arguement_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o mutability_n of_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n as_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o conviction_n of_o any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o blind_v by_o prejudice_n or_o prepossess_v with_o some_o contrary_a notion_n and_o first_o upon_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n there_o be_v many_o promise_n in_o scripture_n assure_v we_o of_o length_n of_o day_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v many_o threaten_n of_o cut_v short_a the_o day_n of_o the_o wicked_a thus_o god_n promise_v length_n of_o day_n to_o obedient_a child_n ex._n 20._o 12._o honour_n thy_o father_n &_o mother_n that_o thy_o day_n may_v be_v long_o upon_o the_o land_n which_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n give_v thou_o deut_n 4_o 40._o thou_o shall_v keep_v therefore_o his_o statute_n and_o his_o commandment_n which_o i_o command_v thou_o this_o day_n that_o it_o may_v go_v well_o with_o thou_o &_o with_o thy_o child_n after_o thou_o &_o that_o thou_o may_v prolong_v thy_o day_n upon_o the_o earth_n which_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n give_v thou_o &_o particular_o the_o lord_n tell_v solomon_n 1_o king_n 3._o 4._o if_o thou_o will_v walk_v in_o my_o way_n to_o keep_v my_o statute_n &_o my_o commandment_n as_o thy_o father_n david_n do_v walk_v than_o i_o will_v lengthen_v thy_o day_n the_o psalmist_n encourage_v man_n to_o consider_v the_o case_n of_o the_o poor_a upon_o this_o motive_n psal_n 42._o 1_o 2._o bless_a be_v he_o that_o consider_v the_o poor_a the_o lord_n will_v preserve_v he_o &_o keep_v he_o alive_a etc._n etc._n and_o upon_o this_o account_n the_o wiseman_n also_o persuade_v man_n to_o observe_v and_o keep_v god_n law_n prov._n 3._o 1_o 2._o my_o son_n forget_v not_o my_o law_n but_o let_v thy_o heart_n keep_v my_o commandment_n for_o length_n of_o day_n and_o long_a life_n and_o peace_n shall_v they_o add_v to_o thou_o how_o much_o the_o observance_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n conduce_v to_o our_o health_n be_v a_o thing_n daily_a experience_n atte_v and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n very_o excellent_o exhort_v timothy_n to_o exercise_v himself_o unto_o godliness_n for_o it_o be_v profitable_a unto_o all_o thing_n have_v promise_n of_o the_o life_n that_o now_o be_v and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v 1_o tim._n 4._o 8._o religion_n be_v as_o a_o bridle_n to_o keep_v man_n within_o due_a bound_n in_o their_o eat_n and_o drink_v it_o forbid_v all_o manner_n of_o excess_n which_o impares_fw-la our_o bodily_a health_n and_o oblige_v man_n to_o make_v use_n of_o lawful_a mean_n for_o their_o preservation_n and_o recovery_n if_o we_o consult_v experience_n we_o shall_v find_v these_o to_o be_v the_o man_n who_o for_o ordinary_a enjoy_v the_o long_a life_n it_o be_v true_a some_o good_a man_n may_v be_v natural_o of_o a_o brittle_a constitution_n and_o other_o gâ—od_n may_v remove_v for_o secret_a end_n know_v to_o himself_o yet_o for_o ordinary_a the_o godly_a man_n who_o natural_a temper_n be_v strong_a have_v the_o advantage_n of_o the_o wicked_a man_n and_o certain_o religion_n in_o its_o due_a tendency_n prescribe_v the_o best_a rule_n for_o long_a life_n as_o righteousness_n tend_v to_o life_n so_o he_o that_o pursue_v evil_a as_o the_o wiseman_n tell_v we_o pursue_v it_o to_o his_o own_o death_n prov._n 11._o 19_o we_o have_v a_o large_a catalogue_n of_o the_o punishment_n inflict_v for_o sin_n exod._n 26._o where_o more_o particular_o v._o 16._o the_o lord_n threaten_v to_o appoint_v over_o those_o who_o obey_v not_o his_o law_n terror_n consumption_n and_o the_o burningague_n &_o that_o man_n may_v not_o foolish_o think_v all_o these_o be_v but_o threaten_n which_o god_n intend_v not_o to_o inflict_v upon_o poor_a man_n the_o prophet_n isaiah_n tell_v we_o if_o you_o refuse_v &_o rebel_v you_o shall_v be_v devour_v with_o the_o sword_n for_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o isa_n 1._o 20._o and_o the_o wiseman_n conclude_v it_o as_o certain_a prov._n 10._o 27._o the_o year_n of_o the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v shorten_v &_o to_o conclude_v the_o psalmist_n also_o tell_v we_o bloody_a and_o deceitful_a man_n shall_v not_o live_v out_o half_a their_o day_n psal_n 55._o 23._o which_o the_o poet_n very_o well_o express_v ad_fw-la generum_fw-la cereris_fw-la sine_fw-la caede_fw-la ac_fw-la sanguine_fw-la pauci_fw-la descendunt_fw-la reges_fw-la &_o sicca_fw-la morte_fw-la tyranni_fw-la