without_o we_o we_o shall_v meet_v with_o many_o rub_n lay_v in_o our_o way_n many_o snare_n many_o scandal_n many_o stumbling-block_n lay_v by_o satan_n to_o entrap_v we_o and_o make_v we_o fall_v the_o world_n be_v golden_a ball_n of_o pleasure_n and_o profit_n be_v cast_v before_o we_o to_o entice_v we_o out_o of_o the_o way_n satan_n wildfire_n of_o persecution_n be_v flash_v in_o our_o face_n to_o affright_v we_o from_o our_o christian_a course_n our_o way_n be_v hedge_v up_o with_o thorn_n or_o else_o carnal_a relation_n and_o worldly_a interest_n hang_v about_o our_o neck_n to_o pull_v we_o back_o so_o that_o there_o need_v much_o strength_n of_o grace_n much_o courage_n and_o resolution_n much_o earnestness_n and_o contention_n much_o labour_n and_o press_v forward_o that_o so_o we_o may_v lay_v hold_n on_o the_o prize_n eternal_a life_n the_o crown_n of_o glory_n which_o be_v hold_v forth_o to_o we_o for_o a_o prize_n and_o shall_v be_v give_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o judge_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o rewarder_n if_o we_o strive_v lawful_o and_o run_v well_o so_o run_v therefore_o that_o you_o may_v obtain_v 1_o cor._n 9.24_o 3._o the_o christian_a life_n be_v here_o set_v forth_o unto_o we_o under_o the_o metaphorof_o keep_v a_o trust_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n where_o by_o faith_n some_o understand_v faithfulness_n or_o fidelity_n that_o engagement_n which_o be_v usual_o give_v by_o soldier_n to_o their_o general_n by_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v call_v sacramentum_fw-la militare_fw-la and_o so_o to_o keep_v the_o faith_n be_v to_o keep_v the_o oath_n by_o fight_v faithful_o and_o not_o false_o betray_v the_o cause_n of_o christ_n neither_o by_o a_o treacherous_a run_v over_o to_o the_o enemy_n as_o a_o transfuga_fw-la partium_fw-la nor_o yet_o by_o a_o cowardly_a run_v away_o and_o draw_v back_o from_o their_o colour_n desert_v the_o cause_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o gospel_n which_o they_o have_v swear_v to_o defend_v as_o all_o of_o we_o have_v in_o our_o baptismal_a vow_n but_o by_o faith_n in_o this_o place_n i_o think_v be_v rather_o to_o be_v understand_v fides_n quae_fw-la creditur_fw-la the_o truth_n and_o faith_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n in_o which_o sense_n the_o saint_n be_v describe_v rev._n 14.12_o to_o be_v such_o as_o keep_v the_o commandment_n and_o the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n the_o metaphor_n of_o keep_v this_o faith_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v borrow_v either_o from_o 1._o the_o keep_n of_o a_o fort_n or_o strong_a castle_n the_o faith_n and_o truth_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o strong_a hold_n which_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o keep_n and_o defend_v of_o every_o christian_a soul_n and_o while_o we_o keep_v this_o fortress_n that_o will_v keep_v we_o safe_a safe_a from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o enemy_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v keep_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n through_o faith_n unto_o salvation_n 1_o pet._n 1.5_o where_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v proper_o keep_v as_o a_o garisson_n be_v keep_v or_o 2._o the_o keep_n of_o a_o precious_a jewel_n or_o treasure_n commit_v to_o our_o charge_n and_o custody_n the_o faith_n and_o truth_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o depositum_fw-la commit_v to_o we_o and_o entrust_v with_o we_o to_o this_o st._n judas_n seem_v to_o allude_v judas_n 3_o when_o he_o exhort_v all_o to_o contend_v earnest_o for_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n the_o like_a allusion_n have_v st._n paul_n when_o he_o exhort_v timothy_n 1_o tim._n 6._o ver_fw-la 20_o 21._o o_o timothy_n keep_v that_o which_o be_v commit_v to_o thy_o trust_n and_o what_o that_o be_v may_v appear_v by_o the_o opposition_n