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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
nature_n divine_a humane_a subsistence_n 2,511 5 12.4764 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A28172 Fellowship with God, or, XXVIII sermons on the I Epistle of John, chap. 1 and 2 wherein the true ground and foundation of attaining, the spiritual way of intertaining fellowship with the Father and the Son, and the blessed condition of such as attain to it, are most succinctly and dilucidly explained / by ... Hugh Binning. Binning, Hugh, 1627-1653. 1671 (1671) Wing B2930; ESTC R14103 146,932 280

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and_o daughter_n say_v the_o lord_n almighty_n 2_o cor._n 6.18_o i_o go_v say_v christ_n to_o your_o father_n and_o my_o father_n and_o to_o your_o god_n and_o my_o god_n o_o what_o a_o sweet_a complication_n and_o interchange_n of_o relation_n job._n 20.17_o i_o will_v be_v your_o god_n and_o you_o shall_v be_v my_o people_n he●e_o be_v the_o epitome_n of_o all_o happiness_n and_o felicity_n in_o this_o word_n all_o i●_n enclose_v and_o without_o this_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v find_v that_o deserve_v the_o desire_n of_o a_o immortal_a spirit_n for_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o a_o soul_n be_v fill_v with_o the_o all-fulnesse_n of_o god_n eph._n 3.19_o for_o that_o be_v make_v over_o to_o thou_o who_o believe_v the_o gospel_n and_o thou_o have_v as_o real_a a_o right_n and_o title_n to_o it_o as_o man_n have_v to_o their_o father_n inheritance_n then_o to_o have_v fellowship_n with_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n be_v ●nother_n branch_n of_o this_o dignity_n and_o this_o be_v that_o 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the_o father_n and_o come_v down_o from_o he_o we_o hear_v he_o unfold_a all_o these_o shadow_n and_o cover_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n expound_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n take_v off_o the_o vail_n and_o uncover_v the_o ark_n and_o oracle_n and_o how_o do_v our_o heart_n burn_v within_o u●_n while_o he_o talk_v with_o we_o and_o open_v to_o u●_n the_o scripture_n we_o hear_v he_o daily_o in_o the_o synagogue_n expound_v the_o scripture_n whereof_o himself_o be_v the_o live_a commentary_n when_o he_o read_v they_o we_o see_v the_o true_a exposition_n before_o our_o eye_n now_o my_o belove_a you_o may_v be_v admit_v to_o hear_v he_o too_o for_o the_o sum_n of_o the_o live_a word_n that_o c●me_v ●●om_o the_o word_n of_o life_n be_v write_v his_o se●mons_n be_v abridge_v in_o the_o evangelist_n that_o y●u_n m●y_v read_v they_o and_o when_o you_o read_v they_o think_v within_o your_o se●f_n that_o you_o hear_v his_o holy_a mouth_n speak_v they_o s●t_a yourselves_o as_o among_o hi●_n disciple●_n th●t_fw-la s●●●u_fw-la may_v believe_v and_o believe_v m●y_v h●ve_v eternal_a life_n for_o for_o this_o end_n a●e_v they_o write_v joh._n 20.30_o 31._o sermon_n ju·_n 1_o joh._n 1.2_o which_o we_o have_v see_v etc._n etc._n there_o be_v a_o gradation_n of_o certainty_n here_o hear_v himself_o speak_v be_v more_o than_o hea●ing_v by_o report_n but_o a_o eye-witness_n be_v better_a than_o ten_o ear-witness_n and_o handle_v add_v a_o thi●d_o assurance_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o touch_v give_v the_o last_o and_o great_a evidence_n of_o truth_n it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o sense_n be_v proper_o correspondent_a to_o sensible_a thing_n and_o of_o itself_o can_v only_o give_v testimony_n to_o his_o humanity_n yet_o i_o conceive_v these_o be_v here_o allege_v for_o both_o even_o also_o to_o witness_v his_o glorious_a ●nd_n divine_a nature_n which_o though_o it_o do_v not_o 〈◊〉_d under_o sight_n and_o handle_n yet_o it_o discover_v itself_o to_o be_v l●tent_fw-la under_o that_o 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partly_o from_o the_o more_o than_o miraculous_a success_n and_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n a●ter_v he_o for_o the_o first_o john_n testify_v that_o not_o only_o they_o see_v the_o baseness_n of_o his_o outward_a shape_n but_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o only_o beget_v son_n of_o god_n full_a of_o grace_n and_o truth_n joh._n 1.14_o john_n the_o baptist_n send_v some_o of_o hi●_n di●ciple●_n because_o of_o their_o own_o unbelief_n to_o inquire_v jesu●_n be_v thou_o he_o or_o look_v we_o for_o another_o and_o what_o answer_n give_v he_o they_o what_o reason_n to_o convince_v they_o go_v say_v he_o and_o tell_v what_o you_o h●ve_v see_v and_o hear_v that_o the_o blind_a s●e_n the_o l●m●_n w●lk_v and_o the_o leper_n be_v cleanse_v the_o deaf_a hear_v th●_n dead_a be_v raise_v and_o the_o poor_a re●eive_v the_o gospel_n and_o bless_v be_v he_o who_o ever_o sh●ll_v not_o for_o my_o outward_a unseemlinesse_n and_o baseness_n offend_v but_o go_v by_o that_o in_o to_o the_o glory_n that_o 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lay_v down_o the_o wind_n and_o sea_n obey_v his_o very_a word_n and_o compose_v themselves_o to_o silence_n at_o his_o rebuke_n and_o infinite_a more_o of_o this_o kind_n be_v they_o not_o in_o the_o common_a apprehension_n of_o man_n of_o a_o degree_n superior_a to_o that_o of_o nature_n who_o can_v restore_v life_n but_o he_o that_o give_v it_o who_o will_v the_o devil_n obey_v but_o he_o at_o who_o they_o tremble_v who_o can_v transubstantiat_fw-la water_n into_o wine_n but_o he_o that_o create_v both_o these_o substance_n and_o every_o year_n by_o a_o long_a circuit_n of_o the_o operation_n of_o nature_n turn_v it_o into_o wine_n who_o can_v feed_v seven_o thousand_o with_o that_o which_o a_o few_o person_n will_v exhaust_v but_o he_o that_o can_v create_v it_o of_o nothing_o ●nd_v b●_n who_o wo●d_n all_o thi●_n 〈◊〉_d wo●ld_n start_v out_o of_o nothing_o nay_o let_v we_o suppose_v these_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v only_o by_o divine_a assistance_n by_o some_o peculiar_a divine_a 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god_n to_o manifest_v so_o much_o of_o his_o infinite_a power_n and_o glory_n in_o so_o extraordinary_a a_o manner_n to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o a_o impostor_n or_o deceiver_n therefore_o though_o no_o mo●e_n can_v be_v at_o first_o extorted_a f●om_n a_o enemy_n of_o ch●ist_n doctrine_n but_o that_o such_o mighty_a work_n do_v show_v forth_o themselves_o which_o can_v not_o be_v do_v but_o by_o the_o divine_a assistance_n an●_n extraordinary_a help_n of_o god_n yet_o even_o ●rom_o that_o con●e●●ion_n it_o may_v be_v strong_o conclude_v that_o see_v there_o be_v no_o other_o end_n imaginable_a of_o su●h_n extraordinary_a assistance_n but_o the_o confirmation_n of_o hi●_n new_a doctrine_n and_o that_o of_o hi●_n divine_a nature_n be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a point_n of_o it_o it_o must_v need●_n in●o●ce_n that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o help_v by_o god_n as_o m●ses_n but_o that_o he_o be_v god_n and_o do_v these_o thing_n by_o his_o own_o power_n by_o this_o than_o it_o appear_v that_o 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persuasion_n and_o all_o of_o we_o eat_v and_o drink_v and_o converse_v with_o he_o forty_o day_n and_o to_o make_v a_o period_n at_o length_n we_o see_v he_o ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n and_o a_o cloud_n receive_v he_o a●_n a_o ch●●iot_n to_o take_v he_o out_o of_o our_o sight_n thu●_n th●_n w●rd_n be_v make_v fl●sh_a and_o dwell_v among_o we_o and_o we_o ●a●e_v see_v his_o glo●y_n as_o ●f_o the_o only_o beget_v son_n of_o god_n but_o beside_o that_o which_o the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n carry_v engrave_v in_o it_o of_o divinity_n there_o be_v one_o miracle_n which_o may_v be_v say_v to_o transcend_v all_o that_o ever_o be_v do_v and_o it_o be_v one_o continue_a wonder_n since_o his_o resurrection_n even_o the_o virtue_n and_o power_n of_o that_o crucify_a saviour_n to_o conquer_v the_o world_n by_o such_o unsuitable_a yea_o contra●y_o mean●_n and_o instrument_n heathenish_a religion_n be_v spread_v indeed_o universal_o through_o the_o wo●ld_n but_o that_o be_v not_o one_o religion_n but_o one_o name_n for_o as_o many_o nation_n as_o many_o fancy_a god_n and_o in_o one_o nation_n many_o and_o true_a it_o be_v that_o m●humet●nism_n have_v spread_v itself_o far_o but_o by_o what_o mean●_n only_o by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n and_o the_o terror_n of_o a_o empire_n but_o here_o be_v a_o doctrine_n contrary_n to_o all_o the_o receive_v custom_n and_o imbred_a opinion_n of_o man_n without_o any_o such_o mean_n prevail_v throughout_o the_o world_n cyrus_n when_o he_o be_v about_o to_o conquer_v neighbour_a nation_n give_v out_o a_o proclamation_n if_o any_o will_v follow_v i_o if_o he_o be_v a_o footman_n i_o will_v make_v he_o a_o horseman_n if_o he_o have_v a_o village_n i_o will_v give_v he_o a_o city_n if_o a_o city_n i_o will_v bestow_v on_o he_o a_o country_n etc._n etc._n now_o mark_v how_o contrary_a the_o proceed_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v go_v and_o preach_v say_v he_o repent_v you_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v at_o hand_n here_o be_v his_o proclamation_n repent_v you_o and_o if_o any_o man_n will_v be_v my_o disciple_n let_v he_o take_v up_o his_o ●ross_n and_o follow_v i_o and_o deny_v himself_o w●at_o disproportion_v mean●_n and_o yet_o how_o infinite_o great_a success_n cyrus_n can_v not_o gain_v the_o lacedaemonian_n