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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
religion_n abandon_v compliance_n folly_n 18 3 9.2152 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A58804 The Christian life. Vol. 5 and last wherein is shew'd : I. The worth and excellency of the soul, II. The divinity and incarnation of our Saviour, III. The authority of the Holy Scripture, IV. A dissuasive from apostacy / by John Scott ... Scott, John, 1639-1695. 1699 (1699) Wing S2059; ESTC R3097 251,737 514

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wretch_n who_o though_o he_o believe_v his_o own_o religion_n true_a exchange_n it_o for_o another_o which_o he_o believe_v to_o be_v false_a upon_o no_o other_o consideration_n but_o so_o much_o temporal_a advantage_n to_o boot_v by_o which_o he_o plain_o declare_v that_o in_o the_o balance_n of_o his_o estimation_n the_o odds_o between_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n the_o declaration_n of_o god_n and_o the_o imposture_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v so_o inconsiderable_a that_o the_o least_o addition_n of_o the_o transitory_a good_n of_o this_o world_n to_o the_o late_a render_v it_o of_o sufficient_a weight_n to_o turn_v the_o scale_n against_o the_o former_a and_o that_o for_o his_o part_n he_o be_v not_o much_o concern_v whether_o the_o almighty_a be_v his_o friend_n or_o foe_n and_o provide_v he_o may_v but_o enjoy_v his_o ease_n and_o pleasure_n a_o few_o year_n long_o here_o he_o be_v very_o well_o content_v to_o part_n with_o all_o his_o hope_n and_o interest_n in_o god_n for_o ever_o for_o this_o be_v the_o natural_a construction_n of_o man_n apostasy_n from_o the_o true_a religion_n in_o consideration_n of_o their_o worldly_a interest_n that_o that_o interest_n be_v in_o their_o esteem_n far_o more_o eligible_a than_o god_n with_o all_o his_o power_n and_o goodness_n that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n than_o without_o preferment_n and_o that_o that_o man_n make_v a_o very_a good_a bargain_n who_o get_v a_o good_a place_n in_o exchange_n for_o his_o maker_n and_o with_o the_o treacherous_a judas_n sell_v his_o saviour_n though_o it_o be_v but_o for_o thirty_o piece_n of_o silver_n which_o be_v such_o a_o monstrous_a degree_n of_o impiety_n as_o one_o will_v think_v shall_v be_v fufficient_a to_o scare_v and_o affright_v the_o most_o courageous_a sinner_n that_o have_v but_o the_o least_o apprehension_n of_o god_n or_o sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil._n but_o then_o 2._o consider_v the_o desparte_n folly_n of_o man_n abandon_v their_o religion_n in_o compliance_n with_o their_o vicious_a affection_n for_o he_o who_o without_o through_o conviction_n abandon_v the_o profession_n of_o his_o religion_n whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a do_v together_o with_o that_o most_o certain_o abandon_v all_o the_o bless_a reward_n and_o incur_v all_o the_o dreadful_a penalty_n that_o true_a religion_n promise_n and_o denounce_v because_o though_o his_o religion_n perhaps_o may_v be_v false_a yet_o in_o renounce_v it_o whilst_o he_o believe_v it_o true_a his_o will_n do_v as_o malicious_o renounce_v the_o true_a religion_n as_o if_o it_o real_o be_v so_o he_o think_v it_o true_a and_o yet_o renounce_v it_o by_o which_o he_o plain_o declare_v that_o if_o it_o have_v be_v true_a he_o will_v have_v renounce_v it_o so_o that_o whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o he_o his_o will_n be_v the_o same_o his_o crime_n and_o gild_n the_o same_o it_o be_v true_a religion_n he_o intentional_o renounce_v and_o therefore_o in_o so_o do_v he_o do_v intentional_o renounce_v all_o his_o concern_v and_o interest_n in_o true_a religion_n now_o what_o a_o desperate_a piece_n of_o folly_n be_v this_o for_o a_o man_n to_o part_v with_o all_o his_o stock_n in_o the_o common_a bank_n of_o religion_n which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o down_o right_a shame_n and_o imposture_n be_v of_o everlasting_a moment_n and_o concern_v to_o he_o only_o for_o a_o present_a gratification_n of_o some_o vain_a and_o