ungodliness_n and_o unrighteousness_n of_o man_n who_o hold_v the_o truth_n in_o unrighteousness_n rom._n 1.18_o and_o when_o the_o lord_n jesus_n shall_v be_v reveal_v from_o heaven_n with_o his_o mighty_a angel_n he_o will_v take_v vengeance_n on_o all_o they_o that_o obey_v not_o his_o gospel_n who_o shall_v be_v punish_v with_o everlasting_a destruction_n from_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n 2_o thess_n 1.8_o 9_o and_o those_o christian_n who_o do_v any_o such_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n as_o be_v mention_v gal._n 5.19_o 21._o shall_v not_o inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n but_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o the_o wrath_n of_o god_n come_v on_o the_o child_n of_o disobedience_n colos_n 3.6_o these_o thing_n be_v as_o clear_a as_o if_o they_o be_v write_v with_o a_o sunbeam_n so_o that_o none_o one_o will_v think_v who_o read_v the_o gospel_n shall_v suppose_v faith_n alone_o without_o obedience_n shall_v justify_v and_o save_v we_o or_o that_o christ_n be_v a_o saviour_n to_o any_o but_o those_o who_o obey_v he_o heb._n 5.9_o since_o bless_a be_v they_o who_o do_v his_o commandment_n for_o they_o only_o have_v right_a to_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n rev._n 22.14_o from_o all_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o only_a and_o the_o indispensable_a condition_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o very_a design_n of_o christ_n give_v we_o such_o excellent_a law_n that_o we_o shall_v obey_v they_o and_o be_v happy_a for_o ever_o by_o do_v so_o and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o but_o live_v wicked_o we_o must_v be_v eternal_o miserable_a it_o have_v be_v in_o vain_a for_o god_n to_o have_v give_v we_o any_o law_n or_o command_v we_o any_o thing_n if_o he_o have_v not_o give_v they_o such_o a_o sanction_n and_o oblige_v we_o to_o they_o by_o such_o reward_n and_o penalty_n and_o therefore_o if_o man_n head_n be_v not_o bewilder_v with_o odd_a scheme_n and_o dispute_n about_o decree_n and_o strange_a method_n of_o salvation_n this_o will_v be_v the_o first_o and_o plain_a principle_n in_o all_o religion_n as_o it_o be_v the_o true_a and_o there_o will_v never_o be_v any_o dispute_n about_o it_o that_o if_o man_n live_v well_o here_o they_o shall_v be_v for_o ever_o happy_a if_o ill_o for_o ever_o miserable_a however_o ignorant_a man_n call_v this_o a_o legal_a condition_n of_o salvation_n and_o will_v have_v no_o such_o in_o the_o gospel_n yet_o as_o i_o have_v show_v christianity_n require_v it_o so_o do_v also_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o divine_a government_n and_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o future_a judgement_n and_o of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o another_o world_n do_v all_o suppose_v it_o for_o what_o be_v those_o reward_n for_o but_o for_o those_o who_o live_v virtuous_o and_o those_o punishment_n but_o for_o those_o who_o live_v wicked_o and_o what_o be_v a_o future_a judgement_n but_o to_o reward_v all_o man_n according_a to_o their_o work_n where_o god_n as_o a_o just_a and_o impartial_a judge_n shall_v without_o respect_n of_o person_n judge_v according_a to_o every_o man_n work_n 1_o pet._n 1.17_o and_o every_o one_o shall_v receive_v the_o thing_n do_v in_o his_o body_n according_a to_o that_o he_o have_v do_v whether_o it_o be_v good_a or_o bad_a 2_o cor._n 5.10_o for_o when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n shall_v come_v in_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o father_n with_o his_o angel_n than_o he_o shall_v reward_v every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o work_n matth._n 16.27_o in_o the_o day_n of_o wrath_n and_o revelation_n of_o the_o righteous_a judgement_n of_o god_n he_o will_v render_v to_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o deed_n rom._n 2.6_o to_o they_o who_o by_o