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men._n but_o yet_o the_o objector_n be_v very_o weak_a or_o uncharitable_a and_o little_o consider_v what_o fatal_a influence_n their_o distemper_n have_v on_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n whilst_o they_o sacrifice_v the_o serviceableness_n of_o other_o to_o their_o own_o little_a aim_n and_o fancy_n it_o may_v be_v add_v that_o i_o manage_v my_o first_o text_n without_o much_o reference_n to_o the_o extraordinary_a power_n of_o apostolical_a administration_n as_o not_o so_o suitable_a to_o our_o day_n nor_o yet_o principal_o intend_v your_o lordship_n be_v concern_v or_o i_o will_v not_o preface_n your_o name_n to_o thâ—â—_n apology_n i_o believe_v it_o be_v your_o aim_n to_o serve_v christ_n in_o the_o world._n many_o of_o your_o act_n may_v convince_v the_o envious_a it_o be_v not_o a_o selfish_a interest_n you_o serve_v that_o you_o and_o your_o brethren_n may_v entire_o dedicate_v yourselves_o power_n and_o advantage_n to_o the_o real_a advancement_n â—â—_o the_o interest_n
of_o jesus_n be_v the_o design_n of_o this_o plain_a discourse_n and_o be_v the_o prayer_n of_o your_o lordship_n most_o humble_a servant_n daniel_n williams_n a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o right_n honourable_a sir_n john_n shorter_n kt._n etc._n etc._n philippian_n chap._n i._o ver_fw-la 21._o for_o to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ._n the_o apostle_n be_v in_o a_o happy_a strait_n from_o his_o fitness_n to_o live_v and_o readiness_n to_o die_v he_o know_v not_o well_o how_o to_o fix_v his_o choice_n because_o both_o life_n and_o death_n have_v a_o desirable_a tendency_n there_o be_v service_n to_o christ_n by_o his_o life_n and_o great_a happiness_n to_o himself_o by_o death_n affection_n to_o christ_n sway_v his_o inclination_n both_o way_n he_o love_v christ_n and_o therefore_o must_v desire_v death_n that_o he_o may_v full_o enjoy_v he_o he_o love_v christ_n and_o so_o may_v incline_v to_o a_o long_a life_n that_o he_o may_v more_o advance_v his_o interest_n rational_a 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a_o moment_n absence_n from_o heaven_n he_o that_o know_v death_n can_v not_o lay_v his_o soul_n asleep_o but_o that_o it_o immediate_o pass_v into_o a_o state_n of_o the_o high_a activity_n and_o receptiveness_n yea_o and_o will_v be_v admit_v to_o a_o near_a converse_n with_o christ_n and_o other_o glorious_a object_n which_o must_v full_o employ_v these_o active_a power_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o fill_v it_o with_o good_a to_o the_o utmost_a of_o its_o capacity_n to_o receive_v can_v he_o i_o say_v desire_v a_o abide_v on_o earth_n to_o relish_v carnal_a or_o animal_n delight_n 6._o which_o with_o he_o be_v a_o be_v dead_a while_o one_o live_v by_o no_o mean_n but_o my_o text_n represent_v to_o we_o the_o design_n and_o tendency_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n life_n to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ._n i_o know_v there_o be_v many_o thing_n to_o be_v infer_v from_o the_o word_n beside_o what_o i_o think_v be_v their_o principal_a scope_n as_o 1._o christ_n be_v a_o believer_n happiness_n while_o he_o live_v q._n d._n life_n be_v worse_o than_o death_n be_v not_o christ_n know_v 20._o and_o enjoy_v by_o i_o in_o this_o life_n 2._o a_o christian_n life_n be_v a_o mere_a dependence_n on_o and_o a_o manifest_a discovery_n of_o the_o power_n and_o grace_n of_o christ._n emanation_n of_o his_o power_n support_v it_o and_o his_o grace_n be_v display_v in_o our_o life_n when_o useful_a to_o any_o valuable_a purpose_n or_o employ_v in_o