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the_o danger_n of_o be_v almost_o a_o christian_a show_v 1._o how_o far_o man_n may_v go_v without_o grace_n 2._o why_o some_o man_n go_v so_o far_o 3._o why_o they_o go_v no_o far_o 4._o the_o dangerous_a estate_n of_o such_o person_n by_o john_n chishull_n minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n london_n print_v by_o a._n neile_n for_o francis_n eglesfield_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o the_o s_n in_o paul_n churchyard_n 1657._o to_o the_o right_n worshipful_a peter_n atkins_n mayor_n john_n blundel_n esq_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o burgess_n assistant_n and_o inhabitant_n of_o tiverton_n belove_a in_o the_o lord_n what_o reason_n you_o above_o all_o other_o have_v to_o read_v and_o consider_v the_o thing_n which_o i_o present_v to_o your_o view_n the_o introduction_n to_o and_o application_n of_o the_o truth_n lay_v before_o you_o will_v tell_v i_o trust_v many_o of_o you_o be_v convince_v that_o i_o carry_v you_o upon_o my_o heart_n and_o that_o my_o design_n in_o this_o 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and_o the_o lord_n will_v call_v i_o off_o either_o by_o death_n as_o he_o threaten_v of_o late_a or_o some_o other_o way_n upon_o this_o consideration_n i_o have_v be_v willing_a to_o listen_v to_o those_o who_o desire_v that_o these_o few_o sermon_n may_v be_v make_v public_a that_o by_o this_o mean_n thâ—y_o may_v lie_v before_o you_o either_o to_o quicken_v you_o or_o to_o accuse_v you_o that_o when_o you_o shall_v neither_o hear_v nor_o see_v i_o you_o may_v see_v in_o they_o how_o my_o heart_n stand_v affect_v towards_o you_o and_o possible_o the_o view_n of_o these_o line_n may_v awaken_v the_o conviction_n which_o some_o of_o you_o have_v bury_v the_o persuasion_n which_o in_o some_o be_v decay_v and_o the_o resolution_n which_o some_o of_o you_o have_v take_v up_o for_o god_n but_o not_o follow_v oh_o when_o this_o book_n fall_v into_o any_o such_o hand_n as_o doubtless_o such_o it_o will_v meet_v withal_o let_v i_o entreat_v those_o herein_o concern_v to_o suffer_v these_o 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second_o he_o labour_v to_o deceive_v in_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o change_n that_o be_v wrought_v if_o he_o see_v that_o they_o will_v do_v something_o yea_o and_o that_o the_o soul_n be_v agree_v upon_o the_o time_n that_o it_o must_v be_v now_o while_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n than_o he_o strive_v to_o limit_v they_o first_o with_o negative_n he_o tell_v they_o they_o be_v not_o as_o they_o be_v and_o therefore_o all_o be_v well_o he_o tell_v they_o they_o be_v change_v and_o it_o may_v be_v true_a though_o they_o be_v not_o make_v new_a if_o they_o be_v civil_a or_o moral_a that_o be_v profane_a and_o unrighteous_a this_o he_o persuade_v they_o be_v very_o much_o but_o if_o he_o suffer_v they_o to_o put_v on_o a_o form_n of_o religion_n though_o it_o reach_v not_o the_o heart_n then_o he_o assure_v they_o that_o their_o reformation_n be_v full_a in_o weight_n and_o measure_n heap_v up_o press_v down_o and_o run_v over_o when_o all_o this_o time_n they_o be_v not_o come_v to_o the_o low_a form_n of_o those_o that_o be_v christian_n indeed_o now_o know_v that_o some_o of_o you_o be_v resolve_v to_o do_v something_o and_o fear_v that_o you_o shall_v be_v deceive_v and_o so_o do_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n i_o have_v lay_v these_o thing_n before_o you_o that_o you_o may_v be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o measure_n of_o your_o persuasion_n profession_n and_o performance_n and_o since_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o speak_v to_o all_o be_v affectionate_o willing_a to_o be_v serviceable_a to_o you_o all_o let_v i_o add_v a_o word_n to_o you_o that_o refuse_v to_o attend_v the_o public_a ministry_n in_o that_o place_n to_o hear_v what_o have_v be_v there_o deliver_v yet_o possible_o you_o will_v vouchsafe_v a_o private_a perusal_n of_o these_o truth_n if_o this_o little_a tract_n come_v into_o your_o hand_n i_o beseech_v you_o inquire_v serious_o by_o it_o into_o the_o state_n of_o your_o soul_n for_o i_o fear_v you_o have_v little_a close_a convince_a preach_v among_o you._n o_o bethink_v yourselves_o of_o former_a day_n when_o