curse_v but_o bless_v and_o pray_v nor_o walk_v in_o their_o way_n for_o as_o wild_a beast_n can_v hurt_v he_o that_o keep_v out_o of_o their_o walk_n so_o wicked_a man_n can_v seize_v on_o we_o to_o wrong_v we_o if_o we_o enter_v not_o into_o their_o way_n and_o walk_v guide_v consider_v the_o praise_n the_o comfort_n of_o all_o religious_a duty_n yea_o first_o that_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o religion_n itself_o stand_v in_o affection_n and_o desire_n christian_a perfection_n be_v in_o affection_n not_o in_o action_n much_o less_o speculation_n and_o contemplation_n and_o hence_o receive_v his_o denomination_n job_n 28.28_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v wisdom_n all_o wise_a and_o religious_a walk_n be_v include_v under_o the_o affection_n of_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o whole_a law_n be_v all_o comprise_v under_o the_o affection_n of_o job._n 9_o second_o the_o comfort_n of_o these_o duty_n rise_v out_o of_o the_o affection_n rather_o than_o action_n be_v thou_o a_o minister_n whether_o be_v thy_o comfort_n more_o to_o speak_v of_o good_a thing_n than_o to_o affect_v they_o what_o if_o thou_o have_v angelical_a ability_n to_o discourse_n of_o faith_n love_n zeal_n hatred_n of_o evil_a and_o thyself_o scorn_n and_o hate_v these_o thing_n when_o and_o where_o thou_o see_v they_o if_o i_o have_v all_o gift_n and_o want_v love_n say_v paul_n i_o be_v nothing_o knowledge_n puff_v up_o but_o it_o be_v love_n that_o edifi_v be_v thou_o a_o hearer_n and_o will_v have_v comfort_n of_o hear_v what_o do_v thou_o affect_v in_o hear_v to_o censure_v the_o preacher_n curious_o to_o feed_v thy_o judgement_n or_o to_o enable_v thy_o discourse_n this_o will_v not_o do_v it_o but_o to_o hear_v with_o pure_a intention_n of_o feed_v the_o soul_n of_o do_v duty_n to_o get_v our_o heart_n sanctify_v our_o affection_n whet_v our_o obedience_n better_v and_o to_o get_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o life_n to_o come_v within_o we_o all_o which_o the_o lord_n know_v be_v the_o intent_n of_o a_o very_a few_o three_o the_o acceptance_n of_o these_o duty_n be_v more_o by_o the_o affection_n than_o the_o action_n and_o the_o action_n without_o the_o affection_n be_v as_o a_o body_n without_o a_o soul_n yea_o where_o the_o action_n be_v glorious_o perform_v the_o lord_n still_o want_v some_o proportion_n of_o affection_n as_o in_o many_o of_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n such_o a_o one_o do_v such_o and_o such_o good_a thing_n but_o not_o with_o all_o his_o heart_n and_o affection_n and_o then_o all_o the_o labour_n be_v lose_v the_o reward_n perish_v and_o thy_o expectation_n be_v frustrate_a and_o in_o the_o feeble_a action_n of_o his_o child_n the_o lord_n see_v a_o good_a compensation_n make_v of_o the_o defect_n by_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o affection_n duty_n consider_v the_o fruit_n of_o this_o care_n worth_a all_o our_o labour_n in_o it_o for_o first_o as_o one_o disorder_a affection_n draw_v on_o another_o pride_n beget_v anger_n anger_n beget_v envy_v and_o envy_n beget_v hatred_n and_o so_o murder_v so_o one_o good_a affection_n beget_v another_o love_n beget_v fear_n fear_n beget_v humility_n and_o humility_n be_v a_o fruitful_a mother_n of_o many_o virtue_n so_o good_a affection_n beget_v good_a action_n good_a action_n good_a habit_n good_a habit_n a_o good_a unblamable_a life_n second_o this_o care_n settle_v and_o fasten_v the_o affection_n upon_o solid_a object_n and_o comfort_n if_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o joy_n love_n fear_v desire_v and_o delight_n be_v god_n the_o fruit_n be_v internal_a and_o eternal_a this_o joy_n none_o shall_v take_v away_o but_o the_o wicked_a man_n heart_n in_o laughter_n be_v sorrowful_a and_o for_o