and_o run_v to_o the_o devil_n and_o post_n to_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n as_o if_o it_o be_v with_o they_o as_o with_o the_o swine_n when_o possess_v by_o the_o devil_n who_o be_v say_v to_o run_v violent_o down_o a_o steep_a place_n into_o the_o sea_n and_o perish_v in_o the_o 32._o matth._n 8._o 32._o water_n the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o and_o i_o think_v many_o in_o this_o nation_n have_v give_v we_o sad_a proof_n of_o it_o their_o sorrow_n shall_v be_v multiply_v 4._o psal_n 16._o 4._o that_o hasten_v after_o another_o god._n blessed_n be_v god_n we_o have_v see_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o former_a as_o well_o as_o the_o latter_a these_o be_v sad_a race_n but_o by_o what_o rule_n be_v they_o act_v no_o other_o no_o better_a than_o the_o lust_n and_o curse_a imagination_n of_o their_o own_o heart_n but_o such_o as_o run_v the_o christian_a race_n must_v observe_v god_n word_n for_o then_o guide_n thus_o david_n thy_o word_n 05._o psal_n 119._o 05._o be_v a_o light_n to_o my_o foot_n and_o a_o lamp_n to_o my_o path_n it_o be_v not_o the_o decree_n of_o pope_n nor_o canon_n of_o council_n nor_o say_n of_o father_n but_o god_n word_n that_o in_o this_o race_n be_v to_o be_v our_o guide_n thou_o 24._o psal_n 73._o 24._o shall_v guide_v i_o with_o thy_o counsel_n and_o afterward_o receive_v i_o to_o glory_n three_o the_o run_v of_o a_o race_n be_v a_o progressive_a motion_n it_o be_v not_o the_o run_n in_o a_o round_a but_o a_o go_v forward_o phil._n 3._o 13_o 14._o brethren_n i_o count_v not_o myself_o to_o have_v apprehend_v but_o this_o one_o thing_n i_o do_v forget_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v behind_o and_o reach_v forth_o unto_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v before_o i_o press_v towards_o the_o mark_n for_o the_o prize_n of_o the_o high_a call_v of_o god_n in_o christ_n jesus_n this_o speak_v the_o christian_n daily_a endeavour_n to_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o 18._o 2_o pet._n 3._o 18._o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n there_o must_v be_v a_o go_n from_o strength_n to_o strength_n a_o strive_v to_o get_v more_o of_o god_n and_o do_v more_o for_o god._n here_o must_v be_v no_o stand_v still_o nor_o much_o less_o any_o turn_n aside_o or_o go_v back_o o_o christian_n how_o earnest_n have_v we_o all_o need_n be_v in_o our_o plead_n with_o god_n that_o he_o will_v heal_v our_o backslide_n and_o accomplish_v that_o gracious_a promise_n the_o righteous_a also_o shall_v hold_v on_o his_o 9_o job_n 17._o 9_o way_n and_o he_o that_o have_v clean_a hand_n shall_v be_v strong_a and_o strong_a four_o run_v of_o a_o race_n be_v a_o painful_a motion_n there_o be_v and_o must_v be_v a_o put_v forth_o all_o the_o strength_n a_o man_n have_v so_o my_o friend_n the_o performance_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o christianity_n be_v no_o easy_a thing_n to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n no_o room_n for_o spiritual_a sloth_n and_o laziness_n the_o way_n in_o heaven_n road_n be_v up_o hill_n and_o most_o what_o rough_a and_o uneasy_a way_n to_o the_o flesh_n and_o such_o as_o move_v in_o it_o must_v expect_v to_o meet_v with_o difficulty_n which_o consider_v the_o clog_n that_o hang_v about_o we_o the_o sin_n that_o so_o easy_o beset_v we_o will_v require_v our_o utmost_a strength_n and_o to_o send_v up_o loud_a cry_n to_o heaven_n for_o daily_a supply_n as_o david_n hold_v up_o my_o go_n 5._o psal_n 17._o 5._o in_o thy_o path_n that_o my_o footstep_n slip_v not_o how_o miserable_o be_v they_o mistake_v that_o conceit_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o be_v a_o christian_n or_o to_o live_v a_o christian_n life_n five_o the_o run_v of_o a_o race_n be_v adjudge_v to_o be_v a_o constant_a continue_a and_o persevere_v motion_n without_o stop_n or_o stay_v till_o