psa_n 119.165_o that_o nothing_o shall_v offend_v they_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o offend_v a_o godly_a man_n but_o what_o he_o see_v do_v against_o god_n and_o wherewith_o god_n be_v offend_v but_o nothing_o do_v offend_v he_o in_o relation_n to_o god_n deal_v with_o he_o let_v the_o dispensation_n be_v never_o so_o sad_a he_o can_v bid_v it_o welcome_n welcome_o loss_n of_o friend_n welcome_a loss_n of_o good_n welcome_a loss_n of_o liberty_n welcome_a death_n itself_o and_o upon_o this_o account_n he_o do_v it_o that_o whatsoever_o come_v be_v of_o god_n send_v and_o be_v what_o he_o expect_v and_o therefore_o bid_v all_o welcome_a this_o say_v he_o god_n send_v and_o this_o be_v that_o i_o look_v for_o therefore_o welcome_a and_o bless_v be_v the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o that_o make_v man_n fret_v and_o vex_v and_o trouble_v themselves_o when_o trouble_n fall_v on_o they_o be_v this_o that_o by_o these_o cross_a providence_n their_o expectation_n be_v cross_v this_o they_o look_v not_o for_o this_o be_v that_o they_o dream_v not_o of_o they_o look_v for_o good_a but_o behold_v evil_a they_o look_v for_o peace_n but_o behold_v trouble_n they_o look_v for_o light_n but_o behold_v darkness_n let_v i_o tell_v you_o christian_n this_o be_v one_o great_a thing_n that_o will_v help_v to_o quiet_v your_o spirit_n in_o a_o day_n of_o evil_n that_o nothing_o have_v befall_v you_o but_o what_o you_o foresee_v and_o expect_v you_o read_v what_o answer_n elisha_n return_v to_o the_o son_n of_o the_o prophet_n at_o bethel_n and_o jericho_n 2_o king_n 2.3_o 5._o who_o say_v know_v thou_o that_o the_o lord_n will_v take_v away_o thy_o master_n from_o thy_o head_n to_o day_n his_o answer_n be_v yea_o i_o know_v it_o hold_v you_o your_o peace_n so_o it_o shall_v be_v with_o christian_n when_o time_n of_o trouble_n come_v they_o shall_v be_v ready_a to_o give_v this_o answer_n when_o they_o be_v ask_v do_v you_o know_v of_o this_o trouble_n and_o difficulty_n do_v you_o know_v of_o these_o affliction_n and_o persecution_n yea_o we_o know_v all_o this_o and_o be_v at_o peace_n within_o ourselves_o therefore_o hold_v you_o your_o peace_n we_o read_v of_o latimer_n three_o petition_n that_o god_n will_v bring_v the_o lady_n elizabeth_n to_o the_o crown_n that_o god_n will_v once_o more_o restore_v the_o gospel_n to_o this_o english_a nation_n and_o that_o god_n will_v give_v he_o to_o seal_v the_o gospel_n with_o his_o blood_n he_o be_v hear_v in_o all_o these_o and_o the_o last_o speak_v what_o he_o do_v expect_v that_o it_o will_v come_v to_o resist_v to_o blood_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v call_v to_o seal_v the_o gospel_n with_o his_o blood_n let_v i_o tell_v you_o as_o christian_n in_o a_o night_n of_o trouble_n espy_v day_n at_o a_o little_a hole_n by_o the_o eye_n of_o faith_n so_o in_o a_o day_n and_o a_o seem_a noontide_a of_o peace_n and_o prosperity_n they_o foresee_v a_o stormy_a night_n of_o trouble_n approach_v when_o it_o may_v be_v the_o cloud_n arise_v be_v but_o like_o elisha_n no_o big_a than_o a_o man_n hand_n nine_o not_o put_v case_n of_o difficulty_n to_o ourselves_o will_v make_v we_o double_o miserable_a when_o the_o difficulty_n and_o affliction_n come_v this_o be_v a_o double_a misery_n to_o fall_v into_o trouble_n and_o to_o fall_v into_o trouble_n unthought_a of_o and_o for_o which_o we_o be_v not_o at_o all_o provide_v it_o be_v sad_a at_o any_o time_n for_o a_o man_n to_o meet_v with_o a_o storm_n but_o for_o a_o man_n to_o meet_v with_o a_o storm_n when_o he_o be_v naked_a and_o altogether_o unprovided_a for_o a_o storm_n this_o make_v it_o sad_a indeed_o remember_v christian_n you_o be_v not_o to_o pray_v