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that_o they_o mean_v as_o they_o say_v and_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n in_o so_o many_o case_n not_o proper_a now_o to_o be_v name_v that_o truth_n shall_v be_v find_v out_o and_o the_o great_a certainty_n of_o it_o be_v give_v that_o can_v possible_o and_o that_o man_n shall_v by_o the_o strict_a tie_n be_v oblige_v to_o some_o duty_n it_o thence_o also_o become_v necessary_a that_o oath_n shall_v sometime_o be_v require_v especial_o when_o man_n can_v by_o other_o mean_n well_o assure_v the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o intention_n or_o secure_v the_o fidelity_n of_o their_o resolution_n i_o confess_v among_o christian_n in_o the_o first_o age_n i_o believe_v oath_n be_v not_o so_o common_o require_v in_o such_o little_a matter_n as_o now_o sometime_o they_o be_v but_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o truth_n and_o honesty_n then_o prevail_v far_o more_o among_o they_o and_o lie_v be_v then_o more_o scandalous_a than_o i_o fear_v perjury_n be_v now_o 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to_o prostitute_v it_o to_o so_o vile_a a_o use_n as_o only_o to_o fill_v up_o the_o vacuity_n of_o our_o idle_a prattle_n that_o great_a and_o terrible_a name_n of_o god_n which_o all_o the_o angel_n and_o host_n of_o heaven_n with_o the_o profound_a submission_n continual_o adore_v which_o rend_v the_o mountain_n and_o open_v the_o bowel_n of_o the_o deep_a rock_n which_o make_v hell_n tremble_v and_o be_v the_o strength_n and_o hope_n of_o all_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n our_o only_a refuge_n in_o the_o day_n of_o trouble_n the_o very_a thought_n whereof_o shall_v fill_v all_o sober_a person_n with_o a_o reverential_a awe_n and_o horror_n how_o do_v man_n most_o impudent_o and_o rash_o almost_o every_o minute_n pollute_v and_o tear_v without_o fear_n or_o sense_n or_o observe_v what_o they_o say_v as_o if_o god_n almighty_a the_o maker_n and_o judge_n of_o we_o all_o be_v the_o mean_a and_o most_o despicable_a be_v in_o the_o universe_n what_o unaccountable_a boldness_n and_o 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they_o ever_o think_v to_o plead_v that_o blood_n of_o our_o dear_a lord_n and_o those_o wound_n make_v by_o the_o spear_n and_o nail_n in_o his_o most_o precious_a body_n for_o the_o pardon_n and_o expiation_n of_o their_o most_o grievous_a sin_n who_o thus_o daily_o have_v make_v a_o mock_n of_o they_o can_v they_o ever_o with_o the_o least_o hope_n of_o success_n pray_v god_n when_o they_o come_v to_o die_v to_o deliver_v they_o from_o that_o damnation_n that_o they_o have_v a_o thousand_o time_n before_o wish_v to_o themselves_o and_o yet_o this_o sin_n which_o argue_v such_o slight_a and_o abuse_v of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n such_o rudeness_n towards_o he_o and_o draw_v so_o many_o dire_a consequence_n after_o it_o be_v now_o adays_o pardon_v i_o if_o i_o say_v it_o one_o of_o the_o fashionable_a accomplishment_n of_o too_o many_o of_o those_o that_o shall_v be_v precedent_n of_o civility_n or_o good_a manner_n to_o other_o but_o this_o be_v so_o sad_a a_o consideration_n that_o i_o can_v endure_v to_o dwell_v long_o upon_o it_o i_o proceed_v to_o other_o mischief_n of_o this_o vice_n though_o none_o need_v be_v name_v after_o this_o for_o those_o who_o the_o awe_n of_o god_n and_o sense_n of_o his_o power_n and_o infinite_a greatness_n will_v not_o keep_v and_o restrain_v from_o such_o desperate_a profanation_n of_o his_o holy_a name_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o any_o less_o argument_n shall_v 2._o this_o practice_n of_o common_a swear_n must_v of_o necessity_n frequent_o involve_v man_n in_o the_o heinous_a sin_n of_o perjury_n he_o that_o swear_v at_o every_o turn_n in_o his_o ordinary_a discourse_n how_o often_o do_v he_o call_v god_n to_o witness_v even_o to_o what_o he_o know_v be_v false_a and_o as_o often_o forget_v to_o do_v what_o before_o god_n he_o have_v engage_v himself_o