patient_a continuance_n in_o well_o do_v seek_v for_o glory_n and_o honour_n and_o immortality_n eternal_a life_n but_o unto_o they_o that_o obey_v not_o the_o truth_n but_o obey_v unrighteousness_n tribulation_n and_o anguish_n upon_o every_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o do_v evil_a ver_fw-la 8_o 9_o nothing_o can_v be_v plain_a than_o this_o in_o the_o whole_a gospel_n that_o man_n must_v expect_v to_o receive_v hereafter_o according_a to_o the_o goodness_n or_o badness_n of_o their_o life_n here_o and_o that_o the_o only_a condition_n of_o their_o salvation_n be_v obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v a_o wretched_a misunderstanding_n and_o a_o total_a destroy_n of_o christianity_n to_o set_v up_o any_o loose_a principle_n of_o faith_n and_o freegrace_n or_o the_o like_a which_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o this_o and_o to_o delude_v ourselves_o with_o hope_n of_o salvation_n by_o christ_n upon_o any_o other_o condition_n or_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n than_o this_o of_o obedience_n god_n indeed_o have_v grant_v we_o this_o favour_n and_o privilege_n by_o the_o gospel_n that_o though_o we_o have_v disobey_v he_o sometime_o and_o some_o part_n of_o our_o life_n yet_o if_o we_o come_v off_o from_o this_o disobedience_n and_o return_n to_o our_o duty_n in_o time_n and_o perform_v obedience_n to_o he_o for_o the_o future_a that_o then_o he_o will_v forgive_v our_o former_a disobedience_n and_o not_o charge_v it_o upon_o we_o nor_o punish_v we_o for_o it_o but_o gracious_o pardon_v it_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o meritorious_a suffering_n and_o that_o he_o will_v receive_v we_o again_o into_o his_o favour_n and_o reward_v we_o for_o our_o new_a obedience_n as_o if_o we_o have_v never_o do_v otherwise_o but_o have_v be_v always_o obedient_a and_o never_o transgress_v his_o commandment_n this_o be_v the_o great_a grace_n and_o favour_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o this_o be_v what_o we_o call_v repentance_n for_o repentance_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o obedience_n only_o it_o come_v after_o disobedience_n it_o be_v a_o man_n live_v well_o after_o he_o have_v live_v otherwise_o which_o take_v in_o obedience_n and_o a_o good_a life_n though_o after_o a_o bad_a one_o it_o be_v like_o a_o man_n set_v up_o again_o after_o he_o have_v once_o break_v when_o after_o his_o kind_a creditor_n have_v be_v please_v to_o compound_v with_o he_o and_o instead_o of_o his_o whole_a debt_n to_o wit_n a_o entire_a and_o universal_a obedience_n all_o his_o life_n to_o accept_v of_o such_o a_o partial_a and_o break_a one_o he_o may_v again_o thrive_v and_o grow_v rich_a and_o so_o get_v free_a from_o his_o former_a poverty_n or_o as_o i_o have_v often_o represent_v the_o nature_n of_o repentance_n it_o be_v like_o a_o man_n recover_a health_n and_o strength_n and_o soundness_n of_o body_n after_o he_o have_v be_v weak_a and_o ill_a or_o distemper_v in_o the_o whole_a or_o any_o part_n health_n and_o strength_n be_v the_o same_o to_o he_o that_o it_o be_v before_o though_o he_o have_v once_o lose_v it_o as_o riches_n be_v to_o the_o other_o now_o he_o have_v get_v they_o again_o after_o he_o be_v break_v so_o it_o be_v the_o same_o virtue_n of_o mind_n which_o we_o ought_v always_o to_o have_v have_v have_v that_o repentance_n restore_v we_o to_o and_o it_o be_v the_o same_o obedience_n to_o god_n law_n which_o a_o penitent_a perform_v upon_o his_o return_n to_o his_o duty_n that_o he_o shall_v have_v perform_v before_o and_o it_o be_v this_o only_a that_o commend_v he_o to_o god_n and_o give_v he_o a_o title_n to_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o procure_n pardon_v and_o salvation_n to_o he_o it_o be_v god_n infinite_a mercy_n in_o and_o through_o christ_n to_o allow_v and_o accept_v of_o this_o after_o obedience_n as_o the_o condition_n of_o our_o salvation_n