and_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o may_v be_v evident_a likewise_o from_o common_a experience_n by_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o no_o man_n be_v so_o obnoxious_a to_o disease_n as_o the_o wicked_a who_o spend_v their_o time_n in_o chamber_v and_o wantonness_n in_o riot_n and_o excess_n who_o have_v woe_n who_o have_v sorrow_n who_o have_v wound_n without_o cause_n they_o that_o tarry_v long_o at_o the_o wine_n prov._n 23._o 29_o 30._o what_o the_o wiseman_n say_v of_o one_o kind_n of_o vice_n may_v be_v say_v of_o all_o they_o lead_v down_o to_o the_o chamber_n of_o death_n prov._n 7._o 27._o but_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o obvious_a that_o i_o need_v not_o to_o enlarge_v upon_o they_o i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o argument_n with_o this_o consideration_n that_o since_o god_n almighty_a promise_n to_o extend_v and_o lengthen_v out_o or_o prolong_v their_o life_n who_o walk_v pious_o and_o observe_v his_o statute_n and_o theraten_v to_o shorten_v the_o day_n of_o the_o wicked_a who_o refuse_v to_o obey_v his_o law_n it_o can_v be_v rational_o imagine_v that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v absolute_o determine_v another_o argument_n to_o confirm_v our_o assertion_n may_v be_v take_v from_o the_o pious_a &_o devout_a prayer_n of_o the_o righteous_a and_o their_o turn_n from_o their_o sin_n by_o a_o hearty_a repentance_n both_o which_o conduce_v to_o the_o lengthen_v out_o of_o their_o day_n i_o put_v repentance_n and_o prayer_n together_o because_o of_o their_o near_a affinity_n to_o one_o another_o now_o that_o both_o these_o may_v be_v the_o moral_a cause_n of_o extend_v our_o life_n may_v appear_v to_o be_v true_a from_o common_a experience_n beside_o the_o many_o assertion_n and_o promise_n in_o scripture_n to_o this_o purpose_n first_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o may_v be_v evident_a from_o experience_n by_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o if_o man_n have_v hearken_v to_o noah_n doctrine_n if_o they_o have_v repent_v of_o their_o wickedness_n within_o the_o space_n allow_v to_o they_o they_o have_v not_o perish_v in_o the_o deluge_n of_o water_n of_o repent_v nineveh_n we_o read_v that_o god_n see_v their_o work_n that_o they_o turn_v from_o their_o evil_n may_v &_o god_n repent_v of_o the_o evil_n he_o have_v say_v that_o he_o will_v do_v unto_o they_o and_o he_o do_v it_o not_o jonah_n 3._o 10._o it_o be_v hezekiah_n prayer_n and_o tear_n that_o prolong_v his_o life_n go_v say_v the_o lord_n to_o his_o prophet_n isaiah_n and_o say_v to_o hezekiah_n thus_o say_v the_o lord_n the_o god_n of_o david_n thy_o father_n i_o have_v see_v thy_o tear_n behold_v i_o will_v add_v unto_o thy_o day_n fifteen_o year_n isa_n 3._o 8._o 5._o and_o if_o prayer_n be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v man_n so_o earnest_a in_o their_o sickness_n to_o beg_v the_o prayer_n of_o other_o on_o their_o behalf_n i_o confess_v if_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v fatal_o determine_v our_o prayer_n shall_v be_v very_o needless_a for_o can_v we_o be_v so_o senseless_a as_o to_o imagine_v that_o our_o prayer_n can_v move_v god_n to_o change_v his_o unalterable_a statute_n and_o decree_n but_o beside_o common_a experience_n the_o truth_n of_o this_o be_v likewise_o attest_v by_o plain_a evidence_n from_o scripture_n at_o what_o instant_n i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v a_o nation_n &_o concern_v a_o kingdom_n to_o pluck_v up_o &_o to_o pull_v down_o and_o to_o destroy_v it_o if_o that_o nation_n against_o who_o i_o have_v pronounce_v turn_v from_o their_o evil_n i_o will_v repent_v of_o the_o evil_a that_o i_o think_v to_o do_v unto_o they_o and_o at_o what_o instant_n i_o shall_v speak_v concern_v a_o kingdom_n to_o plant_v it_o if_o it_o do_v evil_a in_o my_o sight_n that_o it_o obey_v not_o my_o voice_n then_o will_v i_o repent_v of_o the_o good_a wherewith_o i_o say_v i_o will_v benefit_v they_o jer._n 11._o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10_o methinks_v this_o be_v so_o plain_a a_o evidnce_n of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o repentance_n that_o no_o reasonable_a man_n can_v have_v any_o doubt_n concern_v it_o but_o alas_o if_o god_n have_v from_o the_o outgoing_n of_o eternity_n fatal_o determine_v the_o destruction_n of_o nation_n and_o kingdom_n by_o a_o absolute_a and_o inconditionate_n decree_n repentance_n can_v never_o alter_v the_o determination_n it_o be_v the_o apostle_n