soul_n such_o a_o lively_a apprehension_n of_o it_o as_o that_o they_o must_v offer_v the_o great_a force_n and_o violence_n to_o their_o own_o mind_n before_o they_o can_v bring_v themselves_o to_o disbelieve_v it_o nay_o i_o believe_v let_v the_o most_o resolve_a sinner_n labour_n and_o struggle_v never_o so_o hard_a with_o himself_o to_o subdue_v and_o extirpate_v this_o natural_a persuasion_n of_o another_o life_n yet_o after_o all_o his_o pain_n he_o will_v not_o be_v able_a whole_o to_o root_v out_o all_o thought_n and_o fear_n of_o it_o this_o shall_v suffice_v for_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o person_n those_o who_o doubt_v of_o or_o deny_v this_o great_a fundamental_a of_o religion_n i_o proceed_v now_o ii_o to_o those_o who_o profess_v to_o believe_v this_o immortal_a life_n but_o yet_o do_v it_o not_o real_o and_o hearty_o and_o this_o i_o fear_n be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n among_o we_o for_o it_o may_v well_o be_v inquire_v what_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o this_o promise_n of_o eternal_a life_n than_o which_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a have_v yet_o so_o little_a power_n upon_o man_n mind_n do_v so_o little_o move_v their_o affection_n what_o make_v their_o endeavour_n after_o it_o so_o faint_a and_o languid_a be_v any_o of_o those_o good_a thing_n which_o man_n here_o court_v and_o seek_v after_o so_o desirable_a and_o considerable_a as_o the_o glory_n and_o joy_n of_o heaven_n or_o be_v there_o any_o evil_n in_o this_o world_n that_o can_v vie_v terror_n with_o hell_n this_o can_v be_v pretend_v since_o all_o the_o good_a or_o evil_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n can_v only_o make_v we_o happy_a or_o miserable_a for_o a_o short_a time_n for_o this_o life_n at_o most_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v name_v with_o live_v for_o ever_o either_o in_o unspeakable_a happiness_n or_o misery_n whence_o be_v it_o then_o that_o christian_n be_v so_o strange_o cold_a and_o indifferent_a about_o these_o most_o weighty_a thing_n of_o another_o life_n as_o if_o they_o be_v of_o no_o concernment_n to_o they_o after_o all_o our_o search_n we_o must_v resolve_v it_o into_o one_o of_o these_o two_o cause_n either_o that_o man_n whatever_o they_o profess_v do_v not_o hearty_o believe_v this_o doctrine_n or_o else_o that_o they_o do_v not_o due_o consider_v it_o 1._o most_o man_n whatever_o they_o profess_v or_o pretend_v though_o they_o dare_v not_o renounce_v or_o deny_v it_o yet_o be_v not_o hearty_o and_o thorough_o persuade_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o future_a state_n their_o understanding_n be_v never_o rational_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o so_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v not_o firm_o root_v and_o settle_v in_o their_o mind_n will_v but_o god_n almighty_n be_v gracious_o please_v to_o indulge_v to_o we_o a_o sight_n of_o those_o future_a glory_n and_o misery_n which_o he_o have_v reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n this_o we_o imagine_v will_v certain_o prevail_v for_o the_o conviction_n and_o reformation_n of_o all_o man_n will_v he_o give_v we_o though_o but_o a_o short_a and_o transient_a view_n of_o that_o bless_a place_n where_o himself_o dwell_v that_o we_o may_v but_o for_o a_o few_o moment_n behold_v the_o joy_n and_o triumph_n of_o those_o happy_a soul_n that_o be_v admit_v into_o his_o beatific_a presence_n or_o will_v he_o but_o open_v the_o gate_n of_o hell_n and_o once_o suffer_v we_o to_o look_v into_o those_o dismal_a receptacle_n of_o impure_a spirit_n that_o so_o we_o may_v be_v eye_n and_o ear_n witness_n of_o their_o grievous_a torment_n and_o horrid_a despair_n such_o a_o sight_n as_o this_o we_o doubt_v not_o will_v present_o change_v we_o all_o and_o make_v we_o whatever_o god_n require_v we_o to_o be_v but_o god_n way_n be_v not_o as_o our_o way_n nor_o his_o thought_n as_o our_o thought_n he_o govern_v man_n in_o a_o method_n suit_v to_o their_o reasonable_a nature_n and_o have_v give_v we_o such_o assurance_n of_o another_o life_n as_o be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v and_o convince_v the_o understanding_n of_o man_n but_o yet_o may_v be_v resist_v by_o those_o who_o have_v no_o mind_n or_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o believe_v it_o for_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o trial_n of_o man_n no_o discrimination_n make_v between_o the_o wise_a and_o consider_v and_o the_o foolish_a and_o