unreasonable_a lust_n to_o divorce_n himself_o for_o ever_o from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o quit_v all_o title_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o precious_a blood_n of_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n only_o to_o curry_v a_o short-lived_a favour_n with_o man_n with_o man_n who_o breath_n be_v in_o their_o nostril_n and_o who_o within_o a_o few_o day_n or_o year_n must_v go_v off_o the_o stage_n and_o leave_v we_o here_o perhaps_o forlorn_a and_o destitute_a to_o part_v with_o all_o my_o glorious_a hope_n of_o heaven_n which_o be_v my_o best_a heaven_n upon_o earth_n and_o which_o be_v worse_o with_o heaven_n itself_o where_o i_o have_v treasure_n of_o bliss_n sufficient_a to_o maintain_v i_o in_o a_o most_o happy_a port_n to_o eternal_a age_n only_o to_o gain_v or_o secure_v a_o transitory_a estate_n or_o preferment_n which_o while_o i_o have_v it_o can_v make_v i_o happy_a and_o from_o which_o erelong_o i_o shall_v be_v tear_v and_o divide_v and_o not_o be_v a_o farthing_n the_o better_a for_o forever_o to_o expose_v one self_o as_o a_o public_a spectacle_n of_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n to_o god_n and_o angel_n and_o all_o the_o wise_a and_o good_a part_n of_o the_o rational_a world_n for_o a_o short_a extemporary_a blaze_n of_o pompous_a splendour_n and_o greatness_n which_o lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o every_o counter-blast_n of_o fortune_n and_o in_o all_o probability_n will_v ever_o long_o expire_v in_o smoke_n and_o stink_n wretchedness_n and_o infamy_n to_o plunge_v one self_o headlong_o into_o all_o the_o agony_n and_o torment_n the_o horror_n and_o desperation_n of_o a_o woeful_a eternity_n only_o to_o escape_v a_o short_a persecution_n and_o a_o glorious_a martyrdom_n when_o a_o little_a after_o perhaps_o i_o shall_v suffer_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o and_o long_o under_o the_o gout_n or_o stone_n or_o strangury_n without_o the_o comfort_n of_o die_v in_o a_o brave_a cause_n and_o be_v assure_v of_o a_o immortal_a recompense_n than_o i_o can_v have_v do_v under_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o executioner_n with_o it_o and_o yet_o all_o these_o mad_a prank_n that_o man_n play_v at_o once_o who_o abandon_v his_o religion_n in_o compliance_n with_o his_o lusts._n 3._o consider_v the_o foul_a dishonesty_n of_o it_o for_o beside_o that_o our_o religion_n be_v the_o most_o sacred_a pledge_n commit_v to_o we_o by_o god_n for_o our_o own_o use_n and_o the_o use_v of_o our_o late_a posterity_n we_o can_v vicious_o desert_v and_o abandon_v it_o without_o betray_v of_o god_n and_o falsify_v our_o trust_n to_o he_o and_o which_o be_v worse_o without_o squander_v away_o the_o most_o inestimable_a good_a that_o ever_o he_o commit_v to_o man_n upon_o our_o own_o base_a lust_n and_o his_o most_o execrable_a enemy_n which_o be_v dishonesty_n blacken_v with_o the_o foul_a ingratitude_n beside_o this_o i_o say_v by_o forsake_v our_o religion_n in_o compliance_n with_o any_o lewd_a affection_n we_o not_o only_o do_v a_o dishonest_a thing_n at_o present_a but_o also_o total_o discard_v the_o obligation_n to_o honesty_n for_o the_o future_a for_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v rational_o oblige_v a_o man_n to_o be_v thorough_o honest_a but_o only_a his_o religion_n or_o inward_a sense_n that_o it_o be_v his_o indispensable_a duty_n towards_o god_n before_o who_o righteous_a tribunal_n he_o must_v one_o day_n give_v a_o account_n of_o all_o his_o action_n the_o two_o great_a motive_n of_o humane_a action_n be_v religion_n and_o worldly_a interest_n now_o as_o for_o religion_n that_o consist_v of_o fix_a and_o unalterable_a principle_n which_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n ply_v or_o bend_v to_o the_o alteration_n of_o outward_a affair_n and_o circumstance_n but_o do_v in_o all_o condition_n move_v and_o oblige_v we_o with_o equal_a force_n and_o vigour_n whereas_o worldly_a interest_n be_v a_o fickle_a and_o mutable_a thing_n that_o vary_v and_o alter_v with_o every_o outward_a turn_n and_o revolution_n so_o that_o