may_v suppose_v that_o eight_o hundred_o year_n be_v the_o common_a period_n before_o the_o flood_n but_o then_o after_o the_o flood_n the_o mutability_n of_o this_o common_a poriod_n be_v conspicuous_a for_o in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o flood_n it_o be_v cut_v short_a two_o hundred_o year_n and_o in_o the_o next_o three_o succeed_v generation_n it_o be_v abridge_v to_o four_o hundred_o year_n and_o in_o the_o three_o succeed_a age_n to_o the_o former_a it_o be_v reduce_v to_o two_o hundred_o year_n and_o in_o abraham_n time_n it_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v be_v extend_v to_o a_o hundred_o year_n in_o reduce_v the_o life_n of_o mankind_n into_o short_a bound_n now_o than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o world_n the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n do_v very_o plain_o appear_v for_o 1._o although_o it_o be_v true_a that_o sin_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o misery_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o as_o man_n begin_v to_o multiply_v so_o they_o become_v more_o corrupt_v and_o as_o the_o earth_n be_v replenish_v with_o man_n so_o with_o multiply_a misery_n and_o those_o not_o only_o particular_a but_o common_a war_n and_o bloodshed_n slavery_n and_o toil_n pain_n and_o disease_n be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n very_o rare_a and_o singular_a now_o these_o be_v ordinary_a and_o common_a and_o be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o great_a mercy_n that_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n be_v few_o since_o so_o full_a of_o evil_n but_o 2._o if_o man_n live_v as_o long_o now_o as_o in_o the_o first-age_n of_o the_o world_n a_o land_n will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v its_o inhabitant_n and_o this_o be_v a_o far_o great_a inconvenience_n and_o disadvantage_n than_o the_o shorten_n the_o lease_n of_o our_o being_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v extend_v that_o the_o earth_n may_v be_v replenish_v and_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o this_o common_a period_n be_v shorten_v according_a as_o man_n multiply_v i_o confess_v god_n threaten_v to_o destroy_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o a_o land_n for_o their_o transgression_n it_o be_v because_o man_n have_v corrupt_v themselves_o that_o god_n bring_v a_o flood_n of_o water_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o the_o divine_a justice_n be_v accompany_v with_o astonish_a goodness_n for_o he_o do_v not_o as_o just_o he_o may_v have_v instant_o cut_v off_o that_o perverse_a generation_n but_o he_o give_v they_o the_o space_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n to_o repent_v yet_o say_v god_n his_o day_n shall_v be_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n gen._n 6._o 3._o that_o be_v although_o this_o be_v a_o perverse_a and_o corrupt_a generation_n yet_o because_o man_n be_v but_o flesh_n i_o will_v give_v he_o this_o time_n to_o repent_v of_o his_o wickedness_n and_o if_o notwithstanding_o he_o will_v not_o after_o such_o warning_n mend_v his_o manner_n i_o will_v destroy_v he_o i_o know_v many_o learned_a man_n think_v that_o god_n here_o only_o threaten_v to_o shorten_v the_o common_a period_n of_o man_n life_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v contract_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o this_o exposition_n be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o experience_n of_o some_o age_n next_o follow_v the_o flood_n in_o which_o man_n live_v much_o long_o than_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o they_o say_v god_n use_v not_o to_o anticipate_v his_o time_n in_o bring_v judgement_n upon_o a_o nation_n or_o people_n to_o which_o i_o naswer_v it_o be_v very_o true_a but_o methinks_v man_n have_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o present_a case_n god_n anticipate_v the_o time_n in_o bring_v judgement_n upon_o they_o for_o we_o can_v think_v that_o noah_n be_v complete_a five_o hundred_o year_n old_a when_o god_n threaten_v to_o destroy_v the_o world_n and_o indeed_o any_o man_n who_o be_v but_o a_o little_a acquaint_v with_o the_o jewish_a custom_n of_o reckon_n of_o year_n know_v how_o usual_a it_o be_v with_o they_o to_o name_v the_o great_a part_n of_o any_o thing_n for_o the_o whole_a st._n austin_n be_v so_o clear_a in_o this_o i_o will_v rather_o set_v it_o down_o in_o his_o word_n than_o my_o own_o intelligendum_fw-la est_fw-la hoc_fw-la deum_fw-la dixisse_fw-la cum_fw-la circa_fw-la finem_fw-la quingentorum_fw-la annorum_fw-la esset_fw-la noah_n i._n e._n quadragintos_fw-la octoginta_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la annos_fw-la ageret_fw-la quos_fw-la more_fw-it