man_n thorough_o convince_v of_o this_o plain_a and_o certain_a truth_n that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o time_n and_o eternity_n between_o a_o few_o year_n and_o everlasting_a age_n will_v we_o but_o represent_v to_o ourselves_o what_o thought_n and_o apprehension_n die_v person_n have_v of_o this_o world_n how_o vain_a and_o empty_a a_o thing_n it_o appear_v to_o they_o how_o like_o a_o pageant_n and_o a_o shadow_n it_o look_v as_o it_o pass_v away_o from_o they_o methinks_v none_o of_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a temptation_n to_o any_o man_n to_o forget_v god_n and_o his_o soul_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o delight_n and_o pleasure_n of_o sense_n we_o shall_v be_v strange_o intent_n upon_o the_o concernment_n of_o another_o world_n and_o almost_o whole_o take_v up_o with_o the_o thought_n of_o that_o vast_a eternity_n which_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o launch_v into_o for_o what_o be_v there_o in_o this_o world_n this_o waste_n and_o howl_a wilderness_n this_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a country_n which_o we_o be_v but_o to_o pass_v through_o which_o shall_v detain_v our_o affection_n here_o and_o take_v up_o our_o thought_n from_o our_o everlasting_a habitation_n from_o that_o better_a and_o that_o heavenly_a country_n where_o we_o hope_v to_o live_v and_o be_v happy_a for_o ever_o if_o we_o settle_v our_o affection_n upon_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o present_a life_n so_o as_o to_o be_v extreme_o please_v and_o transport_v with_o they_o and_o to_o say_v in_o our_o heart_n it_o be_v good_a for_o we_o to_o be_v here_o if_o we_o be_v excessive_o grieve_v or_o discontent_v for_o the_o want_n or_o loss_n of_o they_o and_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o our_o present_a state_n in_o this_o world_n any_o otherwise_o than_o as_o a_o preparation_n and_o passage_n to_o a_o better_a life_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o our_o faith_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o happiness_n of_o another_o life_n be_v but_o very_o weak_a and_o faint_a and_o that_o we_o do_v not_o hearty_o and_o in_o good_a earnest_n believe_v what_o we_o pretend_v to_o do_v concern_v these_o thing_n for_o do_v we_o steadfast_o believe_v and_o be_v thorough_o persuade_v of_o what_o our_o religion_n so_o plain_o declare_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o unspeakable_a and_o endless_a happiness_n of_o good_a man_n in_o another_o world_n our_o affection_n will_v sit_v more_o loose_a to_o this_o world_n and_o our_o hope_n will_v raise_v our_o heart_n as_o much_o above_o these_o present_a and_o sensible_a thing_n as_o the_o heaven_n be_v high_a above_o the_o earth_n we_o shall_v value_v nothing_o here_o below_o but_o as_o it_o serve_v for_o our_o present_a support_n and_o passage_n or_o may_v be_v make_v a_o mean_n to_o secure_v and_o increase_v our_o future_a felicity_n 2._o the_o consideration_n of_o another_o life_n shall_v quicken_v our_o preparation_n for_o that_o bless_a state_n which_o remain_v for_o we_o in_o the_o other_o world_n this_o life_n be_v a_o state_n of_o probation_n and_o trial_n this_o world_n be_v god_n school_n where_o immortal_a spirit_n clothe_v with_o flesh_n be_v train_v and_o breed_v up_o for_o eternity_n and_o then_o certain_o it_o be_v not_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o a_o matter_n of_o slight_a concernment_n to_o we_o how_o we_o live_v and_o demean_v ourselves_o in_o this_o world_n whether_o we_o indulge_v ourselves_o in_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n or_o live_v sober_o and_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n no_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o infinite_a moment_n as_o much_o as_o our_o soul_n and_o all_o eternity_n be_v worth_a let_v we_o not_o deceive_v ourselves_o for_o as_o we_o sow_v so_o shall_v we_o reap_v if_o we_o sow_v to_o the_o flesh_n we_o shall_v of_o the_o flesh_n reap_v corruption_n but_o if_o we_o sow_v to_o the_o spirit_n we_o shall_v of_o the_o spirit_n reap_v everlasting_a life_n light_n be_v sow_v for_o the_o righteous_a and_o gladness_n for_o the_o upright_a in_o heart_n the_o righteous_a have_v hope_n in_o his_o death_n mark_v the_o perfect_a man_n and_o behold_v the_o upright_a for_o the_o end_n of_o that_o man_n be_v peace_n but_o the_o ungodly_a be_v not_o so_o whoever_o have_v live_v a_o wicked_a and_o vicious_a life_n feel_v strange_a throw_n and_o pang_n in_o his_o conscience_n when_o he_o come_v to_o be_v cast_v upon_o a_o sick_a bed_n the_o wicked_a be_v like_o the_o trouble_a sea_n say_v the_o prophet_n when_o it_o can_v rest_v full_a of_o trouble_n and_o