we_o come_v to_o the_o end_n so_o belove_v christianity_n will_v find_v the_o christian_a work_n every_o day_n herein_o do_v i_o exercise_v myself_o to_o have_v always_o a_o conscience_n void_a of_o 16._o act_n 24._o 16._o offence_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o men._n he_o do_v not_o say_v i_o have_v do_v or_o i_o will_v do_v no_o it_o be_v a_o work_n always_o a_o do_v you_o have_v work_v not_o only_o for_o the_o lord_n day_n when_o you_o have_v more_o immediate_o to_o do_v with_o god_n but_o on_o the_o week_n day_n your_o religion_n be_v not_o then_o to_o be_v lay_v aside_o as_o if_o all_o your_o devotion_n be_v to_o be_v leave_v at_o church_n and_o as_o if_o you_o be_v oblige_v to_o serve_v god_n only_o one_o day_n in_o and_o the_o devil_n and_o the_o flesh_n all_o the_o week_n after_o this_o speak_v that_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o be_v religious_a now_o and_o then_o in_o a_o good_a mood_n or_o for_o a_o spurt_n and_o away_o to_o take_v a_o few_o step_n where_o the_o way_n be_v smooth_a and_o fair_a no_o there_o must_v be_v a_o go_n through_o thick_a and_o thin_a bless_a be_v they_o that_o keep_v judgement_n and_o he_o that_o do_v righteousness_n 3._o psal_n 106._o 3._o at_o all_o time_n he_o that_o endure_v to_o the_o end_n shall_v be_v save_v 13._o matth._n 24._o 13._o quest_n but_o here_o a_o enquiry_n may_v be_v make_v how_o paul_n can_v say_v he_o have_v finish_v his_o course_n before_o he_o have_v finish_v his_o day_n it_o be_v apparent_a that_o his_o glass_n be_v not_o yet_o run_v and_o so_o his_o work_n be_v not_o yet_o do_v he_o have_v a_o dark_a and_o thorny_a stage_n to_o pass_v through_o yet_o in_o which_o he_o have_v at_o present_a take_v but_o a_o few_o step_n resol_n 1._o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o negative_o that_o if_o you_o take_v it_o in_o a_o plain_a literal_a sense_n no_o christian_a can_v be_v say_v to_o have_v finish_v his_o course_n till_o he_o have_v finish_v his_o breath_n and_o life_n the_o whole_a day_n the_o evening_n as_o well_o as_o the_o noon_n and_o morning_n be_v appoint_v all_o for_o work_n indeed_o when_o the_o night_n come_v our_o work_a time_n be_v over_o resol_n 2._o but_o yet_o second_o affirmative_o a_o believer_n may_v be_v say_v to_o have_v finish_v his_o work_n as_o it_o be_v his_o sincere_a purpose_n and_o firm_a resolution_n not_o to_o give_v over_o till_o he_o have_v finish_v it_o as_o god_n through_o his_o grace_n be_v ready_a to_o account_v that_o to_o be_v do_v which_o the_o gracious_a soul_n purpose_n and_o resolve_v through_o divine_a assistance_n to_o do_v thus_o some_o resolve_v the_o same_o question_n refer_v to_o christ_n say_v i_o have_v finish_v the_o work_n which_o thou_o give_v 4._o john_n 17._o 4._o i_o to_o do_v how_o can_v this_o be_v when_o as_o yet_o the_o bitter_a part_n of_o that_o cup_n his_o father_n have_v give_v he_o to_o drink_n be_v yet_o behind_o to_o resolve_v this_o augustine_n put_v the_o preterperfect_a tense_n into_o the_o future_a tense_n i_o have_v finish_v it_o viz._n i_o will_v finish_v it_o but_o last_o the_o best_a resolution_n of_o this_o concern_v christ_n and_o paul_n saying_n he_o have_v finish_v his_o course_n as_o thereby_o express_v their_o readiness_n as_o well_o as_o resolvedness_n to_o finish_v and_o consummate_v the_o work_n they_o have_v go_v on_o in_o so_o far_o i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n q._n d._n my_o time_n be_v just_a now_o at_o a_o period_n i_o be_o now_o enter_v upon_o the_o last_o stage_n a_o few_o more_o step_n to_o take_v and_o all_o be_v over_o a_o few_o moment_n will_v perfect_v all_o he_o live_v in_o the_o view_n of_o death_n which_o he_o see_v be_v at_o the_o door_n which_o will_v put_v a_o finis_fw-la to_o all_o three_o i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o three_o and_o last_o metaphor_n by_o which_o a_o christian_n life_n be_v represent_v