and_o degree_n of_o suffering_n from_o the_o least_o afflict_a evil_n to_o death_n with_o ignominy_n and_o torment_n and_o how_o just_o be_v it_o if_o we_o expect_v to_o be_v glorify_v by_o his_o suffering_n that_o we_o shall_v willing_o suffer_v for_o his_o glory_n at_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n many_o be_v offend_v at_o 23._o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n they_o esteem_v it_o folly_n to_o expect_v eternal_a life_n from_o one_o that_o be_v put_v to_o death_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v bring_v they_o to_o the_o high_a glory_n who_o suffer_v in_o the_o low_a weakness_n our_o saviour_n be_v conceal_v from_o their_o carnal_a eye_n by_o the_o overshadow_a train_n of_o his_o affliction_n and_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v to_o be_v 11._o voluntary_o and_o obedient_o take_v up_o by_o his_o disciple_n be_v a_o great_a offence_n to_o the_o world_n than_o that_o to_o which_o he_o be_v nail_v it_o be_v a_o hard_a lesson_n that_o we_o must_v obtain_v glory_n by_o our_o 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nature_n will_v shrink_v at_o the_o first_o sight_n of_o imminent_a danger_n a_o infidel_n that_o live_v as_o if_o he_o be_v all_o body_n and_o no_o immortal_a soul_n judge_n the_o loss_n of_o the_o present_a life_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o it_o as_o his_o utter_a undo_n and_o total_a perish_v he_o have_v a_o appearance_n of_o reason_n to_o secure_v his_o present_a possession_n whatever_o become_v of_o religion_n for_o he_o expect_v no_o future_a good_a that_o will_v infinite_o more_o than_o countervail_v his_o present_a loss_n and_o that_o prosperity_n incline_v man_n to_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n have_v be_v prove_v before_o 2._o the_o love_n of_o god_n inspire_v believer_n with_o a_o heavenly_a fortitude_n to_o endure_v the_o worst_a evil_n that_o may_v befall_v they_o for_o his_o sake_n perfect_a love_n cast_v out_o fear_n keep_v 18._o its_o supremacy_n inviolate_a in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o great_a danger_n love_n be_v a_o active_a invincible_a affection_n as_o strong_a 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all_o the_o glitter_a temptation_n of_o the_o world_n love_v inspire_v they_o with_o a_o victorious_a patience_n to_o blunt_v the_o edge_n of_o cruelty_n they_o never_o repent_v the_o choice_n of_o his_o religion_n but_o rejoice_v when_o his_o glory_n be_v set_v forth_o by_o their_o ignominy_n and_o when_o their_o love_n to_o christ_n appear_v in_o its_o radiancy_n and_o vigour_n through_o their_o suffering_n love_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o constancy_n by_o which_o religion_n reign_v on_o earth_n and_o be_v crown_v in_o heaven_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o riches_n honour_n and_o pleasure_n be_v the_o idol_n of_o man_n head_n and_o heart_n the_o chief_a object_n of_o their_o esteem_n and_o affection_n they_o will_v sacrifice_v their_o soul_n rather_o than_o lose_v the_o world_n their_o dear_a felicity_n therefore_o st._n john_n earnest_o dehort_v christian_n love_v not_o the_o world_n neither_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n if_o any_o man_n love_v the_o world_n the_o love_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o in_o he_o they_o be_v utter_o inconsistent_a partly_o because_o the_o heart_n can_v be_v entire_o set_v upon_o contrary_a object_n and_o partly_o because_o love_v to_o the_o one_o require_v what_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o love_v to_o the_o other_o from_o hence_o st._n james_n vehement_o upbraid_v carnal_a professor_n you_o adulterer_n and_o adulteress_n know_v you_o not_o that_o the_o friendship_n of_o the_o world_n be_v enmity_n with_o god_n whosoever_o therefore_o will_v be_v a_o friend_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o enemy_n