a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o public_a commencement_n at_o cambridge_n sunday_n in_o the_o forenoon_n july_n iij._n 1698._o by_o peter_n nurse_n d._n d._n fellow_n of_o s._n john_n college_n cambridge_z print_v for_o edward_n hall_n bookseller_n in_o cambridge_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o luke_n meredith_n at_o the_o star_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n london_n 1698._o two_o cor._n chap._n iu._n v._o iij._n but_o if_o our_o gospel_n be_v hide_v it_o be_v hide_v to_o they_o that_o be_v lose_v the_o gospel_n in_o the_o large_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n comprehend_v the_o write_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v the_o perfect_a and_o complete_a will_n of_o god_n reveal_v to_o mankind_n in_o order_n to_o their_o future_a happiness_n but_o there_o be_v a_o more_o limit_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n gospel_n in_o which_o it_o be_v oppose_v to_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n it_o begin_v from_o galilee_n after_o the_o baptism_n which_o john_n preach_v act_v 10._o v._o 37._o and_o in_o this_o strict_a sense_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o text_n the_o apostle_n call_v it_o our_o gospel_n mean_v his_o own_o sermon_n and_o write_n and_o together_o with_o they_o the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n it_o be_v necessary_a for_o our_o present_a purpose_n thus_o to_o distinguish_v for_o how_o near_o soever_o the_o agreement_n be_v between_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n in_o substance_n and_o design_n yet_o in_o this_o they_o differ_v exceed_o that_o the_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n be_v veil_v under_o type_n and_o figure_n dark_a and_o mysterious_a representation_n so_o that_o it_o be_v difficult_a for_o the_o wise_a jew_n to_o see_v to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o faith_n by_o which_o alone_o he_o can_v be_v save_v namely_o the_o suffering_n and_o death_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o moral_a duty_n be_v so_o mingle_v even_o in_o their_o prophet_n with_o legal_a observance_n that_o the_o best_a and_o sincere_a man_n of_o that_o religion_n can_v not_o easy_o discern_v the_o different_a obligation_n that_o be_v due_a to_o the_o one_o and_o to_o the_o other_o so_o that_o a_o jew_n may_v have_v a_o great_a deal_n to_o say_v for_o himself_o in_o excuse_n of_o his_o ignorance_n and_o unbelief_n but_o this_o gospel_n which_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o be_v so_o clear_a and_o open_a it_o shine_v with_o that_o strength_n and_o brightness_n that_o no_o professor_n of_o it_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o its_o truth_n or_o withstand_v its_o power_n without_o do_v the_o great_a violence_n to_o his_o own_o conscience_n and_o understanding_n if_o it_o be_v hide_v to_o any_o that_o have_v have_v the_o mean_n of_o be_v instruct_v in_o it_o it_o be_v hide_v to_o such_o as_o be_v lose_v and_o that_o not_o only_o to_o virtue_n and_o religion_n but_o even_o to_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n it_o will_v take_v up_o too_o much_o of_o this_o discourse_n to_o show_v the_o great_a happiness_n and_o advantage_n we_o christian_n enjoy_v by_o compare_v the_o grace_n and_o truth_n which_o come_v by_o jesus_n christ_n with_o the_o law_n that_o be_v give_v by_o moses_n in_o that_o particular_a of_o the_o plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n of_o the_o one_o above_o the_o other_o and_o it_o will_v be_v needless_a to_o speak_v any_o thing_n upon_o this_o head_n since_o our_o great_a adversary_n confess_v it_o as_o well_o as_o ourselves_o and_o there_o be_v no_o one_o thing_n in_o which_o the_o different_a party_n in_o religion_n except_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v so_o much_o agree_v as_o in_o this_o that_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v very_o plain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v take_v it_o therefore_o for_o grant_v that_o it_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v