allude_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o faithful_a steward_n who_o have_v somewhat_o of_o weight_n and_o worth_n commit_v to_o his_o trust_n be_v careful_a not_o to_o lose_v nor_o embezzle_v it_o but_o preserve_v it_o for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o owner_n without_o damage_n or_o detriment_n thus_o say_v paul_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith._n here_o i_o shall_v touch_v only_o upon_o two_o thing_n 1._o what_o be_v this_o treasure_n this_o trust_n that_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v commit_v to_o paul_n care_n the_o faith._n 2._o how_o paul_n or_o any_o true_a christian_a may_v be_v say_v to_o keep_v this_o depositum_fw-la this_o faith_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith._n first_o what_o this_o faith_n be_v faith_n be_v chief_o to_o be_v consider_v under_o one_o of_o these_o two_o head_n 1._o either_o the_o grace_n of_o faith_n that_o grace_n whereby_o through_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n we_o come_v to_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n and_o interest_v in_o he_o and_o all_o the_o
benefit_n and_o blessing_n that_o he_o have_v purchase_v call_v precious_a faith_n the_o faith_n 1._o 〈…〉_o pet._n 1._o 1._o 〈…〉_o 1._o 1._o of_o god_n elect_n as_o peculiar_a to_o god_n choose_v once_o this_o be_v commit_v to_o christian_n by_o way_n of_o operation_n and_o infusion_n and_o donation_n by_o grace_n you_o be_v save_v through_o faith_n and_o that_o not_o of_o yourselves_o it_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o god._n 2._o by_o faith_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n the_o revelation_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n in_o the_o gospel_n of_o god_n grace_n which_o be_v commit_v to_o paul_n as_o a_o minister_n to_o be_v by_o he_o dispense_v and_o preach_v to_o other_o as_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n and_o elsewhere_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o christ_n have_v 16._o 〈…〉_o m._n 1._o 16._o commit_v unto_o we_o the_o word_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o this_o be_v also_o a_o trust_n commit_v unto_o all_o christian_n to_o be_v profess_v 19_o 〈…〉_o cor._n 5._o 19_o own_a obey_v believe_v against_o all_o gainsayer_n whosoever_o whether_o they_o be_v man_n of_o unsound_a mind_n or_o ungodly_a liver_n which_o some_o profess_v have_v err_v concern_v the_o faith._n this_o be_v 3._o 1_o tim._n 6._o 21_o judas_n 3._o that_o faith_n which_o we_o be_v exhort_v earnest_o to_o contend_v for_o which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n second_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o his_o keep_v the_o faith_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o if_o you_o take_v it_o in_o the_o former_a sense_n than_o it_o import_v his_o constant_a endeavour_n to_o keep_v that_o grace_n in_o its_o exercise_n by_o a_o constant_a cleave_v to_o and_o reliance_n upon_o god_n and_o christ_n for_o life_n and_o salvation_n draw_v continue_v supply_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o spirit_n for_o the_o enable_v a_o christian_n to_o do_v his_o present_a work_n and_o to_o fit_v he_o for_o his_o future_a reward_n and_o this_o against_o all_o the_o opposition_n that_o he_o may_v meet_v with_o from_o the_o sly_a and_o subtle_a suggestion_n and_o insinuation_n of_o the_o devil_n who_o have_v a_o special_a spite_n at_o the_o christian_n faith._n 2._o but_o if_o you_o take_v it_o in_o the_o latter_a sense_n than_o it_o import_v the_o hold_v fast_o our_o profession_n of_o this_o both_o in_o our_o principle_n and_o practice_n against_o all_o attempt_n of_o seducer_n and_o persecutor_n and_o against_o all_o the_o entice_a and_o allure_a example_n of_o profane_a and_o ungodly_a one_o such_o there_o have_v be_v and_o never_o more_o than_o in_o this_o loose_a and_o ungodly_a age_n in_o which_o we_o