against_o we_o be_v very_o many_o yet_o we_o against_o god_n be_v vast_o more_o numerous_a if_o not_o rather_o without_o number_n who_o can_v tell_v how_o oft_o he_o offend_v be_v holy_a david_n question_n and_o it_o plain_o imply_v that_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v for_o his_o own_o part_n though_o he_o be_v the_o man_n after_o god_n own_o heart_n yet_o he_o fair_o acknowledge_v that_o his_o sin_n be_v more_o in_o number_n than_o the_o hair_n of_o his_o head_n and_o what_o then_o must_v we_o think_v of_o ourselves_o who_o come_v far_o short_a of_o his_o piety_n and_o integrity_n again_o be_v our_o neighbour_n sin_n against_o we_o very_o heinous_a and_o provoke_a we_o against_o god_n be_v infinite_o more_o so_o and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o account_n the_o infinite_a distance_n between_o god_n and_o we_o the_o mighty_a obligation_n we_o have_v receive_v from_o god_n and_o these_o be_v such_o aggravation_n of_o our_o sin_n against_o god_n as_o our_o neighbour_n offence_n against_o ourselves_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o for_o as_o for_o man_n they_o be_v all_o but_o fellow-creature_n and_o though_o there_o be_v order_n and_o superiority_n among_o they_o yet_o the_o distance_n bear_v no_o proportion_n with_o the_o infinite_a and_o incomprehensible_a majesty_n whereby_o god_n be_v exalt_v above_o the_o son_n of_o man_n if_o we_o also_o compare_v the_o benefit_n we_o receive_v from_o god_n with_o what_o we_o confer_v upon_o one_o another_o even_o those_o also_o bear_v no_o resemblance_n and_o therefore_o can_v aggravate_v our_o neighbour_n trespass_n against_o we_o in_o any_o proportion_n with_o our_o offence_n against_o god_n let_v we_o then_o consider_v with_o ourselves_o that_o if_o our_o sin_n against_o god_n both_o for_o the_o number_n and_o aggravation_n of_o they_o be_v infinite_o great_a than_o the_o great_a of_o our_o neighbour_n injury_n can_v be_v how_o unreasonable_o we_o demean_v ourselves_o if_o we_o pray_v to_o god_n for_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n while_o we_o deny_v forgiveness_n to_o our_o brother_n for_o the_o lesser_a offence_n we_o have_v suffer_v at_o his_o hand_n do_v you_o as_o you_o will_v be_v do_v by_o be_v the_o common_a rule_n of_o equity_n will_v you_o therefore_o that_o god_n shall_v show_v mercy_n to_o you_o be_v you_o also_o merciful_a to_o your_o fellow-creature_n this_o be_v the_o great_a equity_n and_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n and_o god_n will_v certain_o deal_v with_o we_o according_a to_o that_o rule_n so_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o s._n matt._n vi_fw-la 14_o 15._o if_o you_o forgive_v man_n their_o trespass_n your_o heavenly_a father_n will_v also_o forgive_v you_o but_o if_o you_o forgive_v not_o man_n their_o trespass_n neither_o will_v your_o heavenly_a father_n forgive_v your_o trespass_n and_o elsewhere_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v judgement_n without_o mercy_n who_o have_v show_v no_o mercy_n and_o now_o i_o will_v beseech_v 13._o james_n 11._o 13._o the_o malicious_a and_o revengeful_a man_n if_o he_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v calm_a to_o consider_v with_o himself_o whether_o he_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v those_o everlasting_a pain_n which_o be_v reserve_v for_o those_o to_o who_o god_n refuse_v to_o show_v mercy_n if_o he_o can_v let_v he_o consider_v further_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o his_o great_a interest_n to_o agree_v with_o his_o adversary_n quick_o while_o he_o be_v in_o the_o way_n with_o he_o to_o seek_v reconciliation_n with_o he_o to_o forgive_v he_o pray_v for_o he_o and_o do_v he_o good_a that_o he_o also_o may_v be_v capable_a of_o that_o mercy_n from_o god_n which_o be_v not_o attainable_a by_o we_o unless_o we_o from_o our_o heart_n forgive_v every_o man_n his_o brother_n their_o trespass_n i_o shall_v conclude_v all_o with_o the_o excellent_a say_n of_o the_o