the_o salvation_n and_o future_a happiness_n of_o a_o christian_a we_o may_v take_v a_o brief_a abstract_n or_o sum_n of_o our_o duty_n which_o be_v this_o to_o love_v the_o lord_n our_o god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o to_o have_v a_o firm_a and_o radicate_v faith_n in_o his_o goodness_n declare_v to_o the_o world_n by_o his_o only_o beget_v son_n jesus_n christ_n a_o universal_a abstinence_n from_o all_o wrong_n and_o injustice_n a_o hearty_a love_n and_o goodwill_n to_o all_o man_n whatever_o to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o to_o abstain_v from_o all_o appearance_n of_o evil_a to_o be_v of_o a_o compassionate_a and_o forgive_a spirit_n and_o if_o we_o have_v receive_v a_o injury_n not_o to_o recompense_v it_o again_o in_o any_o kind_n to_o abstract_n and_o withdraw_v our_o heart_n and_o mind_n from_o earthly_a good_n and_o make_v treasure_n for_o ourselves_o in_o heaven_n and_o to_o be_v no_o more_o solicitous_a for_o worldly_a concernment_n than_o the_o lily_n of_o the_o field_n or_o the_o fowl_n of_o the_o air_n but_o that_o have_v food_n and_o raiment_n therewith_o to_o be_v content_a to_o keep_v ourselves_o pure_a and_o undefiled_a not_o only_o from_o outward_a and_o grosser_n but_o inward_a and_o more_o refine_a pollution_n to_o be_v ready_a to_o do_v good_a and_o distribute_v to_o the_o necessity_n of_o our_o brethren_n to_o live_v peaceable_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a with_o all_o man_n in_o a_o word_n whatever_o thing_n be_v true_a whatever_o thing_n be_v honest_a just_a lovely_a and_o of_o good_a report_n if_o there_o be_v any_o virtue_n if_o there_o be_v any_o praise_n to_o think_v on_o such_o thing_n what_o can_v be_v plain_a and_o easy_a than_o this_o nor_o be_v the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n any_o derogation_n from_o it_o though_o that_o impious_a epicurean_a celsus_n deride_v it_o upon_o that_o account_n extol_v the_o write_n of_o plato_n above_o the_o scripture_n for_o as_o origen_n acute_o enough_o reply_n celsum_fw-la the_o design_n of_o god_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o make_v man_n good_a and_o virtuous_a it_o be_v necessary_a the_o precept_n tend_v to_o that_o end_n shall_v be_v deliver_v plain_o and_o perspicuous_o suitable_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o illiterate_a vulgar_a who_o be_v better_a allure_v and_o win_v by_o a_o common_a and_o usual_a form_n of_o speech_n than_o by_o the_o artificial_a decking_n and_o gay_a scheme_n of_o rhetoric_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o therefore_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v much_o more_o advance_v that_o which_o be_v their_o chief_a aim_n the_o life_n and_o nature_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n by_o that_o as_o celsus_n call_v it_o rude_a and_o rustical_a manner_n of_o speak_v than_o all_o the_o elegant_a write_n of_o plato_n which_o if_o they_o ever_o be_v advantageous_a for_o the_o rectify_v and_o amend_v the_o life_n of_o man_n it_o be_v only_o to_o such_o who_o intellectual_a faculty_n be_v raise_v and_o elevate_v above_o the_o plebeian_n strain_n therefore_o do_v the_o holy_a jesus_n on_o purpose_n make_v choice_n of_o ignorant_a and_o illiterate_a person_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o speak_v be_v not_o in_o the_o word_n which_o man_n wisdom_n teach_v 1.27_o but_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v and_o that_o by_o the_o foolish_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n god_n may_v confound_v the_o wise_a and_o by_o the_o weak_a destroy_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v mighty_a object_n but_o you_o will_v say_v to_o what_o purpose_n be_v that_o intricacy_n and_o perplexity_n which_o be_v find_v in_o many_o place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o wherefore_o be_v many_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o its_o doctrine_n involve_v in_o such_o darkness_n and_o obscurity_n answ_n 1._o it_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n requisite_a that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v obscure_a to_o conciliate_v reverence_n and_o to_o