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to_o have_v any_o doubt_n though_o never_o so_o reasonable_a of_o any_o the_o least_o doctrine_n they_o have_v once_o be_v teach_v to_o profess_v and_o there_o be_v hardly_o a_o immorality_n so_o heinous_a and_o provoke_a so_o contrary_a to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o so_o destructive_a of_o salvation_n which_o their_o spiritual_a guide_n will_v not_o soon_o overpass_v than_o such_o a_o scruple_n insomuch_o that_o by_o the_o express_a order_n of_o the_o church_n which_o i_o be_o now_o speak_v of_o it_o be_v make_v a_o part_n of_o man_n solemn_a reception_n into_o their_o communion_n etc._n the_o very_a condition_n of_o be_v admit_v into_o a_o state_n of_o proselytism_n with_o they_o not_o only_o to_o abjure_v for_o the_o present_a all_o those_o tenet_n which_o they_o be_v please_v to_o call_v heretical_a but_o also_o to_o imprecate_v upon_o their_o head_n all_o the_o misery_n of_o eternal_a torment_n if_o ever_o they_o suffer_v themselves_o by_o any_o occasion_n or_o argument_n 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may_v justify_v we_o before_o god_n and_o man_n from_o the_o charge_n of_o a_o pertinacious_a firmness_n we_o may_v please_v to_o observe_v these_o follow_a direction_n 1_o sy_n let_v our_o religion_n be_v found_v in_o knowledge_n i._n e._n let_v we_o be_v clear_o and_o evident_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o to_o which_o we_o do_v adhere_v and_o then_o we_o may_v be_v sure_o we_o can_v be_v just_o charge_v with_o obstinacy_n for_o our_o adhere_n to_o it_o he_o who_o take_v up_o his_o religion_n upon_o trust_n that_o receive_v all_o the_o article_n of_o his_o creed_n by_o wholesale_n believe_v as_o his_o church_n believe_v but_o it_o may_v be_v know_v not_o either_o what_o that_o be_v or_o wherefore_o he_o do_v so_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o such_o a_o credulous_a disciple_n as_o this_o may_v be_v blind_o
as_o a_o opinion_n that_o to_o avoid_v persecution_n they_o may_v lawful_o and_o warrantable_o dissemble_v their_o belief_n and_o sure_o then_o it_o be_v high_a time_n for_o the_o apostle_n to_o interpose_v his_o exhortation_n to_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o contend_v for_o that_o faith_n which_o both_o their_o enemy_n persecute_v and_o their_o pretend_a catholic_n brethren_n so_o ready_o renounce_v to_o press_v they_o with_o such_o argument_n as_o both_o their_o present_a circumstance_n and_o past_a prophecy_n offer_v to_o he_o to_o confirm_v they_o in_o it_o and_o which_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v of_o much_o great_a weight_n with_o they_o to_o keep_v they_o in_o the_o right_a way_n than_o the_o scandalous_a example_n and_o doctrine_n of_o their_o adversary_n to_o draw_v they_o out_o of_o it_o now_o two_o consideration_n there_o be_v which_o some_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n to_o have_v here_o offer_v to_o they_o for_o this_o purpose_n 1._o the_o nearness_n of_o their_o deliverance_n which_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n promise_n must_v now_o be_v as_o indeed_o it_o afterward_o prove_v very_o nigh_o at_o hand_n this_o be_v what_o the_o learned_a dr._n hammond_n understand_v to_o have_v be_v signify_v by_o that_o phrase_n of_o the_o text_n where_o the_o apostle_n say_v he_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o write_v unto_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o common_a salvation_n i._n e._n say_v c_o he_o of_o that_o special_a promise_n of_o christ_n to_o preserve_v and_o deliver_v those_o who_o shall_v firm_o adhere_v to_o he_o from_o that_o universal_a destruction_n which_o be_v in_o a_o little_a time_n to_o befall_v the_o jew_n many_o be_v the_o denuntiation_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n against_o the_o jew_n in_o his_o gospel_n the_o calamity_n he_o foretell_v be_v great_a and_o the_o time_n of_o their_o accomplishment_n nigh_o at_o hand_n that_o generation_n which_o then_o live_v be_v not_o to_o pass_v away_o till_o all_o shall_v be_v fulfil_v but_o 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sodomite_n be_v destroy_v ver_fw-la 6_o 7._o and_o then_o make_v this_o remarkable_a application_n ver_fw-la 9_o the_o lord_n say_v he_o know_v how_o to_o deliver_v the_o godly_a out_o of_o temptation_n now_o if_o this_o be_v allow_v of_o as_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o this_o phrase_n then_o certain_o it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v a_o great_a engagement_n to_o they_o to_o continue_v constant_a in_o their_o profession_n to_o consider_v that_o they_o have_v but_o