that_o we_o shall_v manage_v they_o with_o sense_n and_o reason_n fineness_n be_v not_o expect_v but_o decency_n be_v and_o though_o we_o can_v declaim_v as_o orator_n yet_o he_o will_v have_v we_o speak_v like_o man_n and_o tender_v he_o the_o result_v of_o that_o understanding_n and_o judgement_n that_o essential_o constitute_v a_o rational_a nature_n but_o i_o shall_v brief_o cast_v what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v upon_o this_o particular_a into_o these_o follow_a assertion_n 1._o that_o nothing_o can_v express_v our_o reverence_n to_o god_n in_o prayer_n that_o will_v pass_v for_o irreverence_n towards_o a_o great_a man._n let_v any_o subject_a tender_a his_o prince_n a_o petition_n fraught_v with_o nonsense_n and_o incoherence_n confusion_n and_o impertinence_n and_o can_v he_o expect_v that_o majesty_n shall_v answer_v it_o with_o any_o thing_n but_o a_o deaf_a ear_n a_o frown_a eye_n or_o at_o best_a vouchsafe_v it_o in_o any_o other_o reward_n but_o by_o a_o gracious_a oblivion_n to_o forgive_v the_o person_n and_o to_o forget_v the_o petition_n 2_o lie_n nothing_o absurd_a and_o irrational_a and_o such_o as_o a_o wise_a man_n will_v despise_v can_v be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n in_o prayer_n solomon_n express_o tell_v we_o in_o ecclesiaste_n 5._o v_o 4._o that_o god_n have_v no_o pleasure_n in_o fool_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o a_o infinite_a wisdom_n shall_v the_o scripture_n all_o along_o express_v sin_n and_o wickedness_n by_o the_o name_n of_o folly_n and_o therefore_o certain_o folly_n be_v too_o near_o of_o kin_n to_o it_o to_o find_v any_o approbation_n from_o god_n in_o so_o great_a a_o duty_n it_o be_v the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o not_o of_o the_o head_n that_o be_v the_o best_a enditer_n of_o our_o petition_n that_o which_o proceed_v from_o the_o latter_a be_v undoubted_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o fool_n and_o god_n be_v never_o more_o weary_a of_o sacrifice_n than_o when_o a_o fool_n be_v the_o priest_n and_o folly_n the_o oblation_n 3_o lie_n and_o last_o nothing_o rude_a slight_a and_o careless_a or_o indeed_o less_o than_o the_o very_o best_a that_o a_o man_n can_v offer_v can_v be_v acceptable_a or_o please_v to_o god_n in_o prayer_n if_o you_o offer_v the_o blind_a for_o sacrifice_n be_v it_o not_o evil_a if_o you_o offer_v the_o lame_a and_o the_o sick_a be_v it_o not_o evil_a offer_v it_o now_o to_o thy_o governor_n and_o see_v whether_o he_o will_v be_v please_v with_o thou_o or_o accept_v thy_o person_n say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n malachi_n 1._o 8._o god_n rigid_o expect_v a_o return_n of_o his_o own_o gift_n and_o where_o he_o have_v give_v ability_n will_v be_v serve_v by_o act_n proportionable_a to_o it_o and_o he_o who_o have_v part_n to_o raise_v and_o propagate_v his_o own_o honour_n by_o but_o none_o to_o employ_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o he_o that_o give_v they_o do_v as_o i_o may_v so_o express_v it_o refuse_v to_o wear_v god_n livery_n in_o his_o own_o service_n add_v sacrilege_n to_o profaneness_n strip_n and_o starve_v his_o devotion_n and_o in_o a_o word_n fall_v direct_o under_o the_o dint_n of_o that_o curse_n denounce_v in_o the_o last_o verse_n of_o the_o 1_o st_z of_o malachi_n curse_v be_v the_o deceiver_n that_o have_v in_o his_o flock_n a_o male_a and_o vow_v and_o sacrifice_v to_o the_o lord_n a_o corrupt_a thing_n the_o same_o be_v here_o both_o the_o deceiver_n and_o the_o deceive_v too_o for_o god_n very_o well_o know_v what_o he_o give_v man_n and_o why_o and_o where_o he_o have_v bestwoe_v judgement_n learning_n and_o utterance_n will_v not_o endure_v that_o man_n shall_v be_v accurate_a in_o their_o discourse_n and_o loose_v in_o their_o devotion_n or_o think_v that_o the_o great_a author_n of_o every_o good_a and_o perfect_a gift_n will_v be_v put_v off_o with_o ramble_n and_o confuse_a talk_n babble_n and_o tautology_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o order_n and_o disposition_n of_o our_o prayer_n which_o certain_o require_v precedent_a 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to_o approach_v to_o as_o to_o break_v in_o upon_o god_n and_o sure_o he_o who_o be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o do_v so_o have_v no_o reason_n in_o the_o earth_n to_o expect_v that_o the_o success_n which_o follow_v his_o prayer_n shall_v be_v great_a than_o the_o preparation_n that_o go_v before_o they_o now_o from_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o discourse_v of_o this_o first_o and_o grand_a qualification_n of_o a_o pious_a and_o devout_a prayer_n to_o wit_n premeditation_n of_o thought_n what_o can_v be_v so_o natural_o and_o so_o useful_o infer_v as_o the_o high_a expediency_n or_o rather_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o a_o set-form_n of_o prayer_n to_o guide_v our_o devotion_n by_o we_o have_v live_v in_o a_o age_n that_o have_v despise_v contradict_v and_o counter-acted_n all_o the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n in_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o their_o duty_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o of_o their_o behaviour_n both_o in_o matter_n civil_a and_o religious_a but_o in_o nothing_o more_o scandalous_o than_o in_o their_o vile_a abuse_n of_o the_o great_a duty_n of_o prayer_n concern_v which_o though_o it_o may_v with_o the_o clear_a truth_n be_v affirm_v that_o there_o have_v be_v no_o church_n yet_o of_o any_o account_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n but_o what_o have_v govern_v its_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n by_o a_o liturgy_n or_o set-form_n of_o prayer_n yet_o these_o enthusiastic_a innovator_n the_o bold_a and_o blind_a reformer_n of_o all_o antiquity_n and_o wise_a than_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n beside_o introduce_v into_o the_o room_n of_o it_o a_o saucy_a senseless_a extemporary_a way_n of_o speak_v to_o god_n affirm_v that_o this_o be_v a_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o that_o the_o use_v of_o all_o set-form_n be_v stint_v of_o the_o spirit_n a_o pretence_n i_o confess_v popular_a and_o plausible_a enough_o with_o such_o idiot_n as_o take_v the_o sound_n of_o word_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o but_o for_o the_o full_a confutation_n of_o it_o which_o i_o hope_v shall_v be_v do_v both_o easy_o and_o brief_o too_o i_o shall_v advance_v this_o one_o assertion_n in_o direct_a contradiction_n to_o that_o namely_o that_o the_o pray_v by_o a_o set-form_n be_v not_o a_o stint_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o pray_v extempore_o true_o and_o proper_o be_v so_o for_o the_o prove_v and_o make_v out_o of_o which_o we_o will_v first_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v to_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n a_o thing_n much_o talk_v of_o but_o not_o so_o convenient_a for_o the_o talker_n of_o it_o and_o pretender_n to_o it_o to_o have_v it_o right_o state_v and_o understand_v in_o short_a it_o include_v in_o it_o these_o two_o thing_n 1_o sy_n a_o pray_v with_o the_o heart_n which_o be_v sometime_o call_v the_o spirit_n or_o inward_a man_n and_o so_o it_o be_v proper_o oppose_v to_o hypocritical_a lip-devotion_n in_o which_o the_o heart_n or_o spirit_n do_v not_o go_v along_o with_o a_o man_n word_n 2_o lie_n it_o include_v in_o it_o also_o a_o pray_v according_a to_o the_o rule_v prescribe_v by_o god_n holy_a spirit_n and_o hold_v forth_o to_o we_o in_o his_o reveal_v word_n which_o word_n be_v both_o dictate_v and_o confirm_v by_o this_o spirit_n and_o so_o it_o be_v oppose_v to_o the_o pray_v unlawful_o or_o unwarrantable_o and_o that_o either_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o matter_n or_o manner_n of_o our_o prayer_n as_o when_o we_o desire_v of_o god_n such_o thing_n or_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n speak_v in_o his_o holy_a word_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n warrant_v or_o approve_v of_o so_o that_o to_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n signify_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o but_o to_o pray_v know_o hearty_o and_o affectionate_o for_o such_o thing_n and_o in_o such_o
that_o since_o a_o set-form_n of_o prayer_n leave_v the_o soul_n whole_o free_a to_o employ_v its_o affection_n and_o devotion_n in_o which_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n do_v most_o proper_o consist_v it_o follow_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n be_v thereby_o in_o a_o singular_a manner_n help_v promote_v and_o enlarge_v and_o since_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o extempore-way_n withdraw_v and_o take_v off_o the_o soul_n from_o employ_v its_o affection_n and_o engage_v it_o chief_o if_o not_o whole_o about_o the_o use_n of_o its_o invention_n it_o as_o plain_o follow_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n be_v by_o this_o mean_n unavoidable_o cramp_v and_o hinder_v and_o to_o use_v their_o own_o word_n stint_v which_o be_v the_o proposition_n that_o i_o undertake_v to_o prove_v but_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n i_o confess_v that_o be_v extreme_o hinder_v and_o stint_v by_o a_o set-form_n of_o prayer_n and_o equal_o further_v and_o enlarge_v by_o the_o extempore-way_n which_o without_o all_o doubt_n be_v the_o true_a cause_n why_o the_o former_a be_v so_o much_o decry_v and_o the_o latter_a so_o much_o extol_v by_o the_o man_n who_o we_o be_v now_o plead_v with_o the_o first_o of_o which_o be_v pride_n and_o ostentation_n the_o other_o faction_n and_o sedition_n 1._o and_o first_o for_o pride_n i_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o question_n but_o the_o chief_a design_n of_o such_o as_o use_v the_o extempore-way_n be_v to_o amuse_v the_o unthinking_a rabble_n with_o a_o admiration_n of_o their_o gift_n their_o whole_a devotion_n proceed_v from_o no_o other_o principle_n but_o only_o a_o love_n to_o hear_v themselves_o talk_v and_o i_o believe_v it_o will_v put_v lucifer_n himself_o hard_o to_o it_o to_o outvie_v the_o pride_n of_o one_o of_o those_o fellow_n pour_v out_o his_o extempore-stuff_n among_o his_o ignorant_a whine_a factious_a follower_n listen_v to_o and_o applaud_v his_o copious_a flow_n and_o cant_n with_o the_o ridiculous_a accent_n of_o their_o impertinent_a groan_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v extempore-prayer_n even_o when_o best_o and_o most_o dextrous_o perform_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o business_n of_o invention_n and_o wit_n such_o as_o it_o be_v and_o require_v no_o more_o to_o it_o but_o a_o teem_a imagination_n a_o bold_a front_n and_o a_o ready_a expression_n and_o deserve_v much_o the_o same_o commendation_n be_v it_o not_o in_o a_o matter_n too_o serious_a to_o be_v sudden_a upon_o which_o be_v due_a to_o extempore_o verse_n only_o with_o this_o difference_n that_o there_o be_v necessary_a to_o these_o latter_a a_o competent_a measure_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n whereas_o the_o former_a may_v be_v do_v with_o very_o little_a wit_n and_o no_o learning_n at_o all_o and_o now_o can_v any_o sober_a person_n think_v it_o reasonable_a that_o the_o public_a devotion_n of_o a_o whole_a congregation_n shall_v be_v under_o the_o conduct_n and_o at_o the_o mercy_n of_o a_o pert_a empty_a conceit_a holderforth_a who_o chief_a if_o not_o sole_a intent_n be_v to_o vaunt_v his_o spiritual_a clack_n and_o as_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v to_o pray_v prize_n whereas_o prayer_n be_v a_o duty_n that_o recommend_v itself_o to_o the_o acceptance_n of_o almighty_a god_n by_o no_o other_o qualification_n so_o much_o as_o by_o the_o profound_a humility_n and_o the_o low_a esteem_n that_o a_o man_n can_v possible_o have_v of_o himself_o certain_o the_o extemporize_a faculty_n be_v never_o more_o out_o of_o its_o element_n than_o in_o the_o pulpit_n though_o even_o here_o it_o be_v much_o more_o excusable_a in_o a_o sermon_n than_o in_o a_o prayer_n for_o as_o much_o as_o in_o that_o a_o man_n addresses_z himself_z but_o to_o man_n man_n like_o himself_o who_o he_o may_v therefore_o make_v bold_a with_o as_o no_o doubt_n for_o so_o do_v they_o will_v also_o make_v bold_a with_o he_o beside_o the_o peculiar_a advantage_n attend_v all_o such_o sudden_a conception_n that_o as_o they_o be_v quick_o bear_v so_o they_o quick_o die_v it_o be_v seldom_o know_v where_o the_o speaker_n have_v so_o very_o fluent_a a_o invention_n but_o the_o hearer_n also_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o as_o fluent_a a_o memory_n 2_o lie_n the_o other_o thing_n that_o have_v be_v hitherto_o so_o little_o befriend_v by_o a_o set-form_n of_o prayer_n and_o so_o very_a much_o by_o the_o extempore-way_n be_v faction_n and_o sedition_n it_o have_v be_v always_o find_v a_o excellent_a way_n of_o gird_v at_o the_o government_n in_o scripture-phrase_n and_o we_o all_o know_v the_o common_a dialect_n in_o which_o the_o great_a master_n of_o this_o art_n use_v to_o pray_v for_o the_o king_n and_o which_o may_v just_o pass_v for_o only_o a_o cleanly_a and_o more_o refine_a kind_n of_o libel_v he_o in_o the_o lord_n as_o that_o god_n will_v turn_v his_o heart_n and_o open_v his_o eye_n as_o if_o he_o be_v a_o pagan_a yet_o to_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n with_o many_o other_o sly_a virulent_a and_o malicious_a insinuation_n which_o we_o may_v every_o day_n hear_v of_o from_o those_o mint_n of_o treason_n and_o rebellion_n their_o conventicle_n and_o for_o which_o and_o a_o great_a deal_n less_o some_o prince_n and_o government_n will_v make_v they_o not_o only_o eat_v their_o word_n but_o the_o tongue_n that_o speak_v they_o too_o in_o fine_a let_v all_o their_o extempore_o harangue_n be_v consider_v and_o due_o weigh_v and_o you_o shall_v find_v a_o spirit_n of_o pride_n faction_n and_o sedition_n predominant_a in_o they_o all_o the_o only_a spirit_n which_o those_o impostor_n do_v real_o and_o indeed_o pray_v by_o i_o have_v be_v so_o much_o the_o long_o and_o the_o earnest_a against_o this_o intoxicate_a bewitch_a cheat_n of_o extempore-prayer_n be_v full_o satisfy_v in_o my_o conscience_n that_o it_o have_v be_v all_o along_o the_o devil_n masterpiece_n and_o prime_a engine_n to_o overthrow_v our_o church_n by_o for_o i_o look_v upon_o this_o as_o a_o most_o unanswerable_a