to_o his_o side_n for_o all_o that_o but_o christ_n though_o poor_a despise_a and_o contemptible_a while_o alive_a and_o at_o length_n think_v to_o be_v quite_o vanquish_v by_o the_o most_o shameful_a death_n when_o he_o be_v lift_v up_o upon_o the_o cross_n to_o the_o view_n and_o reproach_n of_o the_o world_n he_o draw_v all_o man_n after_o he_o he_o by_o a_o few_o fisherman_n not_o commander_n nor_o orator_n persuade_v the_o world_n and_o within_o a_o few_o year_n that_o crucify_a lord_n be_v adore_v further_a and_o wide_a than_o any_o empire_n do_v ever_o stretch_v itself_o all_o the_o power_n majesty_n and_o success_n of_o alexander_n can_v neu●r_o persuade_v the_o nation_n no_o not_o his_o own_o follower_n to_o adore_v he_o as_o god_n but_o h●re_v one_o nail_v to_o the_o cross_n crown_v with_o thorn_n reject_v of_o all_o man_n and_o within_o a_o little_a space_n adore_v worship_v suffer_v for_o throughout_o the_o nation_n yea_o king_n and_o emperor_n cast_v down_o thei●_n crown●_n at_o his_o foot_n many_o thousand_o count_v it_o their_o honour_n to_o die_v upon_o that_o account_n and_o do_v not_o the_o trophy_n of_o these_o apostolic_a victory_n remain_v to_o this_o d●y_n in_o every_o co●ner_n of_o the_o wo●ld_n after_o so_o many_o hun●●ed_a yea●●_n in_o so_o many_o different_a a●d_v so_o far_o dist●nt_a ●_z th●t_o s●me_o n●me_o p●e●ched_v ●nd_v all_o k●ee●_n bo●in●_n to_o it_o these_o thing_n consider_v how_o much_o do_v and_o by_o mean●_n wo●●e_v then_o nothing_o it_o transcend_v all_o the_o miracle_n th●t_v ever_o the_o world_n wonder_v at_o n●w_o my_o belove_a these_o thing_n i_o m●nti●n_o ●or_a this_o end_n that_o you_o may_v be_v persuade_v upon_o sure_a ground●_n that_o he_o who_o be_v preach_v unto_o you_o be_v god_n able_a to_o save_v you_o and_o according_a to_o the_o evidence_n of_o these_o ground_n you_o may_v believe_v in_o he_o and_o give_v that_o cordial_a assent_n to_o these_o everlasting_a truth_n an●_n that_o welcome_a entertainment_n to_o ●im_v in_o your_o heart_n that_o become●_n i_o think_v certain_o there_o i●_n ve●y_v little_o even_a o●_n this_o solid_a assent_n and_o persuasion_n of_o the_o go●pel_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o m●●t_v p●●t_v because_o they_o t●k●_n thing_n or_o name●●ath●r_n implicit_o and_o never_o serious_o consider_v what_o th●●_n believe_v and_o 〈…〉_z ground_n but_o 〈…〉_z a_o more_o pleasant_a or_o profitable_a meditation_n th●n_o this_o if_o we_o will_v enter_v in_o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n we_o have_v receive_v o_o how_o will_v such_o evidence_n open_v the_o heart_n to_o ●n_v entire_a and_o full_a closure_n with_o they_o and_o embracement_n of_o they_o sermon_n v·_n 1_o joh._n 1.3_o that_o which_o we_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v declare_v we_o unto_o you_o that_o you_o als●_n may_v have_v fellowship_n with_o we_o etc._n etc._n there_o be_v many_o thing_n that_o you_o may_v desire_v to_o hear_v and_o it_o may_v be_v be_v usual_o speak_v of_o in_o public_a which_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n ●_z be_v more_o carry_v after_o but_o tru_o i_o shall_v wrong_v myself_o and_o you_o both_o if_o i_o shall_v take_v upon_o i_o to_o discourse_v in_o these_o thing_n which_o it_o may_v be_v some_o desire_n for_o direction_n or_o information_n concern_v the_o time_n for_o i_o can_v neither_o speak_v of_o they_o with_o ●o_o much_o certainty_n of_o persuasion_n as_o be_v needful_a nor_o can_v i_o think_v
from_o this_o alone_a from_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n to_o u●_n whensoever_o the_o gospel_n take●_n hold_v of_o your_o heart_n it_o will_v undoubted_o frame_v they_o to_o this_o to_o a_o measure_n of_o all_o blessedness_n from_o god_n alone_o and_o this_o will_v carry_v the_o heart_n to_o a_o undervalue_v of_o all_o other_o thing_n as_o be_v too_o low_o and_o unworthy_a for_o this_o end_n and_o so_o to_o a_o forsake_v of_o any_o thing_n for_o the_o close_a enjoyment_n ●f_o god_n i_o fea●_n many_o believer_n be_v little_o acquaint_v with_o this_o joy_n because_o they_o draw_v not_o their_o joy_n single_o out_o of_o the_o pure_a fountain_n of_o delight_n but_o turn_v aside_o to_o other_o external_a comfort_n and_o drown_v their_o soul_n in_o they_o now_o indeed_o these_o two_o can_v well_o consist_v together_o if_o we_o ●ake_v in_o any_o thing_n else_o to_o make_v up_o our_o happiness_n and_o comfort_n so_o much_o we_o lose_v of_o god_n and_o that_o which_o be_v ●ruly_o spiritual_a and_o therefore_o our_o heart_n will_v be_v more_o purify_v from_o carnal_a delight_n if_o we_o will_v have_v experience_n of_o this_o joy_n we_o must_v hang_v only_o upon_o his_o countenance_n and_o company_n el●e_v we_o lose_v the_o sweetness_n of_o it_o now_o the_o apostle_n prosecute_v this_o further_a to_o discover_v what_o conformity_n must_v be_v between_o they_o that_o shall_v keep_v this_o fellowship_n ●nd_v wh●t_a likeness_n of_o nature_n and_o quality_n be_v necessary_a for_o they_o who_o will_v be_v happy_a in_o god_n society_n this_o be_v the_o message_n we_o have_v hear_v say_v he_o ●nd_v which_o we_o declare_v unto_o you_o that_o god_n be_v light_n etc._n etc._n t●ke_v this_o joint_o with_o that_o which_o go_v before_o this_o we_o declare_v that_o you_o may_v have_v fellowship_n with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n and_o to_o the_o end_n this_o fellowship_n may_v hold_v and_o yield_v you_o fullness_n of_o joy_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n be_v lay_v down_o a●_n the_o pattern_n to_o which_o you_o must_v be_v conform_v god_n be_v light_n and_o therefore_o you_o must_v be_v light_a too_o if_o you_o will_v have_v fellowship_n with_o that_o pure_a light_n now_o this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o full_a message_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o which_o be_v send_v down_o from_o heaven_n with_o the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o m●ssenger_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o which_o the_o apostle_n hear_v from_o he_o indeed_o the_o very_a manner_n of_o the_o proposal_n of_o these_o thing_n may_v stir_v up_o our_o heart_n to_o attention_n and_o make_v we_o more_o serious_a then_o common_o we_o be_v that_o there_o be_v one_o and_o such_o a_o one_o send_v from_o heaven_n with_o such_o a_o embassage_n as_o this_o be_v to_o invite_v we_o to_o society_n with_o god_n again_o one_o who_o interest_n lie_v in_o this_o to_o make_v we_o happy_a and_o this_o he_o declare_v unto_o we_o that_o he_o have_v no_o other_o design_n but_o to_o fulfil_v our_o joy_n o_o how_o powerful_a may_v this_o be_v on_o our_o heart_n to_o conquer_v they_o to_o make_v they_o willing_o hearken_v to_o he_o any_o message_n that_o come_v from_o heaven_n shall_v be_v receive_v with_o great_a reverence_n and_o respect_n of_o mortal_a man_n because_o it_o come_v from_o the_o court_n and_o palace_n of_o the_o great_a king_n but_o when_o this_o i●_n the_o substance_n of_o it_o to_o make_v we_o happy_a in_o himself_o to_o advance_v we_o to_o this_o incomparable_a dignity_n of_o society_n with_o himself_o in_o which_o society_n there_o be_v a_o fullness_n of_o joy_n then_o how_o shall_v we_o receive_v it_o with_o open_a heart_n and_o entertain_v it_o glad_o if_o we_o can_v take_v it_o always_o thus_o as_o a_o message_n from_o heaven_n and_o look_v upon_o it_o and_o hear_v it_o in_o that_o notion_n i_o think_v the_o fruit_n will_v be_v incomparable_o great_a for_o what_o i●_n it_o that_o make_v it_o dead_a and_o ineffectual_a in_o man_n heart_n but_o that_o the_o apprehension_n of_o it_o degene●ats_v and_o fall_v down_o from_o god_n to_o creature_n because_o it_o be_v not_o take_v so_o as_o his_o wo●d_n carry_v the_o s●amp_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n we_o bring_v it_o forth_o n●t_o as_o a_o mes●age_n ●rom_fw-mi he_o but_o as_o f●om_v ourselves_o and_o you_o receive_v it_o not_o as_o from_o he_o but_o from_o we_o an●_n thus_o it_o be_v adulterate_v and_o corrupt_v on_o both_o hand_n my_o belove_a let_v we_o joint_o mind_v this_o that_o whatsoever_o we_o have_v to_o declare_v it_o be_v a_o message_n from_o god_n to_o mortal_a man_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o so_o compose_v ourselves_o in_o his_o sight_n as_o if_o he_o be_v speak_v to_o we_o the_o conscience_n of_o a_o very_a heathen_a be_v awake_v when_o ebu●_n tell_v he_o he_o have_v a_o message_n from_o g●d_n to_o he_o e●lon_n arise_v out_o of_o his_o se●t_n that_o he_o may_v hear_v it_o reverent_o judg._n 3.20_o though_o it_o be_v a_o bloody_a message_n as_o it_o prove_v in_o the_o event_n yet_o so_o much_o the_o common_a dictate_v of_o reason_n may_v teach_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v a●ise_v and_o compose_v yourselves_o to_o reverend_a and_o awful_a attention_n to_o what_o the_o lord_n god_n will_v speak_v but_o when_o moreover_o we_o know_v that_o the_o sum_n of_o the_o message_n be_v to_o make_v we_o bless_v and_o raise_v we_o up_o to_o communion_n with_o he_o in_o his_o joy_n and_o happiness_n we_o be_v not_o only_o call_v to_o reverence_n a●_n to_o god_n but_o to_o ardent_a affection_n and_o desi●e_v as_o to_o he_o who_o by_o all_o mean_n seek_v ou●_n happiness_n o_o how_o happy_a be_v he_o that_o can_v fi●st_o hear_v and_o receive_v this_o message_n f●om_v he_o and_o then_o declare_v it_o to_o other_o but_o however_o though_o we_o shall_v fail_v in_o that_o this_o do_v not_o c●ange_a either_o the_o authority_n or_o nature_n of_o the_o message_n itself_o and_o therefore_o i●_n man_n shall_v be_v so_o far_o destitute_a