both_o in_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o all_o judea_n and_o in_o samaria_n and_o unto_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o see_v the_o strange_a power_n of_o prejudice_n to_o blind_v the_o eye_n even_o of_o good_a man_n in_o the_o plain_a matter_n the_o disciple_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o all_o they_o have_v entertain_v a_o new_a religion_n yet_o they_o retain_v the_o old_a pride_n and_o prejudice_n of_o their_o nation_n against_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n as_o if_o none_o but_o themselves_o have_v any_o share_n in_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n or_o be_v to_o have_v any_o part_n in_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o messiah_n our_o saviour_n do_v so_o far_o consider_v this_o prejudice_n of_o they_o that_o he_o never_o in_o his_o life_n time_n acquaint_v they_o with_o this_o matter_n so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o full_o to_o understand_v it_o because_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o bear_v it_o and_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o our_o saviour_n mean_v john_n 16.12_o 13._o i_o have_v yet_o many_o thing_n to_o say_v unto_o you_o but_o you_o can_v bear_v they_o now_o howbeit_o when_v the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v come_v he_o will_v guide_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n that_o be_v he_o shall_v lead_v they_o into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o truth_n of_o which_o they_o be_v not_o then_o capable_a and_o though_o our_o saviour_n after_o his_o resurrection_n seem_v to_o have_v declare_v this_o sufficient_o to_o they_o yet_o by_o their_o practice_n after_o his_o ascension_n it_o appear_v that_o they_o understand_v all_o this_o only_a of_o the_o jew_n namely_o that_o they_o be_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n first_o to_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o judea_n and_o then_o to_o those_o that_o be_v disperse_v in_o other_o nation_n for_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o the_o history_n of_o their_o first_o preach_v record_v in_o the_o act_n that_o they_o preach_v to_o none_o but_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o proselyte_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n so_o strong_a be_v their_o prejudice_n that_o they_o have_v not_o the_o least_o suspicion_n that_o this_o blessing_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v intend_v for_o the_o heathen_a world_n nor_o be_v they_o convince_v to_o the_o contrary_n till_o st._n peter_n have_v a_o special_a vision_n and_o revelation_n to_o this_o purpose_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n come_v upon_o the_o gentile_n in_o miraculous_a gift_n as_o he_o have_v do_v before_o upon_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n and_o thus_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n lead_v they_o into_o this_o truth_n and_o then_o they_o understand_v this_o command_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o a_o large_a sense_n and_o to_o this_o st._n peter_n plain_o refer_v act_v 10.42_o where_o he_o tell_v we_o how_o that_o christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n appear_v to_o they_o and_o command_v they_o to_o preach_v unto_o the_o people_n so_o likewise_o do_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n act_v 13.46_o where_o they_o speak_v thus_o to_o the_o jew_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o word_n shall_v first_o be_v preach_v to_o you_o but_o see_v you_o put_v it_o from_o you_o lo_o we_o turn_v to_o the_o gentile_n for_o so_o have_v the_o lord_n command_v we_o now_o he_o not_o where_o command_v this_o but_o in_o this_o commission_n which_o he_o give_v they_o before_o his_o ascension_n second_o you_o have_v here_o a_o particular_a declaration_n how_o they_o be_v to_o manage_v this_o work_n of_o make_v disciple_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n 1._o by_o baptise_v they_o into_o the_o chrstian_a faith_n 2._o by_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o precept_n and_o practice_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n 1._o by_o baptise_v they_o into_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o be_v here_o call_v baptise_v they_o into_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n baptism_n be_v a_o solemn_a rite_n appoint_v by_o our_o saviour_n for_o the_o initiate_a of_o person_n into_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o it_o be_v a_o ceremony_n in_o use_n before_o both_o among_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n the_o heathen_a observe_v it_o at_o the_o initiate_a person_n into_o their_o