have_v a_o short_a period_n than_o our_o life_n and_o we_o may_v wander_v about_o in_o this_o world_n as_o the_o israelite_n do_v in_o the_o wilderness_n under_o a_o irreversible_a doom_n and_o sentence_n and_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o apostle_n argument_n seem_v to_o require_v this_o sense_n which_o be_v to_o engage_v they_o to_o a_o speedy_a repentance_n to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v not_o your_o heart_n but_o why_o to_o day_n be_v it_o because_o our_o life_n be_v uncertain_a and_o we_o may_v die_v before_o to_o morrow_n no_o but_o lest_o we_o provoke_v god_n to_o swear_v in_o his_o wrath_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o his_o rest_n all_o man_n know_v that_o if_o they_o die_v in_o a_o state_n of_o sin_n they_o must_v be_v miserable_a for_o ever_o and_o this_o be_v a_o reason_n to_o repent_v before_o they_o die_v but_o the_o apostle_n seem_v to_o argue_v far_o that_o by_o their_o delay_n and_o repeat_v provocation_n they_o may_v tempt_v god_n to_o shorten_v their_o day_n of_o grace_n and_o pronounce_v a_o irrevocable_a sentence_n on_o they_o which_o leave_v no_o place_n for_o repentance_n which_o else_o where_o he_o enforce_v from_o the_o example_n of_o esau_n who_o sell_v his_o birthright_n 12_o heb._n 15_o 16_o 17._o v_o look_v diligent_o lest_o any_o man_n fail_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n lest_o any_o root_n of_o bitterness_n spring_v up_o trouble_v you_o and_o thereby_o many_o be_v desile_v lest_o there_o be_v any_o fornicator_n or_o profane_a person_n as_o esau_n who_o for_o one_o morsel_n of_o meat_n sell_v his_o birthright_n for_o you_o know_v how_o that_o afterward_o when_o he_o will_v have_v inherit_v the_o blessing_n he_o be_v reject_v for_o he_o find_v no_o place_n of_o repentance_n though_o he_o seek_v it_o careful_o with_o tear_n the_o state_v of_o this_o matter_n may_v be_v think_v a_o digression_n from_o my_o present_a design_n but_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o for_o if_o by_o to_o day_n be_v mean_v the_o whole_a time_n of_o this_o life_n that_o prove_v that_o death_n put_v a_o final_a period_n to_o our_o day_n of_o grace_n and_o if_o any_o short_a period_n than_o this_o life_n be_v mean_v by_o it_o it_o prove_v it_o much_o strong_a for_o if_o our_o sentence_n be_v pass_v before_o we_o die_v it_o will_v not_o be_v revoke_v after_o death_n but_o the_o state_v this_o question_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a consequence_n to_o we_o that_o if_o it_o be_v a_o digression_n it_o be_v very_o pardonable_a for_o many_o devout_a mind_n when_o they_o be_v disturb_v and_o cloud_v with_o melancholy_a be_v affly_v with_o such_o thought_n as_o these_o that_o their_o day_n of_o grace_n be_v past_a that_o god_n have_v swear_v in_o his_o wrath_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o his_o rest_n and_o therefore_o their_o repentance_n and_o tear_n will_v be_v as_o fruitless_a as_o esau_n be_v which_o can_v not_o obtain_v the_o blessing_n now_o for_o the_o resolve_v this_o question_n i_o shall_v say_v these_o three_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o day_n of_o grace_n according_a to_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v commensurate_a with_o our_o life_n 2._o that_o notwithstanding_o this_o man_n may_v shorten_v their_o own_o day_n of_o grace_n and_o god_n may_v in_o wrath_n and_o justice_n confirm_v the_o sentence_n 3._o that_o the_o reason_n for_o lengthen_v the_o day_n of_o grace_n together_o with_o our_o life_n do_v not_o extend_v to_o the_o other_o world_n and_o therefore_o death_n must_v put_v a_o final_a period_n to_o it_o 1._o that_o the_o day_n of_o grace_n according_a to_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v commensurate_a with_o our_o life_n and_o there_o need_v no_o