absolute_o against_o affliction_n but_o you_o may_v lawful_o pray_v absolute_o against_o be_v surprise_v by_o they_o so_o as_o to_o be_v make_v double_o miserable_a let_v this_o be_v your_o prayer_n that_o if_o ever_o god_n bring_v you_o into_o darkness_n he_o will_v be_v a_o light_n about_o you_o if_o ever_o he_o put_v you_o into_o the_o furnace_n he_o will_v stand_v by_o while_o you_o melt_v christian_n pray_v that_o you_o may_v never_o be_v lead_v into_o any_o temptation_n out_o of_o which_o god_n will_v not_o again_o bring_v you_o and_o that_o god_n will_v bring_v you_o into_o no_o affliction_n under_o which_o he_o will_v not_o support_v you_o finis_fw-la
the_o doctrine_n of_o self-posing_a or_o a_o christian_n duty_n of_o put_v case_n of_o difficulty_n to_o himself_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o some_o sermon_n preach_v at_o vpton_n upon_o seavern_n in_o the_o county_n of_o worcester_n by_o b._n baxter_n late_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n there_o but_o now_o remove_v act_n 20.24_o but_o none_o of_o these_o thing_n move_v i_o psal_n 4.4_o commune_fw-la with_o your_o own_o heart_n upon_o your_o bed_n london_n print_v for_o peter_n parker_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shop_n under_o creed-church_n near_o aldgate_n 1666._o to_o my_o much_o honour_a brother_n mr._n anthony_n nicholett_n of_o london_n merchant_n sir_n the_o psalmist_n speak_v of_o those_o that_o go_v down_o to_o the_o sea_n in_o ship_n that_o they_o not_o only_o see_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o wonder_n in_o the_o deep_a psalm_n 107.23_o 24._o but_o also_o that_o they_o meet_v with_o danger_n and_o difficulty_n in_o that_o deep_a as_o they_o see_v something_o that_o cause_v wonder_n and_o admiration_n so_o also_o something_o that_o cause_v fear_n and_o consternation_n st_o paul_n speak_v of_o his_o peril_n in_o the_o sea_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o say_n of_o one_o qui_fw-la nescit_fw-la orare_fw-la discat_fw-la navigare_fw-la thereby_o intimate_v that_o at_o sea_n man_n shall_v meet_v with_o such_o danger_n and_o difficulty_n that_o will_v put_v they_o upon_o cry_v every_o man_n to_o his_o god_n as_o it_o do_v those_o mariner_n jon._n 1.5_o danger_n i_o know_v you_o meet_v with_o at_o sea_n and_o although_o you_o be_v safe_o arrive_v here_o yet_o danger_n and_o difficulty_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v you_o and_o all_o christian_n while_o on_o this_o side_n heaven_n be_v still_o upon_o a_o sea_n so_o be_v this_o world_n say_v to_o be_v rev._n 15.9_o a_o sea_n of_o glass_n mingle_v with_o fire_n sir_n i_o present_v you_o with_o this_o small_a tract_n the_o scope_n of_o which_o be_v to_o teach_v you_o and_o all_o christian_n the_o art_n of_o bear_v trouble_n without_o much_o trouble_v of_o themselves_o it_o be_v only_o to_o show_v we_o if_o we_o must_v fall_v into_o trouble_n how_o to_o make_v our_o fall_n the_o easy_a viz._n forward_a and_o not_o backward_o into_o trouble_n foresee_v and_o not_o into_o trouble_n that_o be_v not_o forethought_a and_o this_o be_v by_o put_v case_n of_o difficulty_n to_o ourselves_o till_o god_n bring_v we_o to_o our_o desire_a haven_n which_o be_v heaven_n so_o wish_v you_o all_o happiness_n temporal_a but_o especial_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a i_o be_o your_o most_o affectionate_a brother_n ben._n baxter_n to_o the_o reader_n reader_n the_o reverend_a author_n and_o my_o special_a friend_n and_o late_o my_o neighbour_n minister_n in_o that_o country_n where_o we_o be_v both_o cast_v out_o here_o commend_v to_o thou_o a_o duty_n so_o agreeable_a to_o thy_o rational_a nature_n and_o thy_o christian_n profession_n and_o so_o much_o tend_v