religious_a mystery_n and_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o admit_v proselyte_n to_o their_o religion_n at_o which_o time_n the_o male_n as_o maimonides_n tell_v we_o be_v both_o circumcise_v and_o baptize_v the_o woman_n be_v only_o baptize_v one_o circumstance_n of_o the_o baptism_n of_o grow_v person_n be_v that_o stand_v in_o the_o water_n up_o to_o the_o neck_n they_o recite_v several_a precept_n of_o the_o law_n and_o as_o the_o jewish_a writer_n further_a tell_v we_o this_o ceremony_n do_v not_o only_o belong_v to_o they_o that_o be_v of_o grow_v year_n but_o to_o the_o child_n of_o proselyte_n if_o it_o be_v desire_v upon_o condition_n that_o when_o they_o come_v to_o year_n they_o shall_v continue_v in_o that_o religion_n now_o though_o this_o be_v a_o religious_a ceremony_n use_v both_o by_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o without_o any_o divine_a institution_n that_o we_o know_v of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n who_o in_o none_o of_o his_o institution_n seem_v to_o have_v favour_v unnecessary_a innovation_n be_v so_o far_o from_o the_o superstition_n of_o decline_v it_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o it_o have_v be_v in_o religious_a use_n both_o among_o jew_n and_o gentile_n that_o he_o seem_v the_o rather_o to_o have_v choose_v it_o for_o that_o very_a reason_n for_o see_v it_o be_v a_o common_a rite_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o in_o itself_o very_o significant_a of_o that_o purity_n which_o be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o all_o religion_n it_o be_v the_o more_o likely_a to_o find_v the_o easy_a acceptance_n and_o to_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o that_o which_o he_o intend_v to_o be_v the_o universal_a religion_n of_o the_o world_n as_o for_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n into_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n it_o plain_o refer_v to_o that_o short_a creed_n or_o profession_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v require_v of_o those_o that_o be_v to_o be_v baptize_v answerable_a to_o the_o recite_v of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n at_o the_o baptise_v of_o proselyte_n among_o the_o jew_n now_o the_o article_n of_o this_o creed_n be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o contain_v what_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v concern_v each_o of_o these_o and_o this_o probable_o be_v that_o which_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o doctrine_n of_o baptism_n heb._n 6.2_o viz._n a_o short_a summary_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o profession_n whereof_o be_v to_o be_v make_v at_o baptism_n of_o which_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n make_v so_o frequent_a mention_n call_v it_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v a_o great_a while_n indeed_o before_o christian_n tie_v themselves_o strict_o to_o that_o very_a form_n of_o word_n which_o we_o now_o call_v the_o apostle_n creed_n but_o the_o sense_n be_v the_o same_o though_o every_o one_o express_v it_o in_o his_o own_o word_n nay_o the_o same_o father_n recite_v it_o upon_o several_a occasion_n do_v not_o confine_v himself_o to_o the_o very_a same_o expression_n a_o plain_a indication_n that_o they_o be_v not_o then_o strict_o bind_v up_o to_o any_o form_n of_o word_n but_o retain_v the_o sense_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o article_n every_o one_o express_v they_o as_o he_o please_v so_o that_o to_o baptize_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v to_o perform_v this_o rite_n or_o sacrament_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o and_o with_o special_a relation_n to_o the_o three_o person_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n as_o the_o chief_a object_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n whereof_o solemn_a profession_n be_v then_o make_v so_o that_o upon_o this_o form_n in_o baptism_n appoint_v by_o our_o saviour_n compare_v with_o what_o be_v elsewhere_o say_v in_o scripture_n concern_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v principal_o found_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n i_o mean_v in_o that_o simplicity_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n have_v deliver_v it_o and_o not_o as_o it_o have_v be_v since_o confound_v and_o entangle_v in_o the_o cobweb_n and_o nicety_n of_o the_o school_n the_o scripture_n indeed_o no_o where_n call_v they_o person_n but_o speak_v of_o they_o as_o we_o do_v of_o several_a person_n and_o therefore_o that_o word_n be_v not_o unfit_o use_v to_o express_v the_o difference_n between_o they_o or_o at_o least_o we_o do_v not_o know_v a_o fit_a word_n for_o that_o purpose_n by_o baptise_v then_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o
