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those_o for_o god_n who_o do_v such_o thing_n which_o good_a man_n will_v abhor_v to_o think_v of_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n then_o when_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v and_o not_o only_o of_o the_o more_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a nation_n but_o of_o the_o most_o civilise_v and_o know_a people_n as_o the_o roman_n themselves_o as_o our_o apostle_n at_o large_a prove_v in_o the_o remainder_n of_o this_o chapter_n wherein_o he_o show_v that_o though_o they_o have_v mean_n enough_o of_o know_v the_o eternal_a god_n and_o providence_n yet_o they_o be_v so_o fall_v into_o idolatry_n and_o the_o most_o vicious_a practice_n that_o there_o be_v no_o mean_n of_o recover_v they_o but_o by_o a_o full_a discovery_n both_o of_o the_o justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n i_o know_v it_o will_v be_v here_o object_v that_o though_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n be_v bad_a then_o as_o when_o be_v they_o otherwise_o yet_o the_o heathen_n have_v a_o kind_n of_o apostle_n 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no_o sufficient_a reason_n give_v for_o man_n to_o part_n with_o the_o conveniency_n of_o this_o present_a life_n nay_o it_o suppose_v the_o best_a man_n to_o be_v the_o most_o miserable_a of_o all_o other_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o future_a reward_n 1_o cor._n 15.19_o 32._o again_o what_o probability_n be_v there_o they_o shall_v ever_o persuade_v the_o world_n to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n when_o the_o severe_a of_o the_o philosopher_n make_v it_o lie_v in_o thing_n so_o repugnant_a to_o humane_a nature_n as_o goodness_n be_v agreeable_a to_o it_o as_o when_o they_o make_v it_o a_o equal_a fault_n for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v angry_a and_o to_o murder_v his_o sovereign_n and_o that_o all_o passion_n be_v to_o be_v destroy_v that_o pain_n and_o grief_n be_v nothing_o that_o virtue_n in_o all_o condition_n be_v a_o sufficient_a reward_n to_o itself_o which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n that_o the_o only_a way_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o believe_v 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divine_a assistance_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o those_o who_o embrace_v it_o 1._o in_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o the_o world_n be_v grow_v so_o uncertain_a as_o to_o the_o grand_a foundation_n of_o religion_n that_o the_o same_o power_n be_v requisite_a now_o to_o settle_v the_o world_n which_o be_v at_o first_o for_o the_o frame_n of_o it_o for_o though_o the_o precept_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v pure_a and_o easy_a holy_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o mankind_n though_o the_o promise_n be_v great_a and_o excellent_a proportionable_a to_o our_o want_n and_o the_o weight_n of_o our_o business_n though_o the_o reward_n be_v such_o that_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o desire_v than_o comprehend_v it_o yet_o all_o these_o will_v but_o seem_v to_o baffle_v the_o more_o the_o expectation_n of_o man_n unless_o they_o be_v build_v on_o some_o extraordinary_a evidence_n of_o divine_a power_n and_o such_o we_o assert_v there_o be_v in_o the_o confirmation_n 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the_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o this_o be_v the_o main_a part_n of_o their_o commission_n for_o they_o be_v send_v abroad_o to_o be_v witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n which_o be_v not_o design_v by_o god_n as_o a_o thing_n strange_a and_o incredible_a to_o puzzle_v mankind_n with_o but_o to_o give_v the_o high_a assurance_n imaginable_a to_o the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o importance_n of_o christianity_n since_o god_n be_v please_v to_o employ_v his_o power_n in_o so_o high_a a_o manner_n to_o confirm_v the_o certainty_n of_o it_o 2._o god_n power_n be_v see_v in_o the_o admirable_a effect_n of_o christian_a religion_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n which_o be_v most_o discernible_a by_o the_o strange_a alteration_n it_o soon_o make_v in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n