a_o professor_n to_o a_o candidate_n these_o be_v the_o man_n here_o intend_v by_o st._n paul_n man_n famous_a in_o their_o respective_a age_n the_o great_a favourite_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o top_n and_o masterpiece_n of_o art_n man_n who_o aspire_v intellectual_n have_v raise_v they_o above_o the_o common_a level_n and_o make_v they_o high_o by_o the_o head_n than_o the_o world_n round_o about_o they_o man_n of_o a_o polite_a reason_n and_o a_o notion_n refine_v and_o enlarge_v by_o meditation_n such_o as_o with_o all_o these_o advantage_n of_o part_n and_o study_n have_v be_v toil_v and_o plod_v many_o year_n to_o outwit_n and_o deceive_v themselves_o sit_v up_o many_o night_n and_o spend_v many_o day_n to_o impose_v a_o fallacy_n upon_o their_o reason_n and_o in_o a_o word_n run_v the_o round_a of_o all_o the_o art_n and_o science_n to_o arrive_v at_o length_n at_o a_o glorious_a and_o elaborate_a folly_n even_o these_o i_o say_v these_o grandee_n and_o giant_n in_o knowledge_n 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of_o thing_n and_o those_o essential_a relation_n which_o by_o virtue_n thereof_o they_o bear_v to_o one_o another_o and_o consequent_o absurd_a and_o impossible_a so_o that_o upon_o a_o bare_a principle_n of_o reason_n creation_n must_v needs_o infer_v providence_n and_o god_n make_v the_o world_n irrefragable_o prove_v that_o he_o govern_v it_o too_o or_o that_o a_o be_v of_o a_o dependent_a nature_n remain_v nevertheless_o independent_a upon_o he_o in_o that_o respect_n beside_o all_o which_o it_o be_v also_o certain_a that_o the_o heathen_n do_v actual_o acknowledge_v the_o world_n govern_v by_o a_o supreme_a mind_n which_o knowledge_n whether_o they_o have_v it_o from_o tradition_n or_o the_o discourse_n of_o reason_n they_o stand_v however_o equal_o accountable_a for_o upon_o either_o account_n 3_o lie_n that_o this_o god_n or_o supreme_a be_v be_v to_o be_v worship_v for_o this_o be_v found_v upon_o his_o omnipotence_n and_o his_o providence_n since_o he_o who_o can_v preserve_v 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every_o such_o deviation_n that_o be_v in_o other_o word_n to_o repent_v of_o it_o what_o indeed_o the_o issue_n or_o effect_v of_o such_o a_o repentance_n may_v be_v bare_a reason_n can_v not_o of_o itself_o discover_v but_o that_o a_o peccant_a creature_n shall_v disapprove_v and_o repent_v of_o every_o violation_n of_o and_o declination_n from_o the_o rule_n of_o just_a and_o honest_a this_o right_a reason_n discourse_v upon_o the_o stock_n of_o its_o own_o principle_n can_v not_o but_o infer_v and_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o man_n before_o it_o be_v debauch_v and_o harden_v by_o habitual_a sin_n will_v recoil_v after_o the_o do_v of_o a_o evil_a action_n and_o acquit_v he_o after_o a_o good_n 6_o lie_n and_o last_o that_o every_o such_o deviation_n from_o duty_n render_v the_o person_n so_o deviate_a liable_a and_o obnoxious_a to_o punishment_n i_o do_v not_o
unborn_a though_o he_o have_v no_o positive_a perfection_n to_o present_v and_o set_v he_o off_o to_o christ_n view_n yet_o he_o be_v at_o least_o negative_o clear_a and_o like_o unwritten_a paper_n though_o it_o have_v no_o draught_n to_o entertain_v yet_o neither_o have_v it_o any_o blot_n to_o offend_v the_o eye_n but_o be_v white_a and_o innocent_a and_o fair_a for_o a_o after-inscription_n but_o man_n once_o fall_v be_v nothing_o but_o a_o great_a blur_v nothing_o but_o a_o total_a universal_a pollution_n and_o not_o to_o be_v reform_v by_o any_o thing_n under_o a_o new_a creation_n yet_o see_v here_o the_o ascent_n and_o progress_n of_o christ_n love_n for_o first_o if_o we_o consider_v man_n in_o such_o a_o loathsome_a and_o