assistance_n to_o sincere_a and_o humble_a mind_n and_o that_o assistance_n carry_v a_o lumen_fw-la fidei_fw-la into_o the_o mind_n as_o aquinas_n call_v it_o 2._o 2._o a_o 3_o ad_fw-la 2._o and_o by_o that_o he_o say_v the_o mind_n be_v unite_v to_o truth_n that_o its_o assent_n be_v only_o fix_v upon_o it_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o damnation_n to_o those_o who_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o be_v thus_o illuminate_v by_o faith_n in_o he_o not_o that_o this_o be_v a_o argument_n to_o convince_v other_o who_o have_v not_o that_o inward_a sense_n which_o they_o have_v but_o the_o same_o holy_a spirit_n which_o do_v at_o first_o indite_v they_o may_v give_v such_o a_o inward_a and_o effectual_a testimony_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o that_o from_o thence_o they_o may_v firm_o conclude_v these_o book_n to_o contain_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o assurance_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o good_a man_n have_v from_o the_o influence_n of_o divine_a grace_n may_v be_v more_o effectual_a and_o powerful_a in_o they_o than_o all_o the_o pretend_a infallibility_n or_o demonstration_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v certain_a those_o can_v be_v deceive_v who_o the_o holy_a spirit_n teach_v and_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a of_o the_o ancient_a schoolman_n do_v make_v the_o great_a firmness_n and_o certainty_n of_o faith_n not_o to_o depend_v on_o outward_a motive_n but_o on_o inward_a grace_n which_o so_o enlighten_v the_o mind_n and_o fix_v the_o inclination_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o nothing_o be_v able_a to_o remove_v it_o this_o sort_n of_o faith_n be_v no_o blind_a assent_n but_o after_o all_o the_o evidence_n which_o it_o have_v to_o make_v its_o assent_n reasonable_a it_o take_v so_o fast_o a_o hold_n of_o divine_a truth_n by_o discern_v the_o excellency_n and_o value_n of_o they_o that_o he_o that_o have_v it_o be_v willing_a to_o let_v go_v any_o thing_n rather_o than_o that_o and_o although_o the_o apprehension_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o so_o clear_a as_o that_o of_o science_n yet_o the_o hypostasis_fw-la as_o 1._o the_o apostle_n call_v it_o may_v be_v so_o firm_a that_o no_o temptation_n may_v be_v able_a to_o shake_v it_o and_o he_o that_o can_v die_v for_o his_o religion_n have_v a_o strong_a and_o better_a fâ—ith_n than_o he_o that_o think_v himself_o never_o so_o infallible_a in_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o that_o be_v a_o true_a divine_a faith_n which_o purify_v the_o 9_o heart_n and_o thereby_o enlighten_v the_o mind_n which_o work_v by_o love_n and_o not_o 6._o by_o cavil_v and_o wrangle_v about_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o which_o overcome_v the_o world_n 4._o and_o not_o that_o which_o be_v overcome_v by_o the_o temptation_n of_o it_o and_o such_o a_o faith_n and_o only_o such_o a_o one_o will_v carry_v we_o to_o heaven_n when_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v the_o utmost_a infallibility_n in_o the_o act_n of_o believe_v yet_o if_o it_o do_v not_o work_v effectual_o on_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n we_o may_v go_v infallible_o to_o hell_n and_o so_o i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o discourse_n with_o the_o second_o sense_n of_o the_o obligation_n which_o lie_v on_o those_o who_o have_v receive_v christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n so_o to_o walk_v in_o he_o i._n e._n to_o improve_v their_o sound_a faith_n into_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o good_a life_n for_o alas_o what_o advantage_n will_v it_o be_v to_o we_o to_o have_v the_o most_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a faith_n if_o our_o work_n be_v not_o answerable_a to_o it_o why_o call_v you_o i_o lord_n 46._o lord_n say_v christ_n and_o do_v not_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o