beget_v a_o great_a esteem_n of_o its_o worth_n and_o dignity_n for_o the_o gospel_n be_v often_o call_v a_o mystery_n which_o suppose_v something_o venerable_a and_o secret_a and_o hide_a from_o the_o eye_n of_o vulgar_a person_n and_o god_n as_o in_o nature_n he_o have_v hide_v many_o precious_a thing_n in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o can_v be_v obtain_v without_o great_a labour_n and_o diligence_n in_o like_a manner_n have_v he_o veil_v many_o inestimable_a treasure_n in_o the_o christian_a mystery_n which_o be_v only_o attainable_a by_o the_o diligent_a search_n and_o sincere_a endeavour_n of_o pious_a man_n for_o shall_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n have_v display_v at_o once_o all_o the_o glory_n and_o beauty_n of_o this_o sacred_a and_o recondite_v method_n of_o recover_a soul_n it_o will_v appear_v contemptible_a and_o worthless_a as_o be_v the_o easy_a purchase_n of_o every_o profane_a and_o impious_a person_n 2._o the_o reason_n of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o christianity_n lie_v not_o so_o much_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o as_o in_o the_o incongruity_n of_o man_n mind_n and_o understanding_n with_o so_o high_a and_o raise_v a_o object_n the_o eye_n can_v behold_v the_o sun_n unless_o it_o have_v some_o resemblance_n and_o similitude_n of_o it_o within_o itself_o for_o like_a be_v know_v by_o its_o like_a and_o if_o man_n mind_n be_v not_o purify_v and_o bring_v into_o some_o cognation_n and_o likeness_n with_o the_o truth_n offer_v to_o they_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v ever_o have_v any_o true_a and_o genuine_a apprehension_n of_o they_o there_o be_v a_o learning_n and_o know_v the_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o jesus_n in_o that_o godlike_a meek_a and_o resign_v spirit_n and_o till_o man_n temper_n be_v plain_v and_o smooth_v from_o the_o ruggedness_n of_o their_o passion_n and_o the_o stubborn_a asperity_n of_o their_o lust_n and_o win_v to_o the_o embrace_v of_o the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o in_o that_o christ-like_a nature_n of_o humility_n and_o self-denial_n they_o may_v fill_v their_o head_n with_o sapless_a and_o lean_a notion_n windy_a and_o turgent_fw-la fancy_n but_o never_o nourish_v up_o their_o soul_n with_o solid_a and_o substantial_a knowledge_n the_o true_a sense_n of_o religion_n and_o christianity_n arise_v out_o of_o a_o mind_n devoid_a of_o passion_n and_o in_o which_o the_o life_n of_o god_n have_v take_v deep_a root_n and_o flourish_n and_o spread_v itself_o throughout_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o soul_n give_v a_o tincture_n relish_n and_o savour_n of_o itself_o to_o every_o thought_n word_n and_o deed_n in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o a_o man_n life_n and_o without_o this_o purify_a sense_n we_o feed_v upon_o nothing_o but_o the_o husk_n and_o shell_n of_o religion_n and_o fall_v in_o love_n with_o shadow_n instead_o of_o last_v and_o durable_a substance_n and_o this_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o itself_o 1_o cor._n two_o 14._o the_o natural_a man_n receive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n for_o they_o be_v foolishness_n unto_o he_o neither_o can_v he_o know_v they_o because_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v there_o be_v require_v a_o spiritual_a sense_n a_o life_n of_o holiness_n and_o justice_n of_o benignity_n and_o righteousness_n to_o the_o true_a discrimination_n of_o good_a and_o evil._n and_o further_a to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n of_o divine_a mystery_n there_o be_v necessary_o require_v the_o aid_n and_o assistance_n of_o that_o almighty_a and_o omnipresent_v spirit_n who_o by_o his_o foster_a incubation_n bring_v into_o be_v the_o goodly_a frame_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o that_o this_o holy_a spirit_n of_o truth_n may_v begin_v the_o efformation_n of_o the_o new_a and_o heavenly_a nature_n a_o considerable_a part_n of_o which_o be_v divine_a and_o spiritual_a wisdom_n there_o must_v be_v some_o previous_a preparation_n and_o man_n must_v be_v moral_o good_a and_o virtuous_a