o●_n god_n as_o not_o to_o bring_v it_o from_o he_o immediate_o yet_o do_v not_o you_o forsake_v your_o own_o mercy_n too_o but_o receive_v it_o as_o that_o which_o be_v come_v forth_o f●om_n god_n receive_v it_o for_o it_o sel●_n as_o carry_v in_o its_o bosom_n a_o fullness_n of_o joy_n to_o you_o and_o receive_v it_o fo●_n his_o sake_n who_o move_v this_o embassage_n first_o after_o sinner_n and_o his_o sake_n who_o carry_v it_o to_o sinner_n that_o be_v for_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n to_o who_o fellowship_n you_o be_v here_o invite_v let_v we_o then_o hear_v the_o m●ssage_n this_o than_o be_v the_o message_n that_o god_n be_v light_n etc._n etc._n the_o ground_n o●_n communion_n o●_n person_n be_v their_o union_n in_o nature_n or_o likeness_n one_o to_o another_o there_o be_v some_o general_a society_n between_o all_o mankind_n as_o be_v conjoin_v in_o one_o common_a nature_n but_o the_o contract_n of_o that_o in_o a_o narrow_a bound_n of_o affinity_n and_o consanguinity_n do_v enlarge_v the_o affection_n the_o mo●e_n you_o see_v it_o be_v natural_a for_o those_o who_o be_v join_v by_o such_o relation_n of_o blood_n one_o to_o another_o to_o love_v one_o another_o more_o than_o other_o out_o of_o these_o bond_n but_o true_a friendship_n draw_v the_o c●rcle_n yet_o narrow_a and_o contract_v the_o love_n that_o be_v scatter_v abroad_o to_o mankind_n in_o a_o strange_a channel_n to_o run_v towards_o one_o or_o a_o few_o and_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o be_v some_o peculiar_a and_o particular_a similitude_n and_o likeness_n in_o manner_n and_o sympathy_n of_o disposition_n which_o make_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o melt_v one_o into_o another_o after_o some_o converse_n and_o acquaintance_n together_o this_o be_v the_o bond_n that_o knit_v this_o near_a society_n some_o conformity_n necessary_o presuppose_v to_o communion_n and_o fellowship_n now_o th●t_v which_o hold_v so_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o man_n with_o man_n must_v be_v much_o mo●e_n needful_a in_o man_n communion_n with_o god_n for_o all_o the_o society_n combination_n and_o conjunction_n of_o the_o creature_n be_v but_o shadow_n of_o this_o high_a communication_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n with_o god_n the_o father_n of_o spirit_n and_o indeed_o we_o may_v find_v some_o rude_a draught_n and_o resemblance_n of_o this_o divine_a s●ciety_n and_o of_o the_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o it_o must_v be_v model_v in_o all_o the_o friendly_a or_o near_a conjunction_n of_o creature_n for_o every_o thing_n be_v best_a preserve_v and_o agree_v best_a with_o thing_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n see_v the_o disposition_n of_o the_o part_n of_o the_o world_n thing_n contiguous_a and_o near_a other_o be_v also_o like_v in_o nature_n one_o to_o another_o so_o it_o be_v ●mong_a man_n the_o several_a agreement_n
and_o symbolizing●_n of_o man_n spirit_n in_o different_a quality_n and_o temper_n make_v several_a sort_n of_o man_n and_o part_n they_o into_o so_o many_o company_n pares_fw-la paribus_fw-la congregantur_fw-la simile_n simili_fw-la gaudet_fw-la now_o my_o belove_a this_o same_o supernatural_a and_o divine_a society_n that_o we_o speak_v of_o must_v be_v constitute_v according_a to_o this_o fundamental_a rule_n that_o be_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o end_n that_o god_n and_o man_n may_v have_v fellowship_n together_o that_o they_o come_v near_o in_o likeness_n one_o to_o another_o now_o for_o god_n you_o know_v he_o can_v be_v like_a we_o for_o he_o be_v unchangeable_o holy_a and_o good_a that_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o bring_v down_o his_o majesty_n to_o parta●e_v of_o our_o wretched_a infirmity_n of_o sin_n and_o darkness_n indeed_o in_o this_o he_o have_v come_v as_o far_o as_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o our_o good_a will_v permit_v to_o communicate_v in_o our_o nature_n and_o all_o the_o sinless_a infirmity_n of_o it_o it_o i●_n imp●ssible_a then_o that_o he_o shall_v make_v up_o the_o distance_n by_o any_o change_n of_o himself_o but_o we_o must_v be_v change_v and_o some_o way_n raise_v up_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o purity_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o be_v transform_v into_o some_o likeness_n to_o he_o and_o then_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o society_n and_o fellowship_n lay_v down_o this_o be_v the_o apostle_n meaning_n in_o declare_v to_o we_o what_o god_n be_v that_o according_a to_o that_o pattern_n and_o in_o that_o glass_n we_o may_v see_v what_o to_o conform_v ourselves_o to_o and_o may_v have_v a_o particular_a determination_n of_o the_o great_a qualification_n of_o these_o who_o pretend_v to_o fellowship_n with_o god_n god_n be_v light_a and_o in_o he_o i●_n no_o darkness_n now_o take_v the_o just_a opposition_n man_n be_v da●knesse_n and_o in_o he_o be_v no_o light_n now_o what_o communion_n then_o can_v light_n have_v with_o da●knesse_n either_o the_o light_n must_v become_v darkness_n or_o the_o darkness_n become_v light_a either_o the_o light_n must_v leave_v its_o glorious_a purity_n and_o forsake_v its_o nature_n which_o can_v be_v admit_v or_o else_o the_o darkness_n of_o man_n soul_n must_v be_v wipe_v off_o and_o abolish_v by_o the_o brightness_n of_o god●_n light_n and_o then_o there_o may_v be_v a_o communion_n between_o the_o primitive_a light_n and_o the_o derivative_a light_n between_o the_o original_a light_n and_o that_o which_o flow_v out_o from_o the_o original_n but_o take_v darkness_n remain_v darkness_n and_o light_n remain_v light_n and_o they_o can_v compone_v together_o for_o t●e_v fi●st_o great_a separation_n that_o be_v m●de_v in_o the_o world_n be_v between_o light_n and_o darkness_n and_o god_n see_v that_o light_n be_v go●d_v and_o god_n divide_v between_o the_o light_n and_o the_o darkness_n gen_n 1_o 4._o and_o so_o it_o be_v imp●ssible_a f●r_n man_n that_o live_v in_o the_o d●●knesse_n of_o their_o mind_n in_o ignorance_n and_o in_o the_o da●knesse_n of_o sinful_a lust_n that_o they_o can_v have_v any_o fellowship_n with_o god_n who_o be_v a_o fountain_n of_o pure_a light_n and_o undefiled_a ●ancti●y_n wh●t_o have_v thou_o to_o do_v to_o take_v my_o covenant_n in_o thy_o mouth_n etc._n etc._n and_o this_o god_n say_v to_o the_o wicked_a it_o be_v a_o incongruous_a and_o unsuitable_a thing_n for_o man_n to_o pretend_v nearness_n and_o interest_n in_o this_o god_n and_o yet_o be_v bury_v in_o da●knesse_n and_o hatred_n of_o the_o light_n of_o personal_a reformation_n as_o a_o gold_n ring_n in_o a_o swine_n nose_n that_o ●ather_n deform_v the_o jewel_n then_o beautify_v the_o beast_n so_o be_v the_o pretension_n of_o ignorant_a and_o wicked_a man_n to_o this_o divine_a society_n etc._n etc._n sermon_n x·_n 1_o joh._n 1.5_o this_o then_o be_v the_o message_n which_o we_o have_v hear_v of_o he_o and_o declare_v unto_o you_o that_o god_n be_v light_n etc._n etc._n who_o be_v a_o fit_a messenger_n to_o declare_v this_o message_n can_v da●knesse_n comprehend_v the_o light_n or_o apprehend_v it_o o●_n can_v those_o that_o a●e_v blind_a ●orm_v any_o lively_a notion_n o●_n light_n to_o the_o instruction_n and_o persuasion_n of_o othe●s_n true_o no_o more_o can_v we_o conceive_v or_o speak_v of_o god_n who_o i●_n that_o pure_a light_n than_o a_o blind_a man_n can_v discourse_v on_o colour_n or_o a_o deaf_a man_n on_o sound_n who_o be_v blind_a as_o the_o lord_n servant_n and_o therefore_o who_o be_v more_o unmeet_a to_o declare_v this_o message_n of_o light_n what_o reverence_n and_o godly_a fear_n ought_v this_o to_o be_v declare_v withal_o when_o mortal_a man_n speak_v of_o the_o eternal_a god_n unto_o mortal_a man_n what_o composure_n of_o spirit_n shall_v be_v in_o we_o what_o tremble_a and_o adoration_n for_o at_o our_o best_a we_o can_v but_o declare_v our_o own_o ignorance_n and_o the_o further_a attainment_n in_o this_o knowledge_n be_v but_o a_o further_a discovery_n of_o man_n darkness_n we_o have_v three_o way_n of_o creep_v towards_o that_o glorious_a light_n of_o god_n fi●st_n his_o own_o wo●ks_n be_v like_o some_o visible_a appearance_n of_o that_o invisible_a and_o incomprehensible_a god_n and_o in_o these_o we_o know_v he_o but_o not_o what_o he_o be_v in_o himself_o consider_v how_o dark_a ●nd_n dull_a we_o be_v in_o pierce_v into_o the_o hide_a nature_n of_o thing_n even_o below_o we_o as_o beast_n and_o plant_n we_o behold_v some_o effect_n flow_v from_o they_o but_o from_o wh●t_a principle_n these_o do_v flow_v that_o we_o know_v not_o how_o much_o less_o can_v we_o apprehend_v any_o thing_n suitable_a of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n that_o be_v infinite_o above_o we_o from_o these_o wonder_v and_o glorious_a wo●ks_n of_o his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n man_n be_v endow_v with_o wisdom_n to_o do_v some_o excellent_a work_n of_o a●t_n as_o plant_v gra●●ing_v building_n paint_v weave_a and_o such_o like_a but_o the_o beast_n that_o a●e_o b●low_a 〈◊〉_d can_v apprehend_v from_o these_o wo●ks_n what_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n be_v now_o be_v there_o not_o a_o more_o infinite_a distance_n a_o great_a disproportion_n between_o we_o and_o the_o divine_a nature_n so_o that_o we_o can_v rise_v up_o to_o a_o understand_a notion_n of_o it_o in_o itself_o nay_o beside_o one_o man_n will_v do_v many_o thing_n which_o another_o can_v understand_v he_o behold_v th●_n art_n of_o