forget_v god_n 22._o lest_o he_o tear_v they_o in_o piece_n and_o there_o be_v none_o to_o deliver_v 2._o man_n be_v harden_v by_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n from_o the_o hope_n of_o their_o future_a repentance_n for_o that_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a cheat_n of_o sin_n that_o every_o one_o think_v he_o can_v repent_v and_o shake_v off_o his_o sin_n when_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o do_v it_o sin_n do_v not_o lie_v like_o a_o heavy_a weight_n upon_o their_o back_n so_o that_o they_o feel_v the_o load_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o they_o think_v it_o be_v easy_o remove_v if_o they_o will_v set_v themselves_o to_o it_o most_o of_o those_o that_o believe_v a_o god_n and_o a_o judgement_n to_o come_v and_o yet_o continue_v in_o sin_n do_v it_o upon_o this_o presumption_n that_o one_o time_n or_o other_o they_o shall_v leave_v their_o sin_n and_o change_v the_o course_n of_o their_o life_n before_o they_o go_v out_o of_o this_o world_n they_o have_v not_o only_a thought_n of_o 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hearken_v to_o such_o unreasonable_a suggestion_n as_o these_o be_v for_o 3._o in_o the_o last_o place_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v our_o present_n our_o constant_a our_o great_a care_n to_o prevent_v be_v harden_v by_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n for_o to_o this_o end_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o consider_v of_o it_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o in_o our_o life_n but_o we_o must_v be_v exhort_v one_o another_o daily_o while_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n lest_o any_o of_o we_o be_v harden_v through_o the_o witchcraft_n and_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o much_o the_o duty_n of_o other_o to_o show_v that_o regard_n to_o one_o another_o soul_n how_o much_o more_o do_v it_o become_v we_o to_o do_v it_o who_o expect_v to_o be_v call_v to_o a_o account_n at_o the_o great_a day_n for_o the_o discharge_n of_o our_o trust_n in_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v a_o dreadful_a passage_n we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o prophet_n ezekiel_n and_o enough_o to_o make_v our_o ear_n to_o tingle_v at_o the_o repeat_v it_o 8._o when_o i_o say_v unto_o the_o wicked_a o_o wicked_a man_n thou_o shall_v sure_o die_v if_o thou_o do_v not_o speak_v to_o warn_v the_o wicked_a from_o his_o way_n that_o wicked_a man_n shall_v die_v in_o his_o iniquity_n but_o his_o blood_n will_v i_o require_v at_o thy_o hand_n we_o will_v fain_o believe_v this_o to_o have_v be_v some_o particular_a and_o extraordinary_a commission_n give_v to_o the_o prophet_n by_o god_n himself_o which_o do_v not_o concern_v we_o for_o what_o will_v become_v of_o we_o if_o not_o only_o our_o own_o fault_n which_o god_n know_v be_v too_o many_o but_o other_o man_n shall_v be_v charge_v upon_o we_o when_o either_o through_o neglect_n or_o flattery_n or_o fear_v of_o displease_v or_o for_o any_o mean_a and_o unworthy_a end_n we_o betray_v our_o trust_n and_o instead_o of_o prevent_v prove_v the_o occasion_n of_o man_n be_v too_o much_o harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n but_o although_o we_o neither_o pretend_v to_o be_v prophet_n nor_o apostle_n yet_o it_o be_v our_o office_n to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o can_v we_o discharge_v that_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v if_o we_o do_v not_o with_o all_o faithfulness_n warn_v man_n of_o the_o danger_n they_o run_v into_o through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n it_o be_v happy_a for_o we_o if_o we_o can_v say_v that_o all_o the_o lord_n people_n be_v holy_a for_o than_o we_o shall_v have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o praise_v and_o commend_v their_o virtue_n which_o be_v a_o easy_a and_o a_o delightful_a task_n but_o what_o pleasure_n be_v it_o to_o rake_v into_o the_o sore_n or_o to_o reprove_v the_o vice_n of_o a_o degenerate_a age_n to_o be_v think_v troublesome_a and_o impertinent_a if_o we_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o man_n of_o no_o conscience_n if_o we_o do_v it_o not_o but_o our_o work_n be_v neither_o to_o libel_v our_o auditor_n nor_o to_o flatter_v they_o neither_o to_o represent_v they_o as_o better_v nor_o worse_o than_o they_o be_v nor_o to_o charge_v they_o with_o more_o guilt_n than_o their_o