the_o same_o place_n or_o like_o a_o picture_n that_o grow_v not_o but_o be_v the_o same_o now_o that_o it_o be_v twenty_o year_n ago_o such_o barren_a tree_n be_v nigh_o to_o curse_v luke_n 13.9_o and_o such_o unprofit_v able_a learner_n be_v leave_v by_o god_n just_o to_o the_o power_n of_o seducer_n as_o malefactor_n be_v to_o jailer_n this_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o all_o those_o error_n and_o sin_n among_o we_o psal._n 95.10_o jer._n 9.3_o matth._n 22.19_o as_o for_o ourselves_o let_v we_o inquire_v for_o the_o good_a way_n and_o when_o we_o have_v find_v it_o sit_v not_o still_o but_o be_v walk_v from_o knowledge_n to_o knowledge_n from_o grace_n to_o grace_n and_o from_o strength_n to_o strength_n till_o at_o last_o we_o come_v to_o our_o celestial_a zion_n 3._o since_o seducer_n be_v so_o ready_a to_o seduce_v woman_n how_o careful_a shall_v that_o sex_n be_v to_o shun_v converse_v or_o dispute_v with_o they_o when_o eve_n once_o fall_v to_o dispute_v and_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n the_o devil_n soon_o overcome_v she_o and_o be_v too_o subtle_a for_o she_o genes_n 3.1_o do_v not_o therefore_o tempt_v the_o lord_n by_o entertain_v dispute_n with_o serpentine_a disputant_n for_o though_o every_o one_o be_v bind_v to_o make_v a_o open_a and_o sincere_a profession_n of_o the_o truth_n yet_o to_o be_v able_a to_o defend_v it_o against_o a_o subtle_a adversary_n and_o to_o answer_v their_o cavil_n be_v a_o gift_n that_o be_v give_v but_o to_o a_o few_o let_v every_o one_o know_v his_o own_o strength_n and_o if_o he_o be_v wise_a keep_v within_o his_o onw_n bound_n dulces_fw-la 4._o since_o woman_n oft_o time_n be_v satan_n instrument_n by_o which_o he_o seduce_v many_o take_v heed_n of_o woman_n let_v not_o those_o siren_n enchant_v thou_o so_o as_o to_o leap_v into_o the_o depth_n of_o error_n consider_v how_o many_o of_o thy_o better_n have_v fall_v by_o they_o adam_n at_o first_o the_o best_a man_n solomon_n the_o wise_a david_n one_o of_o the_o holy_a and_o samson_n one_o of_o the_o strong_a all_o deceive_v by_o woman_n and_o at_o this_o day_n how_o many_o wise_a and_o seem_o holy_a man_n have_v be_v draw_v aside_o to_o error_n by_o their_o wife_n stop_v then_o thy_o ear_n against_o these_o allurement_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n be_v as_o the_o deaf_a adder_n which_o stop_n his_o ear_n against_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o charmer_n charm_v he_o never_o so_o wise_o whosoever_o they_o be_v that_o seek_v to_o draw_v thou_o from_o thy_o god_n let_v thy_o heart_n and_o thy_o hand_n be_v against_o they_o deuteron_fw-gr 13.6_o 8_o 9_o verse_n 8._o now_o as_o janne_n and_o jambres_n withstand_v moses_n so_o do_v these_o also_o resist_v the_o truth_n man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n reprobate_a concern_v the_o faith_n the_o apostle_n proceed_v in_o describe_v the_o false_a prophet_n of_o the_o last_o time_n that_o we_o may_v the_o better_a know_v they_o he_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v such_o 1._o as_o oppose_v the_o truth_n and_o the_o preacher_n of_o it_o as_o jannes_n and_o jambres_n the_o world_n wise_a man_n withstand_v moses_n so_o do_v these_o also_o resist_v the_o truth_n they_o do_v not_o only_o catch_v at_o silly_a woman_n but_o they_o strike_v at_o the_o shepherd_n that_o so_o the_o flock_n may_v be_v scatter_v they_o oppose_v moses_n and_o aaron_n the_o messenger_n of_o god_n who_o he_o send_v to_o publish_v his_o truth_n to_o his_o people_n yea_o they_o resist_v the_o very_a truth_n itself_o which_o be_v worse_o than_o to_o resist_v the_o person_n that_o bring_v it_o the_o series_n of_o the_o speech_n seem_v to_o require_v that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v have_v say_v as_o jannes_n and_o jambres_n resist_v moses_n adversor_fw-la so_o do_v these_o resist_v we_o but_o he_o alter_v his_o stile_n and_o say_v more_o emphatical_o they_o