that_o which_o be_v my_o interest_n to_o day_n may_v prove_v my_o damage_n to_o morrow_n and_o if_o it_o shall_v whatever_o part_n i_o act_v to_o day_n it_o will_v oblige_v i_o to_o act_v the_o contrary_a to_o morrow_n when_o therefore_o a_o man_n have_v let_v go_v his_o religion_n and_o have_v nothing_o but_o his_o interest_n to_o hold_v he_o it_o be_v cross_a or_o pile_n for_o the_o future_a whether_o you_o find_v he_o a_o honest_a man_n or_o a_o knave_n because_o from_o henceforth_o he_o will_v be_v knave_n or_o honest_a according_a as_o it_o serve_v his_o turn_n and_o that_o which_o serve_v his_o turn_n to_o day_n may_v prove_v his_o loss_n and_o prejudice_n to_o morrow_n so_o that_o whether_o to_o day_n or_o to_o morrow_n he_o prove_v a_o true_a man_n or_o a_o cheat_n whole_o depend_v upon_o the_o die_n of_o fortune_n and_o you_o must_v consult_v his_o star_n to_o find_v the_o lucky_a hour_n or_o moment_n when_o you_o may_v safe_o trust_v he_o for_o after_o the_o wretch_n have_v be_v so_o perfidious_a as_o to_o renounce_v his_o god_n and_o his_o religion_n he_o have_v no_o one_o principle_n remain_v in_o he_o upon_o which_o you_o can_v fasten_v any_o last_a confidence_n as_o for_o his_o interest_n that_o be_v such_o a_o fickle_a and_o inconstant_a thing_n that_o there_o be_v no_o trust_v it_o if_o it_o plead_v for_o you_o now_o the_o next_o turn_v of_o affair_n it_o may_v be_v
retain_v against_o you_o and_o the_o man_n be_v get_v loose_a from_o all_o the_o tie_v and_o obligation_n of_o fidelity_n you_o may_v be_v sure_a he_o will_v stick_v at_o nothing_o be_v it_o never_o so_o foul_a that_o his_o present_a interest_n invite_v he_o to_o to_o serve_v himself_o he_o will_v make_v no_o bone_n whenever_o he_o have_v a_o fair_a opportunity_n to_o cheat_v and_o betray_v his_o own_o father_n or_o supplant_v his_o dear_a friend_n or_o benefactor_n and_o what_o shall_v hinder_v he_o his_o conscience_n and_o religion_n be_v go_v and_o with_o they_o all_o bind_a principle_n of_o truth_n and_o honesty_n for_o when_o a_o man_n forsake_v his_o religion_n out_o of_o any_o vicious_a affection_n he_o do_v in_o effect_n make_v this_o public_a declaration_n to_o the_o world_n by_o this_o my_o own_o act_n and_o deed_n i_o do_v here_o for_o ever_o renounce_v all_o the_o obligation_n to_o honesty_n and_o fair_a deal_v with_o god_n or_o man_n and_o be_o resolve_v for_o the_o future_a to_o be_v deaf_a and_o inexorable_a to_o all_o the_o importunity_n of_o conscience_n and_o religion_n from_o henceforth_o i_o will_v listen_v to_o no_o other_o call_v but_o that_o of_o my_o worldly_a interest_n when_o that_o bid_v i_o be_v honest_a i_o will_v be_v honest_a and_o when_o it_o bid_v i_o play_v the_o knave_n i_o will_v play_v the_o knave_n and_o therefore_o for_o the_o future_a i_o warn_v all_o that_o know_v i_o to_o trust_v i_o no_o far_o than_o they_o can_v make_v it_o my_o interest_n to_o be_v true_a and_o not_o to_o venture_v the_o most_o trifle_a matter_n in_o which_o they_o be_v unwilling_a to_o be_v wrong_v either_o upon_o my_o faith_n or_o word_n or_o oath_n without_o demand_v of_o i_o such_o ample_a security_n as_o may_v render_v it_o impossible_a for_o i_o to_o wrong_v they_o without_o wrong_v myself_o for_o this_o be_v the_o principle_n i_o now_o intend_v to_o live_v by_o that_o be_v always_o best_a and_o fit_a to_o be_v do_v that_o be_v most_o subservient_fw-fr to_o my_o present_a interest_n this_o in_o construction_n of_o fact_n be_v the_o profession_n which_o that_o man_n take_v up_o who_o in_o compliance_n with_o any_o vicious_a affection_n abandon_v the_o profession_n of_o his_o religion_n 4._o consider_v the_o shameful_a cowardice_n of_o it_o the_o advantage_n of_o true_a religion_n be_v great_a enough_o to_o encourage_v a_o mind_n of_o any_o constancy_n or_o firmness_n to_o charge_n through_o the_o great_a difficulty_n the_o world_n can_v interpose_v between_o they_o and_o he_o who_o that_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n will_v ever_o boggle_v to_o wade_v through_o a_o narrow_a shallow_a stream_n of_o temporary_a suffering_n whilst_o on_o the_o far_a shore_n he_o behold_v a_o heaven_n of_o