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the_o band_n of_o love_n and_o indeed_o this_o be_v one_o special_a reason_n why_o god_n send_v man_n to_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n rather_o than_o angel_n that_o there_o may_v not_o be_v any_o terror_n strike_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o people_n if_o angel_n shall_v appear_v they_o will_v be_v exceed_o dreadful_a and_o terrible_a but_o god_n do_v rather_o choose_v man_n to_o be_v a_o minister_n that_o so_o he_o may_v suit_v himself_o to_o the_o disposition_n of_o man_n and_o draw_v with_o the_o cord_n of_o man_n and_o what_o be_v that_o that_o be_v with_o the_o band_n of_o love_n man_n nature_n will_v rather_o be_v draw_v then_o drive_v and_o my_o brethren_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o minister_n to_o be_v of_o such_o disposition_n so_o you_o that_o be_v the_o people_n shall_v show_v yourselves_o to_o be_v of_o the_o like_a disposition_n towards_o they_o again_o of_o sweet_a and_o love_v and_o gentle_a and_o fair_a disposition_n towards_o they_o not_o of_o rugged_a and_o ridge_v temper_n we_o read_v of_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o whit_n of_o iron_n use_v in_o it_o which_o be_v observable_a we_o do_v not_o read_v i_o say_v of_o iron_n that_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o building_n they_o make_v their_o pinn_v of_o wood_n and_o other_o thing_n and_o plate_n of_o gold_n and_o silver_n but_o bring_v no_o iron_n god_n when_o he_o be_v about_o to_o build_v a_o church_n and_o call_v a_o people_n home_o to_o himself_o he_o will_v call_v such_o as_o be_v of_o gentle_a spirit_n or_o make_v they_o such_o god_n do_v either_o refuse_v such_o ridge_v spirit_n or_o else_o he_o do_v change_v their_o nature_n that_o be_v the_o first_o note_n say_v peace_n be_v to_o this_o house_n the_o second_o be_v this_o 2._o that_o minister_n ought_v to_o bless_v their_o people_n for_o so_o these_o word_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v not_o only_o as_o to_o manifest_v their_o disposition_n to_o give_v they_o a_o taste_n of_o their_o spirit_n but_o as_o a_o benediction_n to_o they_o peace_n be_v to_o this_o place_n we_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n bless_v you_o with_o peace_n and_o this_o be_v more_o than_o to_o pray_v for_o they_o minister_n be_v to_o pray_v for_o people_n god_n forbâ—d_v say_v samuel_n that_o i_o shall_v sin_v against_o the_o lord_n in_o cease_v to_o pray_v for_o you_o but_o minister_n shall_v do_v more_o they_o be_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o bless_v they_o prayer_n it_o be_v a_o speak_v unto_o god_n but_o blessing_n it_o be_v to_o speak_v from_o god_n to_o man_n and_o that_o with_o some_o kind_n of_o authority_n therefore_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o the_o lesser_a be_v bless_v of_o the_o great_a and_o that_o the_o minister_n be_v appoint_v to_o bless_v the_o people_n in_o the_o old_a law_n numb_a 6._o 23._o speak_v unto_o aaron_n and_o to_o his_o son_n say_v on_o this_o wise_a you_o shall_v bless_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n say_v unto_o they_o the_o lord_n bless_v thou_o and_o keep_v thou_o the_o lord_n make_v his_o face_n to_o shine_v upon_o thou_o and_o be_v gracious_a unto_o thou_o the_o lord_n lift_v up_o his_o countenance_n upon_o thou_o and_o give_v thou_o peace_n here_o be_v blessing_n in_o the_o old_a law_n and_o they_o retain_v some_o part_n of_o it_o in_o come_v to_o any_o place_n when_o they_o say_v peace_n be_v to_o this_o place_n we_o read_v of_o man_n of_o great_a esteem_n among_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o bless_v those_o that_o they_o come_v unto_o as_o you_o find_v that_o of_o boaz_n in_o ruth_n 2._o 4._o he_o pray_v for_o they_o and_o they_o bless_v he_o here_o be_v a_o sweet_a salutation_n of_o a_o man_n that_o do_v set_v other_o man_n on_o work_n boaz_n come_v into_o the_o field_n and_o say_v unto_o the_o keeper_n the_o lord_n be_v with_o you_o and_o they_o answer_v he_o the_o lord_n bless_v thou_o many_o man_n when_o they_o go_v among_o their_o workman_n they_o go_v with_o rage_v and_o curse_v if_o thing_n be_v not_o do_v according_a to_o their_o mind_n now_o what_o a_o unseemly_a thing_n be_v