in_o judoea_n soon_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n some_o of_o his_o crucifier_n become_v christian_n 3000_o convert_v make_v at_o one_o sermon_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o great_a accession_n make_v afterward_o both_o in_o jerusalem_n and_o other_o place_n yea_o in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n where_o the_o christian_n come_v they_o so_o increase_v and_o multiply_v that_o thereby_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n have_v give_v a_o benediction_n to_o his_o new_a creation_n suitable_a to_o what_o he_o give_v to_o the_o first_o so_o that_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o not_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n death_n the_o world_n may_v admire_v to_o see_v itself_o so_o strange_o change_v from_o what_o it_o be_v the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n destroy_v and_o the_o jew_n under_o a_o sad_a dispersion_n than_o ever_o and_o render_v uncapable_a of_o continue_v their_o former_a worship_n of_o god_n there_o the_o heathen_a temple_n unfrequented_a the_o god_n deride_v the_o oracle_n cease_v the_o philosopher_n puzzle_v the_o magistrate_n dishearten_v by_o their_o fruitless_a cruelty_n and_o all_o this_o do_v by_o a_o few_o 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these_o thing_n at_o that_o time_n when_o he_o tell_v the_o sanhedrin_n if_o this_o counsel_n or_o this_o work_n be_v of_o man_n it_o will_v come_v to_o nought_o but_o if_o it_o be_v of_o god_n you_o can_v overthrow_v it_o lest_o haply_o you_o be_v find_v to_o fight_v against_o god_n act._n 5.38_o 39_o 3._o in_o the_o divine_a assistance_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o those_o who_o embrace_v it_o in_o which_o respect_n it_o be_v proper_o the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n and_o therein_o far_o beyond_o what_o the_o philosopher_n can_v promise_v to_o any_o who_o embrace_v their_o opinion_n for_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o only_o discover_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o principle_n superior_a to_o nature_n which_o we_o call_v grace_n in_o order_n to_o the_o fit_v our_o soul_n for_o their_o future_a happiness_n but_o likewise_o show_v on_o what_o term_n god_n be_v please_v to_o bestow_v it_o on_o man_n viz._n on_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o death_n and_o passion_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n not_o by_o work_n of_o righteousness_n which_o we_o have_v do_v but_o according_a to_o his_o mercy_n he_o save_v we_o by_o the_o wash_n of_o regeneration_n and_o renew_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o he_o shed_v on_o we_o abundant_o through_o christ_n our_o saviour_n titus_n 3.5_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o humane_a nature_n which_o can_v oblige_v god_n to_o give_v to_o mankind_n that_o assistance_n of_o his_o grace_n whereby_o they_o be_v enable_v to_o work_v out_o this_o salvation_n the_o gospel_n be_v design_v for_o with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n import_v a_o divine_a power_n which_o do_v accompany_v the_o preach_n of_o it_o which_o be_v design_v on_o purpose_n to_o heal_v the_o wound_n and_o help_v the_o weakness_n of_o our_o deprave_a and_o degenerate_a nature_n through_o which_o we_o
this_o be_v so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n to_o preach_v of_o this_o judgement_n to_o come_v and_o 17.31_o that_o god_n have_v appoint_v a_o day_n in_o the_o which_o he_o will_v judge_v the_o world_n in_o righteousness_n by_o that_o man_n who_o he_o have_v ordain_v whereof_o he_o have_v give_v assurance_n to_o all_o man_n in_o that_o he_o have_v raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a no_o wonder_v the_o apostle_n speak_v here_o with_o so_o great_a assurance_n of_o it_o know_v therefore_o etc._n etc._n and_o no_o person_n can_v have_v the_o least_o ground_n to_o question_v it_o but_o such_o who_o whole_o reject_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o infidelity_n which_o be_v so_o vain_a and_o trifle_a that_o be_v not_o their_o lust_n strong_a than_o their_o argument_n man_n of_o wit_n will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o produce_v they_o and_o do_v not_o man_n â—_z oversway_v their_o judgement_n it_o will_v be_v too_o