for_o ever_o and_o it_o be_v a_o incommunicable_a attribute_n of_o his_o divine_a essence_n to_o be_v so_o but_o because_o all_o the_o perfection_n and_o property_n of_o god_n be_v god_n himself_o therefore_o this_o everlastingness_n here_o in_o the_o doxology_n ascribe_v to_o his_o kingdom_n his_o power_n and_o his_o glory_n be_v say_v to_o be_v for_o ever_o yet_o not_o only_o these_o but_o whatsoever_o be_v in_o god_n be_v absolute_o eternal_a his_o righteousness_n be_v a_o everlasting_a righteousness_n psal_n 119.142_o his_o truth_n endure_v for_o ever_o psal_n 117.2_o his_o mercy_n be_v for_o ever_o psal_n 136.1_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o which_o be_v there_o make_v the_o burden_n of_o that_o most_o excellent_a song_n and_o the_o sweet_a close_a of_o every_o verse_n in_o it_o his_o love_n be_v for_o ever_o jer._n 31.3_o i_o have_v love_v thou_o with_o a_o everlasting_a love_n now_o in_o treat_v of_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v these_o three_o thing_n first_o what_o the_o true_a and_o proper_a notion_n of_o eternity_n be_v second_o that_o god_n be_v eternal_a three_o what_o encouragement_n our_o faith_n may_v have_v from_o this_o attribute_n of_o god_n eternity_n that_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o pray_v unto_o he_o for_o shall_v be_v grant_v unto_o we_o first_o let_v we_o see_v what_o eternity_n be_v and_o here_o though_o it_o be_v altogether_o impossible_a exact_o to_o describe_v what_o be_v boundless_a and_o infinite_a yet_o to_o help_v our_o weak_a and_o shallow_a conception_n we_o may_v take_v this_o notion_n of_o it_o eternity_n be_v a_o duration_n which_o have_v neither_o beginning_n nor_o end_n nor_o succession_n of_o part_n or_o according_a to_o the_o common_a description_n of_o boethius_n est_fw-la interminabilis_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la tota_fw-la simul_fw-la &_o perfecta_fw-la possessio_fw-la it_o be_v the_o complete_a possession_n of_o a_o endless_a life_n all_o at_o once_o so_o that_o it_o be_v distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o duration_n whatsoever_o first_o in_o that_o other_o duration_n have_v have_v their_o beginning_n for_o all_o thing_n be_v create_v either_o in_o time_n or_o with_o time_n but_o eternity_n be_v before_o all_o time_n and_o shall_v be_v after_o it_o second_o in_o that_o all_o temporal_a duration_n be_v successive_a measure_v by_o the_o motion_n of_o heavenly_a body_n by_o year_n day_n and_o hour_n but_o eternity_n be_v permanent_a it_o be_v but_o one_o abide_v instant_a and_o have_v no_o part_n follow_v one_o after_o another_o and_o though_o it_o comprehend_v all_o time_n within_o its_o infinite_a circle_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o move_v along_o with_o time_n for_o as_o river_n be_v contain_v within_o their_o bank_n and_o flow_v along_o by_o they_o part_n after_o part_n without_o any_o motion_n of_o the_o bank_n themselves_o so_o time_n be_v contain_v within_o eternity_n and_o flow_v along_o in_o it_o without_o any_o motion_n or_o succession_n of_o 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neither_o be_v nor_o shall_v be_v but_o only_o be_v and_o enjoy_v his_o eternal_a essence_n immutable_o and_o unsuccessive_o and_o therefore_o when_o moses_n demand_v his_o name_n that_o he_o may_v inform_v the_o israelite_n who_o that_o god_n be_v that_o will_v take_v pity_n of_o their_o suffering_n he_o tell_v he_o thou_o shall_v say_v unto_o they_o i_o be_o have_v send_v i_o to_o you_o exod._n 3.14_o and_o this_o indeed_o be_v the_o best_a and_o fit_a expression_n of_o his_o eternity_n and_o unchangableness_n yea_o and_o the_o scripture_n have_v give_v we_o one_o more_o high_a and_o lofty_a expression_n of_o it_o psal_n 90.4_o a_o thousand_o year_n in_o thy_o sight_n be_v but_o as_o yesterday_o when_o it_o be_v past_a what_o be_v yesterday_o to_o this_o day_n but_o a_o mere_a nothing_o so_o a_o thousand_o year_n yea_o all_o the_o thousand_o year_n and_o all_o the_o time_n that_o ever_o