only_o inquire_v into_o these_o two_o thing_n first_o how_o or_o in_o what_o respect_n the_o gospel_n may_v be_v hide_v second_o how_o just_a their_o condemnation_n be_v to_o who_o it_o be_v hide_v the_o text_n tell_v we_o they_o be_v lose_v first_o the_o gospel_n may_v be_v hide_v either_o in_o respect_n of_o that_o faith_n which_o it_o deliver_v or_o second_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o power_n the_o faith_n deliver_v in_o the_o gospel_n take_v in_o all_o those_o truth_n that_o be_v reveal_v in_o it_o but_o particular_o those_o which_o we_o receive_v only_o from_o revelation_n which_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n can_v neither_o have_v let_v we_o into_o nor_o can_v it_o yet_o comprehend_v they_o so_o that_o faith_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o understand_v as_o well_o as_o of_o thing_n not_o see_v whosoever_o therefore_o be_v either_o ignorant_a of_o or_o will_v not_o believe_v what_o the_o gospel_n discover_v to_o we_o to_o those_o it_o be_v certain_o hide_v not_o that_o all_o kind_n of_o ignorance_n do_v necessary_o bring_v man_n under_o the_o apostle_n censure_v in_o the_o text_n but_o such_o only_a as_o be_v voluntary_a and_o in_o other_o case_n criminal_a it_o will_v be_v the_o worst_a sort_n of_o judge_v those_o that_o be_v without_o if_o we_o shall_v pronounce_v all_o those_o man_n absolute_o lose_v who_o have_v not_o yet_o receive_v the_o gospel_n there_o have_v be_v and_o without_o doubt_n still_o be_v some_o man_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n even_o among_o the_o heathen_a who_o heart_n be_v well_o dispose_v for_o the_o receive_n it_o if_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o impart_v it_o to_o they_o these_o be_v not_o such_o as_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v but_o the_o providence_n of_o the_o eternal_a god_n who_o have_v determine_v the_o bound_n of_o man_n habitation_n have_v place_v they_o at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o this_o light_n that_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a it_o shall_v shine_v unto_o they_o neither_o can_v we_o pronounce_v all_o those_o to_o be_v lose_v to_o who_o some_o of_o the_o gospel_n truth_n be_v hide_v for_o though_o we_o believe_v every_o word_n of_o it_o to_o have_v proceed_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n yet_o all_o its_o truth_n be_v not_o of_o equal_a moment_n for_o our_o salvation_n and_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v impossible_a but_o error_n and_o division_n will_v spring_v up_o among_o they_o and_o in_o many_o case_n great_a allowance_n must_v be_v make_v for_o the_o prejudices_fw-la or_o for_o the_o want_n of_o education_n and_o even_o for_o the_o incapacity_n of_o some_o man_n to_o judge_v in_o the_o plain_a matter_n god_n almighty_n consider_v all_o this_o and_o will_v not_o be_v so_o severe_a upon_o we_o as_o we_o be_v upon_o one_o another_o our_o heat_n and_o animosity_n general_o rise_v high_a where_o the_o ground_n of_o difference_n be_v the_o most_o inconsiderable_a but_o god_n look_v upon_o thing_n in_o another_o manner_n and_o be_v as_o ready_a to_o pass_v by_o some_o error_n in_o our_o faith_n as_o he_o be_v to_o pardon_v sin_n of_o infirmity_n in_o our_o practice_n for_o they_o both_o arise_v from_o the_o same_o cause_n the_o strength_n of_o our_o passion_n and_o inadvertency_n but_o those_o who_o be_v leave_v without_o all_o excuse_n be_v such_o as_o whole_o reject_v the_o gospel_n when_o they_o have_v have_v sufficient_a mean_n of_o be_v instruct_v in_o it_o or_o pervert_v the_o end_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o the_o gnoslicks_n do_v who_o turn_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n into_o lasciviousness_n make_v the_o gospel_n which_o be_v design_v to_o purify_v we_o from_o sin_n to_o justify_v and_o patronize_v it_o or_o else_o they_o be_v such_o as_o endeavour_v to_o ruin_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n which_o be_v do_v more_o effectual_o by_o secret_o undermine_v it_o with_o false_a interpretation_n than_o if_o they_o shall_v