be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n here_o in_o my_o text_n how_o can_v the_o preacher_n prohibition_n be_v justify_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o one_o to_o be_v too_o zealous_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n or_o too_o studious_a to_o make_v himself_o wise_a and_o know_v in_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n of_o religion_n be_v thing_n of_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a importance_n to_o we_o and_o do_v therefore_o both_o require_v and_o deserve_v to_o be_v make_v the_o subject_n of_o our_o most_o vigorous_a zeal_n and_o application_n but_o it_o be_v no_o less_o true_a also_o that_o there_o be_v certain_a excess_n and_o irregularity_n which_o man_n be_v prone_a to_o fall_v into_o even_o in_o these_o most_o weighty_a concernment_n upon_o account_n of_o which_o they_o may_v be_v censure_v as_o over-wise_a and_o over-righteous_a for_o it_o be_v a_o maxim_n well_o know_v and_o approve_v among_o the_o moralist_n that_o virtue_n consist_v in_o a_o mean_a or_o mediocrity_n between_o two_o extreme_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n suggest_v to_o we_o the_o same_o instruction_n when_o it_o recommend_v to_o we_o among_o its_o other_o precept_n the_o duty_n of_o moderation_n as_o a_o kind_n of_o regulation_n and_o government_n to_o be_v apply_v to_o all_o the_o other_o office_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n which_o rule_n of_o moderation_n hold_v good_a in_o reference_n even_o to_o these_o most_o precious_a qualification_n of_o wisdom_n and_o righteousness_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a measure_n and_o government_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o our_o practice_n of_o they_o without_o which_o our_o very_a wisdom_n will_v become_v absurd_a and_o our_o righteousness_n impious_a according_a to_o that_o just_a censure_n of_o the_o poet_n insani_n sapiens_fw-la nomen_fw-la ferat_fw-la 6._o hor._n lib._n 1._o ep._n 6._o equus_fw-la iniqui_fw-la ultra_fw-la quà m_fw-la satis_fw-la est_fw-la virtutem_fw-la si_fw-la petat_fw-la ipsam_fw-la for_o the_o illustration_n of_o which_o principle_n in_o moral_n we_o may_v borrow_v a_o resemblance_n from_o natural_a thing_n our_o food_n we_o know_v if_o moderate_o take_v be_v the_o nourisher_n and_o sustainer_n of_o our_o life_n but_o if_o use_v unreasonable_o excessive_o irregular_o it_o turn_v to_o our_o disease_n instead_o of_o our_o refreshment_n physic_n when_o skilful_o apply_v relieve_v the_o pain_n of_o the_o languish_a patient_n and_o repair_v the_o decay_n of_o his_o ruinous_a tabernacle_n but_o when_o use_v without_o due_a measure_n art_n and_o regimen_n it_o take_v part_n with_o the_o disease_n which_o it_o be_v design_v to_o cure_v and_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o remedy_n prove_v to_o be_v a_o poison_n the_o natural_a heat_n of_o the_o body_n when_o it_o be_v temperate_a and_o even_a and_o actuate_v the_o blood_n with_o a_o regular_a circulation_n be_v health_n and_o vigour_n and_o life_n but_o the_o same_o heat_n when_o it_o become_v feverish_a and_o rage_a destroy_v that_o body_n which_o before_o it_o animate_v and_o the_o patient_n die_v with_o the_o excess_n of_o his_o very_a vital_a flame_n thus_o in_o like_a manner_n righteousness_n and_o wisdom_n be_v the_o food_n of_o the_o hungry_a soul_n the_o physic_n of_o the_o sick_a and_o the_o spiritual_a heat_n and_o life_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o then_o also_o if_o in_o relation_n to_o those_o so_o necessary_a perfection_n we_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o sobriety_n and_o moderation_n that_o food_n oppress_v that_o physic_n poison_n that_o heat_n inflame_v and_o enrage_v our_o soul_n without_o that_o necessary_a mixture_n of_o moderation_n our_o righteousness_n degenerate_v into_o a_o furious_a zeal_n superstition_n and_o bigotry_n and_o our_o wisdom_n into_o profaneness_n presumption_n