when_o it_o be_v so_o break_a and_o interrupt_v whereas_o the_o whole_a obedience_n of_o our_o life_n be_v due_a to_o god_n and_o he_o may_v refuse_v to_o accept_v of_o this_o lame_a and_o after_o and_o imperfect_a one_o but_o still_o it_o be_v obedience_n to_o god_n law_n after_o we_o have_v break_v they_o by_o our_o sin_n it_o be_v this_o obedience_n renew_v ex_fw-la postliminio_fw-la as_o i_o may_v call_v it_o that_o recommend_v we_o to_o his_o favour_n obtain_v our_o pardon_n for_o what_o be_v past_a and_o entitle_v we_o again_o to_o the_o reward_n we_o have_v forfeit_v and_o without_o this_o we_o can_v never_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n nor_o receive_v into_o heaven_n for_o none_o shall_v go_v thither_o but_o the_o virtuous_a and_o obedient_a whither_o they_o have_v always_o be_v so_o or_o only_o after_o they_o have_v be_v otherwise_o but_o still_o they_o must_v be_v virtuous_a and_o they_o must_v be_v obedient_a or_o else_o they_o can_v never_o come_v thither_o for_o it_o be_v certain_a obedience_n which_o if_o after_o disobedience_n in_o any_o instance_n be_v call_v repentance_n be_v by_o the_o gospel_n the_o absolute_a and_o indispensable_a condition_n of_o our_o
incurable_a hardness_n to_o all_o nor_o so_o far_o as_o we_o know_v to_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n themselves_o but_o there_o be_v mean_n still_o use_v to_o recover_v they_o which_o will_v have_v be_v all_o in_o vain_a and_o to_o no_o purpose_n if_o they_o have_v be_v under_o a_o irrecoverable_a and_o judicial_a hardness_n and_o it_o have_v not_o be_v only_o blindness_n or_o hardness_n in_o part_n which_o have_v happen_v to_o israel_n rom._n 11.25_o or_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o we_o shall_v venture_v too_o far_o out_o of_o our_o depth_n if_o we_o offer_v to_o say_v that_o god_n make_v use_v of_o many_o mean_n and_o remedy_n to_o convince_v and_o convert_v the_o jew_n the_o scribe_n and_o the_o pharisee_n when_o he_o have_v appoint_v and_o decree_v that_o none_o of_o those_o shall_v have_v any_o effect_n or_o good_a operation_n upon_o they_o this_o will_v hardly_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n or_o with_o the_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n of_o the_o bless_a god_n nor_o do_v he_o ever_o for_o any_o one_o sin_n but_o for_o a_o long_a obstinate_a course_n of_o many_o provoke_a sin_n continue_v in_o irreclaimable_o against_o the_o method_n of_o divine_a grace_n give_v up_o any_o person_n to_o hardness_n of_o heart_n there_o remain_v i_o confess_v another_o way_n by_o which_o a_o sin_n may_v become_v unpardonable_a and_o that_o be_v by_o be_v exempt_v by_o god_n from_o the_o general_a promise_n and_o covenant_n of_o pardon_n which_o he_o have_v make_v with_o mankind_n he_o who_o have_v all_o sovereign_a power_n and_o a_o entire_a right_n of_o punishment_n and_o upon_o who_o free_a grace_n and_o arbitrary_a favour_n all_o pardon_n and_o forgiveness_n depend_v may_v except_v what_o sin_n he_o please_v out_o of_o his_o general_n act_n of_o grace_n and_o proclamation_n of_o pardon_n and_o indemnity_n but_o this_o sure_o shall_v be_v do_v particular_o and_o by_o name_n and_o in_o the_o very_a act_n and_o proclamation_n itself_o there_o in_o the_o very_a charter_n and_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o god_n have_v sign_v with_o mankind_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v express_o exempt_v and_o whether_o this_o blasphemy_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v so_o or_o no_o be_v the_o question_n or_o whether_o this_o expression_n of_o our_o saviour_n concern_v it_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v forgive_v may_v be_v mollify_v and_o understand_v not_o in_o the_o utmost_a rigour_n of_o the_o word_n but_o as_o a_o great_a many_o of_o the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n have_v judge_v particular_o st_n chrysostome_n of_o old_a and_o dr._n