with_o bare_a face_n disow_v it_o and_o of_o all_o those_o truth_n that_o be_v fundamental_a in_o our_o religion_n nothing_o be_v more_o plain_o and_o peculiar_o so_o than_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n this_o be_v that_o rock_n upon_o which_o and_o not_o upon_o he_o who_o confess_v it_o our_o lord_n declare_v that_o he_o will_v build_v his_o church_n and_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v never_o prevail_v against_o it_o it_o be_v too_o bold_a a_o attempt_n even_o for_o hell_n itself_o open_o to_o assault_v this_o truth_n because_o it_o stand_v so_o clear_o reveal_v in_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n but_o never_o be_v the_o power_n of_o darkness_n more_o industrious_a in_o any_o thing_n than_o to_o subvert_v it_o by_o false_a exposition_n which_o be_v once_o do_v with_o that_o success_n that_o one_o of_o the_o father_n tell_v we_o the_o world_n groan_v and_o be_v surprise_v to_o see_v itself_o turn_v arrian_n in_o every_o age_n of_o the_o church_n
something_o of_o this_o heresy_n have_v be_v keep_v on_o foot_n maintain_v and_o improve_v with_o all_o the_o force_n and_o subtlety_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n but_o the_o truth_n which_o it_o oppose_v be_v of_o so_o great_a moment_n that_o the_o main_a stress_n of_o the_o gospel_n lie_v upon_o it_o for_o what_o do_v that_o word_n import_n but_o the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o salvation_n purchase_v for_o we_o by_o christ_n jesus_n who_o have_v he_o not_o be_v the_o true_a and_o eternal_a son_n of_o the_o live_a god_n can_v not_o have_v make_v a_o full_a atonement_n or_o satisfaction_n for_o our_o sin_n neither_o can_v we_o justify_v ourselves_o in_o pay_v he_o that_o worship_n and_o adoration_n which_o the_o scripture_n do_v declare_v and_o the_o church_n of_o god_n have_v ever_o teach_v to_o be_v due_a to_o he_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a argument_n to_o confirm_v we_o that_o we_o be_v in_o the_o right_n and_o we_o may_v just_o glory_v in_o it_o though_o it_o be_v but_o of_o little_a force_n to_o convince_v our_o adversary_n namely_o that_o our_o belief_n of_o these_o fundamental_a truth_n be_v not_o only_o ground_v upon_o clear_a and_o express_v word_n of_o scripture_n frequent_o repeat_v but_o it_o have_v also_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o place_n so_o that_o if_o this_o gospel_n be_v hide_v to_o we_o in_o our_o sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o it_o it_o have_v be_v hide_v likewise_o to_o all_o the_o primitive_a saint_n and_o martyr_n but_o it_o will_v be_v the_o great_a impiety_n to_o suppose_v this_o if_o we_o draw_v as_o we_o must_v do_v the_o apostle_n inference_n than_o they_o which_o be_v fall_v asleep_a in_o jesus_n they_o who_o have_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o he_o be_v all_o perish_a but_o notwithstanding_o the_o blindness_n or_o rather_o the_o wilfulness_n and_o craft_n of_o our_o adversary_n the_o true_a and_o heavenly_a wisdom_n ever_o have_v be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v justify_v by_o her_o child_n but_o second_o the_o gospel_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v hide_v in_o respect_n of_o its_o power_n by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o mean_v its_o efficacy_n to_o work_v in_o we_o that_o holiness_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o fit_v we_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o its_o promise_n thus_o the_o gospel_n be_v call_v by_o st._n paul_n the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n epist_n to_o the_o rom._n chap._n 1._o v._n 16._o this_o be_v the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o it_o to_o purge_v our_o conscience_n from_o dead_a work_n that_o we_o may_v serve_v the_o live_n god_n the_o power_n of_o do_v this_o consist_v in_o the_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o be_v effect_v such_o be_v the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n upon_o our_o soul_n the_o grace_n of_o repentance_n the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o