the_o orb_n of_o heaven_n shall_v spin_v out_o to_o the_o world_n be_v all_o to_o god_n but_o as_o 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the_o scripture_n bear_v abundant_a witness_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o attribute_n psal_n 102.25_o 26_o 27._o the_o heaven_n be_v the_o work_n of_o thy_o hand_n they_o shall_v perish_v but_o thou_o shall_v endure_v yea_o all_o of_o they_o shall_v wax_v old_a as_o a_o garment_n but_o thou_o be_v the_o same_o and_o thy_o year_n shall_v have_v no_o end_n psal_n 90.2_o before_o the_o mountain_n be_v bring_v forth_o or_o ever_o thou_o have_v form_v the_o earth_n and_o the_o world_n even_o from_o everlasting_a to_o everlasting_a thou_o be_v god_n isa_n 43.10_o before_o i_o be_v there_o no_o god_n form_v neither_o shall_v there_o be_v after_o i_o 1._o tim._n 1.17_o now_o to_o the_o king_n eternal_a and_o immortal_a the_o only_a wise_a god_n be_v honour_n and_o glory_n but_o i_o can_v stand_v to_o cite_v all_o the_o testimony_n that_o may_v be_v allege_v second_o the_o eternity_n of_o god_n may_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o clear_a and_o irrefragable_a reason_n and_o that_o i_o shall_v give_v you_o in_o these_o several_a gradation_n first_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o there_o be_v some_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v which_o be_v not_o itself_o make_v or_o produce_v by_o any_o for_o the_o series_n of_o cause_n be_v not_o infinite_a otherwise_o no_o effect_n can_v be_v produce_v since_o what_o be_v infinite_a can_v be_v pass_v through_o and_o if_o all_o being_n that_n be_v be_v cause_v by_o some_o pre-existent_a be_v then_o there_o be_v not_o nor_o ever_o be_v a_o be_v before_o which_o there_o be_v not_o another_o and_o so_o this_o gross_a absurdity_n will_v follow_v that_o before_o there_o be_v a_o be_v there_o be_v a_o be_v which_o be_v a_o contradiction_n therefore_o we_o must_v necessary_o rest_v in_o some_o first_o cause_n from_o which_o all_o thing_n have_v their_o origin_n and_o be_v itself_o cause_v by_o no_o other_o second_o
that_o their_o life_n may_v be_v more_o plausible_a their_o gift_n more_o serviceable_a and_o their_o condemnation_n at_o last_o the_o more_o tolerable_a q._n how_o do_v god_n keep_v man_n from_o sin_n by_o his_o special_a grace_n a._n by_o exciting_a the_o inward_a principle_n and_o habit_n of_o grace_n implant_v in_o his_o child_n to_o the_o actual_a use_n and_o exercise_n of_o it_o q._n be_v not_o inherent_a grace_n alone_o sufficient_a to_o keep_v the_o godly_a from_o sin_v a._n it_o be_v not_o without_o the_o continual_a influence_n of_o god_n quicken_a grace_n 2_o cor._n 12.7_o there_o be_v give_v to_o i_o a_o thorn_n in_o the_o flesh_n the_o messenger_n of_o satan_n to_o buffet_v i_o lest_o i_o shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o measure_n q._n what_o be_v those_o grace_n that_o god_n do_v especial_o excite_v to_o keep_v his_o child_n from_o sin_n a._n they_o be_v three_o faith_n fear_v and_o love_n q._n how_o do_v faith_n keep_v they_o from_o sin_v a._n many_o way_n but_o more_o especial_o by_o two_n 1._o first_o as_o it_o lively_o represent_v unto_o we_o eternal_a reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o make_v they_o as_o real_a as_o they_o be_v certain_a heb._n 11.1_o now_o faith_n be_v the_o substance_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v 2._o second_o as_o it_o represent_v unto_o we_o god_n to_o be_v the_o observer_n of_o our_o action_n who_o must_v hereafter_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o they_o for_o by_o faith_n we_o see_v he_o who_o be_v invisible_a q._n how_o do_v the_o fear_n of_o god_n keep_v man_n from_o sin_n a._n by_o possess_v our_o heart_n with_o awful_a thought_n of_o his_o dread_a majesty_n who_o power_n be_v infinite_a and_o who_o justice_n be_v strict_a and_o impartial_a psal_n 4.4_o stand_v in_o awe_n and_o sin_n not_o q._n how_o do_v the_o love_n of_o god_n keep_v man_n from_o sin_n a._n by_o work_v in_o