truth_n that_o whatsoever_o render_v the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n contemptible_a among_o we_o must_v in_o the_o same_o degree_n weaken_v and_o discredit_v our_o whole_a religion_n and_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v also_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n altogether_o as_o clear_v that_o this_o extempore-way_n natural_o bring_v all_o the_o contempt_n upon_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n that_o both_o the_o folly_n and_o faction_n of_o man_n can_v possible_o expose_v it_o to_o and_o therefore_o as_o a_o thing_n neither_o subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o true_a purpose_n of_o religion_n nor_o ground_v upon_o principle_n of_o reason_n nor_o last_o suitable_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o antiquity_n aught_o by_o all_o mean_n to_o be_v explode_v and_o cast_v out_o of_o every_o sober_a and_o well-ordered_a church_n or_o that_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o throw_v the_o church_n itself_o out_o of_o door_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v at_o length_n finish_v what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v of_o the_o first_o ingredient_n of_o a_o pious_a and_o reverential_n prayer_n which_o be_v premeditation_n of_o thought_n prescribe_v to_o we_o in_o these_o word_n let_v not_o thy_o mouth_n be_v rash_a nor_o thy_o heart_n be_v hasty_a to_o utter_v any_o thing_n before_o god_n which_o excellent_a word_n and_o most_o wise_a advice_n of_o solomon_n whosoever_o can_v reconcile_v to_o the_o expediency_n decency_n or_o usefulness_n of_o extempore-prayer_n i_o shall_v acknowledge_v he_o a_o man_n of_o great_a ability_n and_o part_n of_o mind_n than_o solomon_n himself_o the_o other_o ingredient_n of_o a_o reverential_n and_o due_o qualify_v prayer_n be_v a_o pertinent_a brevity_n of_o expression_n mention_v and_o recommend_v in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o text_n therefore_o let_v thy_o word_n be_v few_o but_o this_o i_o can_v dispatch_v now_o and_o therefore_o shall_v not_o enter_v upon_o at_o this_o time_n now_o to_o god_n the_o father_n god_n the_o son_n and_o god_n the_o holy_a ghost_n three_o person_n and_o one_o god_n be_v render_v and_o ascribe_v as_o be_v most_o due_a all_o praise_n may_v majesty_n and_o dominion_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_n a_o discourse_n against_o long_n and_o extempore-prayer_n in_o behalf_n of_o the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n upon_o the_o same_o text._n eccles_n v._o 2._o be_v not_o rash_a with_o thy_o mouth_n and_o let_v not_o thy_o heart_n be_v hasty_a to_o utter_v any_o thing_n before_o god_n for_o god_n be_v in_o heaven_n and_o thou_o upon_o earth_n therefore_o let_v thy_o word_n be_v few_o i_o former_o begin_v a_o discourse_n upon_o these_o word_n and_o observe_v in_o they_o these_o three_o thing_n 1._o that_o whosoever_o appear_v in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o particular_o in_o the_o way_n of_o prayer_n aught_o to_o reckon_v himself_o in_o a_o more_o especial_a manner_n place_v in_o the_o sight_n and_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o 2_o lie_n
a_o manner_n as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o scripture_n either_o command_n or_o allow_v of_o as_o for_o any_o other_o kind_n of_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n upon_o the_o best_a enquiry_n that_o i_o can_v make_v into_o these_o matter_n i_o can_v find_v none_o and_o if_o some_o say_v as_o i_o know_v they_o both_o impudent_o and_o blasphemous_o do_v that_o to_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n be_v to_o have_v the_o spirit_n immediate_o inspire_v they_o and_o by_o such_o inspiration_n speak_v within_o they_o and_o so_o dictate_v their_o prayer_n to_o they_o let_v they_o either_o produce_v plain_a scripture_n or_o do_v a_o miracle_n to_o prove_v this_o by_o but_o till_o then_o he_o who_o shall_v consider_v what_o kind_n of_o prayer_n these_o pretender_n to_o the_o spirit_n have_v be_v notable_a for_o will_v find_v that_o they_o have_v as_o little_a cause_n to_o father_n their_o prayer_n as_o their_o practice_n upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n these_o two_o thing_n be_v certain_a and_o i_o do_v particular_o recommend_v they_o to_o your_o observation_n one_o that_o this_o way_n of_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n as_o they_o call_v it_o be_v begin_v and_o first_o bring_v into_o use_n here_o in_o england_n in_o queen_n elizabeth_n day_n by_o a_o popish_a priest_n and_o dominican_n friar_n one_o faithful_a commin_n by_o name_n who_o counterfeit_v himself_o a_o protestant_n and_o a_o zealot_n of_o the_o high_a form_n set_v up_o this_o new_a spiritual_a way_n of_o pray_v with_o a_o design_n to_o bring_v the_o people_n first_o to_o a_o contempt_n and_o from_o thence_o to_o a_o utter_a hatred_n and_o disuse_n of_o our_o common-prayer_n which_o he_o still_o revile_v as_o only_o a_o translation_n of_o the_o mass_n thereby_o to_o distract_v man_n mind_n and_o to_o divide_v our_o church_n and_o this_o he_o do_v with_o such_o success_n that_o we_o have_v live_v to_o see_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o labour_n in_o the_o utter_a subversion_n of_o church_n and_o state_n which_o hellish_a negotiation_n when_o this_o malicious_a hypocrite_n come_v to_o rome_n to_o give_v the_o pope_n a_o account_n of_o he_o receive_v of_o he_o as_o so_o notable_a a_o service_n well_o deserve_v beside_o a_o thousand_o thanks_o two_o thousand_o ducat_n for_o his_o pain_n so_o that_o now_o you_o see_v here_o the_o original_a of_o this_o extempore-way_n of_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n the_o other_o thing_n that_o i_o will_v observe_v to_o you_o be_v that_o in_o the_o neighbour_n nation_n of_o scotland_n one_o of_o the_o great_a rediviv_n monster_n of_o man_n that_o i_o believe_v ever_o live_v and_o actual_o in_o league_n with_o the_o devil_n be_v yet_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o all_o that_o hear_v he_o the_o most_o excellent_a at_o this_o extempore-way_n of_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o any_o man_n in_o his_o time_n none_o be_v able_a to_o come_v near_o he_o or_o to_o compare_v with_o he_o but_o sure_o now_o he_o who_o shall_v venture_v to_o ascribe_v the_o prayer_n of_o such_o a_o wretch_n make_v up_o of_o adultery_n incest_n witchcraft_n and_o other_o villainy_n not_o to_o be_v name_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n may_v as_o well_o strike_v in_o with_o the_o pharisee_n and_o ascribe_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o devil_n and_o thus_o have_v show_v both_o what_o ought_v to_o be_v mean_v by_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o what_o ought_v not_o can_v be_v mean_v by_o it_o let_v we_o now_o see_v whether_o a_o set-form_n or_o this_o extemporary-way_n be_v the_o great_a hinderer_n and_o stinter_n of_o it_o in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o these_o three_o assertion_n 1._o that_o the_o soul_n or_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v but_o of_o a_o limit_a nature_n in_o all_o its_o work_n and_o consequent_o can_v supply_v two_o distinct_a faculty_n at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o the_o same_o height_n of_o operation_n 2_o lie_n that_o the_o find_v word_n and_o expression_n for_o prayer_n be_v the_o proper_a business_n of_o the_o brain_n and_o the_o invention_n and_o that_o the_o find_v devotion_n and_o affection_n to_o accompany_v and_o go_v along_o with_o those_o expression_n be_v proper_o the_o work_n and_o business_n of_o the_o heart_n 3_o lie_n that_o this_o devotion_n and_o affection_n be_v indispensable_o require_v in_o prayer_n as_o the_o principal_a and_o most_o essential_a part_n of_o it_o and_o that_o in_o which_o the_o spirituality_n of_o it_o do_v most_o proper_o consist_v now_o from_o these_o three_o thing_n put_v together_o this_o must_v natural_o and_o necessary_o follow_v that_o as_o spiritual_a prayer_n or_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n take_v in_o the_o right_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n consist_v proper_o in_o that_o affection_n and_o devotion_n that_o the_o heart_n exercise_n and_o employ_v in_o the_o work_n of_o prayer_n so_o whatsoever_o give_v the_o soul_n scope_n and_o liberty_n to_o exercise_v and_o employ_v this_o affection_n and_o devotion_n that_o do_v most_o effectual_o help_v and_o enlarge_v the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n and_o whatsoever_o divert_v the_o soul_n from_o employ_v such_o affection_n and_o devotion_n that_o do_v most_o direct_o stint_v and_o hinder_v it_o according_o let_v this_o now_o be_v our_o rule_n whereby_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o a_o set-form_n and_o of_o the_o extempore-way_n in_o the_o present_a business_n as_o for_o a_o set-form_n in_o which_o the_o word_n be_v ready_a prepare_v to_o our_o hand_n the_o soul_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o attend_v to_o the_o work_n of_o raise_v the_o affection_n and_o devotion_n to_o go_v along_o with_o those_o word_n so_o that_o all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v take_v up_o in_o apply_v the_o heart_n to_o this_o great_a duty_n and_o it_o be_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o heart_n as_o have_v be_v already_o show_v that_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o a_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n on_o the_o contrary_a in_o all_o extempore-prayer_n the_o power_n and_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v call_v off_o from_o deal_v with_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o affection_n and_o that_o both_o in_o the_o speaker_n and_o in_o the_o hearer_n both_o in_o he_o who_o make_v and_o in_o he_o who_o be_v to_o join_v in_o such_o prayer_n and_o first_o for_o the_o minister_n who_o make_v and_o utter_v such_o extempore-prayer_n he_o be_v whole_o employ_v his_o invention_n both_o to_o conceive_v matter_n and_o to_o find_v word_n and_o expression_n to_o clothe_v it_o in_o this_o be_v certain_o the_o work_n which_o take_v up_o his_o mind_n in_o this_o exercise_n and_o since_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n mind_n be_v such_o that_o it_o can_v with_o the_o same_o vigour_n at_o the_o same_o time_n attend_v the_o work_n of_o invention_n and_o that_o of_o raise_v the_o affection_n also_o nor_o measure_v out_o the_o same_o supply_n of_o spirit_n and_o intention_n for_o the_o carry_v on_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o head_n and_o those_o of_o the_o heart_n too_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o while_o the_o head_n be_v so_o much_o employ_v the_o heart_n must_v be_v idle_a and_o very_o little_o employ_v and_o perhaps_o not_o at_o all_o and_o consequent_o if_o to_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n be_v to_o pray_v with_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o affection_n it_o be_v also_o as_o certain_a that_o while_o a_o man_n pray_v extempore_o he_o do_v not_o pray_v by_o the_o spirit_n nay_o the_o very_a truth_n of_o it_o be_v that_o while_o he_o be_v so_o do_v he_o be_v not_o pray_v at_o all_o but_o he_o be_v study_v he_o be_v beat_v his_o brain_n while_o he_o shall_v be_v draw_v out_o his_o affection_n and_o then_o for_o the_o people_n that_o be_v to_o hear_v and_o join_v with_o he_o in_o such_o prayer_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o they_o not_o know_v beforehand_o what_o the_o minister_n will_v say_v must_v as_o soon_o as_o they_o do_v hear_v he_o present_o busy_a and_o bestir_v their_o mind_n both_o to_o apprehend_v and_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o what_o they_o hear_v and_o withal_o to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o to_o be_v fit_a for_o they_o to_o join_v and_o concur_v with_o he_o in_o so_o that_o the_o people_n also_o be_v by_o this_o course_n put_v to_o study_v and_o to_o employ_v their_o apprehend_n and_o judge_a faculty_n while_o they_o shall_v be_v exert_v their_o affection_n and_o devotion_n and_o consequent_o by_o this_o mean_n the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n be_v stint_v as_o well_o in_o the_o congregation_n that_o follow_v as_o in_o the_o minister_n who_o first_o conceive_v a_o prayer_n after_o their_o extempore-way_n which_o be_v a_o truth_n so_o clear_a and_o indeed_o self-evident_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o it_o shall_v need_v any_o further_a argument_n to_o demonstrate_v or_o make_v it_o out_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o
