a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n march_z 13._o 1666_o 7._o by_o edward_n stillingfleet_n b._n d._n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n print_a by_o his_o majesty_n especial_a command_n london_n print_v by_o robert_n white_a for_o henry_n mortlock_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shop_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o white_a hart_n in_o westminster_n hall_n 1667._o proverb_n 14._o 9_o fool_n make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n when_o god_n by_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n have_v contrive_v and_o by_o a_o power_n and_o goodness_n as_o infinite_a as_o his_o wisdom_n have_v perfect_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o visible_a world_n there_o seem_v to_o be_v nothing_o want_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o it_o but_o a_o creature_n endue_v with_o reason_n and_o understanding_n which_o may_v comprehend_v the_o design_n of_o his_o wisdom_n enjoy_v the_o benefit_n of_o his_o goodness_n and_o employ_v itself_o in_o the_o celebration_n of_o his_o power_n the_o being_n pure_o intellectual_a be_v too_o high_o raise_v by_o their_o own_o order_n and_o creation_n to_o be_v the_o lord_n of_o this_o inferior_a world_n and_o those_o who_o nature_n can_v reach_v no_o high_o than_o the_o object_n of_o sense_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o discover_v the_o glorious_a perfection_n of_o the_o great_a creator_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v the_o fit_a instrument_n of_o his_o praise_n and_o service_n but_o a_o conjunction_n of_o both_o these_o together_o be_v think_v necessary_a to_o make_v up_o such_o a_o sort_n of_o being_n which_o may_v at_o once_o command_v this_o low_a world_n and_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o he_o who_o make_v it_o not_o as_o though_o this_o great_a fabric_n of_o the_o world_n be_v mere_o raise_v for_o man_n to_o please_v his_o fancy_n in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o it_o or_o to_o exercise_v his_o dominion_n over_o the_o creature_n design_v for_o his_o use_n and_o service_n but_o that_o by_o frequent_a reflection_n on_o the_o author_n of_o his_o be_v and_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o power_n and_o goodness_n he_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o the_o great_a love_n and_o admiration_n of_o he_o so_o that_o the_o most_o natural_a part_n of_o religion_n lie_v in_o the_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n we_o owe_v to_o that_o excellent_a and_o supreme_a be_v who_o have_v show_v so_o particular_a a_o kindness_n to_o man_n in_o the_o creation_n and_o government_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v so_o great_a and_o unexpressible_a that_o some_o have_v think_v it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o pride_n and_o affectation_n of_o a_o great_a height_n as_o envy_v at_o the_o felicity_n and_o power_n of_o mankind_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o apostate_n spirit_n but_o whether_o or_o no_o the_o state_n of_o man_n be_v occasion_n enough_o for_o the_o envy_n of_o the_o spirit_n above_o we_o be_v sure_o the_o kindness_n of_o heaven_n be_v so_o great_a in_o it_o as_o can_v not_o but_o lay_v a_o indispensable_a obligation_n on_o all_o mankind_n to_o perpetual_a gratitude_n and_o obedience_n for_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o suppose_v that_o affront_v and_o injury_n be_v the_o most_o suitable_a return_n for_o the_o most_o oblige_a favour_n that_o the_o first_o duty_n of_o a_o child_n shall_v be_v to_o destroy_v his_o parent_n that_o to_o be_v thankful_a for_o kindness_n receive_v be_v to_o commit_v the_o unpardonable_a sin_n as_o that_o man_n shall_v receive_v his_o be_v and_o all_o the_o blessing_n which_o attend_v it_o from_o god_n and_o not_o be_v bind_v to_o the_o most_o universal_a obedience_n to_o he_o and_o as_o the_o reflection_n on_o the_o author_n of_o his_o be_v lead_v he_o