denunciation_n against_o your_o over_o much_o wickedness_n that_o it_o shall_v cause_v you_o to_o die_v before_o your_o time_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o a_o brief_a illustration_n of_o the_o three_o caution_n deliver_v in_o my_o text_n and_o the_o argument_n annex_v to_o they_o by_o the_o wiseman_n i_o shall_v now_o crave_v leave_n only_o to_o make_v application_n of_o what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o a_o short_a address_n to_o the_o three_o several_a sort_n of_o person_n who_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o excess_n which_o we_o be_v here_o warn_v against_o and_o to_o persuade_v they_o to_o yield_v a_o more_o dutiful_a regard_n and_o obedience_n to_o these_o excellent_a caution_n of_o wise_a solomon_n 1._o and_o first_o i_o shall_v apply_v myself_o to_o the_o overmuch_o righteous_a that_o be_v to_o those_o who_o be_v excessive_a and_o intemperate_a in_o their_o zeal_n for_o religion_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o sad_a consideration_n that_o can_v enter_v into_o a_o christian_n heart_n to_o observe_v the_o deplorable_a effect_n of_o such_o a_o furious_a and_o ungoverned_a zeal_n in_o our_o own_o nation_n and_o to_o reflect_v upon_o that_o wrath_n and_o bitterness_n with_o which_o man_n profess_v the_o same_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n do_v notwithstanding_o detest_v and_o separate_v from_o one_o another_o even_o the_o most_o distant_a party_n of_o man_n and_o most_o disagree_v in_o other_o matter_n be_v yet_o all_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n in_o this_o point_n in_o show_v a_o immoderate_a zeal_n in_o favour_n to_o their_o own_o persuasion_n and_o in_o opposition_n to_o those_o of_o other_o man_n nay_o many_o time_n you_o shall_v have_v such_o man_n warm_a of_o all_o for_o the_o cause_n of_o their_o opinion_n in_o religion_n who_o be_v it_o not_o for_o that_o mad_a and_o inordinate_a zeal_n will_v be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o to_o produce_v from_o their_o whole_a life_n and_o practice_n any_o other_o proof_n that_o they_o be_v of_o any_o religion_n at_o all_o let_v the_o member_n of_o the_o party_n that_o be_v opposite_a to_o they_o be_v never_o so_o regular_a both_o in_o belief_n and_o practice_n never_o so_o careful_a to_o preserve_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n yet_o because_o they_o dare_v to_o contradict_v they_o in_o some_o small_a thing_n they_o burn_v with_o zeal_n against_o they_o give_v no_o quarter_n either_o to_o their_o person_n or_o opinion_n but_o that_o single_a and_o inconsiderable_a difference_n shall_v efface_v all_o sense_n of_o their_o agreement_n in_o great_a matter_n and_o like_o a_o gulf_n fix_v between_o they_o shall_v separate_v they_o from_o all_o christian_a charity_n and_o commerce_n with_o one_o another_o unreasonable_a man_n thus_o to_o rip_v up_o the_o very_a bowel_n of_o christianity_n by_o a_o over_o righteous_a zeal_n for_o its_o cause_n and_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v but_o the_o mint_n and_o annise_v and_o cummin_n of_o religion_n to_o violate_v that_o love_n and_o meekness_n which_o be_v the_o weighty_a thing_n of_o our_o saviour_n law_n but_o all_o such_o fierce_a and_o extravagant_a zealot_n of_o whatever_o tribe_n or_o persuasion_n let_v i_o admonish_v that_o the_o gospel_n abhor_v such_o a_o furious_a and_o uncharitable_a bigotry_n and_o enjoin_v we_o to_o let_v our_o moderation_n be_v know_v unto_o all_o man_n it_o command_v we_o indeed_o to_o show_v a_o zeal_n towards_o god_n but_o what_o kind_n of_o zeal_n be_v it_o be_v it_o such_o a_o blind_a angry_a and_o exterminate_a zeal_n as_o that_o which_o these_o man_n be_v possess_v with_o nothing_o