of_o god_n the_o world_n be_v the_o powerful_a star_n who_o aspect_n he_o regard_v and_o though_o with_o the_o dishonour_n and_o displeasure_n of_o god_n he_o will_v by_o irreligious_a compliance_n secure_v his_o temporal_a interest_n the_o pure_a refine_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o have_v past_o the_o fiery_a trial_n he_o will_v corrupt_v and_o embase_v by_o carnal_a temperament_n the_o precious_a truth_n so_o dear_o buy_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o martyr_n he_o will_v vile_o sell_v for_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n nay_o of_o a_o professor_n he_o will_v by_o degree_n turn_v persecutor_n of_o those_o who_o steadfast_o own_o the_o truth_n the_o love_n of_o the_o world_n so_o strange_o enchant_v &_o infect_v the_o mind_n that_o a_o false_a religion_n which_o a_o man_n do_v abhor_v from_o yet_o when_o recommend_v by_o secular_a advantage_n will_v appear_v tolerable_a then_o eligible_a then_o necessary_a and_o consequent_o the_o divine_a truth_n must_v be_v suppress_v that_o contradict_v it_o there_o be_v such_o frequent_a example_n of_o this_o in_o every_o age_n that_o to_o insist_v upon_o many_o particular_a instance_n be_v to_o tell_v great_a number_n of_o the_o dead_a to_o prove_v that_o man_n be_v mortal_a the_o young_a man_n that_o so_o earnest_o address_v himself_o to_o christ_n for_o his_o direction_n how_o to_o obtain_v eternal_a life_n when_o command_v to_o give_v all_o his_o estate_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o to_o follow_v christ_n he_o will_v not_o gain_v at_o so_o dear_a a_o rate_n celestial_a treasure_n but_o go_v away_o sorrowful_a whereupon_o our_o saviour_n declare_v with_o solemnity_n to_o his_o disciple_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o that_o a_o rich_a man_n shall_v hardly_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n we_o read_v of_o two_o tribe_n of_o the_o israelite_n that_o choose_v their_o inheritance_n on_o this_o side_n jordan_n and_o will_v not_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n thus_o the_o earthlyminded_n prefer_v the_o present_a world_n the_o object_n of_o their_o choice_n and_o love_n before_o the_o heavenly_a canaan_n the_o ecclesiastical_a historian_n 6._o relate_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n by_o decius_n the_o rich_a man_n among_o the_o christian_n be_v most_o easy_o and_o miserable_o foil_v the_o love_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o dangerous_a earnest_n in_o
their_o heart_n of_o their_o revolt_a back_n to_o pagan_a idolatry_n and_o the_o bondage_n of_o satan_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o arian_n persecution_n how_o many_o who_o by_o their_o title_n and_o office_n be_v special_o oblige_v to_o be_v valiant_a for_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o contend_v earnest_o for_o the_o faith_n yet_o do_v accommodate_v their_o profession_n to_o their_o aspire_a ambition_n and_o greedy_a avarice_n the_o standard_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v the_o pitch_n of_o the_o state_n they_o have_v a_o politic_a faith_n and_o appear_v either_o orthodox_n or_o arian_n as_o the_o public_a favour_n shine_v upon_o truth_n or_o heresy_n they_o robe_v our_o saviour_n of_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o deity_n o_o astonishment_n rather_o than_o part_v with_o their_o belove_a dignity_n and_o riches_n so_o powerful_a be_v humane_a respect_n in_o those_o who_o mind_n earthly_a thing_n great_a force_n be_v requisite_a to_o pluck_v up_o a_o tree_n that_o have_v its_o root_n spread_v and_o deep_o fasten_v in_o the_o earth_n and_o it_o can_v be_v so_o entire_o separate_v but_o that_o part_n of_o the_o root_n will_v be_v break_v thus_o when_o the_o affection_n be_v deep_o set_v in_o the_o world_n and_o by_o pleasure_n and_o riches_n fasten_v to_o it_o how_o hardly_o be_v it_o rend_v from_o