you_o sit_v under_o the_o now_o despise_a ministry_n in_o tiverton_n which_o some_o of_o you_o call_v the_o ministry_n of_o christ_n and_o yourselves_o the_o seal_n of_o it_o you_o seem_v then_o to_o have_v some_o sense_n of_o the_o quickness_n nnd_v power_n of_o the_o word_n but_o how_o be_v it_o now_o be_v thief_n time_n better_o than_o those_o to_o what_o considerable_a height_n be_v you_o grow_v in_o christianity_n since_o you_o turn_v your_o back_n upon_o those_o opportunity_n you_o once_o count_v precious_a ah_o let_v i_o tell_v you_o though_o you_o have_v desert_v i_o i_o can_v cast_v you_o out_o of_o my_o thought_n hope_n and_o prayer_n trust_v that_o the_o lord_n will_v bring_v back_o such_o as_o have_v set_v their_o face_n to_o seek_v he_o in_o truth_n as_o he_o have_v do_v foam_n already_o in_o answer_n to_o prayer_n yet_o you_o know_v that_o i_o have_v lose_v nothing_o by_o your_o leave_v of_o i_o but_o the_o opportunity_n of_o be_v further_o serviceable_a to_o your_o soul_n and_o this_o indeed_o to_o i_o be_v a_o great_a loss_n for_o if_o i_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o my_o heart_n it_o be_v this_o that_o i_o value_v my_o life_n by_o the_o advantage_n that_o i_o have_v of_o be_v helpful_a to_o poor_a soul_n in_o the_o great_a thing_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o draw_v up_o those_o that_o have_v no_o grace_n to_o any_o form_n and_o this_o be_v a_o poor_a low_a thing_n to_o make_v our_o interest_n by_o this_o mean_v it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o stop_v young_a awaken_v soul_n before_o they_o come_v half_a way_n to_o christianity_n it_o be_v my_o fear_n for_o many_o
come_v to_o cross_v their_o profit_n and_o gain_v who_o yet_o be_v trouble_v to_o lose_v he_o and_o go_v away_o like_o the_o young_a man_n mat._n 19.22_o with_o tear_n in_o their_o eye_n they_o will_v do_v much_o rather_o than_o live_v without_o hope_n of_o heaven_n till_o it_o come_v to_o the_o cut_n off_o the_o right_a hand_n or_o foot_n or_o pluck_v out_o of_o the_o right_a eye_n this_o be_v like_o the_o way_n in_o which_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n part_v christ_n and_o they_o go_v together_o in_o many_o thing_n but_o when_o they_o come_v here_o they_o must_v needs_o part_v vi_o some_o be_v so_o far_o persuade_v to_o be_v christian_n that_o they_o be_v ashamed_a to_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o opposer_n of_o religion_n they_o abhor_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o scorner_n and_o will_v not_o willing_o hear_v godliness_n deride_v they_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o happiness_n of_o those_o that_o fear_n god_n and_o be_v convince_v who_o they_o be_v they_o will_v willing_o be_v account_v favourer_n of_o such_o and_o wish_v they_o be_v in_o their_o condition_n yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o thing_n something_o hold_v they_o from_o come_v up_o full_o to_o their_o step_n either_o they_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o sluggish_a spirit_n and_o will_v not_o set_v themselves_o forth_o in_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_a or_o else_o they_o be_v secret_o glue_v to_o the_o world_n and_o will_v not_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o christian_n one_o play_v the_o sluggard_n under_o his_o conviction_n and_o cry_v out_o thus_o i_o will_v fain_o have_v knowledge_n but_o i_o can_v allow_v the_o time_n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n nor_o to_o read_v good_a book_n nor_o to_o frequent_v the_o company_n and_o conference_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n another_o say_v i_o approve_v of_o prayer_n it_o be_v a_o duty_n but_o i_o have_v not_o part_n nor_o pray_v gift_n these_o be_v but_o idle_a excuse_n of_o heart_n that_o will_v not_o come_v up_o to_o god_n full_o for_o be_v your_o heart_n set_v to_o know_v god_n you_o will_v find_v time_n enough_o out_o of_o your_o idle_a and_o unnecessary_a business_n to_o seek_v after_o knowledge_n nay_o you_o will_v cut_v it_o out_o of_o your_o time_n that_o you_o spend_v in_o eat_v drink_v and_o sleep_v have_v you_o not_o borrow_v sometime_o from_o these_o to_o satisfy_v your_o lust_n and_o for_o you_o who_o pretend_v a_o excuse_n for_o the_o omit_v and_o neglect_v of_o duty_n in_o your_o family_n and_o in_o private_a