hammond_n of_o late_a that_o this_o sin_n shall_v hardly_o and_o not_o without_o great_a difficulty_n be_v forgive_v and_o not_o so_o soon_o or_o so_o easy_o as_o other_o sin_n that_o it_o suppose_v and_o proceed_v from_o such_o a_o corruption_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o be_v more_o dangerous_a and_o more_o hard_a to_o be_v cure_v than_o any_o other_o distemper_n it_o be_v subject_a to_o but_o yet_o that_o it_o be_v not_o quite_o impossible_a as_o the_o word_n literal_o take_v seem_v to_o imply_v i_o shall_v offer_v you_o the_o reason_n that_o plead_v for_o this_o opinion_n and_o then_o determine_v what_o be_v most_o safe_a and_o satisfy_v in_o this_o matter_n 1._o it_o be_v very_o usual_a in_o scripture_n to_o represent_v a_o thing_n that_o be_v very_o hard_a and_o difficult_a as_o if_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a and_o never_o can_v be_v this_o our_o saviour_n himself_o do_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o rich_a man_n enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n to_o express_v the_o hardness_n of_o it_o he_o do_v it_o by_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v utter_o impossible_a matth._n 19.24_o it_o be_v easy_a for_o a_o camel_n to_o go_v through_o the_o eye_n of_o a_o needle_n than_o for_o a_o rich_a man_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o so_o do_v the_o prophet_n also_o make_v use_n of_o a_o natural_a impossibility_n to_o represent_v the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o a_o man_n turn_v from_o a_o long_a course_n and_o custom_n of_o sin_v jer._n 13.23_o can_v the_o aethiopian_a change_n his_o skin_n or_o the_o leopard_n his_o spot_n then_o may_v you_o also_o do_v good_a that_o be_v accustom_v to_o do_v evil_a not_o but_o it_o be_v possible_a notwithstanding_o those_o proverbial_a expression_n that_o a_o man_n who_o have_v be_v accustom_v to_o do_v evil_a a_o very_a great_a while_n may_v yet_o be_v bring_v off_o from_o his_o sin_n and_o become_v a_o good_a man_n or_o else_o all_o the_o exhortation_n to_o repentance_n and_o promise_v of_o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o vain_a and_o so_o may_v a_o good_a man_n become_v a_o very_a bad_a one_o too_o and_o fall_v from_o his_o own_o steadfastness_n and_o become_v guilty_a of_o abominable_a sin_n as_o david_n do_v that_o be_v a_o man_n after_o god_n own_o heart_n notwithstanding_o that_o st._n john_n in_o the_o same_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o expression_n with_o these_o declare_v concern_v he_o 1_o ep._n 3.9_o whosoever_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n do_v not_o commit_v sin_n for_o his_o seed_n remain_v in_o he_o and_o he_o can_v sin_v because_o he_o be_v horn_n of_o god_n that_o phrase_n he_o can_v denote_v not_o a_o utter_a impossibility_n for_o the_o prophet_n as_o well_o as_o experience_n too_o plain_o show_v the_o contrary_a that_o a_o righteous_a man_n may_v turn_v from_o his_o righteousness_n and_o commit_v iniquity_n and_o die_v in_o it_o ezek._n 18.26_o thing_n be_v sometime_o so_o express_v in_o scripture_n as_o they_o often_o be_v also_o among_o man_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n nor_o no_o probable_a mean_n of_o effect_v a_o thing_n when_o yet_o there_o be_v very_o certain_a one_o as_o in_o that_o expression_n 1_o sam._n 2.25_o not_o a_o little_a parallel_n to_o this_o if_o one_o man_n sin_n against_o another_o the_o judge_n shall_v judge_v he_o but_o if_o a_o man_n sin_n against_o the_o lord_n who_o shall_v entreat_v for_o he_o not_o that_o there_o be_v no_o advocate_n nor_o no_o way_n of_o intercede_v with_o god_n when_o a_o man_n thus_o sin_n against_o he_o but_o to_o show_v the_o guilt_n and_o danger_n of_o it_o above_o the_o other_o that_o place_n of_o the_o hebrew_n chap._n 6._o ver_fw-la 4._o for_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o those_o who_o be_v once_o enlighten_v etc._n etc._n if_o they_o