confusion_n especial_o in_o a_o die_a hour_n it_o be_v death_n to_o such_o a_o man_n to_o look_v back_o upon_o his_o life_n and_o a_o hell_n to_o he_o to_o think_v of_o eternity_n when_o his_o guilty_a and_o tremble_a soul_n be_v ready_a to_o leave_v his_o body_n and_o just_a step_v into_o the_o other_o world_n what_o horror_n and_o amazement_n do_v then_o seize_v upon_o he_o what_o a_o rage_n do_v such_o a_o man_n feel_v in_o his_o breast_n when_o he_o serious_o consider_v that_o he_o have_v be_v so_o great_a a_o fool_n as_o for_o the_o false_a and_o imperfect_a pleasure_n of_o a_o few_o day_n to_o make_v himself_o miserable_a for_o ever_o 3._o let_v the_o consideration_n of_o that_o unspeakable_a reward_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o good_a man_n at_o the_o resurrection_n encourage_v we_o to_o obedience_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n we_o serve_v a_o great_a prince_n who_o be_v able_a to_o promote_v we_o to_o honour_n a_o most_o gracious_a master_n who_o will_v not_o let_v the_o least_o service_n we_o do_v for_o he_o pass_v unrewarded_a this_o be_v the_o inference_n which_o the_o apostle_n make_v from_o his_o large_a discourse_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n 1_o cor._n 15._o 58._o wherefore_o my_o belove_a brethren_n be_v you_o steadfast_a and_o unmovable_a always_o abound_v in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n forasmuch_o as_o you_o know_v that_o your_o labour_n shall_v not_o be_v in_o vain_a in_o the_o lord_n nothing_o will_v make_v death_n more_o welcome_a to_o we_o than_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o service_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n sleep_v say_v solomon_n be_v sweet_a to_o the_o labour_a man_n so_o after_o a_o great_a diligence_n and_o industry_n in_o work_v out_o our_o own_o salvation_n and_o as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o david_n serve_v our_o generation_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n how_o pleasant_a will_v it_o be_v to_o fall_v asleep_a and_o as_o a_o useful_a and_o well-spent_a life_n will_v make_v our_o death_n to_o be_v sweet_a so_o our_o resurrection_n to_o be_v glorious_a whatever_o act_v of_o piety_n we_o do_v to_o god_n or_o of_o charity_n to_o man_n whatever_o we_o lie_v out_o upon_o the_o poor_a and_o afflict_a and_o necessitous_a will_v all_o be_v consider_v by_o god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o recompense_n and_o most_o plentiful_o reward_v to_o we_o and_o sure_o no_o consideration_n ought_v to_o be_v more_o prevalent_a to_o persuade_v we_o to_o alm_n deed_n and_o charity_n to_o the_o poor_a than_o that_o of_o a_o resurrection_n to_o another_o life_n beside_o the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n which_o be_v make_v to_o work_n of_o charity_n and_o there_o be_v not_o any_o grace_n or_o virtue_n whatsoever_o which_o have_v so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a promise_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n make_v to_o it_o in_o scripture_n as_o this_o grace_n of_o charity_n i_o say_v beside_o the_o promise_n of_o this_o life_n the_o great_a promise_n of_o eternal_a life_n be_v in_o scripture_n in_o a_o more_o especial_a manner_n entail_v upon_o it_o luke_n 12._o 33._o give_v alm_n say_v our_o saviour_n provide_v yourselves_o bag_n which_o wax_v not_o old_a a_o treasure_n in_o the_o heaven_n that_o fail_v not_o and_o c._n 16._o v._n 9_o make_v to_o yourselves_o friend_n of_o the_o mammon_n of_o unrighteousness_n that_o when_o you_o shall_v fail_v they_o may_v receive_v you_o into_o everlasting_a habitation_n and_o 1_o tim._n 6._o 17_o 18_o 19_o charge_v they_o that_o be_v rich_a in_o this_o world_n that_o they_o be_v not_o high_a mind_v etc._n etc._n that_o they_o do_v good_a that_o they_o be_v rich_a in_o good_a work_n ready_a to_o distribute_v willing_a to_o communicate_v lay_v up_o in_o store_n for_o themselves_o a_o good_a foundation_n against_o the_o time_n to_o come_v that_o they_o may_v lay_v hold_n on_o eternal_a life_n the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o our_o translation_n render_v foundation_n according_a to_o the_o common_a use_n of_o it_o seem_v in_o this_o place_n to_o have_v a_o more_o peculiar_a notion_n and_o to_o signify_v the_o security_n that_o be_v give_v by_o a_o pledge_n or_o by_o a_o instrument_n or_o obligation_n of_o contract_n for_o the_o performance_n of_o covenant_n for_o beside_o that_o the_o phrase_n of_o lay_v up_o in_o store_n or_o treasure_v up_o