a_o little_a while_n remain_v and_o their_o deliverance_n shall_v be_v accomplish_v that_o 11_o as_o st._n paul_n phrase_n it_o their_o salvation_n be_v now_o near_o than_o when_o they_o believe_v 12_o the_o night_n be_v far_o spend_v the_o day_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o therefore_o how_o unworthy_a indeed_o how_o weak_a a_o thing_n will_v it_o be_v for_o they_o after_o all_o they_o have_v hitherto_o suffer_v for_o the_o faith_n now_o final_o to_o apostatise_v from_o it_o when_o they_o be_v just_o ready_a to_o be_v deliver_v out_o of_o all_o their_o danger_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n st._n judas_n press_v it_o yet_o far_o for_o that_o 2._o such_o a_o apostasy_n will_v not_o only_o not_o secure_v they_o but_o will_v most_o certain_o involve_v they_o in_o that_o very_a destruction_n which_o they_o seek_v to_o escape_v by_o it_o and_o of_o this_o the_o example_n which_o our_o apostle_n subjoin_v be_v a_o evident_a proof_n and_o that_o destruction_n which_o according_o do_v involve_v the_o comply_v heretic_n with_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n become_v a_o terrible_a application_n our_o bless_a lord_n who_o provide_v for_o the_o security_n of_o the_o constant_a christian_n leave_v the_o rest_n as_o he_o have_v declare_v he_o will_v to_o lose_v their_o soul_n or_o life_n that_o be_v so_o politic_a for_o the_o save_n or_o preserve_v of_o they_o and_o to_o be_v a_o stand_a caution_n to_o all_o succeed_a age_n how_o unworthy_a indeed_o how_o dangerous_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o man_n to_o purchase_v their_o life_n at_o the_o price_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o to_o betray_v their_o soul_n to_o eternl_n damnation_n in_o another_o world_n to_o secure_v the_o little_a interest_n and_o advantage_n of_o this_o such_o reason_n therefore_o have_v these_o christian_n upon_o all_o these_o account_n to_o contend_v earnest_o for_o the_o faith_n i._n e._n not_o to_o renounce_v it_o but_o to_o continue_v firm_a and_o constant_a in_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o nor_o be_v their_o engagement_n second_o any_o less_o second_o to_o contend_v for_o it_o as_o it_o imply_v a_o zeal_n for_o the_o preserve_v the_o primitive_a purity_n of_o it_o and_o indeed_o it_o be_v this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o more_o especial_a design_n of_o st._n judas_n in_o this_o caution_n for_o have_v in_o our_o text_n exhort_v they_o earnest_o to_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n he_o immediate_o subjoin_v this_o reason_n ver_fw-la 4._o that_o 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they_o speak_v mighty_a thing_n in_o their_o own_o commendation_n as_o if_o they_o alone_o have_v not_o only_o all_o truth_n but_o all_o knowledge_n too_o on_o their_o side_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n be_v but_o as_o beast_n in_o comparison_n of_o they_o now_o this_o oftentime_n make_v a_o huge_a impression_n upon_o weak_a mind_n who_o do_v not_o sufficient_o consider_v how_o suspicious_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o man_n to_o be_v too_o forward_o in_o their_o own_o commendation_n and_o that_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a man_n be_v common_o those_o who_o make_v the_o least_o noise_n of_o their_o goodness_n and_o their_o knowledge_n 2_o dly_z they_o be_v very_o subtle_a and_o diligent_a in_o propagate_a their_o heresy_n they_o dare_v not_o attack_v those_o who_o they_o know_v to_o be_v very_o firm_a or_o well_o instruct_v in_o the_o faith_n but_o they_o creep_v sly_o and_o secret_o into_o man_n house_n and_o as_o the_o devil_n their_o master_n before_o they_o they_o set_v common_o upon_o the_o weak_a sex_n 6_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n say_v st._n paul_n and_o those_o too_o for_o the_o most_o part_n lade_v with_o divers_a lust_n such_o for_o who_o christianity_n be_v too_o severe_a and_o rigid_a a_o institution_n they_o can_v not_o find_v any_o great_a hope_n of_o live_v up_o to_o or_o consequent_o of_o be_v save_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o that_o and_o they_o be_v therefore_o glad_a to_o hear_v of_o some_o more_o easy_a and_o more_o agreeable_a way_n to_o happiness_n 3_o dly_z and_o such_o three_o these_o heretic_n fail_v not_o to_o propose_v to_o they_o their_o religion_n consist_v chief_o in_o a_o set_v of_o incomprehensible_a phrase_n and_o notion_n and_o if_o they_o be_v but_o admirer_n of_o simon_n and_o his_o helena_n it_o be_v for_o the_o rest_n no_o great_a matter_n how_o little_a morality_n they_o observe_v if_o it_o