svo_fw-la scriptura_fw-la quingentos_fw-la vocat_fw-la nomine_fw-la totius_fw-la maximam_fw-la partem_fw-la plerumque_fw-la significans_fw-la aug._n the_o civ_o dei_fw-la lib._n 15._o c._n 24._o thus_o much_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o common_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o age_n of_o the_o world_n i_o shall_v now_o add_v a_o little_a concern_v its_o changeableness_n in_o respect_n of_o place_n and_o i_o confess_v in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v so_o variable_a that_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o pitch_v upon_o particular_n only_o in_o the_o general_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o common_a period_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o all_o place_n in_o a_o temperate_a climate_n this_o common_a term_n be_v extend_v but_o where_o there_o be_v a_o excess_n of_o heat_n or_o a_o unconstancy_n of_o the_o weather_n in_o those_o place_n this_o common_a period_n be_v shorten_v but_o pass_v this_o i_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v the_o particular_a period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n there_o be_v two_o way_n it_o be_v common_o take_v 1._o as_o it_o imply_v the_o disunion_n of_o the_o part_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o excess_n of_o some_o one_o quality_n or_o other_o or_o 2_o as_o it_o imply_v the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n whatever_o way_n it_o be_v occasion_v without_o any_o relation_n either_o to_o the_o defect_n or_o excess_n of_o any_o quality_n and_o thus_o the_o learned_a episcopius_n state_n the_o case_n in_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o jo._n beverovicius_n but_o to_o make_v this_o yet_o more_o plain_a i_o shall_v consider_v that_o text_n 1._o sam._n 26._o 10_o as_o the_o lord_n live_v the_o lord_n shall_v smite_v he_o or_o his_o day_n shall_v come_v to_o die_v or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n and_o perish_v though_o david_n be_v anoint_v king_n yet_o he_o dare_v not_o stretch_v forth_o his_o hand_n against_o the_o lord_n anoint_v neither_o will_v he_o permit_v abishai_n who_o inconsiderat_o offer_v to_o do_v it_o know_v none_o can_v do_v so_o and_o be_v guiltless_a therefore_o he_o comfort_v and_o solace_n himself_o with_o this_o consideration_n that_o god_n shall_v rid_v he_o of_o saul_n one_o of_o these_o three_o way_n 1._o by_o smite_v he_o with_o some_o disease_n and_o now_o to_o what_o a_o numberless_a number_n of_o disease_n be_v our_o frail_a nature_n incident_a variety_n of_o malady_n prey_n upon_o frail_a man_n and_o million_o of_o misery_n attend_v he_o the_o pestilence_n walk_v at_o noonday_n and_o the_o air_n which_o he_o breathe_v may_v blow_v out_o the_o spark_n of_o his_o life_n 2._o or_o his_o day_n will_v come_v that_o be_v or_o he_o will_v die_v a_o natural_a death_n now_o saul_n be_v well-stricken_a in_o year_n and_o he_o know_v that_o by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n he_o can_v not_o live_v long_o 3._o or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n &_o perish_v that_o be_v if_o some_o disease_n cut_v he_o not_o off_o or_o if_o his_o day_n come_v not_o yet_o he_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o a_o violent_a death_n or_o he_o shall_v descend_v into_o battle_n sometime_o a_o violent_a death_n be_v pure_o casual_a thus_o it_o be_v with_o those_o eighteen_o upon_o who_o the_o tower_n in_o siloam_n fall_v luke_n 13._o 4_o sometime_o it_o be_v only_o improper_o casual_a as_o when_o one_o of_o two_o equal_o expose_v to_o danger_n be_v only_o kill_v and_o sometime_o it_o be_v only_o and_o proper_o violent_a such_o be_v saul_n death_n such_o be_v achitophel_n and_o haman_n the_o way_n to_o this_o discourse_n in_o hand_n be_v thus_o far_o clear_v i_o shall_v now_o prosecute_v the_o design_n of_o it_o in_o this_o method_n 1._o i_o shall_v set_v down_o those_o erroneous_a opinion_n into_o which_o some_o man_n have_v unhappy_o fall_v in_o their_o enquiry_n for_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o present_a case_n 2._o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o the_o two_o common_a opinion_n that_o offer_v fair_a for_o solve_v this_o doubt_n 3._o i_o shall_v attempt_v a_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n and_o last_o i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o some_o reflection_n upon_o the_o whole_a discourse_n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o those_o erroneus_fw-la sentiment_n some_o man_n have_v unhappy_o embrace_v in_o their_o enquiry_n for_o satisfaction_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o that_o i_o may_v shun_v