sacrament_n a_o steadfast_a faith_n in_o god_n from_o which_o there_o flow_v a_o dread_n of_o his_o threaten_n and_o a_o lively_a hope_n of_o his_o promise_n he_o who_o contemn_v and_o reject_v these_o mean_n and_o cause_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n and_o become_v barren_a and_o unfruitful_a in_o his_o duty_n be_v he_o never_o so_o well_o skilled_a in_o the_o mind_n and_o interpretation_n of_o god_n word_n yet_o the_o scripture_n pronounce_v that_o he_o be_v blind_a and_o that_o he_o know_v nothing_o as_o he_o ought_v to_o know_v for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n which_o signify_v the_o gospel_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o do_v not_o consist_v in_o word_n but_o in_o power_n 1_o epist_n to_o the_o cor._n chap._n 4._o v._n 20._o there_o be_v that_o force_n that_o conviction_n of_o truth_n in_o it_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v real_o receive_v where_o it_o be_v not_o obey_v but_o it_o be_v not_o as_o many_o imagine_v by_o knowledge_n that_o we_o receive_v this_o power_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o by_o faith_n for_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a as_o well_o as_o natural_a truth_n may_v serve_v only_o to_o puff_n man_n up_o with_o pride_n and_o vanity_n a_o natural_a man_n may_v discern_v his_o duty_n in_o the_o scripture_n and_o acknowledge_v it_o for_o truth_n but_o as_o one_o who_o see_v his_o face_n in_o the_o glass_n know_v his_o likeness_n whilst_o he_o look_v upon_o it_o but_o when_o he_o go_v from_o thence_o he_o present_o forget_v what_o manner_n of_o person_n he_o be_v so_o knowledge_n will_v force_v assent_n to_o truth_n whilst_o our_o mind_n be_v upon_o it_o but_o if_o we_o turn_v away_o our_o thought_n immediate_o we_o forget_v our_o duty_n but_o faith_n be_v such_o a_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v that_o the_o impression_n from_o it_o be_v deep_a and_o last_a it_o be_v too_o strong_a a_o principle_n for_o the_o hope_n of_o pleasure_n here_o or_o the_o fear_n of_o danger_n to_o overcome_v it_o it_o make_v heaven_n and_o hell_n as_o it_o be_v present_a to_o our_o view_n which_o be_v the_o best_a guard_n against_o temptation_n and_o the_o strong_a motive_n to_o obedience_n experience_n show_v we_o what_o great_a difference_n there_o be_v between_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o often_o time_n arise_v from_o quite_o different_a end_n and_o motive_n ambition_n or_o avarice_n may_v set_v man_n to_o understand_v the_o gospel_n but_o only_o a_o conscience_n that_o be_v or_o will_v be_v void_a of_o offence_n can_v encourage_v they_o to_o believe_v it_o the_o influence_n also_o of_o these_o two_o principle_n be_v as_o different_a for_o there_o be_v many_o man_n who_o understand_v their_o duty_n so_o well_o that_o they_o perfect_o comprehend_v its_o whole_a connexion_n they_o be_v able_a to_o demonstrate_v each_o part_n of_o it_o by_o reduce_v it_o to_o some_o principle_n in_o natural_a reason_n but_o yet_o their_o life_n be_v vicious_a and_o profane_a whereas_o there_o be_v many_o other_o who_o neither_o can_v demonstrate_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o of_o this_o neither_o do_v they_o pretend_v to_o it_o only_o they_o believe_v that_o what_o god_n have_v say_v be_v true_a and_o what_o he_o have_v command_v be_v to_o be_v obey_v and_o upon_o that_o principle_n alone_o they_o firm_o adhere_v to_o their_o duty_n no_o argument_n of_o the_o subtle_a disputant_n can_v shake_v their_o integrity_n no_o temptation_n of_o the_o world_n can_v seduce_v they_o from_o it_o but_o they_o will_v persevere_v to_o do_v justice_n to_o love_v mercy_n and_o to_o walk_v humble_o with_o their_o god_n but_o if_o a_o covetous_a or_o a_o ambitious_a person_n a_o drunkard_n or_o a_o whoremonger_n will_v hear_v or_o read_v the_o gospel_n and_o be_v not_o so_o convince_v of_o the_o heinousness_n and_o danger_n of_o his_o sin_n as_o to_o be_v touch_v in_o conscience_n for_o it_o and_o be_v resolve_v to_o forsake_v it_o the_o gospel_n may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o be_v hide_v