which_o you_o be_v convince_v aught_o to_o be_v do_v and_o you_o think_v to_o salve_v it_o with_o this_o that_o you_o have_v no_o part_n alas_o this_o be_v a_o fiction_n in_o some_o and_o a_o vain_a excuse_n in_o all_o that_o plead_v it_o for_o 1._o have_v you_o not_o ability_n to_o express_v your_o present_a apprehension_n and_o conception_n to_o all_o man_n you_o meet_v with_o all_o and_o converse_v with_o be_v you_o not_o able_a to_o speak_v apposite_o and_o ready_o in_o buy_v and_o sell_v you_o that_o can_v express_v what_o you_o conceive_v of_o all_o matter_n that_o come_v before_o you_o may_v conclude_v that_o neglect_n of_o prayer_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o a_o defect_n of_o expression_n 2._o if_o god_n shall_v take_v you_o and_o shake_v you_o over_o hell_n and_o you_o have_v but_o eminent_a and_o deep_a impression_n of_o your_o danger_n herein_o you_o will_v sure_o then_o pray_v and_o cry_v you_o will_v find_v word_n if_o you_o do_v feel_v your_o want_n or_o apprehend_v your_o danger_n it_o be_v nothing_o that_o you_o want_v but_o impression_n 3._o do_v you_o not_o see_v man_n abundant_o beneath_o you_o in_o part_n add_v natural_a ability_n that_o yet_o be_v able_a to_o come_v to_o god_n with_o boldness_n speak_v out_o their_o own_o and_o other_o want_n free_o to_o god_n 4._o know_v it_o be_v not_o part_n but_o grace_n that_o fit_v a_o man_n for_o duty_n i_o never_o know_v any_o that_o be_v wrought_v upon_o true_o how_o ever_o weak_a in_o part_n but_o be_v able_a to_o pray_v without_o a_o book_n and_o i_o do_v believe_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n â—s_v a_o essential_a partâ—_n of_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n zach._n 12.10_o rom._n 8.15_o and_o that_o a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o live_v without_o breath_n as_o he_o can_v be_v a_o christian_n without_o the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n v._o be_v thy_o part_n never_o so_o low_a &_o weak_a yet_o use_v they_o for_o god_n &_o he_o will_v augment_v they_o mat._n 25.29_o to_o he_o that_o have_v shall_v be_v give_v grace_n will_v bring_v with_o it_o such_o gift_n as_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o maintain_v a_o communion_n with_o god_n and_o such_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n never_o any_o man_n do_v conscientious_o use_v weak_a and_o tender_a part_n for_o god_n but_o like_o the_o bread_n which_o christ_n break_v for_o the_o multitude_n they_o do_v increase_v upon_o his_o hand_n in_o break_v beside_o these_o which_o be_v hinder_v by_o a_o slothful_a sluggish_a spirit_n other_o come_v not_o up_o full_o to_o the_o life_n of_o christian_n from_o a_o secret_a tie_n which_o be_v betwixt_o they_o and_o the_o world_n they_o be_v loath_a to_o hazard_v their_o peace_n or_o credit_n among_o man_n many_o man_n notwithstanding_o they_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o way_n of_o god_n and_o how_o they_o ought_v to_o walk_v yet_o be_v so_o studious_a of_o a_o peaceable_a quiet_a be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o covetous_a of_o every_o one_o good_a word_n that_o they_o have_v rather_o venture_v the_o loss_n of_o heaven_n than_o the_o displease_v of_o any_o man_n they_o will_v be_v for_o godliness_n in_o their_o opinion_n and_o they_o will_v own_v the_o people_n of_o god_n until_o it_o come_v to_o this_o that_o they_o must_v appear_v they_o must_v show_v themselves_o and_o this_o will_v displease_v such_o a_o friend_n and_o such_o a_o neighbour_n and_o they_o shall_v suffer_v by_o be_v count_v a_o man_n of_o this_o or_o that_o party_n this_o make_v they_o draw_v in_o as_o the_o pharise_n do_v 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never_o such_o thus_o i_o have_v finish_v the_o first_o head_n and_o have_v show_v you_o what_o kind_n of_o persuasion_n these_o be_v which_o be_v find_v in_o such_o as_o be_v term_v almost_o christian_n the_o next_o thing_n which_o be_v propose_v to_o be_v open_v be_v the_o spring_n and_o rise_v of_o these_o persuasion_n in_o which_o i_o be_o to_o consider_v first_o the_o extent_n of_o these_o second_o the_o defect_n of_o they_o and_o here_o i_o be_o to_o show_v you_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o carnal_a man_n be_v so_o far_o persuade_v that_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v almost_o