a_o internal_a worship_n be_v manifest_v better_a than_o by_o a_o external_n deportment_n all_o nation_n not_o only_a jew_n but_o gentile_n have_v rite_n in_o the_o adoration_n of_o their_o suppose_a deity_n all_o meeting_n in_o this_o as_o a_o principle_n of_o nature_n that_o divine_a worship_n can_v be_v right_o celebrate_v without_o some_o outward_a solemnity_n do_v not_o god_n command_v the_o use_n of_o ceremony_n unto_o the_o jew_n now_o the_o moral_a and_o ceremonial_a law_n be_v not_o promulgate_v at_o different_a time_n but_o both_o together_o and_o those_o who_o god_n have_v join_v let_v no_o man_n put_v asunder_o will_v it_o not_o cause_v a_o disrespect_n to_o hear_v the_o service_n of_o god_n huddle_v over_o as_o a_o scrivener_n read_v a_o bond_n or_o a_o indenture_n be_v we_o so_o great_a enemy_n to_o innocency_n that_o a_o surplice_n shall_v affright_v we_o from_o attend_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n that_o the_o priest_n shall_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v so_o general_a a_o practice_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n that_o none_o do_v officiate_v in_o holy_a office_n but_o he_o be_v clad_v in_o raiment_n white_a as_o snow_n they_o be_v not_o the_o embroidery_n of_o religion_n i_o so_o admire_v as_o to_o have_v its_o garment_n too_o heavy_a and_o weighty_a nor_o such_o a_o plainness_n as_o to_o abhor_v all_o decency_n and_o comeliness_n for_o let_v we_o suppose_v the_o worst_a that_o there_o be_v some_o spot_n which_o may_v be_v spare_v can_v they_o be_v handsome_o take_v out_o yet_o what_o because_o of_o this_o must_v i_o rend_v my_o garment_n in_o piece_n and_o be_v naked_a or_o shall_v i_o suffer_v rude_a hand_n to_o cut_v and_o tear_v it_o in_o piece_n as_o they_o please_v to_o the_o great_a injury_n and_o perturbation_n of_o the_o church_n ceremoniae_fw-la tanquam_fw-la cerei_fw-la they_o be_v as_o light_n which_o give_v lustre_n and_o brightness_n to_o god_n house_n and_o the_o service_n perform_v there_o and_o one_o way_n to_o make_v it_o a_o den_n be_v to_o extinguish_v this_o light_n that_o it_o may_v not_o give_v light_n to_o they_o enter_v the_o house_n of_o prayer_n second_o as_o the_o church_n can_v but_o be_v dark_a without_o ceremony_n so_o if_o the_o life_n of_o doctrine_n require_v in_o the_o priest_n be_v not_o a_o lamp_n unto_o our_o foot_n and_o light_n unto_o our_o path_n to_o guide_v we_o into_o the_o way_n of_o peace_n the_o bless_a jesus_n himself_o have_v style_v the_o preacher_n of_o the_o word_n not_o only_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n but_o also_o the_o salt_n of_o the_o earth_n a_o city_n set_v upon_o a_o hill_n they_o be_v not_o only_a star_n but_o angel_n choose_a vessel_n man_n of_o a_o thousand_o their_o foot_n be_v style_v beautiful_a and_o they_o themselves_o the_o glory_n of_o christ_n good_a reason_n then_o if_o our_o light_n shall_v shine_v before_o man_n for_o see_v we_o be_v call_v to_o this_o eminent_a function_n have_v the_o title_n of_o light_n attribute_v we_o we_o can_v think_v it_o sufficient_a we_o have_v lamp_n unless_o furnish_v with_o oil_n that_o our_o doctrine_n may_v promote_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o save_v both_o our_o own_o and_o the_o soul_n of_o they_o commit_v to_o our_o care_n the_o house_n of_o prayer_n may_v be_v a_o den_n if_o the_o flame_n