much_o honour_n to_o they_o to_o confute_v they_o but_o every_o sermon_n be_v not_o intend_v for_o the_o conversion_n of_o turk_n and_o infidel_n my_o design_n be_v to_o speak_v to_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n and_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o doctrine_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v particular_o send_v by_o god_n to_o reveal_v it_o to_o the_o world_n and_o so_o i_o come_v to_o the_o last_o particular_a by_o way_n of_o application_n of_o the_o former_a viz._n 3._o the_o efficacy_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o the_o persuade_a man_n to_o a_o reformation_n of_o heart_n and_o life_n know_v the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n we_o persuade_v man_n for_o as_o another_o apostle_n reason_n from_o the_o same_o argument_n 3.11_o see_v all_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v dissolve_v what_o manner_n of_o person_n ought_v we_o to_o be_v in_o all_o holy_a conversation_n and_o godliness_n there_o be_v great_a variety_n of_o argument_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o holiness_n but_o none_o more_o sensible_a and_o move_a to_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n than_o this_o especial_o consider_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o if_o this_o argument_n do_v not_o persuade_v man_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o expect_v any_o other_o shall_v 2._o that_o the_o condition_n of_o such_o person_n be_v desperate_a who_o can_v by_o any_o argument_n be_v persuade_v to_o leave_v off_o their_o sin_n 1._o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o expect_v any_o other_o argument_n shall_v persuade_v man_n if_o this_o of_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n do_v it_o not_o if_o a_o almighty_a power_n can_v awaken_v we_o if_o infinite_a justice_n can_v affright_v we_o if_o a_o judgement_n to_o come_v can_v make_v we_o tremble_v and_o eternal_a misery_n leave_v no_o impression_n upon_o we_o what_o other_o argument_n or_o method_n can_v we_o imagine_v will_v reclaim_v we_o from_o our_o sin_n we_o have_v be_v too_o sad_a a_o instance_n ourselves_o of_o the_o ineffectualness_n of_o other_o mean_n of_o amendment_n by_o the_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n of_o this_o present_a life_n have_v ever_o any_o people_n have_v a_o great_a mixture_n of_o both_o these_o than_o we_o have_v have_v in_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o few_o year_n if_o the_o wise_a person_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v to_o have_v set_v down_o beforehand_o the_o method_n of_o reform_v a_o sinful_a nation_n they_o câ—uld_v have_v pitch_v upon_o none_o more_o effectual_a than_o what_o we_o have_v show_v not_o to_o be_v so_o firâ—â—_n they_o will_v have_v imagine_v that_o after_o endure_v many_o misery_n and_o hardship_n when_o they_o be_v almost_o quite_o sink_v under_o despair_n if_o god_n â—hould_v give_v they_o a_o sudden_a and_o unexpected_a deliverance_n mere_a ingenuity_n and_o thankfulness_n will_v make_v they_o afraid_a to_o displease_v a_o god_n of_o so_o much_o kindness_n but_o if_o so_o great_a a_o flash_n of_o joy_n and_o prosperity_n instead_o of_o that_o shall_v make_v they_o grow_v wanton_a and_o extravagant_a what_o course_n then_o so_o likely_a to_o reclaim_v they_o as_o a_o series_n of_o smart_n and_o severe_a judgement_n one_o upon_o another_o which_o may_v sufficient_o warn_v yet_o not_o total_o destroy_v these_o we_o have_v have_v experience_n of_o and_o of_o worse_a than_o all_o these_o viz._n that_o we_o be_v not_o amend_v by_o they_o for_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n less_o break_v or_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n less_o contemn_v and_o despise_v after_o all_o these_o what_o vice_n have_v be_v forsake_v what_o lust_n have_v man_n be_v reclaim_v from_o nay_o what_o one_o sort_n of_o sin_n have_v be_v less_o in_o fashion_n than_o before_o nay_o have_v not_o their_o number_n as_o well_o as_o their_o aggravation_n increase_v among_o we_o be_v our_o zeal_n for_o our_o establish_a religion_n great_a be_v our_o faith_n more_o firm_a and_o settle_a our_o devotion_n more_o constant_a our_o church_n less_o in_o danger_n of_o either_o of_o the_o opposite_a faction_n than_o ever_o it_o be_v nay_o be_v