st._n john_n teach_v we_o ought_v to_o lay_v down_o our_o life_n for_o the_o brethren_n that_o be_v in_o a_o time_n of_o persecution_n when_o it_o may_v appear_v necessary_a for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v and_o the_o conversion_n of_o other_o than_o their_o wilful_a continuance_n in_o sin_n or_o manifest_a defection_n from_o the_o faith_n aught_o to_o be_v more_o grievous_a to_o we_o than_o death_n itself_o and_o alas_o how_o many_o such_o case_n as_o these_o do_v we_o see_v in_o our_o parish_n some_o who_o have_v be_v under_o our_o preach_v many_o year_n and_o it_o may_v be_v receive_v private_a instruction_n from_o we_o too_o be_v yet_o gross_o ignorant_a of_o the_o plain_a and_o most_o necessary_a principle_n of_o religion_n other_o who_o have_v improve_v more_o in_o knowledge_n be_v notwithstanding_o very_o loose_a and_o scandalous_a in_o their_o life_n some_o that_o can_v be_v much_o accuse_v either_o of_o ignorance_n or_o gross_a commission_n be_v very_o defective_a in_o their_o piety_n towards_o god_n charity_n towards_o their_o neighbour_n or_o those_o relative_n duty_n they_o be_v particular_o oblige_v to_o other_o that_o will_v seem_v it_o may_v be_v to_o have_v a_o regard_n to_o all_o these_o for_o want_v of_o a_o sound_n and_o settle_a judgement_n in_o religion_n be_v easy_o impose_v on_o by_o the_o subtlety_n of_o seduce_a spirit_n and_o draw_v away_o from_o our_o communion_n now_o can_v any_o thing_n more_o sensible_a grieve_v a_o faithful_a minister_n who_o have_v the_o care_n of_o those_o soul_n and_o have_v take_v much_o pain_n to_o instruct_v and_o edify_v they_o in_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n than_o to_o see_v they_o thus_o despise_v or_o desert_v he_o and_o hazard_v their_o own_o eternal_a salvation_n god_n have_v set_v we_o over_o our_o people_n as_o pastor_n over_o their_o flock_n yea_o as_o father_n over_o their_o child_n and_o can_v we_o be_v suppose_v the_o only_a shepherd_n that_o be_v indifferent_a what_o become_v of_o our_o flock_n or_o the_o only_a father_n that_o have_v no_o compassion_n for_o our_o child_n or_o concern_v for_o their_o eternal_a happiness_n the_o care_n diligence_n and_o watchfulness_n of_o all_o the_o faithful_a servant_n of_o christ_n do_v plain_o bespeak_v the_o contrary_n therefore_o though_o these_o unhappy_a man_n who_o thus_o frustrate_v our_o pain_n with_o they_o intend_v it_o not_o as_o a_o persecution_n to_o we_o yet_o the_o devil_n who_o tempt_v they_o to_o it_o do_v real_o intend_v this_o who_o know_v how_o much_o it_o be_v his_o interest_n to_o discourage_v we_o in_o our_o great_a work_n and_o he_o can_v more_o effectual_o do_v it_o than_o by_o this_o mean_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o only_a persecution_n which_o we_o suffer_v more_o than_o other_o christian_n but_o our_o holy_a office_n the_o honour_n of_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v dear_a to_o we_o than_o our_o life_n do_v at_o this_o day_n lie_v under_o a_o very_a great_a and_o almost_o general_a contempt_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o worst_a construction_n be_v so_o often_o put_v upon_o our_o word_n and_o action_n that_o many_o calumny_n be_v so_o easy_o cast_v upon_o we_o by_o some_o and_o so_o ready_o believe_v by_o other_o etc._n etc._n thus_o be_v we_o persecute_v even_o with_o sword_n though_o not_o in_o st._n augustin_n sense_n before_o mention_v yet_o in_o that_o of_o holy_a david_n who_o complain_v of_o the_o malicious_a speech_n of_o his_o enemy_n against_o he_o psal_n 59_o say_v that_o sword_n be_v in_o their_o li_n i_o may_v add_v to_o these_o thing_n the_o invasion_n of_o our_o sacred_a office_n by_o many_o who_o have_v neither_o gift_n nor_o opportunity_n to_o fit_v they_o for_o it_o and_o therefore_o while_o they_o presume_v to_o be_v teacher_n do_v just_o fall_v under_o the_o apostle_n censure_v upon_o some_o such_o man_n at_o ephesus_n that_o they_o understand_v