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to_o be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n advent_n collect_v for_o 2d_o sunday_n in_o advent_n grant_v that_o we_o may_v in_o such_o wise_a hear_v they_o read_z mark_v learn_v and_o inward_o digest_v they_o that_o by_o patience_n and_o comfort_n of_o thy_o holy_a word_n we_o may_v embrace_v and_o ever_o hold_v fast_o the_o bless_a hope_n of_o everlasting_a life_n which_o thou_o have_v give_v we_o in_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n amen_n finis_fw-la errata_fw-la page_n 55._o line_n 10._o for_o some_o read_v same_o
no_o less_o glorify_v in_o our_o destruction_n see_v therefore_o whether_o you_o believe_v or_o whether_o you_o do_v not_o believe_v god_n will_v be_v neither_o a_o gainer_n nor_o a_o loser_n but_o the_o profit_n or_o the_o damage_n will_v be_v all_o your_o own_o it_o be_v plain_o your_o interest_n as_o well_o as_o your_o duty_n to_o give_v credit_n to_o such_o evidence_n as_o real_o and_o in_o itself_o be_v credible_a and_o such_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o to_o be_v which_o be_v give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o not_o to_o set_v yourselves_o to_o cavil_v at_o it_o and_o to_o study_v exception_n to_o it_o not_o to_o take_v upon_o you_o to_o prescribe_v to_o god_n almighty_a and_o bold_o to_o tell_v he_o what_o sort_n of_o evidence_n he_o must_v give_v you_o or_o else_o you_o will_v not_o be_v satisfy_v do_v not_o then_o stand_v in_o your_o own_o light_n do_v not_o bring_v destruction_n upon_o yourselves_o when_o you_o may_v avoid_v it_o but_o 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exception_n 3._o that_o if_o god_n shall_v gratify_v all_o man_n in_o this_o request_n the_o abundance_n and_o commonness_n of_o the_o miracle_n that_o must_v then_o be_v wrought_v will_v go_v near_o to_o destroy_v the_o efficacy_n and_o persuasiveness_n thereof_o and_o last_o that_o it_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o experience_n that_o new_a miracle_n have_v be_v general_o unsuccessful_a upon_o those_o who_o have_v not_o hearken_v to_o nor_o be_v convince_v by_o a_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will._n 1._o i_o say_v we_o can_v possible_o have_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o strong_a motive_n to_o obedience_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n than_o those_o which_o be_v already_o offer_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o persuade_v we_o for_o there_o we_o have_v life_n and_o death_n set_v before_o we_o blessing_n and_o curse_v on_o one_o hand_n the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n all_o the_o evil_n that_o we_o can_v just_o dread_a the_o wrath_n of_o he_o who_o be_v a_o consume_a fire_n who_o often_o punish_v transgressor_n with_a remarkable_a judgement_n in_o this_o life_n and_o have_v threaten_v to_o all_o impenitent_a sinner_n eternal_a torment_n in_o the_o next_o now_o if_o a_o new_a revelation_n be_v to_o be_v make_v and_o we_o ourselves_o be_v to_o contrive_v the_o matter_n of_o it_o what_o strong_a motive_n than_o these_o can_v we_o think_v of_o or_o if_o one_o shall_v come_v from_o the_o dead_a to_o preach_v to_o we_o if_o lazarus_n be_v send_v on_o purpose_n to_o persuade_v we_o what_o can_v he_o offer_v more_o towards_o it_o can_v he_o give_v we_o assurance_n of_o any_o thing_n better_o or_o more_o desirable_a than_o of_o god_n readiness_n to_o forgive_v we_o upon_o our_o repentance_n and_o of_o complete_a and_o perfect_a happiness_n both_o of_o body_n and_o soul_n to_o all_o eternity_n if_o we_o do_v repent_v or_o can_v he_o threaten_v any_o thing_n more_o like_a to_o deter_v we_o from_o sin_n than_o intolerable_a and_o everlasting_a misery_n if_o not_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v he_o be_v send_v to_o we_o or_o indeed_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v there_o be_v any_o new_a revelation_n at_o all_o for_o these_o thing_n be_v already_o promise_v and_o threaten_v clear_o enough_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n life_n and_o immortality_n be_v already_o full_o bring_v to_o light_n by_o the_o gospel_n and_o if_o the_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o happiness_n and_o if_o the_o dread_a of_o everlasting_a and_o intolerable_a torment_n will_v not_o persuade_v we_o nothing_o certain_o will_n or_o can_v persuade_v we_o all_o that_o i_o think_v can_v in_o any_o new_a revelation_n be_v add_v to_o that_o encouragement_n that_o be_v already_o give_v we_o in_o scripture_n to_o virtue_n and_o godliness_n or_o to_o that_o discouragement_n that_o be_v therein_o give_v as_o to_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n will_v be_v a_o assurance_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v always_o as_o remarkable_a a_o difference_n make_v