we_o and_o when_o man_n find_v the_o condition_n in_o themselves_o they_o will_v without_o any_o great_a persuasion_n take_v comfort_n from_o the_o promise_n and_o apply_v it_o to_o themselves_o but_o till_o they_o discern_v the_o condition_n in_o themselves_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n that_o understand_v himself_o to_o apply_v the_o promise_n to_o himself_o for_o till_o the_o condition_n be_v perform_v he_o have_v no_o more_o right_a to_o the_o promise_n than_o if_o such_o a_o promise_n have_v never_o be_v make_v and_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o sin_n in_o such_o a_o man_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o benefit_n of_o such_o a_o promise_n that_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o do_v so_o and_o no_o man_n that_o understand_v himself_o and_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n can_v possible_o do_v otherwise_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o groundless_a trouble_n which_o perplex_v many_o people_n that_o they_o can_v apply_v the_o promise_n of_o god_n to_o themselves_o 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they_o may_v trouble_v themselves_o eternal_o and_o all_o the_o world_n can_v help_v it_o i_o have_v now_o do_v with_o the_o first_o thing_n i_o propound_v to_o speak_v to_o namely_o the_o promise_n which_o be_v here_o speak_v of_o the_o second_o thing_n viz._n what_o influence_n these_o promise_v aught_o to_o have_v upon_o we_o that_o by_o they_o we_o may_v be_v make_v partaker_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n i_o shall_v reserve_v to_o another_o opportunity_n the_o second_o sermon_n on_o 2_o peter_n i_o 4._o whereby_o be_v give_v unto_o we_o exceed_v great_a and_o precious_a promise_n that_o by_o these_o you_o may_v be_v partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n i_o make_v entrance_n into_o these_o word_n the_o last_o day_n in_o the_o handle_n whereof_o i_o propose_v to_o do_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o to_o consider_v the_o promise_n here_o speak_v of_o whereby_o be_v give_v unto_o we_o exceed_v great_a and_o precious_a promise_n second_o the_o influence_n which_o these_o promise_v aught_o to_o have_v upon_o we_o that_o by_o these_o you_o may_v be_v partaker_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o have_v do_v with_o and_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o viz._n the_o influence_n which_o these_o promise_v aught_o to_o have_v upon_o we_o whereby_o be_v give_v unto_o we_o exceed_v great_a and_o precious_a promise_n that_o by_o these_o you_o may_v be_v partaker_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n not_o that_o we_o can_v partake_v of_o the_o essence_n and_o nature_n of_o god_n as_o some_o have_v blasphemous_o affirm_v pretend_v in_o their_o cant_a and_o senseless_a language_n to_o be_v god_v with_o god_n and_o chri_v with_o christ_n in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o this_o will_v be_v for_o man_n to_o become_v god_n and_o to_o be_v advance_v to_o the_o state_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o deity_n but_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v frequent_o in_o scripture_n signify_v a_o temper_n and_o disposition_n and_o to_o be_v partaker_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n be_v to_o be_v of_o a_o divine_a temper_n and_o disposition_n to_o have_v our_o corrupt_a nature_n rectify_v and_o purge_v from_o all_o sinful_a lust_n and_o irregular_a passion_n and_o from_o all_o vicious_a and_o corrupt_a affection_n and_o therefore_o it_o follow_v in_o the_o text_n have_v escape_v the_o corruption_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n through_o lust_n and_o beside_o this_o give_v all_o diligence_n add_v to_o your_o faith_n virtue_n and_o to_o virtue_n knowledge_n and_o to_o knowledge_n temperance_n and_o to_o temperance_n patience_n and_o to_o patience_n godliness_n and_o to_o godliness_n brotherly-kindness_n and_o to_o brotherly-kindness_n charity_n so_o that_o we_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o a_o divine_a nature_n as_o the_o apostle_n here_o explain_v it_o these_o two_o way_n by_o cleanse_v ourselves_o from_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n which_o the_o apostle_n here_o call_v the_o corruption_n