any_o momentous_a action_n but_o i_o pass_v by_o these_o to_o the_o chief_a design_n of_o the_o text_n which_o may_v be_v express_v under_o two_o head_n 1._o a_o entire_a dedication_n of_o paul_n life_n to_o christ_n exclusive_o of_o any_o carnal_a design_n of_o his_o own_o as_o if_o he_o shall_v have_v say_v i_o devote_v my_o life_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o christ_n i_o propose_v the_o advancement_n of_o his_o interest_n my_o design_n be_v to_o be_v instrumental_a in_o his_o work_n and_o the_o propagation_n of_o his_o concernment_n there_o be_v no_o base_a selfish_n turn_v of_o my_o own_o intend_a nor_o shall_v my_o life_n waste_v in_o idle_a uselessness_n i_o will_v be_v active_a and_o that_o for_o he_o to_o the_o last_o moment_n and_o the_o utmost_a of_o my_o ability_n this_o my_o judgement_n dictate_v as_o my_o duty_n to_o this_o i_o be_o devote_v and_o on_o this_o only_o i_o be_o intent_n ii_o a_o persuasion_n that_o christ_n have_v be_v and_o still_o will_v be_v advance_v by_o his_o life_n and_o labour_n this_o he_o express_v in_o v_o 20._o as_o my_o expectation_n and_o hope_n that_o christ_n shall_v be_v magnify_v in_o my_o body_n whether_o by_o life_n or_o by_o death_n q._n d._n i_o have_v by_o his_o grace_n promote_v his_o interest_n i_o fear_v not_o but_o the_o same_o aid_n and_o blessing_n will_v still_o concur_v to_o the_o like_a serviceableness_n and_o so_o the_o issue_n of_o my_o live_n will_v be_v his_o gain_n this_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o v_o 22._o it_o be_v no_o secular_a interest_n of_o my_o own_o be_v like_a to_o be_v advance_v the_o build_n of_o my_o house_n or_o erect_v trophy_n to_o my_o name_n i_o expect_v not_o nay_o i_o be_o sure_a poverty_n contempt_n and_o hardship_n in_o those_o respect_n will_v attend_v i_o but_o christ_n in_o his_o gospel-interest_n will_v be_v contribute_v to_o and_o he_o will_v over-rule_v my_o suffering_n and_o labour_n to_o his_o own_o advancement_n the_o text_n may_v also_o include_v a_o hint_n at_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o confidence_n as_o to_o this_o decribed_a success_n it_o be_v introduce_v under_o such_o a_o respect_n for_o to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ._n sincere_a devotedness_n to_o christ_n be_v ordinary_o successful_a and_o upright_a design_n due_o manage_v prove_v not_o abortive_a when_o the_o best_a endowment_n of_o a_o man_n indispose_v to_o the_o service_n of_o christ_n produce_v not_o equal_a fruit_n to_o the_o low_a gift_n of_o a_o soul_n engage_v for_o his_o concern_v the_o first_o of_o these_o will_v be_v the_o subject_a of_o my_o discourse_n viz._n the_o dedication_n of_o the_o life_n to_o christ._n this_o be_v no_o duty_n peculiar_a to_o the_o apostolical_a office_n and_o though_o it_o be_v predicate_v of_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o own_o person_n yet_o he_o afford_v we_o a_o example_n which_o bind_v our_o imitation_n yea_o it_o be_v the_o fundamental_a duty_n result_v from_o our_o baptismal_a vow_n include_v in_o all_o our_o christian_a profession_n and_o suppose_v in_o all_o acceptable_a service_n so_o that_o the_o obligation_n be_v universal_a it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o here_o even_o of_o such_o who_o least_o regard_v it_o yea_o live_v in_o great_a repugnancy_n to_o it_o by_o live_v to_o christ_n must_v be_v mean_v live_v to_o the_o promote_a and_o defence_n of_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o world._n this_o his_o design_a endeavour_n have_v a_o respect_n to_o and_o to_o this_o he_o devote_v his_o life_n that_o be_v all_o the_o opportunity_n for_o act_v which_o