christian_n and_o then_o bow_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o be_v bring_v so_o far_o they_o do_v not_o prove_v altogether_o christian_n chap._n v._o whence_o these_o persuasion_n do_v arise_v when_o we_o consider_v the_o thick_a darkness_n that_o be_v in_o the_o understanding_n natural_o and_o that_o gross_a opposition_n and_o enmity_n that_o be_v in_o the_o will_n against_o god_n and_o his_o way_n we_o may_v 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of_o you_o that_o you_o be_v arrive_v no_o further_a than_o the_o form_n and_o my_o fear_n be_v as_o great_a that_o you_o will_v hinder_v other_o from_o go_v beyond_o it_o by_o persuade_v they_o into_o a_o opinion_n of_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v christian_n before_o they_o be_v or_o know_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v such_o if_o this_o may_v prevent_v any_o of_o you_o from_o miscarry_v any_o way_n i_o shall_v hearty_o bless_v the_o lord_n and_o rejoice_v to_o be_v also_o a_o helper_n of_o your_o faith_n final_o my_o friend_n of_o all_o sort_n lay_v what_o you_o have_v hear_v or_o may_v hearread_v to_o the_o word_n &_o your_o heart_n to_o both_o and_o judge_v faithful_o in_o this_o matter_n put_v it_o to_o the_o question_n whether_o you_o be_v altogether_o christian_n or_o no_o and_o resolve_v to_o be_v such_o or_o to_o be_v nothing_o be_v in_o good_a earnest_n with_o god_n and_o cleave_v to_o he_o with_o full_a purpose_n of_o heart_n oh_o fulfil_v my_o joy_n which_o you_o can_v more_o considerable_o further_a than_o by_o a_o candid_a acceptance_n and_o conscientious_a improvement_n of_o what_o i_o here_o tender_a to_o you_o that_o it_o may_v be_v everyway_n for_o your_o good_a you_o shall_v have_v with_o it_o the_o prayer_n of_o your_o willing_a servant_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n jo._n chishull_n london_n jan._n 16._o 1656._o act_n 26.28_o almost_o thou_o persuade_v i_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n chap._n i._n the_o introduction_n it_o be_v not_o usual_a with_o i_o to_o make_v apology_n for_o or_o introduction_n to_o my_o discourse_n but_o at_o this_o time_n i_o conceive_v it_o be_v convenient_a if_o not_o necessary_a to_o speak_v something_o of_o this_o nature_n though_o it_o be_v sufficient_a warrant_n for_o i_o to_o pitch_v upon_o this_o portion_n which_o i_o have_v choose_v because_o it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o same_o consideration_n be_v weighty_a to_o enjoin_v your_o best_a attention_n yet_o there_o be_v something_o more_o which_o have_v sway_v with_o i_o to_o take_v these_o word_n into_o my_o serious_a thought_n and_o to_o present_v the_o result_n of_o they_o to_o you_o which_o i_o hope_v when_o you_o have_v weigh_v they_o will_v seem_v as_o additional_a argument_n to_o awaken_v your_o spirit_n and_o you_o will_v account_v yourselves_o particular_o engage_v to_o hear_v what_o i_o be_o so_o deep_o engage_v to_o speak_v i_o have_v choose_v another_o subject_n to_o treat_v upon_o which_o i_o conceive_v may_v suit_v well_o with_o that_o which_o i_o so_o late_o finish_v but_o my_o resolution_n to_o prosecute_v that_o be_v change_v by_o some_o impression_n which_o the_o lord_n make_v upon_o i_o in_o my_o late_a sickness_n that_o i_o be_v visit_v with_o weakness_n be_v know_v to_o you_o all_o but_o how_o great_a it_o be_v and_o how_o near_o to_o the_o grave_n it_o bring_v i_o be_v know_v but_o to_o few_o but_o in_o this_o which_o be_v the_o soare_v which_o i_o ever_o experience_v yea_o in_o the_o very_a height_n and_o prevalency_n of_o it_o when_o my_o friend_n do_v many_o of_o they_o look_v upon_o i_o as_o under_o a_o sentence_n of_o death_n than_o be_v the_o lord_n please_v first_o to_o give_v i_o a_o particular_a assurance_n of_o my_o recovery_n from_o that_o scripture_n ps_n 118.17_o thou_o shall_v not_o die_v but_o live_v and_o declare_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n second_o a_o particular_a knowledge_n of_o the_o time_n of_o my_o recovery_n from_o hos_n 6.2_o after_o two_o day_n i_o will_v revive_v thou_o in_o the_o three_o day_n i_o will_v raise_v thou_o up_o and_o thou_o shall_v live_v in_o my_o sight_n all_o which_o i_o find_v exact_o make_v good_a unto_o i_o to_o a_o day_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o be_v then_o set_v upon_o my_o spirit_n three_o the_o