it_o not_o rather_o like_o a_o neck_n of_o land_n between_o two_o rough_a and_o boisterous_a sea_n which_o rise_v and_o swell_v and_o by_o the_o breach_n they_o make_v in_o upon_o we_o threaten_v a_o inundation_n by_o all_o which_o we_o see_v what_o necessity_n there_o be_v that_o god_n shall_v govern_v this_o world_n by_o the_o consideration_n of_o another_o that_o when_o neither_o judgement_n nor_o mercy_n can_v make_v man_n better_a in_o this_o life_n judgement_n without_o mercy_n shall_v be_v their_o portion_n in_o another_o o_o the_o infatuate_a power_n of_o â—in_a when_o neither_o the_o pity_n of_o a_o indulgent_a father_n nor_o the_o frown_n of_o a_o severe_a judge_n can_v draw_v we_o from_o it_o when_o neither_o the_o bitter_a passion_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o our_o sin_n nor_o his_o threaten_a to_o come_v again_o to_o take_v vengeance_n upon_o we_o for_o they_o can_v make_v we_o hate_v and_o abhor_v they_o when_o neither_o the_o shame_n nor_o contempt_n the_o disease_n and_o reproach_n which_o follow_v sin_n in_o this_o world_n nor_o the_o intolerable_a anguish_n and_o misery_n of_o another_o can_v make_v man_n sensible_a of_o the_o folly_n of_o they_o so_o as_o to_o forsake_v they_o can_v we_o but_o represent_v to_o our_o mind_n that_o state_n wherein_o we_o must_v all_o short_o be_v when_o the_o bustle_n and_o hurry_v the_o pleasure_n and_o diversion_n the_o courtship_n and_o entertainment_n of_o this_o world_n shall_v be_v quite_o at_o a_o end_n with_o we_o and_o every_o one_o must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o himself_o to_o god_n what_o another_o opinion_n of_o these_o thing_n shall_v we_o have_v in_o our_o mind_n with_o what_o abhorrency_n shall_v we_o look_v upon_o every_o temptation_n to_o sin_n how_o shall_v we_o loathe_v the_o sight_n of_o those_o who_o either_o betray_v we_o into_o sin_n or_o flatter_v we_o when_o we_o have_v commit_v it_o can_v man_n but_o ask_v themselves_o that_o reasonable_a question_n why_o they_o will_v defy_v god_n by_o violate_v his_o know_a law_n unless_o they_o be_v sure_a he_o either_o can_v or_o will_v not_o punish_v they_o for_o it_o they_o will_v be_v more_o afraid_a of_o do_v it_o than_o they_o be_v for_o suppose_v both_o to_o do_v it_o be_v perfect_a madness_n to_o question_v his_o power_n who_o be_v almighty_a or_o his_o will_n who_o have_v declare_v it_o and_o be_v immutable_a be_v the_o height_n of_o folly_n 2._o the_o condition_n of_o such_o be_v desperate_a who_o no_o argument_n can_v persuade_v to_o leave_v their_o sin_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o break_v prison_n in_o that_o other_o state_n no_o escape_v trial_n no_o corrupt_v the_o judge_n no_o reverse_v the_o sentence_n no_o pardon_n after_o judgement_n no_o reprieve_n from_o punishment_n no_o abatement_n or_o end_n of_o misery_n how_o can_v thou_o then_o hope_v o_o impenitent_a sinner_n either_o to_o fly_v from_o or_o to_o endure_v that_o wrath_n of_o god_n that_o be_v come_v swift_o upon_o thou_o to_o arrest_v thou_o by_o death_n and_o convey_v thou_o to_o thy_o torment_a prison_n can_v thou_o hope_v that_o god_n will_v discharge_v thou_o before_o that_o dreadful_a day_n come_v when_o he_o have_v confine_v thou_o thither_o in_o order_n to_o it_o can_v thou_o hope_v that_o day_n will_v never_o come_v which_o the_o vindication_n of_o god_n justice_n the_o honour_n of_o christ_n the_o happiness_n of_o the_o bless_a as_o well_o as_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o wicked_a make_v so_o necessary_a that_o it_o shall_v come_v or_o can_v thou_o hope_v to_o defend_v thyself_o against_o a_o all-seeing_a eye_n a_o most_o righteous_a judge_n and_o a_o accuse_a conscience_n when_o that_o day_n do_v come_v when_o all_o the_o mercy_n thou_o have_v abuse_v the_o judgement_n thou_o have_v slight_v