own_o conscience_n do_v charge_n they_o with_o but_o our_o business_n be_v to_o beseech_v and_o exhort_v they_o by_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n by_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n by_o the_o love_n and_o tenderness_n they_o have_v for_o their_o immortal_a soul_n that_o they_o will_v to_o day_n while_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n take_v heed_n lest_o they_o be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v very_o reasonable_a on_o these_o consideration_n 1._o that_o none_o be_v out_o of_o the_o danger_n of_o it_o while_o they_o live_v in_o this_o tempt_a world_n what_o need_n have_v we_o to_o take_v care_n of_o be_v deceive_v by_o that_o which_o have_v be_v too_o hard_o for_o the_o best_a the_o wise_a and_o the_o great_a of_o man_n man_n in_o his_o best_a state_n even_o that_o of_o innocency_n be_v deceive_v by_o the_o insinuation_n of_o sin_n when_o there_o be_v no_o matter_n within_o for_o the_o temptation_n to_o work_v upon_o no_o reason_n suggest_v that_o can_v move_v a_o common_a understanding_n no_o interest_n or_o advantage_n that_o can_v sway_v he_o no_o other_o move_a cause_n appear_v to_o we_o of_o that_o fatal_a apostasy_n of_o adam_n but_o either_o the_o imagination_n of_o some_o unknown_a pleasure_n or_o the_o bare_a curiosity_n of_o try_v a_o experiment_n what_o the_o effect_n will_v be_v of_o taste_v the_o forbid_a fruit_n and_o ever_o since_o so_o general_a have_v the_o corruption_n of_o mankind_n be_v so_o successful_a have_v the_o artifices_fw-la and_o deceit_n of_o sin_n be_v in_o the_o world_n that_o the_o best_a of_o man_n have_v not_o whole_o escape_v they_o but_o have_v sometime_o fall_v in_o those_o very_a grace_n which_o have_v be_v most_o remarkable_a in_o they_o as_o abraham_n in_o his_o trust_n in_o god_n moses_n in_o his_o meekness_n job_n in_o his_o patience_n peter_n in_o his_o zeal_n for_o christ._n what_o cause_n then_o have_v other_o to_o look_v to_o themselves_o if_o wisdom_n and_o experience_n will_v have_v secure_v man_n we_o shall_v have_v think_v of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n solomon_n the_o least_o in_o danger_n of_o be_v deceive_v by_o the_o insinuation_n of_o sin_n who_o have_v give_v such_o excellent_a caution_n against_o those_o very_a snare_n he_o fall_v into_o himself_o and_o that_o to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o his_o case_n be_v leave_v disputable_a to_o this_o day_n whether_o he_o ever_o recover_v by_o repentance_n or_o no._n what_o number_n be_v there_o upon_o record_n of_o those_o mighty_a man_n who_o have_v make_v the_o earth_n to_o tremble_v at_o the_o noise_n of_o their_o army_n who_o have_v lead_v king_n in_o chain_n after_o their_o triumphal_a chariot_n and_o have_v be_v serve_v by_o those_o who_o other_o have_v adore_v yet_o have_v notwithstanding_o all_o this_o be_v enslave_v themselves_o by_o some_o mean_a lust_n and_o destroy_v by_o the_o power_n of_o a_o effeminate_a passion_n what_o can_v be_v strong_a enough_o to_o resist_v those_o charm_n which_o neither_o innocency_n nor_o wisdom_n nor_o power_n be_v sufficient_a security_n against_o nothing_o but_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o continual_a care_n of_o ourselves_o 2._o the_o less_o man_n suspect_v their_o danger_n the_o more_o cause_n they_o have_v to_o be_v afraid_a of_o it_o none_o be_v more_o fatal_o deceive_v by_o sin_n than_o those_o who_o apprehend_v no_o danger_n in_o it_o or_o think_v they_o can_v escape_v it_o when_o they_o please_v how_o strange_o infatuate_v be_v those_o through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n who_o think_v with_o themselves_o that_o after_o they_o
sin_n lest_o any_o of_o you_o etc._n etc._n 1._o the_o danger_n man_n be_v in_o of_o be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n though_o they_o have_v the_o most_o powerful_a motive_n and_o engagement_n against_o it_o for_o never_o any_o person_n have_v great_a argument_n against_o return_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o sin_n than_o these_o to_o who_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v they_o have_v embrace_v among_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n 2._o the_o foundation_n of_o repentance_n from_o dead_a work_n and_o of_o faith_n towards_o god_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o baptism_n and_o of_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n for_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o