o go_v about_o by_o the_o saint_n to_o our_o redeemer_n and_o by_o purgatory_n to_o heaven_n to_o leave_v the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v write_v for_o our_o instruction_n and_o to_o turn_v to_o legend_n and_o story_n of_o saint_n which_o a_o serious_a man_n will_v think_v be_v compose_v only_o for_o merriment_n and_o diversion_n but_o though_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o to_o change_v our_o religion_n yet_o sure_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n for_o many_o of_o we_o to_o make_v considerable_a alteration_n in_o our_o life_n to_o change_v almost_o the_o whole_a frame_n and_o tenor_n of_o they_o and_o to_o reform_v ourselves_o who_o call_v ourselves_o the_o reform_a it_o be_v not_o only_a for_o the_o credit_n of_o our_o profession_n that_o our_o life_n be_v uniform_a to_o it_o but_o our_o immortal_a honour_n and_o interest_n depend_v upon_o it_o we_o lose_v the_o crown_n of_o life_n if_o we_o faint_v in_o the_o race_n that_o be_v set_v before_o we_o and_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o escape_v everlasting_a death_n than_o to_o persist_v in_o the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o life_n eternal_a if_o a_o man_n shall_v tempt_v you_o to_o renounce_v your_o faith_n i_o very_o hope_v the_o danger_n of_o it_o to_o your_o eternal_a salvation_n will_v hinder_v you_o from_o harken_v to_o he_o but_o then_o there_o be_v the_o same_o danger_n in_o a_o profane_a and_o vicious_a life_n and_o therefore_o the_o same_o reason_n to_o forsake_v every_o evil_a way_n to_o deny_v every_o sinful_a appetite_n and_o worldly_a lust_n to_o be_v cautious_a of_o our_o step_n and_o have_v find_v the_o way_n of_o truth_n to_o keep_v a_o straight_a and_o even_a course_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v it_o not_o a_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n that_o no_o unrighteous_a man_n shall_v inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o shall_v we_o live_v in_o a_o perpetual_a jar_n and_o contradiction_n to_o ourselves_o to_o conclude_v we_o have_v as_o good_a pin_n our_o faith_n upon_o the_o sleeve_n of_o other_o man_n or_o bestow_v it_o upon_o any_o body_n that_o will_v take_v it_o off_o our_o hand_n as_o keep_v it_o only_o to_o rise_v up_o in_o judgement_n against_o we_o sermon_n vi_o of_o growth_n in_o grace_n 2_o pet._n 3.18_o but_o grow_v in_o grace_n it_o be_v hard_a to_o name_v any_o of_o the_o great_a rule_n of_o christian_a piety_n without_o reflect_v upon_o the_o sensible_a decay_n of_o it_o in_o the_o present_a age_n a_o age_n much_o addict_v to_o talk_v and_o wrangle_v about_o religion_n very_o stout_a and_o zealous_a in_o oppose_v and_o maintain_v the_o doctrine_n which_o divide_v the_o christian_a world_n but_o very_o cold_a and_o careless_a in_o the_o necessary_a point_n of_o practice_n without_o which_o the_o best_a religion_n degenerate_v into_o two_o of_o the_o worst_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n hypocrisy_n and_o superstition_n this_o be_v our_o present_a case_n it_o concern_v we_o to_o look_v well_o to_o ourselves_o and_o see_v we_o know_v these_o thing_n before_o as_o st._n peter_n speak_v immediate_o before_o the_o text_n to_o beware_v lest_o we_o also_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o the_o error_n of_o the_o wicked_a the_o bad_a opinion_n and_o ill_a example_n of_o man_n fall_v from_o our_o own_o steadfastness_n to_o which_o he_o add_v this_o excellent_a advice_n as_o a_o certain_a rule_n to_o prevent_v the_o danger_n of_o so_o fatal_a a_o apostasy_n but_o grow_v in_o grace_n grace_n be_v a_o term_n of_o various_a sense_n and_o acceptation_n in_o scripture_n be_v frequent_o take_v for_o favour_n and_o acceptance_n with_o god_n or_o man_n for_o the_o divine_a assistance_n whereby_o we_o be_v enable_v to_o perform_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o for_o those_o good_a disposition_n and_o habit_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o be_v the_o genuine_a effect_n and_o product_n of_o it_o in_o the_o latter_a sense_n it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o be_v most_o proper_o so_o to_o be_v understand_v whenever_o as_o in_o the_o text_n it_o be_v the_o matter_n or_o subject_a of_o a_o exhortation_n now_o in_o this_o exhortation_n to_o