lord_n do_v not_o only_o assure_v i_o of_o my_o life_n but_o do_v also_o appoint_v i_o out_o my_o work_n without_o which_o i_o account_v my_o life_n of_o very_o small_a value_n at_o that_o time_n when_o i_o be_v under_o a_o strong_a fever_n and_o other_o distemper_n which_o may_v very_o well_o be_v judge_v unfit_a companion_n for_o meditation_n i_o say_v be_v under_o the_o pain_n of_o my_o grow_a disease_n my_o thought_n be_v then_o draw_v strong_o out_o to_o consider_v of_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o this_o place_n and_o consider_v the_o people_n of_o it_o i_o rank_v they_o under_o three_o head_n first_a some_o that_o mind_v not_o god_n nor_o religion_n and_o that_o sit_v unshaken_a under_o the_o word_n second_o some_o that_o i_o hope_v have_v receive_v it_o and_o that_o do_v sincere_o desire_v to_o follow_v it_o three_o such_o as_o halt_v betwixt_o two_o opinion_n that_o hang_v betwixt_o god_n and_o the_o world_n that_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o the_o word_n and_o be_v under_o strong_a conviction_n and_o working_n of_o spirit_n but_o yet_o be_v not_o bring_v full_o to_o close_v with_o christ_n these_o be_v i_o be_o persuade_v not_o a_o few_o in_o this_o place_n the_o serious_a consideration_n of_o these_o do_v most_o of_o all_o affect_v my_o soul_n with_o pity_n and_o that_o pity_v wrought_v in_o i_o strong_a and_o earnest_a desire_n it_o grieve_v i_o to_o see_v so_o many_o soul_n like_o laodicea_n rev._n 3.15_o lukewarm_a or_o like_o ephraim_n halfbaked_n hos_fw-la 7.8_o it_o do_v not_o a_o little_a trouble_n my_o spirit_n to_o see_v so_o many_o person_n carry_v their_o conviction_n about_o they_o as_o prisoner_n drag_v their_o chain_n after_o they_o i_o be_o persuade_v if_o every_o person_n that_o have_v be_v convineed_a under_o the_o word_n in_o this_o place_n and_o that_o have_v have_v some_o kind_n of_o persuasion_n to_o come_v in_o to_o christ_n and_o yet_o stand_v it_o out_o have_v but_o a_o chain_n about_o his_o leg_n we_o shall_v hear_v a_o fearful_a rattle_n of_o iron_n when_o the_o congregation_n move_v thus_o be_v my_o soul_n grieve_v for_o many_o of_o you_o but_o my_o affection_n do_v not_o spend_v themselves_o in_o pity_v but_o awaken_v my_o desire_n and_o i_o then_o cast_v about_o i_o how_o i_o may_v be_v serviceable_a to_o you_o with_o that_o little_a inch_n of_o time_n that_o the_o lord_n shall_v give_v i_o even_o to_o you_o that_o seem_v at_o some_o time_n not_o to_o be_v far_o from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o if_o you_o go_v no_o far_o be_v never_o like_a to_o come_v there_o while_o my_o thought_n be_v thus_o work_v it_o please_v the_o lord_n to_o set_v this_o portion_n of_o scripture_n which_o i_o have_v read_v unto_o you_o upon_o my_o spirit_n in_o which_o i_o see_v your_o condition_n exact_o present_v in_o agrippa_n but_o this_o word_n itself_o be_v not_o bare_o bring_v home_o to_o i_o but_o the_o lord_n give_v in_o then_o to_o my_o thought_n those_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v to_o deliver_v to_o you_o so_o that_o i_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o he_o put_v the_o word_n into_o my_o mouth_n for_o what_o i_o have_v now_o to_o deliver_v both_o for_o the_o doctrine_n and_o all_o the_o particular_n relate_v to_o explain_v and_o confirm_v it_o be_v pen_v when_o i_o be_v unable_a to_o govern_v a_o pen_n they_o be_v frame_v in_o my_o great_a weakness_n &_o take_v from_o my_o mouth_n by_o a_o friend_n that_o come_v to_o visit_v i_o these_o thing_n i_o mention_v to_o you_o that_o you_o may_v be_v persuade_v first_o to_o pass_v by_o any_o thing_n of_o weakness_n in_o this_o discourse_n know_v it_o be_v compose_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o weakness_n and_o that_o i_o aim_v not_o to_o commend_v myself_o to_o you_o but_o to_o present_v your_o condition_n before_o you_o and_o that_o with_o all_o manner_n of_o plainess_n second_o that_o if_o you_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n useful_a &_o seasonable_a you_o will_v gâ—ve_v the_o glory_n to_o god_n if_o the_o word_n meâ—t_v with_o any_o of_o your_o soul_n say_v the_o lord_n have_v meet_v with_o i_o this_o day_n if_o it_o hit_v as_o right_a as_o david_n stone_n do_v and_o stick_v in_o your_o forehead_n know_v i_o throw_v it_o as_o he_o do_v not_o by_o skill_n but_o by_o faith_n it_o be_v the_o lord_n that_o guide_v my_o hand_n if_o any_o say_v can_v all_o that_o which_o be_v deliver_v in_o several_a sermon_n be_v the_o product_n of_o a_o few_o hour_n meditation_n i_o answer_v that_o i_o can_v say_v without_o feign_v what_o jacob_n offer_v to_o excuse_v his_o hasty_a dinner_n for_o his_o father_n gen._n 27_o 20._o the_o lord_n bring_v it_o unto_o my_o hâ—nd_n three_o to_o show_v you_o what_o special_a and_o peculiar_a reason_n some_o of_o you_o have_v to_o attend_v diligent_o to_o what_o shall_v be_v speak_v o_o you_o can_v but_o see_v a_o finger_n in_o the_o margin_n bid_v you_o observe_v and_o