and_o undue_a curiosity_n now_o to_o restrain_v we_o from_o all_o these_o and_o the_o like_a excess_n be_v the_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o wise-man_n prohibition_n in_o the_o former_a verse_n of_o my_o text_n be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_o neither_o make_v thyself_o over-wise_a the_o other_o branch_n of_o the_o prohibition_n be_v be_v not_o overmuch_o wicked_a neither_o be_v thou_o foolish_a which_o word_n be_v not_o to_o be_v so_o understand_v as_o if_o they_o forbid_v only_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o wickedness_n and_o yield_v a_o indulgence_n to_o sin_n of_o a_o lesser_a size_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o instance_n of_o vice_n so_o inconsiderable_a either_o in_o its_o measure_n or_o its_o quality_n as_o to_o find_v any_o toleration_n allow_v for_o it_o in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n but_o the_o be_v overmuch_o wicked_a relate_v to_o the_o duration_n of_o sin_n and_o not_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o it_o and_o forbid_v a_o long_a persistency_n and_o hardness_n in_o wickedness_n and_o not_o only_o the_o more_o heinous_a and_o exorbitant_a act_n of_o impiety_n this_o exposition_n be_v sufficient_o warrant_v by_o the_o septuagint_a translation_n of_o this_o place_n in_o which_o the_o word_n here_o render_v foolish_a be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o proper_o signify_v hard_a and_o obstinate_a according_a to_o which_o interpretation_n we_o may_v best_o understand_v the_o word_n of_o the_o wiseman_n when_o he_o bid_v not_o to_o be_v overmuch_o wicked_a neither_o to_o be_v foolish_a from_o this_o account_n which_o have_v be_v give_v of_o the_o text_n we_o may_v now_o perceive_v that_o it_o contain_v in_o it_o no_o such_o strange_a and_o unwarrantable_a meaning_n as_o we_o be_v apt_a in_o our_o first_o thought_n to_o imagine_v since_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o prohibition_n here_o bring_v against_o overmuch_o righteousness_n and_o wisdom_n tend_v not_o to_o discourage_v we_o from_o apply_v ourselves_o vigorous_o and_o faithful_o to_o those_o great_a and_o important_a endowment_n but_o only_o to_o restrain_v we_o from_o those_o excess_n and_o irregularity_n which_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o run_v into_o in_o such_o application_n nor_o be_v the_o precept_n against_o overmuch_o wickedness_n intend_v to_o insinuate_v any_o such_o favourable_a opinion_n of_o vice_n as_o if_o the_o low_a degree_n of_o it_o be_v harmless_a and_o allowable_a but_o rather_o to_o deter_v man_n from_o a_o long_a obdurateness_n and_o obstinacy_n in_o sin_n i_o shall_v observe_v therefore_o in_o the_o text_n a_o caution_n give_v by_o the_o wiseman_n against_o three_o dangerous_a excess_n the_o two_o former_a incident_a to_o the_o good_a and_o religious_a man_n the_o last_o to_o the_o wicked_a and_o irreligious_a the_o good_a man_n solomon_n caution_n one_a not_o to_o let_v his_o zeal_n for_o religion_n be_v immoderate_a and_o furious_a be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_o 2_o not_o to_o let_v his_o inquiry_n into_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n be_v too_o curious_a and_o presumptuous_a neither_o make_v thyself_o over-wise_a both_o which_o caution_n he_o back_n with_o this_o consideration_n why_o shall_v thou_o destroy_v thyself_o the_o wicked_a man_n he_o warn_v against_o a_o long_a and_o obdurate_a persistency_n in_o sin_n be_v not_o overmuch_o wicked_a neither_o be_v thou_o foolish_a which_o warning_n he_o enforce_v by_o this_o argument_n why_o shall_v thou_o die_v before_o thy_o time_n these_o three_o caution_n i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o principal_a and_o most_o useful_a matter_n contain_v in_o the_o text_n and_o to_o illustrate_v they_o very_o brief_o and_o enforce_v they_o by_o the_o argument_n annex_v to_o they_o will_v be_v as_o much_o as_o i_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o