life_n include_v all_o the_o ability_n which_o life_n import_v and_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n he_o possess_v which_o be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o word_n life_n as_o be_v less_o valuable_a than_o life_n be_v even_o all_o these_o he_o design_v to_o lay_v out_o for_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o bless_a jesus_n he_o value_v live_v for_o no_o mean_a use_n and_o determine_v to_o live_v to_o no_o low_a purpose_n when_o the_o advancement_n of_o christ_n interest_n govern_v our_o time_n and_o ability_n then_o to_o live_v be_v christ._n for_o herein_o be_v our_o live_n to_o he_o within_o our_o reach_n by_o this_o it_o be_v express_v and_o the_o evidence_n thereof_o in_o this_o instance_n be_v what_o he_o have_v appoint_v and_o still_o expect_v from_o all_o his_o member_n and_o servant_n i_o need_v say_v no_o more_o to_o introduce_v the_o doctrine_n i_o purpose_v to_o insist_v on_o which_o be_v this_o doct._n it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o christian_n to_o dedicate_v and_o employ_v their_o life_n to_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o world._n it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o be_v religious_a in_o contemplation_n or_o mental_a act_n our_o lord_n expect_v and_o real_a piety_n incline_v to_o a_o vigorous_a activity_n in_o our_o holy_a profession_n he_o will_v be_v serve_v by_o his_o member_n as_o they_o expect_v to_o be_v save_v by_o he_o they_o must_v imitate_v he_o in_o his_o communicative_a goodness_n and_o express_v their_o resentment_n of_o his_o grace_n to_o they_o by_o these_o powerful_a acknowledgement_n they_o must_v not_o grudge_n his_o service_n though_o he_o redeem_v they_o free_o they_o shall_v sacrifice_v all_o to_o he_o and_o while_o he_o be_v manage_v our_o interest_n in_o heaven_n as_o intercessor_n he_o
member_n and_o heritage_n be_v succour_v his_o church_n have_v their_o due_a privilege_n all_o worship_n manage_v by_o gospel-rule_a a_o gospel-ministry_n encourage_v no_o officer_n impose_v but_o who_o he_o have_v appoint_v in_o his_o house_n and_o none_o of_o they_o neglect_v love_n and_o peace_n maintain_v among_o his_o follower_n and_o they_o admit_v to_o the_o privilege_n of_o his_o sanctuary_n on_o his_o term_n it_o belong_v to_o he_o that_o there_o be_v a_o godly_a magistracy_n a_o gospel_n discipline_n and_o whatever_o else_o he_o have_v either_o appoint_v as_o mean_n or_o declare_v as_o instance_n of_o his_o triumph_n as_o mediator_n and_o also_o that_o the_o gospel_n term_n of_o life_n be_v true_o state_v and_o comply_v with_o 3._o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o they_o stand_v in_o a_o opposition_n to_o such_o error_n party_n and_o practice_n wherein_o the_o attempt_v of_o satan_n against_o the_o glory_n and_o influence_n of_o the_o mediator_n consist_v the_o devil_n set_v up_o his_o standard_n at_o every_o point_n which_o christ_n gain_v no_o truth_n escape_v his_o assault_n and_o he_o never_o want_v man_n of_o wit_n and_o power_n to_o abet_v his_o opposition_n yea_o general_o the_o crowd_n have_v be_v of_o his_o side_n when_o the_o witness_n of_o jesus_n have_v be_v few_o and_o contemptible_a satan_n have_v his_o state_v sect_n and_o party_n and_o though_o many_o truth_n of_o christ_n be_v own_v by_o some_o sect_n yet_o in_o whatever_o respect_n they_o be_v denominate_v from_o their_o contest_v against_o christ_n the_o interest_n of_o jesus_n lie_v in_o opposition_n to_o they_o under_o this_o head_n i_o shall_v be_v spare_v because_o i_o fear_v no_o party_n have_v all_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n and_o