continuance_n be_v as_o of_o thorn_n crackle_v under_o the_o pot_n and_o so_o be_v all_o affection_n displace_v on_o wrong_a object_n so_o they_o lose_v both_o affection_n and_o object_n three_o look_v what_o way_n we_o will_v the_o well_o guide_v of_o our_o affection_n season_v our_o life_n with_o much_o sweetness_n 1._o look_v at_o god_n it_o hold_v god_n affection_n to_o we_o how_o well_o be_v the_o lord_n please_v when_o our_o desire_n and_o affection_n be_v conformable_a to_o his_o how_o acceptable_a be_v our_o obedience_n to_o he_o when_o we_o be_v holy_a as_o he_o be_v holy_a merciful_a as_o he_o be_v merciful_a when_o we_o walk_v in_o love_n as_o he_o have_v love_v we_o when_o his_o affection_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o we_o and_o so_o be_v frame_v to_o his_o will_n for_o all_o his_o affection_n flow_v from_o his_o righteous_a will_n 2._o it_o hold_v god_n presence_n with_o we_o in_o his_o ordinance_n rev._n 2._o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n have_v fall_v from_o her_o first_o love_n and_o yet_o a_o little_a spark_n be_v leave_v she_o hate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o nicholaitan_o which_o he_o hate_v and_o therefore_o the_o lord_n will_v not_o remove_v the_o candlestick_n at_o least_o if_o she_o recover_v her_o affection_n and_o this_o be_v our_o case_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v wonderful_o fall_v from_o her_o first_o love_n and_o why_o do_v the_o lord_n spare_v our_o candlestick_n and_o hold_v up_o our_o light_n and_o peace_n and_o the_o gospel_n above_o all_o country_n about_o we_o sure_o though_o we_o be_v fall_v from_o our_o first_o love_n and_o zeal_n yet_o a_o little_a spark_n of_o love_n be_v leave_v in_o some_o poor_a despise_v one_o which_o hold_v life_n and_o soul_n in_o we_o and_o some_o hatred_n of_o romish_a nicholaitan_o for_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n the_o body_n of_o the_o kingdom_n the_o law_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o kingdom_n hate_v the_o doctrine_n and_o work_n of_o the_o nicholaitan_o and_o for_o this_o weak_a affection_n yet_o god_n spare_v our_o candlestick_n but_o let_v we_o quicken_v our_o hatred_n more_o for_o as_o our_o first_o love_n be_v in_o great_a part_n go_v so_o if_o our_o hatred_n of_o evil_a go_v to_o all_o be_v go_v god_n shall_v see_v nothing_o to_o spare_v our_o candlestick_n 3._o it_o hold_v we_o with_o god_n in_o the_o sweet_a fruition_n of_o his_o ordinance_n it_o kindle_v and_o keep_v in_o we_o love_n fear_v zeal_n in_o his_o service_n which_o be_v the_o life_n of_o our_o service_n and_o soul_n and_o in_o all_o these_o the_o affection_n be_v more_o respect_v than_o the_o action_n it_o hold_v we_o fast_o to_o the_o truth_n what_o be_v it_o but_o zealous_a affection_n that_o will_v make_v we_o buy_v the_o truth_n at_o any_o rate_n what_o be_v the_o truth_n keeper_n but_o love_n what_o else_o but_o love_n make_v we_o labour_n for_o it_o suffer_v for_o it_o die_v for_o it_o 4._o strong_a and_o earnest_a affection_n to_o god_n make_v we_o profitable_a to_o man_n provoke_v we_o to_o mercy_n compassion_n beneficence_n helpefull_a to_o all_o that_o need_v we_o 5._o it_o make_v we_o enjoy_v ourselves_o by_o patience_n we_o possess_v our_o soul_n love_n hold_v god_n in_o possession_n charity_n make_v we_o possess_v our_o brethren_n and_o patience_n put_v we_o in_o possession_n of_o ourselves_o sanctify_a affection_n uphold_v the_o heart_n with_o joy_n unspeakable_a and_o glorious_a and_o lead_v a_o man_n happy_o to_o a_o happy_a estate_n 6._o the_o well_o guide_v of_o affection_n begin_v the_o life_n of_o heaven_n upon_o earth_n for_o the_o life_n of_o heaven_n be_v when_o the_o soul_n so_o cleave_v unto_o god_n as_o to_o become_v like_o he_o when_o we_o shall_v never_o love_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o