grow_v in_o grace_n these_o two_o thing_n be_v plain_o imply_v 1._o a_o root_n or_o principle_n of_o holiness_n actual_o implant_v in_o we_o we_o must_v be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n before_o we_o can_v make_v any_o progress_n or_o proficiency_n in_o it_o there_o must_v be_v a_o stock_n before_o there_o can_v be_v a_o increase_n a_o quickness_n in_o the_o root_n before_o the_o branch_n will_v sprout_v or_o flourish_v a_o spring_a of_o grace_n and_o virtue_n before_o a_o abound_a in_o the_o fruit_n of_o righteousness_n and_o this_o show_v to_o who_o the_o apostle_n exhortation_n belong_v namely_o to_o man_n that_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o holiness_n and_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o vain_a 2._o it_o be_v here_o imply_v that_o good_a man_n be_v nor_o mere_o passive_a in_o grow_v better_a but_o may_v and_o must_v do_v something_o towards_o it_o themselves_o nay_o the_o text_n suppose_v they_o must_v do_v enough_o to_o make_v it_o their_o own_o act_n and_o that_o the_o work_n of_o sanctification_n must_v cease_v if_o they_o refuse_v their_o endeavour_n to_o far_o and_o promote_v it_o do_v the_o best_a we_o can_v do_v signify_v nothing_o to_o the_o make_v we_o better_a there_o will_v be_v no_o room_n for_o our_o endeavour_n and_o consequent_o no_o reason_n for_o all_o the_o counsel_n admonition_n and_o exhortation_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o use_v they_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v indeed_o the_o author_n and_o fountain_n of_o all_o grace_n but_o than_o he_o have_v appoint_v the_o use_n of_o mean_n both_o in_o order_n to_o the_o birth_n and_o growth_n of_o it_o he_o know_v therefore_o that_o by_o his_o assistance_n which_o he_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o afford_v we_o we_o may_v attain_v to_o such_o a_o growth_n and_o perfection_n in_o grace_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o qualify_v we_o for_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o glory_n and_o happiness_n and_o by_o his_o direction_n it_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v frequent_o move_v and_o excite_v to_o use_v the_o mean_n he_o have_v prescribe_v for_o our_o improvement_n in_o grace_n and_o piety_n and_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a argument_n that_o our_o endeavour_n be_v very_o useful_a to_o this_o end_n and_o that_o as_o weak_a and_o imperfect_a as_o they_o be_v our_o proficiency_n in_o all_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n depend_v upon_o they_o now_o to_o make_v this_o exhortation_n as_o useful_a and_o effectual_a as_o i_o can_v i_o shall_v aim_v at_o these_o four_o thing_n 1._o to_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o our_o spiritual_a growth_n 2._o to_o show_v the_o proper_a and_o effectual_a mean_n to_o promote_v it_o 3._o to_o warn_v you_o of_o the_o great_a hindrance_n and_o impediment_n of_o it_o 4._o to_o enforce_v the_o apostle_n exhortation_n by_o show_v what_o weighty_a reason_n and_o obligation_n we_o have_v to_o be_v grow_v in_o grace_n 1._o to_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o our_o spiritual_a growth_n the_o work_n of_o grace_n be_v neither_o begin_v nor_o carry_v on_o by_o natural_a principle_n without_o the_o mighty_a aid_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n who_o inable_v we_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n nor_o do_v a_o christian_a grow_v like_o a_o plant_n mere_o by_o the_o influence_n of_o heaven_n but_o by_o improve_n the_o assistance_n he_o receive_v from_o thence_o and_o use_v the_o mean_n prescribe_v to_o he_o for_o obtain_v new_a measure_n of_o grace_n and_o holiness_n and_o hence_o we_o may_v discover_v both_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o growth_n in_o grace_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o grow_v in_o it_o the_o first_o mover_n in_o it_o be_v the_o good_a spirit_n of_o god_n the_o giver_n of_o every_o good_n and_o perfect_a gift_n and_o subordinate_a to_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n or_o mind_n of_o man_n dispose_v in_o some_o degree_n to_o grow_v in_o grace_n by_o the_o grace_n he_o have_v already_o obtain_v and_o excite_v to_o great_a measure_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o