neither_o what_o they_o say_v nor_o whereof_o they_o affirm_v i_o may_v mention_v also_o several_a other_o injury_n we_o often_o suffer_v as_o minister_n but_o it_o be_v time_n for_o i_o to_o come_v to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o my_o text_n and_o i_o have_v be_v the_o long_o and_o more_o particular_a upon_o this_o because_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o thing_n i_o will_v not_o say_v for_o who_o do_v not_o know_v they_o but_o a_o serious_a sense_n of_o they_o will_v be_v a_o great_a step_n towards_o their_o cure_n which_o i_o shall_v now_o 2._o consider_v in_o speak_v to_o the_o precept_n in_o my_o text_n redeem_v the_o time_n or_o buy_v the_o season_n here_o therefore_o i_o must_v show_v how_o we_o be_v to_o use_v and_o improve_v our_o time_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o evil_n be_v forementioned_a 1._o the_o evil_a of_o sin_n 2._o the_o evil_a of_o suffer_v first_o the_o evil_a of_o sin_n and_o here_o we_o must_v take_v care_n first_o to_o preserve_v ourselves_o from_o it_o second_o to_o do_v what_o lie_v in_o we_o to_o remedy_n it_o first_o to_o preserve_v ourselves_o from_o this_o evil_a and_o lead_v a_o conversation_n as_o contrary_a to_o it_o as_o be_v possible_a and_o this_o the_o apostle_n do_v exhort_v the_o ephesian_n to_o in_o many_o particular_n before_o my_o text_n and_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o intend_v it_o in_o this_o precept_n as_o much_o as_o any_o thing_n else_o there_o lie_v indeed_o very_o great_a obligation_n upon_o all_o that_o name_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n to_o depart_v from_o iniquity_n and_o be_v follower_n of_o he_o in_o a_o pious_a and_o useful_a conversation_n but_o especial_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o he_o have_v appoint_v in_o his_o own_o stead_n not_o only_o to_o instruct_v other_o in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n but_o also_o to_o lead_v they_o in_o by_o a_o holy_a example_n and_o it_o concern_v they_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o safety_n of_o themselves_o and_o other_o to_o be_v the_o more_o circumspect_a as_o sin_n be_v more_o common_a among_o we_o therefore_o if_o error_n and_o heresy_n do_v so_o much_o abound_v in_o this_o nation_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v more_o diligent_a in_o search_v after_o the_o truth_n and_o constant_o adhere_v to_o it_o if_o other_o be_v so_o vicious_a in_o their_o life_n it_o lie_v upon_o we_o to_o be_v the_o more_o sober_a and_o innocent_a to_o watch_v careful_o against_o temptation_n and_o to_o preserve_v ourselves_o not_o only_o from_o all_o gross_a commission_n but_o also_o as_o far_o as_o may_v be_v from_o the_o very_a appearance_n of_o evil._n if_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n both_o towards_o god_n and_o man_n be_v strange_o neglect_v by_o many_o that_o will_v go_v for_o christian_n let_v we_o be_v the_o more_o zealous_a and_o constant_a in_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o if_o a_o great_a indifferency_n in_o religion_n have_v obtain_v among_o all_o order_n of_o man_n and_o there_o remain_v but_o few_o spark_n of_o that_o holy_a fire_n of_o zeal_n and_o of_o devotion_n which_o make_v our_o service_n a_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n to_o god_n let_v we_o by_o all_o mean_n endeavour_n to_o revive_v and_o cherish_v it_o in_o ourselves_o and_o make_v it_o the_o more_o intense_a by_o reason_n of_o that_o coldness_n with_o which_o we_o be_v encompass_v for_o in_o so_o general_a a_o defection_n from_o the_o life_n and_o power_n of_o godliness_n what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o his_o cause_n in_o the_o world_n if_o we_o desert_n it_o or_o be_v cold_a in_o it_o and_o what_o great_a judgement_n than_o any_o we_o have_v yet_o feel_v may_v reasonable_o be_v expect_v for_o this_o apostasy_n if_o the_o righteousness_n of_o our_o