to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o his_o duty_n towards_o god_n so_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o design_n of_o it_o will_v more_o easy_o acquaint_v he_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o duty_n which_o be_v expect_v from_o he_o have_v man_n be_v design_v only_o to_o act_v a_o short_a part_n here_o in_o the_o world_n all_o that_o have_v be_v require_v of_o he_o have_v be_v only_o to_o express_v his_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n for_o his_o be_v and_o the_o comfort_n of_o it_o the_o use_v all_o mean_n for_o the_o due_a preservation_n of_o himself_o the_o do_v nothing_o beneath_o the_o dignity_n of_o humane_a nature_n nothing_o injurious_a to_o those_o who_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o himself_o but_o since_o he_o be_v design_v for_o great_a and_o noble_a end_n and_o his_o present_a state_n be_v but_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n in_o order_n to_o future_a happiness_n and_o misery_n the_o reason_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v mere_o from_o his_o present_n but_o from_o the_o respect_n which_o thing_n have_v to_o that_o eternal_a state_n he_o be_v design_v for_o from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a be_v root_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o being_n and_o be_v the_o necessary_a consequent_n of_o our_o relation_n to_o god_n and_o each_o other_o and_o our_o expectation_n of_o a_o future_a life_n and_o therefore_o according_a to_o these_o measure_n the_o estimation_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v while_o they_o do_v preserve_v any_o veneration_n for_o god_n or_o themselves_o wisdom_n and_o folly_n be_v not_o measure_v so_o much_o by_o the_o subtlety_n and_o curiosity_n of_o man_n speculation_n by_o the_o finess_n of_o their_o thought_n or_o the_o depth_n of_o their_o design_n as_o by_o their_o endeavour_n to_o uphold_v the_o dignity_n of_o mankind_n by_o their_o piety_n and_o devotion_n towards_o god_n by_o their_o sobriety_n and_o due_a government_n of_o their_o action_n by_o the_o equality_n and_o justice_n the_o charity_n and_o kindness_n of_o their_o deal_n to_o one_o another_o wisdom_n be_v but_o another_o name_n for_o goodness_n and_o folly_n for_o sin_n than_o it_o be_v a_o man_n glory_n to_o be_v religious_a and_o to_o be_v profane_a and_o vicious_a be_v to_o be_v base_a and_o mean_a then_o there_o be_v no_o god_n worship_v because_o they_o be_v bad_a nor_o any_o man_n disgrace_v because_o they_o be_v good_a then_o there_o be_v no_o temple_n erect_v to_o the_o mean_a passion_n of_o humane_a nature_n nor_o man_n become_v idolater_n to_o their_o own_o infirmity_n then_o to_o be_v betray_v into_o sin_n be_v account_v weakness_n to_o contrive_v it_o dishonour_n and_o baseness_n to_o justify_v and_o defend_v it_o infamy_n and_o reproach_n to_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o it_o a_o mark_n of_o the_o high_a folly_n and_o incorrigibleness_n so_o the_o wise_a man_n in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v fool_n and_o those_o of_o the_o high_a rank_n and_o degree_n of_o folly_n who_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n it_o be_v well_o for_o we_o in_o the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o that_o we_o have_v the_o judgement_n of_o former_a age_n to_o appeal_v to_o and_o of_o those_o person_n in_o they_o who_o reputation_n for_o wisdom_n be_v yet_o unquestionable_a for_o otherwise_o we_o may_v be_v bear_v down_o by_o that_o spiteful_a enemy_n to_o all_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n the_o impudence_n of_o such_o who_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o say_v whether_o they_o show_v it_o more_o in_o commit_v sin_n or_o in_o defend_v it_o man_n who_o manner_n be_v so_o bad_a that_o scarce_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v imagine_v worse_o unless_o it_o be_v the_o wit_n they_o use_v to_o excuse_v they_o with_o such_o who_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o