it_o he_o see_v the_o matter_n but_o yet_o he_o canno●_n pierce_v into_o the_o mind_n o●_n the_o workman_n and_o loo●_n upon_o that_o wisdom_n and_o idea_n of_o his_o mind_n therefore_o all_o that_o we_o can_v conclude_v from_o these_o wonderful_a work_n of_o god_n be_v some_o silent_a admiration_n of_o he_o if_o these_o be_v such_o th●n_o what_o must_v he_o be_v how_o infinite_o distant_a from_o th●m_n and_o transcendent_a over_o they_o but_o what_o he_o be_v these_o can_v declare_v and_o we_o can_v apprehend_v then_o we_o use_v to_o climb_v up_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n by_o attribute_v to_o he_o all_o the_o perfection_n excellency_n and_o eminency_n of_o the_o creature_n whatsoever_o commend_v they_o we_o apprehend_v that_o original_o and_o infinite_o in_o he_o and_o thus_o we_o spell_v out_o that_o name_n that_o be_v most_o simple_o one_o in_o many_o letter_n and_o character_n accord_v to_o our_o mean_a capacity_n as_o child_n when_o they_o begin_v to_o learn_v so_o we_o ascribe_v to_o he_o wisdom_n goodness_n power_n justice_n holiness_n mercy_n truth_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o name_n be_v take_v from_o the_o creature_n and_o so_o have_v signification_n suit_v to_o our_o imperfection_n they_o must_v needs_o come_v infinite_o short_a of_o he_o and_o so_o our_o apprehension_n of_o they_o these_o be_v scatter_v among_o the_o creature_n therefore_o they_o cause_v diverse_a conception_n in_o we_o but_o all_o these_o be_v unite_v in_o he_o he_o be_v a_o most_o simple_a pure_a be_v that_o eminent_o and_o virtual_o be_v all_o thing_n and_o proper_o be_v none_o of_o all_o another_o way_n we_o have_v of_o apprehend_v he_o by_o way_n of_o negation_n deny_v all_o the_o imperfection_n of_o the_o creature_n and_o remove_v they_o a_o infinite_a distance_n from_o he_o and_o true_o though_o this_o be_v a_o imperfection_n in_o knowledge_n yet_o it_o be_v the_o great_a knowledge_n we_o can_v attain_v to_o to_o know_v rather_o what_o he_o be_v not_o than_o what_o he_o be_v he_o be_v not_o limit_v to_o any_o place_n nor_o bound_v with_o any_o measure_n and_o degre●s_n of_o perfection_n as_o creature_n be_v therefore_o we_o call_v he_o infinite_a he_o be_v not_o comprehend_v within_o the_o limit_n of_o time_n but_o comprehend_v all_o within_o himself_o therefore_o he_o be_v eternal_a he_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o change_n and_o alteration_n therefore_o call_v immutable_a he_o be_v not_o
the_o moon_n be_v not_o clean_o and_o the_o sun_n i●_n spot_v in_o respect_n of_o his_o holiness_n angel●_n may_v be_v charge_v with_o folly_n then_o add_v unto_o this_o to_o make_v up_o the_o resemblance_n full_a the_o bounty_n and_o benignity_n of_o his_o influence_n upon_o the_o world_n the_o flow_n forth_o of_o his_o in●●nit_a goodness_n that_o inrich_v the_o whole_a earth_n look_v as_o the_o sun_n be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o universal_a benefactor_n his_o influence_n and_o heat_n be_v th●_n very_a renovation_n of_o the_o world_n it_o make_v ●ll_o new_a and_o green_a and_o flourish_a it_o put_v a_o youth_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o so_o be_v the_o very_a spring_n and_o fountain_n of_o life_n to_o ●ll_o sublunary_a thing_n how_o much_o be_v that_o true_a of_o the_o true_a light_n of_o the_o substantial_a of_o who_o this_o sun_n be_v but_o a_o shadow_n he_o be_v the_o life_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o light_n of_o man_n every_o good_a gift_n and_o every_o perfect_a donation_n descend_v from_o he_o jam._n 1.17_o ●is_fw-la influence_n be_v more_o universal_a to_o the_o be_v to_o the_o move_a to_o the_o live_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o then_o jesus_n christ_n the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n be_v carry_v a●o●t_n in_o the_o orb_n of_o the_o godspel_n and_o in_o his_o beam_n there_o be_v a_o heal_a virtue_n t●e●e_o be_v the_o refreshment_n o●_n poor_a wearied_a soul●_n that_o a●e_v scorch_v with_o the_o anger_n of_o god_n there_o i●_n a_o admirable_a heat_n and_o warmness_n of_o love_n and_o affection_n that_o this_o glorious_a light_n carry_v embosomed_a in_o it_o and_o that_o be_v it_o that_o pierce_v into_o soul_n and_o warm_v heart_n and_o quicken_v dead_a spirit_n and_o put_v a_o new_a face_n upon_o all_o again_o this_o be_v the_o spring_n of_o all_o the_o life_n that_o be_v true_o spiritual_a and_o it_o have_v as_o sweet_a and_o comfo●tabl●_n effect_n upon_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n who_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o love_n the_o light_n in_o love_n that_o be_v the_o light_n with_o heat_n as_o ever-the_a sun_n approach_v ●ear_o the_o earth_n have_v have_v upon_o plant_n ●nd_v live_a creature_n and_o to_o complete_a the_o resemblance_n more_o there_o may_v be_v something_o of_o the_o infallibility_n and_o incomprehensibility_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n here_o represent_v for_o though_o nothing_o be_v clear_a than_o the_o light_n yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it●_n own_o nature_n darke●_n then_o light_a that_o which_o be_v so_o manifest_a to_o the_o eye_n how_o obscure_a be_v it_o to_o the_o understanding_n m●ny_n debate_v an●_n inquiry_n have_v be_v abou●_n it_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v n●t_o know_v wh●t_o t●at_a be_v by_o which_o we_o know_v all_o thing_n certain_o such_o i●_n the_o divine_a light_n it_o i●_n inconceivable_a and_o inexpressible_a therefore_o he_o be_v ●aid_v to_o dwell_v in_o light_n inaccessible_a and_o full_a of_o glory_n 1_o ●im_n 6.16_o there_o be_v a_o twofold_a da●knesse_n that_o hinder_v u●_n to_o see_v god_n a_o da●knesse_n of_o ignorance_n in_o u●_n and_o a_o da●kne●●_n of_o inaccessible_a light_n in_o he_o the_o one_o be_v a_o vail_n upon_o our_o heart_n w●ich_a blind_v and_o darken_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o they_o do_v not_o see_v that_o which_o be_v manifest_a of_o god_n even_o in_o hi●_n work_v o_o that_o cloud_n of_o unbelief_n that_o be_v spread_v over_o o●r_a soul●_n which_o hinder_v the_o glorious_a ●ayes_v of_o that_o divine_a light_n to_o shine_v into_o they_o thi●_n darkness_n s●tan_n contribute●_n much_o to_o who_o be_v the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n 2_o cor._n 4.4_o this_o make_v the_o most_o part_n of_o soul_n like_o dungeon_n within_o when_o the_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n surround_v they_o without_o this_o earthliness_n and_o carnality_n of_o our_o heart_n make_v they_o like_o the_o earth_n receive_v only_o the_o light_n in_o the_o upper_a and_o outward_a superfice_n and_o not_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v transmit_v into_o our_o heart_n to_o change_v they_o but_o when_o it_o please_v he_o who_o at_o the_o fi●st_n by_o a_o word_n of_o power_n command_v light_a to_o shine_v out_o of_o darkness_n he_o can_v scatter_v that_o cloud_n of_o ignorance_n ●nd_v draw_v away_o ●he_v vail_n of_o unbelief_n and_o can_v by_o hi●_n power_n ●nd_a art_n so_o transform_v the_o soul_n a●_n to_o ●●mo●e_v its_o earthly_a quality_n and_o make_v it_o transparent_a and_o pure_a and_o then_o the_o light_n will_v s●ine_v in_o to_o 〈◊〉_d heart_n 〈◊〉_d get_v free_a access_n into_o the_o soul._n but_o ●●●ough_a this_o da●kn●s●e_n we●e_o whole_o remove_v ●●ere_o be_v another_o da●knesse_n that_o arise_v not_o f●om_o ●he_v wan●_n o●_n light_n but_o ●●om_o the_o excessive_a supe●-●bundance_a o●_n light_n caligo_n 〈◊〉_d nimiae_fw-la that_o be_v a_o divine_a da●kness●_n a_o da●knesse_n o●_n glory_n such_o a_o infinite_a excess_n and_o superplus●f_a ●f_z light_n ●nd_a glory_n above_o all_o create_a capacity_n that_o it_o daz●es_v and_o confound_v all_o ●●●tal_a or_o create_v understanding_n we_o 〈◊〉_d s●me_a shadow_n o●●his_fw-la if_o we_o look_v up_o to_o t●e_v clear_a sun_n we_o be_v able_a to_o see_v nothing_o ●or_a too_o much_o light_n there_o be_v such_o a_o infinite_a disproportion_n he●e_n between_o the_o eye_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o this_o di●ine_a light_n of_o glory_n that_o if_o we_o curious_o p●y_v ●nto_o it_o it_o be_v ra●her_o confound_v and_o astonish_v and_o therefore_o it_o fill_v the_o soul_n of_o saint_n with_o continual_a silent_a admiration_n and_o adoration_n sermon_n xi·_n 1_o joh._n 1.5_o this_o then_o be_v the_o message_n which_o we_o have_v hear_v of_o he_o and_o declare_v unto_o you_o that_o god_n be_v light_n and_o in_o he_o be_v no_o darkness_n at_o all_o true_a religion_n consist_v not_o only_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n but_o especial_o in_o conformity_n to_o he_o and_o communion_n with_o he_o communion_n and_o fellowship_n with_o god_n be_v the_o great_a end_n and_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o it_o be_v the_o gre●●_n result_v of_o all_o a_o chri●●ian●_n pain●_n and_o progress_n it_o i●_n not_o only_o the_o great_a part_n of_o religion_n b●t_v the_o ve●y_a ●eward_n of_o religion_n too_o ●or_a piety_n have_v its_o reward_n of_o happiness_n in_o the_o bosom_n o●_n it_o without_o borrow_v f●om_o external_a thing_n now_o th●t_v which_o this_o sweet_a and_o fragrant_a f●uit_n whic●_n per●ume●_n all_o the_o soul_n with_o delight_n and_o ●ills_v it_o with_o joy_n spring_v out_o o●_n be_v conformity_n to_o g●d_n assimilation_n o●_n nature_n ●nd_n disposition_n some_o likeness_n to_o god_n imprint_v on_o t●e_v soul_n again_o in_o holy_a affection_n and_o disposition_n a_o co-incidency_n o●_n our_o will_n with_o the_o will_n of_o god_n a_o drow●ing_n of_o it_o