life_n and_o sincere_a importunity_n of_o our_o prayer_n do_v not_o prevent_v they_o second_o we_o must_v do_v what_o we_o can_v to_o remedy_v this_o evil._n and_o what_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v the_o holiness_n of_o our_o life_n will_v do_v very_o much_o towards_o it_o for_o this_o will_v natural_o create_v a_o veneration_n for_o we_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o give_v we_o more_o authority_n in_o the_o use_n of_o other_o mean_n it_o will_v provoke_v they_o that_o have_v any_o remain_v of_o piety_n in_o their_o heart_n confirm_v such_o as_o be_v waver_v in_o the_o faith_n and_o half_o persuade_v those_o who_o be_v before_o averse_a to_o religion_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o those_o doctrine_n which_o they_o see_v have_v have_v so_o much_o power_n upon_o ourselves_o and_o produce_v such_o amiable_a fruit_n in_o our_o conversation_n for_o there_o be_v a_o beauty_n in_o holiness_n which_o every_o eye_n one_o will_v think_v may_v in_o some_o measure_n discern_v there_o be_v a_o greatness_n in_o self_n denial_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n which_o command_v admiration_n and_o there_o be_v those_o charm_n in_o humility_n and_o condescension_n in_o
man_n arise_v speak_v perverse_a thing_n to_o draw_v away_o disciple_n after_o they_o so_o evil_a be_v the_o day_n wherein_o these_o ephesian_n live_v in_o respect_n of_o sin_n therefore_o the_o church_n can_v not_o be_v secure_a from_o the_o other_o evil_n of_o suffer_v but_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o secret_a temptation_n of_o the_o devil_n which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o christian_n in_o every_o time_n and_o place_n though_o they_o must_v be_v suppose_v most_o violent_a where_o that_o enemy_n have_v such_o a_o interest_n to_o lose_v and_o in_o so_o great_a danger_n as_o at_z ephesus_z to_o pass_v by_o many_o other_o trouble_v which_o almost_o constant_o attend_v a_o sincere_a profession_n of_o the_o gospel_n here_o the_o disciple_n be_v always_o liable_a to_o persecution_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n from_o the_o blind_a heathen_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o more_o obdurate_a jew_n on_o the_o other_o here_o as_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a st._n paul_n and_o his_o companion_n meet_v with_o those_o great_a trouble_n which_o he_o complain_v of_o 2_o cor._n 1.8_o which_o press_v they_o out_o of_o measure_n above_o strength_n insomuch_o that_o they_o despair_v even_o of_o life_n and_o have_v the_o sentence_n of_o death_n in_o themselves_o for_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o be_v in_o danger_n at_o ephesus_n of_o be_v carry_v to_o the_o theatre_n act._n 19.29_o 30._o to_o be_v devour_v there_o as_o we_o may_v suppose_v by_o wild_a beast_n keep_v for_o the_o execution_n of_o malefactor_n and_o to_o which_o christian_n afterward_o be_v sometime_o expose_v therefore_o he_o say_v that_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o man_n or_o so_o far_o as_o be_v in_o man_n power_n he_o fight_v with_o beast_n at_o ephesus_n 1_o cor._n 15.32_o and_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v but_o the_o church_n must_v be_v always_o in_o a_o suffer_a state_n and_o receive_v daily_o affront_v from_o the_o rage_n and_o malice_n of_o such_o enemy_n among_o who_o they_o live_v though_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o direct_o mention_v it_o in_o this_o epistle_n for_o this_o reason_n it_o may_v be_v lest_o it_o may_v have_v exasperateed_o their_o enemy_n the_o more_o against_o they_o and_o therefore_o he_o give_v only_o such_o general_a hint_n to_o it_o as_o this_o in_o the_o text._n now_o because_o they_o endure_v these_o and_o some_o follow_a persecution_n with_o a_o true_a christian_a courage_n and_o patience_n our_o saviour_n mention_n this_o to_o their_o honour_n rev._n 2.3_o thou_o have_v