dispatch_v in_o the_o time_n that_o be_v allow_v for_o my_o follow_a discourse_n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o these_o caution_n viz._n let_v not_o thy_o zeal_n for_o religion_n be_v immoderate_a and_o furious_a which_o be_v the_o counsel_n imply_v in_o these_o word_n be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_o this_o be_v advice_n very_o seasonable_a to_o all_o man_n and_o at_o all_o time_n it_o be_v a_o universal_a error_n too_o often_o in_o some_o measure_n visible_a in_o every_o society_n and_o party_n of_o man_n to_o be_v transport_v into_o a_o excessive_a zeal_n for_o the_o patronage_n and_o promotion_n of_o their_o own_o persuasion_n whatever_o religion_n man_n have_v be_v train_v up_o in_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o they_o to_o be_v fond_a of_o it_o afterward_o that_o fondness_n will_v as_o natural_o incline_v they_o to_o wish_v well_o to_o it_o that_o kind_a wish_n to_o a_o zeal_n and_o endeavour_n for_o its_o increase_n and_o propagation_n and_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o this_o zeal_n so_o long_o as_o it_o contain_v itself_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o sobriety_n and_o moderation_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v culpable_a that_o it_o be_v a_o charitable_a and_o generous_a disposition_n and_o indeed_o religion_n be_v so_o near_o a_o concern_v and_o so_o engage_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n who_o real_o have_v any_o to_o be_v indifferent_a towards_o it_o or_o not_o affect_v for_o its_o honour_n and_o
advancement_n but_o from_o hence_o result_v the_o excess_n which_o man_n be_v lead_v into_o in_o this_o point_n they_o be_v not_o content_v to_o be_v sober_o and_o temperate_o zealous_a and_o to_o promote_v their_o religion_n by_o such_o rule_n and_o measure_n as_o that_o religion_n itself_o prescribe_v to_o they_o but_o they_o run_v mad_a with_o a_o excess_n of_o zeal_n and_o bigotry_n for_o it_o their_o cause_n they_o be_v confident_a be_v the_o only_a righteous_a one_o and_o then_o conclude_v that_o they_o can_v never_o be_v over-righteous_a in_o the_o promotion_n of_o it_o all_o other_o persuasion_n be_v very_a dagon_n to_o they_o and_o must_v fall_v down_o at_o the_o foot_n of_o their_o ark._n all_o the_o engine_n of_o fury_n and_o persecution_n must_v be_v set_v on_o foot_n for_o the_o service_n of_o so_o meritorious_a a_o cause_n and_o such_o mischief_n and_o barbarity_n must_v be_v execute_v for_o its_o sake_n as_o be_v a_o reproach_n not_o only_o to_o religion_n but_o even_o to_o humanity_n itself_o these_o be_v effect_n of_o a_o inordinate_a zeal_n which_o have_v be_v more_o or_o less_o evidence_v in_o all_o party_n of_o man_n and_o in_o all_o religion_n for_o indeed_o the_o very_a christian_a religion_n that_o mild_a and_o peaceable_a institution_n have_v not_o escape_v these_o flame_n of_o a_o mad_a and_o outrageous_a zeal_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o bless_a instructor_n of_o gentleness_n and_o love_n have_v be_v by_o the_o abuse_n of_o its_o professor_n pervert_v into_o a_o incentive_a of_o the_o fierce_a cruelty_n and_o persecution_n the_o prince_n of_o peace_n have_v be_v make_v a_o herald_n of_o contention_n and_o too_o many_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v of_o christ_n flock_n have_v turn_v themselves_o into_o raven_a wolf_n worry_v and_o devour_v one_o another_o what_o flame_n what_o confusion_n what_o massacre_n what_o devastation_n have_v be_v occasion_v by_o a_o over-righteous_a zeal_n for_o that_o merciful_a religion_n which_o disclaim_v nothing_o more_o than_o such_o unchristian_a barbarity_n and_o we_o have_v too_o many_o instance_n even_o at_o our_o own_o door_n in_o the_o several_a sect_n and_o division_n of_o the_o reformation_n itself_o which_o if_o they_o do_v not_o present_v we_o with_o any_o such_o tragical_a scene_n as_o those_o beforementioned_a yet_o can_v they_o be_v think_v on_o