before_o few_o be_v so_o impartial_a as_o to_o quit_v those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v once_o lay_v great_a weight_n upon_o and_o keep_v a_o great_a stir_n about_o because_o this_o be_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o error_n and_o mistake_v in_o their_o zeal_n which_o few_o have_v the_o ingenuity_n to_o own_o though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o plain_a to_o other_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n meet_v with_o so_o much_o resistance_n from_o those_o who_o be_v so_o much_o concern_v in_o point_n of_o honour_n and_o reputation_n to_o make_v head_n against_o it_o and_o this_o account_n our_o saviour_n himself_o give_v we_o of_o their_o infidelity_n john_n 5.44_o how_o can_v you_o believe_v which_o receive_v honour_v one_o of_o another_o and_o seek_v not_o the_o honour_n which_o come_v of_o god_n only_o and_o chap._n 12.43_o 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 and_o beside_o the_o point_n of_o reputation_n those_o that_o be_v rich_a be_v concern_v in_o point_n of_o interest_n to_o oppose_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o doctrine_n because_o he_o call_v upon_o man_n to_o deny_v themselves_o and_o to_o part_v with_o house_n and_o land_n yea_o and_o life_n itself_o for_o his_o sake_n and_o for_o the_o gospel_n which_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a and_o unpleasant_a doctrine_n to_o rich_a man_n who_o have_v great_a estate_n and_o have_v set_v their_o heart_n upon_o they_o upon_o this_o account_n it_o be_v that_o our_o saviour_n pronounce_v it_o so_o hard_a for_o a_o rich_a man_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o compare_v it_o with_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v most_o difficult_a and_o human_o impossible_a i_o say_v unto_o you_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 but_o now_o the_o poor_a be_v free_a from_o these_o encumbrance_n and_o temptation_n they_o have_v nothing_o to_o lose_v and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n go_v down_o more_o easy_o with_o they_o because_o it_o do_v not_o contradict_v their_o interest_n as_o it_o do_v the_o interest_n of_o those_o who_o have_v great_a estate_n and_o possession_n second_o another_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v that_o those_o that_o be_v poor_a and_o enjoy_v little_a of_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n be_v willing_a to_o entertain_v good_a news_n of_o happiness_n in_o another_o those_o who_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o present_a misery_n and_o suffer_v be_v glad_a to_o hear_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v well_o with_o they_o hereafter_o and_o be_v willing_a to_o listen_v to_o the_o good_a news_n of_o a_o future_a happiness_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n when_o he_o have_v pronounce_v the_o poor_a bless_a luke_n 6.20_o he_o add_v by_o way_n of_o opposition_n v._o 24._o but_o woe_n unto_o you_o that_o be_v rich_a for_o you_o have_v receive_v your_o consolation_n they_o be_v in_o so_o comfortable_a a_o condition_n at_o present_a that_o they_o be_v not_o much_o concern_v what_o shall_v become_v of_o they_o hereafter_o whereas_o all_o the_o comfort_n that_o poor_a man_n have_v be_v the_o hope_n of_o a_o better_a condition_n non_fw-la si_fw-la male_a nunc_fw-la &_o olim_fw-la sic_fw-la erit_fw-la that_o if_o it_o be_v bad_a now_o it_o will_v not_o be_v so_o always_o and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n if_o the_o promise_v and_o assurance_n of_o a_o future_a happiness_n be_v very_o welcome_a to_o they_o three_o if_o by_o the_o poor_a we_o do_v not_o only_o understand_v those_o who_o be_v in_o a_o low_a and_o mean_a condition_n as_o to_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o world_n but_o such_o likewise_o as_o have_v a_o temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n suitable_a to_o the_o poverty_n of_o their_o outward_a condition_n which_o our_o saviour_n call_v poverty_n of_o spirit_n by_o which_o he_o mean_v meekness_n and_o humility_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o such_o a_o frame_n and_o temper_v of_o spirit_n be_v a_o great_a disposition_n to_o the_o receive_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o this_o be_v include_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o poverty_n be_v very_o plain_a both_o from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophecy_n i_o cite_v before_o isa_n 61.1_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v upon_o i_o because_o the_o lord_n have_v anoint_v i_o to_o preach_v