and_o offer_v very_o fair_a at_o heaven_n see_v doubtless_o a_o great_a good_a in_o salvation_n but_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o go_v not_o through_o with_o his_o purchase_n be_v this_o he_o see_v not_o the_o supreme_a good_a in_o it_o though_o he_o apprehend_v it_o a_o good_a thing_n to_o inheriteternal_a life_n yet_o he_o see_v something_o which_o to_o he_o be_v better_a have_v this_o be_v the_o chief_a good_a in_o his_o account_n it_o will_v have_v be_v his_o chief_a desire_n and_o doubtless_o see_v all_o have_v the_o same_o stock_n of_o these_o first_o principle_n to_o trade_n upon_o by_o live_v under_o the_o mean_v they_o may_v be_v so_o heighten_v that_o they_o may_v see_v what_o he_o do_v a_o degree_n of_o goodness_n and_o happiness_n in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o spiritual_a thing_n and_o may_v be_v induce_v to_o do_v even_o as_o he_o do_v have_v a_o proportionable_a measure_n of_o persuasion_n to_o embrace_v those_o thing_n and_o to_o comply_v with_o the_o mean_n lead_v to_o they_o these_o be_v persuasion_n or_o else_o they_o will_v not_o be_v move_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n they_o be_v not_o full_a persuasion_n for_o than_o they_o will_v stick_v at_o nothing_o but_o they_o be_v imperfect_a &_o be_v more_o or_o less_o according_a to_o those_o apprehension_n which_o they_o have_v of_o the_o excellency_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o way_n of_o which_o the_o natural_a man_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o superadd_v light_n of_o the_o word_n may_v have_v a_o weak_a sight_n but_o without_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n can_v have_v a_o true_a sight_n such_o as_o shall_v draw_v he_o out_o to_o seek_v after_o god_n with_o all_o his_o heart_n yet_o though_o he_o see_v not_o all_o he_o see_v much_o and_o though_o he_o will_v not_o do_v all_o that_o he_o be_v command_v yet_o he_o will_v be_v persuade_v to_o do_v many_o thing_n for_o though_o a_o carnal_a man_n can_v apprehend_v any_o good_a in_o the_o strict_a profession_n of_o godliness_n which_o be_v accompany_v with_o the_o great_a self_n denial_n and_o expose_v man_n to_o the_o great_a hazard_n yet_o he_o do_v oft_o apprehend_v much_o good_a in_o partial_a compliance_n with_o religion_n for_o this_o he_o suppose_v may_v not_o spoil_v his_o particular_a interest_n and_o yet_o may_v attain_v the_o end_n which_o be_v true_a happiness_n upon_o this_o account_n most_o man_n have_v their_o measure_n of_o persuasion_n some_o be_v great_a &_o some_o less_o but_o some_o do_v border_n upon_o a_o full_a persuasion_n they_o be_v almost_o persuade_v or_o persuade_v to_o be_v almost_o christian_n 2_o these_o persuasion_n do_v arise_v from_o good_a education_n in_o many_o good_a counsel_n &_o instruction_n be_v wrought_v wise_o into_o they_o by_o the_o skill_n and_o industry_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o friend_n &_o these_o be_v back_v with_o good_a example_n &_o fence_v by_o discipline_n many_o have_v be_v draw_v by_o love_n to_o entreat_v or_o drive_v by_o fear_n into_o a_o profession_n of_o what_o be_v good_a &_o by_o long_a custom_n they_o seem_v to_o have_v get_v a_o nature_n and_o they_o act_v in_o a_o profession_n as_o if_o they_o be_v dispose_v to_o it_o by_o grace_n &_o whiâ—es_o they_o want_v the_o temptation_n which_o other_o have_v they_o seem_v to_o be_v full_o persuade_v to_o be_v christian_n but_o when_o friend_n or_o parent_n be_v take_v away_o who_o be_v as_o a_o hedge_n about_o they_o and_o keep_v many_o temptation_n from_o approach_v near_o they_o or_o when_o they_o be_v take_v from_o their_o friend_n and_o call_v to_o live_v upon_o their_o own_o stock_n in_o some_o place_n where_o they_o see_v