wilful_a wickedness_n the_o crookedness_n and_o roughness_n of_o our_o nature_n be_v soft_a and_o tender_a at_o first_o if_o our_o reason_n have_v begin_v betimes_o to_o make_v it_o straight_o and_o smooth_a it_o have_v be_v do_v with_o ease_n and_o who_o fault_n be_v it_o that_o we_o do_v not_o rise_v and_o fall_v to_o work_n at_o a_o more_o early_a hour_n since_o therefore_o the_o fault_n be_v our_o own_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v and_o grumble_n at_o the_o hardship_n of_o our_o labour_n if_o we_o can_v now_o perform_v our_o work_n without_o the_o sweat_v of_o our_o brow_n and_o ache_a of_o our_o heart_n we_o may_v thank_v our_o own_o presumption_n and_o self-love_n which_o be_v the_o sad_a occasion_n of_o such_o long_a delay_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o have_v patience_n with_o ourselves_o 2._o we_o have_v need_n of_o patience_n not_o only_o to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n but_o also_o to_o suffer_v it_o we_o need_v it_o not_o only_o to_o do_v good_a but_o to_o endure_v whatever_o evil_n he_o shall_v please_v to_o appoint_v we_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o begin_v a_o new_a life_n we_o must_v also_o hate_v the_o old_a one_o and_o be_v willing_a to_o undergo_v the_o just_a punishment_n of_o it_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o effectual_a as_o a_o true_a sense_n of_o our_o gild_n to_o make_v we_o true_o patient_a a_o humble_a penitent_n be_v thorough_o convince_v that_o all_o the_o suffering_n of_o this_o momentary_a life_n be_v nothing_o to_o what_o he_o deserve_v he_o think_v himself_o unworthy_a of_o the_o ground_n he_o go_v upon_o he_o know_v that_o he_o deserve_v to_o have_v it_o open_v under_o he_o and_o swallow_v he_o alive_a he_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o pardon_v but_o reprieve_v and_o therefore_o tremble_v at_o the_o dreadful_a apprehension_n of_o unspeakable_a and_o everlasting_a misery_n which_o he_o still_o fear_n may_v be_v his_o doom_n at_o last_o he_o fear_v not_o they_o who_o kill_v the_o body_n and_o be_v not_o able_a to_o kill_v the_o soul_n but_o from_o these_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n he_o learn_v to_o fear_v he_o only_o who_o be_v able_a to_o destroy_v both_o soul_n and_o body_n in_o hell_n the_o fear_n of_o hell_n sink_v deep_o in_o his_o mind_n as_o deep_a as_o the_o abyss_n itself_o and_o swallow_n up_o all_o other_o little_a fear_n of_o momentary_a pain_n compare_v to_o hell_n they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o least_o drop_n of_o water_n to_o the_o ocean_n nor_o yet_o so_o much_o because_o the_o small_a drop_n have_v still_o some_o small_a proportion_n with_o the_o sea_n whereas_o those_o pain_n have_v less_o proportion_n with_o those_o and_o time_n have_v none_o at_o all_o with_o our_o eternity_n and_o therefore_o a_o humble_a penitent_n whatever_o happen_v to_o he_o he_o submit_v not_o only_o willing_o but_o cheerful_o he_o humble_o kiss_v the_o kind_a hand_n which_o lay_v the_o cross_n upon_o his_o shoulder_n and_o thankful_o acknowledge_v the_o double_a favour_n of_o god_n infinite_a mercy_n who_o be_v please_v not_o only_o to_o exchange_v his_o many_o and_o everlasting_a torment_n for_o a_o few_o transitory_a affliction_n but_o also_o to_o reward_v his_o little_a and_o short_a suffering_n with_o a_o far_o more_o exceed_v and_o eternal_a weight_n of_o glory_n 3._o we_o have_v need_n of_o patience_n not_o only_o to_o suffer_v the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o