bear_v and_o have_v patience_n and_o for_o my_o name_n sake_n have_v labour_v and_o have_v not_o taint_v thus_o it_o appear_v these_o ephesian_n live_v in_o a_o evil_a time_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o sin_n and_o suffer_v and_o it_o be_v with_o relation_n to_o these_o especial_o that_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o make_v the_o best_a merchandise_n of_o the_o present_a season_n by_o behave_v themselves_o with_o that_o wisdom_n and_o circumspection_n which_o such_o evil_a time_n do_v especial_o require_v and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o will_v best_o agree_v with_o what_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o same_o exhortation_n to_o the_o colossian_n chap._n 4.5_o walk_v in_o wisdom_n towards_o they_o that_o be_v without_o redeem_v the_o time_n that_o be_v use_v that_o prudence_n in_o your_o conversation_n towards_o unbeliever_n that_o you_o may_v preserve_v yourselves_o from_o their_o sin_n and_o from_o suffer_v by_o their_o mean_n and_o gain_v upon_o they_o if_o possible_a in_o order_n to_o their_o receive_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n now_o this_o exhortation_n and_o the_o reason_n by_o which_o it_o be_v enforce_v do_v near_o concern_v all_o christian_n at_o this_o day_n and_o in_o this_o nation_n but_o especial_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o of_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v most_o sensible_a of_o the_o evil_a of_o the_o time_n as_o indeed_o they_o usual_o feel_v the_o great_a share_n of_o it_o and_o who_o have_v a_o more_o considerable_a and_o difficult_a part_n to_o act_v with_o relation_n to_o it_o than_o other_o therefore_o in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n i_o shall_v chief_o confine_v myself_o to_o they_o and_o because_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v we_o to_o redeem_v the_o time_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o evil_a of_o it_o i_o shall_v first_o represent_v to_o you_o the_o evil_n of_o our_o present_a day_n and_o then_o show_v how_o we_o be_v to_o redeem_v the_o time_n with_o respect_n to_o it_o first_o i_o shall_v give_v some_o account_n of_o the_o evil_a of_o our_o day_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o sin_n and_o suffering_n 1._o in_o respect_n of_o sin_n and_o here_o i_o have_v a_o very_a melancholy_a scene_n before_o i_o and_o such_o as_o i_o have_v rather_o secret_o lament_v than_o describe_v to_o you_o be_v it_o not_o necessary_a we_o shall_v know_v and_o consider_v this_o dreadful_a evil_n in_o order_n to_o its_o cure_n if_o it_o be_v not_o past_a remedy_n we_o live_v in_o a_o age_n and_o nation_n wherein_o too_o many_o be_v monstrous_o corrupt_v in_o their_o judgement_n and_o manner_n some_o be_v sink_v so_o far_o below_o the_o common_a reason_n and_o sense_n of_o mankind_n as_o to_o deny_v the_o god_n that_o make_v they_o though_o there_o be_v a_o thousand_o time_n more_o certainty_n of_o his_o existence_n than_o their_o own_o other_o will_v own_v no_o religion_n but_o what_o be_v natural_a because_o they_o can_v comprehend_v those_o mystery_n god_n have_v reveal_v to_o we_o and_o so_o they_o deny_v the_o lord_n that_o buy_v they_o some_o arrogate_v to_o themselves_o a_o power_n of_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n and_o attain_v perfection_n and_o happiness_n by_o that_o mean_n other_o contend_v for_o a_o chimerical_a faith_n that_o have_v neither_o ground_n nor_o effect_n as_o sufficient_a for_o salvation_n how_o bad_a soever_o man_n be_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o conversation_n and_o so_o make_v our_o bless_a lord_n himself_o as_o much_o as_o lie_v in_o they_o a_o patron_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n and_o his_o holy_a religion_n a_o pretence_n for_o the_o vile_a practice_n what_o shall_v we_o say_v of_o popery_n that_o hydra_n of_o error_n which_o have_v be_v so_o often_o