good_a tiding_n to_o the_o meek_a and_o to_o bind_v up_o the_o brokenhearted_a and_o likewise_o from_o our_o saviour_n description_n of_o these_o person_n in_o one_o of_o the_o evangelist_n matth._n 5.3_o bless_a be_v the_o poor_a in_o spirit_n for_o they_o be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n so_o that_o by_o the_o poor_a who_o be_v so_o near_o dispose_v to_o receive_v the_o gospel_n our_o saviour_n intend_v those_o who_o be_v in_o a_o poor_a and_o low_a condition_n in_o respect_n of_o outward_a thing_n be_v likewise_o meek_a and_o humble_a in_o their_o spirit_n now_o meekness_n and_o humility_n be_v great_a disposition_n to_o the_o entertain_v of_o truth_n these_o grace_n and_o virtue_n do_v prepare_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o learning_n and_o instruction_n meekness_n and_o modesty_n and_o humility_n be_v the_o proper_a disposition_n of_o a_o scholar_n he_o that_o have_v a_o mean_a opinion_n of_o himself_o be_v ready_a to_o learn_v of_o other_o he_o who_o be_v not_o blind_v by_o pride_n or_o passion_n be_v more_o apt_a to_o consider_v thing_n impartial_o and_o to_o pass_v a_o true_a judgement_n upon_o they_o than_o the_o proud_a and_o the_o passionate_a passion_n and_o pride_n be_v great_a obstacle_n to_o the_o receive_n of_o truth_n and_o to_o our_o improvement_n in_o knowledge_n passion_n do_v not_o only_o darken_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n but_o put_v a_o false_a bias_n upon_o our_o judgement_n which_o draw_v they_o off_o many_o time_n from_o truth_n and_o sway_v they_o that_o way_n which_o our_o passion_n incline_v they_o a_o man_n of_o a_o calm_a and_o meek_a temper_n stand_v always_o indifferent_a for_o the_o receive_n of_o truth_n and_o hold_v the_o balance_n of_o his_o judgement_n even_o but_o passion_n sway_v and_o incline_v it_o one_o way_n and_o that_o common_o against_o truth_n and_o reason_n so_o likewise_o pride_n be_v a_o great_a impediment_n to_o knowledge_n and_o the_o very_o worst_a quality_n that_o a_o learner_n can_v have_v it_o obstruct_v all_o the_o passage_n whereby_o knowledge_n shall_v enter_v into_o we_o it_o make_v man_n refuse_v instruction_n out_o of_o a_o conceit_n they_o need_v it_o not_o many_o man_n may_v have_v know_v more_o have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o the_o vain_a opinion_n which_o they_o have_v entertain_v of_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o their_o knowledge_n this_o be_v true_a in_o all_o kind_n of_o learning_n but_o more_o especial_o as_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n for_o god_n love_v to_o communicate_v himself_o and_o bestow_v his_o grace_n and_o wisdom_n upon_o meek_a and_o humble_a mind_n so_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o psal_n 25.9_o the_o meek_n will_v be_v guide_n in_o judgement_n and_o the_o meek_n will_v he_o teach_v his_o way_n and_o 1_o pet._n 5.5_o be_v clothe_v with_o humility_n for_o god_n resist_v the_o proud_a and_o give_v grace_n to_o the_o humble_a and_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v in_o what_o respect_v the_o poor_a be_v more_o dispose_v for_o the_o receive_v the_o gospel_n than_o other_o i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n namely_o what_o those_o prejudices_fw-la and_o objection_n be_v which_o the_o world_n have_v against_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o religion_n at_o their_o first_o appearance_n as_o also_o to_o inquire_v into_o those_o which_o man_n have_v at_o this_o day_n against_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o show_v the_o weakness_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o they_o i_o begin_v first_o with_o those_o prejudices_fw-la which_o the_o world_n have_v against_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o religion_n at_o their_o first_o appearance_n both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v offend_v at_o he_o and_o his_o doctrine_n but_o not_o both_o upon_o the_o same_o account_n they_o both_o take_v exception_n at_o he_o especial_o at_o his_o low_a and_o suffer_a condition_n but_o not_o both_o upon_o the_o same_o reason_n i_o shall_v begin_v with_o the_o exception_n which_o the_o jew_n take_v against_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o i_o shall_v reduce_v they_o all_o or_o at_o least_o the_o most_o considerable_a of_o they_o as_o i_o find_v they_o disperse_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o these_o six_o head_n first_o the_o exception_n which_o they_o take_v against_o he_o upon_o account_n of_o his_o extraction_n and_o original_a second_o at_o the_o meanness_n of_o his_o condition_n contrary_a to_o