without_o afford_v a_o sad_a and_o evident_a demonstration_n how_o possible_a it_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o how_o pernicious_a in_o its_o effect_n for_o man_n even_o in_o the_o best_a of_o cause_n to_o be_v over-righteous_a but_o how_o unworthy_o do_v man_n treat_v the_o christian_a religion_n when_o they_o make_v it_o the_o occasion_n of_o such_o rage_n and_o animosity_n christianity_n be_v never_o intend_v to_o kindle_v such_o a_o fiery_a and_o passionate_a zeal_n among_o its_o votary_n the_o spirit_n which_o that_o inspire_v be_v a_o spirit_n of_o mutual_a forbearance_n and_o condescension_n to_o one_o another_o a_o spirit_n which_o for_o its_o visible_a representation_n choose_v the_o shape_n of_o a_o dove_n to_o appear_v in_o that_o emblem_n of_o love_n and_o meekness_n and_o innocence_n a_o spirit_n which_o allow_v we_o indeed_o to_o join_v the_o serpent_n wisdom_n to_o its_o dovelike_a innocence_n but_o in_o all_o case_n utter_o abhor_v his_o sting_n and_o his_o poison_n it_o be_v such_o a_o amicable_a spirit_n which_o as_o it_o be_v the_o genuine_a fruit_n and_o the_o distinguish_a badge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o it_o be_v the_o most_o effectual_a preserver_n of_o the_o disciple_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o as_o for_o that_o contrary_a spirit_n of_o over_o much_o zeal_n and_o bigotry_n it_o can_v tend_v to_o nothing_o but_o that_o fatal_a end_n which_o the_o wise_a man_n here_o denounce_v as_o the_o just_a and_o natural_a consequence_n of_o it_o namely_o that_o by_o it_o we_o shall_v destroy_v ourselves_o for_o what_o else_o can_v be_v the_o product_n of_o a_o intemperate_a zeal_n and_o rigour_n and_o contention_n among_o christian_n it_o may_v pull_v down_o but_o it_o can_v never_o edify_v it_o can_v convert_v neither_o side_n it_o may_v destroy_v both_o it_o be_v the_o heal_a spirit_n of_o meekness_n and_o forbearance_n which_o best_o promote_v the_o happiness_n and_o safety_n both_o of_o single_a man_n and_o of_o society_n this_o have_v the_o blessing_n both_o of_o god_n and_o man_n attend_v it_o man_n bless_v it_o by_o render_v back_o a_o reciprocal_a love_n and_o favour_n towards_o it_o and_o god_n bless_v it_o by_o his_o gracious_a promise_n declare_v that_o the_o meek_n shall_v inherit_v the_o earth_n the_o meek_n shall_v find_v rest_n to_o their_o soul_n but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n a_o spirit_n of_o fierce_a zeal_n and_o bigotry_n subvert_v the_o peace_n and_o safety_n both_o of_o private_a person_n and_o of_o community_n and_o chief_o of_o those_o very_a man_n who_o be_v most_o possess_v and_o act_v by_o it_o for_o no_o man_n can_v exercise_v a_o furious_a heat_n and_o rigour_n in_o opposition_n to_o other_o without_o provoke_v they_o to_o mete_v out_o the_o same_o measure_n back_o again_o into_o his_o own_o bosom_n thus_o he_o kindle_v a_o fire_n and_o perish_v himself_o in_o the_o same_o conflagration_n the_o mischief_n which_o he_o set_v on_o foot_n come_v home_o to_o his_o own_o door_n and_o he_o verify_v the_o wiseman_n denunciation_n which_o he_o will_v not_o take_v for_o his_o admonition_n by_o a_o over-righteous_a zeal_n he_o destroy_v himself_o and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o first_o caution_n suggest_v in_o my_o text_n be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_a that_o be_v let_v not_o thy_o zeal_n for_o religion_n be_v immoderate_a and_o furious_a and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v the_o better_o enable_v to_o observe_v this_o first_o caution_n let_v we_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o the_o consideration_n of_o which_o will_v most_o effectual_o conduce_v to_o that_o end_n for_o the_o chief_a ground_n and_o occasion_n of_o such_o inordinate_a zeal_n for_o religion_n arise_v most_o common_o from_o a_o over-wise_a and_o curious_a search_n into_o the_o mystery_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o excess_n forbid_v