there_o subjoin_v avoid_v profane_a and_o vain_a babble_n and_o opposition_n of_o science_n false_o so_o call_v which_o some_o profess_v have_v err_v concern_v the_o faith_n the_o faith_n be_v the_o depositum_fw-la and_o the_o god_n thing_n commit_v to_o timothy_n as_o paul_n phrase_n it_o and_o exhort_v he_o again_o to_o keep_v 2_o tim._n 1.14_o the_o same_o which_o in_o verse_n 13._o he_o have_v express_v in_o other_o word_n viz._n hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n which_o thou_o have_v hear_v of_o i_o in_o faith_n and_o love_n which_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n if_o we_o keep_v this_o faith_n and_o truth_n that_o will_v keep_v our_o soul_n for_o by_o keep_v his_o faith_n we_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o commit_v our_o soul_n to_o his_o keep_n who_o be_v the_o faithful_a and_o watchful_a lord-keeper_n of_o his_o israel_n and_o therefore_o st._n peter_n exhort_v commit_v the_o keep_n of_o your_o soul_n to_o he_o in_o well-doing_n as_o unto_o a_o faithful_a creator_n 1_o pet._n 4.19_o and_o this_o do_v encourage_v st._n paul_n to_o say_v 2_o tim._n 1.12_o i_o know_v who_o i_o have_v trust_v and_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o keep_v that_o which_o i_o have_v commit_v unto_o he_o against_o that_o day_n and_o as_o our_o saviour_n christ_n do_v pray_v to_o his_o father_n john_n 17.11_o that_o he_o will_v keep_v all_o his_o elect_n holy_a father_n keep_v through_o thy_o own_o name_n those_o who_o thou_o have_v give_v i_o so_o he_o promise_v rev._n 3.10_o to_o the_o church_n in_o philadelphia_n because_o thou_o have_v keep_v the_o word_n of_o my_o patience_n i_o also_o will_v keep_v thou_o from_o the_o hour_n of_o temptation_n 3._o or_o else_o this_o keep_n of_o the_o faith_n may_v allude_v unto_o a_o soldier_n keep_v of_o his_o station_n or_o a_o wrestler_n keep_v of_o his_o ground_n but_o the_o former_a be_v as_o i_o conceive_v more_o proper_a to_o the_o place_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v pursue_v this_o no_o further_o but_o come_v to_o consider_v what_o the_o thing_n be_v which_o be_v here_o mean_v by_o keep_v the_o faith_n now_o to_o keep_v the_o faith_n be_v 1._o true_o and_o firm_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n to_o assent_v unfeigned_o to_o it_o to_o receive_v it_o not_o into_o the_o ear_n only_o but_o into_o the_o heart_n also_o and_o there_o to_o keep_v it_o and_o cleave_v unto_o it_o 2._o to_o keep_v the_o truth_n and_o faith_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o obey_v it_o as_o to_o keep_v god_n commandment_n be_v to_o obey_v and_o do_v they_o the_o truth_n and_o faith_n of_o christ_n be_v keep_v in_o a_o holy_a life_n 3._o to_o keep_v the_o truth_n and_o faith_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o hold_v it_o fast_o by_o profession_n thus_o christ_n commend_v the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n rev._n 2.13_o thou_o hold_v fast_v my_o name_n and_o have_v not_o deny_v my_o faith_n and_o likewise_o the_o church_n in_o philadelphia_n rev._n 3.8_o thou_o have_v keep_v my_o word_n &_o have_v not_o deny_v my_o name_n 4._o last_o the_o faith_n be_v keep_v by_o hold_v out_o and_o constant_a continuance_n and_o perseverance_n in_o all_o these_o believe_v practise_v and_o profess_v it_o this_o be_v that_o which_o receive_v the_o promise_a reward_n mat._n 24.13_o he_o that_o shall_v endure_v unto_o the_o end_n the_o same_o shall_v be_v save_v rev._n 2.10_o be_v thou_o faithful_a unto_o death_n and_o i_o will_v give_v thou_o a_o crown_n of_o life_n paul_n must_v finish_v his_o course_n before_o he_o shall_v receive_v a_o crown_n without_o this_o we_o shall_v come_v short_a of_o the_o prize_n thus_o we_o have_v brief_o survey_v the_o character_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n which_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n observe_v in_o st._n paul_n first_o meditation_n ii_o the_o second_o thing_n propound_v to_o be_v consider_v