unborn_a though_o he_o have_v no_o positive_a perfection_n to_o present_v and_o set_v he_o off_o to_o christ_n view_n yet_o he_o be_v at_o least_o negative_o clear_a and_o like_o unwritten_a paper_n though_o it_o have_v no_o draught_n to_o entertain_v yet_o neither_o have_v it_o any_o blot_n to_o offend_v the_o eye_n but_o be_v white_a and_o innocent_a and_o fair_a for_o a_o after-inscription_n but_o man_n once_o fall_v be_v nothing_o but_o a_o great_a blur_v nothing_o but_o a_o total_a universal_a pollution_n and_o not_o to_o be_v reform_v by_o any_o thing_n under_o a_o new_a creation_n yet_o see_v here_o the_o ascent_n and_o progress_n of_o christ_n love_n for_o first_o if_o we_o consider_v man_n in_o such_o a_o loathsome_a and_o provoke_a condition_n be_v it_o not_o love_n enough_o that_o he_o be_v spare_v and_o permit_v to_o enjoy_v a_o be_v since_o not_o to_o put_v a_o traitor_n to_o death_n be_v a_o singular_a mercy_n but_o then_o not_o only_o to_o continue_v his_o be_v but_o to_o adorn_v it_o with_o privilege_n and_o from_o the_o number_n of_o subject_n to_o take_v he_o into_o the_o retinue_n of_o servant_n this_o be_v yet_o a_o great_a love_n for_o every_o one_o that_o may_v be_v fit_a to_o be_v tolerate_v in_o a_o prince_n dominion_n be_v not_o therefore_o fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o his_o family_n nor_o be_v any_o prince_n court_n to_o be_v commensurate_a to_o his_o kingdom_n but_o then_o far_o to_o advance_v he_o from_o a_o servant_n to_o a_o friend_n from_o only_o live_v in_o his_o house_n to_o lie_v in_o his_o bosom_n this_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o favour_n above_o the_o rate_n of_o a_o create_a goodness_n a_o act_n for_o none_o but_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o come_v to_o do_v every_o thing_n in_o miracle_n to_o love_v supernatural_o and_o to_o pardon_v infinite_o and_o even_o to_o lay_v down_o the_o sovereign_n while_o he_o assume_v the_o saviour_n the_o text_n speak_v the_o win_a behaviour_n and_o gracious_a condescension_n of_o christ_n to_o his_o disciple_n in_o own_v they_o for_o his_o friend_n who_o be_v more_o than_o sufficient_o honour_v by_o be_v his_o servant_n for_o still_o these_o word_n of_o he_o must_v be_v understand_v not_o according_a to_o the_o bare_a rigour_n of_o the_o letter_n but_o according_a to_o the_o art_n and_o allowance_n of_o expression_n not_o as_o if_o the_o relation_n of_o friend_n have_v actual_o discharge_v they_o from_o that_o of_o servant_n but_o that_o of_o the_o two_o relation_n christ_n be_v please_v to_o overlook_a the_o mean_a and_o without_o any_o mention_n of_o that_o to_o entitle_v and_o denominate_v they_o sole_o from_o the_o more_o honourable_a for_o the_o further_a illustration_n of_o which_o we_o must_v premise_v this_o as_o a_o certain_a and_o fundamental_a truth_n that_o so_o far_o as_o service_n import_v duty_n and_o subjection_n all_o create_a being_n whether_o man_n or_o angel_n bear_v the_o necessary_a and_o essential_a relation_n of_o servant_n to_o god_n and_o consequent_o to_o christ_n who_o be_v god_n bless_v for_o ever_o and_o this_o relation_n be_v so_o necessary_a that_o god_n himself_o can_v dispense_v with_o it_o nor_o discharge_v a_o rational_a creature_n from_o it_o for_o although_o consequential_o indeed_o he_o may_v do_v so_o by_o the_o annihilation_n of_o such_o a_o creature_n and_o the_o take_v away_o his_o be_v yet_o suppose_v the_o continuance_n of_o his_o be_v god_n can_v effect_v that_o a_o creature_n which_o have_v his_o be_v from_o and_o his_o dependence_n upon_o he_o shall_v not_o stand_v oblige_v to_o do_v he_o the_o utmost_a service_n that_o his_o nature_n enable_v he_o to_o do_v for_o to_o suppose_v the_o contrary_a will_v be_v irregular_a and_o opposite_a to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o fix_a unalterable_a relation_n of_o one_o nature_n to_o another_o be_v upon_o that_o account_n even_o by_o god_n himself_o indispensable_a forasmuch_o as_o have_v once_o make_v a_o creature_n he_o can_v cause_v that_o that_o creature_n shall_v not_o owe_v a_o natural_a relation_n to_o his_o maker_n both_o of_o subjection_n and_o dependence_n the_o very_a essence_n of_o a_o creature_n import_v so_o much_o to_o which_o relation_n if_o he_o behave_v himself_o unsutable_o he_o go_v contrary_a to_o his_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o it_o which_o god_n the_o author_n of_o nature_n can_v warrant_v without_o be_v contrary_a to_o himself_o from_o all_o which_o it_o follow_v that_o even_o in_o our_o high_a estate_n of_o sanctity_n and_o privilege_n we_o yet_o retain_v the_o unavoidable_a obligation_n of_o christ_n servant_n though_o still_o with_o a_o advantage_n as_o great_a as_o the_o obligation_n where_o the_o service_n be_v perfect_a freedom_n so_o that_o with_o reference_n to_o such_o a_o lord_n to_o serve_v and_o to_o be_v free_a be_v term_n not_o consistent_a only_o but_o absolute_o equivalent_a nevertheless_o since_o the_o name_n of_o servant_n have_v of_o old_a be_v reckon_v to_o imply_v a_o certain_a meanness_n of_o mind_n as_o well_o as_o lowness_n of_o condition_n and_o the_o ill_a quality_n of_o many_o who_o serve_v have_v render_v the_o condition_n itself_o not_o very_o creditable_a especial_o in_o those_o age_n and_o place_n of_o the_o world_n in_o which_o the_o condition_n of_o servant_n be_v extreme_o different_a from_o what_o it_o be_v now_o among_o we_o they_o be_v general_o slave_n and_o such_o as_o be_v buy_v and_o sell_v for_o money_n and_o consequent_o reckon_v but_o among_o the_o other_o good_n and_o chattel_n of_o their_o lord_n or_o master_n it_o be_v for_o this_o reason_n that_o christ_n think_v fit_a to_o wave_v the_o appellation_n of_o servant_n here_o as_o according_a to_o the_o common_a use_n of_o it_o among_o the_o jew_n and_o at_o that_o time_n most_o nation_n beside_o import_v these_o three_o qualification_n which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v allow_v in_o any_o of_o christ_n disciple_n 1._o the_o first_o whereof_o be_v that_o here_o mention_v in_o the_o text_n viz._n a_o utter_a unacquaintance_n with_o his_o master_n design_n in_o these_o word_n the_o servant_n know_v not_o what_o his_o lord_n do_v for_o seldom_o do_v any_o man_n of_o sense_n make_v his_o servant_n his_o counsellor_n for_o fear_v of_o make_v he_o his_o governor_n too_o a_o master_n for_o the_o most_o part_n keep_v his_o choice_a good_n lock_v up_o from_o his_o servant_n but_o much_o more_o his_o mind_n a_o servant_n be_v to_o know_v nothing_o but_o his_o master_n command_n and_o in_o these_o also_o not_o to_o know_v the_o reason_n of_o they_o neither_o be_v he_o to_o stand_v aloof_o off_o from_o his_o counsel_n only_o but_o sometime_o from_o his_o presence_n also_o and_o so_o far_o as_o decency_n be_v duty_n it_o be_v sometime_o his_o duty_n to_o avoid_v he_o but_o the_o voice_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o gospel_n be_v come_v to_o i_o all_o you_o that_o be_v heavy_a lade_v the_o condition_n of_o a_o servant_n staff_n he_o off_o to_o a_o distance_n but_o the_o gospel_n speak_v nothing_o but_o allurement_n attractive_n and_o invitation_n the_o magisterial_a law_n bid_v the_o person_n under_o it_o go_v and_o he_o must_v go_v but_o the_o gospel_n say_v to_o every_o believer_n come_v and_o he_o come_v a_o servant_n dwell_v remote_a from_o all_o knowledge_n of_o his_o lord_n purpose_n he_o live_v as_o a_o kind_n of_o foreigner_n under_o the_o same_o roof_n a_o domestic_a and_o yet_o a_o stranger_n too_o two_o the_o name_n of_o servant_n import_v a_o slavish_a and_o degenerous_a awe_n of_o mind_n as_o it_o be_v in_o rom._n 8._o 5._o god_n have_v not_o give_v we_o the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n again_o to_o fear_v he_o who_o serve_v have_v still_o the_o low_a and_o ignoble_a restraint_n of_o dread_a upon_o his_o spirit_n which_o in_o business_n and_o even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o action_n cramp_n and_o tie_v up_o his_o activity_n he_o fear_v his_o master_n anger_n 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of_o he_o which_o opinion_n alone_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o make_v any_o one_o of_o a_o mean_a servile_a spirit_n insolent_a and_o intolerable_a and_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v what_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o servant_n usual_o be_v or_o at_o least_o be_v in_o that_o country_n where_o our_o saviour_n live_v and_o converse_v when_o he_o speak_v these_o word_n which_o no_o doubt_n be_v the_o cause_n why_o he_o will_v not_o treat_v his_o disciple_n who_o he_o design_v to_o be_v of_o a_o quite_o contrary_a disposition_n with_o this_o appellation_n come_v we_o therefore_o now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o show_v what_o be_v include_v in_o that_o great_a character_n and_o privilege_n which_o he_o be_v please_v to_o vouchsafe_v both_o to_o they_o and_o to_o all_o believer_n in_o call_v and_o account_v they_o his_o friend_n it_o include_v in_o it_o i_o conceive_v these_o follow_a thing_n 1._o freedom_n of_o access_n house_n and_o heart_n and_o all_o be_v open_a for_o the_o reception_n of_o 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of_o friendship_n to_o rectify_v or_o at_o least_o to_o qualify_v the_o malignity_n of_o those_o surmise_n that_o will_v misrepresent_v a_o friend_n and_o traduce_v he_o in_o our_o thought_n be_o i_o tell_v that_o my_o friend_n have_v do_v i_o a_o injury_n or_o that_o he_o have_v commit_v any_o undecent_a action_n why_o the_o first_o debt_n that_o i_o both_o owe_v to_o his_o friendship_n and_o that_o he_o may_v challenge_v from_o i_o be_v rather_o to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o report_n than_o present_o to_o believe_v my_o friend_n unworthy_a or_o if_o matter_n of_o fact_n break_v out_o and_o blaze_n with_o too_o great_a a_o evidence_n to_o be_v deny_v or_o so_o much_o as_o doubt_v of_o why_o still_o there_o be_v other_o lenitive_n that_o friendship_n will_v apply_v before_o it_o will_v be_v bring_v to_o the_o decretory_a rigour_n of_o a_o condemn_v sentence_n a_o friend_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o act_v the_o part_n of_o a_o advocate_n before_o he_o will_v assume_v that_o of_o 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that_o the_o vast_a and_o infinite_a distance_n between_o god_n and_o he_o aught_o to_o create_v in_o he_o all_o imaginable_a awe_n and_o reverence_n in_o such_o his_o address_n to_o god_n 3_o lie_n and_o last_o that_o this_o reverence_n require_v of_o he_o be_v to_o consist_v in_o a_o serious_a preparation_n of_o his_o thought_n and_o a_o sober_a government_n of_o his_o expression_n neither_o be_v his_o mouth_n to_o be_v rash_a nor_o his_o heart_n to_o be_v hasty_a in_o utter_v any_o thing_n before_o god_n these_o three_o thing_n i_o show_v be_v evident_o contain_v in_o the_o word_n and_o do_v as_o evident_o contain_v the_o whole_a sense_n of_o they_o but_o i_o gather_v they_o all_o into_o this_o one_o proposition_n namely_o that_o premeditation_n of_o thought_n and_o brevity_n of_o expression_n be_v the_o great_a ingredient_n of_o that_o reverence_n that_o be_v require_v to_o a_o pious_a acceptable_a and_o devout_a prayer_n the_o first_o of_o these_o which_o be_v premeditation_n of_o 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of_o this_o way_n of_o speak_v much_o high_a and_o from_o a_o example_n infinite_o great_a than_o the_o great_a humane_a wisdom_n be_v it_o not_o authorize_v and_o ennoble_v by_o god_n himself_o in_o his_o make_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o the_o work_n of_o all_o the_o six_o day_n transact_v in_o so_o many_o word_n there_o be_v no_o circumlocution_n or_o amplification_n in_o the_o case_n which_o make_v the_o rhetorician_n longinus_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o loftiness_n of_o speech_n so_o much_o admire_v the_o height_n and_o grandeur_n of_o moses_n style_n in_o his_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o lawgiver_n of_o the_o jew_n say_v he_o meaning_n moses_n be_v no_o ordinary_a man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o say_v he_o he_o set_v forth_o the_o divine_a power_n suitable_o to_o the_o majesty_n and_o greatness_n of_o it_o but_o how_o do_v he_o this_o why_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n for_o that_o say_v he_o in_o the_o very_a entrance_n of_o his_o law_n he_o give_v we_o this_o short_a and_o present_a account_n of_o the_o whole_a creation_n god_n say_v let_v there_o be_v light_n and_o there_o be_v light_a let_v there_o be_v a_o earth_n a_o sea_n and_o a_o firmament_n and_o there_o be_v so_o so_o that_o all_o this_o high_a elegy_n and_o encomium_n give_v by_o this_o heathen_a of_o moses_n spring_v only_o from_o the_o majestic_a brevity_n of_o this_o one_o expression_n a_o expression_n so_o suit_v to_o the_o greatness_n of_o a_o creator_n and_o so_o expressive_a of_o his_o boundless_a creative_a power_n as_o a_o power_n infinite_o above_o all_o controll_n or_o possibility_n of_o find_v the_o least_o obstacle_n or_o delay_n in_o achieve_v its_o mighty_a and_o most_o stupendous_a work_n heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o all_o the_o host_n of_o both_o as_o it_o be_v drop_v from_o his_o mouth_n and_o nature_n itself_o be_v but_o the_o product_n of_o a_o word_n a_o word_n not_o design_v to_o express_v but_o to_o constitute_v and_o give_v a_o be_v and_o not_o so_o much_o the_o representation_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o what_o it_o signify_v this_o be_v god_n way_n of_o speak_v in_o his_o first_o form_v of_o the_o universe_n and_o be_v it_o not_o so_o in_o the_o next_o grand_a instance_n of_o his_o power_n his_o govern_n of_o it_o too_o for_o be_v not_o the_o great_a instrument_n of_o government_n his_o law_n draw_v up_o and_o digest_v into_o a_o few_o sentence_n the_o whole_a body_n of_o they_o contain_v but_o ten_o commandment_n and_o some_o of_o those_o commandment_n not_o so_o many_o word_n nay_o and_o have_v we_o not_o these_o also_o bring_v into_o yet_o a_o narrow_a compass_n by_o he_o who_o best_o understand_v they_o thou_o shall_v love_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n with_o all_o thy_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o thy_o soul_n and_o thy_o neighbour_n as_o thyself_o precept_n nothing_o like_o the_o tedious_a endless_a confuse_a trash_n of_o humane_a law_n law_n so_o numerous_a that_o they_o not_o 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have_v it_o not_o be_v note_v by_o the_o best_a observer_n and_o the_o able_a judge_n both_o of_o thing_n and_o person_n that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o any_o people_n or_o nation_n have_v be_v most_o see_v in_o the_o proverb_n and_o short_a say_n common_o receive_v among_o they_o and_o what_o be_v a_o proverb_n but_o the_o experience_n and_o observation_n of_o several_a age_n gather_v and_o sum_v up_o into_o one_o expression_n the_o scripture_n vouch_v solomon_n for_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n and_o they_o be_v his_o proverb_n that_o prove_v he_o so_o the_o seven_o wife_n man_n of_o greece_n so_o famous_a for_o their_o wisdom_n all_o the_o world_n over_o acquire_v all_o that_o fame_n each_o of_o they_o by_o a_o single_a sentence_n consist_v of_o two_o or_o three_o word_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d still_o live_v and_o flourish_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o all_o while_o many_o vast_a volume_n be_v extinct_a and_o sink_v into_o dust_n and_o utter_a oblivion_n and_o then_o for_o book_n we_o shall_v general_o find_v that_o the_o most_o excellent_a in_o any_o art_n or_o science_n have_v be_v still_o the_o small_a and_o most_o compendious_a and_o this_o not_o without_o ground_n for_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o the_o author_n be_v a_o master_n of_o what_o he_o write_v and_o have_v a_o clear_a notion_n and_o a_o full_a comprehension_n of_o the_o subject_a before_o he_o for_o the_o reason_n of_o thing_n lie_v in_o a_o little_a compass_n if_o the_o mind_n can_v at_o any_o time_n be_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o light_v upon_o it_o most_o of_o the_o write_n and_o discourse_n in_o the_o world_n be_v but_o illustration_n and_o rhetoric_n which_o signify_v as_o much_o as_o nothing_o to_o a_o mind_n eager_a in_o pursuit_n after_o the_o cause_n and_o philosophical_a truth_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v the_o work_n of_o fancy_n to_o enlarge_v but_o of_o judgement_n to_o shorten_v and_o contract_v and_o therefore_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v as_o far_o above_o the_o other_o as_o judgement_n be_v a_o great_a and_o a_o noble_a faculty_n than_o fancy_n or_o imagination_n all_o philosophy_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o few_o principle_n and_o those_o principle_n comprise_v in_o a_o few_o proposition_n and_o as_o the_o whole_a structure_n of_o speculation_n rest_v upon_o three_o or_o four_o axiom_n or_o maxim_n so_o that_o of_o practice_n also_o bear_v upon_o a_o very_a small_a number_n of_o rule_n and_o sure_o there_o be_v never_o yet_o any_o rule_n or_o maxim_n that_o fill_v a_o volume_n or_o take_v up_o a_o week_n time_n to_o be_v get_v by_o heart_n no_o these_o be_v the_o apices_fw-la rerum_fw-la the_o top_n and_o sum_n the_o very_a spirit_n and_o life_n of_o thing_n extract_v and_o abridge_v just_o as_o all_o the_o line_n draw_v from_o the_o vast_a