resist_v the_o truth_n imply_v that_o the_o opposition_n be_v not_o so_o much_o against_o the_o preacher_n as_o against_o the_o truth_n they_o preach_v and_o by_o consequence_n against_o god_n who_o be_v the_o first_o truth_n and_o at_o who_o command_n they_o publish_v it_o exod._n 16.8_o neither_o be_v it_o a_o frigid_a infirm_a resistance_n but_o a_o violent_a vehement_a opposition_n spring_v from_o malice_n and_o rancour_n which_o make_v they_o resist_v the_o truth_n 1._o with_o their_o lie_n tyranny_n and_o cruel_a persecution_n 2._o by_o flattery_n false_a miracle_n and_o sophistry_n they_o cunning_o undermine_v the_o truth_n thus_o jannes_n and_o jambres_n do_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o slight_a and_o art_n which_o moses_n do_v in_o reality_n another_o man_n will_v have_v much_o ado_n to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o serpent_n of_o moses_n and_o those_o of_o the_o magician_n they_o be_v so_o like_a exod._n 7.11_o quest._n some_o may_v demand_v who_o this_o janne_n and_o jambres_n be_v and_o how_o the_o apostle_n come_v by_o their_o name_n answ._n they_o be_v two_o of_o the_o chief_a magician_n and_o egyptian_a sorcerer_n who_o by_o the_o appointment_n of_o pharaoh_n oppose_v moses_n and_o aaron_n in_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o wrought_v that_o they_o may_v obscure_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o delude_v the_o people_n they_o work_v miracle_n seem_o by_o sorcery_n and_o the_o help_n of_o the_o devil_n which_o moses_n do_v real_o by_o the_o power_n and_o finger_n of_o god_n 2._o as_o for_o their_o name_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n nor_o in_o the_o story_n to_o which_o the_o apostle_n allude_v exod._n 7.11_o neither_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o apostle_n come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o by_o extraordinary_a revelation_n as_o some_o imagine_v since_o the_o bare_a knowledge_n of_o the_o name_n of_o these_o magician_n be_v of_o so_o little_a consequence_n and_o not_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n 3._o they_o may_v be_v take_v out_o of_o some_o ancient_a record_n of_o the_o jew_n then_o extant_a as_o divers_a other_o thing_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v e._n g._n moses_n his_o education_n in_o egyptian_a learning_n and_o his_o age_n of_o 40._o year_n when_o he_o go_v to_o visit_v his_o brethren_n act_n 7.22_o these_o be_v not_o record_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o be_v find_v in_o midrash_n rabbi_n berischith_fw-mi 2.15_o so_o jude_n 14._o make_v mention_n of_o a_o prophesy_n of_o enoch_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o extant_a in_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o heb._n 11.21_o &_o 12.21_o so_o that_o here_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o those_o numberless_a number_n of_o old_a mouldy_a foolish_a superstitious_a popish_a unwritten_a tradition_n and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o matter_n of_o rite_n and_o history_n but_o of_o faith_n and_o manner_n also_o 150._o which_o tend_v to_o the_o perplex_v but_o not_o to_o the_o quiet_v of_o the_o soul._n 2._o they_o be_v man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n and_o judgement_n their_o understanding_n be_v so_o pervert_v and_o blind_v with_o corrupt_a and_o sinful_a affection_n that_o they_o can_v neither_o apprehend_v nor_o judge_v right_o of_o any_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o truth_n stupid_a their_o mind_n go_v a_o whore_v after_o lie_a vanity_n and_o then_o no_o wonder_n if_o they_o forsake_v their_o own_o mercy_n the_o understanding_n be_v the_o eye_n and_o guide_v of_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v the_o noble_a part_n of_o man_n if_o it_o be_v corrupt_v the_o man_n be_v undo_v psal._n 14.3_o 3._o see_v what_o follow_v concern_v the_o faith_n reprobate_a