be_v the_o comfortable_a testimonial_a which_o paul_n conscience_n give_v he_o concern_v his_o past_a life_n and_o conversation_n he_o be_v able_a to_o say_v in_o the_o sincerity_n of_o his_o heart_n i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n etc._n etc._n st._n paul_n have_v long_o since_o make_v it_o his_o exercise_n his_o constant_a care_n and_o endeavour_n to_o have_v always_o a_o conscience_n void_a of_o offence_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o man_n act_n 24.16_o and_o now_o you_o see_v here_o he_o reap_v the_o fruit_n of_o it_o according_o as_o we_o use_v our_o conscience_n so_o will_v they_o deal_v by_o we_o if_o we_o wound_v they_o they_o will_v wound_v we_o if_o we_o keep_v not_o peace_n in_o our_o conscience_n how_o can_v they_o speak_v peace_n to_o we_o but_o if_o we_o keep_v they_o tender_a and_o pure_a they_o will_v be_v able_a to_o comfort_v we_o in_o our_o great_a strait_n and_o difficulty_n st._n paul_n reflect_v upon_o his_o life_n past_a his_o conscience_n tell_v he_o what_o he_o here_o profess_v of_o himself_o first_o that_o he_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n in_o a_o good_a cause_n and_o that_o he_o have_v fight_v it_o well_o observe_v therein_o the_o command_n of_o his_o general_n that_o he_o have_v be_v
father_n good_a pleasure_n to_o give_v you_o the_o kingdom_n and_o christ_n have_v make_v all_o his_o member_n king_n and_o priest_n rev._n 1.6_o a_o royal_a priesthood_n 1_o pet._n 2.9_o and_o therefore_o a_o crown_n or_o diadem_n which_o be_v the_o ensign_n of_o majesty_n and_o royalty_n be_v very_o apt_o use_v to_o express_v their_o future_a estate_n by_o which_o be_v a_o allusion_n to_o the_o political_a use_n of_o the_o crown_n 2._o eternal_a bliss_n be_v call_v a_o crown_n in_o allusion_n to_o those_o crown_n or_o garland_n which_o be_v use_v in_o reward_v such_o as_o conquer_v in_o the_o olympic_a contention_n which_o be_v a_o agonistical_a use_n of_o the_o crown_n to_o which_o st._n paul_n seem_v here_o to_o have_v allude_v those_o who_o conquer_v in_o fight_v or_o overcome_v in_o run_v or_o in_o wrestle_a have_v their_o several_a crown_n bestow_v on_o they_o now_o paul_n have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n and_o have_v finish_v his_o course_n and_o therefore_o his_o reward_n shall_v be_v a_o crown_n not_o like_o they_o a_o corruptible_a crown_n of_o flower_n or_o herb_n which_o be_v soon_o wither_v but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o never_o fade_v 1_o cor._n 9.25_o which_o be_v call_v by_o our_o saviour_n a_o crown_n of_o life_n rev._n 2.10_o and_o by_o st._n peter_n a_o crown_n of_o glory_n 1_o pet._n 5.4_o and_o here_o by_o st._n paul_n a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n and_o that_o not_o as_o if_o it_o be_v merit_v by_o his_o righteousness_n as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o but_o 1._o because_o it_o be_v a_o reward_n of_o righteousness_n not_o of_o our_o deserve_n but_o of_o god_n free_a give_v the_o crown_n be_v give_v to_o such_o and_o such_o only_a as_o be_v righteous_a though_o not_o for_o the_o merit_n of_o their_o righteousness_n god_n reward_n and_o crown_v his_o own_o grace_n in_o his_o child_n godliness_n have_v the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n and_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v 2._o because_o it_o be_v a_o crown_n due_a unto_o the_o righteousness_n and_o merit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o have_v merit_v it_o for_o we_o and_o have_v make_v we_o king_n and_o priest_n unto_o his_o father_n 3._o because_o it_o be_v a_o crown_n which_o god_n in_o righteousness_n will_v give_v unto_o we_o as_o merit_v for_o we_o by_o christ_n jesus_n hence_o it_o be_v say_v emphatical_o here_o which_o the_o lord_n the_o righteous_a judge_n shall_v give_v i_o christ_n shall_v give_v it_o adjudicando_fw-la by_o adjudge_v it_o to_o we_o and_o his_o father_n tradendo_fw-la by_o delivery_n christ_n by_o sentence_n the_o