baffle_v and_o yet_o they_o live_v though_o one_o will_v think_v if_o the_o man_n of_o that_o religion_n will_v serious_o consult_v either_o faith_n or_o reason_n and_o that_o law_n of_o kindness_n which_o be_v natural_o write_v in_o our_o heart_n they_o must_v needs_o be_v ashamed_a of_o their_o gross_a idolatry_n of_o the_o many_o contradiction_n and_o absurdity_n they_o have_v receive_v and_o that_o cruelty_n practise_v in_o their_o church_n towards_o all_o man_n that_o dare_v be_v wise_a than_o themselves_o to_o these_o i_o may_v add_v the_o dream_n and_o fancy_n of_o many_o enthusiast_n among_o we_o who_o conceive_v such_o notion_n of_o god_n and_o their_o duty_n towards_o he_o as_o be_v unworthy_a of_o his_o be_v and_o so_o far_o below_o those_o excellent_a discovery_n he_o have_v make_v of_o his_o nature_n and_o will_n in_o holy_a scripture_n that_o their_o own_o reason_n as_o imperfect_a as_o it_o be_v will_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n correct_v these_o mistake_n if_o they_o will_v but_o attend_v to_o it_o now_o what_o can_v be_v the_o fruit_n of_o such_o error_n in_o man_n mind_n but_o a_o corruption_n also_o in_o their_o conversation_n which_o indeed_o be_v very_o great_a and_o common_a among_o we_o what_o horrid_a oath_n and_o blasphemy_n what_o scoff_v at_o religion_n and_o the_o sincere_a professer_n of_o it_o be_v hear_v in_o many_o place_n how_o be_v the_o sacred_a name_n of_o god_n his_o ordinance_n and_o providence_n despise_v how_o be_v his_o holy_a word_n and_o minister_n ridicule_v and_o make_v subject_n for_o the_o profane_a wit_n and_o raillery_n of_o those_o senseless_a man_n who_o thus_o abuse_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n to_o his_o dishonour_n and_o their_o own_o destruction_n and_o do_v not_o profaneness_n in_o some_o measure_n enter_v into_o our_o very_a church_n too_o for_o even_o there_o we_o often_o observe_v a_o behaviour_n in_o man_n very_o unsuitable_a to_o those_o place_n and_o the_o holy_a duty_n perform_v in_o they_o what_o irreverence_n be_v use_v in_o prayer_n what_o indifferency_n in_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n yea_o what_o drowsiness_n be_v indulge_v by_o some_o and_o what_o levities_n practise_v by_o other_o while_o they_o be_v present_a at_o these_o ordinance_n and_o if_o the_o sacred_a right_n of_o god_n be_v thus_o violate_v by_o sinful_a man_n it_o be_v the_o less_o wonder_n they_o shall_v also_o invade_v those_o of_o their_o neighbour_n and_o that_o we_o so_o often_o hear_v of_o contention_n murder_n adultery_n theft_n oppression_n false-witness_n malicious_a slander_n revile_n etc._n etc._n and_o
that_o there_o be_v so_o much_o pride_n covetousness_n and_o intemperance_n among_o we_o to_o these_o i_o must_v add_v the_o many_o rent_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n whereby_o man_n do_v a_o great_a indignity_n to_o our_o bless_a lord_n himself_o and_o frustrate_v as_o much_o as_o lie_v in_o they_o one_o gracious_a end_n of_o his_o die_v for_o we_o the_o unite_n all_o into_o one_o body_n the_o many_o petition_n also_o he_o make_v to_o god_n the_o father_n and_o the_o excellent_a precept_n he_o have_v give_v we_o to_o this_o purpose_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v as_o well_o as_o from_o other_o cause_n beforementioned_a that_o the_o house_n of_o god_n be_v so_o little_o frequent_v his_o worship_n both_o in_o public_a and_o private_a so_o strange_o neglect_v and_o particular_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n that_o holy_a feast_n institute_v by_o our_o saviour_n for_o a_o commemoration_n of_o his_o die_a love_n to_o we_o to_o engage_v we_o more_o strict_o in_o that_o service_n which_o be_v perfect_a freedom_n and_o to_o convey_v spiritual_a grace_n and_o comfort_n to_o we_o how_o be_v this_o neglect_a by_o most_o man_n as_o if_o they_o have_v no_o sense_n of_o their_o baptismal_a engagement_n which_o be_v here_o repeat_v of_o the_o