more_o contrary_a it_o be_v a_o zeal_n according_a to_o knowledge_n a_o zeal_n that_o enlighten_v warm_v and_o cherish_v but_o never_o consume_v or_o destroy_v a_o zeal_n that_o ought_v indeed_o to_o stir_v we_o up_o to_o convince_v gainsayer_n and_o to_o put_v to_o silence_v the_o ignorance_n of_o foolish_a mea_fw-la but_o how_o shall_v that_o be_v do_v not_o with_o fierce_a opposition_n fury_n and_o maliciousness_n but_o by_o the_o gentle_a method_n of_o love_n and_o patience_n and_o welldoing_a these_o be_v the_o weapon_n of_o our_o warfare_n a_o christian_a zeal_n must_v imitate_v that_o friendly_a and_o propitious_a river_n upon_o which_o this_o city_n stand_v and_o to_o which_o you_o be_v so_o much_o indebt_v for_o your_o traffic_n and_o grandeur_n it_o must_v proceed_v in_o a_o still_a and_o gentle_a course_n and_o not_o in_o such_o a_o eager_a and_o rapid_a torrent_n as_o can_v serve_v only_o to_o sweep_v all_o thing_n before_o it_o and_o to_o betray_v the_o shallowness_n of_o its_o own_o channel_n from_o the_o example_n of_o this_o bountiful_a river_n be_v please_v to_o learn_v the_o due_a moderation_n of_o your_o piety_n and_o derive_v this_o double_a advantage_n from_o its_o water_n to_o make_v it_o the_o pattern_n of_o your_o zeal_n as_o it_o be_v the_o great_a fountain_n of_o your_o riches_n it_o be_v such_o a_o calm_a and_o even_o and_o deep_a current_n of_o religion_n which_o alone_o can_v quench_v the_o burn_a discord_n that_o be_v between_o we_o and_o import_n as_o great_a a_o increase_n of_o true_a piety_n among_o we_o as_o that_o other_o do_v of_o wealth_n and_o splendour_n and_o have_v we_o not_o now_o in_o the_o present_a posture_n of_o our_o affair_n the_o great_a reason_n to_o be_v of_o this_o mind_n consider_v the_o subtlety_n and_o vigilance_n of_o our_o common_a enemy_n who_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o take_v all_o advantage_n from_o our_o domestic_a feud_n and_o to_o improve_v they_o to_o their_o interest_n and_o our_o destruction_n how_o will_v they_o rejoice_v in_o gath_n and_o triumph_v in_o the_o street_n of_o askalon_n to_o see_v our_o over-righteous_a zeal_n against_o each_o other_o to_o look_v on_o whilst_o we_o most_o unnatural_o do_v the_o work_n of_o their_o arm_n by_o our_o own_o animosity_n and_o give_v they_o the_o pleasure_n of_o behold_v our_o ruin_n without_o put_v they_o to_o the_o trouble_v and_o expense_n of_o procure_v it_o let_v i_o beseech_v you_o therefore_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o our_o common_a interest_n and_o safety_n to_o entertain_v candid_a amicable_a christian_a disposition_n towards_o one_o another_o and_o wherever_o we_o meet_v with_o a_o man_n of_o a_o true_o pious_a and_o teachable_a spirit_n sound_v and_o orthodox_n in_o the_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o conscientious_o observant_a of_o the_o rule_n of_o christian_a practice_n let_v we_o treat_v such_o a_o one_o as_o a_o brother_n and_o a_o true_a disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o may_v wish_v indeed_o that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o almost_o but_o altogether_o such_o as_o we_o be_v we_o may_v by_o the_o proper_a method_n of_o gentleness_n good_a example_n and_o meek_a persuasion_n endeavour_v to_o make_v he_o so_o but_o if_o that_o perfect_a consent_n can_v be_v obtain_v if_o those_o lesser_a mark_n of_o distinction_n can_v be_v total_o wipe_v out_o yet_o let_v they_o not_o be_v allow_v to_o break_v friendship_n between_o we_o and_o to_o prejudice_v our_o charity_n but_o when_o we_o be_v so_o far_o agree_v let_v we_o overlook_a in_o our_o private_a capacity_n and_o common_a conversation_n all_o difference_n in_o lesser_a matter_n and_o say_v of_o they_o all_o as_o ephron_n