say_v why_o do_v we_o pretend_v to_o receive_v christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n if_o we_o do_v not_o observe_v his_o command_n it_o be_v good_a say_v st._n paul_n to_o be_v zealous_o affect_v always_o in_o 18._o a_o good_a thing_n and_o no_o doubt_n our_o faith_n be_v such_o but_o then_o let_v we_o be_v zealous_a of_o good_a work_n too_o that_o we_o may_v show_v ourselves_o to_o be_v that_o peculiar_a people_n who_o be_v 14._o redeem_v by_o jesus_n christ._n so_o that_o our_o obligation_n arise_v every_o way_n from_o christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n to_o walk_v in_o he_o if_o we_o consider_v he_o as_o our_o lord_n so_o we_o be_v to_o obey_v he_o if_o as_o christ_n jesus_n so_o he_o die_v for_o we_o to_o redeem_v we_o from_o all_o iniquity_n we_o can_v have_v no_o pretence_n to_o live_v in_o our_o sin_n if_o we_o have_v receive_v he_o who_o command_v we_o to_o forsake_v they_o for_o than_o we_o receive_v and_o reject_v he_o at_o the_o same_o time_n let_v every_o one_o that_o name_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n 19_o depart_v from_o iniquity_n say_v st._n paul_n what_o shall_v those_o then_o do_v that_o profess_v to_o receive_v he_o as_o their_o lord_n who_o be_v thereby_o bind_v to_o yield_v obedience_n to_o his_o law_n one_o of_o the_o great_a cause_n of_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n be_v the_o separate_a religion_n and_o morality_n when_o this_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o school_n of_o philosopher_n to_o instruct_v man_n in_o whereas_o their_o religion_n consist_v only_o of_o some_o solemn_a rite_n and_o sacrifice_n let_v we_o have_v a_o care_n of_o as_o dangerous_a a_o separation_n between_o faith_n and_o work_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o between_o receive_v christ_n and_o do_v his_o will._n for_o those_o be_v the_o proper_a work_n of_o the_o gospel_n wherein_o we_o own_o christ_n as_o our_o lord_n and_o do_v they_o because_o he_o command_v we_o and_o the_o apostle_n have_v sum_v up_o the_o whole_a duty_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o comprehensive_a word_n teach_v we_o that_o deny_v ungodliness_n 12._o and_o worldly_a lust_n we_o shall_v live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n look_v for_o that_o bless_a hope_n 13._o and_o the_o glorious_a appearance_n of_o the_o great_a god_n and_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ._n to_o who_o etc._n etc._n sermon_n iii_o preach_v before_o the_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n february_n the_o 22_o d_o 1688_o 9_o 1_o pet._n iu_o 18._o and_o if_o the_o righteous_a scarce_o be_v save_v where_o shall_v the_o ungodly_a and_o the_o sinner_n appear_v this_o epistle_n be_v write_v by_o s._n peter_n for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o christian_n under_o all_o their_o suffering_n but_o these_o word_n seem_v to_o carry_v so_o much_o terror_n and_o severity_n in_o they_o as_o though_o none_o but_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n can_v have_v any_o reason_n to_o hope_v for_o salvation_n and_o all_o other_o be_v to_o be_v leave_v in_o despair_n although_o mankind_n be_v not_o easy_o satisfy_v concern_v the_o punishment_n denounce_v against_o the_o ungodly_a and_o sinner_n yet_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n the_o equity_n of_o his_o command_n the_o freedom_n of_o their_o choice_n the_o contempt_n of_o grace_n and_o their_o wilful_a and_o obstinate_a impenitency_n take_v away_o all_o just_a cause_n of_o complaint_n but_o that_o the_o righteous_a shall_v scarce_o be_v save_v seem_v hardly_o reconcilable_a with_o the_o grace_n and_o design_n and_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o the_o righteous_a here_o be_v not_o vain_a proud_a self-conceited_a hypocrite_n such_o who_o think_v they_o need_v no_o repentance_n but_o such_o who_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v