nothing_o else_o and_o i_o hope_v god_n be_v about_o some_o great_a thing_n which_o will_v be_v attend_v with_o such_o a_o light_n and_o spirit_n as_o may_v end_v in_o a_o name_n comprehensive_a of_o all_o that_o be_v christ_n and_o exclusive_a of_o all_o else_o he_o have_v promise_v his_o church_n 2._o thou_o shall_v be_v call_v by_o a_o new_a name_n which_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v name_v christian_n be_v the_o best_a we_o yet_o know_v but_o how_o much_o opposite_a to_o jesus_n be_v pretend_v to_o under_o that_o name_n however_o i_o must_v not_o fear_v to_o say_v the_o interest_n of_o christ_n consist_v in_o protestanism_n in_o opposition_n to_o popery_n in_o all_o thing_n wherein_o it_o be_v antichristian_a which_o be_v too_o many_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o nonconformity_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o impose_v sinful_a and_o doubtful_a term_n of_o communion_n of_o saint_n or_o exercise_v of_o the_o ministry_n and_o sacrifice_v the_o great_a thing_n of_o god_n to_o a_o constitution_n uninstitute_v by_o christ_n and_o incapable_a of_o promote_a real_a religion_n to_o that_o degree_n as_o i_o hope_v many_o of_o its_o abettor_n desire_v qu._n 2._o what_o be_v it_o to_o dedicate_v our_o life_n to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o interest_n of_o christ_n i_o must_v suggest_v to_o you_o that_o under_o the_o word_n life_n by_o a_o synecdoche_n and_o metonymy_n be_v include_v our_o time_n talent_n opportunity_n all_o enjoyment_n yea_o life_n itself_o as_o a_o offering_n whenever_o the_o service_n or_o testimony_n of_o christ_n require_v it_o have_v premise_v this_o i_o answer_v answ._n 1._o it_o imply_v a_o solemn_a offering_n of_o ourselves_o and_o all_o in_o our_o power_n to_o christ._n this_o be_v enjoin_v 1._o present_v your_o body_n a_o live_a sacrifice_n etc._n etc._n this_o aught_o to_o be_v express_o do_v in_o our_o first_o conversion_n and_o oft_o repeat_v especial_o at_o the_o lord_n table_n engrave_v the_o stamp_n of_o christ_n on_o all_o you_o possess_v and_o acknowledge_v his_o propriety_n lord_n myself_o and_o all_o that_o be_v i_o i_o offer_v to_o thou_o and_o will_v serve_v thou_o with_o this_o vow_n in_o thy_o constant_a observation_n will_v keep_v thou_o from_o a_o supine_n neglect_n when_o opportunity_n of_o service_n be_v give_v and_o silence_n all_o repine_n when_o his_o service_n be_v hard_a or_o expensive_a he_o that_o neglect_v this_o will_v soon_o find_v matter_n of_o excuse_n in_o his_o holy_a profession_n answ._n 2._o the_o service_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o interest_n must_v be_v the_o govern_v end_n in_o all_o deliberate_a act_n and_o contrivance_n man_n be_v devote_v to_o what_o they_o chief_o intend_v paul_n express_v that_o his_o life_n be_v indeed_o dedicate_v thus_o when_o amid_o all_o disswasives_n from_o a_o dangerous_a duty_n he_o assert_n i_o count_v not_o my_o life_n dear_a 24._o so_o i_o may_v finish_v my_o course_n and_o the_o ministry_n which_o i_o have_v receive_v wo_n to_o they_o who_o consult_v still_o terminate_v in_o some_o selfish_a matter_n and_o be_v concern_v for_o christ_n only_o by_o the_o by_o providence_n may_v serve_v itself_o by_o their_o sin_n as_o well_o as_o by_o their_o chance_n service_n which_o they_o hardly_o intend_v christ_n account_v none_o faithful_a to_o his_o concern_v who_o provide_v for_o they_o last_o but_o chief_o contrive_v for_o thing_n that_o be_v none_o of_o he_o which_o prevail_v when_o in_o competition_n for_o what_o be_v we_o most_o industrious_a about_o what_o be_v we_o most_o solicitous_a that_o our_o life_n be_v dedicate_v