shall_v fall_v away_o to_o renew_v they_o again_o to_o repentance_n that_o be_v by_o very_o good_a interpreter_n think_v to_o denote_v only_o great_a difficulty_n and_o not_o impossibility_n in_o the_o utmost_a rigour_n and_o strictness_n which_o it_o be_v plain_a none_o of_o the_o other_o phrase_n however_o they_o may_v sound_v must_v be_v take_v in_o and_o therefore_o this_o expression_n of_o our_o saviour_n concern_v the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n they_o think_v may_v be_v mollify_v and_o understand_v with_o the_o same_o largeness_n and_o latitude_n as_o those_o and_o to_o import_v only_o thus_o much_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v more_o difficult_o repent_v of_o and_o so_o more_o hardly_o forgive_v than_o any_o other_o sin_n 2._o both_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o verse_n that_o all_o manner_n of_o sin_n and_o blasphemy_n shall_v be_v forgive_v unto_o man_n and_o many_o other_o absolute_a and_o unconditional_a promise_n or_o threaten_n or_o like_a declaration_n in_o scripture_n must_v not_o they_o say_v be_v too_o rigorous_o and_o literal_o understand_v for_o if_o they_o be_v the_o truth_n which_o be_v now_o evident_a in_o they_o as_o they_o be_v take_v with_o that_o fairness_n and_o equity_n and_o those_o supposal_n which_o must_v go_v along_o with_o they_o will_v be_v force_v out_o and_o they_o will_v become_v false_a for_o it_o will_v not_o be_v true_a that_o all_o manner_n of_o sin_n and_o blasphemy_n shall_v be_v forgive_v unto_o man_n for_o than_o none_o shall_v be_v damn_v of_o make_v miserable_a in_o another_o world_n and_o when_o st._n paul_n say_v they_o that_o do_v such_o thing_n shall_v not_o inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n gal._n 5.21_o it_o must_v not_o be_v make_v a_o certain_a and_o general_a conclusion_n from_o thence_o that_o none_o who_o be_v ever_o guilty_a of_o any_o one_o of_o those_o sin_n whereof_o he_o there_o give_v we_o a_o black_a catalogue_n shall_v ever_o be_v save_v nor_o become_v capable_a of_o enter_v into_o heaven_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o without_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n though_o that_o be_v not_o there_o mention_v nor_o any_o provision_n concern_v that_o be_v so_o much_o as_o intimate_v in_o that_o place_n nor_o be_v that_o though_o necessary_a condition_n to_o the_o forgiveness_n of_o every_o sin_n express_v or_o put_v down_o in_o our_o saviour_n general_a declaration_n that_o all_o manner_n of_o sin_n and_o blasphemy_n shall_v be_v forgive_v unto_o man_n
to_o the_o people_n for_o all_o form_n and_o mode_n and_o habit_n of_o speech_n like_o those_o of_o clothes_n will_v look_v odd_a and_o antic_a and_o uncouth_a that_o be_v not_o so_o as_o they_o be_v very_o ancient_a and_o very_a common_a among_o they_o and_o from_o thence_o take_v up_o by_o our_o saviour_n so_o they_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o nature_n and_o a_o most_o useful_a lively_a and_o familiar_a way_n of_o represent_v any_o truth_n or_o doctrine_n by_o way_n of_o history_n and_o similitude_n they_o show_v we_o the_o thing_n in_o a_o image_n and_o picture_n so_o that_o we_o see_v it_o as_o it_o be_v before_o we_o and_o it_o thereby_o make_v a_o strong_a impression_n upon_o both_o the_o fancy_n and_o the_o memory_n and_o they_o set_v we_o a_o pattern_n and_o example_n of_o it_o by_o which_o we_o may_v the_o most_o easy_o comprehend_v understand_v and_o remember_v it_o and_o have_v it_o as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o scene_n draw_v before_o our_o eye_n and_o act_v before_o we_o which_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a way_n by_o which_o mankind_n be_v to_o be_v teach_v move_v and_o affect_v abstract_a naked_a truth_n be_v many_o time_n too_o fine_a for_o their_o gross_a thought_n and_o understanding_n and_o they_o can_v conceive_v spiritual_a thing_n so_o well_o as_o when_o they_o be_v dress_v