immortal_a joy_n ready_a to_o receive_v and_o reward_v he_o but_o for_o a_o man_n to_o turn_v his_o back_n and_o run_v away_o from_o god_n and_o heaven_n for_o fear_n only_o of_o be_v disappoint_v by_o some_o lewd_a or_o covetous_a or_o ambitious_a hope_n be_v such_o a_o instance_n of_o vile_a prostitute_v baseness_n as_o be_v beneath_o even_a contempt_n and_o derision_n for_o what_o danger_n or_o difficulty_n dare_v that_o wretch_n encounter_n that_o dare_v not_o stand_v by_o his_o religion_n in_o which_o he_o confess_v all_o his_o future_a hope_n be_v involve_v for_o fear_n of_o lose_v such_o a_o place_n or_o be_v disappoint_v of_o such_o a_o preferment_n which_o within_o a_o few_o day_n or_o year_n he_o know_v very_o well_o he_o must_v lose_v for_o ever_o he_o who_o have_v a_o mind_n capable_a of_o be_v scare_v out_o of_o his_o religion_n by_o such_o mean_a consideration_n as_o these_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o but_o only_a to_o be_v make_v the_o football_n of_o fortune_n to_o be_v kick_v up_o and_o down_o upon_o her_o scornful_a toe_n at_o pleasure_n who_o by_o threaten_v he_o with_o the_o small_a evil_n can_v huff_v he_o out_o of_o the_o great_a good_a and_o find_v he_o a_o wretched_a passive_a thing_n that_o have_v not_o strength_n enough_o to_o resist_v her_o weak_a impression_n make_v he_o her_o sport_n and_o recreation_n and_o turn_v he_o into_o any_o thing_n and_o toss_v he_o any_o whither_o she_o please_v from_o truth_n to_o falsehood_n from_o god_n to_o the_o devil_n and_o from_o heaven_n to_o hell_n without_o the_o least_o control_v or_o opposition_n for_o the_o poor_a man_n soul_n be_v grow_v so_o tender_a and_o effeminate_a that_o for_o the_o great_a good_a in_o all_o the_o world_n he_o can_v endure_v the_o least_o air_n of_o suffer_v to_o blow_v upon_o he_o tell_v he_o of_o suffer_v for_o righteousness_n sake_n and_o the_o very_a thought_n of_o it_o fright_v and_o appall_v he_o present_v but_o a_o persecution_n at_o his_o breast_n and_o bid_v he_o stand_v and_o deliver_v and_o the_o crest-fallen_a pultroon_n be_v present_o ready_a to_o cry_v out_o o_o spare_v my_o life_n spare_v my_o skin_n and_o take_v my_o religion_n take_v my_o god_n and_o all_o my_o hope_n of_o heaven_n and_o immortality_n and_o who_o but_o a_o infamous_a coward_n will_v ever_o endure_v to_o be_v hector_v out_o of_o so_o vast_a a_o good_a by_o the_o weak_a and_o impotent_a evil_n of_o this_o world_n which_o if_o they_o do_v their_o worst_a can_n only_o rob_v he_o of_o a_o few_o transitory_a enjoyment_n which_o without_o their_o constraint_n he_o must_v ere_o long_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o for_o ever_o how_o ridiculous_o mean-spirited_n will_v it_o be_v for_o a_o man_n to_o deliver_v up_o his_o purse_n to_o a_o thief_n who_o he_o know_v have_v no_o other_o weapon_n but_o a_o slender_a switch_n to_o hurt_v and_o offend_v he_o but_o for_o a_o man_n to_o deliver_v up_o his_o religion_n and_o with_o that_o his_o god_n and_o his_o heaven_n at_o the_o demand_n of_o a_o short_a skindeep_a affliction_n which_o can_v only_o disease_v he_o for_o a_o few_o moment_n and_o shall_v then_o determine_v in_o everlasting_a pleasure_n and_o delight_n be_v a_o thousand_o time_n more_o mean_a and_o ridiculous_a 5._o and_o last_o consider_v the_o vast_a hazard_n and_o insecurity_n of_o a_o man_n part_v with_o his_o religion_n in_o compliance_n with_o his_o vicious_a affection_n for_o that_o which_o move_v he_o to_o it_o be_v only_o his_o prospect_n of_o live_v at_o ease_n a_o few_o year_n long_o or_o gratify_v some_o covetous_a desire_n or_o ambition_n but_o whether_o he_o obtain_v these_o end_n by_o part_v with_o his_o religion_n be_v vast_o hazardous_a and_o insecure_a perhaps_o when_o i_o have_v act_v this_o impious_a and_o perfidious_a part_n i_o may_v be_v cast_v into_o such_o circumstance_n as_o may_v force_v i_o upon_o impartial_a reflection_n and_o make_v i_o see_v whether_o i_o will_v or_o no_o the_o blackness_n and_o infamy_n of_o my_o revolt_n and_o apostasy_n which_o if_o it_o shall_v happen_v will_v inevitable_o raise_v such_o a_o swarm_n of_o horror_n in_o my_o conscience_n and_o