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precious_a promise_v the_o portion_n of_o overcomer_n by_o john_n lougher_n minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n vincenti_fw-la dabitur_fw-la london_n print_v by_o a._n maxwell_n and_o r._n roberts_n for_o edw._n giles_n bookseller_n in_o norwich_n 1681._o to_o my_o honour_a and_o worthy_a friend_n and_o brethren_n in_o and_o about_o southrepps_n and_o alby_n in_o norfolk_n grace_n and_o peace_n be_v multiply_v through_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n dear_a friend_n and_o brethren_n under_o christ_n who_o i_o desire_v chief_o to_o be_v and_o who_o i_o will_v first_o serve_v you_o be_v near_a to_o i_o in_o spiritual_a relation_n and_o dear_a in_o christian_a affection_n have_v upon_o your_o call_n and_o invitation_n thereunto_o give_v myself_o to_o the_o service_n of_o your_o soul_n and_o though_o through_o much_o infirmity_n i_o have_v preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o you_o be_v the_o most_o unworthy_a of_o they_o who_o minister_n in_o 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study_n to_o be_v so_o indeed_o viz._n a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a one_o faithful_a to_o god_n and_o with_o the_o saint_n be_v not_o like_o ephesus_n decline_v in_o your_o love_n and_o first_o work_n or_o if_o you_o be_v abate_v therein_o remember_v whence_o you_o be_v fall_v and_o labour_n to_o recover_v be_v not_o like_o pergamos_n and_o thyatira_n seduce_v by_o erroneous_a principle_n or_o debauch_v by_o evil_a practice_n above_o all_o be_v not_o like_a laodicea_n self-conceited_a and_o proud_a of_o your_o attainment_n and_o enjoyment_n or_o lukewarm_a in_o the_o great_a thing_n of_o salvation_n for_o such_o be_v loathsome_a to_o the_o heart_n and_o spirit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o be_v you_o a_o sweet-smelling_a smyrna_n let_v the_o savour_n of_o christ_n good_a ointment_n be_v manifest_v in_o all_o your_o word_n and_o way_n and_o show_v yourselves_o philadelphians_n of_o humble_a meek_a love_a disposition_n towards_o one_o another_o unto_o all_o the_o saint_n yea_o 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and_o your_o acceptance_n of_o this_o small_a testimony_n of_o my_o respect_n to_o you_o by_o which_o i_o may_v speak_v to_o you_o when_o i_o shall_v go_v from_o hence_o and_o be_v see_v no_o more_o i_o be_o march_n 26._o 1681._o your_o weak_a but_o willing_a servant_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o gospel_n john_n lougher_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o reader_n christian_n reader_n the_o end_n of_o my_o prefix_v these_o few_o line_n to_o the_o follow_a sermon_n be_v not_o because_o i_o think_v they_o need_v any_o commendation_n or_o attestation_n from_o i_o or_o that_o any_o thing_n i_o can_v say_v of_o they_o will_v render_v they_o at_o all_o the_o more_o acceptable_a to_o any_o one_o into_o who_o hand_n they_o may_v come_v for_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o will_v approve_v themselves_o to_o every_o judicious_a intelligent_a and_o spiritual_o mind_a reader_n but_o only_a to_o answer_v the_o desire_n of_o my_o dear_a and_o worthy_a friend_n the_o author_n of_o they_o as_o to_o this_o 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in_o those_o choice_n and_o precious_a promise_n whereof_o he_o treat_v as_o to_o the_o subject_a matter_n contain_v in_o these_o promise_n here_o discourse_v i_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o some_o of_o the_o most_o necessary_a and_o substantial_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o what_o indeed_o can_v be_v more_o necessary_a profitable_a and_o useful_a to_o christian_n than_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o most_o precious_a and_o glorious_a promise_n thereof_o those_o exceed_o great_a and_o precious_a promise_n as_o the_o apostle_n peter_n call_v they_o 2_o pet._n 1.4_o which_o be_v as_o so_o many_o breast_n full_a of_o sweetness_n and_o consolation_n to_o all_o the_o heir_n of_o they_o the_o new_a covenant_n to_o which_o all_o the_o promise_v relate_v and_o in_o which_o they_o be_v all_o contain_v call_v therefore_o the_o covenant_n of_o promise_n ephes_n 2.12_o and_o which_o
