the_o high_a place_n and_o the_o grove_n etc._n etc._n again_o after_o he_o set_v upon_o reformation_n we_o find_v it_o be_v six_o year_n before_o he_o have_v purge_v the_o land_n and_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v but_o a_o part_n of_o his_o reformation_n intend_v for_o the_o repair_v of_o the_o temple_n be_v still_o behind_o vers._n 8._o and_o what_o shall_v be_v the_o reason_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v twelve_o year_n before_o he_o begin_v to_o reform_v be_v so_o pure_a a_o prince_n and_o six_o year_n in_o one_o part_n of_o reformation_n the_o cast_v out_o of_o corruption_n but_o because_o he_o find_v it_o a_o mighty_a difficult_a matter_n to_o new_a mould_n the_o people_n from_o old_a way_n and_o to_o take_v the_o generality_n of_o they_o off_o from_o their_o wont_a superstitious_a custom_n it_o be_v observable_a again_o that_o when_o the_o people_n be_v bring_v to_o a_o outward_a conformity_n to_o the_o reformation_n yet_o their_o heart_n still_o hankered_a another_o way_n and_o so_o much_o as_o they_o dare_v for_o the_o law_n the_o reformation_n have_v establish_v they_o declare_v their_o idolatrous_a spirit_n as_o in_o that_o 3._o jer._n 10._o judah_n have_v not_o turn_v to_o i_o with_o her_o whole_a heart_n but_o feign_o and_o we_o be_v moreover_o to_o mark_v that_o after_o their_o outward_a conformity_n to_o reformation_n come_v the_o threaten_n of_o their_o captivity_n compare_v the_o 8._o and_o 25._o verse_n of_o the_o 34._o chap._n 2_o chro._n there_o be_v still_o another_o thing_n more_o notable_a for_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n which_o be_v this_o when_o upon_o the_o lord_n threaten_v judah_n for_o the_o superstitious_a bent_n and_o bias_n of_o their_o spirit_n still_o josiah_n to_o the_o end_n he_o may_v make_v they_o as_o sure_a as_o he_o can_v for_o god_n gather_v they_o together_o to_o enter_v into_o a_o sure_a covenant_n with_o the_o lord_n to_o serve_v he_o only_o and_o to_o worship_v he_o true_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o king_n be_v force_v to_o force_v they_o to_o stand_v to_o the_o covenant_n that_o he_o himself_o have_v enter_v into_o verse_n 32._o 33._o they_o do_v not_o willing_o and_o free_o enter_v into_o the_o covenant_n with_o the_o king_n but_o it_o be_v say_v josiah_n cause_v and_o make_v all_o that_o be_v present_a or_o that_o be_v find_v in_o jerusalem_n and_o benjamin_n to_o stand_v to_o it_o again_o neither_o do_v they_o keep_v this_o covenant_n any_o long_a than_o josiah_n life_n as_o the_o last_o word_n of_o the_o chapter_n and_o the_o people_n practice_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o next_o king_n do_v manifest_a now_o if_o the_o commendation_n of_o the_o passover_n in_o josiah_n life_n and_o the_o great_a lamentation_n of_o the_o people_n at_o josiah_n death_n shall_v be_v a_o argument_n to_o any_o for_o the_o integrity_n of_o judah_n in_o josiah_n time_n they_o must_v needs_o in_o serious_a and_o second_v thought_n apprehend_v the_o carriage_n of_o the_o people_n in_o the_o generality_n but_o a_o ceremony_n and_o no_o substantial_a point_n of_o their_o soundness_n therefore_o upon_o all_o this_o that_o have_v be_v say_v i_o say_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o question_n that_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o this_o sharp_a and_o threaten_a prophecy_n even_o in_o josiah_n time_n though_o a_o time_n of_o reformation_n howbeit_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o prince_n yet_o of_o people_n for_o the_o major_a part_n and_o then_o this_o be_v the_o first_o doctrine_n that_o though_o the_o prince_n 1._o and_o some_o ruler_n of_o a_o nation_n be_v strict_a reformer_n in_o religion_n yet_o if_o the_o people_n general_o continue_v corrupt_a the_o nation_n be_v still_o in_o much_o danger_n as_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o in_o god_n angry_a word_n against_o judah_n in_o josiah_n time_n the_o pure_a of_o reformer_n before_o the_o captivity_n so_o also_o as_o clear_o in_o the_o pure_a reformation_n after_o the_o captivity_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o reformer_n themselves_o witness_v ezra_n and_o nehemiah_n their_o solemn_a fast_n to_o