do_v to_o abraham_n concern_v the_o price_n of_o his_o field_n what_o be_v that_o betwixt_o i_o and_o thou_o this_o be_v the_o true_a genius_n and_o behaviour_n of_o a_o christian_a spirit_n and_o to_o this_o i_o exhort_v you_o all_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o meekness_n and_o gentleness_n of_o jesus_n christ_n by_o who_o name_n we_o be_v call_v and_o who_o merciful_a temper_n aught_o to_o be_v make_v the_o subject_n of_o our_o faithful_a imitation_n but_o if_o the_o example_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o work_v we_o into_o such_o a_o mild_a and_o condescend_v spirit_n yet_o at_o least_o let_v the_o sense_n and_o care_n of_o our_o own_o self-preservation_n prevail_v with_o we_o for_o why_o shall_v we_o by_o a_o over-righteous_a zeal_n and_o bigotry_n destroy_v ourselves_o but_o 2._o in_o the_o next_o place_n let_v i_o address_v myself_o to_o those_o who_o transgress_v in_o the_o second_o excess_n caution_v against_o in_o my_o text_n by_o make_v themselves_o over-wise_a that_o be_v by_o be_v too_o bold_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a in_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n this_o be_v a_o excess_n the_o practice_n and_o mischief_n of_o which_o be_v too_o wide_o and_o fatal_o spread_v in_o the_o present_a age._n in_o which_o the_o most_o venerable_a mystery_n of_o religion_n be_v prostitute_v to_o the_o most_o illiterate_a and_o vulgar_a examination_n and_o those_o sacred_a article_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n to_o which_o the_o most_o improve_v understanding_n of_o former_a age_n have_v bow_v with_o a_o profound_a veneration_n be_v presumptous_o attempt_v to_o be_v unfold_v by_o
a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o honourable_a company_n of_o merchant_n trade_n to_o the_o levant-sea_n at_o st._n peter-poor_a dec._n 15._o 1695._o by_o henry_n maundrell_n a._n m._n fellow_n of_o exeter-college_n in_o oxford_n and_o chaplain_n to_o the_o factory_a at_o aleppo_n london_n print_v for_o daniel_n brown_n at_o the_o swan_n and_o bible_n without_o temple-bar_n mdcxcvi_o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a george_n earl_n of_o berkeley_n governor_z and_o to_o the_o honourable_a company_n of_o merchant_n trade_n to_o the_o levant-sea_n right_o honourable_a &c._n &c._n this_o discourse_n at_o first_o preach_v by_o your_o appointment_n be_v now_o present_v to_o you_o in_o a_o more_o public_a manner_n in_o obedience_n to_o your_o command_n the_o defect_n of_o it_o i_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v such_o as_o render_v it_o very_o unworthy_a of_o the_o patronage_n to_o which_o it_o be_v dedicate_v but_o how_o little_a soever_o it_o deserve_v your_o protection_n yet_o it_o have_v one_o argument_n to_o plead_v for_o itself_o that_o it_o need_v it_o a_o argument_n which_o as_o it_o seldom_o fail_v to_o obtain_v your_o favour_n so_o i_o hope_v now_o it_o will_v the_o rather_o prevail_v because_o it_o be_v in_o submission_n to_o your_o order_n that_o it_o be_v bring_v under_o that_o necessity_n for_o though_o the_o blame_n of_o its_o fault_n be_v imputable_a only_o to_o its_o author_n yet_o the_o publication_n of_o it_o be_v whole_o you_o i_o be_o too_o sensible_a how_o ill_o i_o have_v in_o this_o mean_a performance_n answer_v the_o character_n give_v of_o i_o to_o your_o honourable_a company_n by_o some_o worthy_a member_n of_o it_o my_o incomparable_a friend_n person_n of_o such_o improve_v knowledge_n and_o exquisite_a judgement_n that_o it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v wonder_v how_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o be_v so_o mistake_v but_o you_o will_v be_v the_o less_o surprise_v when_o