or_o defilement_n which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n through_o lust_n and_o by_o a_o diligent_a endeavour_n after_o all_o christian_a grace_n and_o virtue_n faith_n and_o temperance_n and_o patience_n a_o sincere_a love_n of_o the_o brethren_n and_o a_o universal_a charity_n and_o goodwill_n towards_o all_o men._n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o proper_a influence_n and_o efficacy_n of_o the_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n upon_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n of_o man_n the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n full_o declare_v to_o we_o 2_o cor._n 7._o 1._o have_v therefore_o these_o promise_n dear_o belove_v let_v we_o cleanse_v ourselves_o from_o all_o filthiness_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n that_o be_v from_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o of_o uncleanness_n and_o from_o all_o evil_a and_o corrupt_a affection_n of_o the_o mind_n such_o as_o wrath_n envy_n malice_n hatred_n strife_n revenge_n cruelty_n pride_n and_o the_o like_a perfect_v holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n that_o be_v continual_o aspire_v still_o more_o and_o more_o after_o further_a degree_n of_o holiness_n and_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n which_o be_v the_o great_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o thus_o by_o a_o constant_a and_o sincere_a endeavour_n to_o cleanse_v ourselves_o from_o all_o impurity_n of_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n and_o by_o practise_v all_o the_o virtue_n of_o a_o good_a life_n we_o shall_v by_o degree_n raise_v and_o advance_v ourselves_o to_o a_o godlike_a temper_n and_o disposition_n imitate_v in_o all_o our_o action_n the_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n and_o patience_n and_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n and_o all_o those_o other_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v comprehend_v under_o the_o term_n of_o holiness_n this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o apostle_n here_o call_v partake_v of_o a_o divine_a nature_n or_o as_o our_o bless_a saviour_n express_v it_o to_o be_v perfect_a as_o our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v perfect_a this_o the_o gospel_n design_n to_o raise_v we_o to_o and_o one_o of_o the_o great_a instrument_n whereby_o this_o be_v effect_v be_v those_o exceed_a great_a and_o precious_a promise_n which_o i_o have_v insist_v upon_o and_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o effect_v it_o these_o two_o way_n first_o by_o way_n of_o internal_a efficacy_n and_o assistance_n and_o second_o by_o way_n of_o external_a motive_n and_o argument_n both_o these_o way_n some_o or_o other_o of_o these_o promise_n have_v a_o mighty_a influence_n upon_o we_o if_o we_o be_v not_o want_v to_o ourselves_o to_o raise_v we_o to_o a_o godlike_a temper_n and_o disposition_n that_o be_v to_o the_o great_a perfection_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n which_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o life_n first_o by_o way_n of_o internal_a efficacy_n and_o assistance_n and_o this_o influence_n the_o promise_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n and_o of_o the_o gracious_a help_n and_o assistance_n thereof_o have_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n incline_v they_o to_o that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o enable_v they_o to_o do_v it_o for_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v promise_v to_o we_o in_o consideration_n and_o commiseration_n of_o that_o impotency_n and_o weakness_n which_o we_o have_v contract_v in_o that_o degenerate_a and_o deprave_a condition_n into_o which_o mankind_n be_v sink_v to_o help_v we_o who_o be_v without_o strength_n to_o recover_v ourselves_o out_o of_o that_o evil_a and_o miserable_a state_n into_o which_o by_o wilful_a transgression_n we_o be_v fall_v to_o quicken_v we_o who_o be_v dead_a in_o trespass_n and_o sin_n as_o the_o scripture_n express_v the_o condition_n of_o unregenerate_a person_n to_o raise_v â—s_n to_o a_o new_a life_n and_o to_o cherish_v this_o principle_n of_o spiritual_a life_n which_o be_v common_o weak_a at_o first_o and_o to_o carry_v it_o through_o alldiscouragement_n and_o opposition_n to_o