in_o the_o more_o notorious_o he_o contradict_v his_o profession_n and_o fall_v off_o from_o christianity_n and_o the_o near_o he_o approach_v to_o the_o sin_n in_o the_o text_n and_o the_o danger_n there_o threaten_v but_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o this_o be_v not_o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o 4_o thly_a but_o it_o be_v a_o total_a apostasy_n from_o the_o christian_a religion_n more_o especial_o to_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n the_o renounce_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o false_a god_n which_o the_o apostle_n here_o speak_v of_o and_o this_o will_v be_v evident_a if_o we_o consider_v the_o occasion_n and_o main_a scope_n of_o this_o epistle_n and_o that_o be_v to_o confirm_v the_o jew_n who_o have_v new_o embrace_v christianity_n in_o the_o profession_n of_o that_o religion_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o apostatise_v from_o it_o because_o of_o the_o persecution_n and_o suffering_n which_o attend_v that_o profession_n it_o please_v god_n when_o christianity_n first_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n to_o permit_v the_o power_n of_o the_o world_n to_o raise_v a_o vehement_a persecution_n against_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o by_o reason_n whereof_o many_o out_o of_o base_a fear_n do_v apostatise_v from_o it_o and_o in_o testimony_n of_o their_o renounce_n it_o be_v force_v to_o sacrifice_n to_o the_o heathen_a idol_n this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o apostle_n endeavour_v to_o caution_n and_o arm_n man_n against_o throughout_o this_o epistle_n ch._n 2.1_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o give_v the_o more_o earnest_a heed_n to_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v hear_v lest_o at_o any_o time_n we_o shall_v fall_v away_o and_o chap._n 3.12_o it_o be_v call_v a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n to_o apostatise_v from_o the_o live_a god_n take_v heed_n brethren_n lest_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o you_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n to_o depart_v from_o the_o live_a god_n that_o be_v to_o fall_v from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n to_o idolatry_n and_o chap._n 10.23_o let_v we_o hold_v fast_o the_o profession_n of_o our_o faith_n without_o waver_v not_o forsake_v the_o assemble_v of_o ourselves_o together_o that_o be_v not_o decline_v the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n for_o fear_n of_o persecution_n and_o v._o 26._o it_o be_v call_v a_o sin_v wilful_o after_o we_o have_v receive_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o v._o 39_o a_o draw_v back_o to_o perdition_n and_o ch._n 12._o it_o be_v call_v by_o way_n of_o eminency_n the_o sin_n which_o so_o easy_o beset_v the_o sin_n which_o in_o those_o time_n of_o persecution_n they_o be_v so_o liable_a to_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o this_o be_v the_o sin_n which_o st._n john_n speak_v of_o and_o call_v the_o sin_n unto_o death_n and_o do_v not_o require_v christian_n to_o pray_v for_o those_o who_o fall_v into_o it_o with_o any_o assurance_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v forgive_v 1_o john_n 5.16_o there_o be_v a_o sin_n unto_o death_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o he_o shall_v pray_v for_o it_o all_o vnrighteousness_n be_v sin_n and_o there_o be_v a_o sin_n not_o unto_o death_n we_o know_v that_o whosoever_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n sin_v not_o that_o be_v do_v not_o fall_v into_o the_o sin_n of_o apostasy_n from_o christianity_n to_o that_o of_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n but_o he_o that_o be_v beget_v of_o god_n keep_v himself_o and_o that_o wicked_a one_o touch_v he_o not_o and_o then_o v._o 21._o he_o add_v this_o caution_n little_a child_n keep_v yourselves_o from_o idol_n which_o sufficient_o show_v what_o that_o sin_n be_v which_o he_o be_v speak_v of_o before_o so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o sin_n which_o the_o apostle_n design_v to_o caution_n man_n against_o throughout_o this_o epistle_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a what_o fall_v away_o it_o be_v he_o here_o speak_v of_o namely_o a_o total_a apostasy_n from_o christianity_n and_o more_o especial_o to_o the_o heathen_a idolatry_n 5_o thly_a we_o will_v consider_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o difficulty_n of_o recover_v such_o person_n by_o repentance_n if_o they_o fall_v away_o it_o be_v extreme_o difficult_a to_o renew_v they_o again_o to_o repentance_n and_o that_o for_o these_o three_o reason_n 1._o because_o of_o the_o greatness_n and_o heinousness_n of_o the_o sin_n 2._o because_o it_o renounce_v and_o cast_v off_o the_o mean_n of_o recovery_n 3._o