by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n between_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n in_o this_o world_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v in_o scripture_n there_o will_v be_v by_o his_o righteous_a judgement_n in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o a_o good_a assurance_n give_v we_o of_o this_o by_o some_o new_a revelation_n confirm_v by_o our_o own_o constant_a observation_n that_o it_o be_v always_o well_o with_o the_o righteous_a and_o ill_a with_o the_o wicked_a in_o this_o world_n we_o may_v think_v perhaps_o will_v do_v much_o more_o towards_o the_o reformation_n of_o mankind_n than_o only_o those_o promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o future_a happiness_n or_o misery_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o scripture_n have_v do_v or_o be_v ever_o like_a to_o do_v and_o this_o indeed_o may_v be_v but_o then_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o a_o new_a revelation_n to_o this_o effect_n will_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n and_o will_v frustrate_v the_o design_n of_o god_n in_o send_v we_o into_o this_o world_n which_o be_v to_o prove_v and_o try_v we_o to_o see_v whether_o we_o love_v the_o lord_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n whether_o we_o can_v believe_v he_o for_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o see_v and_o whether_o we_o be_v so_o wise_a as_o to_o prefer_v a_o great_a future_a good_n before_o a_o less_o that_o be_v present_a a_o bless_a and_o glorious_a immortality_n after_o this_o life_n before_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n which_o be_v but_o for_o a_o season_n for_o if_o the_o reward_n of_o virtue_n and_o the_o punishment_n of_o vice_n be_v always_o visible_a and_o present_a there_o will_v be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o faith_n in_o god_n which_o be_v a_o firm_a belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o promise_n and_o threaten_n though_o we_o do_v not_o see_v a_o present_a performance_n of_o they_o 11.1_o heb._n 11.1_o faith_n as_o the_o apostle_n define_v it_o be_v the_o substance_n or_o loc._n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hom._n in_o loc._n confident_a expectation_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o the_o evidence_n or_o 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d conviction_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v and_o if_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n both_o of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o the_o next_o be_v the_o certain_a portion_n of_o virtue_n and_o all_o the_o evil_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v suffer_v both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o in_o the_o other_o be_v the_o certain_a and_o never-failing_a consequence_n of_o sin_n there_o will_v be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o a_o virtuous_a and_o wise_a choice_n nay_o indeed_o there_o will_v be_v hardly_o matter_n for_o choice_n at_o all_o for_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o a_o creature_n that_o have_v understanding_n and_o a_o power_n of_o choose_v and_o refuse_v shall_v know_o choose_v all_o misery_n rather_o than_o all_o happiness_n such_o a_o revelation_n as_o this_o be_v therefore_o so_o evident_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o with_o the_o design_n of_o god_n in_o send_v we_o into_o this_o world_n can_v be_v expect_v and_o i_o say_v that_o bate_v this_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o add_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n revelation_n from_o whence_o therefore_o it_o plain_o follow_v that_o such_o as_o be_v not_o persuade_v by_o the_o gospel_n motive_n to_o repentance_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o be_v persuade_v by_o any_o such_o motive_n as_o consistent_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o virtue_n can_v be_v offer_v to_o they_o and_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o any_o true_a divine_a revelation_n shall_v ever_o offer_v any_o motive_n to_o persuade_v we_o that_o be_v not_o such_o but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v perhaps_o that_o though_o better_a or_o strong_a motive_n to_o repentance_n can_v be_v offer_v by_o any_o new_a revelation_n than_o be_v offer_v already_o in_o holy_a scripture_n yet_o we_o may_v by_o a_o new_a revelation_n have_v better_a assurance_n give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n motive_n and_o that_o if_o we_o have_v it_o be_v very_o like_a they_o will_v be_v then_o more_o prevail_a than_o they_o now_o be_v and_o this_o likewise_o i_o believe_v must_v be_v grant_v but_o then_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o of_o that_o state_n of_o trial_n which_o we_o be_v now_o in_o require_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o reasonable_a boundary_a set_v to_o the_o clearness_n of_o that_o evidence_n that_o be_v give_v to_o man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o motive_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o be_v persuade_v as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o force_n and_o strength_n of_o the_o motive_n themselves_o because_o as_o i_o note_v in_o my_o last_o discourse_n such_o very_a clear_a