this_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o a_o corrupt_a mind_n they_o can_v receive_v nor_o perceive_v the_o truth_n aquinas_n they_o have_v lose_v all_o sound_a judgement_n in_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o faith_n they_o oppose_v the_o light_n which_o shine_v into_o their_o mind_n and_o with_o violence_n rush_n into_o sin_n as_o the_o horse_n into_o the_o battle_n this_o bring_v god_n sore_a judgement_n on_o they_o so_o that_o he_o reject_v and_o forsake_v they_o and_o give_v they_o up_o to_o a_o reprobate_a mind_n jer._n 6.30_o rom._n 1.28_o insomuch_o as_o they_o that_o will_v not_o receive_v the_o truth_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n in_o love_n but_o unthankful_o reject_v it_o knowledge_n now_o shall_v not_o receive_v it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v their_o sin_n that_o their_o understanding_n be_v corrupt_a and_o they_o will_v not_o see_v so_o now_o it_o shall_v be_v their_o punishment_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o approve_v of_o the_o faith_n and_o thus_o they_o reject_v it_o still_o active_o and_o be_v actual_o reprobate_a to_o every_o good_a work_n titus_n 1.16_o not_o know_v how_o to_o go_v about_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a such_o corrupt_a teacher_n we_o must_v shun_v and_o reject_v lest_o we_o be_v corrupt_v by_o they_o so_o much_o the_o word_n imply_v beza_n say_v beza_n yet_o must_v we_o not_o cast_v off_o rash_o all_o those_o as_o absolute_a
our_o portion_n but_o we_o must_v have_v earthly_a pleasure_n to_o piece_n out_o our_o happiness_n withal_o it_o be_v a_o infallible_a sign_n of_o such_o as_o love_v pleasure_n more_o than_o god_n 2._o be_v diligent_a in_o your_o calling_n than_o you_o will_v be_v out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o many_o tentation_n and_o be_v free_v from_o many_o noisome_a lust_n which_o pursue_v and_o pester_v idle_a person_n 3._o shun_v the_o company_n of_o such_o as_o be_v give_v to_o pleasure_n for_o as_o a_o man_n can_v hardly_o escape_v free_a from_o black_n and_o meal_n that_o be_v familiar_a with_o collier_n and_o milner_n so_o he_o can_v hardly_o escape_v the_o lust_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v familiar_a with_o voluptuous_a one_o there_o be_v a_o secret_a poison_n and_o infection_n in_o wicked_a society_n when_o man_n be_v mingle_v with_o they_o they_o learn_v their_o work_n psal._n 106.35_o many_o that_o have_v be_v good_a while_o they_o have_v be_v in_o good_a company_n as_o jehoash_n which_o be_v good_a all_o the_o time_n that_o good_a jehojada_n live_v cautio_fw-la 2_o king_n 12.2_o yet_o when_o they_o have_v change_v their_o company_n have_v change_v their_o manner_n also_o let_v the_o daily_a fall_n of_o other_o in_o this_o kind_n make_v you_o to_o fear_v verse_n 5._o have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n but_o deny_v the_o power_n thereof_o from_o such_o turn_n away_o this_o be_v the_o last_o but_o not_o the_o least_o sin_n of_o the_o last_o time_n that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o know_v and_o avoid_v the_o impostor_n of_o the_o last_o time_n the_o apostle_n come_v now_o to_o give_v we_o some_o special_a mark_n for_o the_o former_a 18._o be_v common_a to_o the_o seducer_n and_o the_o seduce_v by_o which_o they_o may_v be_v know_v as_o 1._o by_o their_o hypocrisy_n they_o will_v be_v gloze_a hypocrite_n who_o under_o pretence_n of_o piety_n will_v practise_v all_o manner_n of_o iniquity_n make_v religion_n a_o cloak_n and_o stale_a to_o cover_v all_o their_o villainy_n such_o be_v the_o gnostic_n of_o old_a to_o who_o some_o conceive_v the_o apostle_n have_v a_o eye_n who_o be_v fleshly_a libertine_n 26._o give_v up_o to_o sensuality_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n yet_o make_v a_o show_n of_o piety_n and_o pretend_v extraordinary_a holiness_n such_o be_v the_o papist_n now_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o