cast_v i_o into_o such_o agony_n and_o convulsion_n of_o soul_n as_o will_v 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the_o world_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v from_o god_n be_v most_o likely_a to_o be_v the_o revelation_n of_o his_o will_n and_o then_o i_o doubt_v not_o if_o we_o impartial_o compare_v they_o but_o our_o reason_n will_v soon_o give_v its_o vote_n for_o christianity_n if_o you_o inquire_v for_o this_o revelation_n of_o the_o enthusiastic_a poet_n of_o the_o heathen_a how_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a be_v that_o religion_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o theology_n of_o hesiod_n the_o hymn_n of_o orpheus_n the_o ode_n of_o pindar_n and_o the_o poem_n of_o homer_n virgil_n and_o ovid_n if_o you_o consult_v the_o heathen_a oracle_n of_o delphos_n dodona_n and_o jupiter_n hammon_n how_o vain_a and_o frivolous_a how_o uncertain_a and_o fallacious_a be_v all_o their_o response_n beside_o that_o the_o book_n and_o record_n of_o they_o be_v long_o since_o perish_v and_o consume_v if_o you_o inquire_v for_o this_o revelation_n in_o the_o old_a roman_a theology_n which_o numa_n pretend_v to_o 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to_o outface_v the_o sun_n with_o it_o for_o as_o for_o christianity_n it_o be_v a_o religion_n make_v up_o of_o the_o most_o divine_a and_o godlike_a institution_n its_o precept_n be_v such_o as_o be_v most_o worthy_a of_o god_n enjoin_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v either_o true_a godliness_n and_o most_o generous_a morality_n or_o what_o be_v the_o most_o efficacious_a mean_n and_o instrument_n of_o promote_a they_o and_o as_o for_o its_o doctrine_n it_o partly_o consist_v of_o those_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n which_o all_o wise_a man_n of_o whatsoever_o nation_n or_o religion_n have_v own_v and_o acknowledge_v such_o as_o the_o existence_n unity_n and_o providence_n of_o the_o godhead_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o another_o life_n together_o with_o the_o great_a day_n of_o account_n wherein_o man_n shall_v receive_v according_a
so_o evil_a as_o its_o evil_n and_o the_o one_o be_v his_o heaven_n and_o the_o other_o his_o hell_n all_o other_o consideration_n be_v overcome_v by_o they_o and_o to_o obtain_v the_o one_o and_o avoid_v the_o other_o he_o must_v stick_v at_o nothing_o no_o not_o at_o renounce_v his_o god_n and_o his_o religion_n together_o with_o all_o his_o hope_n of_o a_o future_a immortality_n 6._o and_o last_o live_v in_o any_o know_a course_n of_o sin_n provoke_v god_n to_o give_v we_o up_o to_o the_o power_n of_o delusion_n for_o so_o long_o as_o man_n submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o guidance_n and_o direction_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n who_o be_v a_o spirit_n of_o truth_n abide_v with_o they_o and_o not_o only_o direct_v their_o will_n but_o also_o inform_v their_o understanding_n and_o enable_v they_o to_o discern_v the_o beauty_n and_o reality_n of_o those_o heavenly_a truth_n which_o he_o have_v reveal_v to_o we_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o though_o since_o he_o have_v reveal_v already_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n to_o we_o concern_v our_o eternal_a salvation_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o expect_v that_o he_o will_v reveal_v new_a truth_n to_o we_o yet_o see_v so_o far_o forth_o as_o it_o be_v necessary_a he_o have_v promise_v and_o engage_v that_o he_o will_v cooperate_v with_o we_o to_o enable_v we_o as_o well_o to_o understand_v the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o to_o perform_v it_o we_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o depend_v upon_o it_o that_o so_o long_o as_o we_o cherish_v his_o heavenly_a inspiration_n by_o yield_v to_o they_o our_o free_a and_o ready_a compliance_n he_o will_v be_v so_o far_o a_o assi_a genius_n to_o our_o understanding_n as_o to_o suggest_v to_o we_o those_o truth_n which_o he_o have_v already_o reveal_v and_o set_v they_o before_o our_o eye_n in_o so_o fair_a a_o light_n