they_o a_o holy_a ingenuity_n and_o sympathy_n of_o affection_n with_o god_n love_v what_o he_o love_v and_o hate_v what_o he_o hate_v and_o therefore_o those_o who_o love_n god_n will_v certain_o hate_v iniquity_n psal_n 97.10_o you_o that_o love_v the_o lord_n hate_n evil._n q._n what_o do_v we_o pray_v for_o in_o this_o part_n of_o the_o petition_n deliver_v we_o from_o evil_a a._n we_o pray_v 1._o that_o if_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o lead_v we_o into_o temptation_n yet_o he_o will_v not_o leave_v we_o under_o the_o power_n of_o temptation_n but_o will_v make_v a_o way_n for_o we_o to_o escape_v that_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o bear_v it_o 2._o that_o if_o at_o any_o time_n temptation_n shall_v prevail_v over_o we_o god_n will_v not_o leave_v we_o under_o the_o power_n of_o sin_n but_o raise_v we_o again_o by_o true_a repentance_n that_o so_o we_o may_v at_o last_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o great_a evil_n of_o obduration_n and_o impenitency_n 3._o that_o god_n will_v not_o only_o deliver_v we_o from_o gross_a and_o self_n condemn_v sin_n but_o from_o every_o evil_a way_n and_o work_n 4._o that_o he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o deliver_v we_o not_o only_o from_o what_o be_v in_o itself_o sinful_a but_o from_o all_o the_o occasion_n and_o appearance_n of_o evil._n q._n after_o the_o petition_n of_o the_o lord_n prayer_n what_o next_o follow_v to_o be_v consider_v a._n the_o doxology_n or_o praise_n in_o these_o word_n for_o thou_o etc._n etc._n q._n of_o what_o consist_v this_o doxology_n a._n of_o four_o of_o god_n most_o glorious_a attribute_n his_o soreignty_n thou_o be_v the_o kingdom_n his_o omnipotence_n thou_o be_v the_o power_n his_o excellency_n thou_o be_v the_o glory_n his_o eternity_n all_o these_o be_v thou_o for_o ever_o q._n what_o observe_v you_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o saviour_n ascribe_v these_o attribute_n to_o god_n a._n first_o the_o eminency_n of_o they_o intimate_v in_o the_o particle_n the_o the_o kingdom_n the_o power_n and_o the_o glory_n signify_v his_o the_o high_a and_o chief_a of_o all_o these_o and_o second_o the_o propriety_n of_o they_o in_o the_o particle_n thou_o to_o note_v to_o we_o that_o they_o be_v god_n only_o original_o independent_o and_o unchangeable_o q._n what_o observe_v you_o from_o the_o illative_a particle_n for_o when_o you_o say_v for_o thou_o be_v the_o kingdom_n etc._n etc._n a._n this_o word_n carry_v in_o it_o the_o force_n of_o a_o reason_n both_o why_o we_o shall_v pray_v unto_o god_n and_o why_o we_o may_v expect_v to_o be_v hear_v when_o we_o pray_v q._n how_o be_v it_o a_o reason_n for_o we_o to_o pray_v unto_o god_n a._n we_o pray_v unto_o god_n because_o he_o alone_o be_v able_a to_o relieve_v we_o for_o he_o be_v the_o kingdom_n and_o the_o power_n and_o the_o glory_n for_o ever_o q._n how_o be_v it_o a_o reason_n for_o we_o to_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v hear_v our_o prayer_n a._n many_o way_n 1._o he_o be_v the_o kingdom_n and_o we_o his_o subject_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v depend_v on_o he_o as_o our_o king_n for_o help_n and_o protection_n 2._o he_o be_v the_o power_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v able_a to_o do_v for_o we_o abundant_o above_o what_o we_o be_v able_a to_o ask_v or_o think_v 3._o he_o be_v the_o glory_n and_o therefore_o what_o we_o ask_v for_o his_o honour_n and_o praise_n shall_v be_v grant_v we_o 4._o all_o these_o be_v he_o for_o ever_o and_o therefore_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o at_o no_o time_n the_o prayer_n of_o faith_n shall_v be_v in_o vain_a q._n what_o observe_v you_o from_o our_o saviour_n teach_n we_o to_o use_v these_o argument_n and_o plea_n in_o our_o prayer_n to_o god_n a._n two_o thing_n 1._o in_o our_o prayer_n we_o ought_v to_o plead_v with_o god_n by_o weighty_a and_o enforce_a reason_n 2._o that_o the_o most_o prevail_a argument_n in_o