bring_v off_o from_o their_o former_a sin_n and_o be_v redeem_v from_o their_o vain_a conversation_n with_o the_o precious_a blood_n of_o christ_n 20._o who_o have_v purify_v their_o soul_n in_o obey_v the_o truth_n through_o the_o spirit_n who_o be_v a_o choose_a generation_n a_o royal_a priesthood_n a_o 9_o holy_a nation_n a_o peculiar_a people_n yet_o of_o such_o as_o these_o it_o be_v say_v if_o the_o righteous_a scarce_o be_v save_v but_o how_o can_v this_o agree_v with_o the_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n declare_v in_o the_o gospel_n whereby_o sinner_n be_v court_v and_o encourage_v to_o repent_v with_o the_o hope_n and_o promise_v of_o salvation_n do_v not_o christ_n come_v to_o save_v sinner_n and_o st._n paul_n call_v this_o a_o faithful_a say_n and_o worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o shall_v the_o 15._o righteous_a scarce_o be_v save_v what_o joy_n in_o 10._o heaven_n can_v there_o be_v over_o one_o sinner_n that_o repent_v if_o after_o his_o repentance_n it_o be_v so_o hard_a to_o come_v to_o heaven_n do_v not_o christ_n himself_o invite_v those_o who_o be_v weary_a and_o heavy_a lade_v to_o come_v to_o he_o with_o a_o promise_n that_o he_o will_v give_v rest_n to_o 28._o their_o soul_n but_o what_o rest_n can_v they_o have_v who_o notwithstanding_o their_o come_n to_o he_o do_v with_o so_o much_o difficulty_n attain_v to_o eternal_a rest_n how_o can_v that_o
it_o be_v upon_o precipice_n and_o therefore_o have_v need_n to_o look_v to_o our_o stand_n when_o we_o see_v person_n fall_v on_o every_o side_n there_o be_v no_o force_n indeed_o in_o our_o case_n because_o we_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n but_o we_o live_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o snare_n and_o temptation_n and_o sin_n which_o do_v so_o easy_o beset_v we_o that_o we_o can_v walk_v one_o step_n in_o our_o way_n without_o danger_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v continual_a reason_n for_o watchfulness_n but_o that_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o 2._o we_o must_v add_v prayer_n to_o our_o watchfulness_n otherwise_o our_o presumption_n of_o our_o own_o strength_n may_v make_v we_o fall_v god_n will_v have_v we_o owe_v our_o stand_n to_o his_o assistance_n which_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o give_v upon_o our_o earnest_a prayer_n to_o he_o for_o it_o no_o duty_n more_o proper_a for_o we_o in_o this_o state_n of_o temptation_n no_o duty_n more_o effectual_a for_o obtain_v suitable_a supply_n for_o our_o present_a necessity_n where_o a_o man_n fall_v by_o temptation_n 12._o st._n chrysostom_n say_v it_o be_v because_o he_o know_v not_o how_o to_o pray_v for_o prayer_n when_o due_o perform_v not_o only_o divert_v and_o raise_v and_o compose_v the_o mind_n and_o so_o break_v the_o force_n of_o a_o present_a temptation_n but_o when_o a_o close_a siege_n be_v lay_v it_o keep_v the_o passage_n open_a for_o supply_n from_o heaven_n and_o bring_v down_o those_o support_v which_o may_v enable_v we_o so_o to_o endure_v temptation_n that_o when_o we_o be_v try_v we_o may_v receive_v the_o crown_n of_o life_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o they_o that_o love_v he_o sermon_n xii_o preach_v at_o hampton-court_n before_o the_o king_n and_o queen_n august_n the_o seven_o 1689._o act_n xxvi_o 8._o why_o shall_v it_o be_v think_v a_o thing_n incredible_a with_o you_o that_o god_n shall_v raise_v the_o dead_a these_o word_n be_v part_n of_o the_o excellent_a defence_n which_o s._n paul_n make_v for_o himself_o before_o king_n agrippa_n and_o the_o roman_a governor_n for_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o desirable_a a_o thing_n to_o have_v hear_v s._n paul_n preach_v as_o one_o of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n think_v it_o when_o he_o parallel_v it_o with_o see_v christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n it_o be_v especial_o at_o that_o time_n when_o before_o