of_o eternal_a judgement_n and_o what_o can_v we_o suppose_v to_o have_v great_a force_n and_o efficacy_n to_o restrain_v man_n from_o sin_n than_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o these_o fundamental_o of_o christianity_n but_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o no_o motive_n have_v ever_o be_v great_a enough_o to_o restrain_v those_o from_o sin_n who_o have_v secret_o love_v it_o and_o only_o seek_v pretence_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o such_o be_v the_o frame_n and_o condition_n of_o humane_a nature_n consider_v in_o itself_o so_o great_a be_v the_o advantage_n of_o reason_n and_o consideration_n for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o action_n so_o much_o strong_a be_v the_o natural_a motive_n to_o virtue_n that_o to_o vice_n that_o they_o who_o look_v no_o far_o will_v expect_v to_o find_v the_o world_n much_o better_a than_o it_o be_v for_o why_o shall_v we_o suppose_v the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n to_o betray_v so_o much_o folly_n as_o to_o act_v unreasonable_o and_o against_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o their_o own_o kind_n as_o all_o those_o do_v that_o yield_v to_o the_o temptation_n of_o sin_n for_o if_o we_o set_v aside_o the_o consideration_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n to_o sin_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o act_v foolish_o and_o inconsiderate_o but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o man_n first_o look_v into_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o world_n and_o there_o observe_v the_o strange_a prevalency_n of_o vice_n and_o how_o willing_a man_n be_v to_o defend_v as_o well_o as_o to_o commit_v it_o they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v that_o either_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o reason_n among_o man_n or_o that_o it_o have_v very_o little_a influence_n upon_o their_o action_n and_o that_o the_o talk_n of_o virtue_n be_v first_o find_v out_o by_o some_o great_a enemy_n to_o the_o felicity_n of_o mankind_n such_o different_a apprehension_n will_v man_n have_v from_o the_o different_a way_n of_o behold_v the_o picture_n of_o humane_a nature_n either_o as_o it_o be_v in_o its_o own_o frame_n or_o as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o world_n they_o who_o have_v with_o the_o great_a judgement_n and_o care_n search_v into_o the_o nature_n and_o first_o principle_n of_o humane_a society_n have_v all_o agree_v that_o the_o chief_a end_n and_o design_n of_o man_n in_o join_v together_o be_v for_o the_o mutual_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o each_o other_o and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o this_o certain_a law_n of_o justice_n equity_n mercy_n truth_n gratitude_n temperance_n as_o well_o as_o of_o subjection_n to_o government_n aught_o to_o be_v inviolable_o observe_v by_o man_n and_o since_o these_o thing_n have_v the_o universal_a consent_n of_o mankind_n to_o be_v for_o their_o general_a good_a how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o man_n be_v join_v in_o these_o society_n for_o such_o end_n make_v so_o little_a conscience_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o how_o come_v so_o many_o to_o live_v as_o it_o be_v in_o open_a defiance_n to_o these_o fundamental_a law_n of_o nature_n how_o come_v other_o only_o to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o pretence_n of_o virtue_n to_o deceive_v and_o of_o honesty_n and_o integrity_n to_o cover_v the_o deep_a dissimulation_n if_o they_o be_v not_o good_a why_o be_v they_o pretend_v if_o they_o be_v good_a why_o be_v they_o not_o practise_v so_o that_o whether_o we_o consider_v mankind_n in_o itself_o or_o in_o society_n we_o find_v the_o motive_n to_o virtue_n to_o be_v much_o more_o weighty_a and_o considerable_a than_o those_o to_o sin_n and_o yet_o that_o the_o practice_n of_o man_n be_v direct_o contrary_a but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o all_o this_o may_v happen_v in_o the_o world_n for_o want_v of_o wit_n and_o education_n to_o polish_v and_o improve_v the_o natural_a faculty_n of_o man_n mind_n and_o to_o direct_v and_o encourage_v the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n i_o wish_v the_o world_n have_v not_o so_o many_o instance_n that_o man_n of_o the_o great_a wit_n have_v not_o be_v man_n of_o the_o best_a moral_n but_o if_o wit_n and_o education_n