as_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o fail_v more_o clear_o to_o discern_v and_o more_o distinct_o to_o apprehend_v they_o than_o otherwise_o we_o shall_v or_o can_v have_v do_v for_o when_o he_o write_v his_o truth_n upon_o our_o mind_n it_o be_v with_o such_o a_o victorious_a sunbeam_n as_o will_v endure_v neither_o cloud_n nor_o shadow_n before_o it_o whenever_o he_o speak_v he_o speak_v not_o to_o our_o ear_n but_o to_o our_o mind_n and_o represent_v thing_n naked_o and_o immediate_o to_o our_o understanding_n he_o converse_v with_o our_o spirit_n as_o spirit_n do_v with_o spirit_n without_o involve_v his_o sense_n in_o articulate_a sound_n or_o material_a representation_n but_o object_n it_o to_o we_o in_o its_o own_o naked_a light_n and_o characterize_v it_o immediate_o on_o our_o understanding_n and_o as_o he_o propose_v the_o divine_a light_n to_o we_o so_o he_o also_o illuminate_v our_o mind_n to_o discern_v and_o comprehend_v it_o he_o raise_v and_o exalt_v our_o intellectual_a power_n and_o as_o a_o vital_a form_n to_o the_o light_n of_o our_o reason_n invigorate_n and_o actuate_v it_o and_o thereby_o render_v its_o apprehension_n of_o thing_n more_o quick_a and_o pierce_v and_o sagacious_a thus_o do_v the_o holy_a spirit_n more_o or_o less_o assist_v we_o in_o the_o true_a understanding_n of_o divine_a thing_n as_o he_o find_v we_o more_o or_o less_o compliant_a with_o his_o heavenly_a pleasure_n and_o though_o he_o stand_v no_o more_o oblige_v to_o render_v our_o mind_n infallible_a than_o our_o will_n impeccable_a yet_o so_o long_o as_o by_o our_o sincere_a obedience_n to_o his_o holy_a suggestion_n we_o keep_v ourselves_o under_o his_o conduct_n and_o direction_n we_o may_v depend_v upon_o it_o he_o will_v either_o preserve_v we_o from_o all_o dangerous_a error_n or_o if_o for_o just_a reason_n he_o shall_v permit_v we_o to_o fall_v into_o any_o such_o they_o shall_v not_o prove_v dangerous_a to_o we_o but_o either_o we_o shall_v be_v convince_v of_o they_o while_o we_o live_v or_o obtain_v pity_n and_o pardon_v for_o they_o when_o we_o die_v but_o whilst_o we_o persist_v in_o any_o wilful_a course_n of_o sin_n we_o do_v not_o only_o violate_v our_o own_o conscience_n but_o also_o repel_v those_o good_a motion_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n whereby_o he_o strive_v to_o reduce_v and_o reclaim_v we_o in_o do_v which_o we_o continual_o grieve_v he_o and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o forbear_v shall_v at_o length_n provoke_v he_o whole_o to_o forsake_v and_o abandon_v we_o to_o give_v we_o up_o to_o our_o own_o heart_n lust_n as_o desperate_a wretch_n with_o who_o he_o have_v hitherto_o strive_v and_o struggle_v in_o vain_a and_o of_o who_o future_a recovery_n there_o remain_v no_o far_a hope_n or_o prospect_n and_o when_o he_o have_v forsake_v we_o our_o mind_n will_v not_o only_o be_v leave_v naked_a and_o destitute_a of_o all_o those_o help_n and_o advantage_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o divine_a truth_n which_o it_o receive_v from_o he_o but_o also_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o cheat_n and_o fallacy_n of_o evil_a spirit_n who_o recreation_n it_o be_v to_o put_v trick_n upon_o our_o mind_n to_o banter_n and_o play_n upon_o our_o easy_a faith_n to_o cast_v mist_n before_o our_o eye_n and_o therein_o to_o juggle_v away_o all_o true_a religion_n from_o we_o and_o foist_v in_o the_o room_n of_o it_o the_o most_o fulsome_a error_n and_o mistake_v for_o so_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o of_o antichrist_n the_o great_a deceiver_n that_o he_o shall_v come_v with_o all_o deceivableness_n of_o unrighteousness_n to_o they_o that_o perish_v because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v and_o that_o for_o that_o cause_n viz._n their_o not_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o god_n shall_v send_v they_o strong_a delusion_n that_o they_o shall_v believe_v a_o lie_n that_o be_v by_o abandon_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o cheat_v and_o delude_a spirit_n that_o they_o all_o may_v be_v damn_v who_o believe_v not_o the_o truth_n