to_o thy_o safety_n peace_n and_o comfort_n that_o i_o may_v suppose_v it_o have_v thy_o approbation_n and_o therefore_o thou_o be_v the_o more_o to_o be_v blame_v if_o it_o have_v not_o thy_o practice_n foresight_n by_o reason_n upon_o natural_a proof_n be_v it_o that_o difference_v a_o wise_a man_n from_o a_o fool_n if_o not_o a_o man_n from_o a_o brute_n foresight_n by_o faith_n upon_o supernatural-revelation_n be_v much_o of_o the_o difference_n between_o a_o christian_a and_o a_o infidel_n he_o that_o forsee_v not_o the_o good_a that_o be_v attaineable_a will_v never_o seek_v it_o and_o he_o that_o forsee_v not_o the_o evil_a that_o may_v come_v will_v not_o prevent_v it_o and_o he_o that_o forsee_v not_o the_o evil_a that_o will_v come_v will_v not_o be_v prepare_v so_o to_o entertain_v it_o as_o may_v preserve_v he_o from_o the_o malignity_n and_o turn_v it_o to_o his_o advantage_n most_o of_o our_o suffering_n be_v matter_n of_o great_a temptation_n to_o we_o and_o call_v we_o to_o great_a duty_n and_o both_o require_v serious_a preparation_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o temptation_n that_o prevail_v notable_o against_o we_o but_o upon_o review_v we_o may_v observe_v where_o our_o cautelous_a foresight_n may_v have_v prevent_v it_o and_o scarce_o a_o duty_n that_o we_o neglect_v but_o we_o be_v force_v upon_o review_n to_o blame_v our_o neglect_n of_o prevision_n and_o preparation_n we_o seldom_o do_v any_o great_a work_n aright_o upon_o the_o sudden_a and_o seldom_o well_o escape_v a_o enemy_n that_o surprise_v we_o unexpected_o or_o a_o snare_n that_o we_o do_v not_o foresee_v or_o fear_v but_o we_o must_v see_v that_o we_o put_v case_n but_o as_o they_o be_v and_o that_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o foresee_v that_o which_o be_v no_o the_o object_n of_o foresight_n and_o that_o we_o understand_v the_o right_a use_n of_o such_o pre-vision_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n that_o will_v certain_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o be_v foresee_v because_o they_o concern_v we_o not_o or_o call_v not_o for_o our_o duty_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n that_o will_v certain_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o the_o foresight_n of_o they_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n as_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n the_o day_n of_o judgement_n the_o salvation_n of_o the_o sanctify_a and_o the_o damnation_n of_o all_o that_o die_v in_o a_o unsanctified_a state_n here_o be_v the_o great_a case_n to_o be_v put_v be_o i_o ready_a to_o die_v or_o to_o give_v up_o my_o account_n what_o if_o this_o night_n my_o soul_n be_v require_v be_o i_o assure_v of_o my_o salvation_n or_o not_o and_o here_o be_v the_o necessary_a resolution_n to_o be_v make_v as_o ever_o we_o will_v see_v the_o lord_n with_o comfort_n viz._n i_o be_o resolve_v in_o the_o strength_n of_o grace_n to_o be_v a_o new_a creature_n and_o to_o redeem_v my_o time_n and_o spare_v no_o care_n or_o pain_n or_o cost_n for_o my_o salvation_n for_o want_v of_o put_v these_o certain_a necessary_a case_n and_o take_v up_o these_o necessary_a resolution_n it_o be_v that_o so_o many_o thousand_o perish_v but_o there_o be_v also_o some_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o we_o of_o uncertain_a futurition_n that_o be_v but_o possible_a or_o probable_a as_o to_o our_o foreknowledge_n to_o conclude_v that_o such_o thing_n will_v come_v to_o pass_v be_v error_n and_o not_o duty_n but_o to_o conclude_v that_o they_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v or_o that_o they_o be_v likely_a so_o to_o do_v be_v our_o duty_n in_o case_n they_o be_v matter_n that_o call_v for_o