therein_o be_v not_o real_a but_o paint_v thus_o st._n paul_n charge_v timothy_n to_o take_v heed_n unto_o himself_o and_o his_o doctrine_n and_o put_v they_o in_o remembrance_n to_o stir_v up_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o fill_v the_o golden_a candlestick_n of_o the_o temple_n unless_o they_o give_v light_n to_o those_o that_o enter_v in_o otherwise_o what_o be_v they_o more_o than_o pretty_o contrive_v antic_n under_o a_o building_n who_o seem_v to_o groan_v under_o the_o oppression_n of_o that_o which_o do_v support_v they_o it_o be_v our_o saviour_n command_n that_o we_o shall_v always_o have_v our_o loin_n gird_v that_o be_v with_o the_o girdle_n of_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n or_o with_o other_o expositor_n by_o external_n conformity_n in_o our_o habit_n we_o must_v be_v pillar_n of_o fire_n to_o guide_v other_o out_o of_o the_o night_n of_o ignorance_n and_o wilderness_n of_o error_n for_o be_v not_o the_o priest_n lip_n to_o preserve_v knowledge_n and_o be_v not_o we_o to_o inquire_v of_o they_o what_o concern_v our_o soul_n for_o they_o be_v the_o messenger_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o only_o mind_v you_o of_o that_o solemn_a oath_n at_o our_o instalment_n into_o this_o sacred_a office_n that_o we_o will_v give_v faithful_a diligence_n to_o minister_v the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o christ_n for_o if_o the_o light_n of_o the_o church_n be_v darken_v how_o great_a be_v that_o darkness_n and_o what_o will_v be_v the_o house_n of_o prayer_n but_o a_o den_n etc._n etc._n three_o as_o there_o must_v be_v the_o light_n of_o doctrine_n so_o also_o of_o conversation_n in_o the_o priest_n yes_o and_o it_o must_v be_v perspicuous_a too_o that_o religion_n and_o the_o doctor_n thereof_o may_v have_v a_o good_a report_n among_o all_o man_n of_o whatever_o sect_n or_o persuasion_n that_o they_o may_v find_v no_o occasion_n to_o revile_v or_o blaspheme_n we_o blaspheme_n we_o i_o say_v for_o in_o do_v it_o unto_o we_o they_o do_v it_o unto_o christ_n we_o have_v motive_n sufficient_a to_o incite_v we_o to_o a_o circumspect_a walk_n for_o wave_v the_o express_a command_n of_o our_o saviour_n let_v we_o consider_v how_o many_o enemy_n we_o have_v in_o the_o world_n who_o watch_n for_o our_o halt_a and_o be_v so_o quick-sighted_a that_o they_o discern_v the_o least_o lint_n hang_v on_o a_o black-gown_n no_o cloth_n so_o subject_a to_o be_v discolour_v as_o that_o of_o we_o man_n be_v not_o like_o that_o pious_a emperor_n who_o will_v cover_v the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o clergy_n with_o his_o own_o royal_a robe_n but_o joyful_a to_o embrace_v every_o little_a occasion_n to_o render_v we_o contemptible_a this_o than_o shall_v awaken_v we_o but_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v let_v we_o consider_v how_o absurd_a it_o be_v to_o undo_v that_o on_o the_o weekday_n which_o we_o preach_v on_o the_o lord_n shall_v we_o be_v diligent_a in_o instruct_v of_o other_o and_o we_o ourselves_o remain_v ignorant_a and_o foolish_a shall_v we_o speak_v brave_a flourish_a word_n in_o commendation_n of_o religion_n and_o reclaim_v rhetorical_o against_o vice_n yet_o make_v it_o our_o trade_n and_o practice_n the_o vrim_fw-he and_o thummim_n be_v both_o put_v into_o aaron_n breastplate_n that_o he_o may_v be_v a_o live_a