other_o proof_n of_o this_o but_o that_o the_o promise_n of_o pardon_n and_o forgiveness_n be_v make_v to_o all_o true_a penitent_n without_o any_o limitation_n of_o time_n whoever_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o repent_v of_o his_o sin_n he_o shall_v be_v save_v this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a than_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o at_o what_o time_n soever_o a_o sinner_n sincere_o repent_v of_o his_o sin_n he_o shall_v be_v save_v for_o otherwise_o some_o true_a and_o sincere_a penitent_n if_o they_o repent_v too_o late_o after_o the_o day_n of_o grace_n be_v expire_v shall_v be_v damn_v and_o then_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o all_o sincere_a penitent_n shall_v be_v save_v i_o know_v but_o one_o objection_n against_o this_o from_o the_o example_n of_o esau_n who_o have_v sell_v his_o birthright_n when_o afterward_o he_o will_v have_v inherit_v the_o blessing_n be_v reject_v for_o he_o find_v no_o place_n for_o repentance_n though_o he_o seek_v it_o careful_o with_o tear_n it_o seem_v then_o that_o esau_n repent_v too_o late_o and_o so_o may_v we_o his_o repentance_n will_v not_o be_v accept_v and_o if_o we_o be_v concern_v in_o this_o example_n as_o the_o apostle_n intimate_v we_o be_v than_o we_o may_v repent_v of_o our_o sin_n when_o it_o be_v too_o late_o and_o lose_v the_o blessing_n as_o esau_n do_v but_o this_o objection_n be_v found_v on_o a_o mistake_n of_o esau_n case_n the_o repentance_n here_o mention_v be_v not_o esau_n repentance_n but_o isaac_n that_o be_v when_o isaac_n have_v bless_v jacob_n esau_n with_o all_o his_o tear_n and_o importunity_n can_v not_o make_v he_o recall_v it_o i._n e._n isaac_n will_v not_o repent_v of_o the_o blessing_n he_o have_v give_v to_o jacob_n i_o have_v bless_v he_o yea_o and_o he_o shall_v be_v bless_v 27_o gen._n 33._o esau_n case_n than_o be_v not_o that_o his_o repentance_n come_v too_o late_o to_o be_v accept_v but_o that_o he_o can_v not_o obtain_v the_o blessing_n after_o he_o have_v sell_v his_o birthright_n to_o which_o the_o blessing_n be_v annex_v now_o to_o apply_v this_o to_o the_o state_n of_o christian_n that_o which_o answer_v to_o esau_n birthright_n be_v their_o right_n and_o title_n to_o future_a glory_n be_v make_v the_o son_n of_o god_n by_o baptismal_a regeneration_n and_o faith_n in_o christ_n to_o sell_v this_o birthright_n be_v to_o part_v with_o our_o hope_n of_o heaven_n for_o the_o pleasure_n or_o riches_n or_o honour_n of_o this_o world_n as_o esau_n sell_v his_o birthright_n for_o one_o morsel_n of_o meat_n that_o be_v as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o fail_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n either_o through_o unbelief_n which_o he_o call_v the_o root_n of_o bitterness_n a_o renounce_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o return_v to_o judaism_n or_o pagan_a idolatry_n or_o by_o a_o impure_a and_o wicked_a life_n lest_o there_o be_v any_o fornicater_v or_o profane_a person_n as_o esau_n who_o for_o one_o morsel_n of_o meat_n sell_v his_o birthright_n i._n e._n who_o despise_v the_o hope_n of_o heaven_n for_o the_o sinful_a pleasure_n and_o transient_a enjoyment_n of_o this_o world_n man_n who_o thus_o fail_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o final_o do_v so_o as_o esau_n final_o sell_v his_o birthright_n when_o our_o heavenly_a father_n come_v to_o give_v his_o blessing_n those_o great_a reward_n he_o have_v promise_v in_o his_o gospel_n how_o importunate_a soever_o they_o shall_v then_o be_v for_o a_o blessing_n as_o esau_n be_v who_o seek_v it_o careful_o with_o tear_n they_o shall_v find_v no_o place_n for_o repentance_n god_n will_v not_o alter_v his_o purpose_n and_o decree_n for_o their_o sake_n our_o saviour_n have_v give_v we_o a_o