he_o love_v nor_o hate_n but_o what_o he_o hate_v and_o this_o perfection_n we_o must_v begin_v even_o here_o upon_o earth_n iii_o now_o after_o the_o spirit_n and_o soul_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v these_o direction_n by_o which_o the_o body_n and_o outward_a man_n may_v be_v keep_v blameless_a all_o of_o they_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o that_o precept_n in_o the_o 1_o tim._n 4.12_o be_v example_n unto_o other_o in_o conversation_n and_o in_o communication_n the_o outward_a man_n must_v exercise_v inward_a grace_n first_o for_o conversation_n that_o be_v either_o private_a or_o public_a and_o in_o both_o a_o christian_a must_v set_v himself_o a_o pattern_n of_o godliness_n 1_o pet._n 1.15_o be_v holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n in_o god_n house_n thy_o own_o house_n in_o thy_o own_o closet_n and_o privacy_n psal._n 101.2_o david_n walk_v wise_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o house_n isaac_n in_o the_o field_n alone_o meditate_v and_o pray_v gen._n 24.63_o yea_o the_o woman_n must_v be_v in_o such_o behaviour_n as_o become_v holiness_n 2_o tit._n 2.3_o rule_n for_o conversation_n be_v 1._o general_n 2._o particular_a the_o general_a rule_n be_v five_o glorify_v god_n in_o your_o body_n and_o spirit_n body_n for_o they_o be_v his_o 1_o cor._n 6.20_o
must_v delight_v thyself_o in_o the_o lord_n which_o go_v beyond_o love_n psal._n 37.4_o delight_v thyself_o in_o the_o lord_n make_v he_o thy_o chief_n seek_v god_n himself_o the_o peace_n of_o god_n the_o favour_n of_o god_n the_o glory_n of_o god_n with_o most_o fervent_a affection_n second_o love_n and_o affect_v all_o thing_n in_o god_n and_o for_o god_n and_o god_n only_o for_o himself_o thou_o must_v love_v nothing_o like_o he_o much_o less_o above_o he_o and_o least_o of_o all_o against_o he_o in_o all_o his_o creature_n in_o all_o his_o action_n in_o all_o his_o gift_n labour_v to_o taste_v his_o sweetness_n psal._n 34.8_o true_a love_n of_o the_o word_n be_v to_o love_n god_n in_o his_o word_n the_o true_a love_n of_o our_o neighbour_n be_v to_o love_n god_n in_o our_o neighbour_n etc._n etc._n three_o get_v your_o affection_n more_o to_o heaven_n than_o earth_n as_o a_o high_a and_o more_o noble_a object_n col._n 3.2_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o affect_v heavenly_a thing_n unless_o thou_o do_v it_o with_o the_o chief_a of_o thy_o affection_n set_a your_o affection_n on_o thing_n above_o and_o not_o on_o thing_n below_o that_o be_v comparative_o for_o two_o master_n can_v be_v serve_v with_o like_a affection_n we_o must_v seek_v spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a thing_n simple_o and_o absolute_o as_o be_v simple_o good_a and_o to_o be_v affect_v and_o ask_v whatsoever_o become_v of_o other_o thing_n but_o temporal_a and_o earthly_a with_o condition_n and_o limitation_n as_o be_v but_o conditional_o good_a at_o the_o best_a four_o hate_v the_o worst_a thing_n most_o the_o worst_a thing_n of_o all_o be_v sin_n it_o be_v simple_o evil_a and_o so_o be_v nothing_o else_o we_o must_v then_o hate_v sin_n more_o than_o punishment_n sin_v simple_o and_o direct_o resist_v god_n glory_n so_o do_v not_o punishment_n make_v for_o it_o it_o in_o the_o manifestation_n of_o his_o justice_n a_o wise_a man_n shall_v rather_o choose_v hell_n than_o god_n offence_n sorrow_n for_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o thy_o own_o sin_n count_v nothing_o so_o shameful_a as_o that_o and_o thyself_o for_o it_o fear_v the_o evil_a of_o sin_n more_o than_o the_o evil_a of_o torment_n because_o evil_a of_o sin_n be_v more_o evil_a v._o rejoice_v in_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o in_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o that_o thy_o name_n