and_o philosophy_n have_v be_v the_o most_o effectual_a mean_n to_o reclaim_v man_n from_o sin_n where_o shall_v we_o have_v look_v more_o for_o the_o flourish_a of_o virtue_n than_o in_o greece_n and_o rome_n and_o yet_o in_o those_o time_n when_o all_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o wit_n be_v at_o the_o high_a in_o those_o place_n the_o manner_n of_o man_n be_v sink_v into_o the_o great_a filth_n of_o debauchery_n it_o will_v make_v one_o astonish_v to_o read_v the_o admirable_a discourse_n of_o their_o philosopher_n and_o to_o consider_v the_o strange_a height_n that_o eloquence_n and_o wit_n be_v arrive_v to_o among_o their_o orator_n and_o poet_n and_o then_o to_o compare_v the_o account_n give_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o gentile_a world_n not_o only_o by_o their_o own_o satirist_n but_o by_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o several_a epistle_n what_o a_o monstrous_a catalogue_n of_o sin_n do_v we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n 32._o of_o sin_n of_o so_o deep_a a_o dye_n and_o of_o so_o horrid_a a_o nature_n and_o such_o a_o inventory_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o wickedness_n that_o one_o may_v imagine_v the_o apostle_n have_v be_v rather_o describe_v some_o vision_n of_o hell_n than_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o speak_v of_o the_o corinthian_n and_o ephesian_n 18._o who_o think_v themselves_o behind_o none_o of_o the_o greek_n of_o that_o age_n in_o the_o breed_n then_o most_o in_o vogue_n but_o we_o need_v not_o instance_n in_o particular_n when_o s._n peter_n call_v it_o in_o general_a the_o will_n of_o the_o gentile_n 19_o to_o live_v in_o lasciviousness_n lust_n excess_n of_o wine_n revel_n and_o banquet_n as_o well_o as_o abominable_a idolatry_n and_o s._n john_n in_o short_a say_v the_o whole_a world_n lie_v in_o wickedness_n it_o may_v be_v worth_a our_o while_n to_o consider_v how_o so_o universal_a a_o degeneracy_n of_o manner_n shall_v happen_v in_o those_o age_n when_o man_n pretend_v more_o to_o wit_n and_o learning_n than_o they_o have_v do_v in_o any_o time_n before_o and_o for_o this_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o assign_v any_o cause_n that_o be_v equal_o common_a to_o all_o other_o age_n such_o as_o the_o corruption_n of_o human_a nature_n which_o how_o great_a soever_o it_o be_v be_v the_o same_o at_o all_o time_n neither_o do_v i_o think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o lay_v it_o whole_o on_o the_o bad_a example_n of_o the_o teacher_n of_o virtue_n know_v how_o malicious_a the_o worst_a of_o man_n be_v in_o endeavour_v to_o make_v those_o who_o seem_v to_o be_v better_o to_o be_v as_o bad_a as_o themselves_o but_o there_o be_v some_o peculiar_a reason_n for_o it_o and_o i_o wish_v they_o have_v be_v only_o proper_a to_o those_o time_n as_o 1._o separate_v religion_n and_o morality_n from_o each_o other_o when_o their_o religion_n be_v place_v in_o some_o solemn_a rite_n and_o pompous_a ceremony_n and_o costly_a sacrifice_n but_o all_o the_o matter_n of_o morality_n be_v confine_v to_o their_o school_n there_o to_o be_v inquire_v after_o by_o those_o that_o have_v leisure_n and_o curiosity_n for_o they_o as_o though_o god_n be_v more_o concern_v for_o the_o colour_n and_o age_n and_o pomp_n of_o their_o sacrifice_n for_o the_o gesture_n and_o show_n of_o their_o devotion_n than_o for_o the_o purity_n of_o their_o heart_n the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o mind_n or_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o life_n when_o once_o the_o people_n have_v swallow_v that_o pernicious_a principle_n that_o morality_n be_v no_o part_n of_o their_o religion_n they_o have_v no_o great_a regard_n to_o the_o good_a or_o evil_n of_o their_o action_n as_o long_o as_o a_o little_a charge_n and_o four_o look_n and_o go_v to_o their_o temple_n at_o certain_a time_n be_v think_v sufficient_a to_o expiate_v their_o sin_n and_o they_o be_v much_o more_o encourage_v in_o wickedness_n when_o the_o god_n they_o worship_v be_v represent_v on_o