wicked_a if_o the_o reward_n of_o religion_n have_v be_v present_a or_o expose_v to_o our_o sense_n god_n will_v not_o force_v a_o faith_n upon_o we_o as_o the_o sight_n of_o these_o thing_n will_v do_v but_o will_v have_v it_o to_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o choice_n and_o a_o instance_n of_o virtue_n in_o we_o no_o praise_n be_v due_a to_o they_o who_o believe_v only_o what_o they_o see_v such_o can_v be_v say_v to_o believe_v god_n but_o their_o own_o eye_n but_o rather_o bless_a be_v they_o say_v our_o saviour_n who_o have_v not_o see_v and_o yet_o have_v believe_v god_n have_v deny_v we_o the_o sight_n of_o these_o thing_n to_o prove_v we_o and_o try_v whether_o we_o dare_v trust_v his_o promise_n and_o threaten_n our_o belief_n therefore_o of_o this_o invisible_a world_n if_o we_o will_v have_v it_o effectual_a for_o the_o amendment_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n must_v be_v so_o strong_a and_o powerful_a as_o to_o serve_v instead_o of_o ocular_a and_o sensible_a demonstration_n whence_o the_o apostle_n call_v it_o heb._n 1.11_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v that_o so_o the_o thing_n unseen_a which_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o we_o may_v have_v the_o same_o effect_n upon_o we_o not_o as_o to_o degree_n but_o the_o same_o real_a effect_n as_o if_o the_o other_o world_n be_v always_o visible_a to_o we_o now_o our_o belief_n of_o any_o thing_n must_v necessary_o be_v strong_a or_o weak_a according_a as_o the_o evidence_n be_v upon_o which_o it_o be_v believe_v and_o that_o not_o only_o as_o the_o evidence_n be_v in_o itself_o but_o as_o it_o be_v perceive_v by_o we_o for_o however_o evident_a a_o thing_n may_v be_v in_o itself_o yet_o if_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v so_o to_o we_o our_o belief_n of_o it_o must_v be_v very_o uncertain_a and_o waver_a because_o it_o be_v groundless_a since_o then_o the_o truth_n or_o principle_n of_o religion_n which_o relate_v to_o another_o life_n be_v not_o thing_n to_o be_v see_v or_o feel_v we_o can_v be_v assure_v of_o they_o only_o by_o undeniable_a argument_n and_o testimony_n about_o which_o we_o must_v use_v our_o reason_n and_o our_o discern_a and_o judge_v faculty_n before_o we_o can_v understand_v the_o force_n of_o they_o or_o be_v real_o convince_v by_o they_o not_o that_o there_o be_v any_o great_a difficulty_n in_o apprehend_v these_o argument_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v require_v such_o attention_n of_o mind_n and_o serious_a thought_n about_o they_o and_o a_o frequent_a revolve_v over_o the_o proof_n and_o evidence_n of_o a_o future_a state_n with_o such_o diligence_n and_o careful_a examination_n of_o they_o as_o all_o man_n ordinary_o use_v about_o other_o matter_n wherein_o they_o be_v great_o concern_v to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n but_o now_o be_v any_o thing_n more_o plain_a than_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n who_o profess_v these_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v rational_o by_o the_o force_n of_o argument_n convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o that_o very_o few_o among_o they_o ever_o so_o much_o as_o set_v themselves_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o belief_n they_o owe_v their_o faith_n sole_o to_o education_n prepossession_n instruction_n and_o example_n of_o other_o take_v it_o up_o without_o any_o consideration_n of_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o and_o be_v it_o then_o at_o all_o wonderful_a that_o this_o faith_n shall_v have_v but_o very_o little_a force_n or_o power_n on_o man_n mind_n which_o be_v thus_o receive_v without_o any_o rational_a conviction_n of_o their_o understanding_n which_o be_v thus_o weak_o found_v and_o support_v any_o little_a blast_n will_v overthrow_v that_o house_n which_o be_v thus_o build_v upon_o the_o sand_n i_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o a_o belief_n thus_o take_v up_o upon_o trust_n and_o confirm_v by_o a_o long_a and_o customary_a profession_n of_o it_o may_v be_v so_o strong_a and_o a_o man_n may_v be_v so_o resolve_v in_o it_o as_o that_o he_o will_v never_o stir_v from_o it_o but_o then_o i_o say_v this_o be_v not_o the_o faith_n which_o our_o saviour_n require_v or_o which_o god_n will_v accept_v of_o in_o those_o who_o be_v capable_a of_o a_o better_a and_o a_o mahometan_a bear_v and_o breed_v at_o constantinople_n have_v as_o good_a reason_n for_o his_o belief_n of_o the_o alcoran_n as_o such_o a_o one_o have_v for_o the_o belief_n of_o christianity_n such_o a_o