prayer_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n q._n what_o benefit_n be_v there_o in_o use_v such_o reason_n since_o god_n can_v by_v they_o be_v move_v to_o alter_v his_o purpose_n a_o the_o strong_a our_o reason_n be_v to_o sue_v for_o mercy_n the_o more_o fervent_a will_v our_o prayer_n be_v and_o the_o more_o confirm_v our_o faith_n q._n how_o do_v the_o consideration_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v be_v god_n s_o confirm_v our_o faith_n that_o we_o shall_v obtain_v what_o we_o pray_v for_o a._n many_o way_n 1._o the_o kingdom_n be_v god_n and_o therefore_o he_o will_v see_v that_o his_o name_n be_v hallow_v in_o it_o for_o he_o be_v a_o king_n jealous_a of_o his_o honour_n 2._o the_o kingdom_n be_v god_n therefore_o he_o will_v take_v care_n for_o the_o establishment_n and_o enlargement_n of_o it_o since_o it_o be_v his_o own_o interest_n and_o concern_v 3._o the_o kingdom_n be_v god_n and_o therefore_o he_o will_v look_v to_o be_v obey_v in_o it_o without_o which_o royalty_n be_v but_o pageantry_n 4._o the_o kingdom_n be_v god_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v expect_v our_o daily_a bread_n and_o temporal_a accommodation_n for_o it_o be_v a_o kingly_a office_n to_o provide_v thing_n necessary_a for_o their_o subject_n 5._o the_o kingdom_n be_v god_n and_o therefore_o we_o pray_v to_o he_o for_o pardon_n and_o forgiveness_n since_o it_o be_v a_o royal_a prerogative_n to_o forgive_v offender_n 6._o the_o kingdom_n be_v god_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v pray_v in_o faith_n that_o he_o will_v deliver_v we_o from_o temptation_n and_o the_o evil_n to_o which_o we_o be_v tempt_v for_o one_o great_a end_n of_o government_n be_v to_o protect_v the_o subject_n from_o the_o assault_n of_o their_o cruel_a enemy_n q._n which_o be_v the_o second_o attribute_n ascribe_v unto_o god_n in_o the_o doxology_n of_o the_o lord_n prayer_n a._n power_n in_o these_o word_n and_o the_o power_n q._n how_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n distinguish_v a._n into_o his_o absolute_a and_o his_o ordinate_a power_n q._n what_o call_v you_o the_o absolute_a power_n of_o god_n a._n the_o absolute_a power_n of_o god_n be_v that_o whereby_o he_o be_v simple_o able_a to_o produce_v whatsoever_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v i._n e._n all_o thing_n which_o imply_v not_o contradiction_n q._n what_o call_v you_o god_n ordinate_a power_n a._n god_n ordinate_a power_n be_v that_o whereby_o he_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v those_o thing_n which_o according_a to_o his_o will_n shall_v come_v to_o pass_v q._n why_o be_v it_o call_v god_n ordinate_a power_n a._n because_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o be_v limit_v by_o the_o ordination_n of_o his_o wisdom_n and_o will._n psal_n 115.3_o but_o our_o god_n be_v in_o the_o heaven_n he_o have_v do_v whatsoever_o he_o please_v psal_n 135.6_o whatsoever_o the_o lord_n please_v that_o do_v he_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n in_o the_o sea_n and_o all_o deep_a place_n q._n be_v god_n
first_o i_o answer_v first_o this_o be_v st._n paul_n very_a case_n rom._n 7.8_o sin_n take_v occasion_n by_o the_o command_n wrought_v in_o i_o all_o manner_n of_o concupiscence_n now_o this_o effect_n be_v mere_o accidental_a and_o be_v not_o to_o be_v impute_v unto_o the_o holy_a word_n of_o god_n but_o to_o the_o wicked_a heart_n of_o man_n which_o take_v a_o hint_n so_o desperate_o corrupt_a be_v it_o from_o god_n forbid_a sin_n to_o put_v itself_o in_o mind_n of_o commit_v it_o second_o thou_o complain_v that_o the_o word_n excit_v to_o corruption_n but_o it_o do_v it_o not_o otherwise_o than_o the_o sun_n draw_v smoak_n and_o stink_v out_o of_o a_o dunghill_n it_o do_v increase_v but_o unhappy_o excite_v they_o the_o very_a same_o lust_n lay_v hide_v in_o their_o heart_n before_o there_o they_o lie_v like_o so_o many_o viper_n and_o serpent_n asleep_a till_o the_o light_n and_o warmth_n of_o the_o