office_n of_o conscience_n clear_a beyond_o all_o objection_n and_o thus_o much_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o premise_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o light_n here_o speak_v of_o by_o our_o saviour_n and_o intend_v for_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o present_a discourse_n which_o light_n as_o it_o be_v certain_o the_o great_a and_o sovereign_a gift_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n for_o the_o guidance_n and_o government_n of_o their_o action_n in_o all_o that_o concern_v they_o with_o reference_n to_o this_o life_n 〈◊〉_d a_o better_a so_o it_o be_v also_o as_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v turn_v into_o darkness_n and_o thereby_o make_v whole_o useless_a for_o so_o nobl_a 〈…〉_z purpose_n for_o so_o much_o the_o word_n of_o the_o tâ—â—_n import_n nor_o do_v they_o import_n only_o bare_a possibility_n that_o it_o may_v be_v so_o but_o aâ—_n so_o a_o very_a high_a probability_n that_o witâ—â—â—â—_n a_o extraordinary_a prevention_n it_o will_v bâ—_n so_o for_o as_o mâ—ch_v as_o all_o warn_v in_o thâ—_n very_a reason_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o according_a to_o the_o naturâ—l_a force_n of_o such_o expression_n imply_v in_o it_o these_o two_o thing_n first_o some_o very_a considerable_a evil_n or_o mischief_n warn_v against_o and_o second_o a_o equal_a danger_n of_o fall_v into_o iâ—_n without_o which_o all_o warn_v will_v be_v not_o only_o superfluous_a but_o ridiculous_a now_o both_o these_o in_o the_o present_a case_n be_v very_o great_a as_o will_v appear_v by_o a_o distinct_a consideration_n of_o each_o of_o they_o and_o first_o for_o the_o evil_n which_o we_o be_v warn_v or_o caution_v against_o to_o wit_n the_o turn_v of_o this_o light_n within_o we_o into_o darkness_n 〈◊〉_d evil_a so_o unconceivable_a great_a and_o comprehensive_a that_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o it_o will_v pose_v our_o thought_n as_o well_o as_o nonplus_n our_o expression_n but_o yet_o to_o help_v our_o apprehension_n of_o it_o the_o best_a we_o 〈◊〉_d let_v â—s_n but_o consider_v with_o ourselves_o those_o intolerable_a evil_n which_o bodily_a blindness_n deafness_n stupefaction_n and_o a_o utter_a deprivation_n of_o all_o sense_n must_v unavoidable_o subject_v the_o outward_a man_n to_o for_o what_o be_v one_o in_o such_o a_o condition_n able_a to_o do_v and_o what_o be_v he_o not_o liable_a to_o suffer_v and_o yet_o do_v and_o suffer_v upon_o the_o matter_n comprehend_v all_o that_o concern_v a_o man_n in_o this_o world_n if_o such_o a_o one_o enemy_n seek_v his_o life_n as_o he_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o some_o or_o other_o will_n and_o possible_o such_o a_o one_o as_o he_o take_v for_o his_o true_a friend_n in_o this_o forlorn_a case_n he_o can_v neither_o see_v nor_o hear_v nor_o perceive_v his_o approach_n till_o he_o find_v himself_o actual_o in_o his_o murder_v hand_n he_o can_v neither_o encounter_v nor_o escape_v he_o neither_o in_o his_o own_o â—â—fence_n give_v nor_o ward_v off_o a_o blow_n 〈◊〉_d whatsoever_o blind_v a_o man_n ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la disarm_v he_o so_o that_o be_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d rest_n both_o of_o his_o sight_n and_o of_o all_o his_o senseâ—_n beside_o what_o such_o a_o one_o can_v be_v fit_a for_o unless_o it_o be_v to_o set_v up_o for_o prophecy_n or_o believe_v transubstantiation_n i_o can_v imagine_v thâ—â—_n i_o say_v be_v some_o of_o those_o fâ—â—tal_a mischief_n