prevent_v sad_a thing_n which_o they_o fear_v may_v befall_v their_o nation_n through_o the_o people_n corruption_n ezra_n 9_o and_o nehem._n 9_o now_o when_o i_o say_v when_o the_o people_n be_v corrupt_a in_o religion_n i_o mean_v not_o their_o open_a profession_n or_o confess_v practice_n of_o superstition_n and_o cross-way_n to_o the_o purity_n of_o religion_n but_o even_o then_o when_o the_o people_n have_v outside_n to_o reformation_n yet_o still_o heart_n and_o inside_n to_o corruption_n for_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o josiah_n time_n as_o the_o pure_a element_n now_o be_v so_o impure_a as_o subject_a to_o change_v in_o part_n into_o contrary_a element_n such_o be_v the_o temper_n of_o these_o jew_n that_o as_o they_o go_v to_o zoar_n their_o face_n be_v towards_o sodom_n and_o the_o danger_n of_o such_o a_o nation_n reas._n that_o have_v such_o a_o people_n appear_v in_o this_o 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wind_n to_o carry_v they_o to_o rome_n again_o and_o as_o this_o have_v be_v the_o issue_n of_o the_o people_n so_o vice_n versa_fw-la sometime_o with_o the_o prince_n as_o in_o joash_n king_n of_o judah_n a_o good_a king_n not_o from_o inward_a principle_n but_o from_o outward_a motive_n he_o make_v true_a religion_n the_o fashion_n whilst_o jehojada_n live_v for_o all_o the_o day_n of_o jehojada_n it_o be_v say_v he_o walk_v in_o the_o godly_a path_n of_o his_o godly_a predecessor_n and_o maintain_v the_o reformation_n make_v after_o athalia_n depose_v and_o he_o crown_v 2_o king_n 11._o but_o so_o soon_o as_o jehojada_n be_v in_o his_o grave_n the_o prince_n of_o judah_n come_v and_o make_v obeisance_n to_o the_o king_n and_o with_o flatter_a speech_n motion_v to_o the_o king_n the_o renew_n of_o baalitish_a worship_n and_o he_o hearken_v unto_o they_o 2_o chro._n 24._o 17._o to_o make_v application_n of_o the_o point_n for_o our_o own_o particular_a use_n use_v and_o hence_o we_o 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be_v a_o ill_a heart_n or_o a_o corrupt_a liver_n or_o ulcerate_v member_n in_o the_o body_n a_o man_n life_n be_v still_o in_o hazard_n so_o that_o if_o christian_n do_v not_o level_v as_o well_o in_o their_o prayer_n and_o humble_n to_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o subject_n as_o the_o purity_n of_o prince_n as_o well_o to_o the_o preparation_n of_o the_o people_n as_o the_o reformation_n of_o ruler_n the_o kingdom_n be_v not_o yet_o out_o of_o danger_n for_o however_o it_o be_v a_o happiness_n to_o a_o kingdom_n when_o ruler_n be_v willing_a to_o reform_v as_o to_o judah_n in_o jehoshaphat_n yet_o if_o the_o people_n be_v not_o prepare_v for_o reformation_n mark_n and_o it_o go_v on_o with_o much_o difficulty_n and_o every_o motion_n of_o it_o pinch_v much_o as_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o josiah_n six_o year_n can_v scarce_o get_v out_o rubbish_n from_o church_n and_o state_n that_o they_o may_v come_v to_o repair_v for_o it_o be_v the_o twelve_o year_n before_o he_o can_v pull_v down_o baal_n and_o the_o eighteen_o before_o he_o can_v build_v for_o god_n second_o there_o must_v be_v care_n have_v by_o the_o magistrate_n in_o their_o sphere_n and_o the_o ministry_n in_o they_o and_o all_o the_o people_n of_o god_n in_o they_o too_o to_o get_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n settle_v in_o the_o rule_n of_o reformation_n that_o they_o be_v not_o waver_v and_o of_o a_o changeable_a spirit_n except_o governor_n change_v any_o forget_v or_o unseen_a error_n that_o their_o goodness_n may_v not_o be_v as_o judah_n as_o the_o morning_n cloud_n and_o early_a dew_n which_o pass_v away_o that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v for_o antichrist_n again_o when_o a_o opportunity_n tempt_v they_o but_o religious_a when_o jehojada_n be_v dead_a and_o righteous_a when_o josiah_n be_v fall_v asleep_a in_o a_o word_n that_o they_o may_v be_v implant_v into_o a_o reformation_n as_o the_o mede_n and_o persian_n be_v into_o their_o law_n which_o alter_v not_o and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o than_o this_o may_v be_v nay_o this_o will_v be_v the_o mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n viz._n