father_n by_o actual_a execution_n so_o much_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o first_o particular_a the_o reward_n itself_o the_o second_o follow_v which_o be_v ii_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o reward_n lay_v up_o for_o i_o wherein_o we_o have_v a_o double_a certitude_n express_v 1._o objecti_fw-la sive_fw-la rei_fw-la 2._o subject_a live_v spei_fw-la &_o fidei_fw-la 1._o here_o be_v a_o certitude_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o the_o crown_n shall_v certain_o and_o real_o be_v bestow_v and_o confer_v upon_o paul_n in_o the_o issue_n he_o shall_v not_o miss_v of_o it_o thus_o much_o be_v intimate_v in_o the_o word_n lay_v up_o which_o imply_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v appoint_v and_o set_v apart_o for_o he_o and_o so_o it_o be_v designatione_fw-la patris_fw-la by_o the_o father_n election_n merito_fw-la filii_fw-la by_o christ_n purchase_n and_o promissione_n verbi_fw-la by_o the_o word_n of_o promise_n 2._o it_o be_v prepare_v and_o provide_v hence_o it_o be_v call_v a_o kingdom_n prepare_v for_o you_o from_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n mat._n 25.34_o and_o our_o saviour_n tell_v his_o disciple_n john_n 14.2_o 3._o i_o go_v to_o prepare_v a_o place_n for_o you_o and_o sure_o great_a must_v that_o needs_o be_v which_o he_o prepare_v and_o which_o have_v be_v so_o long_o in_o prepare_v 3._o lay_v up_o imply_v that_o this_o crown_n be_v keep_v safe_a and_o preserve_v hence_o say_v to_o be_v reserve_v for_o we_o in_o the_o heaven_n 1_o pet._n 1.4_o whither_o none_o can_v break_v through_o to_o steal_v it_o away_o 4._o lay_v up_o also_o out_o of_o sight_n to_o be_v see_v only_o by_o the_o eye_n of_o faith_n hope_v which_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o you_o in_o heaven_n col._n 1.5_o not_o see_v but_o nevertheless_o sure_a because_o safe_o lay_v up_o and_o be_v discern_v by_o the_o eye_n of_o faith_n it_o minister_v abundant_a cause_n of_o joy_n and_o comfort_n as_o may_v be_v infer_v from_o 1_o pet._n 1.8_o 2._o here_o st._n paul_n profess_v a_o certitude_n or_o assurance_n which_o he_o have_v in_o his_o own_o soul_n that_o he_o shall_v receive_v the_o crown_n for_o i_o for_o he_o in_o particular_a david_n say_v very_o there_o be_v a_o reward_n for_o the_o righteous_a but_o paul_n say_v for_o i_o by_o a_o particular_a application_n to_o himself_o a_o true_a believer_n then_o it_o seem_v may_v attain_v unto_o a_o assurance_n of_o his_o own_o salvation_n he_o may_v be_v assure_v of_o his_o present_a state_n that_o he_o be_v pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n and_o he_o may_v be_v assure_v also_o that_o he_o shall_v persevere_v and_o be_v keep_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n through_o faith_n unto_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o st._n peter_n exhort_v to_o give_v all_o diligence_n to_o make_v your_o call_v and_o election_n sure_a 2_o pet._n 1.10_o our_o election_n by_o our_o call_v observe_v the_o order_n and_o st._n paul_n speak_v express_o rom._n 8.38_o 39_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o neither_o death_n nor_o life_n shall_v separate_v we_o from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n our_o lord_n there_o he_o declare_v his_o assurance_n of_o perseverance_n and_o he_o speak_v for_o other_o as_o well_o as_o himself_o separate_v we_o and_o so_o here_o in_o the_o text_n not_o to_o i_o only_o but_o unto_o all_o they_o also_o that_o love_n his_o appear_v and_o the_o way_n to_o attain_v unto_o this_o assurance_n of_o perseverance_n and_o salvation_n st._n peter_n have_v show_v we_o 2_o pet._n 1.5_o 8_o 10._o add_v unto_o faith_n virtue_n and_o to_o virtue_n knowledge_n etc._n etc._n 1._o get_v true_a grace_n into_o your_o heart_n a_o principle_n of_o spiritual_a life_n and_o grow_v in_o grace_n 2._o act_n grace_n vigorous_o for_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o you_o and_o abound_v they_o