sectary_n on_o the_o other_o both_o pretend_v singular_a piety_n when_o their_o life_n abound_v with_o all_o manner_n of_o iniquity_n these_o paint_a sepulcher_n in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v the_o great_a enemy_n to_o real_a saint_n as_o you_o may_v see_v cant._n 1.6_o isaiah_n 66.5_o matth._n 23.34_o john_n 16.1_o 2._o act_n 13.50_o in_o these_o word_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o 1._o what_o these_o man_n have_v viz._n a_o form_n of_o godliness_n 2._o what_o they_o want_v viz._n the_o power_n of_o it_o 3._o how_o we_o must_v behave_v ourselves_o towards_o they_o viz._n we_o must_v shun_v their_o society_n from_o such_o turn_n away_o 1._o for_o the_o first_o est_fw-la they_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o vain_a and_o empty_a show_n of_o faith_n and_o holiness_n they_o be_v not_o man_n without_o the_o pale_a of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o heathen_n and_o jew_n which_o be_v open_a enemy_n to_o the_o gospel_n but_o they_o have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n a_o external_a profession_n of_o religion_n in_o word_n ceremony_n and_o gesture_n they_o make_v great_a show_n and_o put_v on_o the_o vizard_n of_o piety_n like_o stage-player_n they_o act_v the_o part_n of_o a_o king_n but_o strip_v they_o of_o their_o robe_n and_o they_o be_v beggarly_a rogue_n they_o have_v none_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sed_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o the_o true_a form_n and_o essence_n of_o godliness_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o inward_a change_n and_o do_v denominate_v and_o give_v be_v to_o thing_n but_o they_o have_v formality_n or_o a_o outward_a show_v and_o shadow_v of_o holiness_n like_a picture_n and_o image_n 2._o which_o have_v a_o external_a show_v and_o shape_v of_o a_o man_n who_o lineament_n and_o proportion_n may_v be_v so_o draw_v to_o the_o life_n that_o there_o want_v nothing_o but_o life_n indeed_o to_o act_v they_o they_o will_v be_v great_a professor_n and_o look_v what_o a_o sincere_a christian_a have_v in_o substance_n that_o have_v these_o formalist_n in_o semblance_n they_o have_v no_o life_n no_o power_n no_o principle_n of_o operation_n in_o they_o 2._o they_o want_n the_o power_n i._n e._n the_o truth_n of_o godliness_n locum_fw-la which_o consist_v in_o true_a faith_n purify_n the_o heart_n act._n 15.9_o in_o love_n unfeigned_a to_o god_n &_o our_o neighbour_n 1_o tim._n 1.5_o &_o in_o the_o internal_a &_o spiritual_a obedience_n of_o the_o heart_n worship_v god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n john_n 4.24_o it_o be_v asleep_o profess_v of_o the_o truth_n in_o truth_n and_o walk_v in_o the_o power_n of_o it_o but_o alas_o where_o shall_v we_o find_v this_o the_o form_n indeed_o be_v frequent_a but_o where_o shall_v we_o find_v the_o power_n of_o grace_n the_o beauty_n of_o holiness_n and_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o new_a creature_n do_v not_o most_o resist_v that_o inward_a virtue_n &_o power_n of_o godliness_n by_o which_o the_o heart_n shall_v be_v renew_v &_o the_o conversation_n rectify_v so_o that_o formality_n formality_n formality_n be_v the_o great_a sin_n of_o england_n at_o this_o day_n under_o which_o the_o land_n groan_v true_o the_o form_n &_o profession_n of_o religion_n abound_v but_o alas_o for_o the_o vain_a carnal_a covetous_a proud_a censorious_a sensual_a walk_v of_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o the_o complaint_n be_v general_a there_o be_v not_o that_o mortification_n self-deniall_n and_o circumspect_a walk_v as_o former_o there_o be_v more_o light_n but_o less_o life_n more_o shadow_n but_o less_o substance_n more_o profession_n but_o less_o sanctification_n then_o former_o there_o be_v more_o fast_v pray_v preach_v but_o where_o be_v the_o practice_n and_o power_n of_o religion_n as_o isaac_n say_v to_o abraham_n behold_v