the_o motion_n of_o grace_n thou_o have_v resist_v the_o check_n of_o conscience_n thou_o have_v stifle_v and_o the_o sin_n of_o all_o kind_n thou_o have_v commit_v shall_v rise_v up_o in_o judgement_n to_o condemn_v thou_o o_o that_o we_o have_v all_o the_o wisdom_n to_o consider_v of_o these_o thing_n in_o time_n that_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n may_v persuade_v we_o to_o break_v off_o all_o our_o sin_n by_o a_o sincere_a repentance_n and_o to_o lâ—ve_v so_o that_o we_o may_v die_v with_o comfort_n and_o be_v for_o ever_o with_o the_o lord_n in_o his_o eternal_a joy_n sermon_n xii_o preach_v at_o whitehall_n february_n 18_o the_o 1672._o matthew_n xvi_o 26._o for_o what_o be_v a_o man_n profit_v if_o he_o shall_v gain_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o â—wn_a soul_n or_o what_o shall_v he_o give_v in_o exchange_n for_o his_o soul_n if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o twenty_o four_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n we_o shall_v find_v our_o saviour_n there_o lay_v down_o such_o hard_a condition_n of_o man_n be_v his_o disciple_n as_o be_v to_o all_o appearance_n more_o likely_a to_o have_v drive_v away_o those_o which_o he_o have_v already_o than_o to_o have_v draw_v any_o other_o after_o he_o for_o he_o require_v no_o less_o than_o the_o great_a readiness_n to_o suffer_v for_o his_o sake_n and_o that_o to_o no_o mean_a a_o degree_n than_o the_o loss_n of_o what_o be_v most_o precious_a to_o man_n in_o this_o world_n in_o their_o life_n which_o be_v employ_v in_o those_o word_n if_o any_o man_n will_v come_v after_o i_o let_v he_o deny_v himself_o and_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v i_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v only_o design_v to_o have_v make_v himself_o great_a by_o the_o number_n of_o his_o follower_n if_o he_o have_v intend_v a_o kingdom_n in_o this_o world_n as_o the_o jew_n imagine_v he_o will_v have_v make_v more_o easy_a condition_n of_o be_v his_o disciple_n he_o will_v have_v choose_v another_o way_n to_o have_v attain_v his_o end_n and_o make_v use_v of_o more_o please_a and_o popular_a argument_n to_o have_v persuade_v the_o people_n to_o follow_v he_o when_o the_o eastern_a impostor_n afterward_o begin_v to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o new_a religion_n he_o take_v a_o method_n as_o contrary_a to_o our_o saviour_n as_o his_o religion_n and_o design_n be_v he_o know_v the_o greatness_n and_o honour_n the_o pleasure_n and_o the_o pomp_n of_o this_o world_n be_v the_o thâ—ngs_v most_o passionate_o love_v and_o admire_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o he_o fit_v his_o religion_n to_o the_o natural_a inclination_n of_o man_n and_o propose_v such_o mean_n of_o advance_v it_o as_o be_v most_o like_a to_o make_v man_n great_a by_o undertake_v they_o and_o man_n be_v never_o so_o willing_a to_o be_v cheat_v by_o any_o religion_n as_o that_o which_o comply_v with_o their_o present_a interest_n and_o gratify_v their_o sensual_a inclination_n in_o this_o case_n there_o need_v not_o many_o argument_n to_o court_v person_n to_o embrace_v that_o which_o they_o be_v so_o strong_o incline_v to_o before_o and_o the_o very_a name_n of_o religion_n do_v they_o great_a service_n when_o it_o allow_v what_o they_o most_o desire_v and_o make_v they_o sin_n with_o a_o quiet_a conscience_n but_o that_o be_v the_o peculiar_a honour_n of_o christianity_n that_o as_o it_o can_v never_o be_v suspect_v to_o be_v a_o design_n for_o this_o world_n so_o it_o have_v rise_v and_o spread_v itself_o by_o way_n direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o splendour_n and_o greatness_n of_o it_o for_o it_o overcome_v by_o suffering_n increase_v by_o persecution_n and_o prevail_v in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o patience_n and_o self-denial_n of_o its_o follower_n he_o that_o be_v the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o be_v the_o great_a example_n of_o suffer_v himself_o and_o he_o bid_v his_o disciple_n not_o to_o think_v much_o of_o follow_v their_o lord_n and_o saviour_n though_o it_o be_v to_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o his_o sake_n we_o may_v easy_o imagine_v how_o much_o startle_v and_o surprise_v his_o disciple_n be_v at_o such_o discourse_n as_o these_o who_o be_v possess_v with_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o temporal_a kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n come_v to_o he_o with_o great_a expectation_n of_o honour_n and_o advancement_n by_o he_o and_o no_o less_o will_v content_v some_o of_o they_o than_o be_v his_o high_a favourite_n and_o minister_n of_o state_n sit_v at_o his_o right_a hand_n and_o at_o his_o left_a hand_n in_o his_o kingdom_n they_o have_v already_o in_o their_o imaginaon_n share_v the_o preferment_n and_o dignity_n of_o