you_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n arise_v from_o those_o virtue_n in_o they_o which_o be_v so_o illustrious_a in_o your_o whole_a society_n friendship_n and_o generosity_n however_o this_o advantage_n i_o shall_v make_v of_o their_o kind_a error_n to_o use_v it_o as_o a_o admonition_n what_o sort_n of_o person_n he_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o how_o well_o qualify_v who_o shall_v pretend_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o be_v your_o chaplain_n and_o thus_o far_o i_o hope_v i_o may_v assure_v you_o that_o what_o i_o want_v in_o learning_n or_o ability_n i_o will_v endeavour_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o make_v up_o and_o supply_v by_o diligence_n and_o probity_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o of_o your_o honourable_a society_n in_o this_o important_a station_n in_o which_o your_o great_a goodness_n have_v place_v i_o i_o be_o my_o lord_n and_z gentlemen_z your_o most_o obedient_a and_o most_o faithful_a humble_a servant_n henry_n maundrell_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o levant-company_n eccles_n chap._n vii_o verse_n 16_o 17._o be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_a neither_o make_v thyself_o over-wise_a why_o shall_v thou_o destroy_v thyself_o be_v not_o overmuch_a wicked_a neither_o be_v thou_o foolish_a why_o shall_v thou_o die_v before_o thy_o time_n these_o word_n be_v the_o counsel_n of_o the_o alwise_a god_n deliver_v also_o to_o we_o by_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n king_n solomon_n and_o it_o be_v well_o they_o come_v so_o recommend_v since_o they_o may_v be_v think_v to_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o so_o great_a a_o authority_n to_o defend_v they_o from_o those_o objection_n which_o every_o man_n reason_n at_o first_o hear_v be_v apt_a to_o suggest_v against_o they_o be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_a neither_o make_v thyself_o over-wise_a be_v this_o like_o the_o usual_a style_n and_o language_n of_o inspiration_n can_v those_o lively_a oracle_n of_o god_n word_n who_o whole_a aim_n it_o be_v to_o advance_v we_o to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o righteousness_n and_o wisdom_n that_o our_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o so_o far_o contradict_v their_o own_o design_n as_o to_o bid_v we_o not_o be_v over-wise_a or_o over-righteous_a can_v those_o sacred_a write_n which_o in_o other_o place_n command_v we_o to_o be_v holy_a even_o as_o he_o that_o have_v call_v we_o be_v holy_a perfect_a as_o our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v perfect_a here_o interpose_v a_o caution_n against_o overmuch_a perfection_n or_o can_v there_o be_v any_o danger_n of_o our_o ever_o be_v over-righteous_a the_o only_a rule_n and_o measure_n of_o who_o righteousness_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o infinite_a purity_n of_o god_n himself_o where_o may_v a_o man_n be_v bold_a to_o exert_v his_o most_o vigorous_a and_o unconfined_a endeavour_n without_o all_o danger_n of_o run_v into_o any_o excess_n if_o not_o in_o his_o attempt_n after_o these_o excellent_a endowment_n wisdom_n and_o righteousness_n or_o admit_v it_o be_v possible_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o man_n can_v ever_o be_v over-wise_a or_o over-righteous_a yet_o where_o be_v the_o necessity_n of_o their_o be_v caution_v against_o these_o extreme_n be_v they_o so_o intemperate_a in_o their_o application_n to_o wisdom_n and_o righteousness_n that_o they_o need_v a_o bridle_n to_o check_v their_o too_o swift_a and_o aspire_a zeal_n do_v they_o bring_v in_o the_o offering_n of_o righteousness_n in_o so_o vast_a a_o store_n as_o the_o jew_n do_v of_o old_a their_o