the_o wood_n but_o where_o be_v the_o lamb_n so_o behold_v the_o duty_n but_o where_o oh_o where_o be_v the_o life_n the_o power_n the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v do_v the_o voice_n be_v jacob_n voice_n but_o the_o hand_n be_v the_o hand_n of_o esau_n for_o they_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o religion_n not_o only_o in_o their_o heart_n but_o also_o in_o their_o work_n titus_n 1.16_o 1_o tim._n 5.8_o they_o so_o live_v as_o if_o godliness_n be_v but_o a_o airy_a notion_n and_o a_o matter_n of_o fashion_n without_o all_o force_n or_o efficacy_n the_o form_n of_o godliness_n be_v easy_a aug._n and_o cheap_a service_n and_o so_o have_v many_o follower_n bodily_a exercise_n and_o a_o bare_a observation_n of_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n be_v delightful_a even_o to_o pharisee_n but_o the_o life_n and_o power_n of_o godliness_n be_v hard_a and_o harsh_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n matth._n 7.13_o luke_n 13.24_o 1_o pet._n 4.18_o it_o teach_v high_a and_o hard_a lesson_n such_o as_o self-deniall_n mortification_n resist_v sin_n and_o satan_n live_v by_o faith_n patience_n yea_o joyfulness_n in_o suffering_n etc._n etc._n these_o spiritual_a lesson_n be_v distasteful_a to_o carnal_a man_n and_o therefore_o few_o they_o be_v that_o go_v this_o way_n the_o text_n may_v be_v consider_v two_o way_n relative_o or_o absolute_o 1._o relative_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o 18._o sin_n before_o mention_v so_o this_o sin_n be_v the_o cloak_n to_o hide_v and_o cover_v they_o all_o man_n will_v be_v lover_n of_o themselves_o but_o under_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n hence_o observe_v that_o a_o man_n may_v have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n and_o yet_o live_v in_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n it_o be_v true_a the_o power_n of_o godliness_n can_v consist_v with_o the_o power_n of_o ungodliness_n but_o the_o more_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n be_v lift_v up_o in_o the_o soul_n the_o more_o the_o power_n of_o ungodliness_n will_v be_v suppress_v as_o the_o house_n of_o david_n grow_v strong_a and_o strong_a so_o the_o house_n of_o saul_n grow_v weak_a and_o weak_a but_o yet_o the_o form_n of_o godliness_n may_v stand_v with_o the_o power_n of_o ungodliness_n a_o man_n may_v be_v a_o glorious_a professor_n in_o the_o high_a form_n and_o yet_o a_o puny_a in_o the_o form_n of_o grace_n he_o may_v be_v a_o blaze_a comet_n for_o profession_n and_o yet_o be_v a_o devil_n incarnate_a in_o life_n and_o conversation_n the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n be_v glorious_a professor_n and_o yet_o but_o paint_a sepulcher_n fill_v with_o pride_n and_o oppression_n even_o when_o they_o be_v murder_v christ_n they_o have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n john_n 18.28_o they_o
haggard_n such_o coppingar_n and_o collier_n as_o be_v famous_a for_o nothing_o but_o ignorance_n and_o impudence_n but_o malice_n and_o wickedness_n be_v a_o great_a burden_n but_o it_o may_v comfort_v we_o that_o christ_n himself_o be_v thus_o exercise_v before_o we_o he_o endure_v the_o 71._o contradiction_n of_o sinner_n heb._n 12.3_o if_o we_o be_v contradict_v by_o wise_a man_n we_o can_v the_o better_o bear_v it_o but_o to_o be_v contradict_v by_o foolish_a rebellious_a sinner_n go_v hard_a yet_o such_o be_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o vulgar_a that_o one_o such_o a_o ignorant_a and_o brazen_a face_a sot_n especial_o if_o he_o have_v liberty_n and_o a_o little_a success_n be_v cry_v up_o by_o they_o as_o the_o only_a man_n and_o one_o such_o a_o demetrius_n though_o but_o a_o smith_n plead_v for_o gain_n shall_v be_v hear_v before_o a_o paul_n plead_v for_o christ_n and_o heaven_n calvin_n act_v 19.24_o 25._o have_v show_v i_o much_o evil_n 4._o observation_n 4._o wicked_a man_n that_o oppose_v