provoke_a condition_n be_v it_o not_o love_n enough_o that_o he_o be_v spare_v and_o permit_v to_o enjoy_v a_o be_v since_o not_o to_o put_v a_o traitor_n to_o death_n be_v a_o singular_a mercy_n but_o then_o not_o only_o to_o continue_v his_o be_v but_o to_o adorn_v it_o with_o privilege_n and_o from_o the_o number_n of_o subject_n to_o take_v he_o into_o the_o retinue_n of_o servant_n this_o be_v yet_o a_o great_a love_n for_o every_o one_o that_o may_v be_v fit_a to_o be_v tolerate_v in_o a_o prince_n dominion_n be_v not_o therefore_o fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o his_o family_n nor_o be_v any_o prince_n court_n to_o be_v commensurate_a to_o his_o kingdom_n but_o then_o far_o to_o advance_v he_o from_o a_o servant_n to_o a_o friend_n from_o only_o live_v in_o his_o house_n to_o lie_v in_o his_o bosom_n this_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o favour_n above_o the_o rate_n of_o a_o create_a goodness_n a_o act_n for_o none_o but_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o come_v to_o do_v every_o thing_n in_o miracle_n to_o love_v supernatural_o and_o to_o pardon_v infinite_o and_o even_o to_o lay_v down_o the_o sovereign_n while_o he_o assume_v the_o saviour_n the_o text_n speak_v the_o win_a behaviour_n and_o gracious_a condescension_n of_o christ_n to_o his_o disciple_n in_o own_v they_o for_o his_o friend_n who_o be_v more_o than_o sufficient_o honour_v by_o be_v his_o servant_n for_o still_o these_o word_n of_o he_o must_v be_v understand_v not_o according_a to_o the_o bare_a rigour_n of_o the_o letter_n but_o according_a to_o the_o art_n and_o allowance_n of_o expression_n not_o as_o if_o the_o relation_n of_o friend_n have_v actual_o discharge_v they_o from_o that_o of_o servant_n but_o that_o of_o the_o two_o relation_n christ_n be_v please_v to_o overlook_a the_o mean_a and_o without_o any_o mention_n of_o that_o to_o entitle_v and_o denominate_v they_o sole_o from_o the_o more_o honourable_a for_o the_o further_a illustration_n of_o which_o we_o must_v premise_v this_o as_o a_o certain_a and_o fundamental_a truth_n that_o so_o far_o as_o service_n import_v duty_n and_o subjection_n all_o create_a being_n whether_o man_n or_o angel_n bear_v the_o necessary_a and_o essential_a relation_n of_o servant_n to_o god_n and_o consequent_o to_o christ_n who_o be_v god_n bless_v for_o ever_o and_o this_o relation_n be_v so_o necessary_a that_o god_n himself_o can_v dispense_v with_o it_o nor_o discharge_v a_o rational_a creature_n from_o it_o for_o although_o consequential_o indeed_o he_o may_v do_v so_o by_o the_o annihilation_n of_o such_o a_o creature_n and_o the_o take_v away_o his_o be_v yet_o suppose_v the_o continuance_n of_o his_o be_v god_n can_v effect_v that_o a_o creature_n which_o have_v his_o be_v from_o and_o his_o dependence_n upon_o he_o shall_v not_o stand_v oblige_v to_o do_v he_o the_o utmost_a service_n that_o his_o nature_n enable_v he_o to_o do_v for_o to_o suppose_v the_o contrary_a will_v be_v irregular_a and_o opposite_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o fix_a unalterable_a relation_n of_o one_o nature_n to_o another_o be_v upon_o that_o account_n even_o by_o god_n himself_o indispensable_a forasmuch_o as_o have_v once_o make_v a_o creature_n he_o can_v cause_v that_o that_o creature_n shall_v not_o owe_v a_o natural_a relation_n to_o his_o maker_n both_o of_o subjection_n and_o dependence_n the_o very_a essence_n of_o a_o creature_n import_v so_o much_o to_o which_o relation_n if_o he_o behave_v himself_o unsutable_o he_o go_v contrary_a to_o his_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o it_o which_o god_n the_o author_n of_o nature_n can_v warrant_v without_o be_v contrary_a to_o himself_o