man_n perfection_n downward_o and_o the_o near_o they_o approach_v to_o beast_n the_o more_o they_o think_v themselves_o to_o act_v like_o man_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o among_o such_o as_o these_o the_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n be_v laugh_v at_o and_o no_o sin_n be_v think_v so_o unpardonable_a as_o the_o think_v that_o there_o be_v any_o at_o all_o nay_o the_o utmost_a they_o will_v allow_v in_o the_o description_n of_o sin_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o some_o live_v by_o declaim_v against_o and_o other_o can_v live_v without_o the_o practice_n of_o but_o be_v the_o chair_n of_o scorner_n at_o last_o prove_v the_o only_a chair_n of_o infallibility_n must_v those_o be_v the_o standard_n of_o mankind_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v little_o leave_v of_o humane_a nature_n but_o laughter_n and_o the_o shape_n of_o man_n do_v they_o think_v that_o we_o be_v all_o become_v such_o fool_n to_o take_v scoff_v for_o argument_n and_o raillery_n for_o demonstration_n he_o know_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o goodness_n that_o know_v not_o that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o easy_a to_o laugh_v at_o it_o than_o to_o practice_v it_o and_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o while_n to_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n if_o the_o do_v so_o will_v make_v nothing_o of_o it_o but_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n do_v not_o
the_o unavoidable_a frailty_n of_o humane_a nature_n or_o the_o impossibility_n of_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o heaven_n but_o that_o none_o of_o these_o will_v serve_v to_o excuse_v they_o from_o the_o just_a imputation_n of_o folly_n be_v our_o present_a business_n to_o discover_v 1._o the_o fatal_a necessity_n of_o all_o humane_a action_n those_o who_o upon_o any_o other_o term_n be_v unwilling_a enough_o to_o own_o either_o god_n or_o providence_n yet_o if_o they_o can_v but_o make_v these_o serve_v their_o turn_n to_o justify_v their_o sin_n by_o their_o quarrel_n against_o they_o than_o cease_v as_o be_v much_o more_o willing_a that_o god_n shall_v bear_v the_o blame_n of_o their_o sin_n than_o themselves_o but_o yet_o the_o very_a fear_n of_o a_o deity_n suggest_v so_o many_o dreadful_a thought_n of_o his_o majesty_n justice_n and_o power_n that_o they_o be_v very_o well_o content_v to_o have_v he_o whole_o leave_v out_o and_o then_o to_o suppose_v man_n to_o be_v a_o mere_a engine_n that_o be_v necessary_o move_v by_o such_o a_o train_n and_o series_n of_o cause_n that_o there_o be_v no_o action_n how_o bad_a soever_o that_o be_v do_v by_o he_o which_o it_o be_v any_o more_o possible_a for_o he_o not_o to_o have_v do_v than_o for_o the_o fire_n not_o to_o burn_v when_o it_o please_v if_o this_o be_v true_a farewell_o all_o the_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n in_o man_n action_n farewell_o all_o expectation_n of_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n religion_n become_v but_o a_o mere_a name_n and_o righteousness_n but_o a_o art_n to_o live_v by_o but_o it_o be_v with_o this_o as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o other_o argument_n they_o use_v against_o religion_n there_o be_v something_o within_o which_o check_n and_o control_v they_o in_o what_o they_o say_v and_o that_o inward_a remorse_n of_o conscience_n which_o such_o man_n sometime_o feel_v in_o their_o evil_a action_n when_o conscience_n be_v force_v to_o recoil_v by_o the_o foulness_n of_o they_o do_v effectual_o confute_v their_o own_o hypothesis_n and_o make_v they_o not_o believe_v those_o action_n to_o be_v necessary_a for_o which_o they_o suffer_v so_o much_o in_o themselves_o because_o they_o know_v they_o do_v they_o free_o or_o be_v it_o as_o fatal_a for_o man_n to_o believe_v himself_o free_a when_o he_o be_v not_o so_o as_o it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o act_v when_o his_o