sermon_n as_o well_o as_o a_o preacher_n of_o sound_a doctrine_n he_o who_o want_v a_o eye_n hand_n foot_n or_o have_v any_o blemish_n in_o his_o body_n be_v forbid_v by_o god_n to_o attend_v at_o his_o altar_n then_o much_o more_o sure_a pollute_a in_o soul_n they_o who_o bear_v the_o vessel_n of_o the_o lord_n must_v be_v clean_a you_o have_v make_v it_o a_o den_n of_o thief_n be_v a_o great_a aggravation_n of_o the_o church_n profanation_n second_o i_o descend_v to_o the_o thief_n or_o person_n defile_v god_n house_n the_o first_o of_o they_o be_v he_o who_o creep_v into_o the_o ministry_n without_o commission_n thus_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n tell_v we_o he_o who_o creep_v into_o a_o house_n by_o the_o window_n the_o same_o be_v a_o thief_n and_o a_o robber_n and_o if_o so_o what_o can_v he_o be_v style_v less_o who_o thrust_v himself_o into_o the_o priesthood_n and_o not_o by_o the_o door_n of_o lawful_a authority_n thus_o to_o run_v without_o commission_n be_v a_o usurpation_n of_o that_o which_o none_o shall_v take_v upon_o he_o but_o he_o that_o be_v call_v of_o god_n as_o be_v aaron_n by_o a_o external_n as_o well_o as_o internal_a call_n the_o apostle_n be_v train_v up_o a_o long_a time_n before_o christ_n send_v they_o on_o that_o employ_v they_o be_v not_o send_v to_o preach_v the_o word_n so_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v enrol_v into_o the_o number_n of_o his_o disciple_n like_o hasty_a birth_n with_o shell_n upon_o their_o head_n but_o they_o attend_v and_o wait_v for_o a_o full_a authority_n and_o commission_n but_o alas_o authority_n be_v now_o so_o much_o slight_v and_o trample_v on_o that_o man_n fancy_n if_o they_o can_v but_o spare_v so_o much_o time_n from_o their_o shop_n they_o have_v authority_n enough_o to_o skip_v into_o the_o office_n of_o the_o priest_n but_o be_v they_o not_o thief_n and_o robber_n who_o force_n themselves_o into_o the_o ministry_n without_o licence_n or_o ability_n they_o pretend_v indeed_o to_o a_o large_a share_n of_o spiritual_a influence_n which_o they_o resume_v will_v supply_v all_o other_o defect_n and_o adapt_v they_o fit_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n
by_o the_o tie_n of_o friendship_n how_o do_v we_o dissolve_v into_o tear_n how_o great_a be_v our_o grief_n and_o sorrow_n now_o if_o we_o be_v judge_v insensible_a for_o our_o not_o relent_v the_o loss_n of_o friend_n what_o brand_n of_o shame_n and_o infamy_n do_v they_o deserve_v who_o neither_o mourn_v weep_v or_o fast_o when_o a_o cypress_n vail_n have_v overspread_v the_o royal_a diadem_n shall_v we_o not_o be_v deject_v and_o sorrowful_a when_o the_o sword_n of_o death_n have_v cut_v off_o he_o in_o who_o hand_n alone_o rest_v the_o sword_n of_o justice_n shall_v not_o we_o fast_a and_o weep_v at_o the_o fatal_a catastrophe_n of_o saul_n and_o jonathan_n be_v not_o our_o soul_n elemented_a as_o it_o be_v of_o nothing_o but_o sadness_n when_o our_o ear_n be_v pierce_v with_o the_o lamentable_a news_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o lord_n accompany_v with_o the_o sad_a misfortune_n of_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n moses_n death_n may_v just_o command_v a_o brinish_a shower_n but_o much_o more_o if_o accompany_v with_o that_o of_o aaron_n if_o king_n and_o priest_n noble_n and_o subject_n lord_n and_o commons_o