and_o distemper_n of_o the_o soul_n feed_v only_o upon_o filth_n and_o corruption_n fire_n and_o brimstone_n and_o give_v a_o man_n the_o devil_n nature_n and_o the_o devil_n delight_n who_o have_v no_o other_o joy_n or_o happiness_n but_o to_o dishonour_v his_o maker_n and_o to_o destroy_v his_o fellow-creature_n to_o corrupt_v he_o here_o and_o to_o torment_v he_o hereafter_o in_o fine_a there_o be_v as_o much_o difference_n between_o the_o pleasure_n a_o man_n take_v in_o his_o own_o sin_n and_o that_o which_o he_o take_v in_o other_o man_n as_o there_o be_v between_o the_o wickedness_n of_o a_o man_n and_o the_o wickedness_n of_o a_o devil_n 2._o a_o second_o reason_n why_o a_o man_n be_v take_v pleasure_n in_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o come_v to_o be_v attend_v with_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a gild_n be_v from_o the_o boundless_a unlimited_a nature_n of_o this_o way_n of_o sin_v for_o by_o this_o a_o man_n contract_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o universal_a gild_n and_o as_o it_o be_v sin_v over_o the_o sin_n of_o all_o other_o man_n so_o that_o while_o the_o act_n be_v they_o the_o gild_n of_o it_o be_v equal_o he_o consider_v any_o man_n as_o to_o his_o personal_a power_n and_o opportunity_n of_o sin_v and_o comparative_o they_o be_v not_o great_a for_o at_o great_a they_o must_v still_o be_v limit_v by_o the_o measure_n of_o man_n act_n and_o the_o term_n of_o his_o duration_n and_o a_o man_n active_a power_n be_v but_o weak_a and_o his_o continuance_n in_o the_o world_n but_o short_a so_o that_o nature_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o keep_v pace_n with_o his_o corruption_n by_o answer_v desire_n with_o proportionable_a practice_n for_o to_o instance_n in_o those_o two_o grand_a extravagance_n of_o lust_n and_o drunkenness_n surely_n no_o man_n be_v of_o so_o general_a and_o diffusive_a a_o lust_n as_o to_o prosecute_v his_o amour_n all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o let_v it_o burn_v never_o so_o out-rageous_o for_o the_o present_a yet_o age_n will_v in_o time_n chill_a those_o heat_n and_o the_o impure_a flame_n will_v either_o die_v of_o itself_o or_o consume_v the_o body_n that_o harbour_v it_o and_o so_o for_o intemperance_n in_o drink_v no_o man_n can_v be_v so_o much_o a_o swine_n as_o to_o be_v always_o pour_v in_o but_o in_o the_o compass_n of_o some_o year_n he_o will_v drown_v his_o health_n and_o his_o strength_n in_o his_o own_o belly_n and_o after_o all_o his_o drunken_a trophy_n at_o length_n drink_v down_o himself_o too_o and_o that_o certain_o will_v and_o must_v put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o debauch_n but_o now_o for_o the_o way_n of_o sin_v which_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o it_o be_v neither_o confine_v by_o place_n nor_o weaken_v by_o age_n but_o the_o bedrid_a the_o gouty_a and_o the_o lethargic_a may_v upon_o this_o account_n equal_v the_o activity_n of_o the_o strong_a and_o most_o vegete_a sinner_n such_o a_o one_o may_v take_v his_o brother_n by_o the_o throat_n and_o act_v the_o murderer_n even_o while_o he_o can_v neither_o stir_v a_o hand_n nor_o a_o foot_n and_o he_o may_v invade_v his_o neighbour_n bed_n while_o weakness_n have_v tie_v he_o down_o to_o his_o own_o he_o may_v sin_v over_o all_o the_o adultery_n and_o debauch_n all_o the_o fraud_n and_o oppression_n of_o the_o whole_a neighbourhood_n and_o as_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v he_o may_v break_v every_o command_n of_o god_n law_n by_o proxy_n and_o it_o be_v well_o for_o he_o if_o he_o can_v be_v damn_v by_o proxy_n too_o a_o man_n by_o delight_n and_o fancy_n may_v grasp_v in_o the_o sin_n of_o all_o country_n and_o age_n and_o by_o a_o inward_a like_n of_o they_o communicate_v in_o their_o gild_n he_o may_v take_v a_o range_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o draw_v in_o all_o that_o wide_a circumference_n of_o sin_n and_o vice_n and_o centre_n it_o in_o his_o own_o breast_n for_o whatsoever_o sin_n a_o man_n extreme_o love_v and_o will_v commit_v if_o he_o have_v opportunity_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n please_v himself_o with_o the_o speculation_n of_o the_o same_o whether_o ever_o he_o commit_v it_o or_o no_o it_o leave_v a_o stain_n and_o a_o guilt_n upon_o his_o conscience_n and_o according_a to_o the_o spiritual_a and_o severe_a account_n of_o the_o law_n be_v make_v in_o a_o great_a respect_n his_o own_o so_o that_o by_o this_o mean_n there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o transmigration_n of_o sin_n much_o like_o that_o which_o pythagoras_n hold_v of_o soul_n such_o a_o one_o to_o be_v sure_a it_o be_v as_o make_v a_o man_n not_o only_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n phrase_n a_o partaker_n of_o other_o man_n sin_n but_o also_o a_o deriver_n of_o the_o whole_a entire_a gild_n of_o they_o to_o himself_o and_o yet_o so_o as_o to_o leave_v the_o committer_n of_o they_o as_o full_a of_o gild_n as_o he_o be_v before_o from_o whence_o we_o see_v the_o infinite_o fruitful_a and_o productive_a power_n of_o this_o way_n of_o sin_v how_o it_o can_v increase_v and_o multiply_v beyond_o all_o bound_n and_o measure_n of_o actual_a commission_n and_o how_o vast_o it_o swell_v the_o sinner_n account_n in_o a_o instant_n so_o that_o a_o man_n shall_v out_o of_o all_o the_o various_a and_o even_o numberless_a kind_n of_o villainy_n act_v by_o all_o the_o people_n and_o nation_n round_o about_o he_o as_o it_o be_v extract_v one_o mighty_a comprehensive_a guilt_n and_o adopt_v it_o to_o himself_o and_o so_o become_v chargeable_a with_o and_o accountable_a for_o a_o world_n of_o sin_n without_o a_o figure_n 3._o the_o three_o and_o last_o reason_n that_o i_o shall_v assign_v of_o the_o extraordinary_a gild_n attend_v a_o man_n be_v dispose_v to_o take_v pleasure_n in_o other_o man_n sin_n shall_v be_v take_v from_o the_o soul_n preparation_n and_o passage_n to_o such_o a_o disposition_n for_o that_o it_o presupposes_a and_o include_v in_o it_o the_o gild_n of_o many_o precede_a sin_n for_o as_o it_o have_v be_v show_v a_o man_n must_v have_v pass_v many_o period_n of_o sin_n before_o he_o can_v arrive_v to_o it_o and_o have_v serve_v a_o long_a apprenticeship_n to_o the_o devil_n before_o he_o can_v come_v to_o such_o a_o perfection_n and_o maturity_n in_o vice_n as_o this_o import_v it_o be_v a_o collection_n of_o the_o gild_n of_o a_o long_a and_o numerous_a train_n of_o villainy_n the_o compendium_n and_o summ-total_n of_o several_a particular_a impiety_n all_o unite_a and_o cast_v up_o into_o one_o it_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o very_a quintessence_n and_o sublimation_n of_o vice_n by_o which_o as_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o liquor_n the_o malignity_n of_o many_o action_n be_v contract_v into_o a_o little_a compass_n but_o with_o a_o great_a advantage_n of_o strength_n and_o force_n by_o such_o a_o contraction_n in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v the_o wickedness_n of_o a_o whole_a life_n discharge_v all_o its_o filth_n and_o foulness_n into_o this_o one_o quality_n as_o into_o a_o great_a sink_n or_o common_a shore_n so_o that_o nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v so_o proper_o and_o significant_o call_v the_o very_a sinfulness_n of_o sin_n as_o this_o and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n if_o contain_v so_o many_o year_n guilt_n in_o the_o bowel_n of_o it_o it_o stand_v here_o stigmatise_v by_o the_o apostle_n as_o a_o temper_n of_o mind_n render_v man_n so_o detestable_o bad_a that_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o mankind_n the_o devil_n himself_o neither_o can_v nor_o desire_n to_o make_v they_o worse_o i_o can_v i_o need_v not_o say_v any_o more_o of_o it_o it_o be_v indeed_o a_o condition_n not_o to_o be_v think_v of_o by_o person_n serious_a enough_o to_o think_v and_o consider_v without_o the_o utmost_a horror_n but_o such_o as_o true_o fear_v god_n shall_v both_o be_v keep_v from_o it_o and_o from_o those_o sin_n that_o lead_v to_o it_o to_o which_o god_n infinite_o wise_a holy_a and_o just_a be_v render_v and_o ascribe_v as_o be_v most_o due_a all_o praise_n may_v majesty_n and_o dominion_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_n the_o second_o sermon_n preach_v upon_o roman_n i_o 32._o rome_n i._o 32._o who_o know_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n that_o they_o which_o commit_v such_o thing_n be_v worthy_a of_o death_n not_o only_o do_v the_o same_o but_o have_v pleasure_n in_o they_o that_o do_v they_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n i_o show_v in_o the_o precede_a discourse_n fall_v natural_o into_o this_o one_o proposition_n viz._n that_o the_o gild_n arise_v from_o a_o man_n delight_v or_o take_v pleasure_n in_o other_o man_n sin_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o in_o other_o man_n for_o their_o sin_n be_v great_a than_o he_o can_v possible_o contract_v by_o a_o commission_n of_o the_o same_o sin_n in_o his_o own_o person_n the_o prosecution_n of_o which_o i_o state_v
paradox_n in_o practice_n and_o man_n may_v sometime_o do_v as_o well_o as_o speak_v contradiction_n there_o be_v a_o great_a festival_n now_o draw_v on_o a_o festival_n design_v chief_o for_o the_o act_n of_o a_o joyful_a piety_n but_o general_o make_v only_o a_o occasion_n of_o bravery_n i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o at_o present_a but_o this_o that_o god_n expect_v from_o man_n something_o more_o than_o ordinary_a at_o such_o time_n and_o that_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v wish_v for_o the_o credit_n of_o their_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o their_o conscience_n that_o their_o easter_n devotion_n will_v in_o some_o measure_n come_v up_o to_o their_o easter_n dress_n now_o that_o our_o preparation_n may_v answer_v the_o important_a work_n and_o duty_n which_o we_o be_v to_o engage_v in_o these_o two_o condition_n or_o qualification_n be_v require_v in_o it_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v habitual_a 2._o that_o it_o be_v also_o actual_a for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o may_v both_o be_v act_n which_o proceed_v not_o from_o any_o pre-existing_a habit_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n habit_n which_o lie_v for_o a_o time_n dormant_a and_o do_v not_o at_o all_o exert_n themselves_o in_o action_n but_o in_o the_o case_n now_o before_o we_o there_o must_v be_v a_o conjunction_n of_o both_o and_o one_o without_o the_o other_o can_v never_o be_v effectual_a for_o that_o purpose_n for_o which_o both_o together_o be_v but_o sufficient_a and_o first_o for_o habitual_a preparation_n this_o consist_v in_o a_o stand_n permanent_a habit_n or_o principle_n of_o holiness_n wrought_v chief_o by_o god_n spirit_n and_o instrumental_o by_o his_o word_n in_o the_o heart_n or_o soul_n of_o man_n such_o a_o principle_n as_o be_v call_v both_o by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o new_a birth_n the_o new_a man_n the_o immortal_a seed_n and_o the_o like_a and_o by_o which_o a_o man_n be_v so_o universal_o change_v and_o transform_v in_o the_o whole_a frame_n and_o temper_v of_o his_o soul_n as_o to_o have_v a_o new_a judgement_n and_o sense_n of_o thing_n new_a desire_n new_a appetite_n and_o inclination_n and_o this_o be_v first_o produce_v in_o he_o by_o that_o mighty_a spiritual_a change_n which_o we_o call_v conversion_n which_o be_v so_o rare_o and_o seldom_o find_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n even_o where_o it_o be_v most_o pretend_a to_o be_v but_o too_o full_a and_o sad_a a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o terrible_a say_v that_o few_o be_v choose_v and_o consequent_o but_o few_o save_v for_o who_o almost_o be_v there_o of_o who_o we_o can_v with_o any_o rational_a assurance_n or_o perhaps_o so_o much_o as_o likelihood_n affirm_v here_o be_v a_o man_n who_o nature_n be_v renew_v who_o heart_n be_v change_v and_o the_o stream_n of_o who_o appetite_n be_v so_o turn_v that_o he_o do_v with_o as_o high_a and_o quick_a a_o relish_n taste_v the_o way_n of_o duty_n holiness_n and_o strict_a live_n as_o other_o or_o as_o he_o himself_o before_o this_o grasp_v at_o the_o most_o enamour_v proposal_n of_o sin_n who_o almost_o i_o say_v be_v there_o who_o can_v reach_v and_o verify_v the_o height_n of_o this_o character_n and_o yet_o without_o which_o the_o scripture_n absolute_o affirm_v that_o a_o man_n can_v see_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n john_n 3._o 3._o for_o let_v preacher_n say_v and_o suggest_v what_o they_o will_v man_n will_v do_v as_o they_o use_v to_o do_v and_o custom_n general_o be_v too_o hard_a for_o conscience_n in_o spite_n of_o all_o its_o conviction_n possible_o sometime_o in_o hear_v or_o read_v the_o word_n the_o conscience_n may_v be_v alarm_v the_o affection_n warm_v good_a desire_n begin_v to_o kindle_v and_o to_o form_v themselves_o into_o some_o degree_n of_o resolution_n but_o the_o heart_n remain_v all_o the_o time_n unchanged_a as_o soon_o as_o man_n slide_v into_o the_o common_a course_n and_o converse_v of_o the_o world_n all_o those_o resolution_n and_o conviction_n quick_o cool_a