from_o all_o which_o it_o follow_v that_o even_o in_o our_o high_a estate_n of_o sanctity_n and_o privilege_n we_o yet_o retain_v the_o unavoidable_a obligation_n of_o christ_n servant_n though_o still_o with_o a_o advantage_n as_o great_a as_o the_o obligation_n where_o the_o service_n be_v perfect_a freedom_n so_o that_o with_o reference_n to_o such_o a_o lord_n to_o serve_v and_o to_o be_v free_a be_v term_n not_o consistent_a only_o but_o absolute_o equivalent_a nevertheless_o since_o the_o name_n of_o servant_n have_v of_o old_a be_v reckon_v to_o imply_v a_o certain_a meanness_n of_o mind_n as_o well_o as_o lowness_n of_o condition_n and_o the_o ill_a quality_n of_o many_o who_o serve_v have_v render_v the_o condition_n itself_o not_o very_o creditable_a especial_o in_o those_o age_n and_o place_n of_o the_o world_n in_o which_o the_o condition_n of_o servant_n be_v extreme_o different_a from_o what_o it_o be_v now_o among_o we_o they_o be_v general_o slave_n and_o such_o as_o be_v buy_v and_o sell_v for_o money_n and_o consequent_o reckon_v but_o among_o the_o other_o good_n and_o chattel_n of_o their_o lord_n or_o master_n it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n that_o christ_n think_v fit_a to_o wave_v the_o appellation_n of_o servant_n here_o as_o according_a to_o the_o common_a use_n of_o it_o among_o the_o jew_n and_o at_o that_o time_n most_o nation_n beside_o import_v these_o three_o qualification_n which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v allow_v in_o any_o of_o christ_n disciple_n 1._o the_o first_o whereof_o be_v that_o here_o mention_v in_o the_o text_n viz._n a_o utter_a unacquaintance_n with_o his_o master_n design_n in_o these_o word_n the_o servant_n know_v not_o what_o his_o lord_n do_v for_o seldom_o do_v any_o man_n of_o sense_n make_v his_o servant_n his_o counsellor_n for_o fear_v of_o make_v he_o his_o governor_n too_o a_o master_n for_o the_o most_o part_n keep_v his_o choice_a good_n lock_v up_o from_o his_o servant_n but_o much_o more_o his_o mind_n a_o servant_n be_v to_o know_v nothing_o but_o his_o master_n command_n and_o in_o these_o also_o not_o to_o know_v the_o reason_n of_o they_o neither_o be_v he_o to_o stand_v aloof_o off_o from_o his_o counsel_n only_o but_o sometime_o from_o his_o presence_n also_o and_o so_o far_o as_o decency_n be_v duty_n it_o be_v sometime_o his_o duty_n to_o avoid_v he_o but_o the_o voice_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o gospel_n be_v come_v to_o i_o all_o you_o that_o be_v heavy_a lade_v the_o condition_n of_o a_o servant_n staff_n he_o off_o to_o a_o distance_n but_o the_o gospel_n speak_v nothing_o but_o allurement_n attractive_n and_o invitation_n the_o magisterial_a law_n bid_v the_o person_n under_o it_o go_v and_o he_o must_v go_v but_o the_o gospel_n say_v to_o every_o believer_n come_v and_o he_o come_v a_o servant_n dwell_v remote_a from_o all_o knowledge_n of_o his_o lord_n purpose_n he_o live_v as_o a_o kind_n of_o foreigner_n under_o the_o same_o roof_n a_o domestic_a and_o yet_o a_o stranger_n too_o two_o the_o name_n of_o servant_n import_v a_o slavish_a and_o degenerous_a awe_n of_o mind_n as_o it_o be_v in_o rom._n 8._o 5._o god_n have_v not_o give_v we_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n again_o to_o fear_v he_o who_o serve_v have_v still_o the_o low_a and_o ignoble_a restraint_n of_o dread_a upon_o his_o spirit_n which_o in_o business_n and_o even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o action_n cramp_n and_o tie_v up_o his_o activity_n he_o fear_v his_o master_n anger_n but_o design_n not_o his_o favour_n quicken_v i_o say_v david_n with_o thy_o free_a spirit_n it_o be_v the_o freedom_n of_o the_o spirit_n that_o give_v worth_a and_o