so_o great_a a_o audience_n and_o upon_o so_o solemn_a a_o occasion_n he_o be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o himself_o touch_v all_o the_o thing_n whereof_o he_o be_v accuse_v of_o the_o jew_n ver._n 2._o there_o have_v be_v a_o long_a and_o implacable_a hatred_n both_o in_o the_o ruler_n and_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n against_o he_o above_o any_o other_o apostle_n have_v have_v great_a advantage_n of_o education_n among_o they_o and_o be_v more_o remarkable_o zealous_a for_o preach_v up_o that_o doctrine_n which_o himself_o have_v furious_o oppose_v and_o that_o upon_o a_o principle_n of_o conscience_n as_o he_o say_v ver._n 9_o i_o very_o think_v with_o myself_o that_o i_o ought_v to_o do_v many_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o such_o a_o conscientious_a persecutor_n will_v not_o do_v that_o which_o he_o account_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n negligent_o as_o he_o show_v ver._n 10_o 11._o but_o that_o the_o same_o person_n shall_v on_o a_o sudden_a quit_v all_o his_o hope_n and_o expectation_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o not_o only_o betake_v himself_o to_o a_o sect_n so_o much_o hate_v and_o despise_v as_o that_o of_o christianity_n be_v but_o to_o be_v so_o active_a in_o all_o place_n for_o the_o promote_a it_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o do_v both_o surprise_n and_o enrage_v they_o insomuch_o that_o when_o he_o come_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n a_o popular_a tumult_n be_v soon_o raise_v against_o he_o which_o have_v like_a 30._o to_o have_v cost_v he_o his_o life_n if_o the_o roman_a officer_n have_v not_o rescue_v he_o from_o their_o fury_n but_o after_o he_o have_v make_v several_a defence_n of_o himself_o to_o the_o people_n 1._o to_o the_o council_n to_o the_o roman_a governor_n and_o find_v their_o rage_n and_o malice_n 1._o against_o he_o to_o continue_v still_o when_o festus_n will_v have_v send_v he_o to_o jerusalem_n 10._o to_o be_v try_v he_o appeal_v to_o caesar_n and_o during_o this_o appeal_n when_o agrippa_n come_v to_o visit_v festus_n hear_v of_o this_o remarkable_a cause_n and_o the_o vehement_a prosecution_n of_o it_o he_o have_v a_o desire_n to_o hear_v what_o s._n paul_n have_v to_o plead_v for_o himself_o but_o before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o particular_a matter_n of_o his_o plea_n in_o these_o word_n there_o be_v 2_o thing_n observable_a concern_v he_o 1._o that_o although_o he_o know_v he_o can_v not_o suffer_v in_o a_o better_a cause_n and_o have_v a_o prospect_n of_o his_o suffering_n before_o he_o go_v to_o jerusalem_n and_o go_v thither_o with_o a_o resolution_n to_o undergo_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n yet_o he_o quit_v no_o advantage_n which_o the_o law_n give_v he_o 24._o for_o when_o the_o officer_n will_v have_v scourge_v he_o he_o plead_v his_o freedom_n as_o a_o roman_a citizen_n and_o all_o such_o be_v 28._o exempt_v from_o scourge_v by_o the_o porcian_n and_o sempronian_n law_n and_o when_o he_o find_v the_o design_n be_v lay_v to_o carry_v he_o back_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o there_o to_o make_v he_o a_o sacrifice_n to_o the_o rage_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o roman_a law_n and_o before_o sentence_n make_v his_o appeal_n to_o caesar_n so_o little_o do_v he_o think_v it_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n of_o suffer_v to_o make_v use_n of_o legal_a privilege_n for_o his_o own_o defence_n against_o unjust_a violence_n 2._o that_o in_o all_o his_o defence_n he_o insist_v on_o the_o resurrection_n as_o the_o main_a point_n for_o although_o the_o true_a ground_n of_o the_o violent_a hatred_n and_o malice_n of_o the_o jew_n against_o he_o be_v his_o constant_a and_o zealous_a preach_a jesus_n and_o the_o resurrection_n 18._o as_o he_o do_v at_o athens_n and_o other_o place_n yet_o those_o who_o persecute_v