in_o the_o sea_n of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n his_o law_n in_o the_o inward_a pa●ts_n now_o what_o be_v the_o root_n of_o this_o conformity_n but_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n this_o be_v that_o which_o have_v a_o ve●●ue_a to_o transform_v the_o soul_n into_o his_o similitude_n you_o see_v then_o whe●e_a true_a religion_n begin_v low_a and_o by_o what_o mean_v it_o grow_v up_o to_o the_o sweet_a fruit_n of_o that_o eternal_a joy_n that_o shall_v be_v press_v out_o of_o the_o ●_z of_o fellowship_n with_o god_n ●o_o than_o whatsoever_o be_v declare_v of_o god_n unto_o u●_n in_o hi●_n wo●d_v whatsoever_o be_v hold_v ●orth_o of_o he_o it_o be_v not_o only_o set_v forth_o to_o be_v the_o subject_a o●_n our_o knowledge_n but_o especial_o to_o be_v a_o pattern_n for_o imitation_n and_o to_o be_v a_o inflame_a motive_n to_o our_o affection_n this_o be_v the_o very_a substance_n of_o the_o ver●e_n this_o then_o be_v the_o message_n i_o declare_v that_o god_n be_v light_n and_o this_o i_o hea●d_v not_o ●rom_o christ_n only_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o my_o curiosity_n nor_o do_v i_o declare_v it_o to_o you_o only_o that_o you_o may_v know_v it_o as_o if_o you_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v wit●_n it_o but_o especial_o that_o you_o may_v know_v what_o you_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o conformity_n to_o that_o light_n the_o end_n o●_n your_o know_a god_n i●_n to_o become_v like_a god_n if_o so_o be_v you_o will_v have_v communion_n with_o he_o let_v we_o take_v this_o rule_n then_o to_o measure_v all_o our_o sea●chings_n a●ter_v god_n and_o inquiring_n into_o he_o certain_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v more_o meditation_n and_o inquiry_n of_o heart_n upon_o this_o subject_n because_o it_o be_v the_o spring_n of_o all_o life_n to_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v that_o which_o en●icheth_v it_o most_o and_o fill_v it_o with_o peace_n joy_n and_o delight_n and_o bring_v in_o a_o treasure_n into_o a_o man●_n hea●t_fw-la ●uch_o a●_n christ_n speak_v of_o a_o good_a man_n out_o of_o the_o good_a treasure_n of_o his_o heart_n
etc._n etc._n medication_n much_o meditation_n on_o god_n a_o stayedness_n and_o fixedness_n of_o spirit_n upon_o he_o lay_v up_o a_o treasure_n in_o the_o heart_n this_o be_v it_o that_o make_v such_o a_o difference_n between_o the_o heart_n and_o mouth_n of_o a_o righteous_a man_n and_o a_o wicked_a man_n the_o heart_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v little_a worth_n for_o the_o total_a want_n of_o this_o and_o therefore_o their_o lip_n and_o tongue_n be_v void_a of_o edification_n full_a of_o corruption_n but_o where_o this_o spring_n flow_v within_o it_o make_v th●_n mouth_n of_o a_o man_n like_o a_o well_o of_o life_n it_o make_v his_o lip_n li●e_z choice_n silu●r_n o_o the_o scantness_n and_o neglect_n of_o this_o among_o christian_n make_v all_o to_o wither_v and_o decay_v there_o be_v little_o search_v after_o the_o almighty_a little_o employ_v and_o entertain_v our_o spirit_n about_o he_o low_a slender_a and_o single_a thought_n and_o apprehension_n o●_n he_o which_o cannot_v but_o cause_v a_o deliquium_fw-la and_o dec●y_n in_o all_o the_o part●_n of_o christianity_n wh●n_o the_o u●ry_a sun_n be_v ●●●pled_v from_o we_o by_o our_o ignorance_n and_o inconsideration_n of_o ●im_fw-la and_o that_o so_o long_o it_o must_v have_v dreadful_a effect_n upon_o we_o therefore_o let_v we_o be_v exhort_v to_o this_o study_n to_o give_v our_o ●_z to_o this_o employment_n to_o think_v mo●e_n on_o g●d_n but_o as_o i_o be_v say_v there_o be_v need_n of_o ●●ule_a to_o measure_v we_o in_o it_o ●nd_v of_o some_o caution_n about_o it_o that_o i●_n th●t_v we_o have_v our_o end_n ●ightly_o establish_v wha●_n we_o ●im_v at_o in_o enquire_v after_o or_o meditate_v upon_o god_n if_o it_o be_v only_o to_o give_v entertainment_n to_o the_o curiosity_n of_o our_o mind●_n as_o in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o natural_a thing_n if_o it_o be_v ●nly_o to_o p●y_v into_o secret_n and_o mystery_n and_o to_o labour_v to_o comprehend_v th●t_v which_o be_v incomprehensible_a than_o we_o lose_v our_o labour_n and_o we_o a●e_v in_o danger_n to_o meet_v with_o ●_o consume_a fi●e_n instead_o of_o instruct_v and_o refresh_v light_n i_o will_v therefore_o have_v this_o guard_v against_o the_o insatiable_a desire_n and_o greediness_n of_o our_o mind_n after_o the_o knowledge_n of_o secret_a mystery_n we_o must_v set_v bound●_n here_o and_o not_o over-stretch_a or_o strain_v our_o understanding_n to_o compass_v his_o infinite_a be_v as_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o let_v we_o rather_o take_v he_o up_o as_o he_o i●_n reveal_v in_o the_o scripture●_n and_o so_o meditate_v ●n_v he_o ●s_v manifest_v in_o hi●_n word_n and_o work_n hi●_n g●●ce_n mercy_n power_n wi●dom_n etc._n etc._n and_o read_v hi●_n name_n with_o delight_n in_o these_o la●ge_a volume_n spread_v be●ore_o our_o eye_n etc._n etc._n now_o the_o just_a measure_n and_o regulate_v of_o all_o knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v to_o direct_v it_o to_o a_o further_a end_n to_o have_v nothing_o before_o we_o but_o this_o that_o we_o may_v reverence_v 〈◊〉_d and_o ●ove_v he_o so_o much_o the_o more_o and_o t●●s_o be_v the_o t●ing_a t●●t_n make_v acc●●s_n to_o he_o most_o easy_a and_o sweet_a when_o ●he_n design_v a_o soul_n h●t●_n in_o a●l_a it●●e●●chings_n about_o he_o be_v for_o thi●_n purpose_n ●o_o the_o end_n it_o may_v love_v he_o and_o worship_v he_o mo●e_n suitable_o and_o be_v mor●_n conform_v to_o he_o when_o he_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o ●_o p●tte●n_v o●_n our_o conformity_n that_o be_v the_o ●ight_a apprehension_n and_o up-taking_a of_o he_o to_o know_v that_o god_n be_v light_n and_o so_o to_o know_v i●_n a●_n in_o it_o to_o behold_v the_o necessity_n of_o what_o qualification_n shall_v be_v in_o we_o that_o be_v indeed_o to_o know_v god_n my_o belove_a let_v we_o co●●●der_v th●t_o so_o much_o we_o know_v of_o god_n as_o we_o love_v he_o and_o fe●r_v he_o and_o be_v conform_v unto_o he_o f●r_v that_o knowledge_n which_o be_v not_o about_o this_o work_n and_o design_n it_o be_v for_o no_o other_o purpose_n but_o to_o be_v a_o wi●ness_n against_o a_o man_n and_o the_o most_o heinous_a aggravation_n of_o his_o sin_n to_o come_v then_o to_o the_o particular_a in_o hand_n god_n be_v light_n and_o that_o be_v hold_v out_o and_o declare_v for_o this_o end_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o pattern_n of_o the_o qualification_n of_o all_o that_o intend_v to_o enter_v into_o that_o society_n if_o you_o will_v have_v fellowship_n with_o god_n then_o consider_v what_o you_o engage_v into_o what_o manner_n of_o person_n he_o be_v for_o ●he_v inti●at_a knowledge_n of_o one_o another_o be_v presuppose_v to_o all_o constant_a friendship_n you_o must_v know_v then_o what_o god_n be_v if_o you_o will_v have_v communion_n with_o he_o because_o there_o be_v no_o communion_n without_o some_o conformity_n ●nd_v no_o conformity_n without_o knowledge_n of_o he_o therefore_o as_o he_o be_v light_a so_o the_o soul_n must_v be_v make_v ●ig●t_n in_o ●im_v and_o enlighten_v by_o he_o that_o will_v have_v hi●●ociety_n w●_n must_v b●_n transform_v into_o that_o nature_n and_o make_v child_n of_o light_n who_o be_v child_n of_o da●knesse_n now_o as_o there_o be_v a_o light_n of_o understanding_n and_o wisdom_n in_o god_n and_o a_o light_n of_o holiness_n and_o purity_n so_o there_o be_v in_o our_o soul_n opposite_a to_o these_o a_o da●knesse_n of_o ignorance_n and_o unbelief_n and_o a_o da●kne●●_n of_o sin_n and_o impurity_n of_o affection_n now_o what_o communion_n can_v light_o have_v with_o darkness_n let_v every_o man_n ask_v this_o at_o his_o own_o heart_n i●_n there_o be_v no_o happiness_n without_o this_o society_n and_o no_o possibility_n of_o this_o society_n while_o i_o remain_v in_o da●kness_n then_o be_v it_o not_o high_a time_n to_o come_v to_o the_o light_n this_o then_o be_v the_o fi●st_a change_n that_o be_v make_v in_o a_o soul_n the_o da●knesse_n of_o ignorance_n and_o unbelief_n be_v drive_v out_o by_o the_o approach_n of_o that_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n into_o the_o heart_n then_o be_v discover_v unto_o the_o soul_n that_o deformity_n of_o sin_n that_o loathsomnesse_n in_o itself_o that_o it_o never_o apprehend_v then_o there_o be_v a_o manifestation_n of_o the_o hide_a work_n of_o darkness_n of_o the_o desperate_a wickedness_n of_o the_o heart_n which_o lie_v un-observed_n and_o unsuspected_a all_o the_o while_n and_o now_o a_o man_n can_v in_o th●t_v view_v but_o abhor_v himself_o for_o that_o which_o none_o else_o can_v see_v in_o he_o and_o there_o be_v withal_o manifest_v that_o glorious_a holiness_n and_o purity_n in_o god_n that_o inviolable_a righteousness_n that_o omnipotent_a power_n which_o former_o be_v never_o serious_o think_v upon_o now_o these_o be_v represent_v to_o the_o life_n before_o a_o sinner_n and_o to_o close_v up_o all_o there_o be_v a_o manifestation_n of_o the_o grace_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o ch●ist_n which_o discover_v a_o way_n o●_n salvation_n and_o delivery_n ●rom_o ●in_a and_o wrath_n and_o this_o perfume_v ●nd_n ref●esheth_v all_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul._n thu●_n the_o soul_n be_v in_o a_o part_n conform_v to_o that_o original_a light_n when_o a_o beam_n be_v send_v from_o it_o and_o have_v pierce_v into_o the_o heart_n and_o scatter_v the_o