not_o be_v any_o gradual_a apostasy_n in_o any_o saint_n as_o there_o be_v in_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n revel_v 2._o or_o any_o stand_n as_o it_o be_v at_o a_o stay_n as_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v with_o they_o heb._n 5._o so_o that_o their_o measure_n be_v to_o be_v take_v by_o their_o attainment_n and_o proficiency_n not_o by_o their_o year_n 9_o see_v wisd_v 4.8_o 9_o for_o though_o with_o the_o ancient_a there_o usual_o be_v wisdom_n yet_o gray_a hair_n be_v not_o always_o wise_a which_o make_v elihu_n speak_v as_o he_o do_v job_n 32.7_o 9_o the_o wise_a be_v always_o old_a but_o the_o old_a be_v not_o always_o wise_a it_o be_v not_o how_o long_o they_o have_v stand_v or_o how_o many_o year_n they_o have_v be_v in_o christ_n but_o their_o enjoyment_n experience_n proficiency_n and_o fruitfulness_n that_o denominate_v one_o above_o another_o some_o may_v be_v in_o christ_n before_o other_o who_o yet_o may_v be_v out-grown_a by_o other_o that_o come_v in_o long_a 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〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o this_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ver_fw-la 12._o be_v common_a to_o they_o all_o to_o father_n to_o young_a man_n and_o to_o child_n and_o so_o mr._n cotton_n understand_v it_o on_o verse_n 12._o and_o grotius_n so_o do_v zanchie_a nomine_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._o e._n filiorum_fw-la omnes_fw-la very_fw-la christiani_n quòd_fw-la per_fw-la ministerium_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la regeniti_fw-la sint_fw-la christo_fw-la &_o deo_fw-la in_o or_o under_o this_o name_n be_v comprehend_v all_o true_a christian_n because_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o be_v beget_v or_o bear_v again_o to_o christ_n and_o to_o god_n so_o again_o on_o verse_n 13._o nâ—m_n &_o commune_fw-la omnibus_fw-la christianis_fw-la nomen_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v a_o name_n common_a to_o all_o christian_n so_o that_o this_o word_n note_v not_o any_o distinct_a state_n as_o the_o other_o three_o do_v viz._n father_n youngman_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d little_a child_n all_o which_o word_n the_o apostle_n use_v but_o this_o once_o and_o that_o in_o this_o distribution_n except_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d once_o more_o verse_n 18._o but_o the_o other_o viz._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o use_v seven_o or_o eight_o time_n in_o common_a to_o they_o all_o and_o according_o the_o privilege_n annex_v forgiveness_n of_o sin_n be_v in_o common_a to_o they_o all_o to_o the_o young_a as_o well_o as_o the_o elder_a to_o the_o child_n and_o babe_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o young_a man_n and_o father-saint_n though_o it_o be_v not_o know_v by_o nor_o manifest_v to_o all_o alike_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v here_o inquire_v why_o the_o apostle_n use_v the_o diminutive_a so_o often_o and_o speak_v to_o they_o as_o not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d child_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d little_a child_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o allusion_n to_o the_o manner_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o jewish_a teacher_n which_o be_v to_o call_v their_o scholar_n ketamin_n little_a one_o yet_o withal_o it_o note_n with_o what_o tenderness_n he_o love_v they_o and_o how_o dear_a they_o be_v unto_o he_o as_o have_v beget_v they_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o paul_n do_v the_o corinthian_n who_o he_o call_v belove_v sâ—ns_n 1_o cor._n 4.14_o 15._o and_o the_o galatian_n who_o he_o call_v by_o this_o name_n little_a child_n gal._n 4.19_o and_o as_o our_o saviour_n do_v his_o disciple_n john_n 13.33_o in_o conformity_n to_o who_o john_n who_o be_v the_o belove_a and_o love_a disciple_n use_v this_o word_n but_o i_o proceed_v to_o verse_n 13_o 14._o