live_v when_o iniquity_n abound_v and_o the_o love_n of_o many_o wax_v cold_a when_o 12._o matth._n 24._o 12._o there_o be_v great_a endeavour_n to_o laugh_v all_o true_a religion_n and_o godliness_n in_o its_o power_n out_o of_o countenance_n and_o various_a stratagem_n to_o induce_v christian_n to_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o faith_n and_o a_o good_a 19_o 1_o tim._n 1._o 19_o conscience_n thus_o have_v i_o give_v you_o a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o my_o text_n as_o expressive_a of_o the_o true_a christian_n work_n a_o work_n to_o be_v do_v here_o i_o proceed_v now_o very_o brief_o to_o paul_n prospect_n what_o he_o have_v in_o view_n hereafter_o relate_v to_o the_o glorious_a reward_n he_o be_v upon_o the_o matter_n enter_v into_o the_o possession_n of_o henceforth_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n i_o purpose_v only_o to_o note_v a_o very_a few_o thing_n and_o shut_v up_o the_o whole_a with_o a_o short_a application_n first_o here_o we_o have_v a_o account_n of_o that_o future_a felicity_n which_o be_v reserve_v for_o the_o saint_n it_o be_v a_o crown_n and_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n a_o crown_n which_o you_o know_v be_v a_o ensign_n of_o the_o great_a honour_n upon_o earth_n and_o a_o emblem_n of_o the_o high_a glory_n in_o heaven_n such_o a_o crown_n and_o such_o a_o kingdom_n as_o infinite_o exceed_v all_o the_o crown_n and_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v a_o incorruptible_a crown_n a_o crown_n which_o fade_v not_o away_o 25._o 〈…〉_o 9_o 25._o whereas_o all_o the_o crown_n of_o king_n and_o emperor_n which_o be_v so_o eager_o contend_v for_o by_o the_o man_n of_o this_o world_n be_v poor_a 4._o 〈…〉_o 5._o 4._o perish_v corrupt_a fade_a thing_n it_o be_v a_o crown_n of_o life_n 12._o 〈…〉_o 1._o 12._o what_o shall_v i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o glorious_a crown_n but_o a_o crown_n of_o glory_n second_o it_o be_v a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n as_o peculiar_o belong_v to_o those_o who_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o robe_n of_o christ_n righteousness_n impute_v and_o with_o the_o fine_a linen_n of_o the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n impart_v and_o also_o as_o a_o righteous_a but_o yet_o free_a reward_n which_o the_o righteous_a god_n have_v promise_v and_o will_v faithful_o perform_v 2._o we_o may_v observe_v here_o the_o time_n of_o believer_n enter_v upon_o the_o possession_n of_o this_o future_a glory_n 1._o in_o part_n as_o to_o their_o soul_n henceforth_o that_o be_v immediate_o upon_o their_o death_n and_o dissiolution_n bless_a be_v the_o dead_a which_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n from_o henceforth_o yea_o faith_n the_o spirit_n 13._o 〈…〉_o 14._o 13._o that_o they_o may_v rest_v from_o their_o labour_n and_o their_o work_n do_v follow_v they_o so_o paul_n have_v a_o desire_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n 23_o 〈…〉_o 1._o 23_o in_o the_o same_o moment_n wherein_o they_o pass_v from_o earth_n they_o go_v to_o heaven_n there_o be_v no_o call_n in_o at_o purgatory_n by_o the_o way_n no_o middle_a state_n to_o detain_v the_o soul_n of_o believer_n in_o 2._o perfect_o and_o complete_o with_o respect_n to_o soul_n and_o body_n at_o a_o certain_a day_n the_o day_n of_o judgement_n which_o will_v be_v a_o day_n of_o retribution_n which_o be_v call_v by_o way_n of_o emphasis_n in_o the_o text_n that_o day_n a_o remarkable_a day_n it_o will_v be_v when_o the_o whole_a world_n shall_v be_v determine_v and_o send_v to_o their_o everlasting_a abode_n either_o of_o happiness_n on_o the_o one_o side_n or_o misery_n on_o the_o other_o three_o we_o may_v observe_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o saint_n enter_v upon_o this_o glorious_a possession_n not_o as_o matter_n of_o merit_n but_o by_o way_n of_o