themselves_o 7._o god_n will_v not_o be_v mock_v however_o man_n may_v be_v for_o because_o of_o these_o thing_n the_o wrath_n of_o god_n will_v come_v upon_o the_o child_n of_o disobedience_n 6._o no_o sacrifice_n no_o prayer_n no_o penance_n no_o vow_n and_o promise_n will_v keep_v off_o this_o wrath_n of_o god_n without_o a_o hearty_a repentance_n and_o timely_a reformation_n never_o any_o religion_n or_o institution_n in_o the_o world_n make_v it_o so_o much_o its_o business_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o do_v evil_a and_o to_o persuade_v they_o to_o do_v good_a as_o the_o christian_a do_v the_o apostle_n think_v it_o the_o great_a contradiction_n to_o their_o profession_n for_o any_o man_n to_o be_v call_v christian_n and_o to_o live_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o former_a sin_n 3._o let_v the_o time_n pass_v of_o your_o life_n suffice_v you_o say_v s._n peter_n to_o have_v wrought_v the_o will_n of_o the_o gentile_n i._n e._n that_o time_n past_o when_o you_o be_v no_o christian_n to_o be_v a_o christian_a then_o be_v all_o one_o as_o of_o a_o loose_a profane_a dissolute_a person_n to_o become_v sober_a religious_a exact_a in_o his_o conversation_n to_o put_v on_o christ_n 14._o be_v but_o another_o phrase_n for_o make_v no_o provision_n for_o the_o flesh_n to_o fulfil_v the_o lust_n thereof_o to_o learn_v christ_n be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o put_v off_o as_o concern_v the_o former_a conversation_n the_o old_a man_n 24._o which_o be_v corrupt_a according_a to_o the_o deceitful_a lust_n and_o to_o put_v on_o the_o new_a man_n which_o after_o god_n be_v create_v in_o righteousness_n and_o true_a holiness_n those_o be_v the_o bless_a day_n of_o christianity_n when_o it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o christian_a when_o the_o nicety_n of_o dispute_n and_o the_o subtle_a artifices_fw-la of_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n have_v not_o yet_o debauch_v the_o notion_n of_o christianity_n to_o reconcile_v it_o with_o the_o lust_n of_o man_n to_o be_v a_o christian_a then_o be_v not_o to_o be_v verse_v in_o the_o subtlety_n of_o the_o school_n or_o to_o be_v able_a to_o swallow_v contradiction_n without_o chew_v they_o or_o to_o be_v as_o fierce_a and_o earnest_a for_o every_o doubtful_a opinion_n and_o uncertain_a custom_n as_o if_o the_o substance_n of_o christianity_n be_v like_o epicurus_n his_o world_n make_v up_o of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o very_o small_a and_o restless_a atom_n to_o be_v a_o christian_n be_v not_o to_o fight_v for_o the_o faith_n but_o to_o live_v by_o it_o not_o to_o quarrel_v for_o good_a work_n but_o to_o practice_v they_o in_o short_a to_o be_v a_o christian_a be_v to_o depart_v from_o iniquity_n and_o to_o do_v good_a to_o be_v meek_a and_o humble_a and_o patient_a and_o peaceable_a towards_o all_o man_n to_o be_v charitable_a and_o kind_a to_o be_v sober_a and_o temperate_a in_o all_o thing_n to_o be_v holy_a sincere_a and_o innocent_a in_o his_o action_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n this_o be_v the_o true_a idea_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o not_o a_o mere_a idea_n but_o such_o as_o every_o one_o that_o own_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o most_o sacred_a vow_n of_o christianity_n in_o baptism_n to_o be_v like_o so_o that_o if_o either_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o own_o eternal_a welfare_n or_o the_o nature_n design_n or_o honour_n of_o christianity_n or_o their_o own_o most_o solemn_a engagement_n can_v restrain_v man_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o sin_n we_o see_v that_o those_o who_o be_v christian_n be_v under_o the_o most_o powerful_a motive_n and_o engagement_n against_o it_o but_o yet_o such_o there_o have_v be_v i_o wish_v i_o can_v not_o say_v such_o there_o be_v who_o have_v break_v through_o all_o these_o thing_n and_o have_v be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n one_o may_v have_v think_v if_o any_o person_n have_v be_v out_o of_o this_o danger_n they_o have_v be_v such_o as_o the_o apostle_n make_v this_o exhortation_n to_o who_o have_v see_v the_o miraculous_a operation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n for_o confirm_v the_o doctrine_n and_o motive_n of_o christianity_n nay_o who_o have_v themselves_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 5._o and_o have_v taste_v of_o this_o heavenly_a gift_n and_o of_o the_o good_a word_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v who_o have_v testify_v their_o repentance_n for_o their_o former_a sin_n in_o the_o most_o public_a and_o solemn_a manner_n and_o have_v enter_v into_o the_o most_o sacred_a vow_n of_o baptism_n never_o to_o return_v more_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o who_o have_v do_v this_o