external_a power_n in_o act_v they_o and_o with_o this_o consideration_n they_o solace_v themselves_o as_o if_o they_o be_v as_o innocent_a as_o fool_n or_o madman_n be_v but_o let_v no_o man_n deceive_v himself_o in_o argue_v so_o foolish_o the_o apostle_n st._n james_n very_o forcible_o reject_v this_o opinion_n let_v no_o man_n say_v when_o he_o be_v tempt_v i_o be_o tempt_v of_o god_n for_o god_n can_v be_v tempt_v with_o evil_a neither_o tempt_v he_o any_o man_n but_o every_o man_n be_v tempt_v when_o he_o be_v draw_v away_o of_o his_o own_o lust_n and_o entice_v jam._n 2._o 13_o 14._o the_o wise_a man_n in_o his_o sense_n after_o the_o certainty_n of_o thing_n conclude_v his_o seven_o chapter_n of_o the_o book_n of_o ecclesiaste_n thus_o lo_o this_o only_o have_v i_o find_v that_o god_n have_v make_v man_n upright_o but_o they_o have_v seek_v out_o many_o invention_n pray_v then_o let_v we_o reject_v every_o opinion_n that_o teach_v god_n do_v necessitate_v man_n to_o sin_n for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o injurious_a to_o god_n than_o this_o to_o think_v to_o palliate_v the_o business_n by_o say_v god_n be_v under_o no_o law_n be_v but_o a_o lawless_a and_o unreasonable_a pretext_n for_o the_o everlasting_a rectitude_n of_o his_o spotless_a nature_n be_v more_o than_o any_o external_a law_n and_o pray_v what_o can_v truth_n and_o justice_n do_v but_o what_o be_v holy_a and_o just_a the_o distinction_n between_o the_o act_n and_o the_o pravity_n of_o the_o act_n the_o former_a of_o which_o god_n determin_n man_n to_o but_o not_o to_o the_o latter_a be_v as_o vain_a and_o frivolous_a for_o the_o pravity_n of_o every_o wicked_a act_n be_v inseparable_a from_o it_o and_o far_o the_o divine_a command_n particular_o prohibit_v the_o act_n and_o i_o think_v upon_o no_o other_o ground_n but_o because_o the_o formality_n of_o sin_n consist_v in_o the_o act_n itself_o it_o be_v indeed_o strange_a to_o consider_v those_o platonic_a and_o imaginary_a notion_n some_o man_n run_v to_o but_o i_o think_v it_o needless_a to_o take_v a_o particular_a view_n of_o such_o dream_n but_o as_o this_o opinion_n sad_o reflect_v upon_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n so_o it_o be_v high_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o liberty_n of_o man_n will_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o mean_n that_o there_o be_v a_o free_a principle_n in_o man_n be_v so_o plain_a that_o he_o who_o deny_v this_o must_v engage_v himself_o against_o experience_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v no_o man_n who_o do_v wicked_o but_o he_o perceive_v he_o may_v do_v otherwise_o the_o sick_a man_n be_v not_o constrain_v to_o neglect_v the_o mean_n for_o his_o recovery_n neither_o be_v the_o physician_n force_v to_o prescribe_v this_o and_o no_o other_o remedy_n man_n act_v not_o as_o machine_n but_o they_o have_v a_o free_a principle_n whereby_o they_o may_v choose_v what_o they_o think_v be_v best_a and_o most_o convenient_a it_o be_v true_a the_o will_n since_o adam_n fall_n be_v corrupt_v and_o most_o incline_v to_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a but_o yet_o the_o fall_n do_v not_o destroy_v man_n freedom_n it_o make_v no_o physical_a change_n only_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v moral_o vitiate_v and_o corrupt_a but_o if_o the_o will_n be_v physical_o as_o they_o speak_v determine_v ad_fw-la unum_fw-la it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o think_v that_o the_o sick_a person_n who_o neglect_v the_o mean_n can_v do_v otherwise_o and_o alas_o do_v nor_o experience_n convince_v we_o that_o man_n of_o this_o persuasion_n neglect_v the_o use_n of_o lawful_a mean_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v only_o because_o they_o dream_v that_o if_o god_n have_v decree_v that_o they_o shall_v die_v than_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o use_v the_o mean_n and_o if_o god_n have_v determine_v that_o they_o shall_v live_v whether_o they_o use_v or_o neglect_v the_o mean_n they_o shall_v live_v but_o you_o will_v say_v god_n do_v not_o only_o decree_v the_o end_n but_o also_o the_o mean_n i_o answer_v this_o plea_n do_v not_o a_o whit_n diminish_v or_o remove_v the_o difficulty_n since_o they_o suppose_v that_o the_o mean_n be_v as_o absolute_o decree_v as_o the_o end_n which_o quite_o destroy_v the_o liberty_n of_o man_n will_n and_o leave_v no_o place_n for_o any_o choice_n three_o this_o opinion_n leave_v no_o place_n for_o praise_n to_o the_o learned_a physician_n nor_o for_o dispraise_v to_o the_o unskilful_a empiric_n first_o the_o