which_o corporal_a blindness_n and_o insensibility_n expose_v the_o body_n to_o and_o be_v not_o those_o of_o a_o spiritual_a blindness_n unexpressible_o great_a for_o must_v 〈◊〉_d man_n labour_v under_o this_o be_v utter_o 〈◊〉_d at_o a_o loss_n how_o to_o distinguish_v betweâ—â—â—_n the_o two_o grand_a govern_n concern_v 〈◊〉_d â—â—fe_n good_a and_o evil_a and_o may_v not_o thâ—â—_n ignorance_n of_o these_o cost_n we_o as_o dear_a as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o do_v our_o first_o parents_n life_n and_o death_n vice_n and_o virtue_n comâ—_n alike_o to_o such_o a_o one_o as_o all_o thing_n be_v oâ—_n the_o same_o colour_n to_o he_o who_o can_v seâ—_n his_o whole_a soul_n be_v nothing_o but_o night_n and_o confusion_n darkness_n and_o indistinction_n he_o can_v neither_o see_v the_o way_n to_o happiness_n and_o how_o then_o shall_v he_o choose_v it_o noâ—_n yet_o to_o destruction_n and_o how_o then_o shall_v he_o avoid_v it_o for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o sense_n of_o thing_n there_o can_v be_v no_o distinction_n and_o â—here_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n there_o can_v be_v no_o choice_n a_o man_n destitute_a of_o this_o direct_n and_o distinguish_v light_n within_o he_o be_v and_o must_v be_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o every_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d nature_n that_o will_v impose_v or_o serve_v 〈◊〉_d turn_v upon_o he_o so_o that_o whatsoever_o the_o devil_n will_v have_v he_o do_v that_o 〈◊〉_d must_v do_v whithersoever_o any_o exâ—â—â—tant_a desire_n or_o design_n hurry_v he_o thither_o he_o must_v go_v whatsoever_o any_o base_a interest_n shall_v prescribe_v that_o he_o must_v set_v his_o hand_n to_o whether_o his_o heart_n go_v along_o with_o it_o or_o no._n if_o he_o be_v a_o statesman_n he_o must_v be_v as_o willing_a to_o sell_v as_o the_o enemy_n of_o his_o country_n can_v be_v to_o bay_n if_o a_o churchman_n he_o must_v be_v ready_a to_o surrender_v and_o give_v up_o the_o church_n and_o make_v a_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o altar_n itself_o though_o he_o live_v by_o it_o and_o in_o a_o word_n take_v that_o for_o a_o full_a discharge_n from_o all_o his_o subscription_n and_o obligation_n to_o it_o to_o do_v as_o he_o be_v bid_v which_o be_v the_o case_n of_o such_o as_o steer_v by_o a_o false_a light_n certain_o no_o slave_n in_o the_o galley_n be_v or_o can_v be_v in_o such_o a_o wretched_a condition_n of_o slavery_n as_o a_o man_n thus_o abandon_v by_o conscience_n and_o bereave_v of_o all_o inward_a principle_n that_o shall_v either_o guide_n or_o control_v he_o in_o the_o course_n of_o his_o conversation_n so_o that_o we_o see_v here_o the_o transcendent_a greatness_n of_o the_o evil_n which_o 〈◊〉_d stand_v caution_v against_o but_o then_o second_o if_o it_o be_v a_o evil_a that_o seldom_o happen_v that_o very_o hardly_o and_o raâ—â—ly_o befall_v a_o man_n this_o might_n in_o a_o 〈◊〉_d measure_n supersede_n the_o strictness_n of_o tâ—â—â—_n caution_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o shaâ—â—_n find_v that_o as_o great_a as_o the_o evil_n be_v which_o we_o be_v to_o fence_v against_o and_o that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d great_a as_o the_o capacity_n of_o a_o immortal_a soul_n the_o greatness_n of_o the_o danger_n be_v still_o commensurate_a for_o it_o be_v a_o case_n that_o usual_o happen_v it_o be_v a_o mischief_n as_o frequent_v in_o the_o event_n as_o it_o be_v or_o can_v be_v fatal_a in_o the_o effect_n it_o be_v