that_o there_o be_v another_o state_n after_o this_o life_n wherein_o man_n shall_v be_v happy_a or_o miserable_a according_a as_o they_o have_v live_v in_o this_o world_n and_o this_o do_v not_o only_o suppose_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o body_n be_v a_o essential_a part_n of_o man_n do_v by_o consequence_n infer_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n because_o otherwise_o the_o man_n will_v not_o be_v happy_a or_o miserable_a in_o the_o other_o world_n but_o i_o can_v see_v any_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o our_o saviour_n intend_v by_o this_o argument_n direct_o and_o immediate_o to_o prove_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n but_o only_o by_o consequence_n and_o as_o it_o follow_v from_o the_o admission_n of_o a_o future_a state_n wherein_o man_n shall_v be_v reward_v or_o punish_v for_o that_o reason_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o god_n be_v not_o a_o god_n of_o the_o dead_a but_o of_o the_o live_n if_o it_o do_v direct_o prove_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n it_o will_v prove_v that_o the_o body_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n be_v raise_v to_o life_n again_o at_z or_o before_o that_o time_n when_o god_n speak_v to_o moses_n and_o call_v himself_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n but_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v this_o and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v the_o intention_n of_o our_o saviour_n direct_o and_o immediate_o to_o prove_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n but_o only_o as_o i_o say_v before_o a_o future_a state_n and_o that_o this_o be_v all_o our_o saviour_n intend_v will_n more_o plain_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v what_o that_o error_n of_o the_o sadducee_n be_v which_o our_o saviour_n here_o confute_v and_o josephus_n who_o very_o well_o understand_v the_o difference_n of_o the_o sect_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o they_o make_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n of_o any_o controversy_n between_o the_o pharisee_n and_o the_o sadducee_n about_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n all_o that_o he_o say_v be_v this_o that_o the_o pharisee_n hold_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o that_o there_o be_v reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o another_o world_n but_o the_o sadducee_n deny_v all_o this_o and_o that_o there_o be_v any_o other_o state_n after_o this_o life_n and_o this_o be_v the_o very_a same_o account_n with_o that_o which_o be_v give_v of_o they_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n ver_fw-la 27._o of_o this_o chap._n the_o sadducee_n who_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o resurrection_n the_o meaning_n of_o which_o be_v more_o full_o declare_v act_v 23._o 8._o the_o sadducee_n say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o resurrection_n neither_o angel_n nor_o spirit_n but_o the_o pharisee_n confess_v both_o that_o be_v the_o sadducee_n deny_v that_o there_o be_v any_o other_o state_n of_o man_n after_o this_o life_n and_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o immortal_a spirit_n either_o angel_n or_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n survive_v their_o body_n and_o as_o dr._n hammond_n have_v judicious_o observe_v this_o be_v the_o true_a importance_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d viz._n a_o future_a or_o another_o state_n unless_o in_o such_o text_n where_o the_o context_n do_v restrain_v it_o to_o the_o raise_n again_o of_o the_o body_n or_o where_o some_o word_n that_o denote_v the_o body_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v add_v to_o it_o second_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n against_o those_o with_o who_o our_o saviour_n dispute_v will_v further_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o great_a veneration_n which_o the_o jew_n in_o general_n have_v for_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n above_o any_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o they_o especial_o the_o sadducee_n look_v upon_o only_a as_o explication_n and_o comment_n upon_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n but_o they_o esteem_v nothing_o as_o a_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n which_o have_v not_o some_o foundation_n in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o our_o saviour_n choose_v to_o confute_v they_o out_o of_o moses_n rather_o than_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o not_o as_o many_o learned_a man_n have_v imagine_v because_o the_o sadducee_n do_v not_o receive_v any_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o only_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n so_o that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o argue_v against_o they_o out_o