or_o else_o they_o will_v be_v perfect_o incapable_a of_o the_o illapse_n of_o his_o celestial_a influence_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o marvel_n if_o to_o brutish_a and_o immoral_a person_n the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n be_v hide_v and_o obscure_a 3._o that_o there_o may_v be_v something_o still_o reserve_v for_o the_o gratification_n of_o all_o degree_n of_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v both_o weak_a and_o strong_a christian_n some_o that_o be_v babe_n in_o christ_n and_o be_v feed_v with_o milk_n other_o that_o be_v of_o full_a age_n and_o have_v a_o discriminate_a sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil._n for_o the_o one_o there_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o rudimental_a way_n of_o instruction_n whereby_o man_n be_v lead_v as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o hand_n through_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n as_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n intimate_v heb._n vi_fw-la where_o the_o first_o thing_n require_v
life_n can_v make_v no_o impression_n where_o will_v be_v the_o object_n of_o thy_o love_n and_o joy_n when_o the_o heaven_n shall_v be_v dissolve_v the_o element_n melt_v with_o fervent_a heat_n and_o the_o earth_n with_o all_o the_o work_v therein_o be_v burn_v up_o what_o shall_v support_v and_o bear_v up_o thy_o die_a hope_n when_o all_o sensible_a thing_n shall_v perish_v in_o this_o dreadful_a conflagration_n think_v thou_o that_o the_o holes_n of_o the_o rock_n or_o the_o secret_a cavern_n of_o the_o mountain_n can_v hide_v thou_o from_o his_o eye_n which_o pierce_v through_o obscurity_n who_o be_v every_o where_o present_a by_o his_o mighty_a power_n and_o to_o who_o the_o night_n be_v as_o bright_a as_o noonday_n or_o will_v that_o just_a judge_n who_o sit_v upon_o the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o all_o the_o son_n of_o adam_n be_v bribe_v with_o thy_o gold_n and_o silver_n when_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v he_o and_o the_o fullness_n thereof_o surely_n nothing_o but_o righteousness_n will_v then_o deliver_v from_o death_n nothing_o but_o innocence_n and_o purity_n white_a as_o the_o beam_n of_o light_n can_v save_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n from_o eternal_a destruction_n wickedness_n and_o sin_n like_o a_o talon_n of_o lead_n shall_v sink_v down_o those_o soul_n that_o have_v delight_v in_o it_o into_o that_o sulphureous_a lake_n where_o a_o most_o acute_a and_o search_a pain_n shall_v stick_v close_o to_o they_o and_o unspeakable_a torment_n weary_a their_o restless_a ghost_n for_o ever_o a_o sad_a and_o pitiable_a calamity_n but_o as_o just_a as_o great_a for_o the_o bless_a author_n of_o all_o thing_n do_v not_o make_v law_n to_o ensnare_v the_o creation_n nor_o do_v he_o direct_o and_o primary_o intend_v punishment_n but_o have_v entail_v that_o upon_o disobedience_n that_o man_n may_v consider_v and_o beware_v and_o in_o time_n provide_v for_o their_o reception_n into_o all_o that_o happiness_n god_n make_v they_o for_o and_o which_o he_o by_o threaten_a punishment_n so_o affectionate_o desire_v they_o shall_v enjoy_v 2._o that_o there_o may_v be_v nothing_o want_v to_o enforce_v the_o forego_n consideration_n the_o scripture_n manifest_o resolve_v our_o good_a or_o ill_o be_v in_o the_o other_o life_n to_o depend_v upon_o our_o deportment_n in_o this_o it_o be_v in_o this_o life_n that_o we_o lay_v the_o train_n of_o our_o future_a happiness_n or_o misery_n and_o every_o moral_a action_n have_v a_o influence_n either_o good_a or_o bad_a upon_o eternity_n and_o here_o it_o be_v that_o we_o have_v a_o vital_a union_n and_o conjunction_n either_o with_o hell_n or_o heaven_n to_o be_v bear_v into_o this_o world_n be_v not_o only_o a_o punishment_n but_o a_o state_n of_o probation_n to_o we_o mortal_n wherein_o he_o that_o acquit_v himself_o generous_o and_o noble_o fight_v manful_o against_o the_o world_n the_o flesh_n and_o the_o devil_n and_o return_n with_o the_o spoil_n and_o trophy_n of_o his_o conquer_a enemy_n to_o his_o belove_a lord_n shall_v be_v crown_v with_o a_o eternal_a