free_a donation_n which_o god_n the_o righteous_a judge_n shall_v give_v i_o say_v paul_n here_o eternal_a life_n cost_n christ_n very_o dear_a no_o less_o than_o his_o life-blood_n but_o it_o come_v free_a to_o we_o without_o price_n or_o purchase_v on_o our_o part_n it_o be_v not_o our_o deserve_a wage_n but_o the_o gift_n of_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n 23._o 〈…〉_o 23._o four_o we_o have_v here_o the_o extent_n of_o this_o gift_n not_o only_o to_o such_o as_o paul_n a_o believer_n of_o the_o high_a form_n a_o star_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n in_o the_o firmament_n of_o the_o church_n not_o to_o i_o only_o etc._n etc._n but_o to_o every_o true_a though_o weak_a believer_n to_o all_o who_o can_v approve_v themselves_o such_o as_o love_v the_o lord_n jesus_n in_o sincerity_n and_o look_v and_o long_a for_o his_o appear_v it_o be_v not_o the_o peculiar_a privilege_n of_o this_o great_a apostle_n but_o a_o common_a salvation_n which_o belong_v to_o all_o the_o faithful_a from_o the_o great_a to_o the_o least_o of_o saint_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v dispatch_v the_o doctrinal_a part_n of_o this_o text_n i_o shall_v only_o add_v a_o word_n or_o two_o for_o the_o practical_a improvement_n of_o it_o first_o if_o they_o and_o only_o they_o who_o have_v good_a evidence_n of_o have_v do_v and_o dispatch_v their_o great_a work_n and_o business_n in_o this_o world_n can_v with_o comfort_n and_o confidence_n ensure_v to_o themselves_o the_o expectation_n of_o the_o promise_a reward_n in_o the_o other_o then_o hence_o we_o may_v infer_v the_o madness_n and_o folly_n of_o a_o great_a part_n 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such_o as_o be_v frame_v in_o antichrist_n forge_n how_o fond_a soever_o some_o be_v of_o they_o will_v in_o these_o spiritual_a encounter_n be_v of_o no_o use_n nor_o force_n it_o be_v not_o the_o besprinkle_v ourselves_o with_o holy_a water_n or_o sign_v ourselves_o with_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n that_o will_v defend_v we_o from_o or_o help_v we_o against_o the_o assault_n of_o the_o devil_n these_o be_v but_o wooden_a dagger_n and_o elder_a gun_n that_o will_v never_o do_v execution_n it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o devil_n as_o to_o all_o such_o weapon_n what_o be_v say_v of_o the_o leviathan_n such_o dart_n be_v count_v as_o stubble_n and_o 29._o 1._o 29._o he_o laugh_v at_o the_o shake_n of_o such_o spear_n five_o we_o shall_v inquire_v what_o the_o cause_n or_o controversy_n be_v that_o occasion_n these_o continue_a combat_n betwixt_o the_o believer_n and_o these_o spiritual_a enemy_n why_o it_o be_v whether_o the_o christian_a shall_v remain_v and_o persevere_v in_o 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second_o another_o metaphor_n by_o which_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v denote_v the_o christian_n work_n be_v compare_v to_o the_o run_v of_o a_o race_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n say_v paul._n many_o a_o weary_a step_n he_o have_v take_v so_o it_o be_v and_o may_v be_v account_v consider_v the_o many_o encumbrance_n he_o be_v lade_v with_o and_o the_o many_o difficulty_n as_o to_o the_o flesh_n he_o be_v expose_v to_o otherwise_o wisdom_n 17._o 〈…〉_o 17._o way_n be_v way_n of_o pleasantness_n and_o all_o her_o path_n be_v peace_n many_o a_o temptation_n to_o turn_v aside_o or_o go_v back_o many_o a_o rub_n and_o difficulty_n to_o get_v over_o paul_n have_v doubtless_o meet_v with_o but_o now_o he_o be_v come_v to_o the_o last_o stage_n and_o almost_o to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o too_o he_o be_v just_o ready_a to_o receive_v his_o garland_n a_o few_o step_n more_o and_o he_o shall_v enter_v upon_o his_o everlasting_a rest_n i_o have_v say_v he_o finish_v my_o course_n get_v to_o 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