life_n to_o the_o performance_n but_o a_o servant_n common_o be_v less_o free_a in_o mind_n than_o in_o condition_n his_o very_a will_n seem_v to_o be_v in_o bond_n and_o shackle_n and_o desire_v itself_o under_o a_o kind_n of_o durance_n and_o captivity_n in_o all_o that_o a_o servant_n do_v he_o be_v scarce_o a_o voluntary_a agent_n but_o when_o he_o serve_v himself_o all_o his_o service_n otherwise_o not_o flow_v natural_o from_o propensity_n and_o inclination_n but_o be_v draw_v and_o force_v from_o he_o by_o terror_n and_o coaction_n in_o any_o work_n he_o be_v put_v to_o let_v the_o master_n withdraw_v his_o eye_n and_o he_o will_v quick_o take_v
other_o man_n understanding_n nature_n have_v manifest_o contrive_v thing_n so_o that_o the_o vulgar_a and_o the_o many_o be_v fit_a only_o to_o be_v lead_v or_o drive_v but_o by_o no_o mean_n fit_a to_o guide_v or_o direct_v themselves_o to_o which_o their_o want_n of_o judge_v or_o discern_v ability_n we_o may_v add_v also_o their_o want_n of_o leisure_n and_o opportunity_n to_o apply_v their_o mind_n to_o such_o a_o serious_a and_o attent_a consideration_n as_o may_v let_v they_o into_o a_o full_a discovery_n of_o the_o true_a goodness_n and_o evil_a of_o thing_n which_o be_v quality_n which_o seldom_o display_v themselves_o to_o the_o first_o view_n for_o in_o most_o thing_n good_a and_o evil_a lie_n shuffle_v and_o thrust_v up_o together_o in_o a_o confuse_a heap_n and_o it_o be_v study_n and_o intention_n of_o thought_n which_o must_v draw_v they_o forth_o and_o range_v they_o under_o their_o distinct_a head_n but_o there_o can_v be_v no_o study_n without_o time_n and_o the_o mind_n must_v abide_v and_o dwell_v upon_o thing_n or_o be_v always_o a_o stranger_n to_o the_o inside_n of_o they_o through_o desire_n say_v solomon_n a_o man_n have_v separate_v himself_o seek_v and_o intermeddle_v with_o all_o wisdom_n prov._n 18._o 12._o there_o must_v be_v leisure_n and_o a_o retirement_n solitude_n and_o a_o sequestration_n of_o a_o man_n self_n from_o the_o noise_n and_o toil_n of_o the_o world_n for_o truth_n scorn_v to_o be_v see_v by_o eye_n too_o much_o fix_v upon_o inferior_a object_n it_o lie_v too_o deep_a to_o be_v fetch_v up_o with_o the_o plough_n and_o too_o close_o to_o be_v beat_v out_o with_o the_o hammer_n it_o dwell_v not_o in_o shop_n or_o work_v house_n nor_o till_o the_o late_a age_n be_v it_o ever_o know_v that_o any_o one_o serve_v seven_o year_n to_o a_o smith_n or_o a_o tailor_n that_o he_o may_v at_o the_o end_n thereof_o proceed_v master_n of_o any_o other_o art_n but_o such_o as_o those_o trade_n teach_v he_o and_o much_o less_o that_o he_o shall_v commence_v doctor_n or_o divine_a from_o the_o shopboard_n or_o the_o anvil_n or_o from_o whistle_v to_o a_o team_n come_v to_o preach_v to_o a_o congregation_n these_o be_v the_o peculiar_a extraordinary_a privilege_n of_o the_o late_a bless_a time_n of_o light_n and_o inspiration_n otherwise_o nature_n will_v still_o hold_v on_o its_o old_a course_n never_o do_v any_o thing_n which_o be_v considerable_a without_o the_o assistance_n of_o its_o two_o great_a help_n art_n and_o industry_n but_o above_o all_o the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v good_a and_o what_o be_v evil_a what_o ought_v and_o what_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o several_a office_n and_o relation_n of_o life_n be_v a_o thing_n too_o large_a to_o be_v compass_v and_o too_o hard_o to_o be_v master_v without_o brain_n and_o study_n part_n and_o contemplation_n which_o providence_n never_o think_v fit_a to_o make_v much_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n possessor_n of_o and_o consequent_o those_o who_o be_v not_o so_o must_v for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o