imperfect_a state_n we_o know_v but_o in_o part_n and_o see_v many_o thing_n very_o imperfect_o but_o when_o we_o shall_v come_v into_o a_o more_o perfect_a state_n that_o which_o be_v imperfect_a shall_v be_v do_v away_o the_o light_n of_o glory_n shall_v scatter_v all_o those_o mist_n and_o cloud_n which_o be_v now_o upon_o our_o understanding_n and_o hinder_v we_o from_o a_o clear_a sight_n and_o judgement_n of_o thing_n we_o shall_v then_o see_v god_n and_o other_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v and_o be_v free_v from_o all_o that_o ignorance_n and_o those_o many_o childish_a mistake_v which_o we_o be_v liable_a to_o here_o below_o and_o till_o then_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v be_v secure_v from_o they_o humility_n under_o a_o sense_n of_o our_o ignorance_n be_v better_a for_o we_o than_o infallibility_n will_v be_v second_o this_o temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n which_o i_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o be_v a_o certain_a security_n against_o fatal_n mistake_v in_o religion_n and_o a_o final_a continuance_n in_o such_o error_n as_o will_v prove_v damnable_a and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o this_o discourse_n pretend_v to_o or_o our_o saviour_n have_v promise_v in_o this_o text._n and_o consider_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n nothing_o be_v more_o improbable_a than_o that_o a_o honest_a mind_n that_o seek_v impartial_o after_o truth_n shall_v miss_v of_o it_o in_o thing_n that_o be_v fundamental_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o if_o we_o can_v suppose_v such_o a_o man_n to_o fall_v into_o such_o a_o error_n either_o it_o will_v not_o be_v fundamental_a to_o he_o have_v not_o be_v perhaps_o propose_v to_o he_o with_o sufficient_a evidence_n and_o will_v be_v forgive_v he_o upon_o a_o general_a repentance_n for_o all_o sin_n and_o error_n know_v or_o unknown_a or_o he_o will_v not_o be_v permit_v to_o continue_v in_o it_o but_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n will_v find_v out_o some_o way_n or_o other_o to_o convince_v he_o of_o his_o error_n and_o to_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o he_o may_v be_v save_v god_n will_v rather_o speak_v to_o he_o immediate_o from_o heaven_n as_o he_o do_v to_o st._n paul_n than_o suffer_v he_o to_o continue_v in_o such_o a_o error_n as_o will_v infallible_o carry_v he_o to_o hell_n three_o there_o be_v no_o such_o depth_n of_o judgement_n and_o subtlety_n of_o wit_n require_v to_o discern_v between_o gross_a and_o damnable_a error_n in_o religion_n and_o necessary_a and_o save_v truth_n but_o that_o a_o ordinary_a capacity_n may_v be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o there_o be_v so_o plain_a a_o line_n draw_v between_o great_a truth_n and_o gross_a error_n that_o it_o be_v visible_a to_o every_o capacity_n and_o a_o ordinary_a understanding_n that_o be_v not_o under_o a_o violent_a prejudice_n or_o blind_v by_o some_o vice_n or_o fault_n of_o the_o will_n may_v easy_o discern_v it_o indeed_o in_o matter_n of_o lesser_a moment_n and_o concernment_n and_o which_o have_v no_o such_o considerable_a and_o immediate_a influence_n upon_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n the_o difference_n betwixt_o truth_n and_o error_n be_v not_o always_o so_o gross_a and_o sensible_a as_o to_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o unprejudiced_a eye_n but_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o goodness_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n be_v such_o as_o to_o make_v nothing_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o any_o man_n which_o by_o the_o help_n of_o due_a instruction_n may_v not_o be_v make_v sufficient_o plain_a to_o a_o common_a understanding_n god_n have_v so_o tender_a a_o care_n of_o good_a man_n who_o sincere_o love_v he_o and_o his_o truth_n that_o we_o may_v reasonable_o presume_v that_o he_o will_v not_o leave_v they_o under_o a_o unavoidable_a mistake_n concern_v those_o matter_n upon_o which_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n do_v depend_v the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o world_n will_v do_v right_a and_o then_o we_o may_v certain_o conclude_v that_o he_o will_v