be_v involve_v in_o the_o same_o misfortune_n then_o certain_o we_o must_v want_v word_n to_o express_v the_o bitterness_n of_o our_o grief_n niobe_n find_v a_o vent_n for_o her_o passion_n when_o make_v unhappy_a by_o the_o loss_n of_o one_o or_o two_o of_o her_o little_a babe_n but_o when_o robe_v of_o all_o she_o become_v insensible_a curae_fw-la leves_fw-la loquuntur_fw-la they_o be_v inferior_a evil_n admit_v of_o tear_n but_o those_o of_o a_o superior_a nature_n be_v unexpressible_a when_o church_n and_o state_n king_n and_o priest_n be_v partaker_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o calamity_n what_o moderation_n can_v be_v expect_v in_o our_o elegiac_a threnes_n and_o mournful_a lamentation_n for_o where_o can_v we_o find_v word_n to_o express_v the_o conflict_n and_o agony_n of_o our_o soul_n yet_o still_o the_o misfortune_n be_v far_o great_a which_o give_v occasion_n to_o this_o lamentation_n in_o the_o house_n of_o david_n for_o when_o the_o amalikite_n have_v tell_v they_o the_o pitiful_a and_o fatal_a overthrow_n of_o saul_n and_o jonathan_n by_o the_o philistine_n army_n than_o the_o text_n tell_v we_o they_o mourn_v and_o weep_v and_o fast_v etc._n etc._n mourn_v weep_v and_o fast_v be_v the_o dutiful_a as_o well_o as_o holy_a performance_n of_o all_o pertain_v to_o the_o family_n of_o david_n and_o ought_v not_o that_o to_o be_v this_o day_n chief_a work_n in_o the_o house_n of_o we_o all_o for_o god_n have_v command_v i_o to_o acquaint_v you_o that_o every_o master_n of_o a_o family_n and_o all_o that_o be_v under_o his_o protection_n shall_v by_o fast_v serve_v the_o lord_n and_o the_o neglect_n thereof_o will_v be_v just_o impute_v to_o the_o master_n charge_n at_o the_o great_a and_o solemn_a day_n of_o account_n the_o hebrew_n word_n for_o mourn_v which_o the_o vulgar_a latin_a render_n plangentes_fw-la signify_v funebri_fw-la ritu_fw-la lugere_fw-la a_o funeral_n mourn_v and_o do_v not_o this_o day_n duty_n command_v the_o same_o david_n and_o his_o family_n bemoan_v the_o effusion_n of_o royal_a blood_n and_o be_v not_o that_o the_o dismal_a occasion_n of_o this_o day_n lamentation_n lace_n befit_v not_o a_o mourn_a suit_n expect_v not_o then_o flourish_v of_o rhetoric_n in_o a_o mourn_a sermon_n on_o such_o a_o day_n and_o text_n as_o this_o the_o preacher_n word_n shall_v be_v sigh_n his_o accent_n groan_n and_o the_o auditor_n tear_n the_o best_a commendation_n of_o the_o discourse_n for_o this_o end_n i_o appear_v among_o you_o this_o day_n though_o not_o as_o my_o saviour_n in_o another_o case_n to_o send_v fire_n but_o as_o the_o woman_n at_o the_o well_o to_o draw_v water_n that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n may_v become_v like_o that_o where_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o lord_n deliver_v his_o doleful_a message_n to_o the_o israelite_n bochin_n a_o place_n of_o weeper_n and_o oh_o how_o happy_a will_v it_o be_v if_o as_o when_o all_o israel_n be_v gather_v together_o at_o mizpeth_n so_o when_o all_o subject_n pertain_v to_o the_o crown_n of_o england_n be_v assemble_v together_o in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n may_v draw_v water_n and_o pour_v forth_o their_o prayer_n before_o the_o lord_n for_o the_o royal_a blood_n which_o as_o on_o this_o day_n be_v pour_v out_o and_o spill_v as_o water_n upon_o the_o ground_n