son_n of_o syrach_n ecclus._n 28._o 1._o he_o that_o revenge_v shall_v find_v vengeance_n from_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o will_v sure_o keep_v his_o sin_n in_o remembrance_n forgive_v thy_o neighbour_n the_o hurt_n that_o he_o have_v do_v thou_o so_o shall_v thy_o sin_n also_o be_v forgive_v thou_o when_o thou_o pray_v one_o man_n bear_v hatred_n against_o another_o and_o do_v he_o seek_v pardon_n from_o the_o lord_n he_o show_v no_o mercy_n to_o a_o man_n like_o himself_o and_o do_v he_o ask_v forgiveness_n of_o his_o own_o sin_n if_o he_o that_o be_v but_o flesh_n nourish_v hatred_n who_o shall_v entreat_v for_o pardon_n of_o his_o sin_n serm._n ii_o 1_o cor._n four_o part_n of_o the_o 5._o verse_n judge_v nothing_o before_o the_o time_n until_o the_o lord_n come_v the_o belief_n of_o our_o saviour_n second_o come_n as_o it_o have_v a_o general_a influence_n upon_o all_o the_o part_n of_o a_o christian_a conversation_n so_o more_o peculiar_o do_v it_o serve_v to_o dissuade_v we_o from_o that_o uncharitable_a temper_n so_o prevail_v among_o man_n of_o judge_v and_o censure_v the_o rest_n of_o our_o brethren_n and_o be_v frequent_o insist_v on_o by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o a_o most_o effectual_a and_o cogent_a argument_n against_o it_o for_o the_o better_a enforcement_n therefore_o of_o this_o prohibition_n so_o frequent_a in_o the_o gospel_n i_o shall_v inquire_v 1._o what_o that_o judgement_n be_v that_o be_v here_o so_o universal_o forbid_v 2._o the_o particular_a force_n of_o the_o argument_n here_o use_v to_o dissuade_v we_o from_o it_o because_o the_o lord_n come_v 3._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o great_a unreasonableness_n of_o it_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o understand_v that_o the_o judgement_n here_o speak_v of_o be_v not_o mean_v of_o judicial_a proceed_n either_o in_o matter_n civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a and_o this_o if_o from_o no_o other_o argument_n may_v appear_v from_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o judicial_a power_n to_o the_o well-being_n and_o support_v of_o humane_a society_n for_o that_o civil_a society_n can_v subsist_v in_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n without_o sufficient_a authority_n reside_v in_o some_o person_n above_o other_o to_o determine_v controversy_n between_o man_n and_o man_n and_o to_o execute_v punishment_n upon_o those_o that_o offer_v violence_n to_o their_o neighbour_n be_v too_o plain_a to_o be_v insist_v on_o for_o that_o bad_a man_n be_v vast_o more_o numerous_a than_o good_a and_o that_o such_o who_o have_v no_o sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o be_v restrain_v from_o evil_a but_o by_o the_o severity_n of_o wholesome_a law_n and_o the_o due_a execution_n of_o they_o and_o that_o this_o can_v be_v without_o judicial_a authority_n every_o man_n experience_n may_v convince_v he_o if_o therefore_o we_o consider_v that_o god_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n but_o of_o order_n and_o that_o he_o design_v man_n for_o society_n and_o mutual_a support_n of_o each_o other_o in_o it_o we_o can_v persuade_v ourselves_o that_o any_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n can_v tend_v to_o the_o subversion_n of_o it_o which_o the_o take_v away_o judicial_a proceed_n will_v certain_o do_v nay_o rather_o since_o order_n and_o government_n be_v so_o necessary_a to_o our_o wellbeing_a we_o may_v well_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v derive_v from_o god_n and_o from_o he_o alone_o and_o agreeable_o to_o this_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v style_v by_o our_o apostle_n the_o minister_n of_o god_n a_o revenger_n to_o execute_v wrath_n 5._o rom._n xiii_o 4_o 5._o upon_o he_o that_o do_v evil_a and_o we_o be_v therefore_o require_v to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o they_o not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o also_o for_o conscience_n