make_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v neither_o be_v barren_a nor_o unfruitful_a for_o if_o you_o do_v these_o thing_n you_o shall_v never_o fall_v and_o sure_o they_o may_v know_v that_o they_o do_v they_o in_o like_a manner_n st._n paul_n argue_v here_o i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n etc._n etc._n henceforth_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n in_o the_o greek_a have_v the_o force_n of_o a_o illative_a therefore_o ergo_fw-la or_o igitur_fw-la and_o so_o we_o may_v find_v it_o translate_v in_o h._n stephan_n as_o if_o paul_n have_v here_o say_v more_o express_o hence_o i_o conclude_v and_o infer_v it_o remain_v and_o follow_v not_o only_o in_o sequence_n of_o time_n but_o by_o consequence_n and_o force_n of_o argument_n relinquitur_fw-la tanquam_fw-la emergens_fw-la è_fw-la praemissis_fw-la it_o follow_v from_o the_o premise_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n there_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o life_n where_o st._n paul_n way_n of_o argue_v himself_o into_o his_o assurance_n be_v very_o observable_a and_o deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o as_o the_o best_a and_o most_o usual_a way_n whereby_o all_o believer_n may_v come_v to_o be_v assure_v of_o their_o salvation_n and_o thus_o he_o argue_v all_o those_o that_o love_n christ_n appear_v shall_v receive_v a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n but_o i_o be_o one_o of_o those_o who_o love_n christ_n appear_v therefore_o i_o shall_v receive_v a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n the_o major_n or_o the_o first_o of_o these_o proposition_n be_v express_v in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o 8_o verse_n which_o paul_n be_v assure_v of_o by_o faith_n in_o the_o promise_n make_v in_o general_a in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n whosoever_o believe_v shall_v not_o die_v but_o have_v everlasting_a life_n etc._n etc._n the_o minor_a or_o second_o proposition_n he_o give_v we_o the_o proof_n of_o in_o that_o his_o profession_n i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n which_o whosoever_o do_v do_v also_o love_n christ_n appear_v and_o therefore_o they_o be_v put_v here_o by_o paul_n as_o characteristical_a of_o the_o same_o person_n if_o you_o will_v have_v the_o argument_n in_o form_n take_v it_o thus_o all_o that_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n love_n christ_n appear_v but_o i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n therefore_o i_o love_v christ_n appear_v how_o st._n paul_n come_v to_o be_v
to_o assure_v he_o of_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n and_o by_o that_o assurance_n mediate_o to_o comfort_v he_o against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v speak_v afterward_o 2._o by_o this_o consideration_n to_o comfort_v himself_o immediate_o and_o next_o way_n against_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n the_o testimony_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n conscientia_fw-la rectè_fw-la factorum_fw-la do_v arm_n and_o support_v a_o man_n against_o the_o ghastly_a aspect_n of_o approach_a death_n for_o what_o be_v it_o that_o make_v death_n so_o terrible_a unto_o mortal_n that_o the_o very_a mention_n of_o it_o make_v they_o tremble_v like_o a_o aspine-leaf_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o the_o sting_n of_o death_n be_v sin_n 1_o cor._n 15.56_o the_o guilt_n of_o sin_n upon_o the_o conscience_n be_v that_o which_o put_v the_o heart_n into_o such_o a_o palpitation_n for_o the_o conscience_n know_v that_o for_o all_o those_o impiety_n whereof_o it_o keep_v the_o register_n it_o must_v come_v to_o judgement_n and_o the_o book_n must_v be_v open_v and_o every_o one_o must_v be_v judge_v according_a to_o what_o be_v find_v write_v in_o the_o book_n it_o dread_v judgement_n to_o come_v as_o felix_n do_v and_o not_o but_o look_v upon_o death_n as_o on_o the_o grim_a sergeant_n that_o come_v