most_o thing_n depend_v upon_o those_o who_o be_v and_o receive_v their_o information_n concern_v good_a and_o evil_a from_o such_o verbal_a or_o nominal_a representation_n of_o each_o as_o shall_v be_v impart_v to_o they_o by_o those_o who_o ability_n and_o integrity_n they_o have_v cause_n to_o rely_v upon_o for_o a_o faithful_a account_n of_o these_o matter_n and_o thus_o from_o these_o two_o great_a consideration_n premise_v 1_o sy_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n be_v whole_o govern_v vern_v by_o word_n and_o name_n and_o 2_o dly_a that_o the_o chief_a instance_n in_o which_o they_o be_v so_o be_v in_o such_o word_n and_o name_n as_o import_v the_o good_a or_o evil_a of_o thing_n which_o both_o the_o difficulty_n of_o thing_n themselves_o and_o the_o very_a condition_n of_o humane_a nature_n constrain_v much_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n to_o take_v whole_o upon_o trust_n i_o say_v from_o these_o two_o consideration_n must_v needs_o be_v infer_v what_o a_o fatal_a devilish_a and_o destructive_a effect_v the_o misapplication_n and_o confusion_n of_o those_o great_a govern_v name_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a must_v inevitable_o have_v upon_o the_o society_n of_o men._n the_o comprehensive_a mischief_n of_o which_o will_v appear_v from_o this_o that_o it_o take_v in_o both_o those_o way_n by_o which_o the_o great_a evil_n and_o calamity_n which_o be_v incident_a to_o man_n do_v direct_o break_v in_o upon_o he_o the_o first_o of_o which_o be_v by_o his_o be_v deceive_v and_o the_o second_o by_o his_o be_v misrepresent_v and_o first_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n but_o if_o a_o true_a and_o just_a computation_n can_v be_v make_v of_o all_o the_o misery_n and_o misfortune_n that_o befall_v man_n in_o this_o world_n two_o three_o of_o they_o at_o least_o will_v be_v find_v resolveable_a into_o their_o be_v deceive_v by_o false_a appearance_n of_o good_a first_o delude_v their_o apprehension_n and_o then_o by_o natural_a consequence_n pervert_v their_o action_n from_o which_o be_v the_o great_a issue_n of_o life_n and_o death_n since_o according_a to_o the_o eternal_a sanction_n of_o god_n and_o nature_n such_o as_o a_o man_n action_n be_v for_o good_a or_o evil_a such_o aught_o also_o his_o condition_n to_o be_v for_o happiness_n or_o misery_n now_o all_o deception_n in_o the_o course_n of_o life_n be_v indeed_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o lie_v reduce_v to_o practice_n and_o falsehood_n pass_v from_o word_n into_o thing_n for_o be_v a_o man_n impoverish_v and_o undo_v by_o the_o purchase_n of_o a_o estate_n why_o it_o be_v because_o he_o buy_v a_o imposture_n pay_v down_o his_o money_n for_o a_o lie_n and_o by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o best_a and_o able_a counsel_n forsooth_o that_o can_v be_v have_v take_v a_o bad_a title_n for_o a_o good_n be_v a_o man_n unfortunate_a in_o marriage_n still_o it_o be_v because_o he_o be_v deceive_v and_o put_v his_o neck_n into_o the_o snare_n before_o he_o put_v it_o into_o the_o yoke_n and_o so_o take_v that_o for_o virtue_n and_o affection_n which_o be_v nothing_o but_o vice_n in_o a_o disguise_n and_o a_o devilish_a humour_n under_o a_o demure_a look_n be_v he_o again_o unhappy_a and_o calamitous_a in_o his_o friendship_n why_o in_o this_o also_o it_o be_v because_o he_o build_v upon_o the_o air_n and_o tread_v upon_o a_o quicksand_n and_o take_v that_o for_o kindness_n and_o sincerity_n which_o be_v only_a malice_n and_o design_n seek_v a_o opportunity_n to_o ruin_v he_o effectual_o and_o to_o overturn_v he_o in_o all_o his_o interest_n by_o the_o sure_a but_o fatal_a handle_n of_o his_o own_o