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way_n or_o no_o he_o have_v begin_v the_o journey_n and_o he_o be_v doubt_v whether_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_a way_n yea_o or_o no_o this_o will_v put_v he_o to_o a_o puzzle_v and_o make_v he_o to_o be_v fluctuate_a and_o hesitate_v have_v i_o best_o go_v on_o i_o doubt_v whether_o i_o be_v in_o the_o right_a way_n yea_o or_o no_o this_o will_v cause_v slackness_n of_o his_o motion_n but_o if_o he_o be_v sure_a that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o way_n this_o will_v be_v much_o to_o the_o encourage_v of_o he_o to_o make_v a_o further_a progress_n so_o if_o i_o find_v and_o be_o sure_a that_o this_o be_v the_o right_a way_n that_o i_o have_v grace_n in_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o this_o will_v cause_v we_o to_o labour_v after_o the_o growth_n in_o grace_n eight_o you_o be_v to_o be_v upon_o the_o faithful_a and_o diligent_a exercise_n of_o what_o you_o have_v the_o reason_n why_o we_o have_v no_o more_o faith_n be_v because_o we_o be_v not_o more_o upon_o the_o exercise_n of_o that_o faith_n 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in_o prayer_n and_o so_o for_o hear_v with_o what_o a_o formalize_a spirit_n be_v we_o many_o time_n we_o can_v hear_v as_o if_o we_o be_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v in_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v speak_v never_o consider_v of_o the_o ordinance_n in_o reference_n to_o god_n as_o that_o that_o have_v the_o stamp_n of_o his_o authority_n upon_o it_o o_o this_o if_o the_o lord_n be_v not_o the_o more_o merciful_a it_o will_v be_v the_o ruin_n of_o our_o soul_n this_o plague_n formality_n we_o have_v get_v a_o course_n of_o go_v to_o church_n as_o you_o use_v to_o say_v and_o keep_v on_o a_o course_n and_o go_v in_o account_n for_o prosessor_n but_o
world_n there_o be_v many_o they_o will_v be_v rich_a in_o the_o world_n and_o they_o decree_v and_o resolve_v upon_o it_o that_o they_o will_v be_v rich_a i_o sometime_o whether_o god_n will_v or_o no._n they_o carry_v the_o matter_n as_o if_o they_o will_v be_v rich_a whether_o god_n will_v or_o no._n they_o will_v be_v rich_a rich_a in_o the_o world_n and_o they_o have_v no_o warrant_n for_o god_n have_v not_o require_v this_o of_o any_o man_n that_o they_o shall_v grow_v rich_a in_o the_o world_n he_o require_v they_o shall_v do_v their_o duty_n and_o if_o he_o will_v come_v in_o with_o a_o blessing_n so_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v thankful_a but_o he_o do_v not_o command_v they_o to_o be_v rich_a in_o the_o world_n but_o there_o be_v that_o will_v be_v rich_a and_o resolve_v to_o be_v rich_a and_o so_o they_o run_v themselves_o into_o snare_n and_o temptation_n and_o many_o hurtful_a and_o noisome_a lust_n that_o drown_v man_n soul_n in_o destruction_n ay_o but_o here_o be_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o his_o poor_a servant_n his_o will_n be_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v rich_a in_o grace_n and_o he_o do_v encourage_v thereunto_o by_o promise_v that_o he_o will_v prosper_v you_o in_o your_o way_n he_o have_v give_v you_o such_o a_o stock_n he_o will_v give_v you_o more_o provide_v that_o you_o do_v but_o your_o duty_n and_o it_o be_v his_o mercy_n that_o he_o have_v make_v it_o the_o matter_n of_o your_o duty_n to_o grow_v in_o grace_n 2._o and_o then_o reckon_v upon_o this_o for_o your_o encouragement_n and_o the_o quicken_a of_o you_o in_o your_o endeavour_n this_o way_n to_o be_v sure_a grow_v as_o much_o as_o you_o can_v you_o will_v never_o grow_v too_o good_a for_o god_n you_o can_v never_o have_v too_o much_o grace_n you_o can_v never_o have_v too_o much_o faith_n nor_o love_n nor_o holiness_n godliness_n know_v no_o bound_n you_o can_v never_o have_v too_o much_o of_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o holiness_n when_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n see_v themselves_o at_o a_o loss_n as_o touch_v their_o oil_n and_o