as_o in_o a_o common_a plague_n in_o which_o the_o infectionâ—â—_n as_o hard_o to_o be_v escape_v as_o the_o distempâ—â—_n to_o be_v cure_a for_o that_o which_o bring_v this_o darkness_n upon_o the_o soul_n be_v sin_n and_o as_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n now_o be_v the_o soul_n be_v not_o so_o close_o unite_v to_o the_o body_n as_o sin_n be_v to_o the_o soul_n indeed_o so_o close_o be_v the_o union_n between_o they_o that_o one_o will_v even_o think_v the_o soul_n itself_o as_o much_o a_o spirit_n as_o it_o be_v be_v the_o matter_n and_o sin_n the_o form_n in_o our_o present_a constitution_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v a_o set_a combination_n of_o all_o without_o a_o man_n and_o all_o within_o he_o of_o all_o above_o ground_n and_o all_o under_o it_o if_o hell_n be_v so_o first_o to_o put_v out_o his_o eye_n and_o then_o to_o draw_v or_o drive_v he_o headlong_o into_o perdition_n from_o all_o which_o i_o suppose_v we_o must_v needs_o see_v reason_n more_o than_o sufficient_a for_o this_o admonition_n of_o our_o saviour_n take_v heed_n that_o the_o light_n which_o be_v in_o thou_o be_v not_o darkness_n a_o admonition_n found_v upon_o no_o less_o a_o concern_v than_o all_o that_o a_o man_n can_v save_v and_o all_o that_o he_o can_v lose_v to_o eternity_n and_o thus_o have_v show_v both_o the_o vastness_n of_o the_o evil_n itself_o and_o the_o extreme_a danger_n we_o be_v in_o of_o it_o since_o no_o man_n can_v be_v at_o all_o the_o wise_a or_o the_o safe_a bare_o for_o know_v his_o danger_n without_o a_o vigorous_a application_n to_o prevent_v it_o and_o since_o the_o sure_a and_o most_o rational_a preventive_a of_o it_o be_v to_o know_v by_o what_o art_n and_o method_n our_o enemy_n will_v encounter_v we_o and_o by_o which_o he_o be_v most_o likely_a to_o prevail_v over_o we_o we_o will_v inquire_v into_o and_o consider_v those_o way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o he_o common_o attempt_n and_o too_o frequent_o effect_n this_o so_o dismal_a a_o change_n upon_o we_o as_o to_o strip_v we_o even_o of_o the_o poor_a
and_o much_o less_o his_o conscience_n together_o for_o neither_o grace_n nor_o nature_n will_v have_v it_o so_o it_o be_v a_o utter_a contradiction_n to_o the_o method_n of_o both_o who_o have_v woe_n who_o have_v sorrow_n who_o have_v contention_n who_o have_v babble_v who_o have_v wound_n without_o cause_n who_o have_v redness_n of_o eye_n say_v solomon_n prov._n 23.29_o which_o question_n he_o himself_o present_o answer_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n they_o who_o tarry_v long_o at_o the_o wine_n they_o who_o seek_v after_o mix_v wine_n so_o say_v i_o who_o have_v a_o stupid_a intellect_n a_o break_a memory_n and_o a_o blast_a wit_n and_o which_o be_v worse_o than_o all_o a_o blind_a and_o a_o benight_a conscience_n but_o the_o intemperate_a and_o luxurious_a the_o epicure_n and_o the_o smell-feast_n so_o impossible_a be_v it_o for_o a_o man_n to_o turn_v sot_n without_o make_v himself_o a_o blockhead_n too_o i_o know_v this_o be_v not_o always_o the_o present_a effect_n of_o these_o course_n but_o at_o long_o run_v it_o will_v infallible_o be_v so_o and_o time_n and_o luxury_n together_o will_v as_o certain_o change_v the_o inside_n as_o it_o do_v the_o outside_n of_o the_o best_a head_n whatsoever_o and_o much_o more_o of_o such_o head_n as_o be_v strong_a for_o nothing_o but_o to_o bear_v drink_n concern_v which_o it_o ever_o be_v and_o be_v and_o will_v be_v a_o sure_a observation_n that_o such_o as_o be_v able_a at_o