to_o arrest_v we_o and_o to_o summon_v we_o to_o judgement_n this_o be_v the_o sting_n in_o the_o tail_n of_o death_n but_o now_o a_o good_a conscience_n sprinkle_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n that_o sincere_o report_v unto_o we_o that_o we_o have_v by_o faith_n in_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n receive_v he_o for_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n and_o give_v we_o in_o a_o holy_a life_n in_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o faith_n do_v thereby_o show_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v make_v conditional_o be_v now_o become_v absolute_a unto_o we_o and_o that_o therefore_o we_o be_v already_o pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n and_o then_o be_v once_o assure_v that_o our_o debt_n be_v pardon_v and_o the_o handwriting_n cancel_v we_o fear_v no_o long_o death_n arrest_n but_o may_v say_v with_o this_o apostle_n o_o death_n where_o be_v thy_o sting_n thanks_o be_v to_o god_n who_o give_v we_o the_o victory_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n 1_o cor._n 15.55_o 56._o thus_o we_o see_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o nothing_o else_o without_o it_o can_v give_v we_o true_a and_o solid_a comfort_n when_o we_o come_v to_o die_v a_o wicked_a man_n may_v through_o the_o hardness_n of_o his_o heart_n and_o searedness_n of_o his_o conscience_n be_v senseless_a and_o stupid_a in_o his_o death_n and_o so_o fall_v down_o like_o a_o log_n into_o hell-flame_n a_o erroneous_a conscience_n may_v make_v a_o man_n brave_a it_o out_o and_o with_o curtius_n leap_v desperate_o into_o the_o gulf_n of_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n a_o hypocrite_n conscience_n may_v set_v a_o fair_a outside_n upon_o it_o and_o die_v possible_o with_o seem_v joy_n but_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o laughter_n his_o heart_n be_v sad_a his_o joy_n be_v but_o like_o the_o risus_fw-la sardonius_n when_o man_n seem_v to_o die_v laugh_v but_o it_o be_v rather_o a_o rictus_fw-la than_o a_o risus_fw-la a_o grin_n of_o the_o tooth_n than_o laughter_n and_o shall_v end_v in_o gnash_v of_o tooth_n in_o another_o world_n it_o be_v only_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o good_a and_o pure_a sincere_a and_o enlighten_v conscience_n that_o can_v yield_v a_o man_n good_a ground_n of_o true_a and_o solid_a comfort_n and_o therefore_o st._n paul_n be_v now_o as_o it_o be_v at_o death_n door_n take_v this_o cordial_a before_o he_o knock_v have_v recourse_n unto_o his_o own_o conscience_n for_o his_o letter_n testimonial_a draw_v up_o from_o a_o survey_n of_o a_o holy_a and_o well-led_n life_n and_o here_o he_o find_v support_v and_o the_o like_a he_o have_v do_v before_o 2_o cor._n 1.12_o for_o our_o rejoice_v be_v this_o the_o testimony_n of_o our_o conscience_n that_o in_o simplicity_n and_o godly_a sincerity_n we_o have_v have_v our_o conversation_n in_o the_o world_n this_o also_o have_v be_v the_o practice_n and_o method_n of_o other_o saint_n and_o servant_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n who_o when_o they_o be_v under_o the_o apprehension_n of_o their_o approach_a departure_n have_v fetch_v their_o comfort_n from_o the_o lame_a topick_n which_o st._n paul_n here_o make_v use_v of_o viz._n the_o testimony_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n concern_v their_o pass_a life_n and_o conversation_n thus_o good_a hezekiah_n isa_n 38.1_o etc._n etc._n have_v receive_v that_o doleful_a message_n the_o sentence_n of_o death_n pronounce_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o prophet_n set_v thy_o house_n in_o order_n for_o thou_o shall_v die_v and_o not_o live_v whence_o do_v he_o look_v for_o his_o comfort_n but_o from_o the_o secret_a witness_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n testify_v unto_o he_o the_o sincerity_n of_o his_o former_a course_n which_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o