though_o the_o work_n of_o reformation_n go_v on_o apace_o for_o a_o time_n as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o hezekiah_n he_o bless_a god_n that_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n be_v so_o prepare_v that_o the_o work_n be_v do_v with_o speed_n i_o say_v though_o the_o work_n may_v go_v on_o with_o speed_n for_o a_o time_n yet_o in_o time_n there_o may_v come_v a_o pause_n and_o long_o demur_v and_o this_o be_v their_o case_n in_o the_o build_n of_o the_o temple_n upon_o the_o weaken_n of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o people_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n ezr_n 4._o the_o people_n be_v extraordinary_a busy_a and_o zealous_a at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o temple_n but_o short_o after_o by_o some_o wile_n and_o plot_n of_o ante-reformer_n their_o hand_n be_v weaken_v their_o zeal_n abate_v and_o the_o work_n of_o build_v the_o temple_n receive_v intermission_n many_o year_n ezr._n 4_o compare_v the_o four_o verse_n with_o the_o twenty_o four_o thus_o you_o have_v see_v clear_v that_o when_o the_o magistrate_n of_o a_o land_n be_v serious_a in_o separate_v betwixt_o the_o precious_a and_o the_o vile_a if_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n i_o mean_v the_o considerable_a part_n of_o they_o be_v peccant_a the_o land_n be_v still_o in_o danger_n especial_o for_o future_a for_o if_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n be_v not_o prepare_v for_o reformation_n than_o it_o come_v on_o with_o much_o difficulty_n if_o prepare_v and_o not_o settle_v there_o may_v come_v in_o dangerous_a delay_n and_o beside_o little_a hope_n to_o last_v long_o as_o the_o israelite_n at_o first_o come_v out_o of_o egypt_n in_o one_o quarter_n of_o a_o year_n they_o get_v as_o far_o as_o to_o the_o wilderness_n of_o zinai_n the_o three_o part_n of_o their_o way_n from_o egypt_n to_o canaan_n and_o count_v all_o their_o compass_n in_o their_o journey_n they_o stay_v not_o there_o much_o above_o the_o year_n complete_a to_o take_v their_o law_n along_o with_o they_o and_o yet_o after_o they_o remove_v from_o mount_n sinai_n they_o be_v nine_o and_o thirty_o year_n before_o any_o of_o they_o get_v to_o canaan_n whereas_o have_v their_o progress_n be_v like_o their_o beginning_n they_o may_v have_v be_v at_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n within_o fix_v month_n more_o you_o conceive_v our_o own_o case_n without_o particular_a application_n and_o you_o can_v but_o conceive_v how_o much_o it_o concern_v we_o all_o to_o see_v to_o it_o to_o our_o power_n that_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o be_v not_o only_o prepare_v to_o reform_v but_o settle_v in_o their_o preparation_n and_o sure_o it_o lie_v hard_a upon_o god_n people_n o_o that_o they_o will_v hearty_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o not_o to_o ebb_v a_o jot_n in_o the_o course_n of_o prayer_n and_o humiliation_n or_o in_o the_o way_n of_o personal_a reformation_n or_o exercise_v of_o faith_n and_o activeness_n of_o spirit_n every_o way_n which_o be_v proper_a for_o the_o time_n and_o their_o condition_n in_o they_o so_o much_o for_o this_o first_o doctrine_n from_o the_o argument_n of_o the_o prophecy_n second_o the_o prophecy_n be_v also_o to_o threaten_v they_o that_o keep_v corrupt_a and_o rot_a heart_n in_o time_n of_o reformation_n and_o hence_o this_o second_o doctrine_n that_o anti-reformer_n be_v sure_a of_o ruin_n 2._o there_o be_v sure_a judgement_n keep_v for_o they_o that_o keep_v corrupt_a mind_n under_o time_n of_o reformation_n for_o why_o josiah_n people_n shall_v be_v punish_v for_o this_o temper_n and_o any_o now_o escape_v i_o can_v find_v no_o reason_n so_o that_o to_o such_o ruin_n will_v come_v though_o haply_o it_o may_v be_v a_o whole_a or_o a_o piece_n of_o a_o age_n before_o as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o josiah_n day_n his_o day_n they_o be_v respite_v but_o after_o ruin_v and_o if_o in_o this_o case_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n be_v thus_o taint_v the_o whole_a nation_n be_v at_o stake_n if_o but_o a_o inconsiderable_a part_n almighty_a god_n can_v five_o out_o the_o accurse_a thing_n and_o