darkness_n that_o do_v alienat_fw-la the_o mind_n of_o man_n f●om_n god_n but_o it_o i●_n not_o only_o a_o illumination_n of_o th●_n fore-face_n ●nd_v outerside_n of_o the_o soul_n not_o only_o a_o conviction_n of_o the_o judgement_n in_o these_o thing_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o divine_a heat_n that_o be_v transmit_v with_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o soul_n be_v purify_v and_o cleanse_v from_o it●_n g●osser_a nature_n and_o so_o i●_n make_v transparent_a that_o the_o light_n may_v shine_v into_o the_o very_a inward_o of_o the_o hea●t_n and_o this_o be_v th●_n special_a point_n of_o conformity_n to_o god_n to_o have_v our_o soul_n purge_v from_o the_o da●kness_n of_o sinful_a earthly_a and_o muddy_a affection_n to_o have_v they_o purify_v by_o the_o light_n of_o god_n from_o all_o the_o work_n and_o lust●_n of_o da●knesse_n and_o the_o shine_a beauty_n of_o holy_a affection_n and_o inclination_n to_o succeed_v and_o fill_v up_o the_o vacant_a room_n if_o knowledge_n only_o reside_v in_o our_o brain_n ●nd_v send_v not_o down_o warm_a beam●_n to_o quicken_v and_o inflame_v the_o heart_n than_o it_o be_v bar●en_v and_o unfruitful_a it_o be_v cold_a and_o unprofitable_a if_o it_o hover_v only_o alone_a in_o our_o head_n and_o keep_v a_o motion_n there_o but_o send_v down_o no_o refresh_a showre●_n to_o the_o affection_n which_o may_v make_v we_o abound_v in_o good_a fruit_n than_o it_o be_v like_o the_o windy_a cloud_n ●louds_n without_o rain_n th●t_v p●sse_v away_o without_o any_o benefit_n to_o the_o thirsty_a ground_n let_v we_o then_o
put_v a_o note_n and_o character_n of_o infamy_n and_o deformity_n upon_o all_o hypocrisy_n and_o deceit_n especial_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o contrary_a to_o religion_n as_o a_o false_a appearance_n a_o show_n of_o that_o which_o be_v not_o for_o religion_n be_v a_o most_o entire_a and_o equable_v thing_n like_v at_o 〈◊〉_d harmonious_a in_o all_o the_o pa●ts_n of_o it_o the_o same_o wittlin_n and_o without_o in_o expression_n and_o action_n all_o cor●respondent_a together_o now_o to_o 〈◊〉_d this_o h●●m●●ny_n and_o to_o make_v it_o up_o of_o unequal_a dissimile_n pa●ts_n and_o to_o make_v our_o pa●t_n give_v the_o lie_n to_o 〈◊〉_d other_o the_o cou●se_n of_o a_o m●ns_n li●e_z in_o igno●anc●_n negligence_n and_o sin_n proclaim_v contrary_a to_o ●h●_n profession_n of_o christianity_n this_o be_v to_o make_v reli●gion_n a_o monstruous_a thing_n to_o deny_v the_o nature_n o●_n it_o and_o in_o our_o imagination_n to_o contrive_v a_o im●possible_a union_n of_o inconsistent_a thing_n it_o be_v a_o crea●ture_n make_v up_o of_o contradiction_n which_o can_v hau●_n no_o subsistence_n in_o the_o truth_n but_o only_o in_o the_o fan●cies_n of_o delude_a soul_n one_o profess_v christianity_n and_o so_o by_o consequence_n fellowship_n with_o the_o original_a light_n the_o sun_n of_o righteousnes●●_n and_o yet_o da●knesse_n of_o ignorance_n possess_v the_o mind_n and_o the_o heart_n ca●●ied_v away_o in_o th●_n way_n of_o the_o lust_n of_o ignorance_n and_o walk_v in_o that_o darkness_n this_o be_v a_o monster_n in_o christianity_n one_o so_o far_o misshapen_v that_o the_o very_a outward_a form_n and_o visage_n of_o it_o do_v not_o remain_v but_o i_o tell_v you_o reason_n confirm_v this_o for_o what_o more_o suitable_a to_o the_o very_a natural_a frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o a_o reasonable_a be_v then_o that_o the_o outward_a man_n shall_v be_v the_o image_n and_o expression_n of_o the_o inward_a and_o that_o they_o shall_v answer_v one_o another_o a●_n f●ce_n answer_v face_n in_o the_o water_n that_o the_o tongue_n shall_v be_v the_o interpreter_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o the_o action_n of_o a_o man_n life_n the_o interpreter_n of_o his_o tongue_n here_o be_v that_o beautiful_a proportion_n and_o that_o please_a harmon●_n when_o all_o these_o though_o different_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n yet_o conjoin_v together_o and_o make_v up_o one_o sweet_a concord_n now_o tru_o if_o we_o t●ke_v upon_o we_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n and_o yet_o our_o ordinary_a and_o habitual_a speech_n be_v carnal_a and_o earthly_a never_o salt_v with_o grace_n often_o poison_v with_o blasphemy_n oath_n and_o cursing_n and_o often_o defile_v with_o filthy_a speech_n and_o often_o intermingle_v with_o reproache_n of_o othe●s_n if_o our_o conversation_n be_v conform_v to_o the_o course_n of_o the_o world_n according_a to_o these_o lust_n that_o hur●y_v away_o multitude_n o●_n mankind_n to_o perdition_n and_o look_v to_o the_o heart_n within_o and_o behold_v never_o any_o labour_n about_o the_o purify_n of_o it_o from_o corruption_n never_o any_o mortification_n of_o evil_a affection_n and_o little_a or_o no_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n not_o so_o much_o as_o may_v let_v christ_n in_o to_o the_o soul_n this_o i_o say_v be_v as_o unreasonable_a and_o ab●●●d_a as_o it_o be_v irreligious_a it_o whole_o pervert_v that_o beautiful_a order_n make_v a_o irreconciliable_a discord_n between_o all_o the_o part_n in_o man_n that_o neither_o mind_n nor_o mouth_n nor_o hand_n answer_v one_o another_o nor_o all_o of_o they_o or_o any_o of_o they_o answer_v that_o holy_a call_v a_o man_n pretend_v to_o such_o a_o one_o pretend_v ordinary_o the_o goodness_n of_o his_o heart_n towards_o god_n but_o now_o the_o tongue_n can_v interpret_v the_o heart_n it_o be_v exanctorate_v out_o of_o that_o natural_a office_n for_o the_o ordinary_a current_n be_v contrary_a to_o that_o pretend_a goodness_n of_o the_o heart_n for_o a_o good_a man_n out_o of_o the_o good_a treasure_n of_o his_o heart_n send_v forth_o good_a thing_n but_o all_o these_o be_v either_o evil_a or_o never_o season_v with_o that_o spiritual_a goodness_n then_o the_o way_n and_o action_n of_o a_o man_n life_n which_o ought_v to_o interpret_v and_o expound_v his_o profession_n these_o be_v render_v altogether_o incapable_a of_o that_o they_o give_v no_o confirmation_n to_o they_o but_o rather_o ●_o manife_a contradiction_n for_o what_o ar●_n your_o multiply_a oath_n drunkenness_n fornication_n rail_n contention_n lying_n sabbath-profanation●_a your_o woeful_a neglect_n of_o prayer_n in_o secret_a and_o in_o your_o family_n your_o continue_v in_o these_o evils_n that_o ever_o you_o walk_v into_o what_o be_v they_o i_o say_v but_o a_o manifest_a violation_n of_o both_o religion_n and_o reason_n and_o a_o clear_a confirmation_n that_o you_o be_v liar_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v not_o in_o you_o there_o be_v something_o even_o in_o nature_n to_o declare_v the_o absurdity_n and_o unnaturalness_n of_o this_o general_a discordance_n between_o man_n profession_n and_o practice_n look_v upon_o all_o the_o creature_n and_o do_v they_o not_o all_o with_o one_o voice_n proclaim_v sincerity_n have_v not_o every_o beast_n and_o every_o bird_n it_o be_v own_o outward_a shape_n outward_a gesture_n and_o voice_n and_o external_a work_n which_o declare_v the_o inward_a nature_n of_o it_o and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o staple-known_a rule_n in_o nature_n that_o every_o thing_n be_v know_v by_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o a_o lion_n by_o his_o roar_n ●_o lark_n by_o its_o sing_n a_o horse_n by_o his_o neigh_a and_o ●n_a ox_n by_o his_o low_v etc._n etc._n all_o these_o speak_v forth_o nothing_o but_o sincerity_n in_o so_o much_o that_o if_o these_o mark_n ●nd_v sign_n shall_v be_v confound_v ●nd_a beast_n use_v they_o indifferent_o all_o humane_a knowledge_n shall_v sudden_o fall_v to_o nothing_o this_o will_v put_v such_o a_o confusion_n both_o in_o th●_n wo●ld_a and_o mankind_n o_o how_o do_v this_o condemn_v th●s●_n who_o pretend_v to_o thi●_n high_a call_v of_o christianity_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o way_n leave_v to_o discern_v they_o by_o nothing_o appear_v in_o they_o and_o ordinary_o proceed_v from_o they_o which_o may_v give_v a_o signification_n of_o the_o inward_a truth_n of_o their_o fellowship_n with_o god_n but_o rather_o that_o which_o give_v a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o pretention_n ther●●e●e_v no_o consent_n in_o nature_n if_o tha●_n be_v 〈◊〉_d neither_o be_v there_o any_o harmonious_a agreement_n in_o religion_n where_o thi●_n proportion_n and_o correspondence_n be_v not_o keep_v in_o a_o m●n●_n life_n the_o very_a heathen_n do_v not_o account_v they_o philosopher_n but_o those_o that_o express_v their_o doctrine_n in_o wo●k●_n 〈◊〉_d well_o as_o word_n and_o true_o the_o lively_a image_n of_o truth_n be_v in_o practice_n they_o commend_v they_o that_o be_v spa●ing_v in_o word_n and_o abundant_a in_o deed_n who_o have_v short_a speech_n but_o long_o and_o large_a discourse_n in_o their_o life_n and_o what_o i●_n this_o but_o that_o which_o our_o saviour_n every_o where_o from_o his_o own_o example_n inculcate_v upon_o we_o these_o word●_n be_v emphatic_a to_o do_v the_o truth_n to_o walk_v in_o the_o light_n to_o do_v his_o word_n to_o believe_v with_o the_o heart_n and_o such_o like_a all_o which_o declare_v that_o in_o so_o far_o we_o have_v the_o truth_n and_o have_v fellowship_n with_o the_o light_n as_o it_o be_v impress_v in_o the_o affection_n and_o express_v again_o in_o the_o conversation_n for_o the_o infinite_a truth_n and_o the_o infinite_a life_n be_v one_o and_o the_o original_a light_n and_o primitive_a life_n and_o love_n be_v on●_n too_o and_o whoever_o true_o receive●_n the_o truth_n and_o light_n as_o it_o be_v can_v but_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o live_a truth_n and_o life-giving_a light_n and_o so_o be_v heat_v and_o warm_v inward_o by_o his_o beam_n which_o will_v certain_o cau●e_v some_o stir_v and_o work_v without_o for_o as_o much_o as_o in_o nature_n heat_n be_v always_o work_v so_o be_v the_o fi●e_n of_o love_n kindle_v in_o the_o heart_n incessant_a that_o way_n f●ith_v work_v by_o love_n fo●_n action_n be_v the_o very_a life_n of_o life_n that_o which_o both_o show_v it_o and_o preserve_v it_o now_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v to_o ca●●y_v these_o thing_n home_o to_o your_o heart_n where_o shall_v convince_a word_n be_v have_v which_o may_v break_v the_o hardness_n of_o your_o heart_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o you_o be_v in_o such_o a_o deep_a dream_n of_o delusion_n that_o nothing_o can_v awake_v you_o out_o of_o it_o and_o how_o little_a be_v it_o that_o you_o have_v to_o please_v yourselves_o into_o some_o external_a privilege_n the_o temple_n of_o the_o lord_n his_o covenant_n and_o the_o seal_n of_o it_o your_o ordinary_a bear_v the_o word_n and_o