and_o languish_v and_o after_o a_o few_o day_n be_v dismiss_v as_o troublesome_a companion_n but_o assure_o no_o man_n be_v ever_o make_v a_o true_a convert_n or_o a_o new_a creature_n at_o so_o easy_a a_o rate_n sin_n be_v never_o dispossess_v nor_o holiness_n introduce_v by_o such_o feeble_a vanish_v impression_n nothing_o under_o a_o total_a through_o change_n will_v suffice_v neither_o tear_n nor_o trouble_v of_o mind_n neither_o good_a desire_n nor_o intention_n nor_o yet_o the_o relinquishment_n of_o some_o sin_n nor_o the_o performance_n of_o some_o good_a work_n will_v avail_v any_o thing_n but_o a_o new_a creature_n a_o word_n that_o comprehend_v more_o in_o it_o than_o word_n can_v well_o express_v and_o perhaps_o after_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v of_o it_o never_o thorough_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o what_o a_o man_n hear_v from_o other_o but_o by_o what_o he_o must_v feel_v within_o himself_o and_o now_o that_o this_o be_v require_v as_o the_o groundwork_n of_o all_o our_o preparation_n for_o the_o sacrament_n be_v evident_a from_o hence_o because_o this_o sacrament_n be_v not_o first_o design_v to_o make_v we_o holy_a but_o rather_o suppose_v we_o to_o be_v so_o it_o be_v not_o a_o convert_n but_o a_o confirm_a ordinance_n it_o be_v proper_o our_o spiritual_a food_n and_o as_o all_o food_n presupposes_a a_o principle_n of_o life_n in_o he_o who_o receive_v it_o which_o life_n be_v by_o this_o mean_n to_o be_v continue_v and_o support_v so_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v original_o intend_v to_o preserve_v and_o maintain_v that_o spiritual_a life_n which_o we_o do_v or_o shall_v receive_v in_o baptism_n or_o at_o least_o by_o a_o through_o conversion_n after_o it_o upon_o which_o account_n according_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n and_o intent_n of_o this_o sacrament_n man_n shall_v not_o expect_v life_n but_o growth_n from_o it_o and_o see_v that_o there_o be_v something_o to_o be_v feed_v before_o they_o seek_v out_o for_o provision_n for_o the_o truth_n be_v for_o any_o one_o who_o be_v not_o pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n and_o have_v not_o in_o he_o that_o new_a live_a principle_n which_o we_o have_v be_v hitherto_o speak_v of_o to_o come_v to_o this_o spiritual_a repast_n be_v upon_o the_o matter_n as_o absurd_a and_o preposterous_a as_o if_o he_o who_o make_v a_o feast_n shall_v send_v to_o the_o grave_n and_o the_o churchyard_n for_o guest_n or_o entertain_v and_o treat_v a_o corpse_n at_o a_o banquet_n let_v man_n therefore_o consider_v before_o they_o come_v hither_o whether_o they_o have_v any_o thing_n beside_o the_o name_n they_o receive_v in_o baptism_n to_o prove_v their_o christianity_n by_o let_v they_o consider_v whether_o as_o by_o their_o baptism_n they_o former_o wash_v away_o their_o original_a gild_n so_o they_o have_v not_o since_o by_o their_o actual_a sin_n wash_v away_o their_o baptism_n and_o if_o so_o whether_o the_o convert_n grace_n of_o god_n have_v set_v they_o upon_o their_o leg_n again_o by_o form_v in_o they_o a_o new_a nature_n and_o that_o such_o a_o one_o as_o exert_n and_o show_v itself_o by_o the_o sure_a infallible_a effect_n of_o a_o good_a life_n such_o a_o one_o a_o enable_v they_o to_o reject_v and_o trample_v upon_o all_o the_o allure_a offer_n of_o the_o world_n the_o flesh_n and_o the_o devil_n so_o as_o not_o to_o be_v conquer_v or_o enslave_v by_o they_o and_o to_o choose_v the_o hard_a and_o rugged_a path_n of_o duty_n rather_o than_o the_o easy_a and_o voluptuous_a way_n of_o sin_n which_o every_o christian_a by_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o his_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o by_o his_o baptismal_a vow_n be_v strict_o oblige_v to_o do_v and_o if_o upon_o a_o impartial_a survey_n of_o themselves_o man_n find_v that_o no_o such_o change_n have_v pass_v upon_o they_o either_o let_v they_o prove_v that_o they_o may_v be_v christian_n upon_o easy_a term_n or_o have_v a_o care_n how_o they_o intrude_v upon_o so_o great_a and_o holy_a a_o ordinance_n in_o which_o god_n be_v so_o seldom_o mock_v but_o it_o be_v to_o the_o mocker_n confusion_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o habitual_a preparation_n but_o 2_o lie_n over_o and_o above_o this_o there_o be_v require_v also_o a_o actual_a preparation_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o furbish_a or_o rub_v up_o of_o the_o former_a habitual_a principle_n we_o have_v both_o of_o they_o excellent_o describe_v in_o matth._n 25._o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o ten_o virgin_n of_o which_o the_o five_o wise_a be_v say_v to_o have_v have_v oil_n in_o their_o lamp_n yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o midnight_n and_o weariness_n be_v too_o hard_o for_o they_o and_o they_o all_o slumber_v and_o sleep_v and_o their_o lamp_n cast_v but_o a_o dim_a and_o a_o feeble_a light_n
may_v have_v give_v thou_o riches_n and_o honour_n health_n and_o power_n with_o a_o curse_n and_o if_o so_o it_o will_v be_v find_v but_o a_o poor_a comfort_n to_o have_v have_v never_o so_o great_a a_o share_n of_o god_n bounty_n without_o his_o blessing_n but_o have_v he_o at_o any_o time_n keep_v thou_o from_o thy_o sin_n stop_v thou_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o thy_o lust_n defeat_v the_o malicious_a art_n and_o stratagem_n of_o thy_o mortal_a enemy_n the_o tempter_n and_o do_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o move_n and_o affect_v thy_o heart_n more_o than_o all_o the_o former_a instance_n of_o temporal_a prosperity_n which_o be_v but_o as_o it_o be_v the_o promiscuous_a scatter_n of_o his_o common_a providence_n while_o these_o be_v the_o distinguish_a kindness_n of_o his_o special_a grace_n a_o true_o pious_a mind_n have_v certain_o another_o kind_n of_o relish_n and_o taste_v of_o these_o thing_n and_o if_o it_o receive_v a_o temporal_a blessing_n with_o gratitude_n it_o 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last_o and_o bitter_a agony_n when_o many_o from_o the_o very_a bottom_n of_o their_o soul_n shall_v wish_v that_o they_o have_v never_o be_v rich_a or_o great_a or_o powerful_a and_o reflect_v with_o anguish_n and_o remorse_n upon_o those_o splendid_a occasion_n of_o sin_n which_o serve_v they_o for_o little_a but_o to_o heighten_v their_o gild_n and_o at_o best_a to_o inflame_v their_o account_n at_o that_o great_a tribunal_n which_o they_o be_v go_v to_o appear_v before_o 3._o in_o the_o three_o and_o last_o place_n we_o learn_v from_o hence_o the_o great_a reasonableness_n of_o not_o only_o a_o content_a but_o also_o a_o thankful_a acquiescence_n in_o any_o condition_n and_o under_o the_o cross_a and_o severe_a passage_n of_o providence_n which_o can_v possible_o befall_v we_o since_o there_o be_v none_o of_o all_o these_o but_o may_v be_v the_o instrument_n of_o preventing-grace_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o merciful_a god_n to_o keep_v we_o from_o those_o course_n which_o will_v 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and_o the_o active_a minister_n of_o thy_o debauchery_n perhaps_o thy_o languish_a upon_o thy_o bed_n have_v keep_v thou_o from_o rot_v in_o a_o gaol_n or_o in_o a_o worse_a place_n god_n see_v it_o necessary_a by_o such_o mortification_n to_o quench_v the_o boiling_n of_o a_o furious_a overflow_a appetite_n and_o the_o boundless_a rage_n of_o a_o insatiable_a intemperance_n to_o make_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o flesh_n the_o physic_n and_o restaurative_a of_o the_o spirit_n and_o in_o a_o word_n rather_o to_o save_v thou_o disease_a sickly_a and_o deform_v than_o to_o let_v strength_n health_n and_o beauty_n drive_v thou_o headlong_o as_o they_o have_v do_v many_o thousand_o into_o eternal_a destruction_n second_o have_v god_n in_o his_o providence_n think_v fit_a to_o drop_v a_o blot_n upon_o thy_o name_n and_o to_o blast_v thy_o reputation_n he_o see_v perhaps_o that_o the_o breath_n of_o popular_a air_n be_v grow_v infectious_a and_o will_v have_v derive_v a_o contagion_n upon_o thy_o better_a part_n pride_n and_o vainglory_n have_v mount_v thou_o too_o high_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o mercy_n to_o take_v thou_o down_o to_o prevent_v a_o great_a fall_n a_o good_a name_n be_v indeed_o better_a than_o life_n but_o a_o sound_a mind_n be_v better_a than_o both_o praise_n and_o applause_n have_v swell_v thou_o to_o a_o proportion_n ready_a to_o burst_v it_o have_v vitiate_a all_o thy_o spiritual_a appetite_n and_o bring_v thou_o to_o feed_v upon_o the_o air_n and_o to_o surfeit_v upon_o the_o wind_n and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o starve_v thy_o soul_n only_o to_o pamper_v thy_o imagination_n and_o now_o if_o god_n make_v use_v of_o some_o poignant_a disgrace_n to_o prick_v this_o enormous_a bladder_n and_o to_o let_v out_o the_o poisonous_a vapour_n be_v not_o the_o mercy_n great_a than_o the_o severity_n of_o the_o cure_n cover_v they_o with_o shame_n say_v the_o psalmist_n that_o they_o may_v seek_v thy_o name_n fame_n and_o glory_n transport_v a_o man_n out_o of_o himself_o and_o like_o a_o violent_a wind_n though_o it_o may_v bear_v he_o up_o for_o a_o while_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o let_v he_o fall_v at_o last_o it_o make_v the_o mind_n loose_a and_o garish_a scatter_v the_o spirit_n and_o leave_v a_o kind_n of_o dissolution_n upon_o all_o the_o faculty_n whereas_o shame_n on_o the_o contrary_n as_o all_o grief_n do_v natural_o contract_n and_o unite_v and_o thereby_o fortify_v the_o spirit_n fix_v the_o rambling_n of_o fancy_n and_o so_o reduce_v and_o gather_v the_o man_n into_o himself_o this_o be_v the_o sovereign_a effect_n of_o a_o bitter_a potion_n administer_v by_o a_o wise_a and_o merciful_a hand_n and_o what_o hurt_n can_v there_o be_v in_o all_o the_o slander_n obloquy_n and_o disgrace_n of_o this_o world_n if_o they_o be_v but_o the_o art_n and_o method_n of_o providence_n to_o shame_v we_o into_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o next_o but_o then_o three_o and_o last_o have_v god_n think_v fit_a to_o cast_v thy_o lot_n among_o the_o poor_a of_o this_o world_n and_o that_o either_o by_o deny_v thou_o any_o share_n of_o the_o plenty_n of_o this_o life_n which_o be_v something_o grievous_a or_o by_o take_v they_o away_o which_o be_v much_o more_o so_o yet_o still_o all_o this_o may_v be_v but_o the_o effect_n of_o prevent_v mercy_n for_o so_o much_o mischief_n as_o riches_n have_v do_v and_o may_v do_v to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n so_o much_o mercy_n may_v there_o be_v in_o take_v they_o away_o for_o do_v not_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n next_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o of_o riches_n keep_v to_o the_o hurt_n of_o the_o owner_n of_o they_o eccles._n 5._o 13._o and_o do_v not_o our_o saviour_n himself_o speak_v of_o the_o intolerable_a difficulty_n which_o they_o cause_n in_o man_n passage_n to_o
of_o intercourse_n with_o god_n as_o papist_n and_o fanatic_n who_o in_o most_o thing_n copy_v from_o one_o another_o as_o well_o as_o rail_v at_o one_o another_o do_v usual_o boast_v of_o but_o certain_o if_o the_o evil_a spirit_n may_v and_o often_o do_v suggest_v wicked_a and_o vile_a thought_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o all_o do_v and_o must_v grant_v and_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v from_o the_o devil_n be_v put_v it_o into_o the_o heart_n of_o judas_n to_o betray_v christ_n john_n 13._o 2._o and_o his_o fill_v the_o heart_n of_o ananias_n to_o lie_v to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n act_v 5._o 3._o it_o can_v after_o this_o with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n who_o power_n and_o influence_n to_o good_a be_v much_o great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o wicked_a spirit_n to_o evil_a do_v frequent_o inject_v into_o and_o imprint_v upon_o the_o soul_n many_o bless_a motion_n and_o impulse_n to_o duty_n and_o many_o powerful_a avocation_n from_o sin_n so_o that_o a_o man_n shall_v not_o only_o as_o the_o prophet_n say_v hear_v a_o voice_n behind_o he_o but_o also_o a_o voice_n within_o he_o tell_v he_o which_o way_n he_o ought_v to_o go_v for_o doubtless_o there_o be_v something_o more_o in_o those_o expression_n of_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o like_a than_o mere_a trope_n and_o metaphor_n and_o nothing_o less_o be_v or_o can_v be_v import_v by_o they_o than_o that_o god_n sometime_o speak_v to_o and_o converse_v with_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n immediate_o by_o himself_o and_o happy_a those_o who_o by_o thus_o hear_v he_o speak_v in_o a_o still_a voice_n shall_v prevent_v his_o speak_n to_o they_o in_o thunder_n but_o you_o will_v here_o ask_v perhaps_o how_o we_o shall_v distinguish_v in_o such_o motion_n which_o of_o they_o proceed_v immediate_o from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o which_o from_o the_o conscience_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o know_v no_o certain_a mark_n of_o discrimination_n to_o distinguish_v they_o by_o save_v only_o in_o general_n that_o such_o as_o proceed_v immediate_o from_o god_n use_v to_o strike_v the_o mind_n sudden_o and_o very_o powerful_o but_o then_o i_o add_v also_o that_o as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o in_o point_n of_o speculation_n be_v so_o nice_a and_o difficult_a so_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n in_o point_n of_o practice_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a but_o let_v a_o man_n universal_o observe_v and_o obey_v every_o good_a motion_n rise_v in_o his_o heart_n know_v that_o every_o such_o motion_n proceed_v from_o god_n either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o and_o that_o whether_o god_n speak_v immediate_o by_o himself_o to_o the_o conscience_n or_o mediate_o by_o the_o conscience_n to_o the_o soul_n the_o authority_n be_v the_o same_o in_o both_o and_o the_o contempt_n of_o either_o be_v rebellion_n now_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o drive_v at_o under_o this_o 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hardness_n which_o be_v yet_o worse_o than_o the_o other_o so_o that_o god_n shall_v withdraw_v from_o such_o a_o heart_n and_o the_o spirit_n be_v grieve_v shall_v depart_v and_o these_o bless_a motion_n shall_v cease_v and_o affect_v and_o