man_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o truth_n always_o pretend_v some_o other_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o nothing_o be_v more_o common_a and_o plausible_a than_o that_o of_o break_v the_o law_n and_o the_o jew_n now_o think_v they_o have_v this_o advantage_n against_o s._n paul_n for_o they_o charge_v he_o with_o profane_v the_o temple_n by_o carry_v 28._o a_o gentile_a into_o it_o but_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v mistake_v however_o this_o serve_v for_o a_o popular_a pretence_n against_o he_o and_o that_o be_v all_o they_o seek_v for_o malice_n work_v most_o mischief_n under_o a_o disguise_n and_o this_o take_v present_o and_o spread_v so_o sudden_o that_o it_o be_v say_v all_o the_o 30._o city_n be_v move_v and_o the_o people_n run_v together_o and_o they_o take_v paul_n and_o draw_v he_o out_o of_o the_o temple_n when_o tertullus_n plead_v against_o he_o he_o faint_o urge_v his_o go_v about_o to_o profane_v the_o temple_n but_o the_o main_a of_o his_o accusation_n be_v that_o he_o 6._o be_v a_o ringleader_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o nazarene_o 5._o therefore_o s._n paul_n in_o his_o answer_n in_o short_a say_v to_o the_o other_o thing_n object_v that_o they_o can_v not_o prove_v they_o 13._o but_o as_o to_o the_o way_n which_o they_o câ—lled_v heresy_n i._n e._n own_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o deny_v it_o 14._o that_o he_o profess_v it_o before_o they_o all_o and_o as_o he_o declare_v his_o faith_n free_o so_o he_o do_v his_o hope_n too_o and_o have_v hope_n towards_o god_n which_o they_o themselves_o also_o allow_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o resurrection_n 15._o of_o the_o dead_a both_o of_o the_o just_a and_o unjust_a this_o be_v the_o point_n s._n paul_n reduce_v all_o to_o touch_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o 21._o dead_a i_o be_o call_v in_o question_n by_o you_o this_o day_n and_o so_o here_o to_o agrippa_n and_o now_o i_o stand_v and_o be_o judge_v for_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o promise_v make_v of_o god_n unto_o our_o father_n unto_o which_o promise_n our_o twelve_o tribe_n 6._o instant_o serve_v god_n day_n and_o night_n hope_v 7._o to_o come_v for_o which_o hope_v sake_n king_n agrippa_n i_o be_o accuse_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o then_o immediate_o follow_v the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n why_o shall_v it_o be_v think_v a_o thing_n incredible_a with_o you_o that_o god_n shall_v raise_v the_o dead_a wherein_o we_o have_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o apostle_n argument_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o
power_n that_o they_o shall_v become_v as_o spiritual_a as_o body_n 42._o can_v be_v i._n e._n without_o corruption_n and_o decay_n without_o weariness_n and_o pain_n without_o any_o of_o those_o infirmity_n which_o make_v life_n so_o uneasy_a here_o sometime_o here_o the_o mind_n have_v such_o a_o load_n upon_o it_o that_o make_v the_o body_n sink_v under_o its_o weight_n but_o there_o the_o perfect_a ease_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o mind_n will_v give_v a_o new_a life_n and_o vigour_n to_o the_o body_n here_o the_o most_o refine_a pleasure_n of_o life_n be_v such_o which_o arise_v from_o a_o brisk_a and_o uniform_a motion_n of_o the_o animal_n spirit_n but_o then_o the_o spirit_n and_o joy_n of_o another_o world_n will_v afford_v such_o delight_n as_o infinite_o exceed_v our_o present_a imagination_n such_o delight_n which_o shall_v be_v pure_a and_o constant_a without_o interruption_n and_o without_o end_n for_o in_o that_o glorious_a presence_n of_o god_n there_o be_v fullness_n of_o joy_n and_o 〈◊〉_d at_o his_o right_a hand_n be_v pleasure_n for_o evermore_o sermon_n xiii_o preach_v at_o worcester_z august_n the_o 17_o 1690._o eccles._n vii_o 16._o be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_o neither_o