i_o believe_v will_v cull_v out_o achan_n and_o save_o israel_n my_o brethren_n when_o in_o time_n of_o reformation_n and_o purity_n man_n will_v not_o leave_v their_o vanity_n and_o superstition_n what_o the_o word_n can_v take_v away_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o magistrate_n must_v or_o god_n will_n man_n of_o spirit_n cross_v reformation_n be_v our_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n we_o shall_v observe_v that_o the_o moabite_n and_o ammonite_n in_o israel_n time_n be_v by_o god_n law_n the_o most_o accurse_a man_n of_o all_o man_n the_o very_a edomite_n and_o egyptian_n be_v not_o so_o hateful_a a_o people_n as_o they_o for_o the_o child_n of_o a_o edomite_n or_o a_o egyptian_a may_v enter_v into_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o three_o generation_n but_o the_o moabite_n and_o the_o ammonite_n may_v not_o come_v into_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o the_o ten_o generation_n no_o not_o for_o ever_o see_v deut._n 23._o 3._o and_o 8._o now_o what_o be_v the_o nature_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o ammonite_n and_o moabite_n that_o they_o above_o other_o must_v be_v thus_o accurse_v why_o because_o they_o hinder_v israel_n passage_n to_o canaan_n thus_o will_v it_o be_v with_o the_o man_n who_o hinder_v the_o church_n of_o god_n from_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o her_o promise_n of_o purity_n and_o peace_n they_o be_v or_o god_n will_v make_v they_o the_o hatefull_a of_o man_n and_o o_o that_o some_o in_o these_o time_n will_v take_v this_o into_o thought_n who_o have_v rather_o in_o their_o practice_n in_o religion_n be_v conformable_a to_o rome_n in_o the_o pope_n time_n then_o reduce_v to_o rome_n in_o saint_n paul_n time_n and_o choose_v to_o imitate_v she_o in_o her_o corruption_n rather_o than_o in_o her_o purity_n rome_n be_v sure_a to_o be_v ruinate_v if_o the_o generality_n oâ—_z pure_a divine_n in_o all_o age_n since_o antichrist_n know_v to_o be_v there_o do_v not_o fail_v we_o nay_o and_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o which_o we_o be_v sure_o will_v not_o and_o if_o she_o be_v sure_a as_o sure_o be_v all_o they_o that_o come_v not_o out_o from_o she_o else_o what_o mean_v that_o place_n of_o scripture_n rev._n 18._o 4._o come_v out_o of_o she_o my_o people_n that_o you_o be_v not_o partaker_n of_o her_o sin_n and_o that_o you_o receive_v not_o of_o her_o plague_n again_o three_o the_o argument_n of_o the_o prophecy_n be_v to_o show_v to_o all_o age_n what_o necessity_n there_o be_v of_o fidelity_n and_o throughness_n in_o undertake_v the_o reformation_n of_o state_n and_o church_n for_o otherwise_o they_o be_v still_o endanger_v
reformation_n sure_a and_o steadfast_a or_o a_o seasonable_a sermon_n for_o the_o present_a time_n show_v the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o reformation_n prov._n 15._o 23._o a_o word_n speak_v in_o due_a season_n how_o good_a it_o be_v preach_v june_n 15._o 1641._o publish_a by_o order_n from_o a_o committee_n of_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o london_n print_v by_o j._n d._n for_o henry_n overton_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shop_n at_o the_o entrance_n into_o popes-head_n alley_n out_o of_o lombard_n street_n 1641._o to_o the_o reader_n god_n have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n among_o we_o long_o ago_o and_o god_n be_v thank_v we_o have_v hold_v it_o hitherto_o though_o with_o much_o ado_n and_o some_o hazard_n for_o pioneer_n both_o within_o we_o and_o without_o we_o have_v be_v dig_v at_o it_o but_o can_v never_o undermine_v it_o to_o blow_v it_o up_o for_o thereby_o we_o have_v be_v comely_a though_o black_a and_o therefore_o they_o have_v go_v another_o way_n to_o work_v and_o build_v upon_o it_o to_o wit_n wood_n hay_n stubble_n so_o that_o though_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n have_v preserve_v we_o yet_o this_o combustible_a matter_n have_v kindle_v such_o fire_n among_o we_o as_o have_v almost_o ruin_v we_o for_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o separate_v what_o god_n have_v join_v together_o though_o power_n may_v give_v as_o a_o subsistence_n yet_o never_o