that_o so_o we_o may_v imitate_v the_o example_n of_o the_o royal_a prophet_n and_o his_o domestic_n who_o mourn_v and_o weep_v and_o fast_v etc._n etc._n the_o text_n may_v afford_v we_o many_o particular_n but_o lest_o i_o seem_v tedious_a i_o shall_v contract_v my_o meditation_n into_o these_o two_n the_o person_n mourn_v and_o the_o person_n mourn_v for_o consider_v we_o the_o first_o and_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o dwell_v upon_o a_o theme_n obvious_a to_o all_o who_o consult_v this_o chapter_n for_o who_o be_v they_o but_o david_n and_o his_o family_n and_o those_o who_o be_v of_o his_o retinue_n at_o the_o first_o accost_v the_o amalikite_n that_o condole_v the_o hard_a fate_n of_o saul_n and_o jonathan_n for_o though_o he_o be_v disaffect_v to_o david_n a_o adversary_n who_o hunt_v after_o his_o life_n and_o from_o who_o he_o have_v escape_v as_o a_o bird_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o fowler_n nevertheless_o david_n forget_v not_o to_o commiserate_v his_o and_o his_o noble_n condition_n nay_o though_o god_n himself_o have_v rend_v the_o kingdom_n from_o saul_n and_o convey_v it_o over_o unto_o david_n yet_o still_o he_o song_n his_o elegy_n that_o he_o may_v not_o go_v to_o the_o grave_a unlamented_a and_o he_o give_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o in_o his_o tenderness_n and_o pity_n to_o saul_n who_o be_v so_o cruel_a unto_o he_o why_o he_o be_v so_o trouble_v for_o his_o death_n who_o shall_v be_v no_o soon_o dead_a than_o his_o own_o head_n shall_v be_v encircle_v with_o the_o royal_a diadem_n and_o that_o be_v because_o he_o be_v anoint_v with_o oil_n none_o that_o be_v anoint_v with_o oil_n but_o aught_o to_o have_v a_o tribute_n of_o salt_n tear_n pay_v unto_o their_o hearse_n by_o the_o law_n of_o friendship_n he_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v concern_v for_o the_o death_n of_o jonathan_n but_o as_o for_o saul_n who_o study_v his_o destruction_n and_o labour_v his_o ruin_n who_o be_v his_o inveterate_a enemy_n and_o whole_o bend_v to_o do_v he_o mischief_n whence_o can_v it_o proceed_v but_o from_o a_o unfeigned_a respect_n and_o untainted_a loyalty_n to_o his_o prince_n a_o obedience_n and_o love_n to_o he_o who_o god_n have_v institute_v his_o vicegerent_n over_o israel_n and_o it_o be_v on_o that_o account_n we_o read_v they_o mourn_v etc._n etc._n 2._o i_o descend_v to_o the_o person_n mourn_v for_o and_o who_o be_v they_o but_o king_n priest_n and_o commons_o and_o indeed_o all_o of_o we_o be_v equal_o concern_v to_o mourn_v and_o weep_v for_o their_o saul_n and_o jonathan_n for_o their_o priest_n the_o people_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o for_o their_o brethren_n the_o whole_a house_n of_o israel_n when_o they_o be_v crop_v by_o the_o seyth_n of_o a_o immature_n and_o sudden_a death_n we_o have_v a_o duty_n incumbent_n on_o we_o to_o mourn_v and_o fast_o and_o humble_v ourselves_o when_o god_n punish_v king_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o our_o sin_n by_o a_o unripe_a and_o untimely_a death_n common_a reason_n will_v teach_v nature_n to_o pay_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a tribute_n of_o sigh_n and_o tear_n at_o the_o last_o obsequy_n of_o they_o who_o move_v in_o the_o high_a sphere_n public_a person_n hearse_n may_v just_o challenge_v the_o distillation_n