in_o the_o heat_n of_o persecution_n which_o they_o endure_v with_o courage_n and_o rejoice_v yet_o after_o all_o these_o thing_n the_o apostle_n express_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a jealousy_n lest_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v fall_v away_o and_o their_o heart_n be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n when_o critias_n and_o alcibiades_n have_v forsake_v the_o path_n of_o virtue_n which_o they_o seem_v very_o forward_o in_o while_o they_o continue_v under_o the_o instruction_n of_o socrates_n 416._o xenophon_n say_v there_o be_v some_o that_o contend_v that_o they_o never_o have_v any_o virtue_n at_o all_o because_o those_o who_o once_o have_v it_o can_v never_o lose_v it_o but_o for_o his_o part_n he_o say_v he_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n satisfy_v with_o their_o opinion_n for_o as_o man_n by_o discontinue_v bodily_a exercise_n make_v themselves_o uncapable_a of_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v most_o expert_a in_o before_o so_o man_n by_o the_o neglect_n of_o improve_n their_o mind_n in_o virtue_n and_o give_v way_n to_o the_o temptation_n of_o honour_n and_o pleasure_n which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o critias_n and_o alcibiades_n may_v by_o degree_n lose_v the_o force_n of_o all_o the_o motive_n to_o virtue_n and_o consequent_o the_o virtue_n itself_o it_o be_v agree_v by_o all_o man_n who_o understand_v any_o thing_n in_o these_o matter_n that_o even_o grace_n although_o it_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v of_o itself_o capable_a of_o be_v lose_v the_o great_a dispute_n be_v whether_o it_o may_v be_v lose_v past_o all_o recovery_n but_o as_o we_o have_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o set_v any_o bound_n to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o man_n recovery_n than_o as_o to_o their_o first_o repentance_n so_o we_o ought_v to_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o fall_v away_o mention_v by_o the_o apostle_n of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v once_o enlighten_v 6._o of_o which_o he_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o renew_v they_o again_o to_o repentance_n and_o that_o scripture_n deal_v with_o all_o person_n in_o its_o exhortation_n and_o adomonition_n and_o threaten_n as_o if_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o fall_v to_o the_o utmost_a degree_n and_o to_o suppose_v that_o thing_n impossible_a to_o be_v do_v which_o the_o grave_a counsel_n and_o the_o most_o vehement_a persuasion_n be_v use_v to_o keep_v man_n from_o the_o do_n of_o be_v to_o make_v a_o severe_a reflection_n on_o the_o wisdom_n of_o they_o that_o give_v they_o and_o the_o apostle_n here_o leave_v none_o of_o they_o out_o but_o bid_v the_o most_o forward_a believer_n beware_v of_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n and_o those_o who_o have_v be_v most_o soften_v by_o repentance_n take_v heed_n of_o be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n so_o that_o we_o see_v how_o powerful_a soever_o the_o motive_n to_o virtue_n be_v how_o great_a soever_o the_o engagement_n against_o sin_n yet_o the_o apostle_n think_v it_o needful_a to_o give_v they_o warning_n against_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n 2._o but_o what_o kind_n of_o deceitfulness_n be_v this_o in_o sin_n that_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a man_n be_v so_o much_o caution_v against_o it_o what_o irresistible_a charm_n do_v it_o use_n to_o draw_v man_n into_o its_o snare_n with_o what_o infusion_n do_v it_o so_o far_o intoxicate_a mankind_n to_o make_v they_o dote_v upon_o it_o against_o the_o conviction_n of_o reason_n and_o dictate_v of_o conscience_n and_o the_o power_n of_o persuasion_n and_o the_o most_o solemn_a and_o repeat_v vow_n and_o promise_v against_o it_o nay_o to_o make_v man_n pursue_v it_o to_o such_o a_o degree_n as_o rather_o to_o be_v damn_v for_o it_o than_o forsake_v it_o if_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v this_o only_a by_o reason_n we_o can_v imagine_v nothing_o less_o than_o that_o sin_n at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o have_v lay_v such_o a_o mighty_a obligation_n on_o mankind_n that_o rather_o than_o part_v with_o it_o the_o great_a part_n of_o man_n out_o of_o mere_a gratitude_n will_v be_v content_a to_o suffer_v for_o