charity_n to_o think_v they_o do_v not_o themselves_o know_v they_o to_o be_v so_o i_o fear_v the_o best_a account_n we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o give_v of_o this_o matter_n will_v be_v that_o interest_n and_o prejudice_n blind_v their_o eye_n and_o that_o their_o error_n be_v as_o useful_a and_o beneficial_a as_o they_o be_v otherwise_o gross_a and_o unreasonable_a but_o will_v man_n indeed_o lay_v aside_o all_o humane_a consideration_n as_o in_o thing_n wherein_o eternity_n be_v at_o stake_n they_o ought_v to_o do_v will_v they_o with_o charity_n and_o humility_n seek_v the_o truth_n and_o be_v as_o willing_a to_o discover_v their_o own_o as_o they_o be_v but_o too_o forward_o to_o censure_v other_o man_n fault_n in_o plain_a term_n will_v they_o be_v christian_n indeed_o seek_v nothing_o but_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o his_o church_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n i_o can_v but_o think_v that_o most_o of_o our_o controversy_n will_v present_o vanish_v and_o we_o shall_v yet_o recover_v that_o truth_n which_o i_o fear_v some_o man_n have_v too_o long_o detain_v in_o unrighteousness_n and_o be_v deprive_v of_o by_o their_o own_o fault_n but_o especial_o will_v they_o to_o this_o honesty_n and_o integrity_n add_v 4_o thly_a the_o apostle_n next_o direction_n of_o fervent_a prayer_n to_o god_n for_o his_o assistance_n for_o certain_o the_o truth_n and_o purity_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o great_a a_o good_a and_o so_o please_a and_o acceptable_a to_o god_n almighty_a to_o be_v implore_v of_o he_o that_o a_o pious_a and_o upright_a man_n earnest_o pray_v and_o hearty_o seek_v after_o it_o shall_v hardly_o be_v deny_v the_o happiness_n of_o be_v constant_a to_o the_o faith_n if_o he_o be_v already_o in_o the_o right_a way_n or_o of_o be_v bring_v to_o it_o if_o he_o be_v not_o he_o who_o have_v promise_v the_o true_a votary_n not_o to_o refuse_v he_o in_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a or_o but_o expedient_a for_o he_o if_o he_o ask_v as_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v will_n never_o fail_v to_o answer_v he_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o moment_n and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o neglect_v himself_o while_o he_o pray_v to_o god_n but_o use_v such_o care_n and_o caution_n as_o st._n judas_n here_o direct_v we_o to_o do_v for_o our_o security_n he_o need_v not_o be_v afraid_a though_o he_o be_v encompass_v with_o seducer_n on_o every_o side_n but_o be_v confident_a that_o he_o shall_v either_o still_o go_v on_o in_o the_o right_a way_n or_o obtain_v god_n pardon_n if_o after_o all_o this_o he_o shall_v chance_v to_o be_v mistake_v in_o it_o there_o be_v yet_o one_o mean_n more_o whereby_o st._n judas_n exhort_v the_o christian_n earnest_o to_o contend_v for_o their_o faith_n and_o that_o be_v 5_o thly_a by_o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o their_o future_a state_n keep_v yourselves_o say_v he_o in_o the_o love_n of_o god_n look_v for_o the_o mercy_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n unto_o eternal_a life_n ver_fw-la 21._o and_o indeed_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o that_o this_o great_a consideration_n which_o so_o high_o influence_n all_o the_o other_o part_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n must_v here_o also_o prove_v of_o a_o singular_a advantage_n to_o keep_v we_o firm_a and_o steadfast_a in_o our_o faith_n this_o will_v make_v we_o diligent_a in_o all_o the_o rest_n will_v awaken_v our_o care_n will_v perfect_v our_o piety_n and_o inflame_v our_o devotion_n by_o this_o we_o shall_v be_v secure_a that_o no_o worldly_a consideration_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o prevail_v upon_o we_o to_o forsake_v our_o religion_n we_o shall_v neither_o be_v move_v for_o any_o terror_n to_o renounce_v it_o nor_o be_v cajol_v by_o any_o interest_n or_o persuasion_n to_o give_v it_o up_o but_o we_o shall_v resolve_v as_o we_o ought_v to_o inquire_v diligent_o into_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o profession_n to_o judge_v impartial_o and_o steadfast_o follow_v what_o we_o be_v persuade_v to_o be_v the_o right_a faith_n that_o so_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o comfortable_a account_n of_o ourselves_o to_o god_n when_o we_o shall_v appear_v at_o his_o tribunal_n no_o matter_n how_o severe_o we_o may_v be_v censure_v by_o man_n for_o our_o so_o do_v we_o know_v that_o truth_n very_o often_o meet_v with_o and_o make_v enemy_n to_o the_o best_a men._n christianity_n itself_o be_v once_o every_o where_o speak_v against_o and_o st._n paul_n