heaven_n for_o the_o plant_n and_o govern_v of_o his_o church_n upon_o earth_n the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n as_o he_o express_v himself_o v_o 12._o say_v all_o be_v to_o this_o end_n that_o speak_v the_o truth_n in_o love_n we_o may_v grow_v up_o into_o he_o in_o all_o thing_n increase_n in_o or_o unto_o he_o which_o be_v the_o head_n even_o christ._n from_o who_o the_o whole_a body_n fit_o join_v together_o and_o compact_a by_o that_o which_o every_o joint_n supply_v according_a to_o the_o effectual_a work_n in_o the_o measure_n of_o every_o part_n make_v increase_v of_o the_o body_n unto_o the_o edify_n of_o itself_o in_o love_n now_o if_o this_o be_v the_o great_a end_n for_o which_o christ_n furnish_v man_n with_o gift_n for_o the_o preach_a of_o his_o gospel_n to_o all_o nation_n that_o by_o embrace_v that_o one_o truth_n preach_v they_o may_v become_v one_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o continue_v unite_v in_o love_n as_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n 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all_o of_o we_o willing_o grant_v it_o to_o be_v so_o yea_o and_o all_o of_o we_o will_v be_v glad_a to_o see_v it_o but_o then_o it_o must_v be_v upon_o those_o term_n only_o as_o it_o can_v never_o be_v hope_v for_o like_o two_o army_n in_o the_o field_n ready_a to_o join_v battle_n both_o be_v very_o willing_a to_o hear_v of_o peace_n and_o will_v be_v content_a not_o to_o hazard_v their_o life_n in_o the_o fight_n but_o each_o will_v have_v peace_n on_o its_o own_o term_n only_o and_o neither_o will_v abate_v a_o ace_n of_o its_o own_o demand_n and_o so_o still_o they_o be_v agree_v in_o nothing_o but_o in_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o desire_v that_o which_o can_v be_v all_o the_o difficulty_n therefore_o be_v to_o find_v out_o a_o expedient_a whereby_o all_o party_n may_v agree_v not_o only_o in_o a_o general_a desire_n of_o unity_n but_o also_o in_o the_o likely_a mean_n or_o effect_v it_o and_o true_o this_o will_v be_v no_o very_o hard_a matter_n to_o bring_v about_o be_v we_o 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establishment_n of_o so_o excellent_a and_o desirable_a a_o blessing_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n and_o unanimity_n among_o christian_n something_o there_o be_v which_o must_v be_v lay_v aside_o as_o that_o which_o certain_o obstruct_v and_o frustrate_v all_o peaceable_a attempt_n and_o something_o there_o be_v which_o must_v be_v learn_v and_o practise_v which_o will_v main_o promote_v this_o glorious_a design_n but_o man_n be_v not_o so_o ready_a to_o do_v either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o as_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n oblige_v they_o to_o be_v what_o these_o thing_n be_v we_o read_v in_o the_o text._n let_v nothing_o be_v do_v through_o strife_n or_o vainglory_n but_o in_o lowliness_n of_o mind_n let_v each_o esteem_v other_o better_a than_o themselves_o here_o we_o have_v the_o best_a expedient_a in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o maintain_v both_o of_o unity_n in_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n and_o of_o unanimity_n in_o love_n and_o affection_n and_o of_o uniformity_n of_o practice_n and_o behaviour_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o both_o kingdom_n and_o church_n o_o that_o all_o they_o who_o profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v desirous_a of_o the_o happiness_n and_o prosperity_n of_o both_o as_o certain_o all_o good_a christian_n be_v will_v begin_v to_o account_v it_o their_o great_a wisdom_n to_o learn_v with_o christian_a politic_n of_o such_o as_o st._n paul_n man_n endue_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n which_o have_v this_o double_a commendation_n that_o it_o be_v first_o pure_a and_o then_o peaceable_a jam._n 3._o 17._o and_o will_v lay_v aside_o