christ_n school_n consist_v of_o four_o class_n of_o christian_n i._o babe_n ii_o little_a child_n iii_o young_a man_n iu_o father_n with_o their_o several_a characteristical_a difference_n and_o attainment_n also_o the_o doctrine_n proper_a to_o be_v teach_v to_o each_o of_o they_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o many_o sermon_n preach_v many_o year_n ago_o in_o southwark_n by_o ralph_n venning_n 1_o cor._n 3.1_o and_o i_o brethren_n can_v not_o speak_v unto_o you_o as_o unto_o spiritual_a but_o as_o unto_o carnal_a as_o unto_o babe_n in_o christ_n 1_o joh._n 2.13_o i_o write_v unto_o you_o father_n because_o you_o have_v know_v he_o that_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n i_o write_v unto_o you_o young_a man_n because_o you_o have_v overcome_v the_o wicked_a one_o i_o write_v unto_o you_o little_a child_n because_o you_o have_v know_v the_o father_n london_n print_v for_o john_n hancock_n senior_n and_o junior_fw-la at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o three_o bibles_n in_o popes-head_n ally_n 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as_o have_v attain_v to_o a_o strength_n of_o grace_n whereby_o they_o be_v make_v conformable_a to_o christ_n who_o be_v in_o all_o thing_n tempt_v as_o we_o be_v yet_o without_o sin_n will_v be_v of_o great_a encouragement_n to_o many_o in_o their_o present_a warfare_n as_o to_o the_o last_o estate_n of_o christian_n viz._n of_o father_n the_o author_n have_v discourse_v very_o little_a who_o though_o those_o that_o be_v acquaint_v with_o he_o may_v judge_v he_o to_o have_v attain_v to_o that_o degree_n of_o christianty_n which_o lie_v in_o the_o high_a experience_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o he_o through_o modesty_n leave_v that_o for_o other_o to_o supply_v and_o make_v up_o and_o so_o you_o have_v the_o first_o remain_v of_o that_o good_a man_n who_o be_v serviceable_a to_o christ_n in_o his_o generation_n the_o spiritual_a advantage_n of_o christian_n be_v all_o that_o be_v aim_v at_o in_o the_o publication_n thereof_o and_o according_o be_v recommend_v to_o 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john_n 21.15_o 16_o 17._o that_o there_o be_v strong_a and_o weak_a rom._n 15.1_o that_o there_o be_v spiritual_a and_o babe_n 1_o cor._n 3.1_o or_o perfect_a and_o babe_n as_o it_o be_v hebr._n 5.13_o 14._o the_o scripture_n quote_v do_v undeniable_o assert_v and_o experience_n confirm_v it_o and_o why_o there_o may_v not_o be_v more_o than_o two_o sort_n i_o can_v see_v no_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v but_o there_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o reason_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o the_o apostle_n john_n name_v three_o father_n young_a man_n and_o child_n and_o the_o apostle_n paul_n name_v a_o four_o viz._n babe_n for_o though_o they_o be_v as_o carnal_a yet_o they_o be_v in_o christ_n 1_o cor._n 3.1_o but_o a_o degree_n below_o child_n as_o i_o think_v to_o make_v apparent_a in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n to_o clear_v the_o way_n i_o shall_v examine_v this_o text_n 1_o john_n 2.12_o 13_o 14._o which_o whether_o it_o denote_v and_o assert_v distinct_a class_n or_o kind_n of_o saint_n be_v yet_o the_o question_n but_o i_o hope_v to_o evince_v that_o these_o be_v three_o distinct_a rank_n and_o slate_n of_o saint_n not_o with_o reference_n to_o their_o natural_a year_n loc._n partitur_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o in_fw-la sequeatibus_fw-la christianus_n in_o class_n tres_fw-la puerorum_fw-la adolescentum_fw-la scuun_n quae_fw-la discrimina_fw-la non_fw-la secundum_fw-la aetatem_fw-la sed_fw-la secundum_fw-la gradus_fw-la diverso_fw-la tjus_fw-la prosectus_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o coristo_fw-la est_fw-la intelligi_fw-la dâ—bâ—t_fw-la grot._n in_o loc._n or_o the_o time_n of_o their_o stand_n as_o to_o conversion_n and_o profession_n but_o with_o reference_n to_o their_o proper_a and_o peculiar_a attainment_n whether_o elder_a or_o young_a for_o year_n and_o stand_v indeed_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o measure_v they_o by_o that_o but_o by_o this_o rule_n or_o else_o there_o can_v