plain_a comment_n on_o this_o 7_o mat._n 21_o 22_o 23._o not_o every_o one_o that_o say_v unto_o i_o lord_n lord_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o do_v the_o will_n of_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n many_o will_v say_v unto_o i_o at_o that_o day_n that_o be_v the_o day_n of_o judgement_n when_o the_o blessing_n be_v to_o be_v give_v lord_n lord_n have_v we_o not_o prophesy_v in_o thy_o name_n and_o in_o thy_o name_n cast_v out_o devil_n and_o in_o thy_o name_n do_v many_o wonderful_a work_n here_o be_v esau_n importunity_n for_o the_o blessing_n and_o then_o will_v i_o profess_v unto_o they_o i_o never_o know_v you_o depart_v from_o i_o you_o that_o work_n iniquity_n they_o be_v profane_a esau_n who_o have_v sell_v their_o birthright_n for_o a_o morsel_n of_o meat_n and_o now_o they_o find_v no_o place_n for_o repentance_n our_o lord_n will_v not_o be_v persuade_v by_o all_o their_o importunity_n to_o alter_v his_o sentence_n but_o depart_v from_o i_o you_o that_o work_n iniquity_n this_o example_n then_o of_o esau_n do_v not_o concern_v our_o present_a case_n it_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o a_o wicked_a man_n who_o have_v spend_v the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o life_n in_o sin_n and_o folly_n shall_v not_o be_v accept_v and_o reward_v by_o
signify_v a_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a kingdom_n a_o thousand_o year_n be_v a_o certain_a earnest_n of_o immortality_n but_o there_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a objection_n against_o that_o because_o we_o read_v of_o the_o expire_a of_o these_o thousand_o year_n and_o what_o shall_v come_v after_o they_o even_o the_o final_a judgement_n of_o all_o the_o world._n but_o this_o be_v a_o great_a mystery_n which_o we_o must_v not_o hope_v perfect_o to_o understand_v till_o we_o see_v the_o bless_a accomplishment_n of_o it_o but_o though_o before_o the_o flood_n some_o person_n live_v very_o near_o the_o thousand_o year_n yet_o after_o the_o flood_n the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v much_o shorten_v some_o think_v this_o be_v do_v by_o god_n when_o he_o pronounce_v that_o sentence_n 6_o gen._n 3._o and_o the_o lord_n say_v my_o spirit_n shall_v not_o always_o strive_v with_o man_n for_o that_o he_o also_o be_v flesh_n yet_o his_o day_n shall_v be_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n as_o if_o god_n have_v then_o decree_v that_o the_o life_n of_o man_n shall_v not_o exceed_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n but_o this_o do_v not_o agree_v with_o that_o account_n we_o have_v of_o man_n life_n after_o the_o flood_n for_o not_o only_a noah_n and_o his_o son_n who_o be_v with_o he_o in_o the_o ark_n live_v much_o long_o than_o this_o after_o the_o flood_n but_o arphazad_v live_v five_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n salah_n four_o hundred_o and_o three_o year_n eber_n four_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o year_n and_o abraham_n himself_o a_o hundred_o seventy_o five_o year_n and_o therefore_o this_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n can_v refer_v to_o the_o ordinary_a term_n of_o man_n life_n but_o to_o the_o continuance_n of_o god_n patience_n with_o that_o wicked_a world_n before_o he_o will_v bring_v the_o flood_n upon_o they_o to_o destroy_v that_o corrupt_a generation_n of_o man_n that_o be_v that_o he_o will_v bear_v with_o they_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n before_o he_o will_v send_v the_o flood_n to_o destroy_v they_o but_o afterward_o by_o degree_n life_n be_v shorten_v insomuch_o that_o though_o moses_n himself_o live_v a_o great_a deal_n long_o yet_o if_o the_o 90_o psalm_n be_v compose_v by_o he_o as_o the_o title_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v