the_o barrel_n be_v general_o weak_a at_o the_o book_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o great_a darkner_n of_o man_n mind_n sensuality_n and_o that_o in_o both_o the_o branch_n of_o it_o lust_n and_o intemperance_n second_o another_o vicious_a affection_n which_o cloud_n and_o darken_v the_o conscience_n be_v covetousness_n concern_v which_o it_o may_v true_o be_v affirm_v that_o of_o all_o the_o vice_n incident_a to_o humane_a nature_n none_o so_o powerful_o and_o peculiar_o carry_v the_o soul_n downward_o as_o covetousness_n do_v it_o make_v it_o all_o earth_n and_o dirt_n bury_v that_o noble_a thing_n which_o can_v never_o diego_n so_o that_o while_o the_o body_n be_v above_o ground_n the_o soul_n be_v under_o it_o and_o therefore_o must_v needs_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o darkness_n while_o it_o converse_v in_o the_o region_n of_o it_o how_o mighty_o this_o vice_n darken_v and_o debases_n the_o mind_n scripture-instanc_a do_v abundant_o show_v when_o moses_n will_v assign_v the_o proper_a qualification_n of_o a_o judge_n which_o office_n certain_o call_v for_o the_o quick_a apprehension_n and_o the_o solid_a judgement_n that_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v well_o capable_a of_o deut._n 16.19_o thou_o shall_v not_o say_v he_o take_v a_o gift_n but_o why_o he_o present_o add_v the_o reason_n because_o a_o gift_n say_v he_o blind_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o no_o wonder_n for_o it_o pervert_v their_o will_n and_o then_o who_o so_o blind_a as_o the_o man_n who_o resolve_v not_o to_o see_v gold_n it_o seem_v be_v but_o a_o very_a bad_a help_n and_o cure_n of_o the_o eye_n in_o such_o case_n in_o like_a manner_n when_o samuel_n will_v set_v the_o credit_n of_o his_o integrity_n clear_a above_o all_o the_o aspersion_n of_o envy_n and_o calumny_n itself_o 1_o sam._n 12.3_o of_o who_o hand_n say_v he_o have_v i_o receive_v a_o bribe_n to_o blind_v my_o eye_n therewith_o imply_v thereby_o that_o for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v gripe-handed_n and_o clearsighted_n too_o be_v impossible_a and_o again_o eccl._n 7.7_o a_o gift_n say_v the_o wiseman_n destroy_v the_o heart_n that_o be_v as_o we_o have_v show_v already_o the_o judge_a and_o discern_v power_n of_o the_o soul_n by_o all_o which_o we_o see_v that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o of_o the_o wise_a and_o great_a man_n that_o ever_o live_v such_o as_o moses_n samuel_n solomon_n himself_o covetousness_n baffle_v and_o befool_v the_o mind_n blind_v and_o confound_v the_o reason_v faculty_n and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o ordinary_a person_n but_o even_o in_o the_o able_a the_o wise_a and_o most_o sagacious_a and_o to_o give_v you_o one_o proof_n above_o all_o of_o the_o peculiar_a blind_a power_n of_o this_o vice_n there_o be_v not_o the_o most_o covetous_a wretch_n breathe_v who_o do_v so_o much_o as_o see_v or_o perceive_v that_o he_o be_v covetous_a for_o the_o truth_n be_v preach_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o a_o covetous_a person_n if_o he_o may_v be_v say_v to_o have_v any_o with_o the_o tongue_n of_o man_n and_o angel_n and_o tell_v he_o of_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n of_o treasure_n in_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o be_v rich_a towards_o god_n and_o liberal_n to_o his_o poor_a brother_n and_o it_o be_v all_o but_o flat_a insipid_a and_o ridiculous_a stuff_n to_o he_o who_o neither_o see_v nor_o feel_v nor_o suffer_v any_o thing_n to_o