good_a nature_n and_o credulity_n and_o last_o be_v a_o man_n betray_v lose_v and_o blow_v by_o such_o agent_n and_o instrument_n as_o he_o employ_v in_o his_o great_a and_o near_a concern_v why_o still_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o be_v from_o this_o that_o he_o misplace_v his_o confidence_n take_v hypocrisy_n for_o fidelity_n and_o so_o rely_v upon_o the_o service_n of_o a_o pack_n of_o villain_n who_o design_v nothing_o but_o their_o own_o game_n and_o to_o stake_v he_o while_o they_o play_v for_o themselves_o but_o not_o to_o mention_v any_o more_o particular_n there_o be_v no_o estate_n office_n or_o condition_n of_o life_n whatsoever_o but_o groan_n and_o labour_n under_o the_o kill_v truth_n of_o what_o we_o have_v assert_v for_o it_o be_v this_o which_o supplant_v not_o only_o private_a person_n but_o kingdom_n and_o government_n by_o keep_v they_o ignorant_a of_o their_o own_o strength_n and_o weakness_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o government_n may_v be_v equal_o destroy_v by_o a_o ignorance_n of_o either_o for_o the_o weak_a by_o think_v themselves_o strong_a be_v induce_v to_o venture_v and_o proclaim_v war_n against_o that_o which_o ruin_v they_o and_o the_o strong_a by_o conceit_v themselves_o weak_a be_v thereby_o render_v as_o unactive_a and_o consequent_o as_o useless_a as_o if_o they_o real_o be_v so_o in_o luke_n 14._o 31._o when_o a_o king_n with_o ten_o thousand_o be_v to_o meet_v a_o king_n come_v against_o he_o with_o twenty_o thousand_o our_o saviour_n advise_v he_o before_o he_o venture_v the_o issue_n of_o a_o battle_n to_o sit_v down_o and_o consider_v but_o now_o a_o false_a gloze_a parasite_n will_v give_v he_o quite_o another_o kind_a of_o counsel_n and_o bid_v he_o only_o reckon_v his_o ten_o thousand_o forty_o call_v his_o fool-hardiness_n valour_n and_o then_o he_o may_v go_v on_o bold_o because_o blind_o and_o by_o mistake_v himself_o for_o a_o lion_n come_v to_o perish_v like_o a_o ass._n in_o short_a it_o be_v this_o great_a plague_n of_o the_o world_n deception_n which_o take_v wrong_a measure_n and_o make_v false_a
dote_v upon_o it_o but_o here_o in_o this_o first_o chapter_n he_o deal_v with_o the_o greek_n or_o gentile_n who_o seek_v for_o and_o promise_v themselves_o the_o same_o happiness_n from_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n which_o the_o jew_n do_v from_o the_o mosaic_a law_n where_o after_o he_o have_v take_v a_o account_n of_o what_o their_o bare_a reason_n have_v teach_v they_o in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n and_o compare_v the_o super-structure_n with_o the_o foundation_n their_o practice_n with_o their_o knowledge_n he_o find_v they_o so_o far_o from_o arrive_v at_o the_o happiness_n which_o they_o aspire_v to_o by_o this_o mean_n that_o upon_o a_o full_a survey_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n the_o result_n of_o all_o come_v to_o this_o sad_a and_o deplorable_a issue_n that_o they_o be_v sinful_a and_o miserable_a and_o that_o without_o excuse_n in_o the_o word_n take_v with_o the_o coherence_n of_o the_o precedent_n and_o subsequent_a verse_n we_o have_v these_o four_o thing_n considerable_a i._o the_o sin_n here_o follow_v upon_o a_o certain_a sort_n of_o man_n with_o this_o so_o severe_a a_o judgement_n namely_o that_o know_v god_n they_o do_v not_o glorify_v he_o as_o god_n ver_fw-la 21._o ii_o the_o person_n guilty_a of_o this_o sin_n they_o be_v such_o as_o profess_v themselves_o wise_a ver_fw-la 22._o iii_o the_o cause_n or_o reason_n of_o their_o fall_n into_o this_o sin_n which_o be_v their_o hold_v the_o truth_n in_o unrighteousness_n ver_fw-la 18._o and_o iu._n and_o last_o the_o judgement_n or_o rather_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n