up_o in_o another_o garb_n and_o bring_v down_o to_o their_o sense_n most_o of_o our_o thought_n and_o apprehension_n be_v form_v by_o such_o idea_n and_o image_n on_o the_o brain_n and_o mind_n as_o be_v the_o draught_n and_o model_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o and_o parable_n have_v these_o two_o thing_n in_o they_o which_o be_v apt_a to_o make_v the_o strong_a impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n which_o be_v imagery_n or_o picture_n act_v or_o representation_n by_o example_n now_o in_o these_o dramatical_a composure_n and_o instruction_n there_o be_v a_o main_a plot_n or_o one_o chief_a and_o principal_a design_n run_v through_o the_o whole_a and_o be_v chief_o aim_v at_o and_o carry_v on_o in_o all_o the_o part_n and_o act_n of_o it_o and_o that_o be_v chief_o to_o be_v mind_v as_o the_o scope_n and_o aim_n of_o the_o parable_n the_o air_n and_o countenance_n and_o eye_n as_o i_o may_v call_v it_o of_o this_o moral_a picture_n which_o look_v upon_o such_o a_o principal_a truth_n doctrine_n and_o instruction_n as_o what_o it_o intend_v chief_o to_o convey_v and_o represent_v thereby_o to_o our_o mind_n now_o the_o very_a scope_n and_o drift_n and_o design_n of_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o foolish_a virgin_n be_v to_o show_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v always_o prepare_v and_o provide_v for_o another_o world_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o enter_v into_o heaven_n by_o any_o thing_n we_o can_v do_v on_o a_o sudden_a when_o the_o bridegroom_n be_v just_a a_o come_n and_o when_o death_n be_v just_a upon_o we_o and_o very_o near_o we_o and_o we_o be_v unprepared_a before_o for_o it_o these_o three_o thing_n be_v plain_o mean_v and_o import_v and_o aim_v at_o by_o it_o 1._o that_o we_o can_v enter_v into_o heaven_n without_o holy_a and_o virtuous_a habit_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n 2._o that_o these_o be_v not_o to_o be_v have_v or_o attain_v on_o a_o sudden_a 3._o that_o without_o those_o we_o shall_v be_v shut_v out_o of_o heaven_n notwithstanding_o our_o most_o earnest_a desire_n prayer_n and_o entreaty_n and_o all_o other_o application_n we_o can_v make_v to_o enter_v in_o 1._o that_o we_o can_v enter_v into_o heaven_n without_o holy_a and_o virtuous_a habit_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n those_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o oil_n which_o the_o wise_a virgin_n have_v in_o their_o vessel_n but_o the_o foolish_a be_v without_o and_o not_o sensible_a of_o the_o need_n of_o it_o till_o it_o be_v too_o late_o to_o think_v that_o our_o soul_n may_v be_v happy_a and_o fit_a for_o heaven_n without_o those_o be_v as_o foolish_a and_o inconsiderate_a as_o to_o think_v that_o a_o lamp_n will_v burn_v without_o oil_n without_o that_o which_o be_v to_o feed_v and_o constitute_v and_o maintain_v the_o flame_n virtue_n and_o holiness_n be_v the_o main_a thing_n in_o which_o the_o happiness_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o mind_n consist_v the_o high_a improvement_n of_o all_o its_o faculty_n and_o capacity_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o that_o peace_n joy_n bliss_n and_o satisfaction_n which_o it_o can_v have_v in_o itself_o or_o any_o thing_n else_o and_o the_o only_a qualification_n to_o make_v it_o capable_a of_o receive_v all_o the_o happiness_n that_o can_v be_v communicate_v to_o it_o without_o these_o as_o we_o be_v unworthy_a of_o be_v receive_v into_o heaven_n which_o be_v the_o high_a reward_n which_o god_n appoint_v to_o those_o who_o most_o faithful_o serve_v and_o obey_v he_o and_o which_o he_o will_v never_o give_v to_o such_o vile_a and_o undeserving_a wretch_n as_o have_v contemn_v it_o all_o their_o life_n and_o not_o think_v it_o worth_a any_o of_o their_o pain_n and_o endeavour_n and_o therefore_o he_o have_v bar_v and_o exclude_v all_o wilful_a sinner_n out_o of_o it_o