pass_v into_o his_o heart_n but_o through_o his_o hand_n you_o must_v preach_v to_o such_o a_o one_o of_o bargain_n and_o sale_n profit_n and_o perquisit_n principal_n and_o interest_n use_v upon_o use_n and_o if_o you_o can_v persuade_v he_o that_o godliness_n be_v gain_v in_o his_o own_o sense_n perhaps_o you_o may_v do_v something_o with_o he_o otherwise_o though_o you_o edge_n every_o word_n you_o speak_v with_o reason_n and_o religion_n evidence_n and_o demonstration_n you_o shall_v never_o affect_v nor_o touch_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o reach_v his_o conscience_n for_o it_o be_v keep_v seal_v up_o in_o a_o bag_n under_o lock_n and_o key_n and_o you_o can_v come_v at_o it_o and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o second_o base_a affection_n that_o blind_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n which_o be_v covetousness_n a_o thing_n direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o very_a spirit_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v a_o free_a a_o large_a and_o a_o open_a spirit_n a_o spirit_n open_a to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o always_o carry_v charity_n in_o one_o hand_n and_o generosity_n in_o the_o other_o three_o the_o three_o and_o last_o vile_a affection_n which_o i_o shall_v mention_v as_o have_v the_o same_o darken_v effect_n upon_o the_o mind_n or_o conscience_n be_v ambition_n for_o as_o covetousness_n dull_v the_o mind_n by_o press_v it_o down_o too_o much_o below_o itself_o so_o ambition_n dazzle_v it_o by_o lift_v it_o up_o as_o much_o above_o itself_o but_o both_o of_o they_o be_v sure_a to_o darken_v the_o light_n of_o it_o for_o if_o you_o either_o look_v too_o intent_o down_o a_o deep_a precipice_n upon_o a_o thing_n at_o a_o extreme_a distance_n below_o you_o or_o with_o the_o same_o earnestness_n fix_v your_o eye_n upon_o something_o at_o too_o great_a a_o height_n above_o you_o in_o both_o case_n you_o will_v find_v a_o vertigo_n or_o giddiness_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o giddiness_n in_o the_o head_n there_o will_v be_v always_o a_o mist_n before_o the_o eye_n and_o thus_o no_o doubt_n it_o be_v only_o a_o ambitious_a aspire_n after_o high_a thing_n which_o not_o long_o since_o cause_v such_o a_o woeful_a scandalous_a giddiness_n in_o some_o man_n conscience_n and_o make_v they_o turn_v round_o and_o round_o from_o this_o to_o that_o and_o from_o that_o to_o this_o till_o at_o length_n they_o know_v not_o what_o bottom_n to_o fix_v upon_o and_o this_o in_o my_o opinion_n be_v a_o case_n that_o admit_v of_o no_o vindication_n pride_n we_o know_v which_o be_v always_o cousin-german_a to_o ambition_n be_v common_o reckon_v the_o forerunner_n of_o a_o fall_n it_o be_v the_o devil_n sin_n and_o the_o devil_n ruin_n and_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o the_o devil_n be_v strategem_fw-la who_o like_o a_o expert_a wrestler_n usual_o give_v a_o man_n a_o lift_v before_o he_o give_v he_o a_o throw_v but_o how_o do_v he_o do_v this_o why_o by_o first_o blind_n he_o with_o ambition_n and_o when_o a_o man_n either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o mind_v the_o ground_n he_o stand_v upon_o as_o a_o thing_n forsooth_o too_o much_o below_o he_o he_o be_v then_o easy_o justle_v down_o and_o thrust_v headlong_o into_o the_o next_o ditch_n the_o truth_n be_v in_o this_o case_n man_n seem_v to_o ascend_v to_o a_o high_a station_n just_a as_o they_o use_v to_o leap_v down_o a_o very_a great_a steep_a in_o both_o case_n they_o shut_v their_o eye_n