be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n luk._n 10.20_o get_v god_n image_n into_o thy_o affection_n frame_v thy_o affection_n to_o god_n for_o matter_n manner_n and_o measure_n to_o love_v or_o hate_v most_o where_o god_n love_v and_o hate_v for_o so_o do_v the_o man_n after_o god_n own_o heart_n first_o god_n love_v his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n above_o all_o man_n and_o angel_n so_o must_v then_o the_o christian_a esteem_n jesus_n christ_n above_o ten_o thousand_o second_o god_n love_v his_o word_n dear_o as_o himself_o be_v a_o resemblance_n of_o himself_o in_o all_o his_o attribute_n so_o must_v thou_o love_v the_o word_n as_o god_n himself_o nothing_o so_o dear_o nothing_o in_o comparison_n psal._n 119._o oh_o how_o love_v i_o thy_o word_n all_o the_o day_n long_v it_o be_v my_o delight_n three_o god_n love_v the_o congregation_n and_o assembly_n of_o his_o people_n the_o place_n of_o his_o worship_n he_o lay_v the_o gate_n of_o zion_n above_o all_o the_o habitation_n of_o jacob_n psal._n 87.2_o so_o must_v thou_o dear_o love_v his_o house_n and_o the_o place_n where_o his_o honour_n dwell_v esteem_v one_o day_n there_o better_a than_o a_o thousand_o elsewhere_o four_o god_n love_v his_o saint_n so_o dear_o that_o he_o will_v not_o dwell_v in_o heaven_n without_o they_o so_o must_v thou_o love_v the_o saint_n dear_o for_o the_o image_n and_o in_o imitation_n of_o god_n on_o the_o contrary_a the_o lord_n hate_v every_o sin_n with_o a_o infinite_a hatred_n yea_o his_o soul_n abhor_v it_o so_o must_v thou_o avoid_v and_o hate_v every_o evil_a way_n even_o all_o the_o way_n of_o falsehood_n yea_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_a and_o the_o very_a garment_n spot_v by_o the_o flesh_n 2._o he_o hate_v the_o society_n and_o congregation_n of_o wicked_a man_n they_o shall_v not_o come_v into_o his_o presence_n so_o must_v we_o hate_v the_o company_n and_o society_n of_o wicked_a man_n psal._n 26.5_o 3._o he_o hate_v wicked_a and_o false_a doctrine_n revel_v 2._o thou_o hate_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o nicholaitan_o which_o i_o also_o hate_n 4._o he_o hate_v the_o wicked_a manner_n and_o fashion_n of_o man_n though_o never_o so_o much_o approve_v and_o applaud_v among_o man_n so_o must_v thou_o hate_v the_o work_n of_o they_o that_o fall_v away_o they_o must_v not_o cleave_v to_o thou_o psal._n 101.3_o thou_o that_o love_v the_o lord_n must_v hate_v all_o that_o be_v evil_a psal._n 97.10_o vi_o bring_v thy_o affection_n often_o before_o god_n appeal_v to_o god_n and_o his_o word_n for_o the_o right_a carriage_n of_o they_o joh._n 21.15_o lord_n thou_o know_v i_o love_v thou_o thou_o know_v i_o love_v thy_o word_n thy_o servant_n thy_o house_n thy_o glory_n so_o lord_n thou_o know_v i_o fear_v thou_o as_o joseph_n fear_v to_o sin_n against_o god_n and_o nehemiah_n i_o fear_v god_n lord_n thou_o know_v i_o hate_v sin_n and_o sorrow_n for_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o sin_n and_o then_o bring_v they_o often_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n to_o confine_v and_o bound_v they_o the_o word_n teach_v that_o the_o measure_n of_o our_o love_n to_o god_n be_v without_o measure_n but_o the_o measure_n of_o all_o our_o love_n to_o other_o thing_n be_v so_o far_o as_o it_o may_v stand_v with_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o summo_fw-la that_o be_v above_o all_o it_o teach_v that_o all_o earthly_a joy_n be_v with_o reference_n to_o god_n our_o chief_a joy_n the_o word_n will_v measure_v our_o anger_n and_o confine_v it_o to_o a_o small_a time_n the_o sun_n must_v not_o go_v down_o on_o our_o wrath_n 4.26_o it_o allow_v we_o to_o be_v angry_a but_o not_o to_o mingle_v our_o sinful_a corruption_n with_o it_o do_v this_o the_o rather_o because_o our_o affection_n must_v be_v