our_o pre-vision_n &_o preparation_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o miscarriage_n be_v in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o false_a state_v of_o such_o case_n some_o that_o have_v not_o light_a enough_o to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o their_o darkness_n nor_o humility_n enough_o to_o save_v they_o from_o overvalue_v their_o understanding_n or_o conceit_n be_v put_v their_o uncertain_a exposition_n of_o some_o obscure_a scripture_n prophecy_n of_o daniel_n the_o revelation_n etc._n etc._n among_o the_o article_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o thence_o take_v up_o resolution_n for_o practice_n and_o take_v the_o rule_n for_o the_o order_n of_o their_o other_o epinion_n and_o their_o life_n and_o so_o they_o must_v find_v at_o last_o that_o they_o have_v err_v in_o that_o exposition_n at_o the_o dear_a rate_n of_o find_v also_o that_o thence_o they_o have_v err_v in_o much_o of_o the_o great_a action_n of_o their_o conversation_n some_o be_v presume_v groundless_o to_o conclude_v that_o the_o time_n will_v be_v good_a or_o that_o they_o will_v be_v evil_a that_o we_o shall_v have_v prosperity_n or_o we_o shall_v have_v persecution_n and_o how_o long_o these_o be_v like_a to_o continue_v and_o what_o will_v come_v next_o what_o party_n will_v stand_v and_o what_o will_v rise_v and_o what_o will_v fall_v and_z according_o they_o resolve_v and_o practice_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o in_o much_o of_o their_o deportment_n unto_o man_n when_o faith_n shall_v tell_v they_o and_o late_a experience_n will_v tell_v they_o if_o faith_n do_v not_o that_o it_o be_v wise_a not_o to_o be_v wise_a above_o what_o be_v write_v nor_o to_o feign_v our_o uncertain_a conjecture_n to_o be_v certainty_n nor_o to_o be_v too_o busy_a about_o god_n part_n what_o shall_v or_o shall_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v when_o we_o shall_v be_v employ_v about_o our_o own_o part_n even_o our_o certain_a duty_n and_o shall_v leave_v matter_n of_o future_a event_n more_o to_o god_n and_o that_o thing_n reveal_v belong_v to_o we_o &_o secret_a thing_n be_v reserve_v unto_o he_o deut._n 29.29_o and_o that_o the_o law_n and_o testimony_n be_v indeed_o our_o rule_n some_o out_o of_o melancholy_a fearfulness_n or_o unbeleif_n be_v always_o perplex_v themselves_o with_o supposition_n of_o thing_n that_o will_v never_o
come_v to_o pass_v and_o say_v what_o if_o this_o shall_v befall_v i_o and_o what_o if_o that_o shall_v overtake_v i_o what_o if_o this_o friend_n shall_v suffer_v or_o the_o other_o friend_n be_v take_v from_o i_o what_o if_o i_o be_v cast_v into_o poverty_n or_o prison_n or_o call_v to_o bear_v witness_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o christ_n or_o to_o suffer_v death_n for_o he_o and_o they_o put_v such_o ease_v only_o to_o disquiet_v and_o torment_v themselves_o and_o gratify_v their_o mis-giving_a and_o distrustful_a heart_n and_o not_o quiet_o to_o resolve_v &_o make_v their_o preparation_n and_o thus_o they_o fill_v their_o mind_n and_o life_n with_o self-created_n trouble_v that_o be_v make_v of_o nothing_o but_o spin_a out_o of_o their_o own_o deprave_a imagination_n and_o if_o they_o can_v but_o say_v such_o a_o evil_n be_v possible_a or_o that_o one_o of_o a_o thousand_o or_o ten_o thousand_o have_v be_v overtake_v by_o the_o like_a they_o afflict_v themselves_o more_o about_o it_o than_o they_o shall_v do_v if_o it_o be_v probable_a and_o if_o it_o be_v probable_a they_o be_v more_o trouble_v about_o it_o than_o they_o shall_v be_v if_o it_o be_v certain_a and_o when_o experience_n have_v tell_v they_o that_o most_o of_o their_o fear_n be_v from_o vain_a imagination_n