of_o private_a person_n eye_n all_o rivulet_n and_o little_a torrent_n empty_v themselves_o into_o the_o main_a ocean_n can_v any_o man_n forbid_v or_o fault_n this_o holy_a water_n who_o will_v not_o be_v baptise_a in_o such_o a_o fountain_n dethroned_a prince_n have_v have_v this_o pay_v they_o by_o their_o enslave_v subject_n cum_fw-la nil_fw-la nisi_fw-la flere_fw-la relictum_fw-la when_o they_o be_v not_o capacitate_v to_o do_v more_o their_o grateful_a and_o generous_a spirit_n disdain_v to_o do_v less_o eminent_a person_n in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v thus_o bemoan_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n not_o only_o those_o who_o have_v be_v blast_v in_o the_o greenness_n and_o tenderness_n of_o their_o age_n in_o their_o most_o precious_a day_n but_o those_o also_o who_o have_v drop_v away_o with_o age_n and_o be_v gather_v to_o their_o father_n by_o the_o long_a rake_n of_o silent_a time_n thus_o the_o son_n oâ—_n jacob_n bewail_v their_o age_a father_n seven_o day_n with_o great_a and_o sore_a lamentation_n thus_o when_o moses_n the_o faithful_a prince_n and_o ruler_n of_o his_o people_n fall_v asleep_a all_o
salvation_n yet_o never_o think_v on_o repentance_n but_o resolve_v to_o venture_v for_o it_o till_o the_o last_o breath_n and_o for_o its_o acceptance_n too_o at_o so_o untimely_a a_o season_n for_o it_o be_v first_o a_o great_a hazard_n whether_o god_n will_v then_o assist_v i_o with_o so_o much_o grace_n as_o to_o repent_v which_o if_o he_o do_v i_o than_o second_o run_v the_o venture_n of_o a_o after_o game_n whether_o that_o repentance_n will_v be_v acceptable_a by_o he_o because_o without_o controversy_n it_o can_v be_v perfect_v for_o if_o holy_a writ_n by_o a_o true_a repentance_n understand_v and_o mean_v a_o amendment_n and_o reformation_n of_o life_n as_o certain_o it_o do_v then_o tell_v i_o what_o difference_n be_v there_o not_o to_o repent_v at_o all_o or_o not_o to_o begin_v it_o till_o the_o last_o thread_n of_o life_n be_v a_o spin_v for_o how_o can_v i_o amend_v reform_v or_o lead_v a_o new_a course_n of_o life_n when_o alas_o poor_a creature_n that_o i_o be_o i_o be_o no_o long_o to_o be_v to_o day_n therefore_o etc._n etc._n three_o be_v not_o all_o the_o leave_n of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n exhortatory_n persuasion_n to_o a_o speedy_a repentance_n for_o where_o god_n command_v i_o to_o pray_o there_o he_o urge_v to_o repentance_n because_o otherwise_o my_o prayer_n will_v be_v defective_a and_o render_v no_o sweet_a smell_a savour_n in_o the_o nostril_n of_o god_n nay_o without_o repentance_n i_o pronounce_v it_o impossible_a to_o pray_v to_o god_n with_o that_o ardour_n and_o zeal_n we_o be_v oblige_v for_o to_o pray_v aright_o be_v to_o cast_v away_o all_o affection_n to_o sin_n the_o least_o glance_n to_o temptation_n to_o be_v sorry_a we_o have_v sin_v with_o a_o full_a resolution_n never_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o like_a transgression_n or_o the_o same_o madness_n and_o thereupon_o solomon_n declare_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v a_o abomination_n to_o the_o lord_n yea_o consult_v truth_n itself_o and_o you_o may_v hear_v it_o declare_v i_o hate_v your_o burn_a offering_n my_o soul_n loathe_v your_o solemn_a assembly_n bring_v i_o no_o more_o vain_a oblation_n they_o be_v