that_o other_o kind_n of_o wisdom_n which_o they_o have_v too_o long_o admire_v and_o be_v in_o love_n with_o which_o be_v earthly_a sensual_a and_o devilish_a where_o by_o envy_v and_o strife_n fill_v the_o world_n with_o confusion_n and_o every_o evil_a work_n v_o 15_o 16._o how_o soon_o will_v the_o world_n look_v with_o another_o face_n how_o soon_o shall_v we_o see_v that_o happy_o effect_v to_o the_o unspeakable_a joy_n and_o glory_n of_o christendom_n which_o have_v so_o long_o miserable_o baffle_v all_o the_o great_a wit_n of_o the_o world_n the_o rule_n here_o give_v we_o to_o this_o end_n by_o the_o apostle_n be_v two_o 1._o the_o former_a show_v we_o what_o we_o must_v remove_v out_o of_o the_o way_n that_o peace_n and_o love_n may_v enter_v and_o take_v possession_n in_o these_o word_n let_v nothing_o be_v do_v through_o strife_n and_o vainglory_n 2._o the_o other_o teach_v we_o what_o be_v that_o right_n true_o christian_a temper_n of_o spirit_n whereby_o peace_n and_o love_n may_v be_v cherish_v and_o maintain_v in_o these_o word_n but_o in_o lowliness_n of_o mind_n let_v each_o esteem_v other_o better_a
the_o reason_n of_o his_o disobedience_n be_v not_o unlawfulness_n but_o wilfulness_n take_v heed_n therefore_o how_o your_o enmity_n to_o the_o government_n send_v you_o a_o hunt_n for_o something_o to_o make_v the_o command_v of_o your_o governor_n seem_v disputable_a 3._o be_v well_o content_v to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o your_o own_o conscience_n concern_v the_o unlawfulness_n of_o what_o be_v enjoin_v by_o public_a authority_n and_o be_v so_o satisfy_v take_v heed_n of_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o you_o be_v not_o too_o forward_o to_o judge_n or_o condemn_v those_o that_o be_v otherwise_o persuade_v and_o think_v it_o to_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o do_v in_o obedience_n to_o their_o governor_n what_o you_o dare_v not_o do_v it_o be_v a_o uncharitable_a censure_n to_o say_v that_o other_o act_n against_o their_o own_o conscience_n as_o often_o as_o they_o will_v not_o be_v overrule_v by_o your_o judgement_n or_o can_v be_v convince_v by_o your_o argument_n too_o much_o of_o this_o spirit_n of_o strife_n and_o rash_a censure_v seem_v to_o show_v itself_o in_o some_o late_a write_n wherein_o the_o author_n forget_v what_o they_o promise_v a_o bare_a vindication_n of_o or_o rather_o apology_n for_o themselves_o fall_v into_o a_o downright_a accusation_n of_o other_o even_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o deny_v they_o all_o possibility_n of_o satisfy_v their_o own_o conscience_n in_o what_o they_o do_v i_o do_v not_o see_v whither_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o can_v tend_v whatever_o be_v the_o intention_n of_o the_o writer_n but_o to_o the_o gender_n of_o strife_n which_o i_o will_v fain_o hope_v they_o to_o be_v better_a christian_n then_o to_o make_v their_o design_n however_o let_v we_o study_v that_o heal_a rule_n the_o apostle_n give_v rom._n 14._o 3._o let_v not_o he_o that_o eat_v despise_v he_o that_o eat_v not_o and_o let_v not_o he_o that_o eat_v not_o judge_v he_o that_o eat_v who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v another_o man_n servant_n to_o his_o own_o 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they_o will_v never_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o but_o through_o your_o persuasion_n i_o shall_v now_o only_o add_v a_o few_o thing_n to_o conclude_v this_o first_o point_n see_v man_n be_v so_o very_o restless_a a_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n and_o it_o be_v so_o hard_a a_o matter_n quite_o to_o root_v out_o of_o he_o this_o humour_n of_o strive_v let_v we_o endeavour_v to_o cut_v a_o way_n for_o it_o into_o its_o proper_a channel_n where_o it_o may_v run_v free_o and_o man_n may_v strive_v to_o good_a purpose_n yet_o by_o the_o way_n we_o must_v be_v