these_o unusual_a trial_n but_o also_o to_o bear_v one_o another_o burden_n and_o to_o support_v the_o uneasy_a humour_n of_o our_o neighbour_n in_o all_o common_a occasion_n that_o heroic_a patience_n be_v the_o proper_a character_n of_o confessor_n and_o martyr_n this_o belong_v to_o all_o good_a christian_n it_o concern_v we_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o we_o all_o our_o impatience_n proceed_v from_o pride_n and_o selfishness_n which_o make_v we_o love_v our_o honour_n interest_n and_o humour_n better_a than_o god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n when_o we_o be_v contradict_v slight_v or_o despise_v our_o patience_n have_v much_o ado_n to_o keep_v we_o quiet_a our_o blood_n rise_v our_o spirit_n be_v ruffle_v and_o discompose_v our_o thought_n be_v in_o a_o hurry_n to_o lay_v hold_n on_o some_o revenge_n or_o other_o and_o without_o the_o least_o consideration_n catch_v at_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v uppermost_a or_o near_a hand_n be_v this_o the_o natural_a temper_n of_o a_o humble_a mind_n sure_o although_o we_o stand_v in_o our_o own_o light_n we_o be_v not_o so_o much_o in_o the_o dark_a but_o we_o can_v see_v or_o feel_v at_o least_o that_o these_o resentment_n and_o disturbance_n proceed_v from_o pride_n and_o that_o they_o be_v all_o root_v in_o self-love_n we_o love_v our_o honour_n because_o we_o love_v our_o self_n and_o for_o the_o selfsame_a reason_n we_o love_v a_o thousand_o other_o thing_n beside_o our_o honour_n all_o those_o thing_n i_o mean_v which_o fall_v under_o these_o two_o head_n our_o interest_n and_o our_o pleasure_n our_o interest_n be_v liable_a to_o a_o infinity_o of_o various_a accident_n which_o trouble_v our_o temporal_a affair_n our_o pleasure_n be_v the_o object_n of_o as_o many_o inconsistent_a and_o unreasonable_a humour_n and_o every_o little_a gale_n of_o wind_n that_o blow_v cross_a to_o the_o one_o or_o other_o be_v enough_o to_o raise_v a_o storm_n in_o which_o our_o patience_n seldom_o fail_v to_o suffer_v shipwreck_n for_o this_o reason_n whensoever_o i_o see_v a_o choleric_a person_n grow_v patient_n i_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o excellent_a sign_n of_o his_o be_v true_o penitent_a when_o i_o see_v he_o cast_v away_o from_o he_o all_o his_o usual_a motion_n of_o impatience_n i_o easy_o imagine_v that_o he_o have_v make_v to_o himself_o a_o new_a heart_n and_o a_o new_a spirit_n when_o i_o observe_v he_o easie_n and_o cheerful_a not_o withstand_v any_o slight_v or_o provocation_n when_o i_o discover_v a_o calm_a and_o even_a temper_n in_o he_o in_o spite_n of_o any_o cross_n or_o disappointment_n when_o i_o perceive_v he_o as_o ready_a to_o excuse_v or_o overlook_a a_o injury_n as_o he_o be_v before_o to_o aggravate_v it_o or_o revenge_v it_o then_o indeed_o i_o have_v just_a reason_n to_o conclude_v he_o be_v no_o long_o govern_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o this_o world_n but_o that_o he_o be_v renew_v as_o s._n paul_n say_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o patience_n of_o christ_n the_o very_a word_n repentance_n