contribution_n for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n that_o it_o be_v requisite_a there_o shall_v be_v a_o restraint_n lay_v upon_o their_o too_o profuse_a liberality_n 36._o exod._n 36._o happy_a certain_o be_v those_o golden_a day_n of_o solomon_n if_o wisdom_n and_o righteousness_n so_o abound_v and_o have_v we_o not_o now_o reason_n to_o cry_v out_o oh_o that_o man_n will_v but_o be_v wise_a and_o righteous_a enough_o rather_o than_o to_o use_v this_o caution_n of_o solomon_n be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_a neither_o make_v thyself_o over-wise_a again_o be_v not_o overmuch_a wicked_a be_v this_o also_o a_o command_n become_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n do_v the_o divine_a law_n allow_v we_o to_o be_v wicked_a in_o a_o lesser_a degree_n provide_v we_o be_v not_o over_o much_o so_o be_v wickedness_n so_o harmless_a a_o thing_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n that_o like_o wine_n it_o be_v forbid_v not_o in_o the_o use_n but_o only_o in_o the_o excess_n of_o it_o or_o be_v there_o any_o measure_n of_o sin_n that_o be_v but_o enough_o see_v all_o that_o we_o be_v here_o forbid_v be_v no_o more_o but_o only_o this_o be_v not_o wicked_a overmuch_a these_o be_v exception_n that_o be_v apt_a natural_o to_o arise_v in_o man_n mind_n against_o the_o word_n that_o now_o lie_v before_o we_o for_o what_o degree_n of_o righteousness_n or_o wisdom_n can_v be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o may_v be_v condemn_v as_o overmuch_a or_o what_o degree_n of_o wickedness_n so_o little_a that_o it_o may_v be_v acquit_v as_o not_o so_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a for_o i_o therefore_o before_o i_o prosecute_v my_o discourse_n any_o further_a to_o insist_v a_o little_a upon_o the_o vindication_n of_o my_o text_n and_o to_o explain_v it_o in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o may_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o these_o objection_n but_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o holiness_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n whereof_o this_o be_v a_o part_n though_o i_o do_v acknowledge_v some_o orthodox_n commentator_n have_v interpret_v these_o word_n only_o in_o a_o moral_a sense_n and_o have_v so_o understand_v they_o that_o hereby_o the_o high_a true_a degree_n of_o righteous_a and_o wisdom_n can_v be_v in_o the_o least_o condemn_v but_o only_o the_o unreasonable_a affectation_n and_o arrogant_a ostentation_n of_o both_o and_o a_o censorious_a pride_n and_o rigid_a severity_n towards_o other_o man_n arise_v from_o a_o presumption_n of_o our_o excel_v other_o in_o they_o yet_o because_o i_o find_v divers_a other_o sound_a interpreter_n have_v explain_v my_o text_n in_o a_o large_a and_o more_o spiritual_a sense_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o principal_a duty_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n i_o think_v it_o more_o proper_a for_o my_o present_a business_n in_o this_o religious_a assembly_n to_o consider_v it_o chief_o according_a to_o this_o latter_a interpretation_n in_o order_n to_o which_o be_v please_v to_o observe_v that_o these_o word_n righteousness_n and_o wisdom_n be_v very_o frequent_o use_v in_o scripture_n to_o denote_v not_o only_o those_o particular_a virtue_n but_o the_o entire_a body_n of_o religion_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o according_a to_o which_o sense_n he_o be_v a_o righteous_a man_n who_o exercise_v a_o become_a zeal_n in_o the_o whole_a practice_n of_o religion_n and_o he_o a_o wise_a man_n who_o be_v well_o instruct_v in_o its_o principle_n and_o mystery_n but_o now_o if_o this_o
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