choice_n be_v determine_v but_o what_o series_n of_o cause_n be_v there_o that_o do_v so_o necessary_o impose_v upon_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o all_o mankind_n it_o seem_v very_o strange_a that_o man_n shall_v have_v so_o little_a sense_n of_o his_o own_o interest_n to_o be_v still_o necessitate_v to_o the_o worst_a of_o action_n and_o yet_o torment_v himself_o with_o the_o thought_n that_o he_o do_v they_o free_o or_o be_v it_o only_o the_o freedom_n of_o action_n and_o not_o of_o choice_n that_o man_n have_v a_o experience_n of_o within_o themselves_o but_o sure_o however_o man_n may_v subtle_o dispute_v of_o the_o difference_n between_o these_o two_o no_o man_n will_v ever_o believe_v himself_o to_o be_v free_a in_o what_o he_o do_v unless_o he_o first_o think_v himself_o to_o be_v so_o in_o what_o he_o determine_v and_o if_o we_o suppose_v man_n to_o have_v as_o great_a a_o freedom_n of_o choice_n in_o all_o his_o evil_a action_n which_o be_v the_o liberty_n we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o as_o any_o person_n assert_v or_o contend_v for_o we_o can_v suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v a_o great_a experience_n of_o it_o than_o now_o he_o have_v so_o that_o either_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o know_v when_o his_o choice_n be_v free_a or_o if_o it_o may_v be_v know_v the_o constant_a experience_n of_o all_o evil_a man_n in_o the_o world_n will_v testify_v that_o it_o be_v so_o now_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o the_o most_o intemperate_a person_n to_o believe_v when_o the_o most_o please_a temptation_n to_o lust_n or_o gluttony_n be_v present_v to_o he_o that_o no_o consideration_n whatever_o can_v restrain_v his_o appetite_n or_o keep_v he_o from_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o brutish_a inclination_n will_v not_o the_o sudden_a though_o groundless_a apprehension_n of_o poison_n in_o the_o cup_n make_v the_o drunkard_n heart_n to_o ache_v and_o hand_n to_o tremble_v and_o to_o let_v fall_v the_o suppose_a fatal_a mixture_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o his_o jollity_n and_o excess_n how_o often_o have_v person_n who_o have_v design_v the_o great_a mischief_n to_o the_o life_n and_o fortune_n of_o other_o when_o all_o opportunity_n have_v fall_v out_o beyond_o their_o expectation_n for_o accomplish_v their_o end_n through_o some_o sudden_a thought_n which_o have_v surprise_v they_o almost_o in_o the_o very_a act_n be_v divert_v from_o their_o intend_a purpose_n do_v ever_o any_o yet_o imagine_v that_o the_o charm_n of_o beauty_n and_o allurement_n of_o lust_n be_v so_o irresistible_a that_o if_o man_n know_v before_o hand_n they_o shall_v sure_o die_v in_o the_o embrace_n of_o a_o adulterous_a bed_n they_o can_v not_o yet_o withstand_v the_o temptation_n to_o it_o if_o then_o some_o consideration_n which_o be_v quite_o of_o another_o nature_n from_o all_o the_o object_n which_o be_v present_v to_o he_o may_v quite_o hinder_v the_o force_n and_o efficacy_n of_o they_o upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o we_o see_v in_o ioseph_n resist_v the_o importunate_a caress_n of_o his_o mistress_n what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v to_o imagine_v that_o man_n be_v a_o mere_a machine_n move_v only_o as_o outward_a object_n determine_v he_o and_o if_o the_o consideration_n of_o present_a fear_n and_o danger_n may_v divert_v man_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o evil_a action_n shall_v not_o the_o far_o more_o weighty_a consideration_n of_o eternity_n have_v at_o least_o a_o equal_a if_o not_o a_o far_o great_a power_n and_o efficacy_n upon_o man_n mind_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o everlasting_a misery_n be_v a_o immortal_a soul_n and_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n of_o it_o so_o mean_v a_o thing_n in_o our_o esteem_n and_o value_n that_o we_o will_v not_o deny_v ourselves_o those_o sensual_a pleasure_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o