it_o every_o fiber_n of_o the_o heart_n be_v break_v with_o sorrow_n as_o lot_n wife_n when_o by_o a_o angel_n force_v out_o of_o sodom_n yet_o cast_v a_o linger_a affectionate_a look_n after_o it_o and_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o pillar_n of_o salt_n the_o separation_n be_v as_o bitter_a as_o the_o possession_n be_v sweet_a and_o none_o be_v more_o unwilling_o divorce_v from_o the_o world_n than_o those_o who_o enjoy_v the_o confluence_n of_o earthly_a happiness_n now_o when_o secular_a interest_n outweigh_v duty_n when_o apparent_a danger_n induce_v to_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n how_o terrible_a and_o unavoidable_a will_v be_v the_o punishment_n of_o that_o disloyalty_n our_o saviour_n threaten_v be_v universal_a whosoever_o 33._o shall_v deny_v i_o before_o man_n he_o will_v i_o deny_v before_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n a_o most_o righteous_a and_o dreadful_a retribution_n they_o deny_v he_o as_o their_o lord_n and_o he_o deny_v they_o as_o his_o servant_n they_o usurp_v the_o title_n of_o christian_n the_o relation_n of_o his_o disciple_n and_o in_o the_o last_o day_n he_o will_v public_o disow_v they_o when_o that_o sad_a sentence_n shall_v come_v from_o their_o judge_n depart_v you_o curse_v i_o know_v you_o not_o what_o confusion_n what_o anguish_n will_v seize_v upon_o they_o they_o shall_v be_v banish_v from_o his_o glorious_a kingdom_n excommunicate_v from_o his_o bless_a society_n and_o torment_v with_o the_o rebellious_a angel_n for_o ever_o it_o be_v true_a this_o universal_a and_o peremptory_a threaten_v must_v be_v understand_v with_o a_o exception_n of_o those_o who_o after_o their_o fall_v away_o be_v restore_v by_o repentance_n sometime_o a_o christian_a that_o have_v deliberate_o and_o entire_o devote_v himself_o to_o christ_n that_o have_v sincere_o resolve_v rather_o to_o part_n with_o his_o life_n than_o that_o for_o which_o life_n be_v worthy_a the_o enjoy_n yet_o by_o strong_a temptation_n have_v be_v fainthearted_a and_o deny_v the_o truth_n like_v one_o that_o disannul_v in_o the_o height_n of_o a_o fever_n the_o will_v he_o make_v in_o his_o compose_a mind_n but_o afterward_o such_o have_v resume_v new_a courage_n and_o have_v by_o endure_v the_o sharp_a suffering_n confirm_v the_o truth_n and_o ascend_v to_o heaven_n in_o a_o fiery_a chariot_n last_o the_o prosperity_n of_o sinner_n be_v the_o great_a temptation_n to_o delay_v repentance_n till_o their_o state_n be_v desperate_a nothing_o fill_v hell_n with_o so_o many_o lose_a soul_n as_o the_o put_n off_o repentance_n till_o hereafter_o how_o many_o disease_n will_v be_v cure_v in_o time_n if_o they_o threaten_v present_a death_n but_o their_o malignity_n be_v of_o a_o slow_a operation_n they_o be_v despise_v as_o not_o worth_a the_o trouble_n of_o a_o cure_n till_o they_o be_v desperate_a it_o be_v in_o spiritual_a disease_n as_o it_o be_v in_o those_o of_o the_o body_n for_o sin_n that_o be_v a_o sickness_n unto_o death_n may_v be_v prevent_v by_o speedy_a repentance_n but_o many_o not_o apprehend_v present_a danger_n neglect_v the_o precious_a remedy_n till_o they_o be_v desperate_o ruin_v to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v 7._o not_o your_o heart_n the_o command_n respect_v the_o season_n as_o well_o as_o the_o duty_n as_o our_o obedience_n must_v be_v entire_a without_o reserve_v so_o it_o must_v be_v present_a without_o delay_n even_o in_o our_o early_a age_n and_o continue_v in_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o our_o life_n the_o worm_n of_o conscience_n sometime_o nip_v security_n and_o there_o be_v a_o strange_a union_n of_o contrariety_n in_o the_o breast_n of_o a_o sinner_n that_o make_v he_o inexcusable_a and_o incurable_a he_o complain_v of_o the_o bondage_n to_o his_o lust_n yet_o take_v pleasure_n in_o it_o he_o be_v convince_v it_o will_v be_v destructive_a yet_o