but_o have_v pleasure_n in_o unrighteousness_n 2_o thess._n 2._o 10_o 11_o 12._o and_o god_n grant_v that_o this_o at_o last_o prove_v not_o our_o fate_n that_o because_o we_o have_v sin_v against_o the_o clear_a light_n and_o go_v astray_o in_o all_o unrighteousness_n under_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n we_o be_v not_o at_o length_n give_v up_o by_o god_n to_o follow_v the_o wild_a delusion_n of_o antichrist_n and_o to_o believe_v all_o those_o fulsome_a lie_n and_o imposture_n which_o he_o from_o age_n to_o age_n have_v be_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o whether_o it_o prove_v thus_o or_o no_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o that_o by_o persist_v in_o any_o vicious_a course_n against_o the_o light_n and_o conviction_n of_o our_o conscience_n we_o high_o provoke_v almighty_a god_n to_o withdraw_v his_o grace_n from_o we_o and_o give_v we_o up_o to_o our_o own_o heart_n lust_n and_o when_o this_o be_v do_v our_o own_o heart_n lust_n will_v soon_o betray_v and_o give_v up_o our_o faith_n to_o false_a and_o vicious_a principle_n of_o religion_n and_o now_o have_v show_v at_o large_a what_o strong_a and_o prevalent_a tendency_n there_o be_v in_o a_o wicked_a life_n to_o apostasy_n from_o true_a religion_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o argument_n with_o two_o or_o three_o inference_n 1._o from_o hence_o i_o infer_v what_o a_o great_a malignity_n there_o be_v in_o man_n be_v inconstant_a to_o and_o apostatise_v from_o the_o true_a religion_n in_o compliance_n with_o their_o sinful_a affection_n it_o be_v as_o you_o see_v the_o ill_a daughter_n of_o a_o bad_a mother_n a_o debauch_a and_o a_o dissolute_a conscience_n and_o consequent_o partake_v of_o all_o its_o natural_a bane_n and_o malignity_n even_o as_o all_o other_o bad_a effect_n do_v of_o the_o malignant_a nature_n of_o their_o bad_a cause_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o will_v more_o full_o appear_v by_o consider_v the_o particular_a evil_n which_o man_n inconstancy_n to_o and_o proneness_n to_o revolt_v from_o the_o true_a religion_n imply_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v give_v you_o these_o five_o instance_n 1._o the_o great_a impiety_n of_o it_o 2._o the_o desperate_a folly_n of_o it_o 3._o the_o foul_a dishonesty_n of_o it_o 4._o the_o shameful_a cowardice_n of_o it_o 5._o the_o vast_a hazard_n and_o insecurity_n of_o it_o 1._o consider_v the_o great_a impiety_n of_o it_o he_o who_o can_v part_v with_o his_o religion_n or_o any_o principle_n of_o it_o upon_o any_o other_o term_n than_o a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o be_v either_o a_o downright_a atheist_n who_o believe_v no_o religion_n to_o be_v true_a govern_v himself_o by_o this_o principle_n that_o the_o wise_a course_n be_v to_o profess_v none_o but_o that_o which_o be_v uppermost_a and_o most_o for_o his_o interest_n or_o a_o profane_a and_o impious_a
discover_v my_o falsehood_n and_o insincerity_n and_o if_o in_o the_o course_n of_o my_o action_n or_o any_o other_o suspicious_a indication_n they_o shall_v find_v cause_n to_o be_v jealous_a that_o i_o embrace_v their_o religion_n only_o to_o serve_v my_o interest_n and_o against_o the_o persuasion_n of_o my_o own_o mind_n if_o they_o be_v wise_a they_o will_v treat_v i_o as_o a_o dangerous_a person_n upon_o who_o there_o be_v no_o reliance_n for_o how_o can_v they_o imagine_v that_o i_o shall_v be_v true_a to_o they_o who_o have_v be_v false_a to_o my_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o proverb_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o proselyte_n be_v not_o to_o be_v trust_v to_o the_o ten_o generation_n and_o by_o too_o many_o woeful_a instance_n in_o our_o own_o neighbourhood_n we_o find_v it_o a_o maxim_n in_o some_o man_n politic_n that_o a_o new_a convert_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v trust_v than_o a_o old_a heretic_n and_o though_o for_o a_o while_o they_o may_v think_v fit_a to_o use_v i_o as_o a_o proper_a tool_n to_o serve_v a_o present_a design_n yet_o to_o be_v sure_o they_o will_v use_v i_o no_o long_o than_o they_o