conceive_v some_o good_a desire_n they_o can_v be_v very_o much_o please_v with_o a_o little_a sensible_a devotion_n for_o the_o present_a but_o when_o these_o pious_a thought_n begin_v to_o sink_v a_o little_a deep_o in_o their_o heart_n and_o to_o contrive_v a_o real_a and_o effectual_a reformation_n of_o their_o life_n when_o the_o seed_n begin_v to_o take_v root_n it_o be_v then_o it_o meet_v with_o great_a and_o unexpected_a resistance_n and_o find_v under_o a_o tender_a surface_n nothing_o but_o the_o hardness_n of_o a_o rock_n their_o worldly_a honour_n their_o estate_n their_o ease_n be_v thing_n which_o must_v not_o upon_o any_o term_n be_v call_v in_o question_n they_o be_v harden_v in_o a_o selfish_n proud_a and_o sullen_a resolution_n of_o never_o part_v with_o they_o and_o till_o the_o time_n of_o trial_n come_v they_o do_v not_o know_v how_o hard_o their_o obstinacy_n be_v when_o all_o go_v prosperous_o on_o and_o danger_n look_v upon_o they_o at_o a_o distance_n almost_o out_o of_o sight_n they_o then_o can_v make_v a_o shift_n in_o a_o kind_a fit_a to_o offer_v all_o these_o thing_n to_o the_o almighty_a and_o address_v his_o infinite_a majesty_n with_o the_o usual_a compliment_n of_o be_v ready_a upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o stand_v by_o he_o with_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o the_o gospel_n assure_v we_o that_o these_o dutiful_a expression_n of_o their_o mind_n have_v no_o root_n in_o their_o heart_n these_o loyalist_n endure_v but_o for_o a_o time_n and_o afterward_o when_o any_o persecution_n or_o affliction_n arise_v they_o find_v in_o time_n of_o temptation_n how_o much_o they_o be_v mistake_v in_o themselves_o immediate_o they_o fall_v away_o iii_o the_o three_o sort_n of_o ground_n receive_v the_o seed_n and_o keep_v it_o it_o keep_v it_o warm_a and_o deep_a and_o help_v it_o to_o take_v root_n but_o because_o the_o thorn_n take_v deep_a root_n spread_v far_o and_o rise_v high_o therefore_o the_o seed_n be_v choke_v and_o bring_v no_o fruit._n these_o thorn_n according_a to_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o care_n of_o this_o life_n as_o for_o the_o life_n to_o come_v we_o can_v be_v too_o careful_a of_o it_o we_o can_v love_v god_n too_o much_o we_o can_v have_v too_o great_a a_o passion_n for_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n but_o as_o for_o this_o poor_a earth_n this_o dirt_n which_o only_a foul_n and_o clog_n our_o foot_n this_o clay_n in_o which_o we_o often_o stick_v so_o fast_o alas_o this_o miserable_a world_n have_v nothing_o in_o it_o that_o deserve_v our_o care_n except_o it_o be_v get_v well_o out_o of_o it_o and_o make_v it_o a_o safe_a passage_n to_o a_o better_a whatever_o may_v be_v useful_a to_o this_o end_n we_o may_v be_v careful_a of_o it_o but_o as_o for_o any_o thing_n else_o belong_v to_o this_o wretched_a life_n the_o gospel_n give_v we_o warning_n to_o avoid_v the_o danger_n of_o such_o needless_a and_o pernicious_a care_n which_o hinder_v the_o word_n of_o god_n from_o be_v fruitful_a in_o our_o heart_n the_o danger_n be_v the_o great_a because_o these_o care_n be_v of_o a_o early_a growth_n the_o root_n of_o they_o come_v into_o the_o world_n with_o we_o they_o take_v possession_n of_o our_o heart_n for_o several_a year_n before_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n have_v prepare_v we_o for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o read_v that_o the_o seed_n fall_v among_o thorn_n which_o plain_o suppose_v that_o the_o thorn_n be_v first_o possessor_n of_o the_o ground_n but_o yet_o if_o they_o have_v be_v extirpate_v before_o the_o seed_n be_v sow_o it_o may_v have_v spring_v up_o safe_o by_o itself_o there_o will_v have_v be_v no_o thorn_n to_o spring_v up_o with_o it_o and_o choke_v it_o the_o thorn_n have_v great_a advantage_n over_o the_o seed_n not_o only_o their_o growth_n be_v early_o but_o quick_a and_o more_o natural_a the_o corruption_n of_o our_o