from_o he_o but_o how_o be_v it_o hide_v not_o in_o the_o letter_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o it_o for_o man_n may_v hear_v and_o not_o understand_v they_o may_v understand_v and_o yet_o not_o believe_v and_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n tell_v we_o chap._n 4._o v._n 2._o that_o the_o word_n preach_v do_v not_o profit_n the_o israelite_n be_v not_o mix_v with_o faith_n in_o they_o that_o hear_v it_o as_o for_o those_o to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v thus_o hide_v in_o respect_n of_o its_o power_n their_o number_n be_v too_o great_a out_o of_o all_o party_n in_o religion_n the_o subject_n be_v too_o melancholy_a to_o insist_v upon_o strange_a it_o be_v that_o man_n shall_v show_v their_o heat_n and_o zeal_n only_o for_o those_o opinion_n and_o speculative_a notion_n wherein_o they_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o many_o of_o which_o be_v of_o little_a moment_n to_o the_o great_a business_n of_o religion_n and_o be_v so_o regardless_o of_o that_o the_o necessity_n of_o which_o they_o be_v all_o agree_v in_o namely_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n i_o know_v it_o be_v so_o common_a a_o topick_n and_o have_v ever_o be_v so_o for_o man_n to_o declaim_v against_o the_o vice_n of_o the_o age_n they_o live_v in_o as_o if_o every_o one_o be_v own_o time_n be_v the_o worst_a that_o it_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o thing_n of_o course_n and_o custom_n and_o seldom_o do_v any_o good_a towards_o a_o reformation_n yet_o i_o may_v safe_o affirm_v that_o the_o character_n of_o the_o vice_n of_o this_o present_a age_n have_v something_o peculiar_a in_o they_o to_o make_v we_o conclude_v that_o we_o live_v not_o only_o in_o the_o worst_a but_o in_o the_o last_o of_o time_n which_o shall_v make_v man_n that_o have_v any_o disposition_n towards_o goodness_n or_o concern_v for_o their_o safety_n to_o take_v heed_n lest_o they_o perish_v in_o the_o common_a ruin_n the_o ground_n of_o our_o complaint_n be_v not_o only_o what_o
dangerous_a be_v their_o case_n who_o to_o form_v the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o notion_n put_v a_o strain_a and_o force_a interpretation_n upon_o those_o place_n in_o it_o which_o of_o themselves_o be_v very_o clear_a and_o easy_a three_o the_o consideration_n of_o god_n goodness_n reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o far_a proof_n of_o the_o justice_n of_o their_o condemnation_n to_o who_o it_o be_v hide_v as_o to_o the_o power_n of_o it_o for_o be_v there_o no_o argument_n to_o prove_v its_o divine_a authority_n yet_o the_o rule_n and_o precept_n contain_v in_o it_o be_v so_o agreeable_a to_o our_o rational_a nature_n and_o so_o fit_v for_o our_o welfare_n in_o this_o life_n that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o that_o be_v either_o sober_a or_o prudent_a but_o will_v wish_v at_o least_o that_o it_o be_v from_o god_n that_o all_o mankind_n may_v be_v under_o the_o strong_a tie_n and_o obligation_n to_o observe_v it_o but_o if_o beside_o the_o advantage_n which_o it_o bring_v we_o in_o this_o life_n we_o consider_v the_o discovery_n which_o it_o make_v with_o regard_n to_o the_o next_o its_o gracious_a overture_n of_o peace_n and_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n the_o allowance_n it_o make_v for_o our_o infirmity_n the_o grace_n and_o strength_n it_o promise_v to_o assist_v we_o with_o and_o the_o glorious_a reward_n which_o shall_v crown_v our_o obedience_n can_v we_o possible_o have_v make_v better_a term_n for_o our_o own_o happiness_n than_o god_n be_v please_v there_o to_o offer_v to_o we_o how_o then_o can_v any_o one_o hope_n to_o escape_v if_o he_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n but_o there_o be_v many_o man_n who_o will_v ready_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o be_v just_o lose_v to_o who_o the_o power_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v hide_v so_o as_o that_o the_o wickedness_n of_o their_o life_n be_v a_o disgrace_n and_o contradiction_n to_o their_o profession_n but_o