to_o whether_o they_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o christ_n or_o other_o thing_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o actual_a and_o state_v employ_v our_o life_n and_o all_o our_o ability_n for_o christ._n this_o dedication_n consist_v not_o in_o faint_a act_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o extend_v to_o and_o express_v itself_o in_o the_o do_v all_o we_o can_v to_o promote_v christ_n interest_n thy_o heart_n can_v concur_v in_o this_o dedication_n when_o thy_o performance_n do_v not_o conduce_v to_o exalt_v he_o 11._o you_o must_v be_v fervent_a in_o spirit_n serve_v the_o lord_n to_o live_v be_v christ_n when_o our_o part_n be_v engage_v to_o plead_v for_o truth_n our_o power_n subserve_v his_o claim_n our_o time_n and_o estate_n be_v employ_v to_o uphold_v his_o gospel_n advance_v piety_n and_o abet_v the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n 27._o strive_v together_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n he_o dedicate_v his_o life_n and_o talent_n to_o christ_n who_o use_v they_o for_o christ_n in_o all_o opportunity_n of_o do_v and_o willing_o part_n with_o they_o rather_o than_o renounce_v his_o interest_n moses_n yield_v a_o instance_n when_o he_o esteem_v the_o reproach_n of_o christ_n great_a riches_n than_o the_o treasure_n of_o egypt_n 26._o renounce_v all_o temporal_a hope_n to_o give_v a_o specimen_fw-la of_o future_a service_n this_o live_n to_o christ_n import_v also_o a_o state_v course_n of_o life_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o serve_v christ_n by_o start_n or_o occasional_a act_n it_o must_v be_v our_o ordinary_n employ_v and_o the_o scope_n of_o our_o life_n our_o ability_n must_v be_v still_o on_o the_o altar_n and_o our_o ear_n ever_o open_a to_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n by_o all_o occasion_n however_o frequent_o they_o return_v happy_a they_o who_o early_o engage_v in_o this_o and_o the_o long_a life_n give_v no_o period_n to_o it_o yea_o all_o we_o do_v and_o every_o moment_n we_o spend_v shall_v mediate_o or_o immediate_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o christ._n 4._o we_o live_v for_o christ_n when_o we_o value_v our_o life_n and_o talent_n as_o they_o be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n man_n live_v to_o themselves_o and_o their_o time_n be_v dedicate_v to_o their_o lust_n when_o they_o esteem_v their_o estate_n as_o they_o afford_v fuel_n to_o carnal_a inclination_n and_o be_v fond_a of_o long_a life_n as_o a_o opportunity_n of_o please_v their_o sense_n and_o appetite_n to_o such_o all_o be_v despicable_a and_o uneasy_a which_o yield_v not_o flesh-pleasing-contentment_n thus_o bruitish_o they_o express_v their_o sentiment_n 32._o let_v we_o eat_v and_o drink_v for_o to_o morrow_n we_o shall_v die_v but_o he_o that_o dedicate_v his_o life_n to_o christ_n be_v glad_a of_o a_o estate_n that_o he_o may_v be_v useful_a by_o charity_n in_o employ_v it_o and_o express_v lively_a hope_n of_o heaven_n when_o call_v for_o christ_n sake_n to_o relinquish_v it_o what_o be_v esteem_n with_o man_n far_o than_o as_o it_o may_v add_v to_o his_o influence_n or_o part_n or_o power_n than_o as_o they_o qualify_v he_o for_o great_a service_n a_o good_a soul_n assure_v of_o heaven_n will_v glad_o resign_v his_o spirit_n when_o he_o cease_v to_o be_v useful_a what_o be_v more_o awful_a to_o such_o a_o man_n than_o to_o be_v cast_v by_o as_o a_o useless_a vessel_n 28._o who_o god_n disdain_v to_o employ_v and_o nothing_o yield_v they_o great_a delight_n than_o capacity_n for_o the_o service_n of_o christ_n and_o success_n therein_o