present_v before_o god_n one_o day_n rule_n now_o let_v we_o examine_v ourselves_o and_o try_v our_o affection_n by_o these_o rule_v before_o name_v first_o ask_v we_o ourselves_o what_o it_o be_v we_o love_v or_o hate_n whether_o our_o affection_n be_v set_v on_o the_o right_a object_n and_o carry_v towards_o god_n or_o against_o evil_a as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v 1._o have_v the_o spirit_n carry_v we_o not_o to_o a_o dislike_n but_o to_o a_o utter_a hatred_n of_o all_o sin_n none_o be_v so_o bad_a but_o hate_v some_o sin_n the_o prodigal_a hate_n covetousness_n the_o jew_n can_v hate_v a_o samaritan_n and_o mix_v worship_n the_o pharise_n can_v say_v i_o thank_v god_n i_o be_o no_o extortioner_n no_o adulterer_n but_o just_a hatred_n excite_v by_o the_o spirit_n be_v general_a of_o whole_a kind_n against_o all_o that_o be_v call_v sin_n as_o the_o lamb_n hate_v all_o wolf_n and_o we_o hate_v all_o serpent_n none_o except_v the_o law_n bind_v the_o jew_n to_o hate_v all_o uncleanness_n to_o touch_v none_o but_o that_o defile_a only_o the_o body_n the_o least_o of_o this_o uncleanness_n impure_v the_o most_o precious_a soul_n of_o man_n 2._o the_o spirit_n never_o raise_v hatred_n of_o evil_a but_o out_o of_o the_o love_n of_o good_a to_o which_o it_o be_v contrary_a ask_v we_o ourselves_o then_o whether_o do_v we_o love_v or_o hate_n that_o which_o we_o may_v lawful_o love_v or_o hate_v because_o god_n love_v or_o hate_v it_o for_o many_o can_v dislike_v many_o foul_a evil_n and_o yet_o be_v far_o from_o good_a many_o can_v forbear_v evil_a because_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n proclaim_v against_o it_o the_o law_n of_o man_n condemn_v it_o ruler_n punish_v it_o shame_n attend_v it_o a_o graceless_a man_n can_v do_v it_o so_o to_o love_v religion_n love_v the_o truth_n because_o the_o law_n favour_v it_o the_o kingdom_n embrace_v it_o and_o for_o the_o present_a it_o be_v the_o safe_a all_o this_o be_v but_o policy_n a_o atheist_n can_v do_v it_o but_o grace_n embrace_v truth_n because_o it_o be_v so_o &_o because_o the_o truth_n himself_o honour_v promote_v and_o prosper_v it_o and_o commend_v it_o to_o our_o love_n and_o trust_v 3._o for_o the_o manner_n do_v we_o love_v and_o hate_v as_o god_n love_v and_o hate_v as_o he_o love_v not_o vice_n for_o person_n sake_n so_o he_o hate_v not_o person_n but_o vice_n we_o know_v what_o work_n be_v hateful_a to_o god_n but_o not_o who_o person_n belong_v unto_o he_o therefore_o we_o must_v hate_v the_o work_n of_o they_o that_o fall_v away_o but_o
pleasure_n of_o it_o too_o well_o demas_n forsake_v the_o truth_n to_o embrace_v the_o present_a world_n judas_n by_o the_o same_o corrupt_a affection_n fall_v from_o the_o apostleship_n joh._n 12.41_o many_o chief_a ruler_n believe_v christ_n but_o dare_v not_o confess_v he_o because_o of_o the_o pharisee_n for_o they_o love_v the_o praise_n of_o man_n more_o than_o god_n oh_o that_o we_o do_v not_o so_o clear_o see_v the_o strength_n of_o this_o let_v in_o these_o day_n wherein_o so_o many_o balk_v the_o way_n of_o holiness_n and_o fall_v back_o almost_o to_o open_a profaneness_n because_o they_o neither_o see_v many_o man_n nor_o great_a man_n yield_v approbation_n or_o countenance_n to_o such_o strict_a course_n 2._o shun_v lewd_a society_n and_o familiarity_n with_o profane_a person_n if_o we_o will_v not_o fall_v from_o our_o own_o steadfastness_n 2_o pet._n 3.17_o 18._o there_o be_v not_o more_o strength_n in_o any_o infectious_a pestilencious_a air_n to_o poison_v the_o body_n than_o in_o this_o poison_a air_n to_o kill_v the_o soul_n society_n with_o graceless_a man_n be_v a_o very_a blast_a of_o grace_n fire_n be_v not_o more_o apt_a to_o burn_v than_o we_o to_o learn_v their_o way_n 4._o the_o labour_n and_o pain_n of_o holiness_n and_o mortification_n