not_o condemn_v any_o man_n for_o no_o fault_n and_o make_v he_o for_o ever_o miserable_a for_o fall_v into_o a_o error_n which_o with_o all_o his_o care_n and_o diligence_n he_o can_v not_o possible_o either_o discern_v or_o avoid_v four_o god_n have_v make_v abundant_a provision_n for_o our_o security_n from_o fatal_a and_o dangerous_a error_n in_o religion_n by_o these_o three_o way_n i._o by_o a_o a_o infallible_a rule_n sufficient_o plain_a in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a ii_o by_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o instruction_n to_o help_v we_o to_o understand_v this_o rule_n iii_o by_o a_o infallible_a promise_n of_o security_n from_o dangerous_a error_n and_o mistake_v if_o with_o a_o honest_a mind_n and_o due_a diligence_n we_o will_v apply_v ourselves_o to_o understand_v this_o rule_n and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o instruction_n which_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o that_o purpose_n first_o god_n have_v give_v we_o a_o infallible_a rule_n sufficient_o plain_a in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a he_o have_v give_v we_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v give_v at_o first_o by_o divine_a inspiration_n i._n e._n by_o man_n infallible_o assist_v in_o the_o write_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n and_o all_o scripture_n divine_o inspire_v be_v profitable_a for_o doctrine_n for_o reproof_n for_o correction_n for_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n as_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 2_o tim._n 3._o 16._o speak_v there_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n as_o to_o the_o inspire_a write_n of_o the_o new_a now_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n and_o profitable_a for_o doctrine_n and_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n i._n e._n to_o teach_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o do_v it_o follow_v of_o necessity_n that_o they_o be_v sufficient_o plain_a in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o faith_n and_o a_o good_a life_n otherwise_o they_o can_v not_o be_v useful_a for_o doctrine_n and_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n for_o a_o rule_n that_o be_v not_o plain_a to_o we_o in_o these_o thing_n in_o which_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o be_v direct_v by_o it_o be_v of_o no_o use_n to_o we_o that_o be_v in_o truth_n it_o be_v no_o rule_n for_o a_o rule_n must_v have_v these_o two_o property_n it_o must_v be_v perfect_a and_o it_o must_v be_v plain_a the_o scripture_n be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n because_o the_o writer_n of_o they_o be_v divine_o inspire_v be_v infallible_a and_o they_o must_v likewise_o be_v plain_a otherwise_o though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o perfect_a they_o can_v be_v of_o no_o more_o use_n to_o direct_v our_o faith_n and_o practice_n than_o a_o sundial_n in_o a_o dark_a room_n be_v to_o tell_v we_o the_o hour_n of_o the_o day_n for_o though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o exact_o make_v unless_o the_o sun_n shine_v clear_o upon_o it_o we_o have_v as_o good_a be_v without_o it_o a_o rule_n that_o be_v not_o plain_a to_o we_o what_o ever_o it_o may_v be_v in_o itself_o be_v of_o no_o use_n at_o all_o to_o we_o till_o it_o be_v make_v plain_a and_o we_o understand_v it_o ii_o god_n have_v likewise_o provide_v sufficient_a mean_n of_o instruction_n to_o help_v we_o to_o understand_v this_o rule_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o a_o rule_n shall_v be_v so_o plain_a that_o we_o shall_v perfect_o understand_v it_o at_o first_o sight_n it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o it_o be_v so_o plain_a that_o those_o of_o better_a capacity_n and_o understanding_n may_v with_o due_a diligence_n and_o application_n of_o mind_n come_v to_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o those_o of_o a_o low_a and_o more_o ordinary_a capacity_n by_o the_o help_n and_o instruction_n of_o a_o teacher_n euclid_n element_n be_v a_o book_n sufficient_o plain_a to_o teach_v a_o man_n geometry_n but_o yet_o not_o so_o plain_a that_o any_o man_n at_o first_o read_v shall_v understand_v it_o 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