this_o among_o those_o who_o profess_v themselves_o christian_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n this_o be_v gracious-like_a to_o come_v among_o their_o servant_n and_o workman_n and_o thus_o to_o bless_v they_o the_o lord_n be_v with_o you_o and_o they_o to_o pray_v for_o they_o and_o the_o lord_n bless_v thou_o and_o so_o we_o read_v of_o pure_a parent_n to_o bless_v their_o child_n and_o it_o have_v be_v the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n to_o bless_v the_o people_n therefore_o in_o all_o congregation_n where_o you_o meet_v with_o the_o exercise_n of_o religion_n you_o use_v to_o have_v a_o blessing_n before_o you_o go_v and_o you_o be_v not_o to_o flight_v it_o and_o except_o god_n call_v you_o out_o by_o extraordinary_a occasion_n you_o be_v to_o abide_v and_o stay_v the_o blessing_n we_o read_v of_o some_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o stand_v upon_o mount_n gerisim_n in_o deut._n 27._o and_o their_o work_n be_v only_o to_o bless_v to_o bless_v the_o people_n and_o there_o be_v some_o who_o stand_v upon_o mount_n ebal_n and_o they_o be_v to_o curse_n but_o now_o mark_v if_o we_o search_v who_o they_o be_v that_o be_v appoint_v to_o bless_n you_o shall_v find_v they_o to_o be_v more_o honourable_a than_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v to_o curse_n for_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v to_o curse_n there_o be_v reuben_n he_o have_v lose_v his_o birthright_n and_o gad_n and_o ashur_n and_o dan_n and_o napthali_n they_o be_v child_n of_o the_o handmaid_n they_o be_v not_o beget_v in_o the_o way_n of_o marriage_n but_o only_o by_o the_o handmaid_n or_o by_o a_o concubine_n most_o of_o these_o that_o be_v to_o stand_v upon_o mount_n ebal_n for_o curse_v they_o be_v of_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o the_o tribe_n this_o note_n thus_o much_o that_o blessing_n be_v the_o chief_a work_n that_o minister_n shall_v rejoice_v and_o delight_n in_o therefore_o though_o they_o do_v sometime_o pronounce_v the_o threat_n of_o god_n against_o you_o to_o awaken_v secure_a drowsy_a sinner_n which_o be_v their_o work_n likewise_o yet_o certain_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o suitable_a unto_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o godly_a minister_n than_o to_o be_v always_o bless_v of_o his_o people_n and_o to_o be_v bring_v of_o the_o message_n of_o blessing_n unto_o they_o and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o then_o certain_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n they_o be_v a_o great_a blessing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o you_o that_o be_v people_n you_o shall_v encourage_v your_o minister_n to_o bless_v you_o and_o to_o bless_v god_n for_o you_o your_o carriage_n towards_o they_o shall_v be_v such_o as_o they_o may_v with_o cheerfulness_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n bless_v you_o and_o they_o may_v in_o secret_a when_o they_o be_v between_o god_n and_o themselves_o bless_v god_n for_o you_o o_o when_o as_o the_o minister_n shall_v first_o look_v upon_o the_o people_n and_o bless_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o bless_v god_n for_o they_o and_o the_o people_n shall_v look_v again_o upon_o the_o minister_n and_o pray_v to_o god_n for_o a_o blessing_n upon_o he_o and_o bless_v god_n that_o ever_o they_o know_v he_o i_o say_v happy_a be_v the_o minister_n that_o thus_o bless_v and_o bless_v god_n for_o a_o people_n and_o happy_a likewise_o the_o people_n that_o do_v thus_o pray_v for_o a_o blessing_n upon_o and_o bless_v god_n for_o a_o minister_n but_o more_o bless_a be_v that_o god_n that_o shall_v join_v such_o minister_n and_o people_n together_o and_o that_o be_v the_o second_o note_n that_o minister_n be_v to_o bless_v people_n when_o they_o
