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several_a sect_n dispute_v â—…d_v wrangle_v eternal_o without_o end_v â—…y_o one_o controversy_n give_v no_o great_a enâ—…uragement_n to_o hope_v for_o much_o this_o way_n 〈◊〉_d lest_o it_o can_v never_o be_v expect_v that_o â—…dinary_a christian_n shall_v be_v better_o â—…structed_v and_o confirm_v in_o the_o faith_n by_o â—…hilosophical_a dispute_n the_o christian_a religion_n have_v from_o â—…e_n very_o begin_v be_v corrupt_v by_o 〈◊〉_d mixture_n of_o philosophy_n thus_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d the_o apostle_n day_n and_o thus_o it_o have_v â—…een_v more_o or_o less_o in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n to_o this_o day_n and_o the_o direction_n the_o apostle_n give_v for_o the_o security_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v not_o to_o dispute_v such_o matter_n but_o to_o distinguish_v between_o philosophical_a dispute_n and_o matter_n of_o revelation_n and_o to_o reject_v all_o the_o pretence_n of_o philosophy_n when_o it_o do_v or_o seem_v to_o contradict_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n 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descend_v from_o above_o 4._o gal._n 25_o 26._o for_o this_o agar_n be_v mount_n sinai_n in_o arabia_n and_o answer_v to_o jerusalem_n which_o now_o be_v and_o be_v in_o bondage_n with_o her_o child_n but_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v above_o or_o from_o above_o that_o be_v the_o christian_a church_n be_v free_a which_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o we_o all_o which_o in_o 12._o heb._n 22._o he_o call_v mount_n zion_n the_o city_n of_o the_o live_a god_n the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n and_o 3._o rev._n 12._o it_o be_v call_v the_o city_n of_o god_n the_o new_a jerusalem_n which_o come_v down_o out_o of_o heaven_n from_o god._n and_o 21._o rev._n 2._o the_o new_a jerusalem_n come_v down_o out_o of_o heaven_n from_o god_n prepare_v as_o a_o bride_n adorn_v for_o her_o husband_n which_o be_v a_o description_n of_o the_o most_o reform_a and_o purify_a state_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n on_o earth_n so_o that_o this_o exhortation_n to_o pray_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o jerusalem_n do_v most_o proper_o belong_v to_o christian_n because_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v the_o true_a jerusalem_n the_o new_a the_o holy_a jerusalem_n descend_v out_o of_o heaven_n from_o god_n v._o 10._o by_o this_o time_n i_o suppose_v you_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o my_o text_n and_o how_o much_o we_o be_v concern_v in_o it_o and_o there_o be_v two_o part_n observable_a in_o the_o word_n 1._o the_o duty_n to_o pray_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o jerusalem_n or_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n peace_n be_v within_o thy_o wall_n and_o prosperity_n within_o thy_o palace_n 2._o the_o encouragement_n to_o this_o they_o shall_v prosper_v that_o love_n thou_o it_o be_v the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o shall_v at_o present_a speak_v to_o the_o duty_n to_o pray_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o jerusalem_n wherein_o i_o shall_v consider_v two_o thing_n 1._o what_o we_o must_v pray_v for_o 2._o how_o necessary_a prayer_n be_v to_o obtain_v these_o blessing_n i._o what_o we_o must_v pray_v for_o peace_n and_o prosperity_n peace_n be_v within_o thy_o wall_n and_o prosperity_n within_o thy_o palace_n now_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n signify_v two_o thing_n 1._o the_o unity_n and_o agreement_n of_o christian_n among_o themselves_o 2._o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o church_n from_o external_a oppression_n and_o persecution_n 1._o the_o unity_n and_o agreement_n of_o christian_n among_o themselves_o when_o they_o profess_v the_o same_o faith_n and_o join_v in_o the_o same_o worship_n when_o they_o love_v like_o brethren_n and_o have_v a_o tender_a affection_n and_o sympathy_n for_o each_o other_o as_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n this_o all_o christian_n confess_v to_o be_v a_o great_a and_o necessary_a duty_n and_o pretend_v to_o lament_v the_o many_o scandalous_a dissension_n and_o division_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o though_o division_n and_o dissension_n be_v destructive_a to_o all_o society_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o society_n suffer_v so_o much_o by_o it_o as_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o destroy_v love_n and_o charity_n which_o be_v the_o true_a spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o badge_n and_o cognizance_n of_o our_o profession_n by_o this_o shall_v all_o man_n know_v that_o you_o be_v my_o disciple_n if_o you_o love_v one_o another_o this_o turn_v the_o christian_a church_n into_o a_o school_n of_o wrangle_a dispute_n and_o make_v man_n more_o concern_v what_o they_o believe_v than_o how_o they_o live_v this_o give_v great_a offence_n to_o the_o world_n represent_v the_o christian_a faith_n as_o very_o doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a and_o christianity_n itself_o as_o a_o great_a disturber_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o mankind_n this_o overthrow_v all_o government_n and_o discipline_n in_o the_o church_n and_o make_v its_o censure_n despise_v and_o scorn_v when_o the_o most_o