other_o example_n &_o meet_v with_o temptation_n of_o all_o sort_n they_o soon_o show_v what_o and_o whence_o their_o former_a persuasion_n be_v they_o show_v that_o ignorance_n of_o evil_n or_o want_v of_o temptation_n to_o it_o only_o make_v they_o seem_v good_a but_o without_o doubt_n next_o unto_o grace_n good_a education_n do_v most_o of_o all_o work_n upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n yea_o it_o can_v do_v any_o thing_n but_o renew_v the_o heart_n we_o â—ee_o how_o child_n suck_v in_o the_o opinion_n and_o persuasion_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o ordinary_o they_o do_v more_o zealous_o defend_v what_o come_v from_o they_o by_o tradition_n then_o what_o the_o light_n of_o the_o word_n afford_v they_o nay_o it_o be_v no_o very_o difficult_a thing_n for_o parent_n to_o draw_v their_o child_n to_o imitate_v the_o for_o the_o example_n of_o those_o who_o we_o love_v persuade_v to_o that_o which_o for_o itself_o we_o do_v not_o love_v yea_o and_o be_v draw_v once_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n in_o imitation_n of_o anotâ—e_n who_o we_o honour_v we_o continue_v in_o it_o lest_o we_o shall_v be_v a_o dishonour_n to_o our_o copy_n and_o thus_o by_o continuance_n we_o come_v to_o be_v persuade_v of_o what_o we_o do_v and_o arise_v so_o high_a in_o notion_n and_o external_a profession_n that_o nothing_o be_v want_v but_o the_o power_n of_o those_o truth_n which_o we_o assent_v unto_o and_o spirituality_n of_o those_o duty_n which_o we_o perform_v thus_o the_o parent_n or_o the_o master_n make_v his_o child_n or_o servant_n almost_o a_o christian_n but_o it_o be_v the_o lord_n only_o can_v make_v he_o altogether_o such_o 3._o conviction_n and_o persuasion_n rise_v high_a by_o some_o special_a providence_n god_n knock_v so_o hard_a at_o the_o door_n of_o natural_a man_n conscience_n by_o some_o affliction_n or_o eminent_a danger_n of_o death_n that_o although_o he_o do_v not_o open_v the_o heart_n as_o he_o do_v lydias_n yet_o he_o make_v a_o breach_n at_o which_o some_o truth_n enter_v which_o come_v in_o with_o such_o conviction_n and_o power_n for_o the_o present_a yea_o and_o perhaps_o for_o the_o future_a make_v some_o change_n in_o the_o man_n apprehension_n and_o resolution_n thus_o pharaoh_n himself_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n under_o affliction_n who_o he_o will_v not_o know_v in_o prosperity_n when_o god_n 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a_o christian_n and_o be_v not_o so_o altogether_o be_v very_o far_o from_o be_v a_o christian_n tho_o conviction_n and_o persuasion_n may_v be_v strong_a in_o such_o as_o be_v not_o yet_o regenerate_v and_o they_o may_v go_v very_o far_o as_o i_o have_v show_v you_o in_o open_v the_o doctrine_n nay_o if_o they_o shall_v go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o give_v their_o good_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o their_o body_n to_o the_o fire_n and_o many_o such_o thing_n which_o may_v seem_v very_o glorious_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n yet_o let_v all_o that_o such_o man_n do_v be_v serious_o weigh_v and_o consider_v and_o you_o shall_v find_v it_o exceed_v small_a the_o most_o glorious_a hypocrite_n in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o cunning_a formalist_n that_o have_v put_v on_o the_o outside_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o many_o thing_n can_v hardly_o be_v discern_v to_o be_v such_o be_v light_a than_o vanity_n itself_o compare_v with_o a_o true_a christian_a though_o these_o be_v like_o saul_n among_o 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a_o example_n of_o holiness_n unto_o who_o every_o one_o that_o be_v call_v after_o his_o name_n shall_v be_v conform_v we_o shall_v find_v he_o to_o be_v empty_a and_o lame_a indeed_o it_o will_v require_v much_o time_n to_o compare_v the_o life_n of_o such_o a_o person_n with_o christ_n in_o particular_n but_o you_o will_v say_v if_o we_o compare_v the_o best_a man_n life_n with_o christ_n they_o will_v be_v find_v to_o fall_v short_a as_o well_o as_o he_o and_o the_o strong_a christian_n will_v be_v as_o nothing_o in_o comparison_n of_o he_o ans_fw-fr though_o the_o best_a christian_n have_v cause_n to_o be_v humble_v for_o their_o fail_n when_o they_o look_v to_o christ_n who_o they_o be_v to_o follow_v