skilful_a physician_n can_v claim_v no_o praise_n for_o although_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o he_o have_v wise_o consider_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o sick_a and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o disease_n though_o he_o have_v prescribe_v apt_a remedy_n and_o in_o all_o thing_n behave_v well_o yet_o since_o he_o do_v no_o other_o thing_n but_o what_o he_o be_v determine_v to_o do_v by_o a_o external_a force_n who_o can_v think_v he_o merit_v any_o praise_n if_o he_o can_v have_v do_v otherwise_o but_o will_v nor_o than_o he_o may_v in_o reason_n claim_v it_o but_o the_o case_n according_a to_o the_o present_a hypothesis_n be_v quite_o opposite_a but_o second_o neither_o can_v we_o in_o reason_n blame_v the_o unskilful_a quack-doctor_n who_o neither_o know_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o disease_n nor_o of_o those_o medicine_n he_o prescribe_v alas_o poor_a man_n do_v no_o more_o than_o what_o he_o be_v force_v to_o do_v and_o he_o can_v not_o do_v otherwise_o why_o then_o shall_v he_o be_v blame_v for_o any_o failure_n or_o mistake_v he_o commit_v foutth_o the_o natural_a and_o genuine_a consequence_n of_o this_o doctrine_n be_v to_o make_v man_n like_o fool_n or_o maâ—d-men_n expose_v themselves_o to_o any_o danger_n for_o instance_n what_o need_v we_o be_v afraid_a to_o run_v upon_o any_o precipice_n if_o god_n have_v determine_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n there_o be_v no_o fear_n to_o encounter_v with_o any_o seem_a danger_n man_n may_v safe_o enough_o leap_v into_o the_o fire_n or_o cast_v themselves_o into_o the_o deep_a for_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v hurt_v or_o perish_v unless_o the_o almighty_a have_v determine_v it_o and_o if_o this_o be_v they_o may_v persuade_v themselves_o they_o can_v not_o do_v otherwise_o for_o the_o decree_n be_v unalterable_a and_o can_v be_v repeal_v nor_o be_v this_o true_a only_a in_o theory_n &_o speculation_n but_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o have_v such_o bad_a effect_n by_o the_o sad_a experience_n of_o poor_a delude_a creature_n alas_o do_v we_o not_o hear_v the_o vulgar_a frequent_o comfort_v any_o who_o be_v in_o trouble_n with_o this_o consideration_n that_o god_n have_v decree_v it_o shall_v be_v so_o if_o these_o person_n do_v only_o mean_a that_o god_n exercise_v a_o special_a providence_n in_o the_o world_n and_o rule_v among_o the_o child_n of_o man_n no_o body_n have_v ever_o blame_v they_o but_o this_o be_v not_o their_o meaning_n for_o they_o plain_o declare_v by_o such_o kind_n of_o speech_n that_o all_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v fatal_o i_o have_v hear_v some_o wretched_a sinner_n who_o have_v commit_v great_a and_o scandalous_a sin_n excuse_v themselves_o by_o say_v they_o be_v decree_v to_o do_v so_o and_o god_n will_n must_v be_v accomplish_v it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o multiply_v many_o absurdity_n which_o flow_v from_o this_o doctrine_n by_o a_o natural_a consequence_n but_o these_o few_o i_o have_v name_v may_v abundant_o satisfy_v every_o consider_a man_n and_o show_v he_o how_o pernicious_a and_o dangerous_a it_o be_v but_o before_o i_o conclude_v i_o shall_v consider_v the_o four_o argument_n i_o mention_v before_o which_o i_o say_v seem_v to_o strengthen_v and_o confirm_v this_o opinion_n as_o first_o there_o be_v many_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o seem_v to_o conclude_v that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v determine_v i_o shall_v mention_v some_o of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a text_n of_o scripture_n bring_v to_o defend_v this_o as_o first_o psal_n 31._o 15._o my_o time_n be_v in_o thy_o hand_n deliver_v i_o from_o the_o hand_n of_o my_o enemy_n from_o hence_o some_o draw_v this_o unexpected_a conclusion_n that_o god_n have_v absolute_o decree_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n now_o i_o think_v no_o consider_v man_n shall_v ever_o have_v guess_v this_o to_o be_v the_o psalmist_n meaning_n for_o the_o text_n only_o hold_v out_o the_o divine_a care_n and_o providence_n whereby_o he_o do_v superintendand_v continue_v every_o individual_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n in_o their_o being_n and_o therefore_o be_v it_o that_o david_n make_v his_o application_n to_o god_n that_o he_o will_v deliver_v he_o from_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o enemy_n which_o methinks_v have_v be_v a_o needless_a petition_n if_o he_o have_v imagine_v that_o god_n have_v absolute_o determine_v the_o period_n of_o his_o life_n second_o