adjudge_v vain_a and_o loathsome_a because_o not_o perfume_v with_o the_o sweet_a incense_n of_o repentance_n thus_o you_o may_v hear_v the_o man_n in_o the_o gospel_n declare_v god_n hear_v not_o sinner_n john_n 9.31_o that_o be_v those_o who_o have_v sin_v and_o have_v not_o yet_o repent_v be_v unhappy_a in_o their_o hasty_a sin_n much_o more_o miserable_a in_o their_o slow_a repentance_n a_o impenitent_a person_n soil_n and_o discolour_n every_o otherwise_o well_o approve_v action_n he_o envenome_v and_o poison_n even_o the_o very_a mercy_n of_o god_n for_o if_o such_o a_o man_n pray_v what_o be_v it_o esteem_v more_o than_o howl_v if_o he_o mourn_v what_o be_v it_o more_o than_o hang_v down_o the_o head_n like_o a_o bulrush_n if_o he_o sacrifice_v what_o be_v it_o but_o the_o cut_n off_o a_o dog_n neck_n if_o he_o rejoice_v what_o be_v such_o mirth_n but_o a_o blaze_n and_o crackle_n of_o thorn_n under_o the_o pot_n for_o god_n regard_v and_o give_v ear_n to_o none_o but_o the_o penitent_a on_o which_o account_n you_o may_v observe_v christ_n command_v we_o to_o pray_v and_o instruct_v we_o what_o we_o shall_v pray_v for_o enjoin_v we_o every_o day_n to_o pray_v for_o the_o remission_n of_o our_o sin_n mat._n 6.10_o 11._o we_o can_v request_v our_o daily_a bread_n unless_o we_o beg_v a_o daily_a forgiveness_n of_o our_o sin_n so_o likewise_o holy_a david_n in_o the_o text_n and_o st._n paul_n from_o the_o psalmist_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v etc._n etc._n not_o only_o strict_o command_v we_o not_o to_o put_v off_o our_o repentance_n one_o day_n but_o also_o affirm_v every_o such_o delay_n be_v a_o act_n of_o obduration_n and_o so_o a_o new_a sin_n be_v add_v to_o the_o old_a so_o oft_o then_o as_o i_o meditate_v on_o those_o melodious_a word_n and_o charm_a eloquence_n of_o the_o son_n of_o syrach_n i_o seem_v to_o hear_v all_o the_o bright_a morning_n star_n and_o son_n of_o glory_n call_v to_o we_o below_o to_o make_v no_o tarry_v to_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o put_v not_o off_o from_o day_n to_o day_n for_o sudden_o shall_v the_o wrath_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v forth_o and_o in_o thy_o security_n thou_o shall_v be_v destroy_v and_o perish_v in_o the_o day_n of_o vengeance_n ecclesiasticus_fw-la 5.7_o for_o every_o day_n of_o our_o life_n may_v probable_o be_v adjudge_v the_o day_n of_o our_o burial_n for_o what_o be_v it_o more_o than_o the_o life_n of_o rose_n which_o in_o the_o evening_n make_v a_o tomb_n of_o that_o scarlet_n which_o be_v its_o morning_n ornament_n and_o glory_n what_o reason_n therefore_o can_v be_v more_o prevalent_a than_o this_o to_o provide_v the_o best_a argument_n we_o can_v for_o our_o justification_n before_o death_n because_o god_n frequent_o smite_v sinner_n in_o their_o confidence_n he_o strike_v they_o in_o their_o security_n in_o their_o delay_n they_o may_v meet_v with_o a_o surprise_n in_o their_o procrastination_n they_o may_v be_v frustrate_v of_o their_o hope_n and_o death_n may_v rob_v they_o of_o the_o benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o to_o morrow_n for_o what_o be_v bold_a man_n as_o some_o confident_o speak_v to_o resolve_v not_o to_o repent_v till_o christmas_n easter_n whitsuntide_n next_o communion_n or_o such_o prefix_v festival_n and_o season_n alas_o poor_a dust_n and_o ash_n that_o