god_n truth_n and_o people_n do_v but_o labour_v in_o vain_a they_o do_v but_o locum_fw-la show_v what_o they_o will_v do_v they_o can_v bring_v their_o wicked_a desire_n into_o act_n according_a to_o their_o intent_n their_o intent_n be_v to_o root_v up_o the_o name_n of_o israel_n and_o to_o destroy_v the_o gospel_n and_o by_o oppose_v they_o they_o increase_v the_o one_o and_o spread_v the_o other_o act_v 8.1_o tertul._n wicked_a man_n serve_v god_n will_n though_o against_o their_o own_o will_n their_o design_n accidental_o though_o not_o intentional_o fulfil_v god_n will_n josephs_n brethren_n little_a thought_n to_o have_v advance_v he_o by_o sell_v he_o yet_o god_n have_v so_o decree_v it_o &_o their_o sell_v he_o further_v it_o pharaoh_n daughter_n think_v little_a to_o nurse_n up_o one_o that_o shall_v be_v so_o signal_n a_o opposite_a to_o her_o father_n thus_o god_n catch_v the_o wise_a in_o their_o own_o craft_n he_o make_v their_o 1668._o plot_n to_o become_v their_o plague_n and_o their_o own_o do_n to_o become_v their_o undo_n he_o snare_v they_o in_o the_o work_n of_o their_o own_o hand_n job_n 5.12_o 13._o psal._n 9.16_o the_o lord_n reward_v he_o according_a to_o his_o work_n 5._o observation_n 5._o imprecation_n against_o the_o malicious_a and_o incurable_a enemy_n of_o the_o church_n be_v lawful_a david_n a_o man_n of_o prophetical_a spirit_n frequent_o use_v they_o against_o such_o man_n psal._n 69.22_o to_o 29._o and_o 10.9_o 6._o to_o 22._o so_o do_v moses_n and_o other_o deut._n 27._o judg._n 5.23_o jer._n 17.18_o lam._n 3.64_o 65_o 66._o so_o do_v paul_n 1_o cor._n 16.22_o gal._n 5.12_o these_o man_n have_v a_o prophetical_a spirit_n and_o see_v into_o the_o final_a estate_n of_o those_o who_o they_o curse_a and_o so_o may_v better_o do_v it_o then_o we_o who_o want_v that_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n object_n christ_n command_v we_o to_o bless_v our_o enemy_n and_o not_o to_o curse_v they_o matth._n 5.44_o and_o so_o do_v paul_n rom._n 12.14_o answ._n we_o must_v distinguish_v of_o enemy_n 1._o some_o be_v private_a enemy_n and_o only_o wrong_v we_o 2._o other_o be_v public_a enemy_n and_o such_o as_o oppose_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n of_o these_o also_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n 1._o some_o be_v curable_a and_o they_o be_v such_o as_o persecute_v the_o truth_n and_o people_n of_o god_n out_o of_o ignorance_n and_o blind_a superstition_n for_o such_o we_o must_v pray_v so_o do_v christ_n luke_n 23.34_o and_o steven_n act_v 7.60_o many_o have_v be_v convert_v by_o such_o prayer_n as_o those_o jew_n act_n 2._o and_o paul_n by_o stevens_n prayer_n 2._o there_o be_v malicious_a and_o incurable_a enemy_n who_o witting_o and_o wilful_o oppose_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n out_o of_o malice_n so_o do_v alexander_n here_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n curse_v he_o and_o such_o we_o may_v pray_v against_o yet_o lest_o any_o shall_v offend_v in_o imitate_v the_o saint_n in_o their_o imprecation_n these_o rule_n must_v be_v observe_v 1._o imprecation_n against_o particular_a person_n must_v be_v rare_o use_v we_o must_v not_o with_o the_o salvian_n man_n of_o the_o world_n fly_v present_o to_o curse_n 1._o because_o we_o now_o want_v that_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n to_o discern_v who_o be_v incurable_a enemy_n which_o the_o saint_n than_o have_v 2._o it_o be_v very_o hard_a to_o keep_v a_o right_a measure_n in_o these_o imprecation_n and_o not_o to_o mingle_v our_o own_o private_a affection_n with_o they_o 3._o it_o be_v safe_a to_o pray_v indefinite_o against_o the_o enemy_n of_o truth_n in_o general_a as_o against_o antichrist_n the_o turk_n and_o those_o profess_a enemy_n of_o god_n truth_n and_o people_n 4._o it_o be_v safe_a pray_v against_o the_o plot_n of_o wicked_a man_n then_o against_o their_o person_n so_o do_v david_n 2_o sam._n 15.31_o he_o