than_o by_o the_o dreadful_a threat_n of_o the_o law_n for_o the_o gospel_n show_v that_o sin_n make_v such_o a_o dreadful_a breach_n between_o god_n and_o the_o creature_n that_o only_o the_o son_n of_o god_n make_v man_n and_o put_v under_o a_o curse_n can_v make_v up_o the_o breach_n again_o in_o the_o red-glass_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o be_v preach_v to_o you_o in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o evil_a of_o sin_n be_v more_o full_o discern_v than_o in_o the_o bright_a crystal-glass_n of_o the_o law_n that_o do_v discover_v somewhat_o but_o this_o show_v you_o more_o it_o show_v you_o that_o those_o belove_a sin_n of_o you_o that_o you_o have_v embrace_v and_o have_v have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o sweetness_n and_o gain_n by_o o_o they_o be_v such_o snake_n and_o viper_n in_o your_o bosom_n as_o make_v such_o a_o breach_n between_o god_n and_o your_o soul_n that_o only_o the_o son_n of_o god_n pay_v a_o infinite_a price_n for_o the_o satisfy_v for_o these_o can_v take_v away_o from_o you_o and_o further_o the_o gospel_n do_v discover_v more_o to_o debase_v a_o man_n than_o any_o thing_n can_v possible_o be_v imagine_v there_o be_v nothing_o that_o do_v more_o discover_v that_o which_o may_v abase_v man_n and_o bring_v they_o low_o and_o make_v they_o vile_a in_o their_o own_o eye_n than_o the_o gospel_n why_o the_o gospel_n do_v show_v unto_o they_o that_o they_o be_v by_o nature_n the_o enemy_n to_o god_n it_o be_v the_o gospel_n do_v discover_v that_o because_o it_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o it_o do_v discover_v that_o all_o a_o man_n righteousness_n be_v nothing_o his_o own_o righteousness_n be_v nothing_o in_o point_n of_o salvation_n for_o justification_n that_o whatsoever_o righteousness_n a_o man_n have_v by_o common_a gift_n by_o his_o good_a nature_n it_o will_v not_o serve_v his_o turn_n in_o the_o day_n of_o jesus_n christ_n he_o may_v perish_v notwithstanding_o it_o take_v a_o man_n off_o from_o all_o his_o civil_a righteousness_n and_o so_o make_v he_o to_o be_v as_o a_o vile_a wretched_a creature_n before_o the_o lord_n and_o one_o that_o must_v lie_v upon_o mere_a pure_a mercy_n or_o else_o must_v perish_v to_o all_o eternity_n whatsoever_o he_o think_v himself_o he_o must_v be_v take_v from_o his_o own_o bottom_n even_o from_o that_o which_o his_o soul_n embrace_v and_o be_v as_o dear_a unto_o he_o as_o his_o own_o soul_n he_o must_v be_v take_v from_o all_o o_o now_o this_o be_v a_o hard_a say_n and_o who_o can_v bear_v it_o the_o gospel_n do_v teach_v self-denial_n that_o we_o must_v deny_v our_o own_o excellency_n every_o belove_a lust_n and_o to_o be_v nothing_o in_o a_o man_n be_v own_o eye_n ay_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o first_o lesson_n of_o the_o gospel_n say_v christ_n if_o any_o man_n will_v follow_v i_o let_v they_o deny_v themselves_o now_o man_n natural_o be_v proud_a and_o haughty_a and_o what_o for_o they_o to_o come_v and_o appear_v before_o the_o lord_n as_o vile_a wretched_a caitiff_n in_o themselves_o and_o to_o have_v all_o their_o righteousness_n to_o be_v count_v as_o filthy_a rag_n now_o to_o see_v that_o they_o must_v be_v save_v by_o a_o righteousness_n that_o be_v above_o they_o and_o beyond_o they_o and_o without_o they_o o_o this_o be_v very_o hard_a the_o gospel_n require_v condition_n that_o be_v very_o hard_o to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n that_o we_o must_v be_v willing_a to_o sell_v and_o part_v with_o all_o for_o christ_n as_o the_o wise_a merchant_n do_v and_o beside_o it_o be_v a_o very_a high_a mystery_n a_o thing_n that_o be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o any_o natural_a man_n live_v and_o people_n generally_n be_v of_o 'slight_o vain_a and_o proud_a spirit_n now_o be_v partly_o slight_a and_o vain_a and_o partly_o proud_a they_o will_v not_o bend_v their_o mind_n to_o dive_v into_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v not_o present_o able_a to_o read_v it_o be_v that_o mystery_n that_o the_o angel_n do_v stoop_v down_o to_o pry_v into_o and_o it_o require_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o behold_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o it_o now_o the_o vain_a and_o drossy_a and_o proud_a heart_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n they_o pass_v it_o over_o light_o because_o they_o see_v no_o present_a need_n of_o it_o they_o thrive_v and_o enjoy_v their_o estate_n and_o they_o be_v well_o enough_o for_o the_o flesh_n and_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v savory_n to_o they_o they_o have_v according_a to_o their_o heart_n desire_v and_o what_o