providence_n but_o we_o may_v make_v our_o complaint_n to_o god_n and_o be_v the_o more_o importunate_a in_o our_o prayer_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o our_o king_n the_o death_n of_o our_o excellent_a queen_n both_o call_v for_o and_o will_v justify_v and_o recommend_v such_o humble_a importunity_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o our_o king_n will_n in_o a_o great_a measure_n make_v up_o this_o loss_n to_o we_o which_o god_n of_o his_o infinite_a mercy_n grant_v through_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v honour_n glory_n and_o power_n now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n sermon_n ix_o preach_v before_o the_o right_n honourable_a the_o lord_n mayor_n and_o the_o court_n of_o alderman_n at_o the_o parish-church_n of_o st._n bridget_n on_o tuesday_n in_o easter-week_n april_n 6._o 1697._o 2_o cor._n viii_o 12._o for_o if_o there_o be_v first_o a_o willing_a mind_n it_o be_v accept_v according_a to_o that_o a_o man_n have_v and_o not_o according_a to_o that_o he_o have_v not_o the_o occasion_n of_o these_o word_n be_v this_o the_o christian_n of_o judaea_n be_v at_o this_o time_n in_o great_a want_n by_o reason_n of_o a_o general_a dearth_n which_o be_v foretell_v by_o agabus_n at_o antioch_n act_v ii_o 28._o and_o there_o stand_v up_o one_o of_o they_o name_v agabus_n and_o signify_v by_o the_o spirit_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v great_a dearth_n throughout_o all_o the_o world_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n caesar._n upon_o this_o notice_n the_o disciple_n every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o ability_n determine_v to_o send_v relief_n unto_o the_o brethren_n which_o dwell_v in_o judaea_n this_o be_v that_o contribution_n for_o the_o saint_n which_o st._n paul_n direct_v they_o about_o at_o the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o they_o ch._n 16._o and_o this_o be_v what_o he_o inculcate_n on_o they_o in_o this_o and_o the_o follow_a chapter_n but_o with_o so_o much_o art_n and_o insinuation_n that_o though_o he_o use_v the_o most_o powerful_a argument_n yet_o he_o will_v not_o seem_v to_o persuade_v nor_o to_o think_v that_o they_o need_v any_o persuasion_n for_o it_o be_v not_o honourable_a for_o christian_n who_o religion_n be_v charity_n to_o need_v such_o persuasion_n and_o importunity_n they_o may_v be_v direct_v in_o their_o charity_n and_o put_v in_o mind_n of_o such_o particular_a charity_n as_o be_v of_o the_o great_a necessity_n or_o the_o most_o present_a use_n or_o have_v the_o most_o general_a influence_n or_o do_v the_o great_a reputation_n and_o service_n to_o religion_n or_o their_o charity_n may_v be_v heighten_v inflame_a and_o enlarge_v by_o the_o proper_a argument_n and_o motive_n of_o liberality_n but_o their_o religion_n teach_v they_o to_o be_v charitable_a and_o the_o name_n and_o profession_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v a_o reproach_n to_o they_o without_o it_o and_o this_o be_v all_o the_o apostle_n aim_v at_o even_o in_o his_o soft_a and_o tender_a way_n of_o persuasion_n not_o mere_o to_o persuade_v they_o to_o contribute_v to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o saint_n which_o he_o know_v they_o be_v willing_a â—…o_o do_v but_o that_o they_o shall_v contriâ—…ute_v liberal_o with_o a_o free_a and_o cheerful_a heart_n and_o open_a hand_n which_o be_v the_o â—…um_n of_o all_o his_o argument_n as_o i_o shall_v â—…hew_v you_o in_o the_o conclusion_n if_o time_n permit_v but_o the_o great_a difficulty_n concern_v the_o proper_a measure_n of_o a_o liberal_a and_o overflow_a charity_n our_o saviour_n have_v prescribe_v no_o set_a bound_n and_o proportion_n to_o our_o charity_n and_o it_o be_v think_v as_o possible_a to_o be_v imprudent_a and_o excessive_a as_o too_o frugal_a and_o spare_a we_o have_v many_o other_o obligation_n upon_o we_o beside_o charity_n to_o provide_v for_o our_o own_o comfortable_a subsistence_n to_o take_v care_n of_o our_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o to_o discharge_v all_o other_o duty_n and_o office_n according_a to_o our_o station_n and_o character_n in_o the_o world_n all_o which_o ought_v