word_n make_v they_o stir_v and_o crawl_v about_o and_o this_o advantage_n thou_o may_v make_v of_o it_o that_o when_o thy_o corruption_n swarm_v thick_a about_o thou_o upon_o the_o disturbance_n the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v make_v among_o they_o thou_o may_v thence_o see_v what_o a_o wicked_a heart_n and_o nature_n thou_o have_v how_o much_o filth_n and_o mud_n there_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o it_o which_o present_o rise_v upon_o the_o first_o stir_v this_o may_v make_v thou_o vile_a in_o thy_o own_o eye_n and_o deep_o humble_v under_o the_o sad_a and_o serious_a consideration_n of_o thy_o indwelling_a sin_n it_o be_v the_o very_a use_n the_o apostle_n make_v in_o the_o same_o case_n rom._n 7.24_o o_o wretched_a man_n that_o i_o be_o who_o shall_v deliver_v i_o from_o the_o body_n of_o this_o death_n when_o humour_n be_v in_o motion_n we_o soon_o perceive_v what_o be_v the_o state_n of_o our_o body_n and_o when_o corruption_n be_v once_o stir_v we_o may_v thereby_o easy_o know_v the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o our_o soul_n three_o the_o same_o word_n that_o do_v thus_o occasional_o stir_v up_o sin_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o beat_v it_o down_o you_o may_v perceive_v by_o this_o there_o be_v somewhat_o in_o the_o word_n that_o be_v extreme_o contrary_a to_o their_o sin_n since_o they_o do_v so_o rise_v and_o arm_n against_o it_o their_o great_a enemy_n be_v upon_o they_o and_o this_o alarm_n that_o they_o take_v be_v but_o before_o their_o overthrow_n it_o may_v be_v the_o mud_n be_v only_o stir_v that_o it_o may_v be_v cast_v out_o and_o their_o heart_n cleanse_v from_o it_o be_v not_o discourage_v therefore_o for_o there_o be_v no_o mean_n in_o the_o world_n so_o apposite_a to_o the_o destruction_n and_o subdue_a of_o sin_n as_o the_o scripture_n though_o at_o first_o it_o may_v seem_v instead_o of_o subdue_a of_o sin_n to_o strengthen_v they_o six_o many_o be_v discourage_v from_o study_v the_o scripture_n because_o their_o memory_n be_v so_o treacherous_a and_o unfaithful_a they_o can_v retain_v nothing_o when_o they_o have_v read_v the_o scripture_n and_o will_v recollect_v what_o they_o have_v read_v they_o can_v give_v no_o account_n of_o it_o either_o to_o themselves_o or_o other_o nothing_o abide_v upon_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o think_v it_o be_v as_o good_a give_v over_o as_o thus_o continual_o pour_v water_n into_o a_o sieve_n and_o inculcate_v truth_n upon_o such_o a_o leaky_a memory_n where_o all_o run_v out_o this_o be_v indeed_o the_o complaint_n of_o many_o but_o first_o this_o shall_v put_v thou_o on_o a_o more_o frequent_a and_o diligent_a study_n of_o the_o scripture_n than_o discourage_v thou_o from_o it_o more_o pain_n will_v supply_v this_o defect_n thou_o must_v the_o often_o prompt_v and_o the_o often_o examine_v thyself_o the_o more_o forgetful_a thou_o be_v memory_n be_v the_o soul_n steward_n and_o if_o thou_o find_v it_o unfaithful_a call_v it_o the_o often_o to_o account_v be_v still_o follow_v it_o with_o line_n upon_o line_n and_o precept_n upon_o precept_n and_o continual_o instill_v somewhat_o into_o it_o a_o vessel_n set_v under_o the_o fall_n of_o a_o spring_n can_v leak_v fast_o than_o it_o be_v supply_v a_o constant_a drop_n of_o this_o heavenly_a doctrine_n into_o the_o memory_n will_v keep_v it_o that_o though_o it_o be_v leaky_a yet_o it_o never_o shall_v be_v empty_a second_o scripture_n truth_n when_o they_o do_v not_o enrich_v the_o memory_n yet_o they_o may_v purify_v the_o heart_n we_o must_v not_o measure_v the_o benefit_n we_o receive_v from_o the_o word_n according_a to_o what_o of_o it_o remain_v but_o according_a to_o what_o effect_n it_o leave_v behind_o lightning_z you_o know_v than_o which_o nothing_o soon_o vanish_v away_o yet_o it_o often_o break_v and_o melt_v the_o hard_a and_o most_o firm_a body_n in_o its_o sudden_a passage_n such_o be_v the_o irresistible_a force_n of_o the_o word_n the_o