by_o solomon_n in_o these_o word_n make_v not_o thyself_o over-wise_a that_o be_v let_v not_o thy_o enquiry_n into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o religious_a mystery_n be_v too_o curious_a and_o presumptuous_a wisdom_n be_v indeed_o the_o natural_a desire_n and_o thirst_n of_o our_o soul_n the_o water-brook_n be_v not_o so_o fierce_o long_v after_o by_o the_o pant_v hart_n as_o this_o be_v by_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n nor_o when_o taste_v do_v they_o afford_v so_o great_a a_o refreshment_n and_o satisfaction_n this_o be_v that_o endowment_n whereby_o our_o nature_n exceed_v that_o of_o the_o beast_n that_o perish_v and_o imitate_v in_o some_o measure_n the_o perfection_n not_o only_o of_o angel_n but_o even_o of_o god_n himself_o just_o therefore_o may_v man_n mind_n gasp_n and_o pant_n after_o those_o live_a water_n and_o so_o long_o as_o their_o desire_n and_o endeavour_n to_o be_v wise_a be_v moderate_a and_o humble_a they_o act_n according_a to_o the_o prerogative_n and_o propriety_n of_o their_o reasonable_a nature_n but_o the_o desire_n of_o wisdom_n be_v oftentimes_o too_o strong_a and_o imperious_a to_o submit_v to_o those_o confinement_n which_o modesty_n and_o sobriety_n will_v prescribe_v to_o it_o for_o where_o man_n thirst_n be_v so_o great_a they_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v intemperate_a in_o the_o gratification_n of_o it_o they_o content_v not_o themselves_o with_o such_o competent_a portion_n of_o knowledge_n as_o god_n allow_v they_o and_o the_o edification_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n require_v but_o they_o launch_v out_o into_o the_o boundless_a ocean_n of_o divine_a mystery_n strive_v to_o make_v themselves_o over-wise_a they_o pretend_v to_o define_v the_o incomprehensible_a nature_n and_o property_n of_o the_o deity_n they_o rifle_v all_o the_o secret_a cabinet_n of_o his_o counsel_n and_o providence_n they_o invade_v the_o most_o private_a recess_n of_o his_o inscrutable_a wisdom_n and_o will_v leave_v he_o no_o reserve_n of_o knowledge_n to_o himself_o they_o despise_v the_o most_o useful_a part_n of_o religious_a wisdom_n as_o low_a and_o vulgar_a contemplation_n and_o that_o knowledge_n they_o account_v but_o a_o poor_a and_o contemptible_a attainment_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v they_o serviceable_a in_o their_o generation_n and_o to_o direct_v they_o safe_a to_o heaven_n hereafter_o the_o eye_n of_o these_o man_n understanding_n delight_v not_o as_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o body_n always_o do_v in_o such_o prospect_n as_o be_v light_a and_o clear_a and_o beautiful_o terminate_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o love_v either_o to_o be_v ever_o look_v into_o such_o dark_a cavern_n and_o abyss_n of_o knowledge_n where_o they_o can_v discern_v nothing_o at_o all_o or_o else_o to_o survey_v such_o infinite_a space_n where_o
they_o can_v never_o arrive_v at_o any_o end_n of_o the_o prospect_n nothing_o in_o religion_n shall_v be_v to_o they_o a_o mystery_n have_v god_n enact_v eternal_a and_o immutable_a decree_n they_o will_v unseal_v the_o mystical_a book_n and_o the_o record_n of_o heaven_n shall_v not_o escape_v their_o observation_n have_v god_n in_o a_o most_o stupendous_a and_o unspeakable_a manner_n redeem_v mankind_n they_o must_v unfold_v the_o whole_a mystery_n and_o they_o will_v hardly_o be_v content_v to_o accept_v the_o benefit_n of_o that_o redemption_n if_o they_o may_v not_o be_v allow_v to_o scan_v and_o unravel_v the_o whole_a divine_a art_n by_o which_o that_o glorious_a work_n be_v accomplish_v with_o such_o rude_a and_o irreverent_a curiosity_n do_v man_n dare_v to_o treat_v the_o most_o mysterious_a article_n of_o religion_n but_o this_o certain_o be_v a_o most_o presumptuous_a exorbitancy_n and_o may_v just_o be_v censure_v as_o the_o excess_n forbid_v by_o solomon_n in_o my_o 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