sake_n neither_o be_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o judicial_a power_n less_o evident_a in_o matter_n ecclesiastical_a than_o in_o civil_a nor_o be_v the_o danger_n of_o confusion_n and_o disorder_n great_a in_o the_o state_n than_o in_o the_o church_n therefore_o when_o our_o saviour_n send_v forth_o his_o disciple_n to_o gather_v to_o he_o a_o church_n and_o make_v disciple_n of_o all_o nation_n he_o entrust_v they_o with_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n with_o the_o power_n of_o censure_v and_o absolve_v of_o remit_v and_o retain_v sin_n agreeable_a to_o the_o demerit_n of_o person_n under_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o in_o obedience_n to_o this_o commission_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o several_a instance_n of_o the_o use_n and_o exercise_v of_o this_o power_n by_o this_o authority_n s._n paul_n do_v deliver_v hymenaeus_n and_o alexander_n unto_o satan_n that_o they_o may_v learn_v to_o blaspheme_v as_o we_o read_v 1_o tim._n i_o 20._o and_o in_o the_o 5._o chapter_n of_o this_o epistle_n verse_n 5._o he_o give_v direction_n to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o use_v the_o same_o power_n over_o such_o person_n as_o be_v notorious_a to_o deliver_v such_o unto_o satan_n for_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n that_o the_o spirit_n
be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o mortal_a eye_n though_o never_o so_o impartial_a to_o discern_v right_o of_o he_o or_o his_o action_n beside_o there_o be_v few_o man_n so_o impartial_a in_o their_o judgement_n as_o to_o take_v in_o all_o circumstance_n even_o of_o outward_a appearance_n we_o too_o frequent_o pass_v censure_n according_a to_o our_o own_o preconceive_a opinion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o be_v often_o bias_v by_o our_o zeal_n interest_n or_o affection_n which_o do_v usual_o as_o much_o misrepresent_v person_n and_o action_n to_o our_o understanding_n as_o colour_a medium_n do_v object_n to_o the_o eye_n thence_o arise_v the_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o several_a judgement_n man_n make_v of_o the_o same_o thing_n nay_o so_o deceitful_a be_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n so_o hardly_o to_o be_v search_v into_o that_o we_o be_v not_o competent_a judge_n of_o our_o own_o action_n we_o have_v many_o art_n to_o deceive_v ourselves_o many_o secret_a evasion_n and_o false_a pretence_n to_o beget_v a_o opinion_n of_o our_o own_o worth_n and_o righteousness_n and_o to_o hide_v ourselves_o if_o i_o may_v so_o say_v from_o our_o own_o soul_n and_o then_o how_o can_v we_o hope_v to_o make_v a_o right_a judgement_n of_o other_o man_n but_o now_o the_o lord_n who_o be_v to_o come_v be_v of_o infinite_a knowledge_n and_o it_o be_v his_o prerogative_n alone_o to_o understand_v the_o thought_n of_o man_n and_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o heart_n this_o god_n testify_v of_o himself_o jer._n xvii_o 9_o the_o heart_n be_v deceitful_a above_o all_o thing_n and_o desperate_o wicked_a who_o can_v know_v it_o i_o the_o lord_n search_v the_o heart_n i_o try_v the_o reins_o even_o to_o give_v every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o way_n and_o according_a to_o the_o fruit_n of_o his_o do_n again_o prov._n xxiv_o 12._o if_o thou_o say_v behold_v we_o know_v it_o not_o do_v not_o he_o which_o ponder_v the_o heart_n consider_v it_o and_o he_o that_o keep_v thy_o soul_n do_v not_o he_o know_v it_o the_o all-seeing_a eye_n of_o god_n can_v discern_v those_o inward_o act_n of_o piety_n which_o a_o good_a man_n be_v employ_v in_o though_o they_o meet_v with_o censure_n and_o reproach_n among_o man_n and_o can_v as_o easy_o unmask_v all_o the_o false_a pretence_n of_o the_o hypocrite_n since_o all_o thing_n be_v naked_a and_o open_a before_o he_o now_o the_o consequence_n of_o these_o consideration_n to_o dissuade_v we_o from_o judge_v before_o the_o time_n be_v easy_a and_o obvious_a for_o what_o more_o