because_o it_o be_v so_o high_a a_o provocation_n of_o god_n to_o withdraw_v his_o grace_n from_o such_o person_n 1._o because_o of_o the_o greatness_n and_o heinousness_n of_o the_o sin_n both_o in_o the_o nature_n and_o circumstance_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o downright_a apostasy_n from_o god_n a_o direct_a renounce_n of_o he_o and_o reject_v of_o his_o truth_n after_o man_n have_v own_v it_o and_o be_v inward_o persuade_v and_o convince_v of_o it_o and_o so_o the_o apostle_n express_v it_o in_o this_o epistle_n call_v it_o a_o apostasy_n from_o the_o live_a god_n a_o sin_v wilful_o after_o we_o have_v receive_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n it_o have_v all_o the_o aggravation_n that_o a_o crime_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v against_o the_o clear_a light_n and_o knowledge_n and_o the_o full_a conviction_n of_o a_o man_n mind_n concern_v the_o truth_n and_o goodness_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o he_o renounce_v against_o the_o great_a obligation_n lay_v upon_o he_o by_o the_o grace_n and_o mercy_n of_o the_o gospel_n after_o the_o free_a pardon_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o grace_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n spirit_n receive_v and_o a_o miraculous_a power_n confer_v for_o a_o witness_n and_o testimony_n to_o themselves_o of_o the_o undoubted_a truth_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o they_o have_v embrace_v it_o be_v the_o high_a affront_n to_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o reveal_v this_o religion_n to_o the_o world_n and_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n and_o in_o effect_n a_o expression_n of_o as_o high_a malice_n to_o the_o author_n of_o this_o religion_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v guilty_a of_o when_o they_o put_v he_o to_o so_o cruel_a and_o shameful_a a_o death_n now_o a_o sin_n of_o this_o heinous_a nature_n be_v apt_a natural_o either_o to_o plunge_v man_n into_o hardness_n and_o impenitency_n or_o to_o drive_v they_o to_o despair_v and_o either_o of_o these_o condition_n be_v effectual_a barrs_n to_o their_o recovery_n and_o both_o these_o danger_n the_o apostle_n warn_v man_n of_o in_o this_o epistle_n ch._n 3.12_o 13._o take_v heed_n brethren_n lest_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o you_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n to_o apostatise_v from_o the_o live_a god_n but_o exhort_v one_o another_o daily_a whilst_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n lest_o any_o of_o you_o be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n or_o else_o the_o reflection_n upon_o so_o horrid_a a_o crime_n be_v apt_a to_o drive_v a_o man_n to_o despair_n as_o it_o do_v judas_n who_o after_o he_o have_v betray_v the_o son_n of_o god_n can_v find_v no_o ease_n but_o by_o make_v away_o himself_o the_o guilt_n of_o so_o great_a a_o sin_n fill_v he_o with_o such_o terror_n that_o he_o be_v glad_a to_o fly_v to_o death_n for_o refuge_n and_o to_o lay_v violent_a hand_n upon_o himself_o and_o this_o likewise_o be_v the_o case_n of_o spira_n who_o apostasy_n though_o it_o be_v not_o total_a from_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o only_o from_o the_o purity_n and_o reformation_n of_o it_o bring_v he_o to_o that_o desperation_n of_o mind_n which_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o hell_n upon_o earth_n and_o of_o this_o danger_n likewise_o the_o apostle_n admonish_v ch._n 12.15_o look_v diligent_o lest_o any_o man_n fail_v of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o margin_n lest_o any_o man_n fall_v from_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n lest_o any_o root_n of_o bitterness_n spring_v up_o trouble_v you_o and_o then_o he_o compare_v the_o case_n of_o such_o person_n to_o esau_n who_o when_o he_o have_v renounce_v his_o birthright_n to_o which_o the_o blessing_n be_v annex_v be_v afterward_o when_o he_o will_v have_v inherit_v the_o blessing_n reject_v and_o find_v no_o place_n of_o repentance_n though_o he_o seek_v it_o careful_o with_o tear_n 2_o dly_z those_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o this_o sin_n do_v renounce_v and_o cast_v off_o the_o mean_n of_o their_o recovery_n and_o therefore_o it_o become_v extreme_o difficult_a to_o renew_v they_o again_o to_o repentance_n they_o reject_v the_o gospel_n which_o afford_v the_o best_a argument_n and_o mean_n to_o repentance_n and_o renounce_v the_o only_a way_n of_o pardon_n and_o forgiveness_n and_o certain_o that_o man_n be_v in_o a_o very_a sad_a and_o desperate_a condition_n the_o very_a nature_n of_o who_o disease_n be_v to_o reject_v the_o remedy_n that_o shall_v cure_v he_o and_o