a_o bene_fw-la esse_fw-la without_o purity_n to_o which_o we_o now_o hope_v we_o draw_v near_o by_o the_o marriage_n of_o these_o two_o together_o among_o we_o but_o than_o they_o must_v have_v these_o property_n of_o marriage_n they_o must_v not_o only_o join_v hand_n but_o heart_n and_o that_o for_o ever_o for_o cordial_a unanimity_n and_o constant_a perpetuity_n make_v up_o such_o a_o reformation_n as_o only_o will_v make_v we_o but_o i_o will_v not_o prevent_v the_o sermon_n by_o preach_v it_o in_o the_o epistle_n only_o borrow_v so_o much_o as_o may_v show_v how_o needful_a it_o be_v for_o minister_n to_o join_v with_o magistrate_n and_o to_o employ_v the_o word_n as_o they_o the_o sword_n this_o way_n that_o so_o it_o may_v not_o be_v do_v by_o half_n but_o thorough_o and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o action_n but_o affection_n for_o god_n say_v give_v i_o thy_o heart_n which_o be_v the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o this_o sermon_n and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v the_o practice_n of_o we_o all_o so_o pray_v thou_o in_o the_o lord_n t._n f._n reformation_n sure_a and_o steadfast_a or_o a_o seasonable_a sermon_n for_o the_o present_a time_n etc._n etc._n zephaniah_n 1._o 1._o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o come_v unto_o zephaniah_n the_o son_n of_o cushi_n the_o son_n of_o gedaliah_n the_o son_n of_o amariah_n the_o son_n of_o hizkiah_n in_o the_o day_n of_o josiah_n the_o son_n of_o amon_n king_n of_o judah_n three_o thing_n there_o be_v express_v in_o the_o text_n and_o a_o four_o employ_v first_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n second_o the_o prophet_n quality_n three_o the_o time_n of_o his_o prophecy_n and_o fourthly_a the_o argument_n or_o substance_n of_o it_o which_o be_v the_o thing_n employ_v in_o the_o prophet_n text_n and_o full_o open_v in_o his_o sermon_n 1._o the_o authority_n the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o therefore_o you_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n i_o be_o not_o now_o open_v to_o you_o man_n opinion_n or_o read_v a_o lecture_n to_o you_o out_o of_o a_o philosopher_n or_o a_o historian_n which_o you_o may_v like_v where_o you_o will_v and_o leave_v where_o you_o list_v hear_v or_o believe_v ab_fw-la libitum_fw-la but_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n who_o must_v be_v believe_v when_o he_o speak_v most_o above_o our_o apprehension_n or_o cross_v to_o our_o present_a will_n and_o affection_n 2._o the_o quality_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o come_v unto_o zephaniah_n the_o son_n of_o cushie_a etc._n etc._n his_o father_n and_o grandfather_n and_o great_a grandfather_n and_o great_a great_a grandfather_n be_v name_v whence_o it_o appear_v that_o zephaniah_n be_v a_o man_n of_o a_o honourable_a house_n because_o his_o ancestor_n be_v mention_v to_o the_o four_o generation_n *_o honourable_a and_o hence_o we_o see_v that_o almighty_a god_n have_v make_v use_n of_o man_n of_o all_o degree_n to_o be_v minister_n of_o his_o word_n isaiah_n come_v of_o the_o blood_n royal_a jeremiah_n of_o the_o stock_n of_o aaron_n daniel_n and_o zephaniah_n of_o honourable_a family_n amos_n a_o herdsman_n elisha_n a_o husbandman_n and_o other_o prophet_n as_o malachi_n obadiah_n haggai_n and_o habakkuk_n who_o naked_a name_n we_o have_v without_o their_o pedigree_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o as_o the_o lord_n do_v send_v his_o word_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n so_o he_o send_v it_o by_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o hereby_o the_o most_o true_a god_n do_v the_o more_o clear_a his_o word_n from_o jealousy_n and_o suspicion_n here_o also_o we_o see_v it_o be_v call_v honourable_a enough_o for_o man_n that_o be_v most_o honourable_a by_o birth_n to_o be_v minister_n of_o god_n word_n as_o zephaniah_n a_o noble_a man_n by_o birth_n be_v not_o undervalue_v but_o advance_v by_o his_o calling_n to_o be_v the_o lord_n minister_n a_o minister_n call_v be_v honour_n enough_o to_o he_o without_o other_o accumulation_n 3._o the_o time_n of_o his_o prophesy_v in_o the_o day_n of_o josiah_n king_n of_o judah_n and_o therefore_o one_o