we_o be_v how_o probable_a be_v it_o whilst_o we_o revolve_v such_o thought_n in_o our_o mind_n a_o imposthume_n swell_v in_o our_o head_n or_o breast_n may_v make_v we_o big_a with_o death_n how_o probable_a be_v it_o some_o popular_a disease_n rage_v in_o our_o street_n may_v slay_v he_o in_o three_o day_n time_n may_v not_o to_o morrow_n dinner_n breed_v a_o surfeit_n or_o this_o night_n intemperance_n a_o fever_n how_o oft_o do_v we_o see_v death_n ride_v triumphant_a in_o our_o dwelling_n and_o crown_v with_o the_o spoil_n of_o many_o number_n of_o man_n alas_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o enumerate_v all_o the_o possibility_n of_o die_v sudden_o or_o the_o probability_n how_o soon_o our_o life_n may_v be_v raveled_a out_o to_o its_o utmost_a thread_n for_o though_o we_o flatter_v ourselves_o in_o the_o plentifull_a hope_n of_o a_o gaudy_a fortune_n death_n may_v meet_v every_o one_o of_o we_o with_o a_o thou_o fool_n this_o night_n shall_v thy_o soul_n be_v take_v from_o thou_o let_v any_o one_o therefore_o who_o have_v any_o thing_n beside_o the_o shape_n and_o lineament_n of_o a_o man_n but_o real_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o be_v mortal_a let_v he_o but_o confess_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o man_n and_o subject_a to_o the_o accident_n of_o mortality_n and_o that_o very_a confession_n must_v be_v a_o confutation_n of_o they_o who_o defer_v their_o repentance_n for_o i_o appeal_v to_o yourselves_o be_v it_o reasonable_a for_o i_o who_o confess_v myself_o a_o sinner_n and_o be_o persuade_v of_o a_o supreme_a existence_n and_o believe_v that_o he_o know_v i_o be_o a_o sinner_n and_o will_v infallible_o punish_v i_o for_o my_o sin_n if_o not_o wash_v away_o with_o the_o tear_n of_o repentance_n can_v i_o be_v think_v rational_a and_o in_o my_o wit_n if_o i_o defer_v it_o unless_o upon_o the_o confidence_n of_o a_o long_a life_n and_o grant_v my_o supposition_n shall_v the_o promise_a myself_o many_o day_n promote_v a_o life_n and_o state_n of_o impenitency_n be_v it_o so_o intolerable_a to_o live_v virtuous_o be_v the_o yoke_n of_o christ_n so_o uneasy_a be_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n so_o grievous_a will_n to_o live_v righteous_o sober_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n quite_o strip_v we_o of_o our_o pleasant_a day_n and_o make_v we_o waste_v our_o hour_n in_o a_o moross_a austerity_n or_o sullen_a gravity_n or_o be_v the_o hope_n of_o life_n intend_v for_o no_o other_o purpose_n than_o to_o delay_v our_o sin_n and_o defer_v our_o repentance_n god_n forbid_v for_o such_o premise_n can_v be_v guilty_a of_o a_o worse_a conclusion_n however_o he_o that_o serious_o meditate_v on_o those_o many_o number_n of_o man_n who_o like_o little_a blossom_n be_v crop_v by_o the_o scythe_n of_o death_n in_o the_o tenderness_n of_o their_o age_n will_v have_v but_o small_a reason_n to_o consent_v to_o these_o evil_a purpose_n from_o such_o weak_a and_o contingent_a principle_n i_o can_v tell_v the_o precise_a minuit_n of_o my_o death_n or_o take_v a_o exact_a measure_n of_o this_o span_n of_o life_n and_o then_o to_o defer_v my_o repentance_n be_v a_o shame_n put_v upon_o my_o own_o soul_n and_o a_o contempt_n of_o all_o the_o divine_a revelation_n of_o heaven_n and_o hell_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d