visit_v it_o no_o more_o the_o consequence_n of_o which_o be_v very_o terrible_a as_o render_v a_o man_n past_o feeling_n and_o then_o the_o less_o he_o feel_v in_o this_o world_n the_o more_o he_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o feel_v in_o the_o next_o but_o 3._o because_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a conscience_n be_v in_o many_o thing_n defective_a and_o dimn_v and_o the_o internal_a voice_n of_o god_n spirit_n not_o always_o distinguishable_a above_o all_o let_v a_o man_n attend_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n utter_v in_o his_o reveal_v word_n i_o say_v his_o reveal_v word_n by_o which_o i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o mysterious_a extraordinary_a and_o of_o late_a so_o much_o study_v book_n call_v the_o revelation_n and_o which_o perhaps_o the_o more_o it_o be_v study_v the_o less_o it_o be_v understand_v as_o general_o either_o find_v a_o man_n crack_v or_o make_v he_o so_o but_o i_o mean_v those_o other_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n which_o exhibit_v to_o we_o a_o plain_a sure_a perfect_a and_o intelligible_a rule_n a_o rule_n that_o will_v neither_o fail_v nor_o distract_v such_o as_o make_v use_n of_o it_o a_o rule_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o two_o former_a rule_n by_o for_o nothing_o that_o contradict_v the_o reveal_v word_n of_o god_n be_v either_o the_o voice_n of_o right_a reason_n or_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o without_o god_n contradict_v himself_o and_o therefore_o we_o see_v what_o high_a eulogy_n be_v give_v to_o the_o write_a word_n by_o the_o inspire_a penman_n of_o both_o testament_n it_o give_v understanding_n to_o the_o simple_a say_v david_n in_o psalm_n 119._o 130._o and_o that_o you_o will_v say_v be_v no_o such_o easy_a matter_n to_o do_v it_o be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a say_v st._n paul_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 17._o it_o be_v quick_a and_o powerful_a and_o sharp_a than_o any_o two-edged_n sword_n pierce_v even_o to_o the_o divide_v asunder_o of_o the_o soul_n and_o spirit_n and_o be_v a_o discerner_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o heart_n heb._n 4._o 12._o now_o what_o a_o force_n and_o fullness_n what_o a_o vigour_n and_o emphasis_n be_v there_o in_o all_o these_o expression_n enough_o one_o will_v think_v to_o recommend_v and_o endear_v the_o scripture_n even_o to_o the_o papist_n themselves_o for_o if_o as_o the_o text_n say_v they_o give_v understanding_n to_o the_o simple_a i_o know_v none_o more_o concern_v to_o read_v and_o study_v they_o than_o their_o pope_n wherefore_o since_o the_o light_n and_o energy_n of_o the_o write_a word_n be_v so_o mighty_a let_v a_o man_n bring_v and_o hold_v his_o conscience_n to_o this_o steady_a rule_n the_o unalterable_a rectitude_n 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much_o out_o of_o date_n with_o some_o as_o christ_n divinity_n and_o satisfaction_n i_o say_v let_v a_o man_n consider_v these_o and_o the_o like_a virtue_n together_o with_o the_o contrary_a sin_n and_o vice_n that_o do_v oppose_v they_o and_o then_o as_o out_o of_o a_o full_a armoury_n or_o magazine_n let_v he_o furnish_v his_o conscience_n with_o text_n of_o scripture_n particular_o enjoin_v the_o one_o and_o forbid_v or_o threaten_v the_o other_o and_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o he_o shall_v stuff_v his_o mind_n like_o the_o margin_n of_o some_o author_n with_o chapter_n and_o verse_n heap_v together_o at_o all_o adventure_n but_o only_o that_o he_o shall_v sortifie_v it_o with_o some_o few_o text_n which_o be_v home_n and_o apposite_a to_o his_o case_n and_o a_o conscience_n thus_o supply_v will_v be_v like_o a_o man_n arm_v at_o all_o point_n and_o always_o ready_a either_o to_o receive_v or_o to_o attack_v his_o enemy_n otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o a_o man_n have_v arm_n in_o his_o house_n no_o nor_o yet_o his_o have_a courage_n and_o skill_n to_o use_v they_o but_o it_o be_v his_o have_v they_o still_o about_o he_o which_o must_v both_o secure_v he_o from_o be_v set_v upon_o and_o defend_v he_o when_o he_o be_v according_o man_n must_v know_v that_o without_o take_v the_o forementioned_a course_n all_o that_o they_o do_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v but_o lose_a labour_n and_o that_o they_o read_v the_o scripture_n to_o as_o little_a purpose_n as_o some_o use_n to_o quote_v they_o much_o read_n be_v like_o much_o eat_v whole_o useless_a without_o digestion_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o digest_v his_o meat_n without_o also_o retain_v it_o till_o man_n get_v what_o they_o read_v into_o their_o mind_n and_o fix_v it_o in_o their_o memory_n they_o keep_v their_o religion_n as_o they_o use_v to_o do_v their_o bibles_n only_o in_o their_o closet_n or_o carry_v it_o in_o their_o pocket_n and_o that_o you_o may_v imagine_v must_v improve_v and_o affect_v the_o soul_n just_a as_o much_o as_o a_o man_n have_v plenty_n of_o provision_n only_o in_o his_o store_n will_v nourish_v and_o support_v his_o body_n when_o man_n forget_v the_o word_n hear_v or_o read_v by_o they_o the_o devil_n be_v say_v to_o steal_v it_o out_o of_o their_o heart_n luke_n 8._o 12._o and_o for_o this_o cause_n we_o do_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n as_o propriety_n of_o speech_n call_v the_o commit_v of_o a_o thing_n to_o memory_n the_o get_v it_o by_o heart_n for_o it_o be_v the_o memory_n that_o must_v transmit_v it_o to_o the_o heart_n and_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o expect_v that_o the_o heart_n shall_v keep_v its_o hold_n of_o any_o truth_n when_o the_o memory_n have_v let_v it_o go_v 4._o the_o four_o and_o last_o way_n that_o i_o shall_v mention_v for_o the_o get_n of_o the_o conscience_n right_o inform_v and_o afterward_o keep_v it_o so_o be_v frequent_o and_o impartial_o to_o account_v with_o it_o it_o be_v with_o a_o man_n and_o his_o 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to_o finish_v but_o let_v a_o man_n apply_v to_o this_o work_n by_o frequent_a return_v and_o short_a interval_n while_o the_o heap_n be_v small_a and_o the_o particular_n few_o and_o he_o will_v find_v it_o easy_a and_o conquerable_a and_o his_o conscience_n like_o a_o faithful_a steward_n shall_v give_v he_o in_o a_o plain_a open_a and_o entire_a account_n of_o himself_o and_o hide_v nothing_o from_o he_o whereas_o we_o know_v if_o a_o steward_n or_o cashier_n be_v suffer_v to_o run_v on_o from_o year_n to_o year_n without_o bring_v he_o to_o a_o reckon_a it_o be_v odds_o but_o such_o a_o sottish_a forbearance_n will_n in_o time_n teach_v he_o to_o shuffle_v and_o strong_o tempt_v he_o to_o be_v a_o cheat_n if_o not_o also_o make_v he_o so_o for_o as_o the_o account_n run_v on_o general_o the_o accountant_a go_v backward_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n some_o judge_n it_o adviseable_a for_o a_o man_n to_o account_v with_o his_o heart_n every_o day_n and_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v the_o best_a and_o sure_a course_n for_o still_o the_o often_o the_o better_a and_o some_o prescribe_v account_v once_o a_o week_n long_a than_o which_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n safe_a to_o delay_v it_o for_o a_o man_n shall_v find_v his_o heart_n deceitful_a and_o his_o memory_n weak_a and_o nature_n extreme_o averse_a from_o seek_v narrow_o after_o that_o which_o it_o be_v unwilling_a to_o find_v and_o be_v find_v will_v assure_o disturb_v it_o so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o be_v infinite_o absurd_a to_o think_v that_o conscience_n can_v be_v keep_v in_o order_n without_o frequent_a examination_n if_o a_o man_n will_v have_v his_o conscience_n deal_v clear_o with_o he_o he_o must_v deal_v severe_o with_o that_o often_o scour_v and_o cleanse_v it_o will_v make_v it_o bright_a and_o when_o it_o be_v so_o he_o may_v see_v himself_o in_o it_o and_o if_o he_o see_v any_o thing_n amiss_o let_v this_o satisfy_v he_o that_o no_o man_n be_v or_o can_v be_v the_o worse_a for_o know_v the_o very_o worst_a of_o himself_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o conscience_n by_o a_o long_a neglect_n of_o and_o dis-acquaintance_n with_o itself_o come_v to_o contract_v a_o inveterate_a rust_n or_o soil_n a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o expect_v to_o see_v his_o face_n in_o a_o mudwall_n as_o that_o such_o a_o conscience_n shall_v give_v he_o a_o true_a report_n of_o his_o condition_n no_o it_o leave_v he_o whole_o in_o the_o dark_a as_o to_o the_o great_a concern_v he_o have_v in_o both_o world_n he_o can_v neither_o tell_v whether_o god_n be_v his_o friend_n or_o his_o enemy_n or_o rather_o he_o have_v shrewd_a cause_n to_o suspect_v he_o his_o enemy_n and_o can_v possible_o know_v he_o to_o be_v his_o friend_n and_o this_o be_v his_o case_n he_o must_v live_v in_o ignorance_n and_o die_v in_o ignorance_n and_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a for_o a_o man_n to_o die_v in_o it_o without_o die_v for_o it_o too_o and_o now_o what_o a_o wretched_a condition_n must_v that_o man_n need_v be_v in_o who_o heart_n be_v in_o such_o confusion_n such_o darkness_n and_o such_o a_o settle_a blindness_n that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o tell_v he_o so_o much_o as_o one_o true_a word_n of_o himself_o flatter_v he_o it_o may_v i_o confess_v as_o those_o be_v general_o good_a at_o flatter_v who_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o else_o but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o poor_a man_n be_v leave_v under_o the_o fatal_a necessity_n of_o a_o remediless_a delusion_n for_o in_o judge_v of_o a_o man_n self_n if_o conscience_n either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o inform_v he_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a thing_n call_v self-love_n that_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o deceive_v he_o and_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v in_o four_o several_a particular_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v both_o for_o the_o get_n and_o keep_v of_o the_o conscience_n so_o inform_v as_o that_o it_o may_v be_v able_a to_o give_v we_o a_o rational_a confidence_n towards_o god_n as_o 1._o that_o the_o voice_n of_o reason_n in_o all_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a morality_n ought_v careful_o to_o be_v attend_v to_o by_o a_o strict_a observance_n of_o what_o it_o command_v but_o especial_o of_o what_o it_o forbid_v 2._o that_o every_o pious_a motion_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n ought_v tender_o to_o be_v cherish_v and_o by_o no_o mean_n check_v or_o quench_v either_o by_o resistance_n or_o neglect_v 3._o that_o conscience_n be_v to_o be_v keep_v close_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o write_a word_n 4_o lie_n and_o last_o that_o it_o be_v frequent_o to_o be_v examine_v and_o severe_o account_v with_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o a_o conscience_n thus_o discipline_v shall_v give_v
and_o measure_n of_o conscience_n in_o a_o sermon_n on_o 1_o john_n iii_o 21._o preach_v before_o the_o university_n at_o christ-church_n oxon_n octob._n 30._o 1692._o 1_o john_n iii_o 21._o belove_a if_o our_o heart_n condemn_v we_o not_o we_o have_v confidence_n towards_o god_n i_o have_v discourse_v once_o already_o upon_o these_o word_n in_o this_o place_n in_o which_o discourse_n after_o i_o have_v set_v down_o four_o several_a false_a ground_n upon_o which_o man_n in_o judge_v of_o the_o safety_n of_o their_o spiritual_a estate_n be_v apt_a to_o found_v a_o wrong_a confidence_n towards_o god_n and_o show_v the_o falsity_n of_o they_o all_o and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o man_n be_v own_o heart_n or_o conscience_n which_o in_o this_o great_a concern_v he_o can_v with_o any_o safety_n rely_v upon_o i_o do_v in_o the_o next_o place_n cast_v the_o further_a prosecution_n of_o the_o word_n under_o these_o four_o follow_v particular_n 1._o to_o show_v how_o the_o heart_n or_o conscience_n ought_v to_o be_v inform_v in_o order_n to_o its_o sound_n in_o we_o a_o rational_a confidence_n towards_o god_n 2._o to_o show_v how_o and_o by_o what_o mean_v we_o may_v get_v our_o conscience_n thus_o inform_v and_o afterward_o preserve_v and_o keep_v it_o so_o 3._o to_o show_v whence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o conscience_n thus_o inform_v come_v to_o be_v so_o authentic_a and_o so_o much_o to_o be_v rely_v upon_o and_o 4_o and_o last_o to_o assign_v some_o particular_a case_n or_o instance_n in_o which_o the_o confidence_n suggest_v by_o it_o do_v most_o eminent_o show_v and_o exert_v itself_o upon_o the_o first_o of_o which_o head_n to_o wit_n how_o the_o heart_n or_o conscience_n ought_v to_o be_v inform_v in_o order_n to_o its_o sound_n in_o we_o a_o rational_a confidence_n towards_o god_n after_o i_o have_v premise_v something_o about_o a_o erroneous_a conscience_n and_o show_v both_o what_o influence_n that_o ought_v to_o have_v upon_o we_o 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speech_n in_o the_o discharge_n of_o this_o duty_n 1._o and_o first_o for_o brevity_n to_o omit_v all_o those_o notable_a example_n which_o the_o old_a testament_n afford_v we_o of_o it_o and_o to_o confine_v ourselves_o only_o to_o the_o new_a in_o which_o we_o be_v undoubted_o most_v concern_v be_v not_o this_o way_n of_o pray_v not_o only_o warrant_v but_o sanctify_v and_o set_v above_o all_o that_o the_o will_n of_o man_n can_v possible_o except_v against_o it_o by_o that_o infinite_o exact_a form_n of_o prayer_n prescribe_v by_o the_o great_a the_o holy_a and_o the_o wise_a man_n that_o ever_o live_v even_o christ_n himself_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n be_v it_o not_o a_o instance_n both_o of_o the_o true_a devotion_n and_o the_o full_a and_o most_o comprehensive_a reason_n that_o ever_o proceed_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o man_n and_o yet_o withal_o the_o short_a and_o most_o succinct_a model_n that_o ever_o grasp_v all_o the_o need_v and_o occasion_n of_o mankind_n both_o spiritual_a and_o temporal_a into_o so_o small_a a_o compass_n doubtless_o have_v our_o saviour_n think_v fit_a to_o amplify_v or_o be_v prolix_a he_o in_o who_o be_v hide_v all_o the_o treasure_n of_o wisdom_n can_v not_o want_v matter_n nor_o he_o who_o be_v himself_o the_o word_n want_v variety_n of_o the_o fit_a to_o have_v express_v his_o mind_n by_o but_o he_o choose_v rather_o to_o contract_v the_o whole_a concern_v of_o both_o world_n into_o a_o few_o line_n and_o to_o unite_v both_o heaven_n and_o earth_n in_o his_o prayer_n as_o he_o have_v do_v before_o in_o his_o person_n and_o indeed_o one_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o copy_n or_o representation_n of_o the_o other_o so_o then_o we_o see_v here_o brevity_n in_o the_o rule_n or_o pattern_n let_v we_o see_v it_o next_o in_o the_o practice_n and_o after_o that_o in_o the_o success_n of_o prayer_n and_o first_o we_o have_v the_o practice_n as_o well_o as_o the_o pattern_n of_o it_o in_o our_o saviour_n himself_o and_o that_o in_o the_o most_o signal_n passage_n of_o his_o whole_a life_n even_o his_o preparation_n for_o his_o approach_a death_n in_o which_o dolorous_a scene_n when_o his_o whole_a soul_n be_v nothing_o but_o sorrow_n that_o great_a move_a spring_n of_o invention_n and_o elocution_n and_o when_o nature_n be_v put_v to_o its_o last_o and_o utmost_a stretch_n and_o so_o have_v no_o refuge_n or_o relief_n but_o in_o prayer_n yet_o even_o then_o all_o this_o horror_n agony_n and_o distress_n of_o spirit_n deliver_v itself_o but_o in_o two_o very_a short_a sentence_n in_o matth._n 26._o 39_o o_o my_o father_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a let_v this_o cup_n pass_v from_o i_o nevertheless_o not_o as_o i_o will_v but_o as_o thou_o will_v and_o