needs_o must_v and_o when_o i_o have_v do_v their_o work_n i_o must_v expect_v to_o be_v thrust_v out_o to_o make_v room_n for_o such_o as_o they_o can_v more_o safe_o depend_v on_o and_o if_o this_o shall_v not_o happen_v as_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a it_o may_v yet_o see_v all_o humane_a affair_n be_v liable_a to_o perpetual_a turn_v and_o mutability_n perhaps_o upon_o the_o next_o revolution_n a_o contrary_a interest_n may_v appear_v upon_o the_o stage_n and_o then_o i_o shall_v find_v myself_o desert_v of_o all_o my_o present_n support_v and_o dependency_n and_o like_o a_o forlorn_a wretch_n utter_o abandon_v both_o by_o god_n and_o man_n without_o any_o other_o company_n to_o entertain_v i_o in_o this_o my_o mournful_a solitude_n beside_o the_o woeful_a remembrance_n of_o my_o gild_n and_o shame_n to_o such_o infinite_a uncertainty_n of_o obtain_v their_o end_n be_v those_o miserable_a man_n expose_v who_o desert_n their_o religion_n in_o pursuit_n of_o their_o worldly_a interest_n and_o so_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o first_o inference_n but_o then_o 2._o from_o hence_o i_o infer_v how_o cautious_a a_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v in_o change_v his_o religion_n or_o any_o principle_n of_o it_o lest_o that_o which_o induce_v he_o to_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o his_o conviction_n as_o his_o profligate_n conscience_n i_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o man_n be_v always_o to_o maintain_v the_o same_o persuasion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o such_o a_o obligation_n will_v as_o effectual_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o false_a religion_n as_o of_o true_a whatever_o some_o man_n pretend_v we_o be_v all_o of_o we_o from_o top_n to_o bottom_n a_o company_n of_o fallible_a creature_n and_o if_o we_o be_v in_o a_o error_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a we_o may_v it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o endeavour_v to_o be_v better_o inform_v nor_o do_v i_o deny_v but_o a_o honest-minded_n man_n without_o be_v in_o the_o least_o influence_v by_o a_o bad_a conscience_n may_v be_v innocent_o or_o at_o least_o pitiable_o seduce_v from_o truth_n to_o error_n by_o false_a colour_n and_o probable_a appearance_n for_o want_v of_o sufficient_a sagacity_n to_o distinguish_v between_o sophistry_n and_o true_a reason_n but_o if_o in_o compliance_n with_o any_o vicious_a affection_n or_o in_o pursuit_n of_o any_o worldly_a interest_n a_o man_n desert_n the_o truth_n and_o take_v up_o false_a and_o erroneous_a principle_n his_o error_n be_v no_o long_o imputable_a to_o the_o weakness_n of_o his_o understanding_n but_o to_o the_o wickedness_n of_o his_o will_n and_o a_o wilful_a error_n in_o his_o faith_n will_v prove_v as_o fatal_a and_o as_o damnable_a to_o he_o as_o a_o wilful_a wickedness_n in_o his_o manner_n and_o whenever_o his_o wretched_a soul_n shall_v appear_v before_o the_o great_a searcher_n of_o heart_n it_o shall_v certain_o be_v treat_v by_o he_o as_o a_o wilful_a apostate_n that_o have_v perfidious_o renounce_v his_o baptismal_a vow_n and_o abjure_v his_o god_n his_o saviour_n truth_n and_o religion_n and_o see_v it_o be_v thus_o it_o very_o high_o concern_v man_n as_o they_o love_v themselves_o or_o have_v any_o regard_n of_o their_o own_o everlasting_a wellbeing_a not_o to_o desert_v their_o religion_n or_o any_o principle_n of_o it_o upon_o any_o other_o motive_n than_o a_o thorough_a conviction_n of_o its_o falsehood_n not_o to_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v seduce_v from_o it_o by_o any_o temporal_a interest_n or_o vicious_a affection_n lest_o in_o so_o do_v they_o reprobate_v themselves_o from_o god_n and_o all_o the_o bless_a hope_n of_o a_o glorious_a eternity_n hereafter_o for_o when_o man_n be_v upon_o change_v their_o persuasion_n in_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o ordinary_a thing_n for_o their_o interest_n and_o passion_n so_o to_o intermingle_v with_o their_o reason_n that_o without_o some_o 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