voluntary_o continue_v in_o that_o sweet_a captivity_n if_o conscience_n be_v troublesome_a he_o pacify_v it_o with_o a_o intention_n to_o reform_v hereafter_o and_o think_v that_o a_o future_a repentance_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o prepare_v for_o a_o future_a judgement_n and_o none_o be_v so_o easy_o and_o willing_o deceive_v to_o their_o everlasting_a ruin_n by_o this_o pretence_n as_o those_o who_o enjoy_v the_o present_a world_n prosperity_n make_v they_o forgetful_a of_o the_o grave_a and_o humane_a vicissitude_n and_o harden_v they_o in_o deep_a security_n it_o be_v the_o divine_a prayer_n of_o moses_n so_o teach_v we_o to_o number_v our_o day_n as_o to_o apply_v our_o heart_n unto_o wisdom_n imply_v that_o the_o great_a cause_n of_o man_n destructive_a folly_n be_v from_o not_o reflect_v upon_o the_o shortness_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o their_o time_n here_o death_n be_v certain_a to_o the_o old_a and_o life_n uncertain_a to_o the_o young_a there_o be_v many_o back_n door_n to_o the_o grave_a and_o man_n be_v lead_v surprise_o thither_o the_o time_n of_o their_o residence_n here_o be_v fix_v by_o the_o divine_a determination_n and_o conceal_v from_o their_o eye_n how_o many_o in_o their_o youth_n and_o prosperity_n have_v presume_v upon_o a_o long_a life_n yet_o unexpected_o have_v return_v to_o their_o earth_n as_o a_o wall_n cover_v with_o ivy_n that_o fall_v on_o a_o sudden_a with_o its_o green_a ornament_n by_o its_o weight_n and_o weakness_n the_o hour_n of_o death_n be_v the_o hour_n of_o man_n destiny_n for_o ever_o there_o be_v no_o space_n of_o repentance_n in_o the_o interval_n between_o death_n and_o judgement_n but_o the_o soul_n immediate_o after_o its_o departure_n receive_v a_o decisive_a irrevocable_a doom_n that_o be_v in_o part_n execute_v and_o shall_v be_v public_a and_o entire_o execute_v at_o the_o last_o day_n yet_o man_n bold_o venture_v to_o continue_v in_o their_o pleasant_a sin_n upon_o the_o forlorn_a hope_n of_o a_o season_n to_o repent_v hereafter_o astonish_v enormous_a folly_n as_o if_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o time_n and_o the_o divine_a grace_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v full_o prove_v how_o fatal_a and_o destructive_a prosperity_n be_v to_o the_o wicked_a the_o second_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v the_o folly_n of_o prosperous_a sinner_n folly_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o abuse_a prosperity_n and_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o prosperity_n abuse_v the_o most_o proper_a notion_n of_o folly_n be_v that_o the_o understanding_n mistake_v in_o judge_v and_o compare_v thing_n from_o whence_o the_o will_n slide_v into_o error_n and_o make_v a_o unworthy_a choice_n and_o according_a to_o the_o weight_n and_o consequence_n of_o thing_n the_o more_o remarkable_a be_v the_o degree_n of_o folly_n in_o not_o discern_v their_o difference_n now_o when_o man_n value_v and_o be_v delight_v in_o temporal_a prosperity_n as_o their_o happiness_n and_o heaven_n with_o its_o glory_n &_o joy_n be_v neglect_v and_o vilify_v in_o the_o comparison_n it_o be_v folly_n above_o all_o wonder_n folly_n of_o so_o rare_a and_o singular_a a_o nature_n that_o if_o the_o judicative_a faculty_n be_v not_o corrupt_v it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o it_o this_o will_v appear_v by_o consider_v the_o essential_a and_o inseparable_a property_n of_o man_n felicity_n 76._o it_o be_v perfective_a and_o satisfy_v of_o man_n in_o his_o supreme_a faculty_n 1._o the_o perfection_n of_o man_n do_v principal_o consist_v in_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o spiritual_a &_o immortal_a part_n as_o in_o the_o various_a kind_n of_o creature_n there_o be_v something_o that_o be_v their_o proper_a excellency_n for_o which_o they_o be_v make_v and_o according_o be_v value_v as_o