and_o few_o thing_n that_o they_o fear_v come_v to_o pass_v yet_o take_v they_o no_o warning_n &_o be_v not_o ashamed_a that_o they_o have_v so_o long_o torment_v themselves_o with_o dream_n but_o go_v on_o as_o if_o they_o have_v never_o have_v experience_n of_o their_o own_o mistake_n this_o be_v not_o the_o put_n of_o case_n that_o the_o reverend_a author_n here_o invit_v you_o to_o but_o there_o be_v too_o many_o that_o err_v on_o the_o contrary_a more_o dangerous_a though_o less_o trouble_v extreme_a that_o will_v not_o see_v the_o snare_n till_o they_o be_v take_v in_o it_o nor_o the_o trouble_n till_o it_o be_v upon_o they_o nor_o take_v the_o alarm_n till_o the_o enemy_n be_v within_o the_o gate_n nor_o buy_v oil_n for_o their_o lamp_n till_o the_o bridegroom_n be_v at_o the_o door_n and_o so_o must_v be_v take_v unprepared_a and_o in_o vain_a cry_n lord_n open_a to_o we_o when_o the_o door_n be_v shut_v or_o in_o case_n of_o temporal_a affliction_n they_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o due_a provision_n when_o its_o time_n to_o use_v they_o and_o thus_o when_o a_o prudent_a man_n forsee_v the_o evil_a and_o hide_v himself_o the_o simple_a pass_v on_o and_o be_v punish_v prov._n 22.3_o &_o 27.12_o these_o be_v the_o man_n that_o be_v startle_v at_o difficulty_n when_o they_o occur_v and_o look_v so_o strange_o and_o timorous_o at_o the_o cross_n because_o indeed_o they_o never_o do_v expect_v it_o but_o give_v up_o their_o name_n to_o christ_n upon_o supposition_n that_o he_o will_v be_v better_o to_o they_o than_o his_o word_n they_o can_v endure_v to_o read_v or_o hear_v of_o the_o cross_n but_o never_o believe_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v put_v to_o take_v it_o up_o indeed_o nor_o call_v to_o the_o trial_n of_o part_v with_o all_o if_o they_o will_v have_v a_o treasure_n in_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o they_o go_v away_o sorrowful_a when_o they_o find_v they_o can_v serve_v god_n and_o mammon_n and_o secure_v the_o world_n &_o then_o have_v heaven_n as_o a_o reserve_v when_o they_o can_v keep_v the_o world_n no_o long_o luke_n 18.22_o 23._o and_o many_o of_o god_n servant_n be_v so_o little_a serious_a in_o their_o expectation_n of_o suffering_n personal_a or_o common_a as_o that_o they_o think_v they_o strange_a as_o if_o some_o strange_a thing_n happen_v to_o they_o and_o look_v on_o they_o with_o a_o sad_a face_n &_o speak_v of_o they_o with_o much_o sad_a language_n than_o beseem_v believer_n that_o by_o covenant_n renounce_v the_o world_n and_o flesh_n as_o expect_v to_o suffer_v with_o christ_n that_o they_o may_v reign_v with_o he_o and_o shall_v rejoice_v that_o they_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n that_o when_o his_o glory_n be_v reveal_v they_o may_v be_v glad_a also_o with_o exceed_a joy_n 1_o pet._n 4.12_o 13._o matth._n 5.11_o 12._o rom._n 8.17_o 18._o but_o i_o will_v not_o anticipate_v the_o discourse_n which_o here_o fullier_n acquaint_v thou_o with_o these_o needful_a truth_n but_o commend_v it_o to_o thy_o read_n and_o obedience_n as_o very_o useful_a to_o man_n that_o be_v bear_v to_o trouble_v and_o to_o christian_n that_o look_v through_o many_o tribulation_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n act_v 14.22_o job_n 5.6_o &_o 14.1_o the_o lord_n bless_v it_o to_o thy_o spiritual_a confirmation_n which_o be_v the_o end_n of_o his_o recommendation_n who_o desire_v to_o be_v a_o helper_n of_o thy_o faith_n and_o joy_n rich._n baxter_n may_v 13._o 1661._o the_o content_n text_n hab._n 3.17_o 18._o the_o chapter_n be_v a_o prayer_n wherein_o you_o have_v 1._o the_o preface_n 2._o the_o prayer_n itself_o 3._o the_o conclusion_n the_o text_n be_v part_n of_o the_o 