warn_v to_o put_v away_o all_o rancour_n and_o malice_n and_o envy_n and_o wrath_n and_o evil_a speak_n and_o all_o must_v be_v a_o strife_n of_o love_n a_o man_n be_v not_o crown_v except_o he_o strive_v lawful_o 2_o tim._n 2._o 5._o 1._o strive_v we_o may_v then_o and_o even_o for_o the_o mastery_n to_o obtain_v the_o incorruptible_a crown_n 1_o cor._n 9_o 25._o and_o show_v we_o any_o thing_n else_o that_o be_v true_o worth_a the_o strive_n for_o for_o this_o let_v we_o all_o be_v persuade_v to_o fight_v with_o all_o our_o might_n and_o courage_n yet_o not_o with_o such_o enemy_n as_o be_v the_o creature_n of_o our_o own_o imagination_n or_o opinion_n we_o have_v enemy_n enough_o to_o hold_v we_o do_v and_o put_v we_o to_o all_o our_o shift_n beside_o those_o even_o the_o same_o which_o we_o have_v engage_v ourselves_o in_o our_o baptism_n to_o wage_v a_o continual_a war_n against_o sin_n the_o world_n and_o the_o devil_n he_o that_o know_v what_o these_o be_v know_v he_o have_v enough_o to_o strive_v against_o if_o we_o will_v have_v the_o crown_n we_o must_v strive_v to_o overcome_v all_o these_o this_o be_v to_o strive_v like_o a_o christian_a indeed_o and_o this_o be_v our_o encouragement_n the_o victory_n be_v sure_a and_o it_o be_v a_o noble_a victory_n foolish_o therefore_o do_v we_o be_v our_o time_n and_o our_o strength_n in_o contend_v with_o one_o another_o about_o ceremony_n and_o formality_n where_o he_o that_o conquer_v shall_v but_o like_o the_o proud_a emperor_n triumph_v in_o cockle-shell_n sure_o we_o think_v but_o little_a whither_o we_o be_v go_v or_o from_o what_o we_o flee_v and_o what_o enemy_n watch_v for_o our_o ruin_n if_o we_o can_v be_v at_o leisure_n to_o stand_v boggle_n at_o straw_n certain_o we_o shall_v all_o have_v enough_o to_o do_v without_o cast_v such_o rub_n as_o these_o strife_n be_v in_o our_o own_o way_n to_o come_v to_o heaven_n 2._o strive_v together_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n phil._n 1._o 27._o but_o if_o we_o will_v do_v this_o indeed_o we_o must_v as_o the_o apostle_n there_o also_o faith_n stand_v fast_o in_o the_o spirit_n with_o one_o mind_n a_o scatter_a and_o divide_a army_n be_v easy_o vanquish_v by_o piecemeal_n which_o in_o a_o full_a body_n may_v have_v daunt_v the_o enemy_n with_o the_o very_a sight_n of_o its_o number_n order_n and_o unity_n we_o can_v choose_v but_o be_v sensible_a that_o our_o faith_n have_v very_o considerable_a enemy_n at_o this_o day_n and_o how_o can_v we_o invent_v a_o way_n to_o do_v they_o better_o or_o ourselves_o worse_a service_n then_o by_o keep_v open_a our_o division_n which_o have_v cost_v they_o so_o much_o pain_n to_o make_v among_o we_o o_o how_o do_v they_o hug_v themselves_o to_o see_v we_o so_o industrious_a to_o save_v they_o a_o labour_n and_o ruin_v ourselves_o let_v we_o but_o be_v unite_v among_o ourselves_o and_o strive_v together_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o we_o may_v confident_o promise_v ourselves_o what_o the_o apostle_n there_o add_v v_o 28._o we_o need_v be_v nothing_o terrify_v by_o our_o adversary_n 3._o let_v the_o minister_n strive_v to_o preach_v christ_n warn_v every_o man_n and_o teach_v every_o man_n in_o all_o wisdom_n that_o they_o may_v present_v they_o perfect_a in_o christ_n jesus_n unto_o this_o let_v they_o labour_n strive_v according_a to_o his_o work_n which_o work_v in_o they_o mighty_o col._n 1._o 28_o 29._o how_o much_o lively_a a_o work_n will_v this_o be_v how_o much_o more_o beseem_v the_o minister_n of_o christ_n set_v over_o the_o flock_n thus_o to_o feed_v and_o watch_v daily_o over_o the_o sheep_n and_o lamb_n and_o combine_v together_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o the_o ravenous_a wolf_n and_o wily_a fox_n then_o to_o stand_v pelt_a one_o another_o with_o ill_a word_n only_o to_o make_v sport_n for_o the_o adversary_n 4._o let_v the_o people_n strive_v together_o with_o