heart_n be_v like_o the_o rankness_n of_o a_o soil_n to_o which_o they_o easy_o take_v and_o where_o they_o thrive_v at_o a_o strange_a rate_n there_o need_v no_o plant_n water_v or_o take_v any_o care_n of_o they_o it_o be_v but_o let_v they_o alone_o they_o grow_v apace_o and_o spring_v up_o of_o themselves_o but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o piety_n and_o virtue_n there_o must_v be_v sow_v plant_v cultivate_v no_o pain_n must_v be_v spare_v to_o keep_v they_o in_o good_a order_n and_o all_o that_o we_o can_v do_v be_v little_a enough_o to_o make_v they_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n although_o there_o be_v no_o thorn_n to_o hinder_v they_o i_o tremble_v when_o i_o think_v how_o sad_o true_a this_o be_v experience_n teach_v it_o the_o gospel_n itself_o confirm_v it_o and_o our_o conscience_n can_v deny_v it_o we_o daily_o see_v how_o careful_a most_o man_n be_v of_o this_o world_n and_o how_o careless_a of_o the_o next_o they_o lay_v up_o riches_n and_o provide_v for_o pleasure_n these_o be_v their_o principal_a care_n which_o our_o saviour_n mention_n in_o the_o gospel_n they_o be_v very_o high_o concern_v for_o live_v long_o with_o all_o their_o plenty_n and_o their_o ease_n about_o they_o but_o as_o for_o live_v well_o and_o lay_v in_o provision_n for_o a_o happy_a eternity_n they_o entertain_v these_o thought_n with_o coldness_n and_o indifference_n the_o least_o prospect_n of_o danger_n attend_v their_o worldly_a riches_n or_o their_o pleasure_n be_v enough_o to_o break_v their_o sleep_n the_o very_a apprehension_n of_o a_o momentary_a poverty_n or_o misery_n though_o at_o a_o distance_n be_v enough_o to_o put_v their_o mind_n upon_o the_o rack_n and_o torture_v the_o very_a soul_n of_o they_o but_o as_o for_o eternal_a riches_n and_o heavenly_a pleasure_n though_o these_o be_v perhaps_o in_o great_a danger_n they_o can_v sleep_v secure_o all_o the_o cruel_a poverty_n and_o everlasting_a misery_n of_o hell_n itself_o though_o they_o be_v loud_o threaten_v with_o its_o being_n near_o than_o they_o be_v aware_a of_o all_o this_o will_v not_o rouse_v they_o and_o awake_v they_o into_o a_o true_a sense_n of_o their_o duty_n so_o stupid_a and_o insensible_a our_o nature_n be_v in_o all_o thing_n which_o regard_v the_o other_o world_n and_o yet_o so_o vigorous_a so_o active_a and_o so_o busy_a in_o the_o care_n of_o this_o the_o consequence_n be_v natural_a and_o plain_a there_o be_v no_o excuse_n can_v be_v admit_v in_o the_o case_n we_o must_v consider_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n the_o danger_n and_o on_o the_o other_o the_o folly_n of_o these_o worldly_a care_n we_o must_v go_v to_o work_v with_o both_o our_o hand_n and_o labour_n with_o all_o our_o strength_n to_o pull_v they_o up_o by_o the_o root_n without_o this_o all_o our_o other_o labour_n be_v in_o vain_a we_o may_v confess_v our_o sin_n we_o may_v be_v sorry_a for_o they_o we_o may_v purpose_v to_o amend_v but_o all_o these_o pious_a endeavour_n will_v be_v fruitless_a and_o without_o effect_n we_o shall_v immediate_o relapse_n again_o our_o sorrow_n and_o our_o purpose_n will_v never_o be_v victorious_a whilst_o our_o worldly_a care_n be_v strong_a and_o more_o prevalent_a we_o must_v therefore_o lay_v this_o matter_n serious_o to_o heart_n eternity_n depend_v upon_o it_o the_o more_o we_o consider_v it_o the_o more_o we_o shall_v be_v sensible_a of_o the_o importance_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o common_a thing_n to_o meet_v with_o people_n who_o wonder_v