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of_o the_o faithful_a in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n and_o affliction_n it_o be_v for_o this_o end_n compose_v that_o by_o their_o mediate_a of_o god_n former_a mercy_n and_o that_o power_n he_o have_v show_v in_o deliver_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n they_o may_v be_v encourage_v to_o wait_v upon_o god_n for_o dehverance_n out_o of_o babylon_n verse_n 1._o it_o be_v call_v a_o prayer_n of_o habbakuk_n upon_o sigionoth_n the_o old_a translation_n render_v it_o for_o the_o ignorances_n expositor_n differ_v about_o it_o first_o some_o take_v it_o to_o signify_v the_o ignorances_n and_n error_n of_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n so_o he_o pray_v that_o god_n will_v not_o impute_v they_o that_o he_o will_v not_o remember_v they_o in_o this_o day_n of_o their_o captivity_n second_o other_o by_o sigionoth_n understand_v a_o musical_a instrument_n so_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o title_n of_o psal_n 7._o understand_v by_o most_o expositor_n and_o so_o this_o prayer_n be_v compose_v 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livelihood_n loss_n of_o liberty_n loss_n of_o credit_n and_o in_o a_o word_n loss_n of_o every_o outward_a enjoyment_n that_o be_v comfortable_a these_o be_v privative_a evil_n second_o evil_n positive_a which_o stand_v and_o consist_v in_o the_o sense_n and_o feel_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v troublesome_a to_o our_o nature_n and_o bitter_a to_o our_o spirit_n as_o hunger_n thirst_n nakedness_n poverty_n imprisonment_n banishment_n shame_n and_o reproach_n these_o our_o nature_n account_v difficulty_n and_o hard_a and_o bitter_a thing_n thus_o for_o the_o difficulty_n that_o concern_v we_o as_o man_n it_o be_v the_o fay_n job_n 5.7_o that_o man_n be_v bear_v to_o trouble_n second_o there_o be_v difficulty_n that_o concern_v we_o as_o christian_n difficulty_n which_o attend_v our_o profession_n and_o our_o grace_n which_o make_v the_o exercise_v of_o they_o hard_o and_o difficult_a so_o i_o shall_v name_v seven_o there_o be_v the_o difficulty_n of_o 1._o faith_n 2._o hope_n 3._o joy_n 4._o sincerity_n 5._o obedience_n 6._o patience_n 7._o dependency_n first_o faith_n have_v its_o difficulty_n luther_n speak_v of_o three_o difficulty_n of_o faith_n 1._o credere_fw-la impossibilia_fw-la rationi_fw-la to_o believe_v thing_n seem_o impossible_a to_o reason_n 2._o sperare_fw-la dilata_fw-la to_o hope_v for_o thing_n that_o be_v defer_v and_o not_o yet_o see_v 3._o amare_fw-la deum_fw-la cum_fw-la se_fw-la praebet_fw-la inimicum_fw-la to_o love_n god_n when_o he_o seem_v a_o enemy_n those_o be_v the_o difficulty_n in_o relation_n to_o faith_n that_o make_v believe_v hard_o as_o that_o abraham_n shall_v have_v a_o son_n when_o he_o be_v so_o old_a and_o his_o wife_n old_a also_o that_o abraham_n shall_v kill_v his_o son_n and_o yet_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v make_v his_o seed_n as_o the_o star_n of_o heaven_n for_o number_n these_o be_v difficulty_n of_o faith_n for_o a_o christian_n to_o believe_v that_o god_n love_v he_o when_o he_o afflict_v he_o when_o 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a_o christian_n hope_v three_o joy_n have_v its_o difficulty_n the_o apostle_n say_v rejoice_v always_o phil._n 4_o 4._o and_o yet_o at_o some_o time_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n that_o make_v it_o hard_o for_o a_o christian_n to_o rejoice_v to_o lose_v friend_n to_o want_v outward_a comfort_n to_o want_v liberty_n to_o suffer_v banishment_n imprisonment_n spoil_v of_o good_n yea_o loss_n of_o life_n itself_o and_o yet_o rejoice_v this_o be_v hard_a and_o these_o be_v some_o of_o the_o difficulty_n that_o attend_v christian_a joy_n four_o christian_n sincerity_n have_v its_o difficulty_n there_o be_v those_o thing_n that_o make_v it_o hard_o for_o a_o christian_n to_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n to_o live_v in_o evil_a time_n and_o among_o a_o wicked_a generation_n and_o yet_o for_o a_o christian_n to_o hold_v his_o integrity_n to_o suffer_v for_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o yet_o to_o keep_v a_o good_a