the_o ordinary_a term_n of_o life_n in_o his_o day_n be_v but_o threescore_o and_o ten_o or_o fourscore_o year_n 10_o v_o the_o day_n of_o our_o year_n be_v threescore_o year_n and_o ten_o and_o if_o by_o reason_n of_o strength_n they_o be_v fourscore_o year_n yet_o be_v their_o strength_n labour_n and_o sorrow_n so_o soon_o pass_v it_o away_o and_o it_o be_v go_v and_o this_o have_v continue_v the_o ordinary_a measure_n of_o life_n ever_o since_o which_o be_v so_o very_o short_a that_o david_n may_v well_o say_v behold_v thou_o have_v make_v my_o day_n as_o a_o hand-breadth_n and_o my_o age_n be_v as_o nothing_o before_o thou_o very_o every_o man_n at_o his_o best_a estate_n be_v altogether_o vanity_n 39_o psal._n 5._o i_o shall_v not_o scrupulous_o inquire_v into_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o great_a change_n why_o our_o life_n be_v reduce_v into_o so_o narrow_a a_o compass_n some_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v so_o but_o think_v that_o there_o be_v a_o mistake_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o account_n that_o when_o they_o be_v say_v to_o live_v eight_o or_o nine_o hundred_o year_n they_o compute_v their_o year_n by_o the_o moon_n not_o by_o the_o sun_n that_o be_v their_o year_n be_v month_n twelve_o of_o which_o make_v but_o one_o of_o our_o year_n and_o then_o indeed_o the_o long_a liver_n of_o they_o do_v not_o live_v so_o long_o as_o many_o man_n do_v at_o this_o day_n for_o methusalah_n himself_o who_o live_v nine_o hundred_o sixty_o nine_o year_n according_a to_o this_o computation_n of_o month_n for_o year_n live_v but_o fourscore_o year_n and_o five_o month_n but_o it_o be_v very_o absurd_a to_o imagine_v that_o moses_n shall_v use_v two_o such_o different_a account_n of_o time_n that_o sometime_o by_o a_o year_n he_o shall_v mean_v no_o more_o than_o a_o month_n and_o sometime_o twelve_o month_n without_o give_v the_o least_o notice_n of_o it_o which_o be_v unpardonable_a in_o any_o historian_n and_o therefore_o other_o complain_v much_o that_o they_o be_v not_o bear_v in_o those_o day_n when_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v prolong_v for_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n there_o have_v be_v some_o comfort_n in_o live_v then_o when_o they_o enjoy_v all_o the_o vigour_n and_o gaiety_n of_o youth_n and_o can_v relish_v the_o pleasure_n of_o life_n for_o seven_o eight_o or_o nine_o hundred_o year_n a_o blessing_n which_o man_n will_v purchase_v at_o any_o rate_n in_o our_o day_n but_o now_o we_o can_v scarce_o turn_v ourselves_o about_o in_o the_o world_n but_o we_o be_v admonish_v by_o gray_a hair_n or_o the_o sensible_a decay_n of_o nature_n to_o prepare_v for_o our_o winding-sheet_n and_o therefore_o for_o the_o far_a improvement_n of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v 1._o show_v you_o what_o little_a reason_n we_o have_v to_o complain_v of_o the_o shortness_n of_o life_n 2._o what_o wise_a use_n we_o be_v to_o make_v of_o it_o sect_n ii_o what_o little_a reason_n we_o have_v to_o complain_v of_o the_o shortness_n of_o humane_a life_n 1._o what_o little_a reason_n we_o have_v to_o complain_v of_o the_o shortness_n of_o life_n and_o the_o too_o hasty_a approach_n of_o death_n to_o we_o for_o 1._o such_o a_o long_a life_n be_v not_o reconcileable_a with_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world._n and_o 2_o our_o life_n be_v long_o enough_o for_o all_o the_o wise_a purpose_n of_o live_v 1._o such_o a_o long_a life_n be_v not_o reconcileable_a with_o the_o present_a state_n of_o the_o world._n what_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n be_v before_o the_o flood_n in_o what_o manner_n they_o live_v and_o how_o they_o employ_v their_o time_n we_o can_v tell_v for_o moses_n have_v give_v no_o account_n of_o