they_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n as_o to_o those_o who_o have_v corrupt_v the_o substance_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o most_o essential_a part_n of_o its_o doctrine_n and_o who_o endeavour_n as_o much_o as_o lie_v in_o they_o to_o hide_v it_o from_o other_o thus_o they_o leave_v man_n at_o large_a to_o believe_v as_o they_o think_v fit_a or_o as_o they_o pretend_v they_o be_v able_a and_o this_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o piece_n of_o christian_a moderation_n a_o instance_n of_o great_a charity_n and_o a_o evangelic_n spirit_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o apostle_n neither_o practise_v nor_o recommend_v it_o they_o know_v what_o influence_n a_o right_a faith_n have_v upon_o a_o right_a conversation_n that_o the_o fruit_n can_v never_o be_v good_a where_o the_o tree_n be_v not_o so_o therefore_o they_o spare_v not_o the_o false_a teacher_n they_o never_o flatter_v or_o compliment_v those_o who_o corrupt_v their_o gospel_n but_o rebuke_v they_o with_o sharpness_n without_o admire_v their_o knowledge_n or_o make_v any_o allowance_n for_o their_o pretend_a morality_n whoever_o he_o be_v though_o a_o apostle_n or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n that_o shall_v preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n than_o that_o st._n paul_n preach_v he_o have_v no_o respect_n for_o his_o character_n but_o say_v he_o let_v he_o be_v accurse_v ep._n to_o the_o gal._n chap._n 1._o v._n 8._o which_o he_o repeat_v again_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n to_o make_v the_o deep_a impression_n i_o say_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v and_o v._o 7._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o by_o another_o gospel_n he_o do_v not_o mean_v any_o new_a revelation_n that_o shall_v be_v set_v up_o in_o opposition_n to_o that_o which_o they_o have_v from_o god_n but_o that_o which_o deserve_v the_o curse_n be_v the_o misconstrue_v his_o gospel_n the_o pervert_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n but_o say_v some_o be_v not_o this_o very_a severe_a be_v it_o not_o contrary_a to_o the_o temper_n and_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o pronounce_v man_n accurse_v for_o that_o which_o it_o be_v not_o in_o their_o power_n to_o help_v must_v they_o perish_v everlasting_o and_o not_o be_v able_a to_o prevent_v it_o to_o be_v honest_a in_o one_o deal_n to_o be_v sober_a to_o be_v merciful_a in_o a_o word_n to_o be_v good_a say_v they_o be_v in_o every_o one_o power_n and_o they_o who_o be_v otherwise_o do_v just_o bear_v the_o blame_n and_o the_o punishment_n of_o their_o folly_n but_o the_o faith_n which_o we_o so_o earnest_o contend_v for_o be_v out_o of_o their_o reach_n if_o there_o be_v any_o blame_n in_o their_o want_n of_o it_o it_o must_v lie_v at_o his_o door_n who_o make_v they_o for_o their_o part_n they_o have_v spare_v no_o pain_n to_o search_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o have_v weary_v their_o reason_n and_o their_o judgement_n in_o that_o labour_n will_v we_o have_v they_o renounce_v they_o if_o therefore_o the_o gospel_n be_v hide_v to_o they_o in_o mystery_n it_o be_v none_o of_o their_o fault_n it_o be_v at_o most_o but_o their_o unhappiness_n and_o god_n will_v excuse_v they_o but_o grant_v that_o no_o one_o be_v lose_v but_o by_o his_o own_o fault_n let_v such_o man_n be_v examine_v more_o narrow_o and_o there_o will_v certain_o appear_v other_o cause_n of_o their_o unbelief_n than_o what_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o allege_v for_o it_o for_o sometime_o god_n send_v a_o spirit_n of_o delusion_n upon_o man_n as_o a_o punishment_n of_o their_o lust_n or_o former_a disobedience_n as_o it_o be_v see_v by_o experience_n that_o many_o a_o one_o who_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o the_o true_a faith_n after_o a_o long_a course_n of_o wickedness_n have_v turn_v atheist_n or_o infidel_n but_o allow_v that_o these_o man_n be_v as_o free_a as_o other_o be_v from_o any_o open_a enormous_a crime_n yet_o pride_n and_o self-conceit_n will_v as_o