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allow_v to_o understand_v and_o teach_v devotion_n which_o be_v all_o i_o intend_v in_o this_o for_o that_o which_o according_a to_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o art_n must_v be_v allow_v for_o excellent_a music_n may_v not_o always_o be_v proper_a for_o devotion_n it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n in_o compose_v hymn_n and_o anthem_n to_o consider_v only_o what_o note_n be_v musical_a and_o will_v delight_n and_o entertain_v the_o hearer_n the_o true_a rule_n be_v what_o note_n be_v most_o proper_a to_o excite_v or_o quicken_v such_o passion_n of_o devotion_n as_o the_o word_n of_o the_o hymn_n or_o anthem_n express_v this_o indeed_o can_v be_v do_v without_o skill_n in_o music_n but_o true_a devotion_n be_v the_o best_a director_n of_o that_o skill_n for_o a_o devout_a mind_n will_v judge_v of_o the_o devotion_n as_o a_o skilful_a ear_n do_v of_o the_o music_n of_o sound_n that_o the_o most_o certain_a way_n for_o the_o great_a master_n to_o compose_v such_o hymn_n and_o anthem_n as_o be_v 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of_o devotion_n i_o thank_v god_n we_o have_v no_o great_a reason_n to_o make_v this_o complaint_n in_o this_o church_n and_o i_o hope_v shall_v every_o day_n have_v less_o but_o this_o be_v a_o good_a occasion_n to_o mind_v all_o such_o person_n how_o devout_a they_o ought_v to_o be_v if_o music_n be_v a_o help_n to_o devotion_n who_o have_v this_o advantage_n from_o art_n and_o nature_n first_o to_o excite_v their_o own_o devotion_n and_o then_o to_o assist_v the_o devotion_n of_o other_o which_o last_o must_v be_v a_o very_a tasteless_a uneasy_a employment_n if_o they_o have_v no_o devotion_n of_o their_o own_o and_o a_o great_a reproach_n also_o to_o their_o art_n when_o they_o themselves_o be_v witness_n how_o little_a devotion_n it_o teach_v but_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n which_o i_o believe_v be_v not_o so_o well_o consider_v which_o yet_o be_v just_a matter_n of_o scandal_n for_o those_o who_o sing_v divine_a hymn_n and_o anthem_n at_o church_n and_o who_o procession_n it_o 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can_v thing_n be_v better_o order_v for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n good_a man_n whatever_o their_o condition_n be_v have_v the_o advantage_n of_o the_o wicked_a even_o as_o to_o this_o present_a life_n they_o may_v be_v easy_a and_o enjoy_v themselves_o in_o all_o condition_n for_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o their_o present_a support_n but_o if_o bad_a man_n be_v sufferer_n they_o have_v nothing_o to_o support_v they_o and_o though_o they_o be_v prosperous_a they_o feel_v such_o disorder_n of_o passion_n or_o such_o guilty_a fear_n as_o sour_a all_o their_o other_o enjoyment_n 3._o god_n have_v so_o wise_o order_v thing_n that_o we_o can_v support_v ourselves_o under_o suffering_n without_o make_v a_o wise_a and_o good_a use_n of_o they_o for_o the_o best_a argument_n to_o comfort_v we_o under_o suffering_n will_v afford_v we_o no_o comfort_n unless_o they_o make_v we_o better_o it_o be_v a_o great_a comfort_n that_o affliction_n be_v appoint_v by_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a god_n but_o he_o who_o consider_v this_o will_v natural_o inquire_v into_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n strike_v will_v search_v and_o try_v his_o way_n and_o turn_v unto_o the_o lord_n will_v hear_v the_o rod_n and_o who_o it_o be_v that_o have_v appoint_v it_o that_o affliction_n be_v order_v for_o our_o good_a will_v make_v we_o endeavour_v to_o reap_v the_o spiritual_a benefit_n of_o they_o for_o that_o affliction_n be_v useful_a be_v no_o comfort_n at_o all_o unless_o we_o make_v a_o wise_a use_n of_o they_o unless_o they_o bring_v forth_o the_o peaceable_a fruit_n of_o righteousness_n no_o man_n can_v take_v comfort_n in_o the_o reward_n of_o the_o next_o world_n without_o bear_v his_o suffering_n well_o in_o this_o for_o our_o suffering_n will_v have_v no_o reward_n unless_o they_o make_v we_o better_o unless_o