make_v many_o weary_a of_o the_o good_a way_n but_o consider_v it_o be_v not_o in_o vain_a to_o serve_v the_o lord_n and_o there_o be_v profit_n in_o walk_v humble_o before_o he_o thy_o pain_n shall_v be_v abundant_o recompense_v a_o small_a measure_n of_o holiness_n with_o a_o upheap_a measure_n of_o happiness_n every_o man_n will_v be_v content_v to_o swallow_v much_o pain_n for_o a_o little_a earthly_a profit_n and_o be_v the_o state_n of_o heaven_n worth_a no_o labour_n 5._o persecution_n drive_v many_o away_o much_o seed_n which_o come_v up_o fair_a when_o the_o sun_n of_o persecution_n arise_v wither_v away_o but_o against_o this_o wisdom_n must_v cast_v the_o cost_n and_o prepare_v to_o defray_v the_o charge_n of_o this_o great_a building_n and_o the_o same_o sun_n that_o dry_v and_o burn_v up_o the_o shallow_a seed_n shall_v set_v and_o ripen_v we_o many_o hear_v holiness_n revile_v and_o spoil_v of_o her_o veil_n and_o value_n they_o hear_v this_o sect_n every_o where_o speak_v against_o and_o will_v as_o far_o forget_v themselves_o as_o peter_n to_o hear_v that_o voice_n thou_o be_v one_o of_o they_o and_o perhaps_o renounce_v christ_n and_o profession_n and_o all_o for_o if_o even_o the_o very_a disciple_n of_o christ_n and_o all_o they_o leave_v he_o and_o fly_v when_o affliction_n come_v near_o matth._n 26.56_o what_o marvel_v if_o they_o that_o want_v soundness_n shrink_v in_o the_o wet_n persecution_n 1._o but_o here_o remember_v and_o look_v upon_o christ_n heb._n 12.2_o who_o endure_v such_o speak_n against_o of_o sinner_n not_o for_o himself_o but_o for_o thou_o lest_o thou_o be_v weary_a 2._o he_o that_o be_v now_o ashamed_a of_o christ_n christ_n will_v one_o day_n be_v ashamed_a of_o he_o and_o then_o he_o that_o will_v noâ—_n bear_v the_o reproach_n of_o a_o blast_n of_o word_n for_o he_o shall_v be_v fill_v with_o a_o everlasting_a reproach_n before_o man_n and_o angel_n 3._o sound_v judgement_n esteem_v it_o the_o great_a honour_n to_o be_v high_o dishonour_v for_o christ_n and_o his_o cause_n matth._n 5.12_o bless_a be_v you_o when_o man_n revile_v you_o and_o speak_v all_o manner_n of_o evil_a against_o you_o for_o my_o sake_n rejoice_v and_o be_v glad_a great_a be_v your_o reward_n in_o heaven_n object_n i_o can_v better_o endure_v man_n word_n but_o i_o shall_v also_o sustain_v great_a loss_n if_o i_o shall_v be_v so_o precise_a i_o shall_v lose_v my_o custom_n trade_v and_o profit_n answ._n will_v thou_o receive_v a_o religion_n and_o not_o know_v it_o to_o be_v truth_n or_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o will_v not_o be_v ready_a to_o confess_v and_o profess_v it_o according_a to_o thy_o place_n and_o calling_n even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o different_a conceit_n of_o man_n 2._o the_o saint_n know_v this_o to_o be_v truth_n do_v for_o it_o joyful_o suffer_v the_o spoil_n of_o their_o good_n 3._o put_v together_o in_o the_o balance_n the_o loss_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o loss_n of_o thy_o soul_n and_o consider_v whether_o be_v fit_a to_o save_v if_o thou_o can_v not_o save_v both_o for_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o abundant_a recompense_n promise_v by_o a_o sure_a paymaster_n but_o what_o recompense_n be_v there_o for_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o soul_n matth._n 16.26_o nay_o if_o thou_o shall_v venture_v and_o give_v thy_o life_n for_o thy_o profession_n if_o god_n call_v for_o it_o it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o thou_o ought_v who_o ought_v to_o strive_v unto_o blood_n hebr._n 12.4_o and_o yet_o this_o great_a loss_n be_v the_o great_a gain_n thus_o to_o lose_v thy_o life_n be_v to_o save_v it_o and_o to_o save_v it_o in_o this_o case_n be_v to_o lose_v it_o iii_o procure_v to_o ourselves_o and_o exercise_v the_o