come_v to_o the_o wise_a to_o buy_v of_o they_o nay_o say_v they_o spare_v we_o there_o we_o have_v none_o to_o part_v withal_o we_o will_v keep_v what_o we_o have_v get_v lest_o we_o shall_v not_o have_v enough_o for_o we_o and_o you_o and_o so_o make_v account_n of_o this_o that_o when_o you_o have_v grow_v as_o high_a in_o grace_n as_o you_o can_v you_o will_v have_v no_o overpluss_a you_o will_v have_v none_o to_o spare_v serm._n viii_o it_o be_v god_n great_a mercy_n that_o there_o be_v any_o in_o the_o world_n which_o have_v any_o grace_n in_o they_o and_o that_o god_n shall_v make_v such_o a_o pleasant_a and_o precious_a plant_n to_o take_v root_n and_o spring_v up_o in_o such_o a_o soil_n as_o the_o soul_n be_v so_o barren_a of_o all_o good_a and_o so_o unapt_a to_o receive_v any_o good_a now_o as_o it_o be_v god_n mercy_n that_o any_o have_v grace_n so_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n that_o have_v it_o for_o to_o grow_v in_o it_o and_o this_o duty_n you_o have_v be_v over_o and_o over_o charge_v with_o but_o i_o shall_v now_o come_v to_o what_o remain_v to_o be_v speak_v concern_v this_o argument_n which_o i_o shall_v give_v a_o brief_a account_n of_o and_o then_o come_v to_o what_o follow_v in_o the_o text._n 2._o the_o further_a encouragement_n unto_o the_o lively_a and_o vigorous_a prosecution_n of_o this_o matter_n a_o strenuous_a endeavour_n to_o grow_v in_o grace_n the_o encouragement_n they_o be_v very_o great_a and_o i_o desire_v that_o you_o may_v know_v the_o force_n and_o power_n and_o virtue_n of_o they_o in_o your_o own_o heart_n 3._o if_o so_o be_v that_o you_o do_v indeed_o make_v it_o your_o business_n and_o do_v endeavour_v this_o to_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o shall_v do_v so_o as_o you_o be_v very_o like_a to_o do_v it_o if_o you_o endeavour_v after_o it_o you_o will_v have_v this_o advantage_n you_o will_v not_o be_v altogether_o so_o apt_a to_o be_v unsettle_a in_o your_o apprehension_n concern_v your_o state_n you_o will_v not_o be_v so_o much_o upon_o the_o question_v point_n concern_v the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o you_o as_o many_o be_v when_o you_o come_v to_o be_v of_o some_o considerable_a growth_n in_o grace_n when_o you_o come_v to_o have_v much_o faith_n and_o much_o love_n and_o much_o holiness_n much_o of_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n you_o will_v not_o be_v so_o apt_a to_o be_v question_v the_o point_n and_o fluctuate_a in_o your_o soul_n concern_v your_o grace_n but_o you_o will_v be_v able_a to_o bear_v up_o against_o temptation_n of_o that_o kind_n and_o ready_a to_o make_v your_o confident_a avouchment_n and_o say_v if_o you_o be_v question_v about_o your_o faith_n yea_o lord_n thou_o know_v i_o do_v believe_v be_v question_v about_o your_o love_n as_o peter_n be_v simon_n love_v thou_o i_o yea_o lord_n thâ—…u_o know_v i_o love_v thou_o and_o true_o this_o be_v a_o great_a advantage_n that_o will_v come_v over_o to_o we_o by_o improvement_n in_o grace_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o soundness_n of_o grace_n it_o do_v appear_v by_o its_o growth_n it_o be_v a_o clear_a demonstration_n that_o a_o plant_v life_n wâ—…n_v it_o grow_v it_o may_v live_v and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o discovery_n of_o its_o growth_n but_o when_o there_o be_v a_o growth_n there_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n that_o the_o plant_n be_v alive_a and_o this_o benefit_n will_v come_v over_o by_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o while_o poor_a weakling_n in_o grace_n that_o be_v of_o low_a attainment_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o please_v themselves_o in_o their_o low_a measure_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o be_v shake_v by_o every_o wind_n of_o temptation_n and_o be_v put_v upon_o the_o question_v point_n upon_o every_o occasion_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o grace_n in_o they_o yea_o or_o no._n they_o that_o have_v but_o a_o