they_o purify_v our_o mind_n and_o exercise_v our_o faith_n and_o patience_n and_o submission_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n three_o i_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o suffer_v than_o to_o sin_n even_o with_o respect_n to_o our_o present_a ease_n because_o suffering_n may_v be_v bear_v by_o a_o innocent_a and_o virtuous_a mind_n but_o gild_n inflict_v a_o unsupportable_a wound_n upon_o the_o spirit_n and_o â—…ose_v suffering_n which_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n can_v bear_v be_v rather_o to_o be_v choose_v â—…han_o what_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n can_v â—…ear_v last_o i_o observe_v that_o the_o governâ—…ent_n of_o our_o own_o passion_n contribute_v â—…ore_o to_o our_o happiness_n than_o any_o exterâ—…al_a enjoyment_n while_o our_o mind_n be_v disorder_v with_o violent_a and_o tumultuâ—…us_a passion_n we_o can_v never_o be_v easy_a and_o happy_a whatever_o else_o we_o enjoy_v for_o this_o give_v such_o a_o wound_n to_o the_o spirit_n as_o no_o external_a enjoyment_n can_v heal_v but_o he_o who_o have_v his_o passion_n under_o government_n who_o know_v how_o to_o love_v and_o fear_v desire_v and_o hope_n though_o he_o may_v be_v a_o great_a sufferer_n can_v never_o be_v miserable_a because_o he_o can_v support_v himself_o under_o all_o other_o suffering_n what_o a_o wrong_a course_n then_o do_v the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n take_v to_o make_v themselves_o happy_a they_o seek_v for_o happiness_n without_o when_o the_o foundation_n of_o happiness_n must_v be_v lay_v within_o in_o the_o temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o our_o mind_n a_o easy_a quiet_a mind_n will_v weather_v all_o the_o storm_n of_o fortune_n but_o how_o calm_a and_o serene_a soever_o the_o heaven_n be_v there_o be_v no_o peace_n to_o the_o wicked_a who_o have_v nothing_o but_o noise_n and_o tumult_n and_o confusion_n within_o to_o god_n the_o father_n god_n the_o son_n and_o god_n 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 vii_o preach_v at_o the_o funeral_n of_o the_o reverend_a richard_n meggot_n d._n d._n and_o late_a dean_n of_o winchester_n december_n the_o 10_o 1692._o at_o twickenham_n i._o phil._n 23_o 24._o for_o i_o be_o in_o a_o strait_a betwixt_o two_o have_v a_o desire_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a nevertheless_o to_o abide_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v more_o needful_a for_o you_o st_n paul_n write_v this_o epistle_n to_o philippi_n from_o rome_n where_o he_o be_v in_o bond_n for_o the_o gospel_n but_o though_o his_o body_n be_v confine_v to_o a_o prison_n his_o soul_n his_o great_a divine_a soul_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o visit_v the_o church_n he_o have_v plant_v to_o advise_v and_o counsel_n and_o comfort_v they_o to_o increase_v their_o knowledge_n and_o to_o confirm_v their_o faith_n to_o instame_v their_o zeal_n and_o to_o spur_v they_o forward_o to_o more_o perfect_a attainman_n in_o all_o piety_n and_o virtue_n the_o philippian_n seem_v great_o concern_v lest_o the_o progress_n of_o â—…e_a gospel_n shall_v be_v hinder_v by_o st._n paul_n imprisonment_n and_o lest_o they_o and_o the_o whole_a church_n shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o the_o labour_n and_o ministry_n of_o so_o great_a a_o apostle_n shall_v this_o persecution_n extend_v to_o life_n as_o they_o have_v reason_n to_o fear_v it_o will_v as_o for_o the_o first_o st._n paul_n assure_v they_o that_o his_o bond_n be_v for_o the_o furtherance_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o his_o imprisonment_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o both_o in_o the_o court_n and_o city_n which_o make_v man_n curious_a to_o know_v what_o that_o doctrine_n be_v which_o he_o preach_v and_o for_o which_o he_o suffer_v bond_n and_o this_o publish_v the_o gospel_n more_o effectual_o than_o his_o preach_v can_v have_v do_v verse_n 12_o 13_o etc._n etc._n as_o for_o the_o second_o he_o tell_v they_o he_o be_v no_o far_o concern_v either_o about_o life_n or_o death_n but_o