to_o set_v bound_n to_o our_o charity_n but_o what_o these_o bound_n be_v be_v think_v the_o great_a question_n which_o be_v not_o easy_o answer_v this_o be_v true_a nor_o can_v any_o certain_a measure_n be_v prescribe_v nor_o do_v the_o apostle_n pretend_v to_o it_o but_o though_o there_o be_v a_o great_a latitude_n in_o true_a christian_a charity_n which_o do_v not_o consist_v in_o a_o point_n but_o admit_v of_o different_a degree_n and_o proportion_n yet_o the_o apostle_n in_o my_o text_n direct_v we_o to_o such_o a_o principle_n as_o be_v much_o better_a and_o safe_a than_o any_o state_v rule_n because_o it_o will_v be_v sure_a never_o to_o sink_v below_o the_o just_a proportion_n of_o charity_n and_o will_v render_v all_o we_o do_v be_v it_o more_o or_o less_o very_o acceptable_a to_o god_n for_o if_o there_o be_v first_o a_o willing_a mind_n it_o be_v accept_v according_a to_o that_o a_o man_n have_v and_o not_o according_a to_o that_o he_o have_v not_o in_o which_o word_n i_o shall_v observe_v three_o thing_n which_o be_v express_v or_o necessary_o imply_v in_o they_o first_o that_o a_o great_a readiness_n and_o forwardness_n of_o mind_n to_o do_v good_a be_v the_o true_a spirit_n of_o charity_n which_o give_v value_v and_o acceptation_n to_o all_o we_o do_v second_o that_o this_o readiness_n of_o mind_n to_o do_v good_a to_o relieve_v the_o necessity_n of_o those_o who_o want_v will_v observe_v the_o just_a proportion_n of_o give_v will_v give_v according_a to_o what_o a_o man_n have_v as_o be_v necessary_o imply_v in_o the_o word_n for_o if_o a_o willing_a mind_n be_v accept_v according_a to_o what_o a_o man_n have_v it_o be_v because_o it_o give_v according_a to_o what_o a_o man_n have_v three_o that_o where_o there_o be_v this_o willing_a mind_n with_o a_o fit_a proportion_n according_a to_o our_o ability_n whether_o it_o be_v more_o or_o less_o which_o we_o give_v it_o be_v equal_o acceptable_a to_o god_n such_o a_o man_n be_v accept_v according_a to_o what_o â—…e_n have_v not_o according_a to_o what_o he_o have_v â—…ot_v i_o shall_v speak_v as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v to_o each_o of_o these_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v prevent_v in_o such_o a_o application_n as_o be_v proper_a to_o this_o solemnity_n first_o that_o a_o great_a readiness_n and_o forwardness_n of_o mind_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v to_o do_v good_a to_o relieve_v the_o necessity_n of_o those_o in_o want_n be_v the_o true_a spirit_n of_o charity_n and_o give_v value_v and_o acceptation_n to_o all_o we_o do_v such_o a_o willingness_n of_o mind_n when_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v the_o principle_n and_o first_o mover_n in_o all_o our_o charitable_a action_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d very_o acceptable_a to_o god_n this_o i_o think_v i_o may_v take_v for_o grant_v for_o what_o be_v the_o grace_n and_o virtue_n of_o charity_n but_o a_o charitable_a inclination_n disposition_n temper_n habit_n of_o mind_n and_o what_o be_v this_o but_o a_o readiness_n and_o forwardness_n to_o do_v good_a our_o inclination_n and_o passion_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o action_n and_o therefore_o have_v a_o natural_a tendency_n towards_o their_o proper_a act_n and_o object_n and_o will_v act_v when_o they_o have_v the_o power_n and_o opportunity_n of_o action_n charity_n be_v love_n the_o love_n of_o pity_n and_o compassion_n to_o the_o misery_n and_o suffering_n and_o want_v of_o our_o brethren_n and_o love_n in_o all_o other_o instance_n be_v a_o very_a restless_a active_a principle_n and_o so_o will_v our_o love_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o miserable_a be_v if_o it_o be_v inclination_n and_o habit._n there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o will_v pretend_v to_o be_v very_o ready_a and_o willing_a to_o do_v good_a though_o he_o never_o do_v any_o for_o to_o have_v no_o inclination_n to_o do_v good_a be_v so_o infamous_a that_o those_o who_o do_v no_o good_a be_v ashamed_a to_o own_v it_o but_o to_o do_v no_o good_a be_v a_o plain_a evidence_n against_o they_o when_o nothing_o can_v hinder_v they_o from_o do_v good_a but_o the_o want_n of_o will_n and_o inclination_n to_o do_v it_o when_o god_n have_v furnish_v they_o with_o the_o mean_n of_o do_v good_a and_o there_o be_v thousand_o of_o object_n to_o exercise_v their_o charity_n and_o to_o move_v their_o pity_n if_o they_o have_v any_o the_o will_n be_v accept_v for_o the_o deed_n both_o by_o god_n and_o man_n when_o it_o be_v not_o in_o our_o power_n to_o do_v that_o good_a which_o we_o sincere_o desire_v to_o do_v and_o which_o we_o will_v certain_o do_v be_v it_o in_o our_o power_n but_o it_o be_v to_o mock_v both_o god_n and_o man_n to_o pretend_v a_o willingness_n when_o â—…t_n be_v