reasonable_a motive_n to_o restrain_v our_o curiosity_n in_o pry_v into_o and_o censure_v the_o action_n of_o other_o than_o that_o the_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o those_o thing_n be_v too_o wonderful_a for_o we_o and_o that_o we_o can_v attain_v to_o it_o and_o withal_o that_o there_o be_v a_o judgement_n to_o come_v when_o if_o we_o make_v a_o false_a and_o uncharitable_a judgement_n we_o shall_v be_v plain_o convince_v of_o it_o before_o god_n and_o all_o his_o holy_a angel_n and_o then_o who_o can_v persuade_v himself_o that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a shame_n and_o confusion_n of_o face_n to_o see_v those_o man_n who_o we_o have_v unjust_o censure_v and_o revile_v receive_v praise_n from_o the_o unerring_a judgement_n of_o god_n and_o for_o those_o very_a action_n which_o we_o here_o condemn_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o reward_n of_o righteousness_n the_o crown_n of_o glory_n and_o immortality_n 2._o a_o further_a consideration_n to_o dissuade_v from_o all_o uncharitable_a judgement_n be_v that_o the_o lord_n who_o be_v to_o come_v and_o he_o alone_o have_v power_n and_o authority_n to_o judge_v that_o lord_n who_o creature_n we_o be_v and_o on_o who_o we_o depend_v daily_o for_o our_o support_n and_o well-being_n have_v only_o absolute_a right_n and_o dominion_n over_o we_o and_o except_o in_o those_o case_n where_o he_o have_v delegated_a his_o authority_n to_o prince_n parent_n and_o other_o governor_n to_o judge_v of_o and_o determine_v those_o outward_a action_n that_o concern_v society_n he_o have_v reserve_v the_o power_n of_o give_v law_n to_o mankind_n and_o of_o judge_v according_a to_o they_o to_o himself_o only_o and_o therefore_o beside_o the_o presumption_n which_o while_o we_o judge_v other_o we_o be_v guilty_a of_o ourselves_o by_o bold_o intrude_a into_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o know_v not_o we_o do_v withal_o sacrilegious_o invade_v the_o royal_a prerogative_n of_o god_n to_o who_o alone_a judgement_n belong_v this_o be_v st._n james_n argument_n james_n four_o 12._o there_o be_v one_o lawgiver_n able_a to_o save_v and_o to_o destroy_v who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v another_o and_o s._n paul_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n rom._n fourteen_o 4._o who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v another_o servant_n to_o his_o own_o master_n he_o stand_v or_o fall_v but_o to_o conclude_v three_o and_o last_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_v before_o the_o time_n because_o the_o lord_n come_v who_o will_v be_v the_o severe_a avenger_n of_o all_o uncharitable_a judgement_n of_o our_o brethren_n this_o he_o himself_o assure_v we_o s._n matt._n seven_o 1_o 2._o judge_v not_o that_o you_o be_v not_o judge_v for_o with_o what_o judgement_n you_o judge_v you_o shall_v be_v judge_v and_o with_o what_o measure_v you_o meet_v it_o shall_v be_v measure_v to_o you_o again_o and_o from_o this_o ground_n s._n paul_n argue_v rom._n two_o 1._o therefore_o thou_o inexcusable_a o_o man_n whosoever_o thou_o be_v that_o judge_v for_o wherein_o thou_o judge_v another_o thou_o condemne_v thyself_o for_o thou_o that_o judge_v do_v the_o same_o thing_n verse_n the_o three_o and_o think_v thou_o this_o o_o man_n that_o judge_v they_o that_o do_v such_o thing_n and_o do_v the_o same_o that_o thou_o shall_v escape_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n now_o i_o conceive_v the_o apostle_n argument_n be_v equal_o cogent_a whether_o he_o be_v understand_v here_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o same_o sin_n in_o specie_fw-la or_o rather_o of_o other_o sin_n of_o equal_a guilt_n since_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o judge_v our_o neighbour_n for_o some_o particular_a sin_n when_o we_o be_v guilty_a of_o other_o as_o heinous_a be_v altogether_o as_o evident_a as_o though_o we_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n we_o condemn_v he_o