that_o christ_n may_v be_v magnify_v in_o his_o body_n if_o he_o live_v his_o life_n be_v whole_o devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o his_o church_n if_o he_o die_v it_o will_v be_v for_o his_o own_o great_a advantage_n to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n and_o to_o die_v be_v gain_v verse_n 20_o 21._o and_o this_o make_v it_o a_o hard_a choice_n to_o he_o whether_o he_o shall_v desire_v to_o live_v or_o die_v whether_o he_o shall_v get_v rid_v of_o his_o bond_n and_o make_v his_o escape_n out_o of_o a_o troublesome_a world_n into_o the_o region_n of_o ease_n and_o rest_v to_o reap_v the_o fruit_n of_o his_o labour_n here_o in_o the_o eternal_a enjoyment_n of_o his_o lord_n who_o he_o have_v so_o faithful_o serve_v or_o whether_o he_o shall_v live_v to_o encounter_n with_o a_o thousand_o difficulty_n and_o death_n in_o the_o service_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o soul_n of_o men._n what_o i_o shall_v choose_v i_o wot_v not_o for_o i_o be_o in_o a_o strait_a betwixt_o two_o have_v a_o desire_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a nevertheless_o to_o abide_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v more_o needful_a for_o you_o be_v there_o ever_o such_o a_o dispute_n as_o this_o before_o that_o a_o man_n who_o be_v as_o certain_a to_o go_v to_o heaven_n as_o he_o be_v to_o die_v who_o have_v himself_o be_v snatch_v up_o into_o the_o three_o heaven_n and_o have_v his_o mind_n possess_v with_o strong_a and_o vigorous_a and_o lively_a idea_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o that_o place_n who_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v such_o thing_n as_o can_v not_o be_v express_v who_o see_v a_o crown_n a_o glorious_a immarcessible_a crown_n prepare_v for_o he_o i_o say_v that_o such_o a_o man_n shall_v make_v any_o question_n what_o he_o shall_v choose_v whether_o immediate_o to_o take_v possession_n of_o this_o crown_n and_o kingdom_n or_o to_o live_v long_o in_o this_o world_n to_o suffer_v bond_n and_o imprisonment_n hunger_n and_o cold_a and_o stripe_n and_o all_o the_o ill_a usage_n which_o he_o have_v so_o often_o meet_v with_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o still_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o to_o enlarge_v the_o border_n of_o christ_n church_n what_o a_o contempt_n be_v this_o not_o only_o of_o the_o little_a pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n but_o even_o of_o all_o the_o misery_n of_o life_n what_o a_o triumph_n be_v this_o over_o the_o world_n over_o all_o the_o frown_n and_o terror_n of_o it_o what_o a_o triumph_n be_v this_o over_o self_n such_o a_o degree_n of_o self-denial_n as_o the_o gospel_n itself_o do_v not_o command_v which_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n to_o deny_v heaven_n to_o deny_v all_o the_o joy_n of_o christ_n presence_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o do_v good_a for_o it_o be_v to_o delay_v to_o put_v off_o heaven_n to_o adjourn_v his_o own_o happiness_n that_o he_o may_v live_v the_o long_a to_o serve_v his_o great_a master_n though_o with_o great_a difficulty_n and_o labour_n what_o love_n be_v this_o
to_o his_o lord_n what_o love_n be_v this_o to_o the_o soul_n â—…f_a man_n it_o be_v certain_o the_o most_o perâ—…ect_a imitation_n of_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n â—…at_n be_v possible_a to_o man_n christ_n so_o â—…oved_v we_o as_o to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o live_v a_o laborious_a life_n and_o â—…o_o die_v a_o accurse_a death_n for_o we_o this_o great_a apostle_n so_o love_v his_o lord_n and_o so_o love_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o â—…e_v make_v it_o his_o choice_n to_o stay_v some_o time_n out_o of_o heaven_n and_o to_o encounter_v all_o the_o misery_n and_o terror_n of_o this_o life_n to_o serve_v christ_n and_o his_o church_n where_o be_v this_o divine_a spirit_n now_o to_o be_v find_v let_v we_o my_o belove_a brethren_n who_o be_v entrust_v also_o with_o the_o care_n of_o soul_n by_o the_o great_a shepherd_n