strange_o at_o their_o own_o frailty_n and_o can_v without_o horror_n and_o amazement_n reflect_v how_o long_o they_o have_v continue_v in_o a_o sinful_a course_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o pain_n which_o they_o have_v often_o take_v to_o amend_v their_o life_n but_o yet_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v never_o wonder_v that_o people_n lose_v their_o labour_n when_o they_o go_v the_o wrong_a way_n to_o work_v if_o they_o will_v not_o take_v advice_n when_o god_n himself_o be_v please_v to_o give_v it_o they_o i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o help_v it_o he_o tell_v they_o plain_o that_o whilst_o they_o sow_v among_o thorn_n the_o seed_n will_v never_o bring_v forth_o fruit._n and_o this_o be_v a_o fair_a warn_v to_o they_o to_o begin_v the_o amendment_n of_o their_o life_n by_o labour_v all_o they_o can_v to_o root_v out_o all_o these_o thorn_n all_o worldly_a passion_n and_o affection_n whatsoever_o from_o whence_o those_o care_n arise_v which_o choke_v the_o seed_n obstruct_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o hinder_v it_o from_o be_v fruitful_a in_o their_o heart_n i_o do_v not_o descend_v to_o particular_n because_o the_o case_n be_v general_a and_o without_o the_o least_o exception_n no_o love_n of_o any_o creature_n whatsoever_o must_v ever_o dare_v to_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o the_o love_n of_o our_o creator_n all_o other_o love_n must_v be_v resign_v and_o moderate_a submissive_a to_o god_n
give_v we_o the_o mastery_n we_o strive_v for_o but_o never-gives_a it_o without_o our_o strive_v for_o it_o this_o grace_n be_v never_o grant_v to_o the_o lazy_a and_o idle_a prayer_n of_o a_o careless_a sinner_n nor_o ever_o deny_v to_o the_o faithful_a and_o vigorous_a endeavour_n of_o a_o humble_a penitent_n a_o penitent_n who_o labour_v all_o he_o can_v to_o humble_v himself_o and_o lay_v aside_o all_o censure_v of_o his_o neighbour_n that_o he_o may_v the_o more_o effectual_o call_v home_o his_o serious_a thought_n to_o censure_n and_o correct_v himself_o who_o spare_v no_o pain_n to_o do_v or_o suffer_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v requisite_a or_o useful_a to_o reform_v his_o life_n who_o frequent_o and_o serious_o reflect_v upon_o the_o vanity_n and_o emptiness_n of_o all_o worldly_a enjoyment_n the_o folly_n and_o mischief_n of_o dote_v upon_o they_o the_o great_a advantage_n and_o pleasure_n of_o despise_v they_o and_o be_v thus_o deliver_v from_o the_o tyranny_n and_o slavery_n of_o all_o his_o arbitrary_a restless_a and_o insatiable_a passion_n a_o penitent_a who_o use_v all_o his_o art_n and_o industry_n to_o set_v his_o heart_n at_o liberty_n and_o never_o leave_v off_o cuarrel_v with_o this_o unconstant_a silly_a miserable_a world_n till_o he_o be_v quite_o fall_v out_o with_o it_o and_o hate_v the_o very_a thought_n of_o be_v reconcile_v a_o penitent_a i_o say_v who_o will_v not_o endure_v to_o hear_v of_o any_o treaty_n with_o his_o enemy_n the_o world_n the_o flesh_n and_o the_o devil_n but_o know_v well_o their_o treachery_n do_v whatsoever_o he_o can_v 1._o to_o avoid_v all_o those_o occasion_n in_o which_o they_o seek_v to_o surprise_v he_o 2._o to_o cut_v off_o all_o provision_n and_o succour_n which_o may_v feed_v and_o reinforce_v they_o 3._o to_o watch_v their_o motion_n with_o such_o care_n that_o not_o a_o single_a thought_n imagination_n or_o delight_n can_v ever_o advance_v one_o step_n beyond_o the_o line_n of_o their_o duty_n without_o be_v present_o