for_o and_o therefore_o s._n paul_n himself_o in_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o that_o chapter_n when_o he_o pursue_v the_o same_o argument_n make_v his_o instance_n not_o only_o in_o sin_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n but_o of_o equal_a degree_n verse_n 22._o thou_o that_o abhor_v idol_n commit_v thou_o sacrilege_n and_o now_o let_v any_o man_n consider_v how_o dreadful_a his_o condition_n must_v needs_o be_v at_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o great_a day_n if_o the_o lord_n who_o be_v to_o come_v shall_v be_v extreme_a to_o mark_v what_o he_o have_v do_v amiss_o and_o shall_v deal_v with_o he_o according_a to_o the_o utmost_a rigour_n of_o the_o law_n and_o then_o he_o can_v want_v sufficient_a argument_n to_o persuade_v he_o to_o a_o meek_a and_o candid_a interpretation_n of_o the_o fault_n of_o other_o especial_o if_o he_o call_v to_o mind_n that_o god_n have_v declare_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v judgement_n without_o mercy_n which_o have_v show_v no_o mercy_n which_o show_v of_o mercy_n do_v not_o consist_v bare_o in_o the_o relieve_n the_o want_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o misery_n but_o in_o a_o universal_a charity_n as_o well_o in_o our_o thought_n and_o judgement_n of_o other_o and_o in_o a_o humble_a forbearance_n of_o their_o fault_n and_o infirmity_n as_o in_o other_o act_n of_o bounty_n and_o liberality_n it_o remain_v now_o since_o we_o all_o believe_v and_o be_v assure_v that_o our_o lord_n will_v certain_o come_v to_o judge_v the_o world_n that_o we_o behave_v ourselves_o as_o man_n that_o wait_v for_o his_o come_n as_o by_o all_o other_o exercise_n of_o holy_a live_n so_o more_o particular_o by_o meekness_n and_o charity_n towards_o other_o that_o lay_v aside_o all_o rash_a and_o uncharitable_a censure_n of_o other_o man_n we_o may_v be_v in_o some_o measure_n capable_a of_o receive_v the_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n luke_n vi_fw-la 37._o judge_v not_o and_o you_o shall_v not_o be_v judge_v condemn_v not_o and_o you_o shall_v not_o be_v condemn_v serm._n iii_o john_n seven_o 17._o if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o i_o speak_v of_o myself_o he_o that_o consider_v with_o himself_o the_o great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n which_o have_v prevail_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o the_o great_a zeal_n and_o animosity_n wherewith_o man_n of_o different_a persuasion_n be_v wont_a to_o maintain_v the_o distinguish_a opinion_n of_o their_o party_n scarce_o
spirit_n to_o continue_v with_o his_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o guide_v it_o into_o all_o necessary_a truth_n and_o to_o assist_v and_o govern_v every_o lively_a member_n of_o christ_n body_n in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o that_o be_v indispensable_o require_v of_o he_o god_n himself_o have_v a_o singular_a delight_n and_o pleasure_n in_o good_a man_n as_o the_o holy_a psalmist_n tell_v we_o psal_n cxlvij_o ii_o the_o lord_n take_v pleasure_n in_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o and_o in_o they_o that_o hope_v in_o his_o mercy_n and_o our_o saviour_n assure_v we_o that_o god_n will_v condescend_v to_o dwell_v and_o inhabit_v with_o such_o person_n which_o i_o conceive_v can_v be_v understand_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n than_o that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a near_o intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o good_a man_n that_o god_n be_v always_o ready_a to_o assist_v and_o succour_v they_o in_o whatsoever_o they_o call_v upon_o he_o for_o john_n fourteen_o 23._o if_o a_o man_n love_v i_o he_o will_v keep_v my_o word_n and_o my_o father_n will_v love_v he_o and_o we_o will_v come_v unto_o he_o and_o make_v our_o abode_n with_o he_o and_o then_o sure_o be_v blessed_v with_o the_o presence_n of_o such_o a_o guest_n they_o can_v want_v any_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n