and_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n blush_v to_o think_v how_o far_o short_a we_o fall_v of_o this_o example_n let_v this_o inspire_v we_o with_o a_o flame_a love_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n for_o who_o christ_n die_v and_o make_v we_o at_o least_o content_v to_o deny_v ourselves_o some_o of_o the_o ease_n and_o security_n and_o pleasure_n of_o life_n to_o serve_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n but_o to_o keep_v myself_o within_o some_o bound_n i_o shall_v brief_o discourse_n on_o these_o two_o head_n which_o be_v very_o proper_a for_o this_o occasion_n and_o very_o proper_a to_o my_o text._n first_o the_o great_a reward_n of_o faithful_a pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o much_o it_o be_v for_o their_o advantage_n to_o be_v remove_v out_o of_o this_o world_n st._n paul_n be_v very_o sensible_a of_o this_o which_o make_v he_o desire_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a second_o how_o necessary_a the_o life_n of_o such_o man_n be_v to_o the_o church_n and_o what_o a_o great_a loss_n it_o be_v when_o god_n remove_v they_o out_o of_o it_o nevertheless_o to_o abide_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v more_o needful_a for_o you_o 1._o let_v we_o then_o consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o great_a reward_n of_o the_o faithful_a minister_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o much_o it_o be_v for_o their_o advantage_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ._n now_o i_o do_v not_o here_o intend_v a_o comparison_n between_o heaven_n and_o earth_n good_a god_n what_o different_a thing_n be_v these_o and_o what_o christian_a doubt_n whether_o heaven_n be_v a_o happy_a place_n than_o this_o world_n heaven_n whither_o no_o trouble_n or_o sorrow_n can_v follow_v we_o no_o persecute_v sword_n no_o persecute_v tongue_n where_o we_o shall_v be_v deliver_v from_o all_o the_o want_v necessity_n and_o infirmity_n of_o the_o body_n from_o â—…unger_n and_o cold_a and_o nakedness_n â—…m_a wrack_a pain_n and_o languish_a â—…cknesses_n where_o there_o be_v eternal_a ease_n â—…d_v rest_n and_o joy_n without_o labour_n â—…ithout_v discontent_n without_o quarrel_n â—…here_o our_o soul_n shall_v be_v perfect_v in_o â—…owledge_n and_o in_o love_n where_o we_o â—…all_v dwell_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n see_v â—…m_n as_o he_o be_v and_o know_v he_o even_o as_o â—…e_v be_v know_v where_o we_o shall_v dwell_v â—…ith_n christ_n adore_v his_o love_n behold_v â—…s_a glory_n and_o be_v transform_v our_o â—…lves_n into_o the_o likeness_n and_o image_n of_o â—…s_n glory_n we_o have_v but_o obscure_v imâ—…rfect_a conception_n of_o these_o thing_n â—…w_o heaven_n will_v outdo_v our_o high_a â—…xpectations_n as_o much_o as_o the_o most_o â—…erfect_a state_n of_o happiness_n in_o this_o world_n â—…ways_o fall_v short_a of_o what_o we_o expectâ—…_n and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o good_a â—…en_n it_o be_v a_o mighty_a happy_a change_n â—…ey_n make_v when_o they_o remove_v from_o â—…arth_n to_o heaven_n but_o there_o be_v different_a degree_n of_o glory_n in_o the_o next_o world_n proportionâ—…d_v not_o only_o to_o our_o different_a attainâ—…ents_n in_o virtue_n but_o to_o those_o different_a trust_n in_o service_n which_o we_o have_v be_v employ_v in_o and_o have_v faithful_o discharge_v here_o we_o read_v of_o the_o reward_n of_o a_o prophet_n that_o he_o who_o give_v a_o cup_n of_o cold_a water_n to_o a_o prophet_n in_o the_o name_n of_o a_o prophet_n shall_v have_v a_o prophet_n reward_n which_o must_v signify_v some_o peculiar_a reward_n that_o shall_v be_v bestow_v on_o prophet_n we_o know_v so_o little_a of_o the_o other_o world_n that_o we_o can_v conceive_v what_o these_o different_a reward_n shall_v be_v the_o prophet_n daniel_n represent_v it_o by_o a_o external_a glory_n 12._o dan._n 3._o and_o they_o that_o be_v wise_a shall_v shine_v as_o the_o brightness_n of_o the_o firmament_n and_o they_o that_o turn_v many_o to_o righteousness_n as_o the_o star_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o but_o