observe_v and_o vigorous_o repulse_v such_o a_o penitent_a as_o this_o will_v certain_o succeed_v and_o gain_v the_o grace_n he_o strive_v for_o it_o be_v true_a the_o endeavour_n of_o a_o penitent_n who_o have_v be_v long_o a_o sinner_n be_v as_o weak_a as_o water_n but_o nevertheless_o if_o to_o the_o utmost_a of_o his_o power_n he_o struggle_v with_o himself_o to_o do_v all_o those_o thing_n whatsoever_o jesus_n say_v unto_o he_o he_o will_v soon_o by_o joyful_a experience_n find_v the_o weakness_n of_o his_o water_n change_v into_o the_o strength_n of_o wine_n let_v he_o but_o fill_v up_o his_o best_a endeavour_n to_o the_o brim_n of_o his_o capacity_n this_o he_o can_v always_o do_v and_o god_n require_v no_o more_o let_v he_o do_v but_o this_o and_o he_o will_v soon_o be_v convince_v that_o miracle_n be_v not_o cease_v the_o world_n indeed_o may_v wonder_v at_o his_o change_n of_o life_n and_o so_o do_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o feast_n when_o he_o taste_v the_o water_n that_o be_v make_v wine_n he_o wonder_v because_o he_o know_v not_o whence_o it_o be_v but_o the_o servant_n which_o draw_v the_o water_n know_v and_o all_o god_n servant_n who_o have_v be_v sinner_n heretofore_o know_v very_o well_o from_o whence_o their_o change_n proceed_v they_o know_v it_o be_v from_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o the_o high_a who_o will_v not_o let_v we_o lose_v the_o every_o least_o part_n of_o our_o labour_n but_o for_o little_a drop_n of_o water_n give_v we_o in_o exchange_n a_o equal_a share_n of_o wine_n and_o and_o in_o requital_n of_o our_o weak_a but_o constant_a and_o sincere_a endeavour_n never_o fail_v to_o assist_v our_o victory_n with_o a_o proportionable_a grace_n and_o crown_v it_o with_o eternal_a glory_n amen_n discourse_n vii_o of_o true_a repentance_n in_o the_o fifteen_o year_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n caesar_n pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n and_o herod_n be_v tetrarch_n of_o galilee_n and_o his_o brother_n philip_n tetrarch_n of_o iturea_n and_o of_o the_o reign_n of_o trachonitis_n and_o lysanias_n the_o tetrarch_n of_o abilene_n annas_n and_o caiphas_n be_v the_o high_a priest_n the_o word_n of_o god_n come_v unto_o john_n the_o son_n of_o zacharias_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o he_o come_v into_o all_o the_o country_n about_o jordan_n preach_v the_o baptism_n of_o repentance_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n as_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o word_n of_o isaias_n the_o prophet_n a_o voice_n of_o one_o cry_v in_o the_o wilderness_n prepare_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n make_v his_o path_n straight_o every_o valley_n shall_v be_v fill_v and_o every_o mountain_n and_o hill_n shall_v be_v bring_v low_a and_o the_o crooked_a way_n shall_v be_v make_v straight_o and_o the_o rough_a one_o shall_v be_v make_v smooth_a and_o all_o flesh_n shall_v see_v the_o salvation_n of_o god_n luke_n 3._o v._n 1_o to_o 7._o we_o be_v all_o sinner_n we_o be_v therefore_o all_o of_o we_o high_o concern_v in_o the_o subject_a of_o this_o gospel_n there_o be_v no_o salvation_n to_o be_v have_v without_o remission_n of_o sin_n and_o no_o remission_n to_o hope_v for_o without_o true_a repentance_n for_o this_o reason_n john_n the_o baptist_n be_v call_v by_o god_n himself_o and_o send_v to_o preach_v it_o the_o word_n of_o god_n come_v to_o he_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o he_o immediate_o obey_v he_o come_v into_o