help_n of_o perseverance_n perseverance_n and_o keep_v they_o near_o we_o as_o our_o continual_a companion_n and_o for_o this_o end_n first_o let_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v deep_o root_v in_o our_o heart_n for_o this_o be_v a_o special_a preservative_n from_o decline_v psal._n 119.102_o i_o decline_v not_o from_o thy_o statute_n for_o thou_o do_v teach_v i_o now_o the_o word_n sundry_a way_n keep_v we_o way_n as_o first_o by_o enlighten_v we_o to_o see_v our_o way_n both_o to_o choose_v the_o right_a way_n and_o decline_v the_o wrong_n psal._n 119.105_o thy_o law_n be_v a_o light_n and_o lantern_n to_o our_o path_n second_o by_o comfort_v and_o encourage_v we_o in_o the_o good_a way_n rom._n 15.4_o through_o consolation_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o receive_v our_o hope_n three_o by_o prevent_v sin_n in_o we_o psal._n 119.11_o i_o have_v hide_v thy_o word_n in_o my_o heart_n that_o i_o may_v not_o sin_v four_o by_o keep_v out_o of_o sin_n and_o redress_v our_o way_n psal._n 119.9_o second_o labour_v to_o preserve_v in_o thou_o a_o love_n of_o grace_n and_o holiness_n let_v thy_o scope_n be_v in_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o holiness_n to_o gain_v not_o knowledge_n and_o illumination_n only_o but_o sound_a affection_n also_o to_o grow_v up_o in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o that_o for_o first_o as_o a_o tree_n low_a and_o deep_o root_v be_v establish_v and_o continue_v in_o fruitfulness_n so_o when_o faith_n and_o grace_n be_v deep_o root_v in_o the_o affection_n of_o the_o heart_n there_o will_v be_v perseverance_n second_o it_o be_v not_o good_a word_n good_a action_n or_o good_a knowledge_n that_o hold_v out_o but_o good_a affection_n will_n three_o what_o other_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o so_o general_a backslide_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a punishment_n of_o not_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o 2_o thess._n 2.11_o three_o fear_v god_n this_o be_v a_o wellspring_n of_o life_n to_o make_v we_o escape_v the_o snare_n of_o death_n prov._n 14.27_o and_o 19.23_o anchora_fw-la mentis_fw-la pondus_fw-la timoris_fw-la fear_n hold_v the_o heart_n steady_a as_o the_o anchor_n the_o ship_n and_o join_v thyself_o to_o such_o as_o fear_v god_n delight_n in_o such_o as_o excel_v in_o virtue_n and_o grace_n these_o be_v able_a to_o encourage_v strengthen_v direct_v uphold_v raise_v and_o comfort_v thou_o in_o thy_o difficulty_n weariness_n and_o weakness_n and_o set_v thou_o forward_o not_o by_o their_o gift_n only_o but_o by_o their_o example_n four_o be_v instant_a in_o prayer_n for_o perseverance_n so_o our_o text_n teach_v for_o it_o be_v the_o lord_n that_o both_o begin_v and_o finish_v his_o own_o work_n he_o not_o only_o set_v we_o in_o the_o way_n 138.8_o but_o lead_v we_o in_o the_o way_n and_o at_o length_n bring_v we_o into_o canaan_n five_o look_v still_o to_o the_o come_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n as_o a_o good_a servant_n hold_v thyself_o in_o expectation_n of_o the_o appear_v so_o the_o text_n luke_n 12.36_o bless_a be_v that_o servant_n who_o the_o master_n shall_v find_v so_o do_v do_v thou_o expect_v he_o from_o heaven_n and_o be_v not_o thy_o conversation_n there_o do_v thou_o expect_v his_o come_n in_o glory_n and_o meet_v not_o he_o in_o grace_n look_v thou_o for_o he_o as_o thy_o head_n and_o will_v thou_o not_o as_o a_o member_n hold_v a_o happy_a union_n and_o fellowship_n with_o he_o expect_v thou_o thence_o a_o saviour_n and_o continue_v thou_o not_o unto_o the_o end_n see_v only_o such_o shall_v be_v save_v matth._n 10.22_o now_o the_o motive_n to_o the_o mean_n of_o perseverance_n 5._o first_o this_o be_v a_o true_a sign_n of_o a_o true_a friend_n of_o god_n who_o love_v at_o all_o