it_o but_o take_v the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v and_o as_o we_o find_v it_o i_o dare_v undertake_v to_o convince_v those_o man_n who_o be_v most_o apt_a to_o complain_v of_o the_o shortness_n of_o life_n that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v for_o the_o general_a happiness_n of_o mankind_n to_o have_v it_o much_o long_o for_o 1._o the_o world_n be_v at_o present_a very_o unequal_o divide_v some_o have_v a_o large_a share_n and_o portion_n of_o it_o other_o have_v nothing_o but_o what_o they_o earn_v by_o very_o hard_a labour_n or_o extort_v from_o other_o man_n charity_n by_o their_o restless_a importunity_n or_o gain_v by_o more_o ungodly_a art_n now_o though_o the_o rich_a and_o prosperous_a who_o have_v the_o world_n at_o command_n and_o live_v in_o ease_n and_o pleasure_n will_v be_v very_o well_o content_v to_o spend_v some_o hundred_o year_n in_o this_o world_n yet_o i_o shall_v think_v fifty_o or_o threescore_o year_n abundant_o enough_o for_o slave_n and_o beggar_n enough_o to_o spend_v in_o hunger_n and_o want_n in_o a_o jaol_n and_o a_o prison_n and_o those_o who_o be_v so_o foolish_a as_o not_o to_o think_v this_o enough_o owe_v a_o great_a deal_n to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n that_o he_o do_v so_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n have_v great_a reason_n to_o be_v content_v with_o the_o shortness_n of_o life_n because_o they_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o wish_v it_o long_o 2_o the_o present_a state_n of_o this_o world_n require_v a_o more_o quick_a succession_n the_o world_n be_v pretty_a well_o people_v and_o be_v divide_v among_o its_o present_a inhabitant_n and_o but_o very_o few_o in_o comparison_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o have_v any_o considerable_a share_n in_o the_o division_n now_o let_v we_o but_o suppose_v that_o all_o our_o ancestor_n who_o live_v a_o hundred_o or_o two_o hundred_o year_n ago_o be_v alive_a still_o and_o possess_v their_o old_a estate_n and_o honour_n what_o have_v become_v of_o this_o present_a generation_n of_o man_n who_o have_v now_o take_v their_o place_n and_o make_v as_o great_a a_o show_n and_o bustle_n in_o the_o world_n as_o they_o do_v and_o if_o you_o look_v back_o three_o or_o four_o or_o five_o hundred_o year_n the_o case_n be_v still_o so_o much_o the_o worse_o the_o world_n will_v be_v overpeopled_a and_o where_o there_o be_v one_o poor_a miserable_a man_n now_o there_o must_v have_v be_v five_o hundred_o or_o the_o world_n must_v have_v be_v common_a and_o all_o man_n reduce_v to_o the_o same_o level_n which_o i_o believe_v the_o rich_a and_o happy_a people_n who_o be_v so_o fond_a of_o long_a life_n will_v not_o like_v very_o well_o this_o will_v utter_o undo_v our_o young_a prodigal_a heir_n be_v their_o hope_n of_o succession_n three_o or_o four_o hundred_o
by_o a_o absolute_a and_o unconditional_a decree_n ii_o though_o god_n who_o know_v all_o thing_n do_v know_v also_o the_o time_n and_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o every_o particular_a man_n death_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o he_o have_v by_o a_o absolute_a and_o unconditional_a decree_n fix_v and_o determine_v the_o particular_a time_n of_o every_o man_n death_n this_o be_v that_o famous_a question_n which_o beverovicius_n a_o learned_a physician_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v to_o have_v resolve_v and_o consult_v so_o many_o learned_a man_n about_o as_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a injury_n to_o his_o profession_n do_v man_n believe_v that_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n be_v so_o absolute_o determine_v by_o god_n that_o they_o can_v neither_o die_v soon_o nor_o live_v long_o than_o that_o fatal_a period_n whether_o