penal_o consequent_a upon_o these_o sinner_n namely_o that_o they_o be_v without_o excuse_n ver_fw-la 20._o of_o each_o of_o which_o in_o their_o order_n and_o first_o for_o the_o first_o of_o they_o the_o sin_n here_o follow_v with_o so_o severe_a a_o judgement_n and_o so_o high_o aggravate_v and_o condemn_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v by_o the_o unite_a testimony_n of_o most_o divine_n upon_o this_o place_n the_o sin_n of_o idolatry_n which_o the_o apostle_n affirm_v to_o consist_v in_o this_o that_o the_o gentile_n glorify_v not_o god_n as_o god_n which_o general_n charge_v he_o also_o draw_v forth_o into_o particular_n as_o that_o they_o change_v his_o glory_n into_o the_o similitude_n and_o image_n of_o man_n and_o beast_n and_o bird_n where_o by_o glory_n he_o mean_v god_n worship_n to_o wit_n that_o by_o which_o man_n glorify_v he_o and_o not_o the_o essential_a glory_n of_o his_o nature_n it_o be_v such_o a_o glory_n as_o be_v in_o man_n power_n to_o change_v and_o to_o debase_v and_o therefore_o must_v needs_o consist_v either_o in_o those_o action_n or_o those_o mean_n which_o they_o perform_v the_o divine_a worship_n by_o i_o know_v no_o place_n from_o which_o we_o may_v more_o clear_o gather_v what_o the_o scripture_n account_v idolatry_n than_o from_o this_o chapter_n from_o whence_o that_o i_o may_v represent_v to_o you_o what_o idolatry_n be_v and_o wherein_o one_o sort_n of_o it_o at_o least_o do_v consist_v you_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o person_n who_o be_v here_o charge_v with_o it_o be_v positive_o affirm_v to_o have_v know_v and_o acknowledge_v the_o true_a god_n for_o it_o be_v say_v of_o they_o that_o they_o know_v his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n in_o this_o 20_o verse_n nay_o and_o they_o worship_v he_o too_o from_o whence_o this_o undeniable_o and_o invincible_o follow_v that_o they_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o those_o image_n which_o they_o address_v to_o as_o god_n nor_o as_o thing_n in_o which_o the_o divine_a nature_n do_v or_o can_v enclose_v itself_o nor_o consequent_o to_o which_o they_o give_v or_o ultimate_o design_v their_o religious_a worship_n this_o conclusion_n therefore_o i_o infer_v and_o assert_v that_o idolatry_n be_v not_o only_o a_o account_v or_o worship_v that_o for_o god_n which_o be_v not_o god_n but_o it_o be_v also_o a_o worship_v the_o true_a god_n in_o a_o way_n whole_o unsuitable_a to_o his_o nature_n and_o particular_o by_o the_o mediation_n of_o image_n and_o corporeal_a resemblance_n of_o he_o this_o be_v idolatry_n for_o the_o person_n here_o speak_v of_o pretend_v to_o glorify_v the_o true_a god_n but_o they_o do_v not_o glorify_v he_o as_o god_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n stand_v arraign_v for_o idolater_n common_a sense_n and_o experience_n will_n and_o must_v evince_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o for_o can_v any_o one_o imagine_v that_o man_n of_o reason_n who_o have_v their_o sense_n quick_a and_o their_o wit_n and_o discourse_v entire_a can_v take_v that_o image_n or_o statue_n which_o they_o fall_v down_o before_o to_o be_v a_o god_n can_v they_o think_v that_o to_o be_v infinite_a and_o immense_a the_o ubiquity_n of_o which_o they_o can_v thrust_v into_o a_o corner_n of_o their_o closet_n or_o can_v they_o conceive_v that_o to_o be_v eternal_a which_o a_o few_o day_n before_o they_o have_v see_v a_o log_n or_o a_o rude_a trunk_n and_o perhaps_o the_o other_o piece_n of_o it_o a_o joynt-stool_n in_o the_o workman_n shop_n the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o all_o worship_n be_v a_o opinion_n of_o power_n and_o will_v in_o the_o person_n worship_v