yet_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o these_o and_o the_o formalist_n in_o this_o thing_n for_o though_o there_o be_v a_o seem_a conformity_n in_o every_o hypocrite_n to_o christ_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o in_o appearance_n not_o in_o reality_n but_o there_o be_v a_o real_a and_o sincere_a conformity_n to_o christ_n in_o every_o true_a christian_n 2._o though_o there_o be_v some_o likeness_n yet_o there_o be_v more_o unlikeness_n to_o christ_n in_o the_o half-christian_n but_o in_o the_o true_a christian_n though_o there_o be_v some_o unlikeness_n yet_o there_o be_v more_o likeness_n for_o first_o though_o they_o have_v flesh_n as_o well_o as_o spirit_n and_o a_o part_n unregenerate_a as_o well_o as_o regenerate_v yet_o the_o spirit_n do_v prevail_v over_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o regenerate_a over_o the_o unregenerate_a so_o that_o this_o may_v and_o do_v still_o pass_v for_o the_o principal_a part_n it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o the_o formalist_n for_o at_o the_o best_a he_o be_v carnal_a and_o altogether_o flesh_n second_o though_o he_o fail_v in_o every_o duty_n and_o there_o be_v some_o corruption_n mix_v with_o what_o he_o do_v yet_o there_o be_v something_o of_o christ_n in_o every_o duty_n and_o this_o weigh_v down_o all_o his_o corruption_n but_o in_o a_o formalist_n there_o be_v nothing_o of_o christ_n in_o any_o duty_n that_o he_o perform_v though_o he_o may_v exercise_v part_n and_o have_v great_a enlargement_n yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o grace_n in_o it_o and_o so_o no_o conformity_n to_o christ_n three_o though_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o action_n of_o christ_n and_o a_o christian_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o perfection_n require_v in_o the_o law_n christ_n do_v every_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o law_n yet_o in_o respect_n of_o that_o perfection_n which_o the_o gospel_n admit_v of_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o disproportion_n betwixt_o the_o obedience_n of_o christ_n and_o a_o christian_n if_o the_o law_n be_v to_o be_v judge_n of_o this_o it_o will_v cast_v away_o all_o that_o a_o believer_n do_v and_o conclude_v it_o no_o way_n like_o to_o what_o christ_n have_v do_v because_o not_o every_o way_n like_o it_o but_o let_v the_o gospel_n judge_v it_o 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perfection_n to_o be_v able_a to_o walk_v as_o christ_n walk_v yet_o in_o his_o desire_n and_o design_n he_o be_v so_o there_o be_v the_o same_o mind_n in_o he_o that_o be_v in_o christ_n take_v the_o inner_a man_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o you_o shall_v find_v it_o exact_o like_a to_o christ_n renew_v in_o knowledge_n and_o in_o grace_n also_o according_a to_o his_o image_n col._n 3.10_o john_n 1.16_o of_o his_o fullness_n have_v we_o all_o receive_v grace_n for_o grace_n look_v to_o his_o principle_n and_o they_o be_v the_o same_o love_v to_o god_n and_o to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o will_v of_o god_n this_o be_v his_o meat_n and_o drink_n as_o it_o be_v christ_n john_n 4.34_o thus_o it_o be_v with_o david_n psalm_n 119.97_o o_o how_o love_v i_o thy_o law_n it_o be_v my_o meditation_n all_o the_o day_n look_v to_o his_o end_n they_o be_v like_o christ_n the_o honour_n and_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o other_o soul_n as_o we_o find_v phil._n 1.21.24_o but_o to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n and_o to_o die_v be_v gain_v nevertheless_o to_o abide_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v more_o needful_a for_o you_o so_o that_o all_o thing_n consider_v there_o be_v more_o agreement_n and_o conformity_n betwixt_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n and_o a_o true_a christian_n then_o there_o be_v disagreement_n or_o nonconformity_n they_o agree_v in_o more_o than_o they_o do_v differ_v in_o but_o the_o life_n of_o a_o halt_a christian_n be_v so_o far_o short_a of_o follow_v that_o he_o be_v not_o any_o way_n like_o he_o so_o that_o upon_o this_o account_n he_o that_o be_v but_o almost_o a_o christian_n do_v very_o little_a in_o all_o that_o he_o do_v because_o it_o be_v no_o way_n proportion_v to_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n