pray_v against_o the_o plot_n and_o counsel_n of_o achitophel_n so_o peter_n and_o john_n pray_v against_o the_o threaten_n of_o wicked_a man_n act_n 4.29_o now_o lord_n behold_v their_o threaten_n 5._o pray_v not_o absolute_o but_o conditional_o 1._o that_o if_o they_o belong_v to_o god_n election_n he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o call_v they_o 2._o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v but_o they_o persevere_v in_o their_o persecute_v the_o people_n of_o god_n then_o beseech_v he_o to_o sin_n correct_v they_o and_o to_o lay_v some_o temporal_a chastisement_n on_o they_o for_o their_o amendment_n so_o david_n psal._n 83.17_o fill_v their_o face_n with_o shame_n that_o they_o may_v seek_v thy_o name_n 3._o if_o it_o appear_v to_o we_o that_o they_o be_v incorrigible_a and_o incurable_a enemy_n to_o god_n and_o his_o truth_n â—5_n than_o we_o may_v desire_v as_o paul_n do_v here_o that_o god_n will_v glorify_v his_o justice_n in_o their_o destruction_n it_o be_v not_o for_o we_o by_o open_a force_n and_o violence_n to_o resist_v they_o prayer_n and_o tear_n be_v our_o best_a weapon_n and_o therefore_o paul_n go_v to_o god_n by_o prayer_n for_o aid_n tertul._n the_o lord_n render_v to_o he_o according_a to_o his_o work_n this_o be_v the_o best_a revenge_n when_o we_o call_v on_o god_n and_o bring_v he_o in_o to_o our_o help_n commit_v our_o cause_n to_o he_o who_o judge_v righteous_o 6._o observation_n 9_o god_n observe_v all_o the_o way_n of_o wicked_a man_n and_o first_o or_o last_o he_o will_v reward_v they_o according_a to_o their_o work_n so_o much_o be_v employ_v in_o this_o apostolical_a imprecation_n he_o eye_v all_o the_o way_n of_o man_n and_o they_o shall_v have_v according_a to_o their_o do_v psal._n 28.4_o 5._o jer._n 32.19_o 2_o cor._n 11.25_o rev._n 18.6_o be_v not_o then_o offend_v at_o the_o prosperity_n of_o wicked_a man_n for_o though_o a_o sinner_n do_v evil_a a_o hundred_o time_n and_o his_o day_n be_v prolong_v yet_o in_o the_o end_n it_o shall_v not_o be_v well_o with_o he_o eccles._n 8.12_o 13._o verse_n 15._o of_o who_o be_v thou_o wear_v 1._o observe_v we_o must_v shun_v the_o society_n of_o incurable_a sinner_n while_o man_n be_v hopeful_a and_o curable_a we_o must_v try_v all_o mean_n to_o win_v they_o but_o when_o we_o perceive_v that_o man_n be_v obstinate_a and_o incurable_a we_o must_v leave_v they_o lest_o we_o be_v infect_v by_o they_o rom._n 16.17_o tit._n 3.10_o 2_o john_n 10._o but_o of_o this_o at_o large_a on_o 2_o tim._n 3.5_o for_o he_o have_v great_o withstand_v our_o word_n 2._o observation_n 2._o oppose_v of_o the_o truth_n be_v very_o grievous_a to_o a_o gration_n soul_n paul_n do_v not_o complain_v of_o any_o personal_a trouble_n though_o he_o be_v now_o in_o prison_n but_o that_o which_o afflict_v he_o be_v that_o alexander_n shall_v thus_o malicious_o resist_v the_o truth_n and_o hinder_v the_o gospel_n god_n have_v but_o two_o thing_n which_o be_v dear_a to_o he_o in_o this_o world_n viz._n his_o truth_n and_o his_o people_n and_o these_o shall_v be_v dear_a to_o we_o our_o zeal_n for_o they_o shall_v consume_v we_o as_o it_o do_v christ_n john_n 2.17_o god_n people_n be_v baptize_v with_o fire_n as_o well_o as_o with_o water_n and_o must_v be_v hot_a and_o not_o lukewarm_a or_o indifferent_a in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n 3._o observation_n 3._o wicked_a man_n do_v not_o so_o much_o oppose_v our_o person_n as_o our_o preach_v they_o hate_v we_o not_o as_o man_n but_o as_o minister_n because_o we_o publish_v the_o truth_n that_o condemn_v their_o wicked_a practice_n the_o truth_n have_v many_o opposer_n 1._o sometime_o learned_a man_n oppose_v it_o by_o their_o wit_n dispute_v and_o write_v against_o it_o 2._o tyrant_n labour_n to_o suppress_v it_o by_o cruelty_n and_o great_a man_n by_o their_o authority_n never_o be_v power_n yet_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n but_o for_o the_o most_o