effectual_o blind_v the_o understanding_n as_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n can_v do_v and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o most_o notorious_a sign_n of_o pride_n that_o where_o god_n require_v faith_n they_o set_v up_o for_o knowledge_n and_o must_v have_v other_o reason_n to_o ground_v their_o belief_n upon_o than_o those_o of_o his_o will_n shall_v god_n require_v of_o we_o to_o comprehend_v the_o mystery_n that_o be_v above_o our_o reason_n to_o damn_v man_n for_o not_o do_v it_o will_v be_v inconsistent_a both_o with_o his_o goodness_n and_o his_o justice_n for_o that_o will_v be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o damn_v they_o by_o fatal_a necessity_n but_o when_o he_o command_v we_o only_o to_o believe_v those_o thing_n where_o be_v the_o difficulty_n of_o believe_v that_o what_o god_n say_v be_v true_a or_o indeed_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o one_o that_o serious_o consider_v it_o to_o deny_v his_o assent_n to_o that_o proposition_n if_o it_o be_v not_o than_o neither_o can_v he_o deny_v his_o assent_n to_o such_o other_o truth_n as_o have_v a_o necessary_a connexion_n with_o it_o we_o know_v that_o there_o be_v mystery_n in_o nature_n and_o in_o philosophy_n which_o we_o can_v comprehend_v and_o the_o controversy_n about_o they_o can_v never_o be_v decide_v by_o we_o for_o instance_n whether_o space_n be_v finite_a or_o infinite_a who_o can_v determine_v but_o suppose_v god_n shall_v declare_v that_o it_o be_v infinite_a will_v it_o not_o be_v true_a and_o must_v not_o we_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v so_o yet_o our_o reason_n can_v never_o comprehend_v this_o nor_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v such_o difficulty_n as_o may_v be_v bring_v against_o it_o wherefore_o as_o for_o those_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n those_o mysterious_a truth_n which_o be_v most_o clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n though_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o be_v such_o that_o they_o must_v needs_o surpass_v our_o understanding_n yet_o there_o be_v that_o connexion_n between_o they_o and_o many_o of_o our_o christian_a duty_n that_o it_o be_v as_o necessary_a to_o believe_v the_o one_o as_o it_o be_v to_o perform_v the_o other_o if_o any_o doubt_n or_o scruple_n arise_v concern_v they_o we_o ought_v to_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n luke_n chap._n 17._o v._n 5._o and_o pray_v to_o our_o lord_n that_o he_o will_v increase_v our_o faith_n those_o man_n take_v quite_o a_o wrong_a method_n who_o puzzle_n themselves_o to_o know_v what_o be_v only_o to_o be_v believe_v and_o faith_n be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n prayer_n be_v the_o proper_a mean_n of_o obtain_v it_o a_o late_a philosopher_n tell_v we_o that_o 4._o malebranche_n traité_fw-fr de_fw-fr morale_n cap._n 5._o §._o 4._o study_n and_o attention_n be_v a_o natural_a prayer_n to_o god_n for_o knowledge_n if_o so_o it_o be_v only_o for_o natural_a knowledge_n but_o faith_n be_v a_o supernatural_a gift_n and_o for_o such_o study_v and_o attention_n can_v be_v sufficient_a but_o prayer_n must_v be_v offer_v up_o for_o they_o in_o the_o name_n and_o through_o the_o merit_n and_o according_a to_o the_o prescription_n of_o he_o who_o purchase_v those_o gift_n for_o we_o let_v we_o therefore_o offer_v up_o such_o prayer_n to_o almighty_a god_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v his_o holy_a word_n with_o the_o modesty_n and_o submission_n of_o little_a child_n let_v we_o endeavour_v to_o keep_v our_o understanding_n as_o free_v and_o unprejudiced_a and_o our_o will_n as_o innocent_a as_o they_o and_o so_o we_o may_v be_v full_o assure_v that_o our_o gracious_a god_n will_v neither_o hide_v his_o gospel_n from_o we_o in_o this_o world_n nor_o his_o everblessed_n presence_n in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v here_o follow_v the_o commemoration_n of_o benefactor_n to_o god_n the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n now_o and_o for_o evermore_o amen_n finis_fw-la