arraign_v as_o a_o heretic_n but_o whilst_o with_o that_o apostle_n we_o know_v wherefore_o we_o believe_v we_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v afraid_a of_o their_o censure_n or_o ashamed_a of_o our_o profession_n that_o shall_v we_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n as_o he_o be_v be_v bring_v even_o before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o our_o enemy_n we_o shall_v be_v able_a with_o assurance_n to_o answer_v for_o ourselves_o as_o he_o do_v that_o after_o the_o way_n which_o they_o call_v heresy_n 14_o so_o worship_v we_o the_o god_n of_o our_o father_n believe_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n such_o a_o power_n will_v this_o great_a consideration_n of_o eternal_a life_n have_v over_o we_o to_o secure_v we_o in_o our_o religion_n that_o it_o will_v actuate_v all_o the_o other_o mean_n that_o have_v before_o be_v offer_v to_o establish_v our_o faith_n and_o itself_o become_v a_o new_a defence_n and_o such_o as_o all_o the_o sophistry_n and_o malice_n of_o our_o enemy_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a ever_o to_o overcome_v and_o thus_o have_v i_o give_v you_o as_o full_a a_o account_n as_o the_o time_n will_v permit_v of_o the_o several_a thing_n i_o propose_v to_o consider_v and_o however_o i_o have_v not_o so_o close_o confine_v my_o reflection_n to_o the_o particular_a concern_v of_o those_o christian_n to_o who_o st._n judas_n write_v as_o not_o to_o have_v observe_v somewhat_o in_o general_a the_o use_n that_o all_o other_o ought_v to_o make_v of_o this_o caution_n yet_o i_o will_v now_o in_o the_o close_o crave_v leave_v to_o offer_v two_o or_o three_o reflection_n more_o which_o may_v serve_v to_o show_v our_o own_o more_o immediate_a concern_v in_o it_o and_o first_o let_v we_o from_o hence_o learn_v with_o what_o zeal_n and_o constancy_n we_o ought_v to_o contend_v for_o our_o religion_n which_o i_o will_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v do_v if_o any_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n the_o best_a deserve_v the_o character_n of_o the_o text_n of_o be_v the_o faith_n that_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n and_o that_o without_o mixture_n of_o any_o thing_n corruptive_a of_o or_o contrary_a thereunto_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o impose_v any_o thing_n either_o upon_o your_o belief_n or_o practice_n but_o what_o the_o rule_n of_o this_o faith_n the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o prescribe_v or_o at_o least_o allow_v we_o to_o do_v we_o give_v no_o other_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n than_o what_o be_v either_o so_o apparent_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o that_o no_o impartial_a person_n can_v doubt_v of_o it_o or_o else_o have_v be_v so_o universal_o receive_v by_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a antiquity_n and_o be_v otherwise_o so_o agreeable_a with_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o faith_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o suspect_v it_o the_o article_n of_o our_o creed_n be_v the_o same_o now_o which_o the_o church_n have_v receive_v and_o profess_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o so_o evident_o found_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n word_n that_o they_o neither_o can_v nor_o do_v admit_v of_o any_o dispute_n among_o christian_n those_o who_o the_o most_o pretend_v we_o to_o be_v defective_a in_o our_o faith_n yet_o dare_v not_o say_v we_o be_v erroneous_a in_o what_o we_o do_v profess_v they_o acknowledge_v that_o what_o we_o believe_v be_v right_a only_o they_o think_v we_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o that_o we_o ought_v because_o not_o all_o that_o they_o will_v have_v we_o to_o do_v and_o certain_o then_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o this_o can_v but_o deserve_v to_o be_v earnest_o contend_v for_o as_o be_v without_o all_o controversy_n true_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n and_o that_o so_o much_o the_o rather_o second_o at_o this_o time_n when_o so_o many_o seducer_n for_o i_o shall_v spare_v the_o rest_n of_o st._n jude_n character_n ver_fw-la 4._o be_v creep_v in_o among_o we_o and_o make_v it_o their_o great_a endeavour_n by_o any_o mean_n to_o draw_v we_o away_o from_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o repeat_v either_o the_o manner_n how_o i_o have_v show_v we_o ought_v to_o contend_v for_o our_o faith_n against_o they_o or_o the_o direction_n which_o from_o the_o apostle_n i_o have_v before_o offer_v for_o the_o do_v of_o it_o let_v we_o only_o resolve_v