such_o like_a but_o be_v there_o not_o many_o thing_n in_o your_o heart_n and_o way_n that_o act_n the_o most_o contradictory_n lie_v to_o these_o that_o can_v be_v for_o wherefore_o do_v we_o thus_o meet_v together_o do_v you_o know_v a_o end_n or_o propose_v any_o i_o scarce_o believe_v it_o of_o the_o most_o part_n we_o come_v out_o of_o custom_n and_o m●ny_n as_o by_o constraint_n and_o with_o little_a or_o no_o previous_a consideration_n of_o the_o great_a end_n of_o this_o work_n and_o when_o you_o go_v forth_o what_o fruit_n appear_v your_o ordinary_a carnal_a and_o civil_a discourse_n succeed_v and_o who_o be_v it_o either_o bow_v his_o knee_n to_o pray_v for_o the_o divine_a blessing_n or_o intertain_v that_o holy_a word_n either_o in_o his_o own_o meditation_n or_o speak_v of_o it_o to_o the_o edification_n of_o other_o be_v you_o not_o the_o most_o part_n of_o you_o that_o ground_n of_o which_o christ_n speak_v that_o lie_v in_o the_o way-side_n and_o every_o thing_n come_v and_o take_v the_o seed_n up_o do_v you_o either_o listen_v and_o apply_v your_o heart_n to_o a_o presentnesse_n in_o hear_v or_o be_v there_o any_o more_o account_n of_o it_o than_o a_o sound_n in_o the_o ear_n or_o any_o footstep_n or_o impression_n leave_v in_o the_o heart_n more_o than_o of_o the_o flight_n of_o a_o bird_n in_o the_o air_n and_o alas_o how_o many_o soul_n be_v choke_v and_o stifle_v the_o truth_n suffocate_v in_o the_o very_a spr_a by_o the_o thorn_n of_o the_o care_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o throng_n and_o importunity_n of_o business_n and_o earthly_a desire_n how_o many_o good_a motion_n come_v to_o no_o maturity_n by_o this_o mean_n how_o few_o of_o you_o use_v to_o pray_v in_o secret_a and_o to_o dedicat_fw-la a_o time_n for_o retirement_n from_o the_o world_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n nay_o you_o think_v you_o be_v not_o call_v to_o it_o and_o if_o any_o be_v induce_v to_o it_o and_o to_o public_a worship_n in_o their_o family_n yet_o all_o the_o day_n over_o be_v but_o a_o flat_a contradiction_n to_o that_o what_o earthly-mindednesse_a what_o unholiness_n of_o affection_n what_o impu●ity_n of_o conversation_n what_o one_o lust_n be_v subdue_v what_o one_o sin_n mortify_v who_o increase_v more_o in_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n or_o in_o love_n of_o god_n be_v it_o not_o midnight_n with_o most_o part_n of_o you_o o_o the_o darkness_n of_o the_o ignorance_n of_o your_o mind●_n by_o which_o you_o know_v not_o that_o religion_n you_o profess_v more_o than_o tu●ks_v who_o do_v persecute_v it_o and_o what_o be_v the_o way_n you_o walk_v into_o be_v they_o not_o such_o way_n as_o will_v not_o come_v to_o the_o light_n and_o hate_v the_o light_n because_o it_o reprove_v they_o joh._n 3.19_o 20._o and_o 11.9_o 10._o be_v they_o not_o such_o in_o whic●_n man_n stumble_v though_o they_o seem_v to_o walk_v easy_o and_o plain_o into_o they_o yet_o o_o that_o everlasting_a stumble_v that_o be_v at_o the_o end_n of_o they_o when_o you_o shall_v fall_v out_o of_o one_o darkness_n of_o sin_n and_o delusion_n into_o a_o utter_a extreme_a eternal_a da●knesse_n of_o destruction_n and_o damnation_n o_o that_o ●ea●●ul_a dungeon_n and_o pit_n of_o darkness_n you_o post_v into_o ●_o therefore_o i●_n you_o love_v your_o own_o soul_n be_v warn_v 〈◊〉_d beseech_v you_o be_v warn_v to_o flee_v from_o that_o ●●ter_a darkness_n be_v awake_v out_o of_o your_o deceive_a dream_n and_o delude_v self-flattering_a imagination_n and_o christ_n shall_v give_v you_o light_n the_o discovery_n of_o that_o gross_a da●knesse_n you_o walk_v into_o in_o which_o you_o do_v not_o see_v whither_o you_o w●nt_v i_o say_v the_o clear_a discern_v of_o what_o it_o be_v and_o whither_o i●_n lead_v be_v the_o fi●●t_a open_n of_o that_o light_n the_o ●ir●t_a visit_n of_o that_o morning_n star_n that_o bring_v salvation_n if_o you_o will_v not_o be_v convince_v o●_n that_o infinite_a d●nge●_n you_o be_v into_o yet_o you_o ar●_n not_o the_o ●urther_o ●rom_o ●t_a he_o that_o walk_v in_o darkness_n lie_v etc._n etc._n hi●_n strong_a confidence_n and_o persuasion_n have_v ●_o lie_v ●_o contradiction_n in_o the_o bosom_n o●_n it_o and_o that_o will_v n●ver_o bottom_v any_o true_a happiness_n it_o be_v a_o lie_n act_v by_o the_o hand_n the_o ●oot_n and_o ●ll_o the_o member_n a_o lie_v ●g●inst_a ●he_v holy_a tru●h_n and_o word_n o●_n god_n and_o the_o very_a reproach_n o●_n the_o name_n of_o christ_n 〈◊〉_d lie_n against_o yourselves_o and_o your_o own_o passion_n a_o soul-murthering_a lie_n as_o well_o as_o a_o christ●denyin●●_n lie_v and_o this_o lie_n as_o a_o holy_a man_n say_v have_v fill_v house_n city_n family_n country_n it_o have_v eu●●_n overspr_v the_o whole_a nation_n and_o fill_v all_o with_o darkness_n horror_n con●usion_n trouble_n and_o anguish_n once_o be_v a_o holy_a nation_n by_o profession_n of_o a_o covenant_n with_o god_n and_o our_o open_a manife_a universal_a retraction_n of_o that_o by_o a_o unholy_a ungodly_a and_o wicked_a conversation_n this_o h●th_v b●ought_v the_o sword_n against_o a_o hypocritical_a nation_n and_o this_o will_v bring_v that_o far_o great_a incomparable_o more_o intolerable_a day_n of_o wrath_n upon_o the_o child_n of_o disobedience_n therefore_o let_v i_o exhort_v all_o of_o you_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o you_o desire_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o that_o eternal_o bless_a society_n within_o the_o holy_a city_n and_o not_o to_o be_v exclude_v among_o these_o who_o commit_v abomination_n and_o make_v a_o lie_n that_o you_o will_v henceforth_o impose_v this_o necessity_n upon_o yourselves_o or_o know_v that_o it_o be_v lay_v upon_o you_o by_o god_n to_o labour_v to_o know_v the_o will_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n that_o you_o may_v see_v that_o light_n that_o shi●es_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o not_o only_o to_o receive_v it_o in_o your_o mind_n but_o in_o your_o heart_n by_o love_n that_o so_o you_o may_v endeavour_v in_o all_o sincerity_n the_o do_v of_o that_o truth_n the_o conscionable_a practise_v of_o what_o you_o know_v and_o this_o as_o it_o be_v a_o great_a point_n of_o conformity_n to_o the_o light_n so_o it_o will_v make_v you_o capable_a of_o more_o light_n from_o god_n ●or_a he_o delight_v to_o show_v his_o liberality_n where_o he_o have_v any_o acceptance_n be_v not_o satisfy_v o_o be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o know_v these_o truth_n and_o discourse_v upon_o they_o but_o make_v they_o ●urther_v your_o own_o by_o impress_v they_o deep_o in_o your_o heart_n and_o express_v they_o plain_o in_o your_o way_n this_o be_v pure_a religion_n and_o undefiled_a j●m_n 1.27_o and_o be_v not_o this_o to_o know_v i_o say_v ●he_n lord_n jer._n 22.16_o practice_n be_v real_a knowledge_n because_o it_o be_v live_a knowledge_n it_o i●_n the_o ve●y_a life_n and_o soul_n o●_n ch●istianity_n when_o there_o need_v no_o more_o but_o the_o intimation_n of_o hi●_n will_v to_o c●r●y_a the_o whole_a man_n t●is_n be_v that_o we_o will_v all_o aspire_v unto_o and_o not_o satisfy_v ourselves_o in_o our_o poor_a attainment_n below_o this_o sermon_n xiu·_n 1_o joh._n 1.7_o but_o if_o we_o walk_v in_o the_o light_n as_o he_o be_v in_o the_o light_n we_o have_v fellowship_n one_o with_o another_o and_o the_o blood_n of_o jesus_n christ_n his_o son_n cleanse_v we_o from_o all_o sin_n be_v be_v the_o imitation_n of_o nature_n and_o true_a religion_n be_v a_o divine_a art_n that_o consist_v in_o the_o imitation_n of_o god_n himself_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n therefore_o it_o be_v a_o more_o high_a and_o transcendent_a thing_n of_o a_o sublime_a nature_n than_o all_o the_o art_n and_o science_n among_o man_n those_o reach_n but_o to_o some_o resemblance_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n express_v in_o his_o work_n but_o this_o aspire_v to_o a_o imitation_n of_o himself_o in_o holiness_n which_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o n●me_n and_o so_o to_o a_o fellowship_n with_o himself_o therefore_o there_o be_v nothing_o have_v so_o high_a a_o pattern_n or_o sublime_a a_o end_n god_n himself_o who_o be_v infinite_o above_o all_o i●_n the_o pattern_n &_o society_n with_o god_n i●_n 〈◊〉_d end_n o●_n i●_n and_o so_o it_o can_v choice_n but_o where_o religion_n make_v a_o solid_a impression_n on_o a_o soul_n it_o 〈◊〉_d excee_o raise_v and_o advance_v it_o to_o the_o most_o heroic_a and_o noble_a resolution_n that_o it_o be_v capable_a o●_n in_o respect_n o●_n which_o elevation_n of_o the_o ●oul_n after_o god_n the_o high_a project_n the_o great_a aspire_n and_o the_o most_o elevate_a design_n of_o man_n a●e_v nothing_o but_o low_a base_a and_o wretched_a have_v nothing_o of_o true_a greatness_n of_o mind_n in_o they_o but_o run_v in_o a_o earthly_a and_o ●●●did_a channel_n infinite_o below_o the_o poor_a soul_n that_o be_v