that_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o to_o conclude_v then_o what_o remain_v now_o but_o if_o we_o desire_v knowledge_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o religion_n we_o profess_v that_o we_o apply_v ourselves_o to_o seek_v it_o in_o this_o way_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v prescribe_v viz._n with_o sincere_a resolution_n and_o endeavour_n to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n according_a to_o our_o knowledge_n this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n whereby_o true_a knowledge_n be_v to_o be_v obtain_v he_o that_o seek_v in_o this_o way_n shall_v not_o miscarry_v for_o if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o i_o speak_v of_o myself_o serm._n iu._n heb._n xij_o 1._o wherefore_o see_v we_o also_o be_v compass_v with_o so_o great_a a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n let_v we_o lay_v aside_o every_o weight_n and_o the_o sin_n which_o do_v so_o easy_o beset_v we_o and_o let_v we_o run_v with_o patience_n the_o race_n that_o be_v set_v before_o we_o in_o the_o former_a chapter_n of_o this_o epistle_n the_o apostle_n give_v we_o a_o large_a account_n of_o the_o affliction_n and_o suffering_n of_o those_o patriarch_n and_o prophet_n and_o other_o holy_a man_n who_o live_v before_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o word_n i_o have_v now_o read_v be_v a_o inference_n from_o their_o example_n that_o we_o also_o have_v before_o our_o eye_n the_o glorious_a thing_n which_o they_o do_v and_o suffer_v and_o call_v to_o mind_n the_o mighty_a power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o overcome_v the_o world_n and_o endure_a affliction_n may_v from_o thence_o be_v excite_v to_o a_o like_a vigour_n and_o constancy_n in_o our_o christian_a profession_n so_o that_o the_o word_n contain_v these_o two_o thing_n worthy_a our_o consideration_n a_o exhortation_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o the_o exhortation_n in_o these_o word_n let_v we_o lay_v aside_o every_o weight_n and_o the_o sin_n which_o do_v so_o easy_o beset_v we_o and_o let_v we_o run_v with_o patience_n the_o race_n which_o be_v set_v before_o we_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o exhortation_n in_o these_o word_n see_v we_o be_v compass_v about_o with_o so_o great_a a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n i_o shall_v begin_v with_o the_o exhortation_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o usual_a in_o holy_a scripture_n than_o to_o represent_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_a under_o the_o similitude_n of_o such_o other_o employment_n as_o carry_v with_o they_o the_o great_a difficulty_n and_o require_v the_o most_o exact_a care_n and_o vigilance_n in_o those_o who_o undertake_v they_o sometime_o we_o be_v compare_v to_o soldier_n who_o must_v be_v always_o upon_o the_o guard_n sometime_o to_o traveller_n and_o pilgrim_n who_o have_v a_o long_a and_o hazardous_a journey_n to_o make_v sometime_o to_o those_o who_o strive_v for_o mastery_n in_o public_a game_n now_o these_o several_a sort_n of_o employment_n do_v all_o presuppose_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o those_o who_o undertake_v they_o do_v propose_v to_o themselves_o some_o great_a and_o considerable_a end_n some_o reward_n of_o their_o labour_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v great_a difficulty_n to_o be_v pass_v through_o great_a industry_n and_o care_n and_o watchfulness_n to_o be_v use_v for_o the_o attainment_n of_o it_o the_o case_n be_v not_o unlike_a in_o our_o christian_a profession_n we_o have_v a_o glorious_a prize_n of_o our_o high_a call_v set_v before_o we_o we_o have_v a_o exceed_o great_a reward_n a_o crown_n of_o glory_n lay_v up_o for_o we_o which_o god_n the_o righteous_a judge_n and_o just_a rewarder_n of_o those_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o bestow_v on_o such_o as_o overcome_v but_o