make_v thyself_o â—over_o wise_a why_o shall_v thou_o destroy_v thyself_o be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_o can_v there_o be_v the_o least_o danger_n of_o that_o in_o such_o a_o corrupt_a and_o degenerate_a age_n as_o we_o live_v in_o and_o if_o our_o preach_v aught_o to_o be_v about_o the_o most_o seasonable_a duty_n and_o the_o most_o dangerous_a sin_n one_o will_v think_v this_o shall_v be_v one_o of_o the_o last_o text_n in_o scripture_n we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o preach_v upon_o but_o such_o a_o imagination_n arise_v from_o not_o understand_v the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o these_o word_n for_o if_o righteousness_n be_v to_o be_v take_v here_o for_o that_o which_o solomon_n call_v so_o viz._n the_o true_a fear_n of_o god_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o reconcile_v he_o to_o himself_o and_o these_o expression_n with_o the_o main_a design_n of_o this_o book_n for_o after_o all_o the_o representation_n he_o have_v make_v of_o the_o good_a and_o evil_a of_o this_o life_n he_o conclude_v thus_o let_v we_o hear_v the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n fear_v god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n for_o this_o be_v the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man._n and_o he_o give_v a_o most_o weighty_a reason_n for_o it_o 14._o for_o god_n shall_v bring_v every_o work_n into_o judgement_n with_o every_o secret_a thing_n whether_o it_o be_v good_a or_o whether_o it_o be_v evil_a but_o then_o how_o can_v any_o man_n fear_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n too_o much_o and_o the_o wise_a man_n say_v the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v the_o begin_n of_o wisdom_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o holy_a be_v understanding_n but_o how_o 10._o can_v any_o be_v over_o wise_a in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o do_v his_o will_n and_o the_o righteous_a man_n be_v general_o take_v by_o solomon_n for_o a_o true_o good_a man_n so_o ver._n 15._o there_o be_v a_o just_a man_n that_o perish_v in_o his_o righteousness_n and_o there_o be_v a_o wicked_a man_n that_o prolong_v his_o life_n in_o his_o wickedness_n where_o the_o opposition_n be_v plain_a between_o a_o righteous_a and_o a_o wicked_a man._n how_o then_o can_v any_o one_o be_v righteous_a overmuch_o and_o if_o not_o what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n some_o think_v that_o they_o be_v speak_v in_o the_o person_n of_o a_o epicurean_a who_o despise_v all_o religion_n and_o think_v it_o useful_a for_o nothing_o but_o to_o make_v man_n life_n uncomfortable_a to_o they_o and_o so_o to_o shorten_v their_o day_n and_o that_o the_o next_o verse_n be_v a_o answer_n to_o they_o by_o show_v that_o wickedness_n do_v much_o rather_o do_v it_o there_o be_v a_o truth_n and_o that_o very_o considerable_a in_o this_o sense_n viz._n that_o wickedness_n do_v man_n more_o mischief_n as_o to_o this_o world_n than_o the_o most_o strict_a and_o severe_a piety_n which_o although_o it_o seem_v uneasy_a to_o the_o body_n yet_o it_o be_v far_o from_o be_v so_o destructive_a to_o it_o as_o wickedness_n be_v and_o rather_o tend_v to_o support_v it_o by_o take_v off_o all_o such_o extravagancy_n which_o be_v so_o apt_a to_o shorten_v and_o destroy_v man_n life_n by_o their_o procure_a peace_n and_o satisfaction_n but_o i_o can_v see_v how_o this_o come_v in_o as_o speak_v by_o another_o person_n and_o the_o only_a reason_n of_o it_o be_v the_o supposition_n that_o take_v they_o otherwise_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n but_o there_o may_v be_v several_a account_n give_v of_o they_o if_o we_o take_v they_o as_o speak_v by_o solomon_n in_o his_o own_o name_n 1._o with_o respect_n to_o providence_n 2._o to_o religion_n 3._o to_o moral_a righteousness_n and_o wisdom_n 1._o they_o must_v seem_v to_o refer_v to_o the_o method_n of_o god_n deal_n