they_o take_v the_o advice_n and_o prescription_n of_o the_o physician_n or_o not_o but_o this_o be_v a_o vain_a fear_n for_o there_o be_v 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i_o satisfy_v he_o and_o show_v he_o my_o salvation_n solomon_n tell_v we_o of_o wisdom_n length_n of_o day_n be_v in_o her_o right_a hand_n and_o in_o her_o left_a riches_n and_o honour_n 3_o prov._n 16._o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n prolong_v day_n but_o the_o year_n of_o the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v shorten_v 10_o prov._n 27._o thus_o god_n have_v promise_v long_a life_n to_o those_o who_o honour_n their_o parent_n in_o the_o five_o commandment_n and_o the_o same_o promise_n be_v make_v in_o more_o general_a term_n to_o those_o who_o observe_v the_o statute_n and_o commandment_n of_o god_n 4_o deut._n 40._o upon_o the_o same_o condition_n god_n promise_v long_a life_n to_o king_n solomon_n 1_o king_n 3._o 14._o and_o if_o thou_o will_v walk_v in_o my_o way_n to_o keep_v my_o statute_n and_o commandment_n as_o thy_o father_n david_n do_v walk_v then_o will_v i_o lengthen_v thy_o day_n the_o same_o be_v suppose_v in_o david_n prayer_n to_o god_n not_o to_o take_v he_o away_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o day_n 102_o psal._n 24._o and_o in_o 55_o psal._n 23._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o bloody_a and_o deceitful_a man_n shall_v not_o live_v out_o half_a their_o day_n now_o one_o will_v reasonable_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o god_n have_v not_o absolute_o and_o unconditional_o determine_v the_o fatal_a period_n of_o every_o man_n life_n because_o he_o have_v conditional_o promise_v to_o prolong_v man_n life_n or_o threaten_v to_o shorten_v they_o for_o what_o place_n can_v there_o be_v for_o conditional_a promise_n where_o a_o absolute_a decree_n be_v past_a how_o can_v any_o man_n be_v say_v not_o to_o live_v out_o half_a his_o day_n if_o he_o live_v as_o long_o as_o god_n have_v decree_v he_o shall_v live_v for_o if_o the_o period_n of_o every_o particular_a man_n life_n be_v determine_v by_o god_n none_o be_v his_o day_n but_o what_o god_n have_v decree_v for_o he_o as_o for_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a both_o that_o man_n shorten_v their_o own_o life_n and_o that_o god_n shorten_v they_o for_o they_o and_o that_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o a_o absolute_a and_o unconditional_a decree_n thus_o some_o man_n destroy_v a_o healthful_a and_o vigorous_a constitution_n of_o body_n by_o intemperance_n and_o lust_n and_o do_v as_o manifest_o kill_v themselves_o as_o those_o who_o hang_v or_o poison_n or_o drown_v themselves_o and_o both_o these_o sort_n of_o man_n i_o suppose_v may_v be_v say_v to_o shorten_v their_o own_o life_n and_o so_o do_v those_o who_o rob_v or_o murder_v or_o commit_v any_o ooth_a villainy_n which_o forfeit_v their_o life_n to_o public_a justice_n or_o quarrel_n and_o fall_v in_o a_o duel_n and_o the_o like_a and_o yet_o you_o will_v no_o more_o say_v that_o god_n decree_v and_o determine_v the_o death_n of_o these_o man_n than_o he_o do_v their_o sin_n thus_o god_n himself_o very_o often_o shorten_v the_o life_n of_o man_n by_o plague_n and_o famine_n and_o 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so_o long_o in_o it_o that_o it_o weaken_v the_o hope_n and_o fear_n of_o the_o next_o world_n by_o remove_v it_o at_o too_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o we_o that_o it_o encourage_v man_n to_o live_v in_o sin_n because_o they_o have_v time_n enough_o before_o they_o to_o indulge_v their_o lust_n and_o to_o repent_v of_o their_o sin_n and_o make_v their_o peace_n with_o god_n before_o they_o die_v and_o if_o the_o uncertain_a hope_n of_o this_o undo_v so_o many_o man_n what_o