present_o repent_v and_o resolve_v never_o to_o be_v guilty_a again_o of_o the_o same_o folly_n as_o in_o all_o reason_n it_o ought_v to_o do_v then_o by_o time_n and_o company_n he_o wear_v off_o the_o impression_n of_o his_o guilt_n and_o the_o next_o occasion_n of_o sin_v make_v he_o forget_v the_o wound_n of_o his_o conscience_n and_o the_o smart_n he_o endure_v before_o and_o the_o fresh_a temptation_n revive_v the_o sense_n of_o his_o former_a pleasure_n and_o then_o he_o be_v able_a to_o withstand_v no_o long_o and_o thus_o by_o repeat_v the_o same_o act_n by_o degree_n he_o become_v a_o very_a hopeful_a sinner_n and_o the_o report_n of_o his_o conscience_n be_v but_o like_o that_o of_o sound_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n they_o lessen_v still_o more_o and_o more_o till_o at_o last_o they_o can_v be_v hear_v at_o all_o and_o when_o he_o have_v thus_o master_v his_o conscience_n as_o to_o any_o one_o sin_n which_o at_o first_o he_o be_v fearful_a of_o commit_v and_o have_v find_v such_o a_o ice_n upon_o his_o conscience_n as_o will_v bear_v he_o he_o go_v on_o still_o far_o and_o far_o till_o nothing_o be_v too_o hard_a for_o he_o he_o that_o at_o first_o start_v and_o tremble_v at_o the_o hear_n of_o a_o horrid_a oath_n now_o can_v hear_v whole_a volley_n of_o they_o discharge_v without_o shrink_v and_o can_v bear_v his_o part_n in_o that_o hellish_a concert_n and_o he_o that_o be_v so_o hardly_o bring_v to_o be_v wicked_a himself_o may_v in_o a_o little_a time_n as_o some_o man_n be_v strange_a proficient_o in_o wickedness_n tempt_v and_o encourage_v other_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o 3._o and_o when_o man_n be_v arrive_v to_o a_o habitual_a continuance_n in_o sin_n then_o for_o their_o present_a ease_n and_o security_n they_o cast_v about_o for_o any_o way_n to_o defend_v it_o for_o whatever_o be_v become_v of_o conscience_n they_o may_v have_v such_o a_o sense_n of_o reputation_n leave_v that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v think_v fool_n and_o be_v contemn_v and_o despise_v by_o other_o but_o although_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o such_o to_o avoid_v scorn_n and_o contempt_n among_o all_o those_o who_o have_v any_o true_a regard_n to_o virtue_n or_o honour_n yet_o they_o will_v endeavour_v rather_o to_o defend_v themselves_o in_o do_v ill_a than_o recover_v their_o reputation_n by_o repentance_n and_o because_o it_o will_v puzzle_v the_o wit_n of_o the_o most_o subtle_a and_o concern_v person_n to_o find_v out_o pretence_n and_o excuse_n for_o some_o kind_n of_o sin_n therefore_o the_o easy_a way_n be_v to_o represent_v all_o the_o world_n as_o alike_o bad_a although_o not_o alike_o cunning_a and_o although_o it_o may_v be_v not_o in_o the_o same_o way_n yet_o in_o something_o as_o ill_a in_o itself_o but_o more_o agreeable_a to_o their_o age_n temper_n and_o condition_n of_o life_n thus_o the_o great_a sinner_n love_v to_o herd_n themselves_o in_o a_o crowd_n and_o think_v it_o some_o poor_a defence_n for_o their_o sin_n that_o they_o will_v have_v other_o believe_v to_o be_v as_o bad_a as_o they_o as_o though_o a_o man_n be_v in_o the_o less_o danger_n by_o the_o plague_n because_o it_o be_v a_o general_a contagion_n but_o if_o it_o happen_v that_o some_o person_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v have_v any_o reputation_n for_o virtue_n among_o they_o than_o all_o the_o weakness_n and_o indiscretion_n of_o such_o be_v sure_a to_o be_v inquire_v after_o that_o so_o what_o be_v account_v virtue_n may_v be_v think_v only_o natural_a sourness_n of_o temper_n or_o want_v of_o wit_n to_o be_v otherwise_o but_o if_o any_o such_o shall_v be_v find_v in_o a_o miscarriage_n what_o joy_n and_o triumph_n do_v this_o make_v what_o load_n of_o circumstance_n and_o aggravation_n do_v they_o lay_v upon_o they_o as_o though_o one_o single_a miscarriage_n of_o such_o person_n be_v to_o weigh_v down_o a_o thousand_o enormity_n of_o they_o and_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o defend_v their_o extravagant_a course_n by_o reason_n the_o only_a way_n leave_v for_o they_o be_v to_o make_v satirical_a invective_n against_o reason_n as_o though_o it_o be_v the_o most_o uncertain_a foolish_a and_o i_o have_v almost_o say_v unreasonable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o they_o pretend_v to_o show_v it_o in_o argue_v against_o it_o but_o it_o be_v pity_v such_o have_v not_o their_o wish_n to_o have_v be_v beast_n rather_o than_o man_n if_o any_o man_n can_v make_v such_o a_o