our_o saviour_n represent_v this_o by_o a_o different_a degree_n of_o rule_n and_o empire_n 12._o luke_n 42_o 43_o 44._o and_o the_o lord_n say_v who_o then_o be_v that_o faithful_a and_o wise_a steward_n who_o his_o lord_n shall_v make_v ruler_n over_o his_o household_n to_o give_v they_o their_o meat_n in_o due_a season_n this_o be_v the_o honourable_a character_n of_o gospel_n minister_n in_o this_o world_n that_o they_o be_v ruler_n in_o god_n household_n to_o instruct_v and_o feed_v they_o with_o the_o word_n of_o life_n and_o their_o reward_n be_v proportion_v to_o their_o work_n blessed_n be_v that_o servant_n who_o his_o lord_n when_o he_o come_v shall_v find_v so_o do_v of_o a_o truth_n i_o say_v unto_o you_o that_o he_o will_v make_v he_o ruler_n â—…ver_o all_o that_o he_o have_v what_o this_o ruleâ—…ignifies_v â—…ignifies_z in_o the_o other_o world_n be_v a_o mysteâ—…y_n to_o we_o especial_o since_o we_o have_v â—…ancied_v the_o other_o world_n to_o be_v only_o a_o state_n of_o contemplation_n not_o of_o actiâ—…n_n where_o we_o shall_v have_v nothing_o to_o do_v â—…ut_o to_o see_v god_n and_o to_o love_n and_o to_o praise_v he_o but_o no_o service_n to_o do_v for_o â—…im_v but_o we_o know_v there_o be_v different_a â—…orders_n of_o angel_n who_o be_v employ_v in_o great_a trust_n and_o office_n arch-angel_n angel_n throne_n dominion_n principality_n and_o power_n which_o be_v name_n of_o rule_n and_o government_n though_o we_o know_v not_o what_o their_o power_n and_o authority_n be_v nor_o how_o they_o govern_v in_o like_a manner_n our_o saviour_n promise_v his_o apostle_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o that_o you_o which_o have_v follow_v i_o in_o the_o regeneration_n when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n shall_v sit_v on_o the_o throne_n of_o his_o glory_n you_o also_o shall_v sit_v upon_o twelve_o throne_n judge_v the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n 19_o matth._n 28._o the_o like_a we_o may_v see_v in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o pound_n and_o talent_n he_o who_o have_v gain_v ten_o pound_n have_v rule_n over_o ten_o city_n and_o he_o who_o gain_v five_o pound_n have_v rule_n over_o five_o city_n for_o these_o servant_n to_o who_o the_o lord_n give_v these_o pound_n and_o talent_n to_o improve_v plain_o signify_v his_o steward_n and_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n for_o no_o other_o person_n have_v in_o so_o peculiar_a a_o manner_n this_o honourable_a character_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n throughout_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o there_o be_v order_n and_o government_n among_o the_o angel_n themselves_o why_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o like_o this_o among_o glorify_a saint_n if_o angel_n be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o heaven_n be_v a_o state_n of_o mere_a rest_n and_o contemplation_n especial_o when_o happiness_n consist_v in_o action_n and_o if_o christ_n have_v any_o minister_n of_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n in_o the_o next_o world_n it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o those_o shall_v have_v the_o great_a authority_n and_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o noble_a service_n who_o have_v be_v his_o faithful_a steward_n and_o minister_n in_o this_o world_n for_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o in_o heaven_n be_v the_o same_o church_n though_o their_o state_n be_v very_o different_a and_o therefore_o they_o do_v not_o lose_v their_o relation_n to_o christ_n nor_o their_o station_n in_o his_o church_n by_o remove_v to_o heaven_n it_o be_v a_o sacerdotal_a kingdom_n our_o high_a priest_n be_v king_n and_o therefore_o a_o priest_n of_o jesus_n how_o mean_a soever_o this_o be_v think_v now_o will_v be_v one_o of_o the_o high_a character_n in_o heaven_n what_o the_o happiness_n of_o this_o be_v we_o can_v tell_v but_o we_o know_v that_o there_o be_v no_o empty_a title_n in_o heaven_n but_o every_o degree_n of_o dignity_n there_o signify_v a_o peculiar_a degree_n of_o happiness_n