of_o the_o last_o prophet_n before_o the_o captivity_n and_o a_o contemporary_a with_o jeremiah_n 4._o for_o the_o substance_n and_o subject_a of_o his_o prophecy_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o be_v compose_v of_o very_o reprove_v and_o very_o threaten_a sermon_n partly_o indeed_o against_o some_o other_o but_o principal_o against_o judah_n ay_o but_o what_o shall_v such_o a_o prophet_n quest_n a_o reprove_a prophet_n a_o threaten_a prophet_n do_v in_o josiah_n time_n a_o time_n of_o great_a reformation_n and_o a_o very_a reform_v prince_n i_o answer_v answ._n that_o though_o josiah_n himself_o have_v a_o right_a spirit_n in_o way_n of_o reformation_n yet_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o noble_n of_o judah_n and_o also_o of_o the_o commons_o incline_v to_o their_o old_a superstition_n in_o worship_n and_o corruption_n in_o government_n the_o idolatrous_a way_n of_o their_o former_a corrupt_a prince_n be_v still_o in_o their_o heart_n and_o however_o the_o king_n be_v sound_a yet_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o subject_n both_o ruler_n and_o people_n be_v rotten-hearted_a towards_o josiah_n reformation_n which_o appear_v both_o by_o some_o express_a place_n of_o scripture_n and_o by_o good_a consequence_n from_o other_o in_o the_o 2_o king_n 22._o 17._o and_o chro._n 34._o 25._o it_o be_v absolute_o charge_v upon_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o judah_n that_o they_o burn_v incense_n to_o other_o god_n which_o charge_n be_v in_o josiah_n time_n so_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o religious_a reformation_n he_o have_v endeavour_v among_o they_o yet_o they_o have_v their_o old_a haunt_n of_o superstition_n and_o therefore_o then_o censure_v as_o well_o as_o charge_v if_o it_o be_v put_v to_o case_n and_o object_v that_o this_o charge_n may_v have_v relation_n to_o judah_n idolatry_n in_o manasse_n time_n as_o may_v seem_v from_o that_o passage_n in_o 2_o king_n 23._o 26._o let_v this_o question_n be_v put_v upon_o this_o objection_n why_o shall_v such_o a_o difference_n be_v make_v in_o that_o charge_n and_o censure_n betwixt_o josiah_n and_o his_o people_n save_v that_o he_o be_v sound_a and_o they_o still_o corrupt_a i_o confess_v it_o have_v reference_n to_o manasse_n time_n yet_o not_o only_o thither_o for_o its_o plain_a to_o josiah_n also_o and_o this_o will_v be_v without_o scruple_n upon_o the_o view_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o the_o prophet_n jer._n 3._o 6._o and_o 10._o the_o lord_n also_o say_v unto_o i_o say_v jeremiah_n in_o the_o day_n of_o josiah_n the_o king_n judah_n have_v not_o turn_v unto_o i_o with_o her_o whole_a heart_n but_o feign_o or_o in_o falsehood_n say_v the_o lord_n though_o the_o king_n and_o happy_o some_o few_o of_o his_o noble_n and_o people_n be_v very_o cordial_a in_o reformation_n yet_o the_o major_a part_n both_o of_o noble_n and_o commons_o have_v reform_v face_n but_o not_o reform_v heart_n again_o by_o consequence_n it_o be_v clear_a for_o whereas_o josiah_n though_o young_a be_v upright-hearted_a himself_o and_o likewise_o towards_o the_o reformation_n of_o his_o kingdom_n why_o yet_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v the_o twelve_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n before_o he_o can_v get_v the_o kingdom_n in_o any_o readiness_n to_o a_o reformation_n so_o it_o be_v record_v in_o 2_o chro._n 34._o 3._o that_o in_o the_o twelve_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o begin_v to_o purge_v judah_n and_o jerusalem_n from_o
and_o something_o a_o mender_n of_o it_o though_o indeed_o once_o he_o be_v affright_v with_o a_o great_a army_n yet_o say_v the_o scripture_n the_o realm_n of_o jehoshaphat_n be_v quiet_a and_o god_n give_v he_o and_o his_o people_n rest_n in_o his_o reign_n 2_o chro._n 20._o but_o then_o here_o be_v usual_o the_o non_fw-la ultra_fw-la of_o hope_n of_o happiness_n when_o the_o people_n heart_n move_v not_o in_o the_o same_o orb_n after_o the_o prince_n in_o reform_v the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a in_o precedent_n for_o it_o that_o when_o in_o time_n of_o reformation_n the_o people_n spirit_n be_v not_o prepare_v for_o purity_n