their_o minister_n in_o their_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o they_o rom._n 15._o 30._o to_o this_o end_n as_o it_o there_o follow_v that_o they_o may_v be_v deliver_v from_o they_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v and_o that_o their_o service_n may_v be_v accept_v of_o the_o saint_n this_o will_v be_v a_o much_o more_o christian_a and_o profitable_a work_n than_o they_o of_o who_o we_o read_v hos._n 4._o 4._o the_o people_n be_v as_o they_o which_o strive_v with_o the_o priest_n whether_o it_o be_v who_o shall_v outdo_v other_o in_o wickedness_n or_o to_o oppose_v his_o doctrine_n obstruct_v he_o in_o discipline_n or_o revile_v his_o person_n and_o function_n in_o all_o company_n 5._o let_v we_o all_o strive_v to_o enter_v in_o at_o the_o strait_a gate_n luk._n 13._o 24._o and_o who_o shall_v go_v on_o fast_o in_o that_o narrow_a way_n that_o lead_v unto_o life_n eternal_a exhort_v one_o another_o and_o provoke_v one_o another_o to_o love_n and_o good_a work_n heb._n 10_o 24._o and_o not_o strive_v to_o anger_n and_o vex_v and_o revenge_v ourselves_o on_o one_o another_o by_o unchristian_a and_o even_o inhuman_a affront_n and_o injury_n 6._o strive_v against_o sin_n heb._n 12._o 4._o let_v our_o earnestness_n against_o this_o common_a enemy_n of_o mankind_n be_v
say_v that_o either_o we_o be_v such_o as_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o punish_v at_o all_o or_o at_o least_o such_o as_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o punish_v after_o this_o manner_n if_o god_n send_v a_o plague_n or_o a_o famine_n or_o any_o kind_n of_o mortal_a sickness_n on_o a_o people_n for_o their_o sin_n be_v it_o reasonable_a for_o they_o to_o murmur_v against_o the_o air_n and_o unseasonableness_n of_o the_o wether_n and_o if_o god_n chastise_v we_o with_o evil_n of_o any_o other_o kind_n by_o what_o or_o whosoever_o shall_v it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o quarrel_v with_o and_o complain_v of_o the_o instrument_n or_o the_o messenger_n for_o execute_v upon_o we_o the_o will_n of_o god_n then_o to_o seek_v out_o where_o the_o fault_n lie_v whereby_o we_o have_v provoke_v he_o to_o anger_n and_o to_o amend_v it_o jehu_n receive_v the_o promise_n of_o a_o kingdom_n to_o the_o four_o generation_n for_o execute_v punishment_n on_o those_o who_o god_n have_v determine_v to_o punish_v 2_o 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different_a complexion_n and_o divide_a interest_n ever_o to_o unite_v in_o peace_n and_o order_n contrary_a humour_n and_o principle_n will_v always_o produce_v contrary_a law_n and_o rule_n and_o every_o party_n will_v be_v concern_v to_o maintain_v that_o which_o will_v best_o uphold_v it_o not_o only_o to_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o opposite_a party_n but_o to_o the_o rend_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o welfare_n then_o and_o no_o soon_o let_v man_n talk_v of_o carry_v on_o their_o own_o device_n and_o design_n when_o they_o either_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v too_o strong_a for_o all_o man_n or_o can_v assure_v themselves_o that_o all_o man_n will_v be_v of_o their_o mind_n if_o any_o shall_v now_o ask_v whether_o we_o will_v have_v they_o sit_v still_o and_o unconcern_v how_o matter_n go_v right_a or_o wrong_n and_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o every_o man_n duty_n to_o endeavour_v with_o all_o his_o might_n the_o rectify_v of_o what_o he_o see_v amiss_o in_o kingdom_n or_o 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be_v good_a if_o you_o take_v not_o this_o course_n instead_o of_o mend_v what_o be_v amiss_o you_o will_v only_o mar_v that_o which_o his_o good_a be_v sure_a that_o what_o you_o will_v amend_v be_v against_o god_n will_n or_o else_o it_o need_v no_o mend_n and_o none_o will_v owe_v you_o thanks_o for_o your_o vain_a device_n 2._o be_v as_o sure_a