that_o he_o love_v we_o first_o verse_n 19_o with_o chap._n 3.24_o the_o scripture_n record_v they_o as_o special_a favourite_n who_o be_v convert_v and_o do_v turn_v to_o god_n when_o they_o be_v young_a god_n remember_v the_o kindness_n of_o israel_n youth_n and_o the_o love_n of_o espousal_n which_o be_v while_o they_o be_v young_a and_o go_v after_o he_o in_o the_o wilderness_n jer._n 2.2_o and_o then_o have_v they_o wonderful_a discovery_n of_o his_o love_n not_o to_o mention_v abel_n joseph_n be_v very_o gracious_a and_o tender-hearted_a for_o he_o can_v not_o bear_v with_o the_o wickedness_n of_o his_o brethren_n even_o then_o when_o he_o be_v but_o seventeen_o year_n old_a gen._n 37.2_o and_o present_o hereupon_o god_n appear_v to_o he_o as_o to_o solomon_n twice_o verse_n 4._o and_o 9_o samuel_n minister_v to_o the_o lord_n while_o yet_o a_o very_a child_n for_o year_n 1_o sam._n 2.18_o and_o 3.1_o to_o he_o do_v the_o lord_n appear_v verse_n 4._o and_o though_o at_o first_o he_o understand_v not_o the_o voice_n and_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n verse_n 7._o yet_o soon_o after_o he_o do_v and_o samuel_n grow_v and_o the_o lord_n be_v with_o he_o verse_n 19_o josiah_n be_v well_o give_v as_o we_o say_v and_o very_o good_a at_o sixteen_o year_n of_o age_n he_o begin_v to_o reign_v at_o eight_o year_n old_a 2_o chron._n 34.1_o and_o in_o the_o eight_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o be_v the_o sixteenth_o of_o his_o age_n while_o he_o be_v yet_o young_a as_o the_o text_n remark_v it_o he_o begin_v to_o seek_v after_o the_o god_n of_o his_o father_n david_n and_o in_o the_o twelve_o year_n when_o twenty_o year_n old_a he_o begin_v to_o purge_v judah_n and_o jerusalem_n verse_n 3_o etc._n etc._n now_o how_o dear_a he_o be_v to_o god_n and_o what_o a_o manifestation_n of_o love_n he_o have_v you_o may_v see_v verse_n 26_o 28._o i_o may_v instance_n in_o many_o more_o as_o david_n moses_n daniel_n the_o three_o young_a man_n in_o daniel_n timothy_n etc._n etc._n but_o this_o shall_v suffice_v to_o have_v show_v that_o god_n do_v usual_o and_o signal_o manifest_v his_o love_n to_o they_o that_o be_v godly_a betimes_o while_o they_o be_v yet_o young_a this_o lay_v a_o great_a obligation_n upon_o and_o give_v great_a encouragement_n to_o person_n to_o come_v in_o betimes_o to_o remember_v etc._n etc._n eccles_n 12.1_o sect_n 3._o a_o continuation_n 2._o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o pick_v out_o such_o to_o show_v his_o fatherly_a love_n to_o as_o have_v lie_v under_o deep_a humiliation_n for_o sin_v against_o god_n though_o it_o have_v not_o be_v of_o long_a continuance_n and_o which_o it_o will_v have_v be_v have_v not_o he_o make_v himself_o know_v as_o their_o father_n i._n e._n love_v of_o they_o when_o the_o prodigal_n come_v to_o this_o that_o he_o be_v pinch_v with_o the_o sense_n of_o have_v sin_v against_o his_o father_n as_o well_o as_o feel_v the_o sad_a effect_n of_o it_o in_o be_v tantum_fw-la non_fw-la almost_o dead_a the_o father_n run_v to_o meet_v he_o and_o fall_v on_o his_o neck_n and_o kiss_v he_o thus_o he_o know_v the_o father_n and_o have_v assurance_n of_o his_o love_n when_o the_o spouse_n have_v undergo_v a_o hard_a winter_n of_o humiliation_n and_o hide_v herself_o in_o the_o cleft_n and_o secret_a place_n as_o be_v ashamed_a to_o lift_v up_o her_o face_n or_o voice_n to_o god_n she_o than_o hear_v the_o joyful_a sound_n rise_v up_o my_o love_n my_o fair_a one_o my_o dove_n and_o come_v away_o cant._n 2.10_o 15._o and_o in_o the_o next_o sixteenth_o verse_n she_o conclude_v as_o one_o that_o have_v assurance_n my_o belove_a be_v i_o and_o i_o be_o he_o it_o be_v say_v of_o manasseh_n though_o he_o have_v be_v desperate_o wicked_a yet_o that_o when_o he_o be_v in_o affliction_n he_o beseech_v the_o lord_n and_o humble_v himself_o great_o before_o the_o god_n of_o his_o father_n 2_o chron._n 33.12_o and_o it_o be_v present_o add_v in_o the_o 13_o verse_n that_o god_n hear_v his_o supplication_n etc._n etc._n then_o and_o then_o manasseh_n know_v that_o the_o lord_n he_o be_v god_n viz._n gracious_a and_o forgive_a sin_n david_n no_o soon_o confess_v his_o sin_n as_o against_o god_n he_o double_v it_o against_o thou_o against_o thou_o psal_n 51.4_o but_o god_n forgive_v he_o and_o tell_v he_o of_o it_o too_o psal_n 32.5_o with_o 2_o sam._n 12.13_o see_v more_o to_o this_o purpose_n in_o isa_n 57.15_o and_o 66.2_o jer._n 31.20_o all_o which_o do_v confirm_v what_o david_n say_v in_o this_o case_n