psal_n 39_o 5._o lord_n make_v i_o to_o know_v my_o end_n &_o the_o measure_n of_o my_o day_n what_o it_o be_v that_o i_o may_v know_v how_o frail_a i_o be_o this_o place_n be_v strange_o bring_v to_o confirm_v the_o former_a opinion_n for_o the_o psalmist_n do_v not_o desire_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o period_n of_o his_o life_n he_o do_v not_o ask_v when_o he_o shall_v die_v only_o he_o beg_v the_o divine_a aid_n and_o assistance_n that_o he_o may_v wise_o improve_v the_o short_a time_n he_o have_v to_o live_v i_o can_v stand_v to_o consider_v such_o text_n of_o scripture_n as_o these_o which_o be_v no_o way_n acquaint_v with_o the_o doctrine_n they_o be_v bring_v to_o defend_v there_o be_v only_o one_o text_n that_o seem_v to_o favour_v this_o opinion_n viz._n job_n 14._o 5._o see_v his_o day_n be_v determine_v the_o number_n of_o his_o month_n be_v with_o thou_o thou_o have_v appoint_v his_o bond_n that_o he_o can_v pass_v but_o i_o have_v consider_v this_o all_o along_o in_o this_o discourse_n i_o confess_v some_o in_o return_n to_o this_o say_v that_o all_o job_n word_n be_v not_o approve_v of_o god_n therefore_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conclude_v any_o thing_n from_o they_o but_o this_o be_v a_o very_a insufficient_a answer_n that_o which_o satisfi_v i_o be_v this_o that_o job_n here_o only_o say_v that_o our_o day_n be_v determine_v but_o he_o speak_v nothing_o how_o they_o be_v determine_v now_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v determine_v i_o have_v already_o consider_v second_o there_o be_v many_o example_n in_o scripture_n which_o show_v that_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v bound_v and_o limit_v by_o a_o absolute_a decree_n the_o most_o remarkable_a be_v that_o act._n 4._o 28._o both_o herod_n and_o pontius_n pilate_n with_o the_o gentile_n &_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v gather_v together_o for_o to_o do_v whatsoever_o thy_o hand_n &_o thy_o counsel_n determine_v before_o to_o be_v do_v the_o scribe_n &_o pharisees_n frequent_o stir_v up_o the_o multitude_n to_o lay_v hand_n upon_o christ_n but_o their_o endeavour_n be_v always_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o the_o account_n the_o scripture_n give_v for_o this_o be_v because_o his_o hout_n be_v not_o come_v in_o return_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o when_o we_o say_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n may_v be_v extend_v or_o shorten_v the_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o it_o can_v be_v otherwise_o we_o never_o doubt_v but_o the_o great_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n may_v make_v what_o reserve_v case_n he_o please_v from_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n and_o no_o wonder_n though_o the_o present_a case_n which_o be_v upon_o all_o account_n so_o extraordinary_a be_v exempt_a from_o the_o general_a rule_n and_o for_o such_o exempt_a case_n to_o which_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v allowance_n make_v no_o reasonable_a man_n can_v think_v they_o do_v any_o prejudce_n to_o the_o thing_n i_o have_v be_v prove_v three_o it_o be_v a_o common_a opinion_n that_o the_o futurition_n of_o thing_n depend_v only_o upon_o the_o divine_a will_n antecedent_o to_o which_o thing_n be_v only_o possible_a in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o easy_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o come_v to_o pass_v contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a will_n the_o most_o criminal_a action_n be_v order_v by_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o permit_v to_o be_v but_o yet_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o he_o decree_v every_o future_a action_n else_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o vindicate_v the_o holiness_n of_o god_n upon_o which_o consideration_n many_o learned_a man_n have_v be_v induce_v to_o deny_v god_n immediate_a concur_v with_o the_o creature_n in_o all_o its_o operation_n and_o yet_o we_o need_v not_o run_v ourselves_o upon_o this_o rock_n for_o we_o may_v safe_o enough_o maintain_v that_o the_o divine_a will_n be_v immediate_o efficatious_a for_o god_n who_o create_v man_n with_o a_o freedom_n of_o will_n design_v that_o he_o shall_v act_v without_o constraint_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n act_v free_o be_v because_o god_n will_v man_n to_o act_v so_o which_o plain_o discover_v that_o the_o most_o contingent_a action_n depend_v immediate_o upon_o the_o divine_a will_n four_o we_o can_v never_o give_v a_o rational_a nor_o satisfy_v account_n how_o