wish_n that_o have_v it_o not_o already_o that_o they_o may_v have_v be_v less_o capable_a of_o do_v mischief_n among_o mankind_n by_o represent_v all_o the_o excellency_n of_o humane_a nature_n which_o be_v reason_n and_o virtue_n and_o religion_n but_o as_o more_o grave_a and_o solemn_a foppery_n but_o how_o hard_o be_v such_o man_n put_v to_o defend_v their_o vice_n that_o can_v do_v it_o without_o trample_v under_o foot_n the_o most_o noble_a perfection_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n these_o however_o be_v the_o more_o ingenuous_a sort_n of_o sinner_n that_o yield_v reason_n and_o religion_n to_o be_v of_o virtue_n side_n but_o there_o be_v other_o that_o make_v use_v of_o some_o shallow_a pretence_n of_o reason_n to_o excuse_v themselves_o in_o their_o sin_n which_o be_v the_o second_o way_n whereby_o sin_n deceive_v man_n viz._n 2._o by_o false_a reason_n and_o those_o take_v either_o 1._o from_o their_o present_a impunity_n 2._o or_o from_o their_o future_a repentance_n 1._o from_o their_o present_a impunity_n in_o sin_v man_n be_v apt_a to_o deceive_v themselves_o into_o a_o continuance_n in_o it_o this_o be_v the_o account_n the_o wise_a man_n have_v long_o since_o give_v of_o man_n be_v harden_v in_o sin_n 11._o because_o sentence_n against_o a_o evil_a work_n be_v not_o execute_v speedy_o therefore_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v full_o set_v in_o they_o to_o do_v evil_a it_o seem_v somewhat_o hard_a to_o understand_v the_o consequence_n why_o man_n shall_v grow_v more_o desperate_o wicked_a because_o god_n give_v they_o a_o space_n to_o repent_v be_v it_o necessary_a that_o if_o god_n do_v punish_v at_o all_o he_o must_v do_v it_o present_o that_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v rage_n and_o fury_n or_o a_o necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o not_o justice_n can_v judgement_n be_v due_o execute_v unless_o the_o judge_n break_v open_v the_o prison_n door_n and_o torment_v the_o malefactor_n in_o his_o chain_n why_o may_v not_o god_n respite_v the_o punishment_n of_o sinner_n when_o he_o please_v to_o another_o state_n since_o he_o have_v declare_v that_o he_o have_v appoint_v a_o day_n wherein_o he_o will_v judge_v the_o world_n in_o righteousness_n 31._o what_o incongruity_n be_v there_o in_o this_o to_o any_o principle_n of_o reason_n or_o justice_n will_v not_o this_o time_n of_o god_n patience_n be_v a_o sufficient_a vindication_n of_o his_o lenity_n and_o goodness_n in_o order_n to_o the_o draw_v man_n to_o repentance_n and_o will_v not_o the_o day_n of_o his_o future_a judgement_n be_v a_o full_a vindication_n of_o his_o justice_n will_v not_o the_o insupportable_a honour_n of_o a_o miserable_a eternity_n discover_v far_o more_o god_n abhorrence_n of_o sin_n than_o present_a suffering_n in_o this_o life_n which_o the_o great_a they_o be_v the_o less_o they_o continue_v but_o all_o this_o false_a way_n of_o reason_v arise_v from_o that_o gross_a piece_n of_o self-flattery_n that_o such_o do_v imagine_v god_n to_o be_v like_o themselves_o i_o e._n as_o cruel_a and_o revengeful_a as_o they_o be_v and_o they_o present_o think_v if_o any_o person_n do_v offend_v they_o at_o the_o rate_n that_o sinner_n be_v say_v to_o offend_v god_n and_o they_o have_v so_o much_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n to_o punish_v they_o as_o he_o have_v without_o any_o fear_n of_o revenge_n upon_o themselves_o they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o dispatch_v they_o present_o but_o because_o they_o see_v god_n do_v it_o not_o therefore_o they_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o talk_n of_o god_n anger_n and_o hatred_n against_o sin_n be_v without_o ground_n and_o from_o hence_o they_o take_v encouragement_n to_o sin_n so_o the_o psalmist_n say_v in_o god_n name_n 21._o these_o thing_n thou_o do_v and_o i_o keep_v silence_n and_o they_o present_o take_v his_o silence_n for_o consent_n for_o it_o follow_v and_o thou_o think_v that_o i_o be_v altogether_o such_o a_o one_o as_o thyself_o but_o the_o psalmist_n add_v how_o ill_o he_o take_v this_o at_o man_n hand_n and_o that_o he_o will_v one_o day_n make_v they_o know_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o forbearance_n of_o sinner_n and_o the_o love_n of_o their_o sin_n but_o i_o will_v reprove_v thou_o and_o set_v they_o in_o order_n before_o thou_o and_o therefore_o he_o bid_v they_o be_v better_o advise_v and_o consider_v this_o while_n they_o