psal_n 51.17_o abroken_a and_o contrite_a heart_n o_o god_n thou_o will_v not_o despise_v which_o be_v a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o diminutive_a expression_n but_o full_a of_o signification_n for_o it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v thou_o will_v cherish_v it_o revive_v it_o and_o make_v it_o glad_a with_o the_o joy_n of_o thy_o salvation_n this_o lay_v a_o great_a obligation_n upon_o person_n what_o to_o be_v and_o give_v they_o great_a encouragement_n when_o they_o be_v though_o they_o be_v great_o and_o deep_o humble_v a_o objection_n oh_o alas_o for_o i_o say_v some_o poor_a soul_n i_o have_v be_v under_o humiliation_n a_o long_a time_n sin_n have_v cost_v i_o dear_a my_o bone_n as_o david_n say_v yea_o and_o my_o heart_n have_v even_o break_v with_o sigh_n and_o groan_n and_o i_o be_o still_o water_v my_o couch_n with_o my_o tear_n yea_o they_o be_v my_o drink_n and_o yet_o i_o can_v obtain_v a_o smile_n not_o a_o good_a word_n nor_o a_o good_a look_n from_o god_n but_o he_o seem_v to_o call_v i_o dog_n and_o cast_v i_o off_o wo_n be_v i_o answer_n but_o poor_a soul_n remember_v 1._o what_o i_o new_o say_v that_o god_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o make_v himself_o know_v as_o a_o father_n to_o thou_o he_o will_v not_o be_v command_v into_o this_o condescension_n nor_o must_v thou_o think_v to_o bribe_v and_o compound_v with_o he_o by_o prayer_n and_o tear_n 2._o remember_v that_o though_o god_n have_v take_v vengeance_n on_o some_o man_n sin_n yet_o he_o have_v forgive_v they_o psal_n 99_o 8._o and_o who_o know_v but_o he_o may_v deal_v so_o with_o thou_o and_o not_o turn_v thou_o into_o hell_n nor_o deal_v with_o thou_o as_o thy_o iniquity_n deserve_v though_o he_o make_v thou_o know_v much_o and_o yet_o much_o more_o sorrow_n and_o smart_n 3._o consider_v that_o perhaps_o thy_o humiliation_n have_v be_v hitherto_o but_o legal_a and_o selfish_a that_o thou_o have_v be_v more_o concern_v that_o god_n be_v displease_v with_o thou_o than_o that_o he_o be_v displease_v by_o thou_o that_o thy_o tear_n have_v be_v more_o for_o the_o shame_n and_o pain_n than_o for_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o sin_n as_o against_o god_n if_o so_o be_v humble_v for_o this_o also_o and_o in_o due_a time_n he_o will_v exalt_v thou_o to_o a_o better_a condition_n or_o save_v thou_o at_o last_o with_o a_o notwithstanding_o 3._o god_n do_v usual_o manifest_v himself_o and_o his_o love_n as_o a_o father_n to_o they_o that_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o and_o be_v great_o in_o love_n with_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n in_o he_o god_n be_v well_o please_v and_o declare_v from_o heaven_n that_o he_o be_v his_o belove_a son_n and_o he_o be_v please_v to_o do_v the_o like_a for_o they_o that_o love_v his_o son_n god_n will_v that_o we_o honour_v the_o son_n as_o we_o do_v the_o father_n joh._n 5.23_o now_o he_o that_o honour_v i_o and_o consequent_o that_o honour_v my_o son_n i_o will_v honour_v say_v the_o lord_n what_o honour_n will_v god_n confer_v upon_o such_o viz._n they_o shall_v be_v call_v not_o only_o be_v but_o be_v call_v manifest_v and_o declare_v to_o be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o behold_v what_o manner_n of_o love_n this_o be_v 1_o joh._n 3.1_o when_o the_o spouse_n be_v sick_a of_o love_n she_o be_v much_o make_v of_o and_o to_o mary_n who_o love_v much_o there_o be_v much_o forgive_v and_o special_a manifestation_n of_o love_n make_v unto_o she_o our_o saviour_n tell_v his_o disciple_n that_o the_o father_n love_v they_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n because_o they_o love_v he_o and_o that_o short_o they_o shall_v have_v clear_a and_o plain_a manifestation_n of_o the_o father_n joh._n 16.25_o 27._o according_a to_o what_o he_o promise_v to_o all_o that_o love_v he_o joh._n 14.21_o 23._o 4._o god_n have_v promise_v to_o be_v know_v as_o a_o father_n to_o they_o that_o do_v separate_v from_o and_o be_v not_o unequal_o yoke_v with_o unbeliever_n and_o that_o do_v not_o touch_v the_o unclean_a thing_n 2_o cor._n 6.14_o 17_o 18._o which_o be_v more_o as_o to_o manifestation_n love_n and_o joy_n than_o to_o be_v know_v to_o we_o as_o our_o god_n