to_o answer_v and_o supply_v our_o desire_n which_o he_o can_v possible_o do_v unless_o he_o first_o apprehend_v they_o but_o can_v any_o man_n who_o be_v master_n of_o sense_n himself_o believe_v the_o rational_a heathen_n so_o void_a of_o it_o as_o to_o think_v that_o those_o image_n can_v fulfil_v the_o petition_n which_o they_o can_v not_o hear_v pity_v the_o want_v they_o can_v not_o see_v do_v all_o thing_n when_o they_o can_v not_o stir_v a_o hand_n or_o a_o foot_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v but_o it_o be_v also_o certain_a that_o they_o be_v idolater_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o their_o idolatry_n consist_v in_o something_o else_o and_o the_o history_n of_o it_o will_v demonstrate_v so_o much_o be_v it_o proper_a to_o turn_v a_o sermon_n into_o a_o history_n so_o that_o we_o see_v here_o that_o the_o sin_n condemn_v in_o the_o text_n be_v the_o worship_v of_o the_o true_a god_n by_o image_n for_o the_o defence_n of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o they_o may_v have_v plead_v and_o do_v plead_v for_o those_o image_n that_o they_o use_v they_o not_o as_o object_n but_o only_o as_o mean_n and_o instrument_n of_o divine_a worship_n not_o as_o what_o they_o worship_v but_o as_o that_o by_o which_o they_o direct_v their_o worship_n to_o god_n though_o still_o methinks_v it_o be_v something_o hard_o to_o conceive_v that_o none_o of_o the_o worship_n shall_v fall_v upon_o the_o image_n by_o the_o way_n or_o that_o the_o water_n can_v be_v convey_v into_o the_o sea_n without_o so_o much_o as_o wet_n the_o channel_n through_o which_o it_o pass_v but_o however_o you_o see_v it_o require_v a_o very_a distinguish_a head_n and_o a_o even_a hand_n and_o no_o small_a skill_n in_o direct_v the_o intention_n to_o carry_v a_o prayer_n quite_o through_o to_o its_o journey_n be_v end_n though_o after_o all_o the_o mischief_n of_o it_o be_v that_o the_o distinction_n which_o look_v so_o fine_a in_o the_o theory_n general_o miscarry_v in_o the_o practice_n especial_o where_o the_o ignorant_a vulgar_a be_v the_o practiser_n who_o be_v the_o worst_a in_o the_o world_n at_o distinguish_v but_o yet_o make_v far_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n and_o be_v as_o much_o concern_v and_o oblige_v to_o pray_v as_o the_o wise_a and_o the_o best_a but_o withal_o infinite_o unhappy_a if_o they_o can_v perform_v a_o necessary_a duty_n without_o school-distinction_n nor_o beg_v their_o daily_a bread_n without_o metaphysic_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o thing_n propose_v namely_o the_o sin_n here_o speak_v against_o by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o text_n which_o be_v idolatry_n 2._o the_o second_o be_v the_o person_n charge_v with_o this_o sin_n and_o they_o be_v not_o the_o gnostic_n as_o some_o whimsical_o imagine_v who_o can_v never_o meet_v with_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o present_o the_o gnostic_n must_v be_v draw_v in_o by_o head_n and_o shoulder_n but_o the_o person_n here_o mean_v be_v plain_o and_o manifest_o the_o old_a heathen_a philosopher_n such_o as_o not_o only_o in_o the_o apostle_n but_o also_o in_o their_o own_o phrase_n profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v wise_a their_o great_a title_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o word_n of_o applause_n still_o give_v to_o their_o lecture_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o pythagoras_n be_v the_o first_o who_o abate_v of_o the_o invidiousness_n of_o the_o name_n and_o from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bring_v it_o down_o to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o a_o master_n to_o a_o lover_n of_o wisdom_n from_o