little_a faith_n a_o little_a grace_n they_o will_v be_v apt_a ever_o and_o anon_o to_o be_v fluctuate_a in_o their_o spirit_n and_o doubt_v within_o themselves_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o grace_n in_o they_o well-grown_a christian_n will_v be_v able_a to_o bear_v up_o with_o a_o holy_a confidence_n that_o of_o a_o truth_n the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v in_o they_o 4._o this_o encouragement_n we_o have_v to_o endeavour_v a_o growth_n in_o grace_n god_n will_v be_v the_o more_o glorify_v christ_n will_v be_v the_o more_o magnify_v the_o gospel_n will_v be_v the_o more_o credit_v the_o more_o we_o have_v of_o grace_n we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o quit_v ourselves_o honourable_o in_o our_o way_n of_o duty_n in_o our_o way_n of_o suffer_v herein_o be_v our_o father_n glorify_v that_o we_o have_v much_o fruit_n and_o bring_v forth_o much_o fruit_n 5._o god_n will_v glory_v in_o such_o and_o make_v his_o boast_n of_o they_o as_o he_o do_v of_o job_n do_v thou_o not_o see_v my_o servant_n job_n that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o man_n like_o he_o in_o the_o earth_n a_o upright_a and_o a_o perfect_a man_n one_o that_o sear_v god_n and_o eschew_v evil_a the_o lord_n do_v make_v a_o holy_a boast_n of_o his_o eminent_a servant_n that_o be_v so_o raise_v up_o in_o grace_n and_o holiness_n and_o you_o know_v what_o our_o saviour_n speak_v concern_v the_o woman_n of_o canaan_n o_o woman_n great_a be_v thy_o faith_n be_v it_o unto_o thou_o even_o as_o thou_o will_n true_o there_o be_v very_o much_o in_o that_o to_o consider_v of_o man_n and_o woman_n of_o advance_a faith_n and_o grace_n o_o how_o christ_n do_v glory_n in_o they_o and_o what_o be_v it_o that_o he_o can_v deny_v they_o be_v it_o unto_o thou_o even_o as_o thâ—…u_fw-mi wilt_fw-ge draw_v thy_o request_n and_o i_o will_v underwrite_v they_o i_o will_v say_v amen_o to_o they_o what_o can_v god_n deny_v a_o soul_n that_o be_v improve_v in_o grace_n of_o all_o other_o such_o be_v like_a to_o have_v the_o high_a communication_n from_o god_n for_o this_o we_o may_v well_o think_v that_o god_n will_v order_v out_o his_o communication_n of_o mercy_n and_o comfort_n to_o his_o people_n according_a to_o their_o capacity_n the_o large_a the_o vessel_n be_v the_o more_o liquor_n it_o take_v in_o and_o according_o the_o more_o shall_v there_o be_v communicate_v unto_o it_o narrow_a heart_n be_v like_a to_o have_v but_o little_a because_o they_o can_v receive_v but_o little_a they_o be_v little_a in_o capacity_n and_o be_v like_a to_o be_v according_o but_o little_a in_o the_o communication_n that_o shall_v be_v make_v unto_o they_o 6._o this_o will_v be_v our_o encouragement_n to_o endeavour_v a_o growth_n in_o grace_n we_o shall_v by_o this_o mean_n credit_v
of_o the_o best_a thing_n knowledge_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o saviour_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o person_n may_v perift_n and_o perish_v the_o more_o dreadful_o and_o i_o add_v that_o place_n in_o heb._n 10._o where_o the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o this_o purpose_n say_v he_o if_o we_o sin_v wilful_o after_o we_o have_v receive_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n there_o remain_v no_o more_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n but_o a_o certain_a fearful_a look_v for_o of_o judgement_n and_o fiery_a indignation_n which_o shall_v devour_v the_o adversary_n there_o may_v be_v a_o receive_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o yet_o a_o wilful_a sin_v and_o so_o a_o fearful_a expectation_n and_o nothing_o but_o that_o remain_v for_o they_o a_o fearful_a expectation_n of_o judgement_n and_o fiery_a indignation_n now_o all_o this_o consider_v knowledge_n i_o and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o best_a thing_n it_o may_v be_v have_v and_o yet_o person_n under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n person_n that_o after_o their_o escape_n from_o worldly_a