in_o divine_a worship_n as_o the_o governor_n be_v thus_o the_o case_n be_v with_o jehoshaphats_n people_n the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n be_v not_o prepare_v to_o the_o take_v away_o of_o the_o high-place_n 2_o chro._n 20._o 33._o then_o the_o land_n have_v be_v secure_v and_o happy_a but_o that_o age_n for_o we_o find_v that_o when_o jehoshaphat_n sleep_v with_o his_o father_n even_o that_o good_a prince_n who_o people_n heart_n be_v not_o prepare_v as_o his_o for_o perfect_a reformation_n the_o next_o king_n be_v a_o king_n after_o the_o corrupt_a people_n own_o heart_n a_o man_n that_o walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n and_o house_n of_o ahab_n 2_o chro._n 21._o 6._o and_o what_o become_v of_o the_o kingdom_n then_o that_o be_v so_o secure_a and_o quiet_a whilst_o jehoshaphat_n live_v why_o we_o find_v there_o that_o first_o the_o edomite_n they_o revolt_v from_o the_o dominion_n of_o judah_n and_o set_v up_o a_o king_n of_o their_o own_o and_o libna_n also_o revolt_v from_o the_o government_n of_o judah_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o change_n in_o the_o state_n be_v give_v in_o the_o ten_o verse_n of_o the_o chapter_n because_o jehoram_n have_v forsake_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o his_o father_n jehoshaphat_n and_o asa_n both_o reformer_n of_o church_n and_o state_n it_o be_v true_a we_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o asa_n reformation_n continue_v not_o only_o he_o but_o his_o successor_n time_n but_o than_o we_o find_v with_o all_o in_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n lay_v to_o the_o people_n charge_n as_o not_o be_v prepare_v for_o his_o reformation_n and_o this_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n reformation_n through_o king_n james_n his_o reign_n and_o our_o gracious_a king_n charles_n namely_o beside_o the_o integrity_n of_o their_o royal_a spirit_n the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n be_v prepare_v for_o that_o reformation_n of_o religion_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v so_o in_o this_o that_o no_o baalam_n though_o there_o have_v be_v many_o can_v yet_o curse_v england_n so_o far_o as_o to_o adulterate_v a_o considerable_a part_n either_o of_o noble_n or_o commons_o from_o the_o former_a reformation_n though_o from_o perfection_n in_o reformation_n we_o have_v be_v often_o stop_v moreover_o it_o be_v beyond_o all_o this_o observable_a concerning_o hezekiah_n reformation_n that_o though_o he_o be_v very_o pure_a in_o it_o and_o his_o people_n heart_n prepare_v for_o it_o 2_o chro._n 29._o 36._o the_o people_n be_v much_o take_v with_o hezekiah_n reformation_n at_o first_o and_o forward_v it_o with_o all_o expedition_n for_o the_o work_n be_v do_v sudden_o say_v the_o scripture_n why_o yet_o this_o last_v but_o hezekiah_n life_n truth_n and_o peace_n only_o in_o his_o day_n for_o after_o he_o be_v gather_v to_o his_o father_n religion_n be_v more_o corrupt_v than_o ever_o by_o manasses_n his_o son_n and_o the_o kingdom_n never_o in_o great_a strait_n and_o exigent_n now_o what_o shall_v be_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o that_o he_o so_o pure_a a_o reformer_n and_o his_o people_n heart_n so_o prepare_v for_o reformation_n yet_o the_o kingdom_n happy_a herein_o but_o for_o his_o time_n i_o answer_v that_o we_o shall_v find_v in_o the_o search_n of_o scripture_n in_o this_o case_n that_o for_o all_o this_o forwardness_n of_o the_o people_n in_o hezekiah_n reformation_n yet_o alas_o they_o be_v but_o for_o a_o spurt_n their_o best_a stat_fw-la first_o their_o courage_n soon_o cool_v this_o way_n and_o they_o quick_o weary_a of_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n for_o this_o complaint_n the_o lord_n make_v of_o judah_n in_o the_o prophet_n hosea_n who_o prophesy_v in_o hezekiah_n time_n against_o judah_n hos._n 6._o 4._o o_o judah_n what_o shall_v i_o do_v unto_o thou_o for_o your_o goodness_n be_v as_o the_o morning_n cloud_n and_o as_o the_o early_a dew_n it_o go_v away_o and_o if_o haply_o this_o be_v speak_v to_o judah_n in_o another_o king_n time_n and_o not_o hezekiah_n for_o hosea_n prophesy_v in_o four_o king_n reign_v of_o judah_n uzziah_n