of_o what_o kind_n soever_o by_o a_o positive_a decree_n and_o declaration_n 1_o cor._n 6.10_o galat._n 5.19_o 20._o so_o they_o shut_v out_o themselves_o by_o a_o natural_a incapacity_n and_o unfitness_n for_o heaven_n be_v the_o place_n and_o region_n of_o the_o pure_a virtue_n and_o the_o most_o perfect_a and_o godlike_a holiness_n and_o nothing_o else_o can_v dwell_v there_o or_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o pleasure_n and_o enjoyment_n that_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o it_o a_o old_a sinner_n with_o his_o corrupt_a habit_n and_o deprave_a and_o vicious_a inclination_n about_o he_o will_v find_v nothing_o there_o to_o entertain_v he_o no_o suitable_a object_n or_o proper_a action_n to_o delight_n and_o please_v he_o but_o will_v be_v as_o unfit_a to_o be_v take_v from_o his_o vice_n and_o put_v into_o heaven_n as_o a_o swine_n from_o wallow_v in_o the_o mire_n to_o be_v place_v on_o a_o throne_n as_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v any_o such_o impurity_n to_o appraoch_n that_o holy_a place_n nor_o any_o unclean_a thing_n to_o enter_v into_o it_o so_o it_o can_v not_o be_v suppose_v capable_a of_o enjoy_v the_o proper_a and_o spiritual_a happiness_n of_o it_o till_o it_o be_v very_o much_o change_v and_o alter_v and_o bring_v off_o from_o the_o love_n of_o vice_n to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o goodness_n and_o so_o fit_v to_o partake_v both_o of_o the_o favour_n of_o one_o and_o the_o good_a and_o happiness_n of_o the_o other_o it_o be_v certain_a none_o but_o good_a man_n shall_v enter_v into_o heaven_n and_o partake_v of_o the_o joy_n and_o glory_n above_o which_o god_n have_v lay_v up_o for_o those_o that_o love_v he_o all_o other_o be_v both_o unworthy_a and_o uncapable_a to_o enjoy_v they_o and_o shall_v never_o taste_v of_o any_o part_n of_o they_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v by_o a_o few_o consideration_n 1._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n 2._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o heaven_n as_o a_o gift_n and_o reward_n 3._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o its_o happiness_n 4._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o mind_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o it_o 1._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o standard_n and_o measure_n both_o of_o all_o holiness_n and_o happiness_n too_o so_o that_o the_o more_o any_o be_v approach_n to_o that_o the_o near_a it_o be_v to_o happiness_n and_o the_o more_o contrary_a it_o be_v to_o that_o the_o more_o miserable_a it_o must_v necessary_o be_v now_o holiness_n and_o virtue_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n by_o which_o we_o can_v be_v like_o god_n and_o become_v partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o be_v change_v into_o the_o same_o image_n and_o the_o great_a resemblance_n of_o his_o glorious_a perfection_n 2_o cor._n 3.18_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v advance_v we_o to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o happiness_n that_o which_o make_v the_o devil_n themselves_o such_o miserable_a wretch_n nay_o hell_n itself_o so_o wretched_a a_o state_n be_v their_o contrariety_n and_o repugnancy_n to_o god_n and_o goodness_n their_o be_v so_o direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n their_o not_o have_v the_o least_o ray_n of_o divine_a goodness_n and_o holiness_n to_o dwell_v in_o that_o place_n of_o darkness_n the_o sink_n and_o centre_n of_o all_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n and_o heaven_n itself_o be_v therefore_o so_o happy_a so_o blissful_a a_o place_n because_o it_o be_v the_o region_n of_o all_o divine_a virtue_n and_o holiness_n because_o it_o advance_v we_o to_o a_o godlike_a state_n and_o perfection_n and_o transform_v we_o into_o the_o near_a likeness_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o be_v the_o