which_o we_o will_v renounce_v for_o some_o present_a danger_n be_v the_o flame_n of_o another_o world_n such_o paint_a fire_n that_o they_o deserve_v only_o to_o be_v laugh_v at_o and_o not_o serious_o consider_v by_o we_o fond_a man_n be_v thou_o only_o free_a to_o ruin_v and_o destroy_v thyself_o a_o strange_a fatality_n indeed_o when_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v mean_a and_o trivial_a shall_v determine_v thy_o choice_n when_o matter_n of_o the_o high_a moment_n be_v therefore_o less_o regard_v because_o they_o be_v such_o have_v thou_o no_o other_o plea_n for_o thyself_o but_o that_o thy_o sin_n be_v fatal_a thou_o have_v no_o reason_n then_o to_o believe_v but_o that_o thy_o misery_n shall_v be_v so_o too_o but_o if_o thou_o own_v a_o god_n and_o providence_n assure_v thyself_o that_o justice_n and_o righteousness_n be_v not_o mere_a title_n of_o his_o honour_n but_o the_o real_a property_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o he_o who_o have_v appoint_v the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o the_o great_a day_n will_v then_o call_v the_o sinner_n to_o account_v not_o only_o for_o all_o his_o other_o sin_n but_o for_o offer_v to_o lay_v the_o imputation_n of_o they_o upon_o himself_o for_o if_o the_o great_a abhorrency_n of_o man_n evil_a way_n the_o rigour_n of_o his_o law_n the_o severity_n of_o his_o judgement_n the_o exactness_n of_o his_o justice_n the_o great_a care_n use_v to_o reclaim_v man_n from_o their_o sin_n and_o the_o high_a assurance_n that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o ruin_n may_v be_v any_o vindication_n of_o the_o holiness_n of_o god_n now_o and_o his_o justice_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v we_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n to_o lay_v the_o blame_n of_o all_o our_o evil_a action_n upon_o ourselves_o as_o to_o attribute_v the_o glory_n of_o all_o our_o good_a unto_o himself_o alone_o 2._o the_o frailty_n of_o humane_a nature_n those_o who_o find_v themselves_o to_o be_v free_a enough_o to_o do_v their_o soul_n mischief_n and_o yet_o continue_v still_o in_o the_o do_n of_o it_o find_v nothing_o more_o ready_a to_o plead_v for_o themselves_o than_o the_o unhappiness_n of_o man_n composition_n and_o the_o degenerate_a state_n of_o the_o world_n if_o god_n have_v design_v they_o be_v ready_a to_o say_v that_o man_n shall_v lead_v a_o life_n free_a from_o sin_n why_o do_v he_o confine_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o a_o body_n so_o apt_a to_o taint_v and_o pollute_v it_o but_o who_o be_v thou_o o_o man_n that_o thus_o find_v fault_n with_o thy_o maker_n be_v not_o his_o kindness_n the_o great_a in_o not_o only_o give_v thou_o a_o soul_n capable_a
vary_v with_o the_o humour_n of_o man_n sin_n become_v not_o at_o all_o the_o less_o dangerous_a because_o man_n have_v so_o little_a wit_n to_o think_v it_o so_o nor_o religion_n the_o less_o excellent_a and_o advantageous_a to_o the_o world_n because_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o that_o be_v so_o much_o to_o themselves_o too_o that_o they_o have_v learn_v to_o despise_v it_o but_o although_o that_o scorn_n to_o be_v defend_v by_o such_o weapon_n whereby_o her_o enemy_n assault_v she_o nothing_o more_o unbecoming_a the_o majesty_n of_o religion_n than_o to_o make_v itself_o cheap_a by_o make_v other_o laugh_v yet_o if_o they_o can_v but_o obtain_v so_o much_o of_o themselves_o to_o attend_v with_o patience_n to_o what_o be_v serious_a there_o may_v be_v yet_o a_o possibility_n of_o persuade_v they_o that_o no_o fool_n be_v so_o great_a as_o those_o who_o laugh_v themselves_o into_o misery_n and_o none_o so_o certain_o do_v so_o as_o those_o who_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n but_o if_o our_o authority_n be_v too_o mean_a and_o contemptible_a to_o be_v rely_v on_o in_o a_o matter_n wherein_o they_o think_v we_o so_o much_o concern_v and_o so_o i_o hope_v we_o be_v to_o prevent_v the_o ruin_n of_o man_n