faith_n be_v only_o a_o obstinacy_n in_o adhere_v to_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v first_o teach_v whether_o true_a or_o false_a and_o be_v common_a to_o man_n in_o all_o religion_n our_o understanding_n be_v the_o imperial_a and_o govern_v faculty_n of_o our_o soul_n it_o be_v that_o which_o do_v engage_v our_o will_n and_o affection_n and_o so_o consequent_o by_o they_o move_v and_o excite_v we_o to_o action_n when_o therefore_o our_o understanding_n do_v assent_v to_o any_o truth_n upon_o clear_a and_o satisfactory_a evidence_n be_v overpowr_v by_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n and_o argument_n it_o must_v needs_o propound_v it_o with_o great_a strength_n and_o authority_n to_o the_o low_a faculty_n and_o so_o must_v have_v more_o powerful_a influence_n upon_o all_o our_o affection_n and_o action_n otherwise_o how_o can_v we_o expect_v but_o that_o any_o little_a reason_n shall_v be_v too_o hard_a for_o and_o baffle_v that_o faith_n which_o be_v ground_v on_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o or_o how_o can_v we_o think_v that_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o believe_v but_o without_o any_o sufficient_a convince_a motive_n or_o evidence_n shall_v outweigh_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v more_o certain_a of_o which_o we_o daily_o see_v feel_v and_o experience_n such_o as_o be_v the_o present_a sensible_a pleasure_n and_o the_o visible_a good_a and_o evil_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n this_o therefore_o be_v one_o great_a reason_n of_o the_o inefficacy_n of_o man_n faith_n that_o their_o belief_n of_o these_o great_a truth_n be_v never_o well_o root_v and_o fix_v in_o their_o understanding_n 2._o if_o our_o understanding_n be_v so_o full_o convince_v of_o these_o truth_n that_o we_o can_v any_o long_o doubt_v of_o they_o and_o yet_o this_o belief_n be_v not_o effectual_a for_o our_o reformation_n the_o reason_n than_o must_v be_v only_o because_o we_o do_v not_o real_o consider_v they_o the_o understanding_n have_v not_o such_o a_o absolute_a power_n over_o the_o will_n as_o necessary_o to_o determine_v it_o always_o to_o that_o which_o it_o judge_v best_a and_o fit_a but_o after_o our_o understanding_n have_v yield_v our_o will_n may_v stubborn_o hold_v out_o against_o the_o siege_n and_o battery_n of_o the_o clear_a evidence_n and_o strong_a reason_n if_o the_o truth_n propound_v be_v contrary_a to_o our_o fleshly_a lust_n and_o worldly_a interest_n for_o the_o will_n of_o man_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o middle_a faculty_n between_o the_o understanding_n and_o the_o bodily_a inclination_n and_o as_o it_o be_v move_v by_o our_o understanding_n to_o follow_v and_o obey_v its_o dictate_v so_o also_o it_o be_v most_o importunate_o solicit_v by_o our_o low_a fleshly_a appetite_n and_o lust_n crave_v their_o several_a satisfaction_n and_o gratification_n and_o by_o outward_a object_n that_o continual_o thrust_v themselves_o upon_o we_o agreeable_a to_o those_o desire_n and_o propensity_n hence_o arise_v a_o great_a conflict_n between_o those_o truth_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v propound_v by_o our_o understanding_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o our_o inferior_a sensitive_a faculty_n on_o the_o other_o our_o lust_n be_v check_v and_o cross_v by_o the_o hope_n and_o fear_n of_o another_o life_n make_v the_o shrewd_a objection_n against_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o do_v with_o all_o their_o force_n and_o power_n oppose_v the_o entertainment_n of_o they_o in_o our_o mind_n and_o on_o the_o success_n of_o this_o contest_v do_v especial_o depend_v the_o efficacy_n of_o our_o faith_n thus_o it_o be_v with_o very_a many_o among_o the_o jew_n whilst_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v alive_a here_o upon_o earth_n they_o can_v not_o resist_v those_o undoubted_a testimony_n which_o he_o give_v of_o his_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o