the_o divine_a knowledge_n concern_v the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v infallible_a &_o certain_a if_o it_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o the_o sure_a basis_n of_o a_o absolute_a decree_n this_o object_n i_o have_v partly_o remove_v already_o while_o i_o show_v that_o god_n know_v whatsoever_o be_v true_a because_o his_o cognisance_n be_v infinite_a wherefore_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o think_v that_o god_n can_v not_o have_v a_o perfect_a comprehension_n of_o thing_n if_o he_o have_v not_o decree_v they_o absolute_o now_o to_o make_v this_o yet_o more_o plain_a i_o shall_v prove_v by_o instance_n from_o scripture_n that_o god_n have_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o never_o decree_v as_o absolute_o future_a and_o first_o it_o be_v a_o very_a remarkable_a instance_n which_o we_o have_v 1_o sam._n 23._o 11_o 12._o where_o david_n hear_v that_o saul_n be_v to_o come_v to_o keilah_n he_o earnest_o beseech_v god_n to_o tell_v he_o if_o the_o man_n of_o keilah_n will_v deliver_v he_o and_o his_o man_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o saul_n and_o if_o saul_n will_v come_v down_o to_o both_o which_o he_o get_v this_o answer_n that_o saul_n will_v come_v down_o and_o that_o the_o keilite_n will_v deliver_v he_o up_o and_o yet_o the_o event_n show_v that_o none_o of_o those_o come_v to_o pass_v because_o the_o fulfil_n of_o both_o do_v depend_v upon_o david_n stay_v in_o keilah_n and_o yet_o god_n certain_o know_v that_o if_o david_n have_v not_o depart_v from_o keilah_n they_o shall_v have_v deliver_v he_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o saul_n and_o far_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o david_n be_v not_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o present_a propension_n and_o inclination_n of_o the_o keilite_n but_o what_o shall_v be_v the_o event_n of_o his_o stay_n and_o according_o he_o receive_v a_o answer_n from_o god_n another_o instance_n we_o have_v 2_o king_n 13._o 19_o where_o elisha_n the_o prophet_n be_v very_o wroth_a with_o joash_n king_n of_o israel_n because_o he_o do_v not_o smite_v upon_o the_o ground_n five_o or_o six_o time_n and_o the_o reason_n the_o prophet_n add_v be_v for_o then_o have_v thou_o smite_v syria_n till_o thou_o have_v consume_v it_o which_o make_v it_o as_o evident_a as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v that_o god_n foreknow_v that_o joash_n shall_v have_v smite_v syria_n till_o he_o have_v consume_v it_o if_o he_o have_v smite_v upon_o the_o ground_n five_o or_o six_o time_n it_o be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o prove_v this_o by_o a_o multtude_n of_o instance_n from_o scripture_n but_o i_o think_v i_o need_v add_v no_o more_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o consider_v man_n and_o for_o other_o a_o million_o of_o demonstration_n will_v be_v urge_v to_o no_o purpose_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o second_o thing_n i_o propose_v that_o god_n have_v not_o by_o any_o absolute_a or_o inconditionate_n decree_v fatal_o determine_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o three_o thing_n propose_v namely_o whether_o the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v mutable_a and_o before_o i_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v so_o i_o must_v premise_v two_o caution_n first_o when_o we_o say_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v mutable_a we_o mean_v no_o more_o but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v shorten_v by_o our_o intemperance_n or_o neglect_v of_o the_o mean_n and_o be_v extend_v by_o our_o good_a managery_n and_o religious_a manner_n of_o live_v second_o when_o i_o say_v the_o period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n be_v movable_a the_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_o so_o and_o that_o it_o can_v be_v otherwise_o for_o this_o will_v not_o be_v consistent_a with_o our_o dependent_a condition_n therefore_o there_o be_v allowance_n to_o be_v make_v to_o extraordinary_a case_n the_o act_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o government_n of_o humane_a affair_n be_v sometime_o extraordinary_a and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o make_v what_o reserve_v case_n he_o think_v fit_a from_o the_o general_a rule_n yet_o for_o ordinary_a the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v mutable_a and_o god_n do_v not_o exclude_v the_o power_n of_o second_o cause_n in_o govern_v the_o world_n these_o thing_n be_v premise_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o offer_v such_o