again_o the_o second_o time_n with_o the_o like_a brevity_n and_o the_o like_a word_n o_o my_o father_n if_o this_o cup_n may_v not_o pass_v from_o i_o except_o i_o drink_v it_o thy_o will_n be_v do_v and_o last_o the_o three_o time_n also_o he_o use_v the_o same_o short_a form_n again_o and_o yet_o in_o all_o this_o he_o be_v as_o we_o may_v say_v without_o a_o metaphor_n even_o pray_v for_o life_n so_o far_o as_o the_o great_a business_n he_o be_v then_o about_o to_o wit_n the_o redemption_n of_o the_o world_n will_v suffer_v he_o to_o pray_v for_o it_o all_o which_o prayer_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o other_o of_o like_a brevity_n be_v proper_o such_o as_o we_o call_v ejaculation_n a_o elegant_a similitude_n from_o a_o dart_n or_o arrow_n shot_n or_o throw_v out_o and_o such_o a_o one_o we_o know_v of_o a_o yard_n long_o will_v fly_v far_o and_o strike_v deep_o than_o one_o of_o twenty_o and_o then_o in_o the_o last_o place_n for_o the_o success_n of_o such_o brief_a prayer_n i_o shall_v give_v you_o but_o three_o instance_n of_o this_o but_o they_o shall_v be_v of_o person_n pray_v under_o the_o pressure_n of_o as_o great_a misery_n as_o humane_a nature_n can_v well_o be_v afflict_v with_o and_o the_o first_o shall_v be_v of_o the_o leper_n matth._n 8._o 2._o or_o as_o st._n luke_n describe_v he_o a_o man_n full_a of_o leprosy_n who_o come_v to_o our_o saviour_n and_o worship_v he_o and_o as_o st._n luke_n again_o have_v it_o more_o particular_o fall_v on_o his_o face_n before_o he_o which_o be_v the_o low_a and_o most_o devout_a of_o all_o posture_n of_o worship_n say_v lord_n if_o thou_o will_v thou_o can_v make_v i_o clean_o this_o be_v all_o his_o prayer_n and_o the_o answer_n to_o it_o be_v that_o he_o be_v immediate_o cleanse_v the_o next_o instance_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o poor_a blind_a man_n in_o luke_n 18._o 28._o follow_v our_o saviour_n with_o this_o earnest_a prayer_n jesus_n thou_o son_n of_o david_n have_v mercy_n upon_o i_o his_o whole_a prayer_n be_v no_o more_o for_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n that_o he_o go_v on_o repeat_v it_o again_o and_o again_o jesus_n thou_o son_n of_o david_n have_v mercy_n upon_o i_o and_o the_o answer_v he_o receive_v be_v that_o his_o eye_n be_v open_v and_o his_o sight_n restore_v the_o three_o and_o last_o instance_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o publican_n in_o the_o same_o chapter_n of_o st._n luke_n pray_v under_o a_o lively_a sense_n of_o as_o great_a a_o leprosy_n and_o blindness_n of_o soul_n as_o the_o other_o two_o can_v have_v of_o body_n in_o the_o 13_o verse_n he_o smite_v upon_o his_o breast_n say_v god_n be_v merciful_a to_o i_o a_o sinner_n he_o speak_v no_o more_o though_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o 10_o verse_n that_o he_o go_v solemn_o and_o purposely_o up_o to_o the_o temple_n to_o pray_v the_o issue_n and_o success_n of_o which_o prayer_n be_v that_o he_o go_v home_o justify_v before_o one_o of_o those_o who_o all_o the_o jewish_a church_n revere_v as_o absolute_o the_o high_a and_o most_o heroic_a example_n of_o piety_n and_o most_o belove_a favourite_n of_o heaven_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o now_o if_o the_o force_n and_o virtue_n of_o these_o short_a prayer_n can_v rise_v so_o high_a as_o to_o cleanse_v a_o leper_n to_o give_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a and_o to_o justify_v a_o publican_n and_o if_o the_o worth_a of_o a_o prayer_n may_v at_o all_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o success_n of_o it_o i_o suppose_v no_o prayer_n whatsoever_o can_v do_v more_o and_o i_o never_o yet_o hear_v or_o read_v of_o any_o long_a prayer_n that_o do_v so_o much_o which_o bring_v on_o the_o other_o part_n of_o this_o our_o five_o and_o last_o argument_n which_o be_v to_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o example_n of_o such_o as_o have_v be_v note_v in_o scripture_n for_o prolixity_n or_o length_n of_o prayer_n and_o of_o this_o there_o be_v only_o two_o mention_v the_o heathen_n and_o the_o pharisee_n the_o first_o the_o grand_a instance_n of_o idolatry_n the_o other_o of_o hypocrisy_n but_o christ_n forbid_v we_o the_o imitation_n of_o both_o when_o you_o pray_v say_v our_o saviour_n in_o the_o 6_o of_o matthew_n be_v you_o not_o like_o the_o heathen_n but_o in_o what_o why_o in_o this_o that_o they_o think_v they_o shall_v be_v hear_v for_o their_o much_o speak_n in_o the_o seven_o verse_n it_o be_v not_o the_o multitude_n that_o prevail_v in_o army_n and_o much_o less_o in_o word_n and_o then_o for_o the_o pharisee_n who_o our_o saviour_n represent_v as_o the_o very_o vile_a of_o man_n and_o the_o great_a of_o cheat_n we_o have_v they_o amuse_v the_o world_n with_o pretence_n of_o a_o more_o refine_a devotion_n while_o their_o heart_n be_v all_o that_o time_n in_o their_o neighbour_n coffer_n for_o do_v not_o our_o saviour_n express_o tell_v we_o in_o luke_n 20._o and_o the_o two_o last_o verse_n that_o the_o great_a tool_n the_o hook_n or_o engine_n by_o which_o they_o compass_v their_o worst_a their_o wicked_a and_o most_o rapacious_a design_n be_v long_a prayer_n prayer_n make_v only_o for_o a_o show_n or_o colour_n and_o that_o to_o the_o base_a and_o most_o degenerous_a sort_n of_o villainy_n even_o the_o rob_v the_o hospital_n and_o devour_v the_o house_n of_o poor_a helpless_a forlorn_a widow_n their_o devotion_n serve_v all_o along_o but_o as_o a_o instrument_n to_o their_o avarice_n as_o a_o factor_n or_o under-agent_n to_o their_o extortion_n a_o practice_n which_o due_o see_v into_o and_o strip_v of_o its_o hypocritical_a blind_v can_v not_o but_o look_v very_o odious_o and_o ill-favoured_o and_o therefore_o in_o come_v their_o long_a robe_n and_o their_o long_a prayer_n together_o and_o cover_v all_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v neither_o the_o length_n of_o one_o nor_o of_o the_o other_o be_v ever_o find_v so_o useful_a as_o when_o there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o ordinary_a that_o will_v not_o be_v see_v this_o be_v the_o gainful_a godliness_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o i_o believe_v upon_o good_a observation_n you_o will_v hardly_o find_v any_o like_o the_o pharisee_n for_o their_o long_a prayer_n who_o be_v not_o also_o extreme_o like_o they_o for_o something_o else_o and_o thus_o have_v give_v you_o five_o argument_n for_o brevity_n and_o against_o prolixity_n of_o prayer_n let_v we_o now_o make_v this_o our_o other_o great_a rule_n whereby_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o prayer_n of_o our_o church_n and_o the_o prayer_n of_o those_o who_o dissent_n and_o divide_v from_o it_o and_o first_o for_o that_o excellent_a body_n of_o prayer_n contain_v in_o our_o liturgy_n and_o both_o compile_v and_o enjoin_v by_o public_a authority_n have_v we_o not_o here_o a_o great_a instance_n of_o brevity_n and_o fullness_n together_o cast_v into_o several_a short_a significant_a collect_v each_o contain_v a_o distinct_a entire_a and_o well-managed_n petition_n the_o whole_a sett_n of_o they_o be_v like_o a_o string_n of_o pearl_n exceed_v rich_a in_o conjunction_n and_o therefore_o of_o no_o small_a price_n or_o value_n even_o single_a and_o by_o themselves_o nothing_o can_v have_v be_v compose_v with_o great_a judgement_n every_o prayer_n be_v so_o short_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v weary_v and_o withal_o so_o pertinent_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v cloy_v the_o devotion_n and_o indeed_o so_o admirable_o fit_v be_v they_o all_o to_o the_o common_a concern_v of_o a_o christian_a society_n that_o when_o the_o rubric_n enjoin_v but_o the_o use_n of_o some_o of_o they_o our_o worship_n be_v not_o imperfect_a and_o when_o we_o use_v they_o all_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o superfluous_a and_o the_o reason_n assign_v by_o some_o learned_a man_n for_o the_o preference_n of_o many_o short_a prayer_n before_o a_o continue_a long_a one_o be_v unanswerable_a namely_o that_o by_o the_o former_a there_o be_v a_o more_o frequent_o repeat_v mention_n make_v of_o the_o name_n and_o some_o great_a attribute_n of_o god_n as_o the_o encourage_v ground_n of_o our_o pray_v to_o he_o and_o withal_o of_o the_o merit_n and_o mediation_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v promise_v we_o success_n in_o what_o we_o pray_v for_o every_o distinct_a petition_n beginning_n with_o the_o former_a and_o end_v with_o the_o latter_a by_o thus_o annex_v of_o which_o to_o each_o particular_a thing_n that_o we_o ask_v for_o we_o do_v manifest_o confess_v and_o declare_v that_o we_o can_v expect_v to_o obtain_v any_o one_o thing_n at_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n but_o with_o a_o particular_a renew_a respect_n to_o the_o merit_n of_o a_o mediator_n and_o withal_o re-mind_n the_o congregation_n of_o the_o same_o by_o make_v it_o their_o part_n to_o renew_v a_o distinct_a amen_o to_o every_o
will_v condemn_v he_o in_o the_o other_o and_o consequent_o he_o who_o place_n his_o salvation_n upon_o this_o ground_n will_v find_v himself_o like_o a_o imprison_a and_o condemn_a malefactor_n who_o in_o the_o night_n dream_n that_o he_o be_v release_v but_o in_o the_o morning_n find_v himself_o lead_v to_o the_o gallow_n 4_o lie_n and_o last_o no_o advantage_n from_o external_n church-membership_n or_o profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n can_v of_o themselves_o give_v a_o man_n confidence_n towards_o god_n and_o yet_o perhaps_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n which_o man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v general_o more_o cheat_v themselves_o with_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o eminent_a instance_n of_o this_o who_o because_o they_o be_v the_o son_n of_o abraham_n as_o it_o be_v ready_o acknowledge_v by_o our_o saviour_n john_n 8._o 37._o and_o because_o they_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n rom._n 3._o 2._o together_o with_o the_o covenant_n and_o the_o promise_n rom._n 9_o 4._o that_o be_v in_o other_o word_n because_o they_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o professor_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n while_o all_o the_o world_n about_o they_o lay_v wallow_v in_o ignorance_n heathenism_n and_o idolatry_n they_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o god_n be_v so_o fond_a of_o they_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o their_o villainy_n and_o immorality_n they_o be_v still_o the_o darling_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o only_a heir_n apparent_a of_o salvation_n they_o think_v it_o seem_v god_n and_o themselves_o link_v together_o in_o so_o fast_o but_o withal_o so_o strange_a a_o covenant_n that_o although_o they_o never_o perform_v their_o part_n of_o it_o god_n be_v yet_o bind_v to_o make_v good_a every_o tittle_n of_o he_o and_o this_o make_v john_n the_o baptist_n set_v himself_o with_o so_o much_o acrimony_n and_o indignation_n to_o baffle_v this_o senseless_a arrogant_a conceit_n of_o they_o which_o make_v they_o huff_v at_o the_o doctrine_n of_o repentance_n as_o a_o thing_n below_o they_o and_o not_o at_o all_o belong_v to_o they_o in_o matth._n 3._o v._n 9_o think_v not_o say_v he_o to_o say_v within_o yourselves_o we_o have_v abraham_n to_o our_o father_n this_o he_o know_v lay_v deep_a in_o their_o heart_n and_o be_v still_o in_o their_o mouth_n and_o keep_v they_o insolent_a and_o impenitent_a under_o sin_n of_o the_o high_a and_o most_o clamorous_a gild_n though_o our_o saviour_n himself_o also_o not_o long_o after_o this_o assure_v they_o that_o they_o be_v of_o a_o very_a different_a stock_n and_o parentage_n from_o that_o which_o they_o boast_v of_o and_o that_o whosoever_o be_v their_o father_n upon_o the_o natural_a account_n the_o devil_n be_v certain_o so_o upon_o a_o moral_a in_o like_a manner_n how_o vain_o do_v the_o romanist_n pride_n and_o value_v themselves_o upon_o the_o name_n of_o catholic_n of_o the_o catholic_n religion_n and_o of_o the_o catholic_n church_n though_o a_o title_n no_o more_o applicable_a to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n than_o a_o man_n finger_n when_o it_o be_v swell_v and_o putrefy_a can_v be_v call_v his_o whole_a body_n a_o church_n which_o allow_v salvation_n to_o none_o without_o it_o nor_o award_v damnation_n to_o almost_o any_o within_o it_o and_o therefore_o as_o the_o former_a empty_a plea_n serve_v the_o sottish_a jew_n so_o no_o wonder_n if_o this_o equal_o serve_v these_o to_o put_v they_o into_o a_o fool_n paradise_n by_o feed_v their_o hope_n without_o change_v their_o life_n and_o as_o a_o excellent_a expedient_a first_o to_o assure_v they_o of_o heaven_n and_o then_o to_o bring_v they_o easy_o to_o it_o and_o so_o in_o a_o word_n to_o save_v both_o their_o soul_n and_o their_o sin_n too_o and_o to_o show_v how_o the_o same_o cheat_n run_v through_o all_o profession_n