see_v the_o miracle_n more_o blind_a than_o they_o be_v before_o and_o when_o once_o a_o dead_a lazarus_n do_v come_v forth_o out_o of_o his_o grave_a and_o appear_v to_o they_o which_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o the_o rich_a man_n here_o desire_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o his_o brethren_n as_o be_v in_o his_o judgement_n the_o most_o powerful_a and_o so_o like_a to_o be_v the_o most_o effectual_a method_n to_o reclaim_v they_o when_o i_o say_v this_o be_v do_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o great_a number_n so_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n can_v not_o be_v doubt_v and_o be_v not_o deny_v by_o any_o of_o they_o all_o the_o effect_n that_o it_o have_v upon_o those_o obstinate_a and_o incredulous_a man_n be_v only_o that_o it_o make_v they_o enter_v present_o soon_o perhaps_o then_o otherwise_o they_o will_v have_v do_v into_o a_o close_a consultation_n to_o put_v to_o death_n both_o jesus_n and_o lazarus_n too_o some_o example_n indeed_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v there_o be_v on_o the_o other_o side_n for_o we_o be_v tell_v in_o act_n xi_o 41._o of_o a_o great_a number_n about_o three_o thousand_o that_o believe_v upon_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o st._n peter_n and_o sight_n of_o that_o great_a miracle_n the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n wherewith_o the_o apostle_n be_v endue_v but_o than_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o miracle_n that_o convince_v they_o i_o mean_v not_o that_o alone_o for_o many_o that_o be_v then_o present_a 13._o verse_n 13._o and_o hear_v the_o apostle_n speak_v with_o tongue_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v persuade_v thereby_o that_o they_o most_o false_o blaspheme_v that_o as_o they_o have_v do_v all_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n before_o attribute_v the_o fruit_n of_o that_o most_o evident_a power_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o new_a wine_n and_o it_o may_v be_v further_o note_v that_o those_o who_o be_v persuade_v by_o it_o be_v such_o as_o before_o they_o see_v the_o miracle_n be_v in_o a_o good_a disposition_n to_o embrace_v that_o pure_a religion_n that_o be_v teach_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o else_o that_o miracle_n will_v not_o have_v persuade_v they_o for_o the_o person_n convince_v thereby_o be_v not_o of_o the_o pharisee_n or_o unbelieving_a jew_n that_o have_v reject_v our_o saviour_n before_o 5._o verse_n 5._o but_o they_o be_v devout_a person_n jew_n or_o proselyte_n who_o have_v come_v at_o that_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n from_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o jerusalem_n to_o worship_n and_o who_o have_v probable_o never_o hear_v of_o our_o saviour_n before_o more_o than_o by_o uncertain_a report_n but_o be_v well_o read_v in_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o give_v good_a heed_n to_o they_o be_v convert_v more_o by_o the_o manifest_a accomplishment_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n in_o the_o person_n of_o our_o saviour_n than_o by_o the_o sight_n of_o that_o great_a miracle_n this_o therefore_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o experience_n what_o have_v be_v do_v and_o come_v to_o pass_v already_o that_o new_a miracle_n have_v be_v general_o unsuccessful_a upon_o such_o as_o have_v not_o regard_v a_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n we_o may_v reasonable_o inser_n that_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a if_o not_o certain_a that_o the_o same_o experiment_n try_v over_o again_o will_v have_v no_o better_a success_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o therefore_o be_v this_o such_o as_o be_v as_o st._n luke_n say_v they_o be_v who_o be_v convert_v by_o the_o preach_a and_o miracle_n of_o the_o apostle_n 13.46_o act_n 13.46_o 〈◊〉_d 13.46_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d predisposed_a or_o fit_v for_o eternal_a life_n that_o be_v such_o as_o be_v modest_a and_o teachable_a who_o hear_v without_o prejudice_n and_o judge_v without_o partiality_n and_o have_v no_o interest_n of_o sin_n or_o the_o world_n that_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o their_o desire_n to_o obtain_v everlasting_a happiness_n such_o as_o inquire_v out_o the_o truth_n with_o the_o