jothan_n ahaz_n and_o hezekiah_n yet_o the_o very_a last_o thing_n in_o the_o prophecy_n against_o judah_n must_v in_o all_o reason_n be_v in_o hezekiah_n time_n chap._n 12._o 2._o i_o have_v a_o controversy_n also_o with_o judah_n and_o will_v punish_v jacob_n according_a to_o his_o way_n nay_o and_o that_o which_o god_n speak_v in_o judah_n commendation_n compare_v with_o ephraim_n chap._n 11._o 12._o intimate_v as_o it_o be_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v jealous_a of_o judah_n decline_v and_o return_v to_o idol_n ephraim_n compass_v i_o about_o with_o lie_n but_o judah_n yet_o rule_v with_o god_n yet_o as_o if_o he_o do_v expect_v that_o they_o will_v fall_v off_o at_o last_o it_o be_v manifest_a again_o by_o the_o prophet_n micah_n who_o prophesy_v in_o hezekiah_n day_n that_o even_o then_o there_o be_v a_o defection_n in_o the_o people_n the_o magistrate_n become_v corrupt_a and_o the_o ministry_n too_o chap._n 3._o 9_o and_o chap._n last_n and_o beginning_n of_o it_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o corruption_n creep_v into_o judah_n even_o in_o hezekiah_n day_n because_o we_o find_v there_o be_v such_o a_o corrupt_a minister_n of_o state_n nigh_o to_o the_o king_n and_o in_o the_o king_n house_n shebna_n by_o name_n both_o treasurer_n and_o also_o over_o the_o king_n house_n isa._n 22._o 15._o a_o man_n of_o a_o mighty_a proud_a spirit_n for_o himself_o as_o be_v see_v in_o the_o 16._o verse_n and_o a_o mighty_a dangerous_a man_n to_o the_o state_n of_o judah_n as_o appear_v in_o his_o notable_a end_n in_o the_o 17._o 18._o verse_n etc._n etc._n to_o put_v on_o the_o use_n again_o in_o conclusion_n of_o these_o premise_n we_o see_v and_o can_v see_v that_o beside_o the_o stir_n up_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o jehoshaphat_n or_o hezekiah_n or_o josiah_n or_o zerubbabel_n or_o nehemiah_n or_o cirus_n i_o say_v beside_o the_o stir_n up_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o ruler_n to_o reform_v there_o be_v these_o two_o thing_n to_o be_v look_v unto_o if_o any_o continue_a comfort_n be_v expect_v in_o reformation_n first_o that_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n be_v prepare_v for_o reformation_n second_o that_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n be_v settle_v when_o they_o be_v prepare_v first_o that_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n be_v prepare_v for_o reformation_n that_o be_v that_o their_o opinion_n and_o affection_n may_v be_v quite_o take_v off_o of_o all_o wry_a way_n in_o god_n worship_n and_o bias_v with_o right_a rule_n and_o principle_n in_o religion_n and_o hence_o we_o see_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o minister_n industry_n as_o well_o as_o the_o magistrate_n in_o reform_v time_n for_o though_o it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n which_o must_v conform_v the_o outside_n yet_o it_o be_v the_o power_n of_o the_o word_n which_o must_v reform_v the_o inside_n of_o the_o people_n though_o the_o magistrate_n must_v cast_v all_o external_a performance_n yet_o the_o ministry_n proper_o cast_v the_o heart_n and_o inclination_n into_o a_o reform_a temper_n and_o therefore_o brethren_n now_o king_n note_n and_o minister_n of_o state_n be_v discharge_v their_o part_n in_o command_v if_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o discharge_v they_o in_o inform_v and_o exhort_v sure_o as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o priest_n to_o their_o disparagement_n in_o hezekiah_n reformation_n 2_o chro._n 29._o the_o levite_n be_v more_o upright_o in_o heart_n to_o sanctify_v themselves_o than_o the_o priest_n so_o will_v it_o doubtless_o be_v charge_v on_o the_o ministry_n in_o we_o that_o the_o magistrate_n be_v more_o upright_o in_o heart_n to_o perform_v their_o part_n in_o reformation_n than_o the_o minister_n they_o we_o see_v also_o what_o here_o be_v for_o private_a man_n to_o work_v upon_o in_o their_o prayer_n viz._n the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o land_n as_o well_o as_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o land_n in_o the_o day_n of_o refine_v though_o the_o head_n be_v never_o so_o well_o and_o in_o temper_n yet_o if_o there_o