themselves_o in_o their_o own_o heart_n as_o if_o they_o have_v no_o sin_n for_o such_o i_o say_v i_o shall_v only_o say_v unto_o ●hem_o that_o yourself_o deceive_v be_v not_o so_o subtle_a but_o it_o may_v soon_o be_v discern_v your_o lie_n be_v gross_a and_o quick_o see_v through_o but_o i_o will_v turn_v myself_o to_o you_o christian_n who_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n acquaint_v with_o yourselves_o yet_o there_o be_v something_o against_o you_o from_o this_o word_n after_o you_o have_v once_o get_v some_o peace_n from_o the_o challenge_n of_o sin_n and_o hope_v of_o pardon_n you_o many_o time_n fall_v out_o of_o acquaintance_n with_o yourselves_o have_v attain_v by_o the_o lord_n grace_n to_o some_o restraint_n o●_n the_o more_o visible_a out-breaking_n of_o sin_n you_o have_v not_o that_o occasion_n to_o know_v yourselves_o by_o and_o so_o you_o remain_v stranger_n to_o your_o heart_n and_o fall_v into_o better_a like_v with_o yourselves_o than_o the_o fi●st_a sight_n of_o yourselves_o permit_v you_o now_o my_o belove_a in_o the_o lord_n herein_o you_o be_v to_o be_v blame_v that_o you_o do_v not_o rather_o go_v in_o to_o the_o fountain_n and_o the●e_n behold_v the_o stream●_n then_o only_o to_o behold_v the_o fountain_n in_o the_o stream_n you_o ought_v rather_o upon_o the_o lord●_n testimony_n of_o man_n to_o believe_v what_o be_v in_o you_o before_o you_o find_v it_o and_o see_v it_o break_v out_o and_o keep_v this_o character_n continual_o in_o your_o ●ight_n which_o will_v be_v more_o powerful_a ●o_o humble_a you_o than_o many_o out-breaking●_a i_o think_v we_o shall_v be_v ●o_o well_o acquaint_v with_o our_o own_o nature_n as_o to_o account_v nothing_o ●●range_a to_o they_o that_o we_o see_v abroad_o but_o r●ther_o think_v all_o the_o gros●nesse_n and_o wickedness_n of_o man_n suitable_a and_o correspondent_a to_o o●r_v spirit_n to_o that_o root_n of_o bitterness_n that_o be_v in_o they_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o restrain_v the_o appearance_n o●_n that_o in_o we_o which_o i●_n within_o we_o in_o reality_n shall_v rather_o increase_v the_o sense_n of_o our_o own_o wickedness_n then_o diminish_v it_o in_o our_o view_n indeed_o self-love_n be_v that_o which_o blind_v we_o and_o bemist_n we_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o ourselves_o we_o look_v upon_o ourselves_o through_o this_o ●alse_a medium_n and_o it_o represent_v all_o thing_n more_o beautiful_a than_o they_o a●e_v and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n have_v reason_n to_o s●y_v we_o deceive_v ourselves_o and_o we_o make_v god_n a_o liar_n o_o how_o much_o practical_a selfdeceit_n be_v there_o in_o the_o application_n of_o truth_n there_o be_v many_o error_n contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n themselves_o and_o many_o deceiver_n and_o deceive_v who_o spread_v they_o but_o i_o believe_v there_o be_v more_o error_n commit_v by_o man_n in_o the_o application_n of_o truth_n to_o their_o o●n_a heart_n the●_n in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o it_o and_o more_o self-deceiving_a then_o deceive_v of_o other_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o think_v how_o sound_n and_o clear_a and_o distinct_a a_o man_n judgement_n will_v be_v against_o those_o evil_n in_o other_o which_o yet_o he_o see_v not_o in_o himself_o how_o many_o christian_n will_v be_v able_a to_o decipher_v the_o nature_n of_o some_o vice_n and_o unbowel_v the_o evil_n of_o they_o and_o be_v quick-sighted_a to_o espy_v the_o leas●_n appearance_n of_o they_o in_o another_o and_o ●o_o condemn_v it_o and_o yet_o ●o_o partial_a a●e_n they_o in_o judge_v themselves_o self-love_n so_o purblind_v they_o in_o t●is_n reflection_n that_o they_o can_v discern_v that_o in_o themselves_o which_o o●hers_n can_v but_o discern_v how_o o●ten_o do_v man_n declaim_v against_o pride_n and_o covetousness_n and_o self-seeking_a and_o other_o evil_n of_o that_o kind_n they_o will_v pour_v out_o a_o flood_n of_o eloquence_n and_o zeal_n against_o they_o and_o yet_o ●t_a be_v strange_a they_o do_v not_o adunct_v that_o they_o be_v accuse_v themselves_o and_o impannel●ing_v themselves_o in_o such_o discourse●_n though_o other_o it_o may_v be_v will_v easy_o perceive_v ●_o predominancy_n of_o these_o evil_n in_o they_o who_o be_v thou_o o_o m●●_n who_o judge_v another_o and_o ●ost_o the_o same_o thing_n can_v thou_o escape_v god_n judgement_n rom._n 2.1_o consider_v this_o o_o ch●istian_n that_o thou_o may_v le●rn_v to_o turn_v the_o edge_n of_o all_o thy_o censure_n and_o conviction_n against_o ●hy_a self_n that_o thou_o may_v prevent_v all_o man_n judgement_n of_o thou_o in_o judge_v thyself_o all_o thing_n that_o man_n can_v judge_v thou_o that_o be_v a_o ●hief_n of_o sinner_n that_o have_v the_o root_n of_o all_o sin_n in_o thou_o and_o so_o thou_o may_v anticipa●_n the_o divine_a judgement_n too_o for_o if_o we_o judge_v ourselves_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v judge_v labour_v thou_o to_o know_v these_o evil_n tha●_n be_v incident_a to_o thy_o nature_n before_o other_o can_v know_v they_o that_o be_v in_o the_o root_n and_o ●ountain_n before_o they_o come_v to_o the_o ●ruit_n and_o stream_n to_o know_v sin_n in_o the_o first_o conception_n of_o they_o before_o they_o come_v to_o such_o production_n as_o be_v visible_a and_o this_o shall_v keep_v thou_o humble_a and_o preserve_v thou_o from_o much_o sin_n and_o thou_o sh●lt_v not_o deceive_v thyself_o nor_o dishonour_n god_n in_o make_v he_o a_o liar_n but_o rather_o set_v to_o thy_o seal_n to_o his_o ●ruth_n and_o his_o word_n shall_v abide_v in_o thou_o there_o be_v a_o common_a rule_n that_o we_o have_v in_o judge_v ourselves_o by_o compare_v ourselves_o among_o ourselves_o which_o as_o paul_n say_v be_v not_o wisdom_n 2_o cor._n 10.12_o when_o we_o do_v not_o measure_v our_o ●elves_n by_o the_o perfect_a rule_n of_o god_n holy_a word_n but_o parallel_v ourselves_o with_o other_o person_n who_o be_v still_o defective_a from_o the_o rule_n far_o further_o from_o it_o than_o any_o one_o be_v from_o another_o this_o be_v the_o ordinary_a method_n of_o the_o judge_n of_o self-love_n we_o compare_v with_o the_o worst_a person●_n and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o so_o bad_a as_o they_o we_o think_v ourselves_o good_a if_o not_o so_o ignorant_a as_o some_o ar●_n we_o presume_v that_o we_o know_v if_o not_o so_o profane_a as_o many_o we_o believe_v ourselves_o religious_a lord_n i_o be_o not_o as_o this_o publican_n so_o ●aith_o man●_n in_o their_o heart_n there_o be_v a_o curser_n a_o swearer_n a_o drunkard_n a_o blind_a ignorant_a soul_n that_o neglect_v prayer_n in_o private_a and_o public_a and_o upon_o these_o ruin_n of_o other_o sin_n they_o build_v some_o better_a estimation_n of_o themselves_o but_o i_o pray_v 〈◊〉_d what_o will_v that_o avail_v you_o to_o be_v unlike_o they_o you_o be_v more_o unlike_o your_o pattern_n than_o they_o be_v unlike_o you_o it_o may_v be_v other_o will_v compare_v with_o these_o that_o be_v good_a but_o it_o be_v with_o that_o which_o be_v worst_a in_o they_o and_o not_o that_o which_o be_v best_a how_o often_o do_v man_n reckon_v this_o way_n here_o be_v a_o good_a man_n here_o be_v a_o eminent_a person_n yet_o he_o be_v such_o and_o such_o subject_n to_o such_o infirmity_n and_o here_o self-love_n flatter_v itself_o and_o by_o flatter_v deceive_v itself_o my_o belove_a let_v we_o learn_v ●o_o establish_v a_o more_o perfect_a rule_n which_o may_v show_v all_o our_o imperfection_n let_v our_o rule_n ascend_v that_o our_o heart_n may_v descend_v in_o humility_n but_o when_o our_o rule_n and_o pattern_n descend_v to_o man_n of_o like_a infirmity_n than_o our_o pride_n and_o self-conceit_n ascend_v and_o the_o high_a we_o be_v that_o way_n in_o our_o own_o account_n the_o low_a we_o be_v indeed_o and_o in_o god_n account_n and_o the_o low_a we_o be_v in_o ourselves_o we_o lose_v nothing_o by_o it_o for_o as_o god_n be_v high_a in_o our_o account_n so_o we_o be_v high_o in_o god_n account_n according_a to_o that_o stand_a rule_n mat_n 23.12_o whosoever_o shall_v exalt_v himself_o shall_v be_v abase_v and_o he_o that_o shall_v humble_v himself_o shall_v be_v exalt_v sermon_n xxi·_n 1_o joh._n 2.1_o my_o little_a child_n these_o thing_n write_v i_o unto_o you_o that_o you_o sin_v not_o and_o if_o any_o man_n sin_n we_o have_v a_o advocate_n with_o the_o father_n etc._n etc._n the_o gospel_n be_v a_o entire_a uniform_a piece_n all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o be_v interweave_v through_o other_o and_o interchangeable_o knit_v together_o so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o divide_v of_o it_o no_o more_o then_o of_o christ_n coat_n that_o be_v without_o seam_n if_o you_o have_v it_o not_o altogether_o by_o the_o divine_a lot_n you_o can_v true_o have_v any_o part_n of_o it_o for_o they_o be_v so_o knit_v together_o that_o if_o you_o disjoin_v they_o you_o destroy_v they_o and_o if_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v together_o they_o