will_v the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o it_o do_v those_o who_o be_v too_o wise_a and_o considerate_a to_o be_v impose_v on_o by_o such_o uncertain_a hope_n may_v be_v conquer_v by_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o a_o long_a life_n this_o will_v take_v off_o all_o restraint_n from_o man_n and_o give_v free_a scope_n to_o their_o vicious_a inclination_n when_o they_o know_v that_o how_o wicked_a soever_o they_o be_v they_o shall_v not_o die_v before_o their_o time_n be_v come_v and_o can_v never_o be_v surpize_v 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from_o this_o rule_n as_o there_o be_v from_o die_v that_o as_o enoch_n and_o elias_n do_v not_o die_v so_o some_o have_v be_v raise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a to_o live_v in_o this_o world_n and_o such_o man_n die_v twice_o but_o this_o be_v a_o certain_a rule_n in_o general_n that_o as_o all_o man_n must_v die_v once_o so_o they_o must_v die_v but_o once_o which_o need_v no_o other_o proof_n but_o the_o daily_a experience_n and_o observation_n of_o mankind_n but_o that_o which_o i_o intend_v by_o it_o be_v this_o that_o once_o die_v determine_v our_o state_n and_o condition_n for_o ever_o when_o we_o put_v off_o these_o mortal_a body_n we_o must_v not_o return_v into_o they_o again_o to_o act_v over_o a_o new_a part_n in_o this_o world_n and_o to_o correct_v the_o error_n and_o miscarriage_n of_o our_o former_a life_n death_n translate_v we_o to_o a_o immutable_a and_o unchangeable_a state_n that_o in_o this_o sense_n what_o the_o wise_a man_n tell_v we_o be_v true_a if_o the_o tree_n fall_v towards_o the_o south_n or_o towards_o the_o north_n in_o the_o place_n where_o the_o tree_n fall_v there_o it_o shall_v be_v 11_o eccles._n 3_o this_o be_v a_o consideration_n of_o very_a great_a moment_n and_o deserve_v to_o be_v more_o particular_o explain_v which_o i_o shall_v do_v in_o these_o follow_a proposition_n 1._o that_o this_o life_n be_v the_o only_a state_n of_o trial_n and_o probation_n for_o eternity_n and_o therefore_o 2._o death_n when_o ever_o it_o come_v as_o it_o put_v a_o final_a period_n to_o this_o life_n that_o we_o die_v once_o for_o all_o and_o must_v never_o live_v again_o as_o we_o do_v now_o in_o this_o world_n so_o it_o put_v a_o final_a end_n to_o our_o work_n too_o that_o our_o day_n of_o grace_n and_o time_n of_o work_v for_o another_o world_n end_v with_o this_o life_n and_o three_o as_o a_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o both_o these_o once_o die_v put_v we_o into_o a_o immutable_a and_o unchangeable_a state_n 1._o that_o this_o life_n 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a_o labour_a in_o the_o vineyard_n the_o other_o world_n as_o a_o place_n of_o recompense_n of_o reward_n or_o punishment_n and_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o relation_n between_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o as_o between_z fighting_z and_o conquer_a and_o receive_v the_o crown_n as_o between_o run_v a_o race_n and_o obtain_v a_o prize_n as_o between_o the_o work_n and_o the_o reward_n then_o we_o must_v fight_v and_o conquer_v run_v our_o race_n and_o finish_v our_o work_n in_o this_o world_n if_o we_o expect_v the_o reward_n of_o the_o next_o many_o of_o those_o grace_n and_o virtue_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v promise_v to_o reward_v with_o eternal_a life_n can_v be_v exercise_v only_o in_o this_o world_n faith_n and_o hope_n be_v peculiar_a only_o to_o this_o life_n while_o the_o other_o world_n be_v absent_a and_o unseen_a and_o these_o be_v the_o great_a principle_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o christian_a life_n to_o believe_v what_o we_o do_v not_o see_v and_o to_o live_v 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