weight_n of_o glory_n but_o he_o that_o through_o faint-heartedness_n and_o cowardice_n yield_v himself_o a_o willing_a captive_n to_o his_o lust_n and_o corruption_n spare_v those_o rebellious_a sin_n and_o affection_n with_o who_o the_o captain_n of_o our_o salvation_n have_v swear_v war_n for_o ever_o he_o combine_v and_o unite_v himself_o to_o a_o live_a hell_n and_o no_o soon_o be_v his_o soul_n dislodge_v from_o its_o earthly_a fabric_n but_o it_o descend_v into_o those_o region_n of_o bitterness_n and_o sorrow_n with_o which_o it_o so_o wilful_o seek_v a_o cognation_n and_o affinity_n in_o this_o life_n and_o he_o that_o will_v but_o patient_o lend_v a_o ear_n to_o this_o can_v so_o obstinate_o forsake_v his_o own_o good_a nor_o delay_n and_o put_v off_o his_o repentance_n by_o imagine_v the_o day_n of_o judgement_n a_o great_a way_n off_o and_o not_o likely_a to_o overtake_v he_o for_o no_o soon_o have_v death_n disseize_v he_o of_o his_o terrestrial_a tenement_n but_o that_o universal_a nemesis_n which_o pervade_v the_o whole_a world_n will_v fatal_o convey_v he_o to_o such_o a_o place_n and_o society_n as_o he_o have_v prepare_v and_o accommodate_v himself_o for_o here_o on_o earth_n and_o he_o that_o obstinate_o reject_v the_o counsel_n of_o god_n and_o set_v at_o nought_o all_o his_o reproof_n will_v find_v that_o the_o wrath_n of_o the_o lord_n can_v reach_v he_o and_o he_o will_v have_v little_a or_o no_o possibility_n leave_v to_o better_v himself_o in_o the_o other_o world_n 3._o for_o the_o more_o ingenuous_a sort_n who_o be_v rather_o attract_v and_o win_v by_o the_o expression_n of_o kindness_n and_o love_n than_o the_o fear_n of_o external_a punishment_n what_o can_v more_o prevail_v with_o they_o than_o to_o behold_v the_o everblessed_n son_n of_o god_n who_o live_v in_o the_o boundless_a tract_n of_o truth_n and_o righteousness_n forsake_v those_o celestial_a mansion_n and_o come_v down_o and_o take_v a_o body_n of_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o here_o lead_v a_o obscure_a and_o evanid_a life_n persecute_v and_o afflict_a never_o see_v good_a day_n but_o always_o carry_v a_o heart_n full_a of_o pensiveness_n and_o sorrow_n and_o at_o last_o die_v a_o painful_a and_o ignominious_a death_n upon_o the_o cross_n and_o all_o this_o to_o recover_v and_o free_v the_o race_n of_o mankind_n from_o the_o tyranny_n and_o slavery_n of_o sin_n what_o can_v this_o but_o beget_v a_o suitable_a return_n of_o love_n in_o every_o ingenuous_a soul_n what_o kind_a heart_n be_v there_o that_o this_o spectacle_n will_v not_o fill_v with_o tear_n of_o love_n and_o joy_n and_o with_o the_o most_o endear_n expression_n devote_v itself_o to_o a_o faithful_a obedience_n of_o so_o compassionate_a a_o saviour_n 4._o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v most_o suitable_a mean_n for_o the_o reinstate_v man_n in_o the_o possession_n of_o god_n own_o life_n that_o possible_o can_v be_v offer_v to_o the_o world_n for_o he_o that_o consider_v how_o deep_o vice_n and_o iniquity_n be_v radicate_v in_o our_o very_a nature_n and_o what_o great_a diligence_n and_o care_n be_v require_v to_o extirpate_v even_o a_o single_a habit_n which_o of_o a_o long_a time_n have_v get_v a_o entire_a and_o full_a possession_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o withal_o reflect_v on_o the_o crazy_a and_o sickly_a state_n of_o our_o most_o generous_a and_o manly_a faculty_n how_o bedwarf_v and_o unable_a they_o be_v to_o resist_v through_o a_o continue_a imbibition_n of_o a_o sweet_a poison_n from_o sense_n can_v but_o conclude_v the_o evangelical_n oeconomy_n will_v be_v very_o lame_a and_o imperfect_a be_v it_o not_o instruct_v and_o furnish_v with_o argument_n sufficient_a to_o countermand_v and_o outbalance_v the_o importunate_a solicitation_n of_o the_o degenerate_a principle_n of_o unrighteousness_n and_o sin_n and_o indeed_o be_v not_o a_o crown_n of_o glory_n the_o great_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o our_o holy_a faith_n be_v not_o virtue_n countenance_v with_o a_o appendent_a felicity_n the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n will_v now_o appear_v as_o squalid_a and_o deform_a as_o