have_v try_v by_o the_o sunbeam_n of_o god_n own_o knowledge_n v._o 3._o remember_v now_o o_o lord_n i_o beseech_v thou_o how_o i_o have_v walk_v i_o before_o thou_o in_o truth_n and_o with_o a_o perfect_a heart_n and_o have_v do_v that_o which_o be_v good_a in_o thy_o sight_n thus_o elijah_n sit_v under_o the_o juniper-tree_n 1_o kin._n 19.4_o can_v not_o with_o any_o comfort_n have_v desire_v serious_o as_o he_o do_v that_o god_n will_v take_v away_o his_o life_n from_o he_o have_v he_o not_o have_v this_o assurance_n write_v on_o the_o table_n of_o his_o own_o heart_n that_o he_o have_v be_v very_o zealous_a or_o jealous_a for_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n as_o himself_o profess_v v._o 10.1_o and_o how_o can_v good_a old_a simeon_n with_o joy_n have_v sing_v his_o nunc_fw-la dimittis_fw-la have_v he_o not_o know_v in_o his_o conscience_n what_o the_o gospel_n report_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v a_o just_a and_o devout_a man_n wait_v for_o the_o consolation_n of_o israel_n luk._n 2.25_o as_o ever_o therefore_o we_o desire_v to_o find_v comfort_n in_o our_o death_n let_v we_o lead_v holy_a life_n and_o keep_v good_a conscience_n as_o paul_n and_o these_o other_o servant_n of_o god_n do_v there_o be_v scarce_o any_o so_o profligate_v and_o give_v up_o to_o all_o impiety_n but_o do_v desire_n comfort_n when_o they_o come_v to_o die_v but_o alas_o by_o their_o wicked_a life_n they_o have_v stop_v the_o minister_n mouth_n sear_v the_o breast_n of_o consolation_n and_o cut_v off_o those_o conduit-pipe_n which_o shall_v have_v convey_v comfort_n into_o their_o soul_n there_o be_v many_o who_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o say_v with_o balaam_n o_o let_v i_o die_v the_o death_n of_o the_o righteous_a and_o let_v my_o last_o end_n be_v like_o he_o but_o they_o will_v not_o live_v the_o life_n of_o the_o righteous_a mark_v the_o perfect_a man_n and_o behold_v the_o upright_a for_o the_o end_n of_o that_o man_n be_v peace_n psal_n 37.37_o but_o alas_o what_o peace_n can_v thy_o conscience_n or_o any_o other_o speak_v to_o thou_o while_o thy_o cry_a sin_n and_o impiety_n be_v so_o many_o light_n be_v sow_o for_o the_o righteous_a and_o joy_n for_o the_o upright_a in_o heart_n psal_n 97.11_o a_o man_n may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n expect_v to_o reap_v where_o he_o have_v not_o sow_o as_o to_o reap_v joy_n and_o comfort_n in_o death_n without_o sow_v the_o seed_n of_o it_o in_o a_o holy_a life_n sow_v then_o in_o thy_o life-time_n what_o thou_o will_v reap_v when_o thou_o come_v to_o die_v and_o thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o st._n paul_n first_o meditation_n or_o his_o reflection_n upon_o his_o former_a life_n well-spent_a i_o come_v to_o the_o second_o medit._fw-la 2._o st._n paul_n second_o meditation_n be_v a_o prospect_n into_o the_o life_n to_o come_v and_o the_o glory_n of_o it_o together_o with_o his_o own_o share_n in_o it_o wherein_o we_o have_v these_o several_n to_o be_v take_v into_o our_o consideration_n 1._o the_o reward_n itself_o call_v a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n 2._o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o in_o those_o word_n lay_v up_o for_o i_o 3._o the_o bestower_n of_o it_o the_o lord_n the_o righteous_a judge_n shall_v give_v i_o 4._o the_o time_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v bestow_v at_o that_o day_n i._o the_o reward_n itself_o which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o eternal_a life_n the_o glory_n and_o joy_n of_o heaven_n which_o we_o have_v here_o set_v forth_o unto_o we_o under_o the_o metaphor_n of_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n the_o joy_n and_o glory_n of_o heaven_n be_v call_v a_o crown_n 1._o because_o eternal_a life_n and_o blessedness_n be_v promise_v to_o we_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o heavenly_a kingdom_n luk._n 12.32_o fear_v not_o little_a flock_n for_o it_o be_v your_o