then_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v this_o reward_n and_o crown_n upon_o any_o other_o condition_n than_o that_o we_o approve_v ourselves_o as_o man_n who_o have_v fight_v the_o good_a fight_n of_o faith_n manful_o and_o courageous_o who_o have_v strive_v lawful_o and_o endure_v to_o the_o end_n the_o similitude_n use_v in_o the_o text_n be_v take_v from_o those_o trial_n of_o skill_n those_o public_a exercise_n which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o olympic_a game_n now_o for_o those_o who_o run_v in_o a_o race_n there_o be_v three_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v do_v if_o they_o hope_v to_o gain_v the_o victory_n in_o proportion_n to_o which_o the_o whole_a duty_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v express_v in_o this_o exhortation_n 1._o they_o must_v free_v themselves_o from_o all_o unnecessary_a burden_n from_o all_o their_o loose_a garment_n which_o may_v clog_v or_o entangle_v they_o in_o their_o way_n they_o must_v lay_v away_o every_o weight_n 2._o they_o must_v be_v active_a and_o vigorous_a in_o the_o course_n they_o must_v run_v the_o race_n set_v before_o they_o 3._o they_o must_v continue_v their_o vigour_n and_o courage_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o race_n this_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v mean_v by_o run_v with_o patience_n that_o be_v with_o perseverance_n and_o continuance_n in_o well-doing_n now_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o apply_v these_o several_a circumstance_n to_o our_o christian_a duty_n and_o i_o shall_v consider_v each_o of_o they_o 1._o it_o be_v easy_a to_o understand_v that_o what_o be_v here_o metaphorical_o express_v by_o lay_v aside_o every_o weight_n be_v the_o same_o with_o what_o s._n paul_n elsewhere_o teach_v we_o in_o plain_a term_n and_o call_v the_o deny_v all_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n and_o what_o our_o saviour_n mean_v by_o deny_v ourselves_o the_o riches_n honour_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o love_n of_o they_o which_o s._n john_n call_v the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n the_o lust_n of_o the_o eye_n and_o the_o pride_n of_o life_n be_v not_o unfit_o compare_v to_o so_o many_o clog_n and_o weight_n that_o press_v down_o the_o soul_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o make_v it_o dull_a and_o unactive_a and_o divert_v it_o from_o the_o way_n of_o holiness_n and_o the_o lay_v aside_o these_o encumbrance_n the_o free_v our_o mind_n from_o these_o affection_n and_o desire_n and_o from_o the_o love_n of_o all_o thing_n else_o whatsoever_o nay_o of_o our_o life_n itself_o when_o it_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o our_o duty_n be_v so_o necessary_a a_o preparation_n for_o our_o run_v the_o race_n set_v before_o we_o that_o without_o so_o do_v we_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v christ_n disciple_n mat._n xuj_o 24._o jesus_n say_v unto_o his_o disciple_n if_o any_o man_n will_v come_v after_o i_o let_v he_o deny_v himself_o and_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v i_o s._n mat._n x._o 38._o he_o that_o take_v not_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v after_o i_o be_v not_o worthy_a of_o i_o now_o that_o the_o renounce_n and_o forsake_v our_o carnal_a lust_n and_o desire_n be_v most_o general_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n and_o deny_v ourselves_o i_o conceive_v evident_a from_o hence_o because_o it_o be_v make_v a_o necessary_a qualification_n of_o all_o that_o will_v be_v christ_n disciple_n not_o only_o those_o who_o suffer_v persecution_n but_o all_o that_o will_v be_v christian_n must_v in_o their_o proportion_n deny_v themselves_o and_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n these_o and_o the_o like_a expression_n be_v universal_a not_o limit_v to_o any_o time_n or_o place_n or_o other_o circumstance_n but_o equal_o belong_v to_o all_o christian_n luke_n fourteen_o 26._o if_o any_o man_n come_v to_o i_o