with_o we_o than_o against_o we_o he_o see_v more_o power_n in_o god_n to_o help_v than_o in_o the_o enemy_n to_o hurt_v thus_o christian_n must_v see_v their_o consolation_n to_o be_v above_o their_o tribulation_n and_o their_o encouragement_n to_o surmount_v all_o discouragement_n they_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o furnish_v themselves_o with_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o goodness_n and_o power_n and_o all-sufficiency_n etc._n etc._n of_o god_n 2._o the_o particular_a direction_n first_o be_v not_o overhasty_a in_o your_o resolution_n let_v there_o be_v a_o thorough_a and_o serious_a consideration_n of_o difficulty_n before_o you_o come_v to_o resolution_n take_v the_o counsel_n of_o our_o saviour_n luke_n 14.28_o concern_v building_n and_o go_v to_o war_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o sit_v down_o first_o to_o consider_v whether_o one_o be_v able_a to_o build_v such_o a_o house_n and_o to_o manage_v such_o a_o war_n this_o be_v peter_n oversight_n 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the_o lord_n so_o christian_n may_v make_v preparation_n for_o suffering_n by_o way_n of_o resolution_n but_o they_o be_v to_o remember_v that_o strength_n to_o perform_v they_o be_v from_o god_n how_o many_o be_v there_o that_o have_v go_v forth_o in_o their_o own_o strength_n that_o have_v fall_v before_o the_o tempter_n and_o return_v ashamed_a christian_n it_o be_v good_a for_o you_o when_o either_o you_o put_v case_n of_o difficulty_n to_o yourselves_o or_o see_v difficulty_n approach_v to_o draw_v near_o to_o god_n and_o to_o set_v the_o lord_n always_o before_o you_o david_n as_o a_o type_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n peter_n in_o his_o sermon_n act_v 2.25_o say_v he_o speak_v it_o concern_v christ_n i_o have_v set_v the_o lord_n always_o before_o i_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o if_o christ_n do_v set_v the_o lord_n always_o before_o he_o to_o keep_v or_o over-awe_n his_o heart_n from_o sin_n he_o be_v infinite_o above_o that_o but_o it_o be_v to_o 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say_v in_o their_o prosperity_n their_o mountain_n be_v strong_a and_o can_v not_o be_v move_v and_o as_o babylon_n in_o the_o height_n of_o her_o pomp_n say_v i_o sit_v as_o a_o queen_n and_o shall_v never_o be_v remove_v but_o christian_n know_v all_o worldly_a condition_n be_v mutable_a there_o be_v a_o expression_n of_o solomon_n eccl._n 7.14_o that_o god_n have_v set_v prosperity_n and_o adversity_n one_o over_o against_o the_o other_o thus_o god_n be_v please_v to_o set_v the_o mountain_n and_o valley_n together_o that_o when_o a_o man_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o top_n of_o a_o mountain_n of_o honour_n and_o wealth_n and_o all_o that_o the_o world_n can_v bestow_v upon_o he_o yet_o than_o he_o have_v a_o prospect_n of_o a_o valley_n before_o he_o into_o which_o he_o know_v not_o how_o soon_o he_o may_v descend_v from_o his_o high_a mountain_n it_o be_v good_a for_o christian_n to_o do_v as_o job_n do_v who_o in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o prosperity_n think_v of_o adversity_n and_o 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