ready_a to_o march_v at_o the_o beat_v of_o the_o drum_n or_o sound_v of_o the_o trumpet_n but_o when_o in_o the_o field_n he_o must_v whole_o attend_v the_o war_n we_o may_v use_v the_o world_n but_o as_o if_o we_o use_v it_o not_o in_o our_o employment_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o it_o and_o in_o it_o we_o must_v be_v abstract_v from_o it_o or_o we_o shall_v never_o come_v off_o well_o in_o the_o day_n of_o battle_n if_o we_o be_v entangle_v and_o ensnare_v by_o it_o in_o our_o affection_n and_o not_o in_o a_o constant_a readiness_n at_o the_o call_n of_o god_n to_o engage_v the_o enemy_n we_o shall_v come_v of_o with_o dishonour_n and_o damage_n dishonour_n to_o he_o that_o call_v we_o to_o fight_v and_o damage_n to_o our_o own_o soul_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n to_o encourage_v christian_n to_o look_v about_o they_o and_o quit_v themselves_o like_o man_n and_o be_v strong_a as_o 1._o the_o paucity_n of_o those_o who_o conquer_v to_o he_o that_o overcome_v say_v the_o text_n not_o to_o they_o but_o to_o he_o to_o note_v they_o be_v but_o few_o christ_n prophesy_v that_o many_o will_v be_v offend_v matth._n 24.9_o 10._o the_o love_n of_o many_o shall_v wax_v cold_a and_o it_o be_v but_o a_o he_o that_o endure_v to_o the_o end_n oh_o how_o great_a a_o mercy_n will_v it_o he_o to_o be_v find_v in_o that_o remnant_n david_n have_v many_o soldier_n few_o worthy_n many_o make_v a_o scuffle_n and_o seem_v to_o fight_v few_o be_v in_o good_a earnest_n and_o fight_v valiant_o 2._o there_o be_v some_o advantage_n believer_n have_v which_o if_o well_o improve_v may_v give_v they_o the_o upper_a hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n 1._o they_o have_v the_o armour_n of_o god_n that_o belong_v to_o every_o christian_a when_o david_n be_v to_o fight_v against_o goliath_n 1_o sam._n 17.38_o 39_o he_o be_v present_v with_o the_o best_a armour_n even_o by_o the_o king_n himself_o which_o be_v no_o small_a encouragement_n believer_n be_v present_v with_o a_o whole_a coat_n of_o excellent_a armour_n every_o piece_n of_o it_o be_v armour_n of_o proof_n and_o this_o by_o the_o king_n of_o king_n saul_n armour_n be_v too_o heavy_a for_o david_n he_o attempt_v to_o go_v in_o it_o but_o can_v not_o god_n have_v make_v every_o piece_n of_o the_o spiritual_a armour_n fit_a and_o suitable_a to_o every_o true_a believer_n 2._o they_o have_v christ_n for_o their_o standard-bearer_n who_o heart_n faint_v not_o nor_o melt_v away_o as_o the_o prophet_n esay_n mention_n esay_n 10.18_o the_o standard-bearer_n faint_v when_o he_o see_v the_o army_n rout_v he_o cast_v away_o his_o colour_n and_o flecth_v so_o do_v not_o christ_n hence_o that_o of_o st._n paul_n gal._n 6.14_o god_n forbid_v i_o shall_v glory_v in_o any_o thing_n save_v in_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n viz._n in_o the_o death_n and_o suffering_n of_o christ_n i_o will_v not_o leave_v my_o colour_n i_o find_v the_o world_n and_o my_o worldly_a affection_n dead_a and_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o have_v complete_a victory_n in_o due_a time_n 3._o they_o have_v the_o ministry_n of_o angel_n and_o the_o special_a conduct_n of_o god_n with_o they_o all_o thing_n come_v alike_o to_o all_o in_o the_o court_n of_o nature_n but_o thing_n come_v in_o special_a to_o some_o in_o the_o court_n of_o grace_n they_o have_v more_o for_o they_o than_o against_o they_o 2_o king_n 6.16.17_o which_o if_o their_o eye_n be_v open_a they_o may_v see_v and_o if_o god_n be_v for_o they_o who_o can_v be_v against_o they_o rom._n 8.31_o the_o success_n must_v needs_o be_v on_o their_o side_n because_o have_v such_o a_o conduct_n they_o can_v march_v on_o prevent_v and_o avoid_v the_o stratagem_n of_o the_o enemy_n the_o apostle_n paul_n take_v it_o for_o a_o singular_a privilege_n 1_o cor._n 9.26_o 27._o that_o he_o can_v so_o run_v and_o so_o fight_v as_o to_o obtain_v and_o keep_v under_o his_o enemy_n and_o not_o be_v a_o castaway_n yea_o by_o this_o they_o do_v not_o only_o spy_v out_o the_o drift_n of_o the_o enemy_n but_o can_v fetch_v in_o recruit_v and_o fresh_a auxiliary_n in_o time_n of_o need_n heb._n 4.16_o when_o their_o own_o strength_n fail_v god_n give_v in_o assist_v grace_n fresh_a anointing_n surmount_v the_o grace_n they_o have_v before_o as_o he_o see_v the_o matter_n require_v david_n can_v encourage_v himself_o in_o the_o lord_n his_o god_n hence_o can_v say_v psal_n 18.1_o i_o will_v love_v thou_o o_o lord_n my_o strength_n and_o he_o have_v good_a