though_o not_o in_o the_o same_o dress_n none_o be_v more_o powerful_o and_o gross_o under_o it_o than_o another_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o on_o the_o contrary_a place_v their_o whole_a acceptance_n with_o god_n and_o indeed_o their_o whole_a religion_n upon_o a_o mighty_a zeal_n or_o rather_o outcry_n against_o popery_n and_o superstition_n verbal_o indeed_o utter_v against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o real_o mean_v against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o which_o sort_v of_o person_n i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o but_o this_o and_o that_o in_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n and_o meekness_n namely_o that_o zeal_n and_o noise_n against_o popery_n and_o real_a service_n for_o it_o be_v no_o such_o inconsistent_a thing_n as_o some_o may_v imagine_v indeed_o no_o more_o than_o invective_n against_o papist_n and_o solemn_a address_n of_o thanks_o to_o they_o for_o that_o very_a thing_n by_o which_o they_o will_v have_v bring_v in_o popery_n upon_o we_o and_o if_o those_o of_o the_o separation_n do_v not_o yet_o know_v so_o much_o thanks_o to_o they_o for_o it_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v and_o so_o may_v they_o themselves_o too_o in_o due_a time_n i_o speak_v not_o this_o by_o way_n of_o sarcasm_n to_o reproach_v they_o i_o leave_v that_o to_o their_o own_o conscience_n which_o will_v do_v it_o more_o effectual_o but_o by_o way_n of_o charity_n to_o warn_v they_o for_o let_v they_o be_v assure_v that_o this_o whole_a scene_n and_o practice_n of_o they_o be_v as_o real_o superstition_n and_o as_o false_a a_o bottom_n to_o rest_v their_o soul_n upon_o as_o either_o the_o jew_n allege_v abraham_n for_o their_o father_n while_o the_o devil_n claim_v they_o for_o his_o child_n or_o the_o papist_n rely_v upon_o their_o indulgence_n their_o saint_n merit_n and_o supererogation_n and_o such_o other_o foppery_n as_o can_v never_o settle_v nor_o indeed_o so_o much_o as_o reach_v the_o conscience_n and_o much_o less_o recommend_v it_o to_o that_o judge_n who_o be_v not_o to_o be_v flam_v off_o with_o word_n and_o phrase_n and_o name_n though_o take_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o nay_o and_o i_o shall_v proceed_v yet_o further_o it_o be_v not_o a_o man_n be_v of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n itself_o though_o undoubted_o the_o pure_a and_o best_a reform_a church_n in_o the_o world_n indeed_o so_o well_o reform_v that_o it_o will_v be_v find_v a_o much_o easy_a work_n to_o alter_v than_o to_o better_v its_o constitution_n i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o a_o man_n be_v even_o of_o this_o excellent_a church_n which_o can_v of_o itself_o clear_a account_n between_o god_n and_o his_o conscience_n since_o bare_a communion_n with_o a_o good_a church_n can_v never_o alone_o make_v a_o good_a man_n for_o if_o it_o can_v i_o be_o sure_a we_o shall_v have_v no_o bad_a one_o in_o we_o and_o much_o less_o such_o as_o will_v betray_v it_o so_o that_o we_o see_v here_o that_o it_o be_v but_o too_o manifest_a that_o man_n of_o all_o church_n sect_n and_o persuasion_n be_v strange_o apt_a to_o flatter_v and_o deceive_v themselves_o with_o what_o they_o believe_v and_o what_o they_o profess_v and_o if_o we_o thorough_o consider_v the_o matter_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o fallacy_n to_o lie_v in_o this_o that_o those_o religious_a institution_n which_o god_n design_v only_o for_o mean_n help_n and_o advantage_n to_o promote_v and_o further_a man_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n they_o look_v upon_o rather_o as_o a_o privilege_n to_o serve_v they_o instead_o of_o it_o and_o real_o to_o commute_v for_o it_o this_o be_v the_o very_a case_n and_o a_o fatal_a self-imposture_n it_o be_v certain_o and_o such_o a_o one_o as_o defeat_v the_o design_n and_o destroy_v the_o force_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v four_o several_a uncertain_a and_o deceitful_a rule_n which_o man_n be_v prone_a to_o judge_v of_o their_o spiritual_a estate_n by_o but_o now_o have_v we_o any_o better_a or_o more_o certain_a to_o substitute_n and_o recommend_v in_o the_o room_n of_o they_o why_o yes_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o apostle_n a_o man_n be_v own_o heart_n or_o conscience_n be_v that_o which_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v able_a to_o give_v he_o confidence_n towards_o god_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o heart_n know_v that_o by_o itself_o which_o nothing_o in_o the_o world_n beside_o can_v give_v it_o any_o knowledge_n of_o and_o without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o it_o can_v have_v no_o foundation_n to_o build_v any_o true_a confidence_n upon_o conscience_n under_o god_n be_v the_o only_a competent_a judge_n of_o what_o the_o soul_n have_v do_v and_o what_o it_o have_v not_o do_v what_o gild_n it_o have_v contract_v and_o what_o it_o have_v not_o as_o it_o be_v in_o 1_o corinth_n 2._o 11._o what_o man_n know_v the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n save_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o he_o conscience_n be_v its_o own_o counsellor_n the_o sole_a master_n of_o its_o own_o
secret_n and_o it_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o our_o nature_n that_o every_o man_n shall_v keep_v the_o key_n of_o his_o own_o breast_n now_o for_o the_o further_a prosecution_n of_o the_o word_n i_o shall_v do_v these_o four_o thing_n 1._o i_o shall_v show_v how_o the_o heart_n or_o conscience_n ought_v to_o be_v inform_v in_o order_n to_o its_o sound_n in_o we_o a_o rational_a confidence_n towards_o god_n 2._o i_o shall_v show_v how_o and_o by_o what_o mean_v we_o may_v get_v it_o thus_o inform_v and_o afterward_o preserve_v and_o keep_v it_o so_o 3._o i_o shall_v show_v whence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o conscience_n thus_o inform_v come_v to_o be_v so_o authentic_a and_o so_o much_o to_o be_v rely_v upon_o and_o 4_o lie_n and_o last_o i_o shall_v assign_v some_o particular_a case_n or_o instance_n in_o which_o the_o confidence_n suggest_v by_o it_o do_v most_o eminent_o show_v and_o exert_v itself_o 1._o and_o first_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o how_o the_o heart_n or_o conscience_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v certain_a that_o no_o man_n can_v have_v any_o such_o confidence_n towards_o god_n only_o because_o his_o heart_n tell_v he_o a_o lie_n and_o that_o it_o may_v do_v so_o be_v altogether_o as_o certain_a for_o there_o be_v the_o erroneous_a as_o well_o as_o the_o right_o inform_v conscience_n and_o if_o the_o conscience_n happen_v to_o be_v delude_v and_o thereupon_o to_o give_v false_a direction_n to_o the_o will_n so_o that_o by_o virtue_n of_o those_o direction_n it_o be_v betray_v into_o a_o course_n of_o sin_n sin_n do_v not_o therefore_o cease_v to_o be_v sin_n because_o a_o man_n commit_v it_o conscientious_o if_o conscience_n come_v to_o be_v pervert_v so_o far_o as_o to_o bring_v a_o man_n under_o a_o persuasion_n that_o it_o be_v either_o lawful_a or_o his_o duty_n to_o resist_v the_o magistrate_n to_o seize_v upon_o his_o neighbour_n just_a right_n or_o estate_n to_o worship_v stock_n and_o stone_n or_o to_o lie_v equivocate_a and_o the_o like_a this_o will_v not_o absolve_v he_o before_o god_n since_o error_n which_o be_v in_o itself_o evil_a can_v never_o make_v another_o thing_n good_n he_o who_o do_v a_o unwarrantable_a action_n through_o a_o false_a information_n which_o information_n he_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v believe_v can_v in_o reason_n make_v the_o gild_n of_o one_o sin_n the_o excuse_n of_o another_o conscience_n therefore_o must_v be_v right_o inform_v before_o the_o testimony_n of_o it_o can_v be_v authentic_a in_o what_o it_o pronounce_v concern_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o soul_n it_o must_v proceed_v by_o the_o two_o grand_a rule_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o scripture_n these_o be_v the_o compass_n which_o it_o must_v steer_v by_o for_o conscience_n come_v formal_o to_o oblige_v only_o as_o it_o be_v the_o messenger_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n which_o he_o have_v reveal_v to_o he_o partly_o by_o the_o impression_n of_o certain_a notion_n and_o maxim_n upon_o the_o practical_a understanding_n and_o partly_o by_o the_o declare_a oracle_n of_o his_o word_n so_o far_o therefore_o as_o conscience_n report_v any_o thing_n agreeable_a to_o or_o deducible_a from_o these_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hearken_v to_o as_o the_o great_a conveyer_n of_o truth_n to_o the_o soul_n but_o when_o it_o report_v any_o thing_n dissonant_n to_o these_o it_o oblige_v no_o more_o than_o the_o falsehood_n report_v by_o it_o but_o since_o there_o be_v none_o who_o follow_v a_o erroneous_a conscience_n but_o do_v so_o because_o he_o think_v it_o true_a and_o moreover_o think_v it_o true_a because_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o proceed_v according_a to_o the_o two_o forementioned_a rule_n of_o scripture_n and_o right_a reason_n how_o shall_v a_o man_n be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v himself_o when_o his_o conscience_n be_v right_o inform_v and_o when_o possess_v with_o a_o error_n for_o to_o affirm_v that_o the_o sentence_n pass_v by_o a_o right_o inform_v conscience_n give_v a_o man_n a_o rational_a confidence_n towards_o god_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n not_o to_o assign_v any_o mean_n possible_a by_o which_o he_o may_v know_v when_o his_o conscience_n be_v thus_o right_o inform_v and_o when_o not_o it_o must_v equal_o bereave_v he_o of_o such_o a_o confidence_n as_o place_v the_o condition_n upon_o which_o it_o depend_v whole_o out_o of_o his_o knowledge_n here_o therefore_o be_v the_o knot_n here_o the_o difficulty_n how_o to_o state_n some_o rule_n of_o certainty_n by_o which_o infallible_o to_o distinguish_v when_o the_o conscience_n be_v right_a and_o to_o be_v rely_v upon_o when_o erroneous_a and_o to_o be_v disinherit_v in_o the_o testimony_n it_o give_v about_o the_o sincerity_n and_o safety_n of_o a_o man_n spiritual_a condition_n for_o the_o resolution_n of_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o rightness_n of_o his_o conscience_n by_o such_o a_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o persuasion_n as_o amount_n to_o the_o clearness_n of_o a_o demonstration_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o he_o know_v it_o upon_o ground_n of_o such_o a_o convince_a probability_n as_o shall_v exclude_v all_o rational_a ground_n of_o doubt_v of_o it_o for_o i_o can_v think_v that_o the_o confidence_n here_o speak_v of_o rises_z so_o high_a as_o to_o assurance_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o it_o be_v manifest_o such_o a_o confidence_n as_o be_v common_a to_o all_o sincere_a christian_n which_o yet_o assurance_n we_o all_o know_v be_v not_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o word_n in_o the_o original_a which_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v proper_o freedom_n or_o boldness_n of_o speech_n though_o the_o latin_a translation_n render_v it_o by_o fiducia_n and_o so_o correspond_v with_o the_o english_a which_o render_v it_o by_o confidence_n but_o whether_o fiducia_n or_o confidence_n reach_v the_o full_a sense_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v very_o well_o be_v dispute_v however_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o neither_o the_o word_n in_o the_o original_a nor_o yet_o in_o the_o translation_n import_v assurance_n for_o freedom_n or_o boldness_n of_o speech_n i_o be_o sure_a do_v not_o and_o fiducia_n or_o confidence_n signify_v only_o a_o man_n be_v actual_o persuade_v of_o a_o thing_n upon_o better_a argument_n for_o it_o than_o any_o that_o he_o can_v see_v against_o it_o which_o he_o may_v very_o well_o be_v and_o yet_o not_o be_v assure_v of_o it_o from_o all_o which_o i_o conclude_v that_o the_o confidence_n here_o mention_v in_o the_o text_n amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o a_o rational_a well_o ground_a hope_n such_o a_o one_o as_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o in_o rom._n 5._o 5._o make_v not_o ashamed_a and_o upon_o these_o term_n i_o affirm_v that_o such_o a_o conscience_n as_o have_v employ_v the_o utmost_a of_o its_o ability_n to_o give_v itself_o the_o best_a information_n and_o clear_a knowledge_n of_o its_o duty_n that_o it_o can_v be_v a_o rational_a ground_n for_o a_o man_n to_o build_v such_o a_o hope_n upon_o and_o consequent_o for_o he_o to_o confide_v in_o there_o be_v a_o innate_a light_n in_o every_o man_n discover_v to_o he_o the_o first_o line_n of_o duty_n in_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a which_o by_o cultivation_n and_o improvement_n may_v be_v advance_v to_o high_a and_o bright_a discovery_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o schoolman_n and_o moralist_n admit_v not_o of_o any_o ignorantia_fw-la juris_fw-la speak_v of_o natural_a moral_a right_n to_o give_v excuse_n to_o sin_n since_o all_o such_o ignorance_n be_v voluntary_a and_o therefore_o culpable_a for_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v in_o every_o man_n power_n to_o have_v prevent_v it_o by_o a_o due_a improvement_n of_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o seed_n of_o moral_a honesty_n sow_v in_o his_o heart_n if_o it_o be_v here_o demand_v whether_o a_o man_n may_v not_o remain_v ignorant_a of_o his_o duty_n after_o he_o have_v use_v the_o utmost_a mean_n to_o inform_v himself_o of_o it_o i_o answer_v that_o so_o much_o of_o duty_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o save_v he_o he_o shall_v upon_o the_o use_n of_o such_o a_o course_n come_v to_o know_v and_o that_o which_o he_o continue_v ignorant_a of_o have_v do_v the_o utmost_a lie_v in_o his_o power_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o shall_v never_o damn_v he_o which_o assertion_n be_v prove_v thus_o the_o gospel_n damn_v no_o body_n for_o be_v ignorant_a of_o that_o which_o he_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o know_v but_o that_o which_o upon_o the_o improvement_n of_o a_o man_n utmost_a power_n he_o can_v know_v he_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o know_v for_o that_o otherwise_o he_o will_v be_v oblige_v to_o a_o impossibility_n since_o that_o