entanglement_n may_v be_v bring_v again_o into_o sore_a bondage_n their_o latter_a end_n worse_o than_o their_o beginning_n and_o they_o may_v fall_v under_o the_o deep_a and_o more_o dreadful_a damnation_n now_o the_o improvement_n that_o we_o be_v to_o make_v of_o this_o be_v only_o thus_o o_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n of_o rest_v in_o our_o knowledge_n and_o bear_v upon_o this_o that_o we_o be_v know_v man_n and_o know_v woman_n able_a to_o discourse_v of_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n and_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n o_o take_v heed_n of_o this_o consider_v what_o have_v be_v now_o speak_v to_o you_o that_o you_o may_v have_v a_o great_a measure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o yet_o be_v mere_a stranger_n unto_o save_a grace_n far_o be_v it_o from_o i_o to_o speak_v a_o tittle_n to_o the_o disparagement_n of_o knowledge_n but_o rather_o most_o vigorous_o to_o press_v your_o pursuance_n of_o it_o and_o that_o you_o endeavour_v after_o it_o as_o i_o shall_v perform_v to_o that_o purpose_n afterward_o know_v that_o it_o be_v not_o good_a that_o the_o mind_n be_v without_o knowledge_n say_v solomon_n nay_o the_o heart_n can_v be_v good_a without_o knowledge_n you_o can_v believe_v without_o knowledge_n you_o can_v pray_v without_o knowledge_n you_o can_v live_v without_o knowledge_n you_o must_v have_v knowledge_n or_o else_o you_o will_v never_o be_v save_v o_o ignorance_n it_o be_v of_o itself_o a_o damn_v sin_n only_a thus_o rest_v not_o in_o your_o knowledge_n rest_v not_o in_o this_o that_o you_o have_v a_o light_n in_o your_o head_n but_o look_v to_o it_o that_o you_o have_v grace_n in_o your_o heart_n look_v to_o this_o that_o you_o know_v and_o know_v to_o love_v and_o know_v so_o as_o that_o you_o may_v believe_v and_o live_v if_o you_o know_v these_o thing_n say_v our_o saviour_n happy_a be_v you_o if_o you_o do_v they_o if_o you_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o know_v it_o in_o truth_n of_o heart_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v since_o you_o know_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o truth_n know_v it_o to_o be_v the_o truth_n and_o know_v it_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o your_o heart_n o_o this_o be_v that_o that_o we_o shall_v mind_v true_o that_o you_o may_v know_v for_o practice_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v you_o know_v no_o more_o to_o purpose_n than_o you_o know_v to_o practice_n and_o it_o be_v of_o sad_a consideration_n that_o which_o i_o have_v now_o to_o speak_v unto_o you_o it_o be_v of_o sad_a consideration_n that_o that_o knowledge_n which_o man_n and_o woman_n attain_v to_o of_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o gospel-mystery_n if_o so_o be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o reduce_v to_o practice_n if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o due_a improvement_n of_o it_o if_o there_o be_v a_o science_n and_o not_o conscience_n a_o science_n and_o not_o a_o conscience_n to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o knowledge_n it_o be_v of_o sad_a consideration_n that_o that_o i_o have_v now_o to_o say_v the_o day_n will_v come_v when_o all_o the_o knowledge_n that_o you_o have_v get_v of_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n that_o knowledge_n will_v turn_v upon_o you_o and_o it_o will_v be_v to_o your_o everlasting_a torment_n o_o tremble_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o torment_n and_o will_v eternal_o be_v the_o torment_n of_o the_o damn_a in_o hell_n that_o they_o have_v knowledge_n great_a measure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o do_v not_o improve_v their_o knowledge_n do_v not_o reduce_v it_o to_o practice_n they_o have_v light_a but_o do_v not_o live_v up_o to_o their_o light_n they_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n o_o but_o they_o be_v not_o conscientious_o careful_a to_o perform_v and_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n