in_o its_o first_o and_o great_a brutishness_n and_o barbarity_n for_o who_o will_v seek_v the_o renovation_n of_o decay_a righteousness_n or_o who_o will_v entertain_v afflict_v and_o oppress_a holiness_n if_o its_o reward_n do_v not_o full_o answer_v and_o compensate_a whatever_o trouble_v difficulty_n and_o molestation_n do_v attend_v it_o who_o will_v buy_v religion_n with_o the_o expense_n of_o all_o his_o temporal_a interest_n nay_o of_o his_o life_n itself_o if_o he_o be_v not_o assure_v the_o happiness_n lay_v up_o for_o holy_a and_o incorrupt_a soul_n do_v infinite_o transcend_v and_o exceed_v the_o choice_a pleasure_n and_o gratification_n that_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v withal_o in_o this_o region_n of_o mutability_n and_o that_o such_o a_o course_n and_o order_n of_o thing_n shall_v be_v take_v be_v not_o only_o a_o merciful_a provision_n of_o the_o good_a and_o wise_a creator_n of_o all_o thing_n towards_o we_o son_n of_o sense_n but_o give_v we_o a_o full_a evidence_n and_o assurance_n that_o his_o intention_n for_o the_o recovery_n of_o the_o world_n be_v real_a and_o sincere_a and_o render_v unsuspected_a the_o grand_a dispensation_n of_o christianity_n for_o have_v the_o gospel_n propound_v only_o intellectual_a notion_n and_o solicit_v our_o choice_n by_o thing_n most_o remote_a from_o sense_n while_o we_o be_v so_o fatal_o entangle_v and_o oppress_v with_o the_o encumbrance_n of_o dull_a mortality_n such_o a_o design_n will_v rather_o confound_v and_o amaze_v the_o faculty_n and_o capacity_n of_o man_n than_o prove_v any_o whit_n serviceable_a for_o the_o regain_n their_o ancient_a liberty_n and_o command_n like_o a_o potent_a and_o vigorous_a light_n set_v before_o weak_a and_o distemper_a eye_n which_o rather_o blind_v than_o afford_v
wonder_n by_o the_o help_n of_o apostate_n spirit_n which_o if_o it_o be_v so_o be_v a_o very_a pregnant_a testimony_n that_o jesus_n perform_v his_o miracle_n by_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o approbation_n for_o otherwise_o his_o fraud_n will_v soon_o have_v be_v detect_v by_o that_o great_a council_n 4._o that_o there_o be_v prestigious_a and_o satanical_a miracle_n be_v a_o evidence_n that_o there_o be_v likewise_o true_a and_o divine_a as_o in_o nature_n the_o be_v of_o worse_a argue_v the_o existence_n of_o better_a sophism_n and_o falsehood_n the_o reality_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o operation_n of_o second_o cause_n lead_v we_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o be_v of_o a_o first_o wherefore_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o evil_a and_o lapse_v genii_n can_v work_v miracle_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o first_o and_o best_a cause_n of_o all_o thing_n may_v and_o do_v produce_v effect_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o virtue_n and_o that_o the_o miracle_n of_o the_o bless_a 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whole_o intellectual_a he_o will_v not_o only_o esteem_v the_o efflux_n and_o emanation_n of_o the_o rational_a life_n to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o his_o felicity_n but_o seek_v the_o amplification_n and_o diffusion_n of_o it_o and_o reduce_v all_o exorbitant_a motion_n to_o its_o rule_n and_o determination_n and_o if_o we_o will_v not_o impose_v upon_o ourselves_o nor_o degrade_v our_o mind_n below_o the_o folly_n and_o triflingness_n of_o child_n but_o act_n like_o man_n who_o prefer_v thing_n before_o empty_a sound_n and_o name_n the_o eternal_a rule_n of_o justice_n righteousness_n and_o goodness_n will_v appear_v infinite_o more_o eligible_a than_o any_o thing_n else_o in_o the_o world_n beside_o for_o let_v a_o man_n be_v possess_v of_o the_o most_o glorious_a and_o splendid_a advantage_n and_o satisfaction_n that_o possible_o can_v grow_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n and_o let_v he_o extract_v the_o flower_n and_o quintessence_n of_o sublunary_a delight_n and_o he_o will_v 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which_o it_o always_o breath_n and_o aspire_v heaven_n itself_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o bless_a mansion_n of_o