same_o indifference_n that_o a_o traveller_n do_v his_o way_n who_o have_v no_o inclination_n to_o one_o way_n more_o than_o to_o another_o but_o only_o desire_v to_o be_v direct_v right_a and_o be_v resolve_v to_o take_v that_o way_n which_o he_o be_v persuade_v be_v the_o right_n though_o it_o shall_v not_o prove_v so_o very_o clean_a and_o smooth_a and_o pleasant_a as_o he_o hope_v it_o will_v such_o i_o say_v as_o be_v of_o this_o honest_a and_o docible_a mind_n will_v be_v persuade_v by_o a_o good_a reason_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v as_o good_a as_o the_o matter_n be_v capable_a of_o though_o it_o fall_v short_a of_o demonstration_n and_o if_o there_o be_v reason_n or_o appearance_n of_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n they_o will_v judge_v on_o that_o side_n on_o which_o the_o reason_n seem_v most_o weighty_a and_o for_o the_o conviction_n of_o such_o as_o these_o the_o stand_a revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o well_o prove_v as_o it_o be_v be_v abundant_o sufficient_a so_o that_o such_o shall_v not_o need_v new_a miracle_n or_o new_a revelation_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n such_o as_o only_o do_v need_v they_o that_o be_v such_o as_o be_v of_o perverse_a mind_n and_o stubborn_a will_n and_o devote_v to_o sin_n will_v not_o hearken_v to_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n nor_o to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n speak_v in_o the_o scripture_n will_v very_o probable_o receive_v no_o benefit_n from_o new_a miracle_n or_o new_a revelation_n for_o nothing_o will_v serve_v to_o convince_v those_o who_o will_v not_o be_v convince_v at_o all_o no_o argument_n can_v be_v sufficient_a to_o persuade_v a_o man_n to_o that_o which_o he_o be_v strong_o prejudice_v and_o full_o resolve_v against_o and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o those_o who_o do_v not_o hear_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n preach_v to_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o be_v not_o persuade_v by_o they_o we_o may_v well_o conclude_v with_o abraham_n in_o the_o text_n that_o any_o other_o mean_n that_o may_v be_v use_v to_o reclaim_v they_o will_v most_o probable_o prove_v as_o ineffectual_a as_o this_o have_v be_v and_o that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o now_o have_v show_v that_o the_o present_a stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v and_o persuade_v man_n have_v also_o show_v that_o more_o proof_n and_o evidence_n than_o we_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n can_v reasonable_o be_v desire_v and_o have_v likewise_o show_v that_o any_o other_o proof_n or_o evidence_n thereof_o will_v probable_o be_v ineffectual_a upon_o those_o who_o will_v not_o hear_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n preach_v to_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n i_o have_v finish_v all_o that_o i_o propose_v to_o do_v in_o discourse_v on_o these_o word_n i_o shall_v conclude_v all_o with_o a_o useful_a exhortation_n first_o to_o infidel_n who_o will_v not_o by_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v be_v persuade_v to_o admit_v this_o divine_a revelation_n and_o second_o to_o christian_n who_o do_v receive_v it_o 1._o to_o you_o who_o be_v yet_o infidel_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o here_o as_o i_o hope_v there_o be_v not_o or_o if_o these_o discourse_n shall_v happen_v to_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o such_o i_o beg_v leave_n to_o address_v myself_o in_o a_o few_o word_n and_o i_o will_v desire_v you_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o prepare_v and_o dispose_v your_o mind_n to_o hear_v grave_o and_o without_o prejudice_n the_o reason_n that_o be_v offer_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n by_o consider_v serious_o the_o great_a importance_n of_o religion_n if_o it_o be_v true_a and_o if_o you_o do_v but_o consider_v this_o you_o will_v quick_o see_v that_o it_o be_v well_o worth_a your_o while_n to_o be_v at_o some_o pain_n to_o satisfy_v yourselves_o full_o whether_o religion_n be_v true_a or_o not_o for_o if_o religion_n be_v true_a and_o you_o can_v be_v sure_a it_o be_v not_o till_o you_o have_v well_o examine_v the_o ground_n and_o proof_n of_o it_o you_o have_v a_o great_a concern_v at_o stake_n and_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o moment_n it_o become_v not_o a_o wise_a man_n to_o be_v determine_v by_o a_o jest_n or_o a_o quibble_n and_o if_o you_o serious_o consider_v the_o great_a importance_n of_o religion_n you_o will_v likewise_o ready_o see_v that_o of_o the_o two_o you_o have_v much_o better_o be_v mistake_v in_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n though_o it_o be_v false_a than_o in_o disbelieve_v it_o if_o indeed_o it_o be_v true_a so_o that_o