his_o kingdom_n among_o themselves_o and_o be_v often_o contend_v about_o pre-eminence_n who_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a among_o they_o insomuch_o that_o when_o christ_n now_o the_o time_n of_o his_o suffering_n approach_v begin_v more_o plain_o to_o discourse_v to_o they_o of_o his_o own_o suffering_n at_o jerusalem_n v_o 21._o st._n peter_n either_o out_o of_o his_o natural_a forwardness_n and_o heat_n or_o be_v elevate_v by_o the_o good_a opinion_n which_o our_o lord_n have_v express_v of_o he_o before_o v_o 17._o take_v upon_o he_o very_o solemn_o to_o rebuke_v he_o for_o ever_o think_v to_o submit_v himself_o to_o so_o mean_v a_o condition_n be_v it_o far_o from_o thou_o lord_n this_o shall_v not_o be_v unto_o thou_o v_o 22._o upon_o which_o jesus_n not_o only_o reprove_v peter_n with_o great_a smartness_n and_o severity_n as_o savour_v more_o of_o the_o pomp_n and_o ease_n of_o the_o world_n than_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o his_o kingdom_n v._n 23._o but_o take_v this_o occasion_n to_o tell_v his_o disciple_n that_o they_o must_v no_o long_o dream_v of_o the_o glory_n and_o splendour_n of_o this_o world_n nor_o entertain_v themselves_o with_o vain_a fancy_n of_o the_o pleasure_n and_o contentment_n of_o this_o life_n but_o if_o they_o will_v show_v themselves_o to_o be_v true_o his_o disciple_n they_o must_v prepare_v for_o persecution_n and_o martyrdom_n they_o must_v value_v their_o religion_n above_o their_o life_n for_o the_o time_n be_v now_o come_v on_o they_o must_v part_v with_o one_o or_o the_o other_o and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o prepare_v beforehand_o by_o self-denial_n and_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n they_o will_v run_v great_a hazard_n of_o lose_v their_o soul_n for_o the_o love_n of_o this_o world_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n show_v 1._o the_o great_a advantage_n that_o will_v accrue_v to_o they_o if_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o suffer_v for_o his_o sake_n whosoever_o will_v lose_v his_o life_n for_o my_o sake_n shall_v find_v it_o v_o 25._o i._n e._n instead_o of_o this_o short_a and_o uncertain_a life_n which_o will_v spend_v itself_o in_o a_o little_a time_n he_o shall_v have_v one_o infinite_o more_o valuable_a and_o therefore_o no_o exchange_n can_v be_v better_o make_v than_o that_o of_o lay_v down_o such_o a_o life_n as_o this_o for_o one_o of_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o glory_n for_o so_o our_o saviour_n elsewhere_o explain_v it_o he_o that_o hate_v his_o life_n in_o this_o world_n shall_v keep_v it_o unto_o life_n eternal_a st._n joh._n 12.25_o 2._o the_o great_a folly_n of_o lose_v this_o eternal_a state_n of_o happiness_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o this_o present_a life_n or_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n which_o he_o first_o lay_v down_o a_o certain_a truth_n v_o 25._o for_o whosoever_o shall_v save_v his_o life_n shall_v lose_v it_o and_o then_o discover_v the_o folly_n of_o it_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n by_o compare_v such_o a_o man_n gain_n and_o his_o loss_n together_o suppose_v he_o shall_v obtain_v the_o utmost_a that_o can_v be_v hope_v for_o in_o this_o world_n for_o what_o be_v a_o man_n profit_v if_o he_o shall_v gain_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o own_o soul_n or_o what_o shall_v a_o man_n give_v in_o exchange_n for_o his_o soul_n wherein_o we_o may_v consider_v these_o three_o particular_n 1._o the_o possibility_n suppose_v of_o lose_v the_o soul_n though_o a_o man_n shall_v gain_v the_o whole_a world_n 2._o the_o hazard_n imply_v of_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o soul_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o gain_n of_o the_o world_n 3._o the_o folly_n express_v of_o lose_v the_o soul_n though_o it_o be_v for_o the_o gain_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n 1._o the_o possibility_n suppose_v of_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o another_o world_n for_o the_o force_n of_o our_o saviour_n argument_n depend_v whole_o on_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v in_o another_o state_n and_o its_o capacity_n of_o happiness_n or_o misery_n therein_o for_o set_v that_o aside_o there_o can_v be_v no_o