most_o gracious_a work_n of_o man_n redemption_n by_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n here_o represent_v or_o the_o interest_n and_o happiness_n of_o their_o precious_a and_o immortal_a soul_n which_o will_v be_v very_o much_o promote_v by_o a_o serious_a and_o frequent_a attendance_n on_o this_o holy_a ordinance_n hence_o also_o be_v that_o almost_o general_a indifferency_n in_o religion_n i_o mean_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o great_a substantial_o of_o it_o for_o there_o be_v too_o much_o zeal_n in_o all_o party_n for_o those_o lesser_a thing_n which_o distinguish_v they_o from_o other_o protestant_n they_o be_v very_o fond_a of_o the_o occasion_n and_o mark_n of_o their_o separation_n from_o their_o brethren_n as_o if_o needless_a division_n in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v of_o old_a condemn_v by_o our_o great_a apostle_n as_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n have_v now_o change_v their_o nature_n and_o be_v become_v mean_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n the_o intemperate_a heat_n man_n have_v for_o these_o thing_n together_o with_o those_o of_o worldly_a and_o carnal_a affection_n have_v almost_o exhaust_v that_o true_a zeal_n for_o god_n and_o that_o sincere_a affection_n to_o one_o another_o which_o be_v the_o distinguish_a mark_n of_o christ_n disciple_n it_o be_v because_o iniquity_n do_v so_o abound_v that_o the_o love_n of_o many_o be_v grow_v cold_a though_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v more_o fervent_a as_o will_v appear_v hereafter_o thus_o have_v i_o mention_v some_o of_o the_o most_o common_a sin_n among_o we_o wherein_o we_o may_v seem_v a_o parallel_n even_o to_o ephesus_n itself_o when_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v if_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v violent_a idolater_n and_o persecutor_n of_o christian_n such_o be_v our_o papist_n too_o if_o sometime_o they_o practise_v barbarous_a cruelty_n upon_o any_o they_o meet_v with_o and_o be_v ordinary_o very_o dissolute_a and_o licentious_a in_o their_o life_n we_o be_v not_o without_o instance_n of_o the_o former_a sort_n and_o do_v too_o much_o abound_v with_o those_o of_o the_o latter_a and_o our_o atheist_n be_v such_o a_o monster_n as_o perhaps_o be_v not_o know_v among_o they_o if_o error_n and_o heresy_n do_v infest_v the_o church_n then_o we_o have_v some_o of_o the_o worst_a of_o they_o revive_v in_o our_o day_n and_o have_v add_v many_o other_o to_o they_o if_o there_o be_v some_o perverse_a man_n in_o the_o church_n at_o ephesus_n that_o separate_v themselves_o and_o draw_v disciple_n after_o they_o these_o be_v far_o outdo_v by_o the_o many_o schism_n and_o division_n among_o we_o at_o this_o day_n if_o the_o believe_a ephesian_n be_v accuse_v some_o time_n after_o the_o write_n of_o this_o epistle_n for_o have_v lest_o their_o first_o love_n rev._n 2.4_o how_o much_o more_o may_v we_o be_v condemn_v for_o almost_o the_o entire_a loss_n of_o we_o and_o fall_v into_o a_o lukewarmness_n like_o that_o charge_v upon_o laodicea_n and_o for_o which_o our_o bless_a saviour_n so_o severe_o threaten_v she_o we_o may_v therefore_o say_v of_o our_o own_o day_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o sin_n that_o abound_v among_o we_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v of_o those_o he_o live_v in_o that_o they_o be_v evil._n and_o the_o more_o because_o those_o in_o our_o day_n that_o commit_v the_o same_o sin_n with_o the_o heathen_n at_o ephesus_n have_v be_v better_o instruct_v than_o they_o and_o prosess_v a_o pure_a and_o undefiled_a religion_n and_o all_o wilful_a sin_n among_o we_o be_v commit_v against_o as_o many_o gracious_a providence_n of_o god_n towards_o we_o as_o be_v ever_o show_v to_o any_o nation_n 2._o our_o day_n be_v evil_a too_o in_o respect_n of_o suffer_v but_o here_o i_o will_v acknowledge_v