o_o this_o this_o will_v be_v the_o torment_n the_o conscience_n of_o a_o man_n will_v be_v a_o eternal_a fury_n to_o he_o and_o it_o will_v everlasting_o torment_v he_o when_o it_o shall_v tell_v he_o do_v not_o thou_o know_v that_o christ_n be_v give_v to_o save_v sinner_n and_o to_o save_v from_o sin_n do_v not_o thou_o know_v that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o bring_v salvation_n it_o do_v teach_v to_o deny_v all_o ungodlyness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n thou_o know_v this_o thou_o know_v that_o it_o be_v thy_o duty_n to_o live_v thus_o and_o thus_o to_o walk_v with_o god_n to_o deny_v thyself_o to_o cross_v thy_o corruption_n it_o be_v thy_o duty_n to_o study_v to_o approve_v thyself_o to_o god_n and_o to_o keep_v a_o clear_a conscience_n it_o be_v thy_o duty_n to_o own_o christ_n in_o a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n do_v not_o thou_o know_v this_o to_o be_v thy_o duty_n conscience_n will_v thus_o charge_v upon_o thou_o and_o than_o you_o shall_v know_v it_o o_o how_o do_v this_o torment_n judas_n on_o this_o side_n hell_n before_o he_o come_v there_o oh_o i_o know_v my_o master_n be_v a_o innocent_a person_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o contrary_a to_o my_o knowledge_n i_o go_v and_o betray_v he_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o sinner_n o_o how_o do_v this_o torment_n esau_n on_o this_o side_n hell_n he_o know_v that_o the_o birthright_n and_o the_o blessing_n be_v thing_n to_o be_v high_o value_v the_o temptation_n come_v upon_o he_o he_o be_v a_o little_a pinch_v with_o hunger_n and_o jacob_n take_v the_o advantage_n there_o be_v a_o mystery_n of_o providence_n in_o it_o of_o his_o exigence_n and_o get_v away_o his_o birthright_n from_o he_o but_o when_o the_o time_n come_v that_o the_o blessing_n be_v go_v then_o esau_n know_v o_o this_o knowledge_n torment_v he_o that_o he_o know_v the_o birthright_n what_o it_o be_v and_o how_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v account_v of_o and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o he_o pass_v it_o away_o for_o a_o trifle_n o_o conscience_n will_v torment_v another_o day_n when_o a_o man_n shall_v come_v to_o have_v his_o knowledge_n set_v a_o work_n i_o know_v that_o christ_n be_v a_o precious_a christ_n that_o grace_n it_o be_v better_a than_o gold_n i_o have_v conviction_n upon_o my_o conscience_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o i_o choose_v the_o world_n rather_o than_o christ_n i_o prefer_v my_o lust_n and_o corruption_n before_o the_o lord_n jesus_n i_o know_v this_o to_o be_v my_o duty_n but_o i_o make_v no_o conscience_n of_o perform_v my_o duty_n well_o the_o lord_n set_v these_o thing_n home_o upon_o every_o one_o of_o we_o and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v wise_a for_o our_o soul_n and_o take_v heed_n of_o rest_v in_o what_o we_o know_v but_o look_v to_o it_o that_o we_o have_v such_o a_o knowledge_n as_o be_v accompany_v with_o grace_n such_o a_o knowledge_n as_o be_v sanctify_v to_o we_o by_o grace_n and_o this_o now_o i_o speak_v upon_o occasion_n of_o this_o question_n serm._n ix_o 2_o pet._n 3._o 18._o and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ._n three_o thing_n seem_v to_o lie_v in_o the_o text._n first_o that_o it_o be_v god_n will_n and_o saint_n duty_n as_o to_o grow_v in_o grace_n so_o to_o grow_v in_o knowledge_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v the_o special_a knowledge_n wherein_o saint_n and_o believer_n ought_v to_o grow_v 3._o they_o that_o mind_n growth_n in_o grace_n must_v in_o order_n thereunto_o endeavour_v a_o growth_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ._n first_o of_o all_o it_o be_v the_o good_a will_n of_o god_n and_o a_o saint_n duty_n to_o grow_v in_o knowledge_n god_n will_v have_v his_o people_n to_o be_v a_o know_a people_n a_o well-knowing_a people_n god_n do_v take_v no_o pleasure_n in_o a_o people_n that_o pretend_v to_o he_o and_o profess_v his_o name_n