soul_n we_o dare_v with_o confidence_n appeal_v to_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o present_a debate_n let_v they_o name_n but_o any_o one_o person_n in_o all_o the_o monument_n of_o former_a age_n to_o who_o but_o the_o bare_a suspicion_n of_o vice_n be_v not_o a_o diminution_n to_o a_o esteem_n that_o may_v otherwise_o have_v be_v great_a in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o the_o bare_a suspicion_n will_v do_v so_o much_o among_o even_o the_o more_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a nation_n what_o will_v open_v and_o profess_a wickedness_n do_v among_o the_o more_o know_v and_o civil_a humane_a nature_n retain_v a_o abhorrency_n of_o sin_n so_o far_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o have_v the_o same_o esteem_n of_o those_o who_o be_v give_v over_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n though_o otherwise_o of_o great_a sharpness_n of_o wit_n and_o of_o such_o who_o natural_a ability_n may_v not_o exceed_v the_o other_o but_o yet_o do_v govern_v their_o action_n according_a to_o the_o strict_a rule_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n and_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n can_v be_v by_o any_o thing_n better_o know_v than_o by_o a_o universal_a consent_n of_o man_n as_o to_o the_o way_n whereby_o they_o express_v their_o value_n and_o esteem_v of_o other_o what_o they_o all_o agree_v on_o as_o the_o best_a character_n of_o a_o person_n worthy_a to_o be_v love_v and_o honour_v we_o may_v well_o think_v be_v the_o most_o agreeable_a to_o humane_a nature_n and_o what_o be_v universal_o think_v a_o disparagement_n to_o the_o high_a accomplishment_n aught_o to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o the_o disgrace_n and_o imperfection_n of_o it_o do_v ever_o any_o yet_o though_o never_o so_o wicked_a and_o profane_a themselves_o serious_o commend_v another_o person_n for_o his_o rudeness_n and_o debauchery_n be_v any_o man_n lust_n or_o intemperance_n ever_o reckon_v among_o the_o title_n of_o his_o honour_n who_o ever_o yet_o raise_v trophy_n to_o his_o vice_n or_o think_v to_o perpetuate_v his_o memory_n by_o the_o glory_n of_o they_o where_o be_v it_o ever_o know_v that_o sobriety_n and_o temperance_n justice_n and_o charity_n be_v think_v the_o mark_n of_o reproach_n and_o infamy_n who_o ever_o suffer_v in_o their_o reputation_n by_o be_v think_v to_o be_v real_o good_a nay_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o it_o that_o the_o most_o wicked_a person_n do_v inward_o esteem_v they_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o no._n by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o even_o in_o this_o lapse_v and_o degenerate_a condition_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v only_a goodness_n which_o gain_v true_a honour_n and_o esteem_v and_o nothing_o do_v so_o effectual_o blast_v a_o grow_a reputation_n as_o wickedness_n and_o vice_n but_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o with_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n who_o be_v never_o yet_o think_v to_o have_v too_o much_o partiality_n towards_o goodness_n we_o may_v much_o more_o easy_o find_v it_o among_o those_o who_o have_v have_v a_o better_a ground_n for_o the_o reputation_n of_o their_o wisdom_n than_o the_o mere_a vogue_n of_o the_o people_n he_o who_o be_v pronounce_v by_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n to_o be_v the_o wise_a among_o the_o greek_n be_v the_o person_n who_o bring_v down_o philosophy_n from_o the_o obscure_a and_o uncertain_a speculation_n of_o nature_n and_o in_o all_o his_o discourse_n recommend_v virtue_n as_o the_o true_a wisdom_n and_o he_o among_o the_o jew_n 31._o who_o soul_n be_v as_o large_a as_o the_o sand_n on_o the_o sea_n shore_n who_o wisdom_n outgo_v that_o of_o all_o the_o person_n of_o his_o own_o or_o future_a age_n write_v a_o book_n on_o purpose_n to_o persuade_v man_n that_o there_o be_v no_o real_a wisdom_n but_o to_o