yet_o the_o love_n of_o this_o world_n or_o fear_v of_o suffering_n have_v so_o much_o great_a power_n over_o their_o will_n as_o that_o they_o can_v never_o prevail_v with_o themselves_o to_o become_v his_o disciple_n st._n john_n 12.42_o 43._o among_o the_o chief_a ruler_n many_o believe_v on_o he_o but_o because_o of_o the_o pharisee_n they_o do_v not_o confess_v he_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n for_o they_o love_v the_o praise_n of_o man_n more_o than_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o therefore_o that_o these_o truth_n of_o religion_n have_v subdue_v our_o understanding_n by_o the_o evidence_n of_o reason_n but_o they_o must_v also_o conquer_v our_o will_n and_o draw_v out_o its_o affection_n after_o they_o before_o ever_o they_o can_v have_v any_o last_a effect_n upon_o our_o life_n for_o the_o affection_n of_o the_o will_v be_v the_o most_o immediate_a principle_n of_o all_o our_o action_n and_o therefore_o till_o our_o belief_n have_v powerful_o wrought_v upon_o these_o affection_n of_o love_n desire_v hope_v fear_v it_o can_v have_v little_a or_o no_o influence_n upon_o our_o outward_a action_n now_o the_o way_n and_o mean_n to_o obtain_v this_o consent_n of_o our_o will_n and_o affection_n to_o these_o truth_n thus_o propound_v by_o our_o understanding_n be_v often_o and_o most_o serious_o to_o consider_v the_o immense_a greatness_n of_o the_o happiness_n offer_v to_o we_o the_o extremity_n of_o the_o misery_n threaten_v how_o vast_o it_o concern_v we_o what_o our_o portion_n shall_v be_v in_o that_o eternal_a state_n how_o unspeakable_o sad_a and_o unpitied_a our_o condition_n will_v be_v if_o we_o foolish_o neglect_v provide_v for_o it_o how_o infinite_o the_o glory_n of_o heaven_n do_v surpass_v all_o the_o joy_n and_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n these_o thing_n and_o the_o like_a in_o a_o lively_a manner_n represent_v unto_o and_o fix_v in_o our_o mind_n will_v by_o degree_n so_o captivate_v our_o will_n and_o affection_n as_o that_o we_o can_v but_o love_v and_o choose_v this_o future_a happiness_n as_o our_o great_a good_a fear_v and_o fly_v from_o this_o eternal_a misery_n as_o the_o great_a evil_n that_o can_v possible_o betide_v we_o of_o such_o infinite_a moment_n be_v the_o concern_v of_o eternity_n that_o if_o we_o do_v but_o patient_o attend_v to_o they_o and_o exercise_v our_o thought_n free_o about_o they_o if_o we_o will_v not_o suffer_v our_o lust_n to_o bribe_v and_o bias_n our_o judgement_n or_o to_o stifle_v and_o choke_v these_o principle_n of_o religion_n they_o will_v at_o last_o awaken_v our_o conscience_n and_o prevail_v above_o all_o present_a temptation_n and_o when_o our_o faith_n by_o the_o frequent_a and_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o mighty_a importance_n of_o these_o matter_n and_o of_o their_o consequence_n to_o we_o have_v make_v such_o a_o complete_a conquest_n over_o our_o mind_n and_o will_n than_o our_o action_n will_v of_o themselves_o natural_o follow_v for_o man_n will_v live_v and_o act_v agreable_o to_o what_o they_o love_v desire_v hope_v for_o or_o fear_v most_o so_o effectual_o have_v our_o christianity_n provide_v for_o the_o happiness_n of_o all_o man_n that_o nothing_o can_v make_v we_o miserable_a but_o either_o not_o believe_v or_o not_o consider_v the_o great_a argument_n of_o religion_n the_o different_a behaviour_n of_o man_n as_o to_o the_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n concern_v another_o life_n i_o shall_v beg_v leave_n to_o illustrate_v by_o this_o plain_a similitude_n suppose_v a_o person_n of_o great_a credit_n and_o authority_n shall_v now_o appear_v among_o we_o and_o shall_v propound_v to_o we_o that_o if_o we_o will_v follow_v he_o entire_o resign_v up_o ourselves_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o he_o he_o will_v safe_o conduct_v we_o all_o to_o a_o certain_a country_n or_o island_n where_o we_o shall_v possess_v all_o that_o our_o heart_n can_v wish_v shall_v be_v all_o king_n and_o prince_n and_o flow_v in_o all_o manner_n of_o wealth_n and_o enjoy_v a_o uninterrupted_a health_n in_o a_o word_n want_v nothing_o that_o man_n can_v fancy_n can_v contribute_v any_o way_n to_o their_o 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