reason_n 1_o sam._n 30.6_o 7._o for_o when_o the_o amalekite_n have_v carry_v away_o all_o god_n strengthen_v he_o to_o pursue_v after_o they_o and_o to_o recover_v all_o again_o yea_o more_o they_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o undergo_a thing_n patient_o and_o quiet_o when_o the_o lord_n make_v they_o poor_a they_o make_v many_o rich_a when_o correct_v yet_o not_o kill_v always_o bear_v about_o they_o the_o die_a of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n sick_a and_o yet_o quiet_a poor_a and_o yet_o quiet_a prosecute_v and_o buffet_v yet_o quiet_a in_o a_o word_n they_o have_v that_o interest_n above_o and_o influence_n from_o above_o that_o they_o can_v set_v themselves_o against_o the_o world_n and_o do_v more_o by_o faith_n and_o prayer_n than_o other_o can_v do_v by_o wit_n and_o policy_n for_o they_o can_v lead_v captivity_n captive_a and_o by_o their_o spiritual_a strength_n tread_v down_o strength_n i_o mean_v in_o a_o spiritual_a sense_n for_o christian_n shall_v be_v peaceable_a subject_n to_o their_o king_n and_o peaceable_a neighbour_n with_o their_o neighbour_n but_o to_o war_n against_o spiritual_a enemy_n here_o they_o can_v say_v 1_o cor._n 15._o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n who_o give_v we_o the_o victory_n i_o have_v fight_v with_o beast_n at_o ephesus_n say_v the_o apostle_n paul_n a_o great_a victory_n whether_o you_o understand_v it_o as_o some_o do_v of_o savage_a beastly_a man_n or_o literal_o as_o other_o they_o say_v he_o be_v condemn_v by_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o heathen_a to_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o wild_a beast_n to_o be_v devour_v by_o they_o unless_o he_o be_v able_a to_o rescue_v himself_o which_o he_o do_v he_o live_v and_o act_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o love_v he_o and_o give_v himself_o for_o he_o so_o that_o he_o have_v victory_n over_o the_o world_n and_o can_v say_v o_o my_o worldly_a enemy_n where_o be_v your_o venom_n your_o gall_n where_o be_v now_o your_o enmity_n your_o victory_n to_o conclude_v believer_n have_v many_o excellent_a promise_n to_o encourage_v they_o to_o fight_v and_o overcome_v seven_o in_o this_o and_o the_o next_o chapter_n of_o which_o the_o text_n be_v the_o first_o o_o let_v we_o fear_v lest_o we_o shall_v so_o much_o as_o seem_v to_o fall_v short_a of_o they_o heb._n 4.1_o meditate_v much_o upon_o this_o in_o the_o text_n it_o be_v sweet_a in_o the_o very_a read_n of_o it_o how_o pleasant_a will_v it_o then_o be_v in_o its_o accomplishment_n i_o end_v with_o that_o parallel_n scripture_n rev._n 22.14_o bless_a be_v they_o that_o do_v his_o commandment_n that_o they_o may_v have_v right_a to_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n and_o may_v enter_v in_o through_o the_o gate_n into_o the_o city_n sermon_n ii_o rev._n ii_o 11._o he_o that_o overcome_v shall_v not_o be_v hurt_v of_o the_o second_o death_n these_o word_n be_v the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n and_o so_o the_o eight_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n show_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n write_v etc._n etc._n some_o say_v this_o church_n be_v more_o faulty_a than_o the_o former_a but_o christ_n cover_v and_o conceal_v they_o lest_o the_o sight_n of_o her_o former_a sin_n and_o the_o apprehension_n of_o her_o future_a suffering_n both_o at_o once_o shall_v too_o much_o discourage_v she_o other_o think_v that_o she_o be_v though_o the_o poor_a yet_o the_o pure_a of_o all_o the_o church_n i_o know_v thy_o poverty_n say_v christ_n to_o she_o but_o thou_o be_v rich_a verse_n 9_o poor_a in_o temporal_n but_o rich_a in_o spiritual_a outward_a poverty_n join_v with_o inward_a purity_n discommend_v none_o to_o christ_n her_o name_n be_v answerable_a to_o her_o nature_n i_o mean_v her_o new_a nature_n smyrna_n signify_v a_o sweet_a smell_n and_o her_o grace_n be_v like_o beat_a spice_n very_o fragrant_a and_o odoriferous_a they_o cast_v a_o sweet_a savour_n even_o throughout_o all_o the_o church_n it_o seem_v a_o terrible_a storm_n of_o persecution_n be_v ready_a to_o come_v down_o upon_o they_o wherein_o some_o of_o they_o may_v be_v call_v to_o resist_v not_o unto_o bond_n only_a and_o imprisonment_n but_o even_o unto_o blood_n and_o martyrdom_n for_o he_o tell_v they_o the_o devil_n that_o be_v wicked_a man_n who_o