spirit_n often_o dart_v it_o through_o we_o it_o seem_v but_o like_o a_o flash_n and_o go_v and_o yet_o it_o may_v break_v and_o melt_v down_o our_o hard_a heart_n before_o it_o when_o it_o leave_v no_o impression_n at_o all_o upon_o our_o memory_n i_o have_v hear_v of_o one_o who_o return_v from_o a_o affect_a sermon_n high_o commend_v it_o to_o some_o and_o be_v demand_v what_o he_o remember_v of_o it_o answer_v true_o i_o remember_v nothing_o at_o all_o but_o only_o while_o i_o hear_v it_o it_o make_v i_o resolve_v to_o live_v better_a than_o ever_o i_o have_v do_v and_o so_o by_o god_n grace_n i_o will_n here_o be_v now_o a_o sermon_n lose_v to_o the_o memory_n but_o not_o to_o the_o affection_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n i_o have_v somewhere_o read_v a_o story_n of_o one_o that_o complain_v to_o a_o age_a holyman_n that_o he_o be_v much_o discourage_v from_o read_v the_o scripture_n because_o his_o memory_n be_v so_o slippery_a he_o can_v fasten_v nothing_o upon_o it_o that_o he_o read_v the_o old_a hermit_n for_o so_o as_o i_o remember_v he_o be_v describe_v bid_v he_o take_v a_o earthen_a pitcher_n and_o fill_v it_o with_o water_n when_o he_o have_v do_v it_o he_o bid_v he_o empty_v it_o again_o and_o wipe_v it_o clean_o that_o nothing_o shall_v remain_v in_o it_o which_o when_o the_o other_o have_v do_v and_o wonder_v to_o what_o this_o tend_v now_o say_v he_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o the_o water_n remain_v to_o it_o yet_o the_o pitcher_n be_v clean_a than_o it_o be_v before_o so_o though_o thy_o memory_n retain_v nothing_o of_o the_o word_n thou_o read_v yet_o thy_o heart_n be_v the_o clean_a for_o its_o very_a passage_n through_o three_o never_o fear_v your_o memory_n only_o pray_v for_o good_a and_o pious_a affection_n affection_n to_o the_o truth_n we_o read_v or_o hear_v make_v the_o memory_n retentive_a of_o they_o most_o man_n memory_n be_v like_o jet_n or_o electrical_a body_n that_o attract_v and_o holdfast_v only_a straw_n or_o feather_n or_o such_o vain_a and_o light_a thing_n discourse_n to_o they_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n or_o some_o idle_a and_o romantic_a story_n their_o memory_n retain_v this_o as_o faithful_o as_o if_o it_o be_v engrave_v on_o leaf_n of_o brass_n whereas_o the_o great_a important_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o great_a mystery_n of_o heaven_n and_o concernment_n of_o eternity_n leave_v no_o more_o impression_n upon_o they_o than_o word_n on_o the_o air_n in_o which_o they_o be_v speak_v whence_o be_v this_o but_o only_o that_o the_o one_o sort_n work_v themselves_o into_o the_o memory_n through_o the_o interest_n they_o have_v get_v in_o the_o affection_n which_o the_o other_o can_v do_v have_v we_o but_o the_o same_o delight_n in_o heavenly_a object_n do_v we_o but_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o and_o mingle_v it_o with_o faith_n in_o the_o hear_n this_o will_v fix_v that_o volatileness_n and_o flittiness_n of_o our_o memory_n and_o make_v every_o truth_n as_o indelible_a as_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o be_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o 6_o objection_n seven_o other_o complain_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v they_o may_v as_o well_o and_o with_o as_o good_a success_n attempt_v to_o spy_v out_o what_o lie_v at_o the_o centre_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o search_v into_o the_o deep_a and_o hide_a mystery_n which_o no_o humane_a understanding_n can_v fathom_v or_o comprehend_v and_o this_o discourage_v they_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o there_o be_v such_o profound_a depth_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n since_o it_o be_v a_o system_n and_o compendium_n of_o his_o infinite_a and_o unsearchable_a wisdom_n that_o wisdom_n which_o from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v hide_v in_o god_n those_o deep_a truth_n which_o your_o understanding_n can_v reach_v