fear_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n that_o sin_n be_v the_o great_a folly_n and_o the_o mean_a apprehension_n man_n have_v of_o it_o the_o more_o they_o be_v infatuate_v by_o the_o temptation_n to_o it_o but_o as_o there_o be_v degree_n of_o sin_v so_o there_o be_v of_o folly_n in_o it_o some_o sin_n with_o a_o blush_a countenance_n and_o a_o tremble_a conscience_n they_o sin_n but_o yet_o they_o be_v afraid_a to_o sin_n they_o sin_n but_o in_o the_o act_n of_o it_o they_o condemn_v themselves_o for_o what_o they_o do_v they_o sin_n but_o with_o confusion_n in_o their_o face_n with_o horror_n in_o their_o mind_n and_o a_o earthquake_n in_o their_o conscience_n though_o the_o condition_n of_o such_o person_n be_v dangerous_a and_o their_o unquietness_n show_v the_o greatness_n of_o their_o folly_n yet_o because_o these_o twitch_n of_o conscience_n argue_v there_o be_v some_o quick_a touch_n leave_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n their_o case_n be_v not_o desperate_a nor_o their_o condition_n incurable_a but_o there_o be_v other_o who_o despise_v these_o as_o the_o reproach_n of_o the_o school_n of_o wickedness_n because_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o attain_v to_o those_o height_n of_o impiety_n which_o they_o glory_n in_o such_o who_o have_v subdue_v their_o conscience_n much_o easy_a than_o other_o do_v their_o sin_n who_o have_v almost_o wear_v out_o all_o the_o impression_n of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n who_o not_o only_o make_v a_o practice_n but_o a_o boast_n of_o sin_n and_o defend_v it_o with_o as_o much_o greediness_n as_o they_o commit_v it_o these_o be_v the_o man_n who_o folly_n be_v manifest_a to_o all_o man_n but_o themselves_o and_o sure_o since_o these_o be_v the_o man_n who_o solomon_n in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n describe_v 1._o by_o their_o character_n as_o fool_n and_o 2._o by_o the_o instance_n of_o their_o folly_n in_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n we_o may_v have_v not_o only_o the_o liberty_n to_o use_v but_o to_o prove_v that_o name_n of_o reproach_n to_o be_v due_a unto_o they_o and_o 2._o to_o show_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o fasten_v it_o upon_o they_o because_o they_o make_v a_o mock_n at_o sin_n but_o before_o i_o come_v more_o close_o to_o pursue_v that_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o consider_v another_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n cause_v by_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o hebrew_n verb_n which_o sometime_o signify_v to_o deride_v and_o scorn_v sometime_o to_o plead_v for_o and_o excuse_v a_o thing_n with_o all_o the_o art_n of_o rhetoric_n thence_o the_o word_n for_o rhetoric_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o verb_n here_o use_v according_a to_o which_o sense_n it_o note_v all_o the_o plausible_a pretence_n and_o subtle_a extenuation_n which_o wicked_a man_n use_v in_o defence_n of_o their_o evil_a action_n for_o as_o if_o man_n intend_v to_o make_v some_o recompense_n for_o the_o folly_n they_o betray_v in_o the_o act_n of_o sin_n by_o the_o wit_n they_o employ_v in_o the_o plead_n for_o they_o there_o be_v nothing_o they_o show_v more_o industry_n and_o care_n in_o than_o in_o endeavour_v to_o baffle_v their_o own_o conscience_n and_o please_v themselves_o in_o their_o folly_n till_o death_n and_o eternal_a flame_n awaken_v they_o that_o we_o may_v not_o therefore_o seem_v to_o beg_v all_o wicked_a man_n for_o fool_n till_o we_o have_v hear_v what_o they_o have_v to_o say_v for_o themselves_o we_o shall_v first_o examine_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o their_o fair_a plea_n for_o their_o evil_a action_n before_o we_o make_v good_a the_o particular_a impeachment_n of_o folly_n against_o they_o there_o be_v three_o way_n especial_o whereby_o they_o seek_v to_o justify_v themselves_o by_o lay_v the_o blame_n of_o all_o their_o evil_a action_n either_o upon_o the_o fatal_a necessity_n of_o all_o event_n