to_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n goodness_n and_o patience_n that_o we_o be_v not_o liable_a to_o such_o bloody_a persecution_n as_o the_o ephesian_n be_v daily_o in_o danger_n of_o we_o live_v not_o under_o law_n that_o make_v our_o religion_n a_o capital_a crime_n or_o magistrate_n that_o be_v ready_a to_o judge_n and_o condemn_v we_o for_o it_o to_o the_o most_o cruel_a death_n yea_o though_o the_o protestant_n in_o several_a neighbour_a nation_n have_v be_v thus_o barbarous_o deal_v with_o by_o the_o papist_n and_o we_o ourselves_o be_v in_o imminent_a danger_n of_o the_o same_o suffering_n it_o please_v god_n of_o his_o insinite_a goodness_n to_o prevent_v they_o by_o a_o unexpected_a and_o wonderful_a deliverance_n and_o now_o at_o last_o to_o confirm_v this_o more_o and_o free_v we_o from_o many_o sensible_a effect_n of_o a_o long_a and_o dreadful_a war_n by_o the_o peace_n which_o be_v so_o happy_o conclude_v but_o notwithstanding_o these_o undeserved_a effect_n of_o god_n mercy_n i_o have_v say_v enough_o already_o to_o prove_v one_o of_o the_o great_a persecution_n at_o this_o time_n and_o in_o this_o nation_n that_o can_v befall_v good_a man_n but_o especial_o faithful_a minister_n st._n augustin_n hom._n 10._o speak_v of_o those_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n 2_o tim._n 3.12_o all_o that_o will_v live_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n shall_v suffer_v persecution_n bring_v in_o this_o question_n by_o way_n of_o objection_n when_o the_o church_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n protect_v by_o law_n and_o defend_v by_o prince_n how_o then_o do_v they_o who_o live_v godly_a suffer_v persecution_n to_o which_o he_o answer_v qui_fw-la inter_fw-la malos_fw-la vivunt_fw-la persecutionem_fw-la patiuntur_fw-la quia_fw-la omnes_fw-la mali_fw-la persequuntur_fw-la bonos_fw-es non_fw-la ferro_fw-la &_o lapidibus_fw-la sed_fw-la vita_fw-la &_o moribus_fw-la they_o who_o live_v among_o evil_a man_n do_v suffer_v persecution_n for_o all_o evil_a man_n persecute_v the_o good_a not_o with_o sword_n and_o stone_n but_o by_o their_o life_n and_o manner_n and_o then_o he_o instance_n in_o the_o case_n of_o lot_n in_o sodom_n who_o none_o persecute_v or_o molest_v there_o but_o only_o by_o their_o wicked_a life_n with_o which_o as_o st._n peter_n tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o rack_v or_o torture_v his_o righteous_a soul_n from_o day_n to_o day_n and_o indeed_o this_o persecution_n have_v be_v always_o very_o grievous_a to_o good_a men._n it_o draw_v river_n of_o water_n from_o the_o psalmist_n eye_n and_o make_v the_o soul_n of_o jeremy_n weep_v in_o secret_a place_n yea_o for_o this_o as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o judgement_n it_o will_v bring_v upon_o judah_n he_o passionate_o wish_n that_o his_o head_n be_v water_n and_o his_o eye_n a_o fountain_n of_o tear_n that_o he_o may_v weep_v day_n and_o night_n for_o they_o jer._n 9.1_o and_o none_o will_v wonder_v at_o this_o that_o consider_v how_o injurious_a sin_n be_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o almighty_n god_n how_o contrary_a to_o the_o temper_n of_o every_o good_a man_n and_o in_o what_o danger_n it_o put_v they_o that_o be_v guilty_a of_o eternal_a damnation_n and_o if_o these_o sinner_n be_v under_o our_o own_o charge_n our_o affliction_n be_v the_o great_a on_o their_o account_n if_o st._n john_n have_v no_o great_a joy_n than_o to_o hear_v that_o his_o child_n walk_v in_o truth_n nothing_o can_v afflict_v he_o more_o than_o their_o defection_n from_o it_o if_o it_o be_v the_o joy_n and_o crown_n yea_o the_o very_a life_n of_o st._n paul_n that_o the_o church_n under_o his_o care_n stand_v fast_o in_o the_o faith_n it_o must_v be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a trouble_n and_o humiliation_n yea_o something_o like_o death_n itself_o to_o he_o if_o they_o desert_v it_o nay_o if_o in_o some_o case_n as_o