need_n have_v they_o to_o trouble_v themselves_o many_o other_o thing_n may_v be_v name_v to_o show_v that_o when_o the_o gospel_n come_v to_o place_n why_o it_o be_v not_o entertain_v quest_n but_o you_o will_v say_v why_o do_v god_n send_v it_o god_n know_v it_o will_v not_o be_v entertain_v it_o be_v not_o with_o god_n as_o it_o be_v with_o we_o to_o go_v to_o a_o place_n at_o paradventure_n it_o be_v say_v if_o they_o hear_v they_o there_o can_v be_v no_o if_n with_o god_n god_n know_v every_o thing_n now_o if_o god_n know_v that_o before_o a_o man_n come_v it_o will_v not_o be_v entertain_v why_o do_v god_n send_v it_o answ_n 1._o to_o that_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o god_n way_n and_o judgement_n be_v unsearchable_a and_o past_o find_v out_o in_o this_o thing_n for_o indeed_o there_o be_v nothing_o wherein_o god_n do_v appear_v more_o wonderful_a in_o his_o way_n and_o judgement_n past_o find_v out_o than_o in_o this_o in_o send_v the_o gospel_n sometime_o to_o a_o place_n where_o he_o see_v it_o will_v not_o prevail_v and_o deny_v it_o to_o another_o place_n where_o he_o see_v that_o if_o it_o be_v among_o they_o it_o will_v be_v likely_a more_o to_o prevail_v you_o will_v say_v this_o be_v strange_a and_o yet_o this_o be_v certain_a this_o be_v the_o administration_n of_o god_n that_o sometime_o god_n deny_v the_o gospel_n to_o a_o place_n where_o he_o do_v see_v that_o if_o he_o send_v it_o they_o will_v entertain_v it_o more_o and_o send_v it_o to_o another_o place_n where_o he_o see_v they_o will_v not_o entertain_v it_o now_o to_o make_v this_o out_o by_o scripture_n that_o text_n be_v clear_a for_o it_o in_o mat._n 11._o 21._o wo_n unto_o thou_o chorazin_n woe_n unto_o thou_o bethsaida_n for_o if_o the_o mighty_a work_n which_o be_v do_v in_o you_o have_v be_v do_v in_o tyre_n and_o sydon_n they_o will_v have_v repent_v long_o ago_o in_o sackcloth_n and_o ash_n it_o be_v a_o strange_a speech_n almost_o as_o any_o one_o that_o be_v in_o scripture_n here_o be_v chorazin_n and_o bethsaida_n have_v the_o gospel_n send_v to_o they_o and_o they_o do_v not_o entertain_v it_o say_v christ_n if_o the_o work_n that_o be_v do_v in_o you_o have_v be_v do_v in_o tyre_n and_o sydon_n they_o will_v have_v repent_v and_o yet_o i_o deny_v it_o to_o they_o and_o send_v it_o to_o you_o now_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n give_v of_o this_o but_o only_o this_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n be_v unsearchable_a and_o his_o way_n past_o find_v out_o god_n mercy_n be_v his_o own_o the_o gospel_n be_v his_o own_o and_o he_o will_v send_v it_o where_o he_o please_v second_o but_o then_o second_o the_o lord_n send_v his_o gospel_n for_o though_o perhaps_o it_o be_v reject_v for_o the_o generality_n yet_o there_o may_v some_o one_o soul_n entertain_v it_o among_o a_o people_n that_o shall_v so_o much_o reject_v it_o and_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o one_o god_n may_v send_v it_o god_n may_v send_v minister_n to_o a_o congregation_n to_o spend_v their_o very_a heart_n and_o strength_n and_o life_n and_o it_o may_v be_v may_v intend_v some_o one_o or_o two_o soul_n that_o be_v as_o unlikely_a as_o other_o perhaps_o some_o one_o or_o two_o poor_a servant_n or_o child_n and_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o life_n of_o any_o man_n if_o he_o may_v be_v blessed_v to_o call_v home_o one_o or_o two_o in_o his_o life_n time_n you_o know_v the_o lord_n let_v it_o rain_v and_o the_o intendment_n of_o the_o rain_n it_o be_v to_o water_v the_o earth_n but_o abundance_n of_o it_o fall_v upon_o tile_n and_o stone_n but_o likewise_o it_o fall_v upon_o your_o bed_n in_o your_o garden_n and_o the_o intendment_n i_o say_v be_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o ground_n so_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n god_n chief_a intent_n be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n though_o god_n cause_v the_o ministry_n of_o it_o to_o be_v general_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v to_o congregation_n and_o for_o the_o generality_n it_o do_v but_o as_o it_o be_v rain_n upon_o the_o tile_n and_o stone_n i_o but_o there_o be_v some_o bed_n that_o have_v some_o good_a seed_n in_o they_o and_o