first_o for_o in_o both_o the_o danger_n be_v very_o dreadful_a and_o the_o way_n to_o venture_v upon_o it_o be_v not_o to_o see_v it_o yea_o so_o fatal_o do_v this_o tour_a aspire_a humour_n intoxicate_a and_o impose_v upon_o man_n mind_n that_o when_o the_o devil_n stand_v bobbing_n and_o tantalise_a their_o gape_v hope_n with_o some_o preferment_n in_o church_n or_o state_n they_o shall_v do_v the_o base_a the_o vile_a and_o most_o odious_a thing_n imaginable_a and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o defiance_n of_o conscience_n but_o which_o be_v yet_o more_o
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the_o best_a preacher_n be_v such_o as_o can_v not_o read_v and_o the_o able_a divine_v such_o as_o can_v not_o write_v in_o all_o their_o preachment_n they_o so_o high_o pretend_v to_o the_o spirit_n that_o they_o can_v hardly_o so_o much_o as_o spell_v the_o letter_n to_o be_v blind_a be_v with_o they_o the_o proper_a qualification_n of_o a_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o to_o be_v book-learned_n as_o they_o call_v it_o and_o to_o be_v irreligious_a be_v almost_o term_n convertible_a none_o be_v think_v fit_a for_o the_o ministry_n but_o tradesman_n and_o mechanic_n because_o none_o else_o be_v allow_v to_o have_v the_o spirit_n those_o only_o be_v account_v like_o st._n paul_n who_o can_v work_v with_o their_o hand_n and_o in_o a_o literal_a sense_n drive_v the_o nail_n home_o and_o be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o pulpit_n before_o they_o preach_v in_o it_o but_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n take_v quite_o another_o method_n be_v still_o as_o careful_a to_o furnish_v the_o head_n as_o to_o sanctify_v the_o heart_n and_o as_o he_o wrought_v miracle_n to_o find_v and_o establish_v a_o church_n by_o these_o extraordinary_a gift_n so_o it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o great_a miracle_n to_o have_v do_v it_o without_o they_o god_n as_o he_o be_v the_o giver_n of_o grace_n so_o he_o be_v the_o father_n of_o light_n he_o neither_o admit_v darkness_n in_o himself_o nor_o approve_v it_o in_o other_o and_o therefore_o those_o who_o place_n all_o religion_n in_o the_o heat_n of_o a_o furious_a zeal_n without_o the_o due_a illumination_n of_o knowledge_n know_v not_o of_o what_o spirit_n they_o be_v indeed_o of_o such_o a_o spirit_n as_o begin_v in_o darkness_n lead_v to_o it_o and_o end_v in_o it_o but_o certain_o we_o shall_v one_o day_n find_v that_o a_o religion_n so_o much_o resemble_v hell_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o heaven_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o spirit_n always_o guide_v and_o instruct_v before_o he_o save_v and_o that_o as_o he_o bring_v to_o happiness_n only_o by_o the_o way_n of_o holiness_n so_o he_o never_o lead_v to_o true_a holiness_n but_o by_o the_o path_n of_o knowledge_n to_o which_o holy_a spirit_n together_o with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n three_o person_n and_o one_o god_n be_v render_v and_o ascribe_v as_o be_v most_o due_a all_o praise_n may_v majesty_n and_o dominion_n both_o now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_n the_o peculiar_a care_n and_o concern_v of_o providence_n for_o the_o protection_n and_o defense_n of_o king_n set_v forth_o in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o westminster-abbey_n nou._n 5._o 1675._o psalm_n cxliv_o 10_o former_a part_n it_o be_v he_o that_o give_v salvation_n unto_o king_n the_o great_a and_o most_o magnificent_a title_n by_o which_o god_n