of_o any_o other_o this_o i_o know_v have_v be_v a_o general_a opinion_n ground_v i_o think_v upon_o the_o mistake_n of_o a_o passage_n in_o josephus_n who_o say_v the_o sadducee_n only_o receive_v the_o write_v law_n but_o if_o we_o careful_o consider_v that_o passage_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o josephus_n do_v not_o there_o oppose_v the_o law_n to_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v also_o write_v but_o to_o oral_a tradition_n for_o he_o say_v express_o that_o the_o sadducee_n only_o receive_v the_o write_a law_n but_o the_o pharisee_n over_o and_o beside_o what_o be_v write_v receive_v the_o oral_n which_o they_o call_v tradition_n i_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o in_o the_o late_a prophet_n there_o be_v more_o express_a text_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o future_a state_n than_o any_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n as_o daniel_n 12._o 2._o and_o many_o of_o they_o that_o sleep_n in_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v awake_v some_o to_o everlasting_a life_n and_o some_o to_o shame_n and_o everlasting_a contempt_n and_o indeed_o it_o seem_v very_o plain_a that_o holy_a man_n among_o the_o jew_n towards_o the_o expiration_n of_o the_o legal_a dispensation_n have_v still_o clear_a and_o more_o express_a apprehension_n concern_v a_o future_a state_n than_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n or_o of_o any_o of_o the_o prophet_n the_o law_n give_v by_o moses_n do_v suppose_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o the_o expectation_n of_o another_o life_n after_o this_o as_o principle_n of_o religion_n in_o some_o degree_n natural_o know_v but_o make_v no_o new_a and_o express_a revelation_n of_o these_o thing_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o occasion_n for_o it_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v a_o political_a law_n not_o intend_v for_o the_o government_n of_o mankind_n but_o of_o one_o particular_a nation_n and_o therefore_o be_v establish_v as_o political_a law_n be_v upon_o temporal_a promise_n and_o threaten_n promise_v temporal_a prosperity_n to_o the_o observation_n of_o its_o precept_n and_o threaten_v the_o breach_n of_o they_o with_o temporal_a judgement_n and_o calamity_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o argument_n fetch_v from_o another_o world_n be_v so_o obscure_o insist_v upon_o under_o that_o dispensation_n not_o but_o that_o another_o life_n after_o this_o be_v always_o suppose_v and_o be_v undoubted_o the_o hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o good_a man_n under_o the_o law_n but_o the_o clear_a discovery_n of_o it_o be_v reserve_v for_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o as_o those_o time_n draw_v on_o and_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n be_v near_o his_o rise_n the_o shadow_n of_o the_o night_n begin_v to_o be_v chase_v away_o and_o man_n apprehension_n of_o a_o future_a state_n to_o clear_v up_o so_o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n good_a man_n speak_v with_o more_o confidence_n and_o assurance_n of_o these_o thing_n it_o be_v likewise_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o temporal_a calamity_n and_o suffering_n with_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v almost_o continual_o harass_v from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n have_v very_o much_o wean_a good_a man_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o temporal_a promise_n and_o awaken_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o more_o serious_a thought_n of_o another_o world_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o man_n when_o they_o be_v destitute_a of_o present_a comfort_n to_o support_v themselves_o with_o the_o expectation_n of_o better_a thing_n for_o the_o future_a and_o as_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n express_v it_o c._n 6._o v._n 18._o to_o fly_v for_o refuge_n to_o lay_v hold_n upon_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v before_o they_o and_o to_o employ_v their_o reason_n to_o fortify_v themselves_o as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v in_o that_o persuasion_n and_o this_o i_o doubt_v not_o be_v the_o true_a occasion_n of_o those_o clear_a and_o ripe_a apprehension_n of_o good_a man_n concern_v a_o future_a state_n in_o those_o time_n of_o distress_n and_o persecution_n it_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n not_o to_o leave_v his_o people_n destitute_a