in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o you_o be_v every_o way_n right_o fit_v and_o due_o qualify_v for_o the_o work_n you_o take_v in_o hand_n see_v that_o you_o have_v both_o skill_n and_o strength_n and_o good_a authority_n for_o what_o you_o undertake_v it_o be_v not_o every_o bold_a bungler_n that_o have_v face_n enough_o to_o praise_v himself_o and_o laugh_v at_o other_o who_o be_v fit_a for_o such_o a_o work_n as_o be_v the_o reformation_n of_o kingdom_n and_o church_n it_o be_v not_o all_o a_o thing_n to_o hold_v a_o plow-staff_n and_o a_o sceptre_n be_v content_a to_o employ_v your_o talent_n according_o as_o you_o be_v fit_v with_o they_o and_o think_v it_o be_v god_n will_v you_o shall_v busy_v yourselves_o in_o those_o employment_n for_o which_o he_o have_v best_o furnish_v you_o and_o in_o those_o station_n wherein_o he_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o place_v you_o if_o he_o have_v design_v you_o for_o high_a calling_n he_o will_v probable_o have_v give_v you_o a_o more_o suitable_a education_n and_o furnish_v you_o with_o better_a tool_n and_o if_o other_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o high_a thing_n shall_v tell_v you_o that_o they_o be_v wise_a enough_o both_o for_o themselves_o and_o you_o and_o thereby_o will_v tempt_v you_o to_o second_v they_o in_o their_o device_n be_v sure_a first_o that_o they_o have_v indeed_o all_o that_o which_o you_o find_v want_v in_o yourselves_o to_o fit_v they_o for_o be_v your_o leader_n in_o such_o bold_a attempt_n and_o that_o be_v not_o only_a wisdom_n and_o strength_n but_o good_a authority_n and_o a_o just_a call_v unto_o the_o work_n from_o god_n let_v they_o produce_v 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rame_z by_o any_o sin_n or_o wickedness_n or_o a_o hypocritical_a show_n of_o piety_n for_o this_o be_v to_o build_v our_o reputation_n upon_o god_n dishonour_n 3._o how_o we_o endeavour_v to_o build_v our_o own_o reputation_n upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o another_o man_n for_o this_o be_v a_o sin_n against_o both_o the_o justice_n and_o the_o charity_n which_o we_o owe_v unto_o all_o man_n 4._o how_o we_o abuse_v our_o reputation_n among_o man_n to_o the_o countenance_v of_o faction_n and_o sedition_n or_o any_o evil_a thing_n whatsoever_o in_o short_a let_v our_o own_o glory_n always_o stoop_v and_o veil_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o state_n the_o subjection_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o our_o superior_n and_o the_o good_a of_o our_o neighbour_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v no_o vain-glory._n how_o both_o these_o strife_n and_o vainglory_n be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o we_o must_v learn_v by_o the_o second_o rule_n 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that_o have_v enable_v he_o to_o do_v it_o and_o call_v nothing_o of_o it_o his_o own_o beside_o the_o imperfection_n of_o it_o nor_o can_v he_o think_v any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n behold_v to_o he_o for_o do_v but_o a_o very_a little_a part_n of_o his_o duty_n in_o it_o and_o very_o imperfect_o nothing_o that_o he_o either_o be_v or_o have_v or_o do_v can_v swell_v he_o up_o with_o any_o proud_a thought_n of_o himself_o but_o still_o he_o be_v less_o in_o his_o own_o eye_n than_o he_o can_v be_v in_o any_o man_n else_o and_o account_n himself_o a_o very_a unworthy_a thing_n this_o be_v a_o man_n of_o a_o lowly_a mind_n and_o that_o this_o be_v a_o right_a christian_a temper_n sufficient_o appear_v from_o two_o thing_n which_o i_o need_v but_o only_a name_n 1._o because_o it_o have_v so_o much_o of_o the_o image_n of_o jesus_n christ_n visible_a in_o it_o who_o make_v himself_o of_o no_o reputation_n as_o before_o we_o see_v 2._o because_o it_o have_v his_o special_a blessing_n 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