all_o the_o country_n about_o jordan_n preach_v repentance_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n the_o evangelist_n not_o only_o tell_v we_o the_o design_n and_o the_o authority_n but_o also_o the_o time_n of_o his_o mission_n and_o seem_v by_o mark_v the_o many_o circumstance_n of_o it_o to_o be_v more_o careful_a in_o date_v the_o come_n of_o s._n john_n than_o of_o our_o lord_n himself_o because_o unless_o by_o true_a repentance_n we_o prepare_v the_o way_n his_o come_n will_v be_v no_o advantage_n to_o we_o but_o only_o rise_v in_o judgement_n against_o we_o to_o prepare_v the_o way_n of_o our_o lord_n three_o thing_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v do_v we_o must_v make_v it_o level_v straight_n and_o smooth_a and_o here_o i_o will_v not_o dispute_v what_o difference_n there_o be_v betwixt_o repentance_n and_o do_v penance_n because_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o evangelist_n the_o prophet_n isaiah_n and_o the_o voice_n of_o one_o cry_v in_o the_o wilderness_n if_o i_o say_v we_o believe_v the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o who_o they_o be_v all_o inspire_a we_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o repentance_n if_o true_a and_o sincere_a have_v a_o great_a deal_n to_o do_v the_o do_v of_o which_o be_v very_o difficult_a and_o mortify_a and_o therefore_o very_a well_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o do_v penance_n 1._o every_o mountain_n must_v be_v bring_v low._n 2._o every_o crooked_a way_n must_v be_v make_v straight_o 3._o every_o rough_a way_n must_v be_v make_v smooth_a i._o every_o mountain_n must_v be_v bring_v low_a and_o therefore_o our_o proud_a presumption_n must_v be_v humble_v we_o must_v neither_o be_v so_o proud_a of_o our_o own_o natural_a strength_n as_o to_o think_v we_o be_v able_a to_o save_v our_o soul_n without_o god_n help_v we_o neither_o must_v we_o presume_v so_o much_o upon_o god_n goodness_n as_o to_o expect_v that_o he_o shall_v save_v we_o without_o our_o help_a ourselves_o there_o be_v some_o people_n in_o the_o world_n who_o have_v so_o great_a a_o opinion_n of_o their_o natural_a strength_n as_o to_o imagine_v they_o can_v take_v heaven_n by_o their_o own_o force_n and_o storm_v it_o when_o they_o please_v and_o therefore_o they_o do_v not_o apprehend_v the_o danger_n of_o continue_v in_o a_o sinful_a course_n of_o life_n they_o know_v very_o well_o that_o a_o custom_n of_o sin_v superinduces_a a_o second_o nature_n almost_o as_o hard_o to_o be_v expel_v as_o the_o first_o they_o be_v sensible_a that_o the_o far_o they_o proceed_v in_o any_o vicious_a practice_n the_o more_o they_o be_v confirm_v and_o settle_v in_o it_o they_o feel_v the_o miserable_a chain_n of_o their_o wickedness_n and_o the_o sad_a slavery_n of_o sin_n to_o which_o they_o tame_o submit_v and_o have_v not_o the_o heart_n to_o make_v any_o resolute_a attompt_n for_o their_o liberty_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o they_o still_o suppose_v they_o be_v their_o own_o master_n they_o fancy_v that_o their_o weakness_n be_v rather_o want_v of_o will_n than_o power_n they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o a_o high_a and_o mighty_a resolution_n have_v a_o invincible_a force_n and_o that_o therefore_o they_o be_v able_a to_o rescue_v themselves_o from_o sin_n and_o the_o devil_n whensoever_o they_o please_v this_o be_v the_o pride_n of_o all_o those_o heathen_a philosopher_n who_o place_v the_o happiness_n of_o a_o wise_a man_n in_o be_v self-sufficient_a