of_o sufficient_a support_n under_o great_a trial_n and_o suffering_n and_o nothing_o but_o the_o hope_n of_o a_o better_a life_n can_v have_v bear_v up_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n under_o such_o cruel_a torture_n and_o of_o this_o we_o have_v a_o most_o remarkable_a instance_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o seven_o brethren_n in_o the_o maccabee_n who_o be_v cruel_o torture_v and_o put_v to_o death_n by_o antiochus_n do_v most_o express_o declare_v their_o confident_a expectation_n of_o a_o resurrection_n to_o a_o better_a life_n to_o which_o history_n the_o apostle_n certain_o refer_v heb._n 11._o 35._o when_o he_o say_v other_o be_v torture_v not_o accept_v deliverance_n that_o they_o may_v obtain_v a_o better_a resurrection_n where_o the_o word_n which_o we_o render_v be_v torture_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v the_o very_a word_n use_v in_o the_o maccabee_n to_o express_v the_o particular_a kind_n of_o torture_n use_v upon_o they_o beside_o that_o be_v offer_v deliverance_n they_o most_o resolute_o refuse_v to_o accept_v of_o it_o with_o this_o express_a declaration_n that_o they_o hope_v for_o a_o resurrection_n to_o a_o better_a life_n but_o to_o return_v to_o my_o purpose_n notwithstanding_o there_o may_v be_v more_o clear_a and_o express_v text_n to_o this_o purpose_n in_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n yet_o our_o saviour_n know_v how_o great_a a_o regard_n not_o only_o the_o sadducee_n but_o all_o the_o jew_n have_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n he_o think_v fit_a to_o bring_v his_o proof_n of_o the_o resurrection_n out_o of_o his_o write_n as_o that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o likely_a to_o convince_v they_o three_o if_o we_o consider_v further_o the_o peculiar_a notion_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v concern_v the_o use_n of_o this_o phrase_n or_o expression_n of_o god_n be_v any_o one_o be_v god_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o god_n be_v no_o where_o in_o scripture_n say_v to_o be_v any_o one_o god_n while_o he_o be_v alive_a and_o therefore_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o while_n isaac_n live_v god_n be_v not_o call_v the_o god_n of_o isaac_n but_o the_o fear_n of_o isaac_n as_o gen._n 31._o 42._o except_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o isaac_n have_v be_v with_o i_o and_o ver_fw-la 53._o when_o laban_n make_v a_o covenant_n with_o jacob_n it_o be_v say_v that_o laban_n do_v swear_v by_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n and_o the_o god_n of_o nahor_n and_o the_o god_n of_o their_o father_n but_o jacob_n swear_v by_o the_o fear_n of_o his_o father_n isaac_n i_o will_v not_o warrant_v this_o observation_n to_o be_v good_a because_o i_o certain_o know_v it_o be_v not_o true_a for_o god_n do_v express_o call_v himself_o the_o god_n of_o isaac_n while_o isaac_n be_v yet_o alive_a gen._n 28._o 13._o i_o be_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o abraham_n thy_o father_n and_o the_o god_n of_o isaac_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o my_o purpose_n that_o this_o be_v a_o notion_n ancient_o currant_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n argument_n from_o this_o expression_n must_v be_v so_o much_o the_o strong_a against_o they_o for_o if_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v extinguish_v by_o death_n as_o the_o sadducee_n believe_v what_o do_v it_o signify_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n to_o have_v god_n call_v their_o god_n after_o they_o be_v dead_a but_o sure_o for_o god_n to_o be_v any_o one_o god_n do_v signify_v some_o great_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n which_o yet_o according_a to_o the_o notion_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v of_o this_o phrase_n can_v not_o respect_v this_o life_n because_o according_a to_o they_o god_n be_v not_o say_v to_o be_v any_o one_o god_n till_o after_o he_o be_v dead_a but_o it_o be_v thus_o say_v of_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n after_o their_o death_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n infer_v very_o strong_o against_o they_o that_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n be_v not_o extinguish_v by_o death_n but_o do_v still_o live_v somewhere_o for_o god_n be_v not_o the_o god_n of_o the_o dead_a but_o of_o the_o live_n and_o then_o he_o add_v by_o way_n of_o further_a explication_n for_o all_o live_v to_o he_o that_o be_v though_o those_o good_a man_n who_o be_v depart_v this_o life_n do_v not_o still_o live_v to_o we_o here_o in_o this_o world_n yet_o they_o live_v to_o god_n and_o be_v with_o he_o four_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o great_a respect_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v for_o those_o three_o father_n of_o their_o nation_n abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob._n they_o have_v a_o extraordinary_a opinion_n of_o they_o and_o esteem_v nothing_o too_o great_a to_o be_v think_v or_o say_v of_o they_o and_o therefore_o we_o find_v that_o they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o great_a arrogance_n for_o any_o man_n to_o assume_v any_o thing_n to_o himself_o that_o may_v seem_v to_o set_v he_o above_o abraham_n isaac_n or_o jacob_n with_o what_o indignation_n do_v they_o fly_v upon_o our_o saviour_n on_o this_o account_n john_n 4._o 12._o be_v thou_o great_a than_o our_o father_n jacob_n and_o chap._n 8._o ver_fw-la 53._o be_v thou_o great_a than_o our_o father_n abraham_n who_o make_v thou_o thyself_o now_o they_o who_o have_v so_o superstitious_a a_o veneration_n for_o they_o will_v easy_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o privilege_n to_o belong_v to_o they_o so_o that_o our_o saviour_n do_v with_o great_a advantage_n instance_n in_o they_o in_o favour_n of_o who_o they_o will_v be_v incline_v to_o extend_v the_o meaning_n of_o any_o promise_n to_o the_o utmost_a and_o allow_v it_o to_o signify_v as_o much_o as_o the_o word_n can_v possible_o bear_v so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o the_o text_n tell_v we_o that_o this_o argument_n put_v the_o sadducee_n to_o silence_n they_o dare_v not_o attempt_v a_o thing_n so_o odious_a as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o take_v away_o any_o thing_n of_o privilege_n from_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob._n and_o thus_o i_o have_v as_o brief_o as_o the_o matter_n will_v bear_v endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o fitness_n and_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n to_o convince_v those_o with_o who_o our_o saviour_n dispute_v i_o come_v now_o in_o the_o ii_o second_o place_n to_o inquire_v whether_o this_o be_v any_o more_o than_o a_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la and_o if_o it_o be_v wherein_o the_o real_a and_o absolute_a force_n of_o it_o do_v consist_v i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o believe_v that_o every_o argument_n use_v by_o our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n be_v absolute_o and_o in_o itself_o conclusive_a for_o a_o argument_n which_o do_v not_o real_o prove_v the_o thing_n in_o question_n may_v yet_o be_v a_o very_a good_a argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la and_o in_o some_o case_n more_o convince_a to_o he_o with_o who_o we_o dispute_v than_o that_o which_o be_v a_o better_a argument_n in_o itself_o now_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o our_o saviour_n intention_n may_v not_o be_v to_o bring_v a_o conclusive_a proof_n of_o the_o resurrection_n but_o only_o to_o confute_v those_o who_o will_v needs_o be_v dispute_v with_o he_o and_o to_o that_o purpose_n a_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la which_o proceed_v upon_o ground_n which_o they_o themselves_o can_v not_o deny_v may_v be_v very_o proper_a and_o effectual_a but_o although_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v more_o than_o a_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la yet_o it_o be_v the_o better_a to_o we_o if_o it_o be_v absolute_o and_o in_o itself_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n and_o this_o i_o hope_v will_v sufficient_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v these_o four_o thing_n 1._o that_o for_o god_n to_o be_v any_o one_o god_n do_v signify_v some_o very_a extraordinary_a blessing_n and_o happiness_n to_o those_o person_n of_o who_o this_o be_v say_v 2._o if_o we_o consider_v the_o eminent_a faith_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o this_o promise_n be_v make_v 3._o their_o condition_n in_o this_o world_n 4._o the_o general_a importance_n of_o this_o promise_n abstract_v from_o the_o person_n particular_o specify_v and_o name_v in_o it_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob._n first_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o for_o god_n to_o be_v any_o one_o god_n do_v signify_v some_o very_a extraordinary_a blessing_n and_o happiness_n to_o those_o person_n of_o who_o this_o be_v say_v it_o be_v a_o big_a word_n for_o god_n to_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v any_o one_o god_n and_o the_o least_o we_o can_v imagine_v to_o be_v mean_v by_o it_o be_v that_o god_n will_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n employ_v his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n to_o do_v he_o good_a that_o he_o will_v concern_v himself_o more_o for_o the_o happiness_n of_o those_o who_o god_n he_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v than_o for_o other_o second_o