with_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n in_o this_o world_n of_o which_o he_o speak_v verse_n 15._o be_v not_o too_o strict_a and_o severe_a in_o pass_v judgement_n on_o god_n providence_n be_v not_o more_o righteous_a and_o wise_a than_o god_n be_v do_v not_o think_v you_o can_v govern_v the_o world_n better_o than_o he_o do_v pry_v not_o too_o far_o into_o those_o mystery_n which_o be_v too_o deep_a for_o you_o why_o shall_v thou_o confound_v thyself_o so_o some_o interpret_v the_o latter_a word_n 2._o they_o may_v refer_v to_o religion_n but_o then_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o what_o be_v true_o and_o real_o so_o but_o of_o what_o pass_v in_o the_o world_n for_o it_o and_o man_n may_v esteem_v themselves_o very_o much_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o for_o although_o man_n can_v exceed_v in_o the_o main_a and_o fundamental_a duty_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o belief_n and_o fear_n and_o love_n of_o god_n yet_o they_o may_v and_o often_o do_v mistake_n in_o the_o nature_n and_o measure_n and_o bound_n of_o what_o they_o account_v duty_n of_o religion_n 3._o they_o may_v be_v take_v in_o a_o moral_a sense_n for_o that_o righteousness_n which_o man_n be_v to_o show_v towards_o each_o other_o both_o in_o judgement_n and_o practice_n and_o for_o that_o wisdom_n which_o mankind_n be_v capable_a of_o as_o a_o moral_a virtue_n and_o in_o both_o these_o there_o be_v extreme_n to_o be_v avoid_v and_o so_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v righteous_a overmuch_o nor_o to_o make_v themselves_o over_o wise_a there_o be_v three_o thing_n therefore_o to_o be_v speak_v to_o for_o clear_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n 1._o how_o we_o may_v exceed_v our_o bound_n concern_v the_o righteousness_n and_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n 2._o how_o with_o respect_n to_o religion_n 3._o how_o with_o respect_n to_o moral_a righteousness_n and_o wisdom_n 1._o with_o respect_n to_o providence_n the_o great_a difficulty_n lie_v in_o what_o the_o 2._o wise_a man_n say_v afterward_o that_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wise_a and_o their_o work_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n no_o man_n know_v love_n or_o hatred_n by_o all_o that_o be_v before_o he_o all_o thing_n come_v alike_o to_o all_o there_o be_v one_o event_n to_o the_o righteous_a and_o to_o the_o wicked_a etc._n etc._n now_o this_o seem_v hard_a to_o reconcile_v to_o the_o justice_n and_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n but_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o forbear_v censure_v and_o pry_v too_o far_o into_o these_o matter_n from_o these_o consideration_n 1._o god_n be_v not_o accountable_a to_o we_o for_o what_o he_o do_v the_o psalmist_n tell_v 6._o we_o god_n judgement_n be_v a_o great_a deep_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n for_o we_o to_o pretend_v to_o go_v to_o the_o bottom_n of_o they_o st._n paul_n who_o have_v great_a advantage_n above_o other_o cry_v out_o how_o unsearchable_a be_v his_o judgement_n and_o his_o way_n past_o find_v out_o we_o ought_v rather_o 33._o to_o admire_v than_o to_o search_v into_o what_o he_o declare_v unsearchable_a and_o to_o sit_v down_o patient_a under_o our_o ignorance_n when_o he_o say_v his_o way_n be_v pastâ—_n find_v out_o the_o wise_a and_o righteous_a god_n have_v reason_n and_o method_n of_o act_v far_o above_o our_o reach_n and_o we_o do_v but_o show_v our_o own_o folly_n when_o we_o pretend_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o they_o 2._o we_o have_v reason_n to_o be_v satisfy_v that_o his_o providence_n be_v righteous_a and_o wise_a although_o we_o can_v comprehend_v it_o for_o as_o abraham_n say_v in_o this_o case_n shall_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n do_v 25._o right_a he_o who_o be_v the_o great_a and_o wise_a god_n who_o love_v righteousness_n and_o hate_v iniquity_n can_v act_n