be_v the_o more_o reasonable_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o in_o such_o eager_a pursuit_n after_o this_o world_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o enjoy_v it_o and_o while_o all_o our_o time_n be_v employ_v to_o get_v we_o have_v none_o leave_v wherein_o to_o possess_v what_o we_o have_v get_v it_o be_v certain_a all_o the_o goodness_n there_o be_v in_o riches_n lie_v in_o their_o usefullness_n in_o as_o much_o as_o they_o be_v only_o bonum_fw-la in_o ordine_fw-la ad_fw-la aliud_fw-la a_o good_a by_o reason_n of_o their_o conduciveness_n to_o somewhat_o else_o from_o whence_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o he_o who_o lose_v the_o use_n of_o his_o estate_n lose_v all_o the_o good_a there_o be_v in_o it_o so_o that_o for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v ever_o plod_v contrive_v turmoil_a further_n to_o enrich_v himself_o when_o by_o god_n good_a providence_n he_o have_v wherewithal_o comfortable_o and_o competent_o to_o sustain_v himself_o and_o he_o be_v only_o to_o deprive_v himself_o of_o that_o good_a which_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o his_o hand_n to_o enjoy_v for_o that_o which_o will_v never_o be_v good_a to_o he_o that_o be_v for_o more_o wealth_n which_o when_o he_o have_v he_o will_v never_o have_v a_o heart_n or_o time_n to_o use_v that_o be_v he_o will_v never_o reap_v good_a of_o it_o so_o that_o whether_o a_o man_n respect_v his_o present_a or_o future_a felicity_n it_o be_v evident_a he_o lose_v the_o one_o and_o very_o much_o infringe_n the_o other_o by_o such_o restless_a encumbrance_n and_o devotedness_n to_o this_o world_n affair_n to_o convince_v furhter_n how_o reasonable_a the_o take_n the_o former_a counsel_n of_o reduce_v our_o business_n to_o a_o consistency_n or_o compossibility_n with_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v it_o be_v well_o worth_a consideration_n that_o such_o a_o merciless_a pursuit_n of_o this_o world_n which_o exclude_v our_o duty_n to_o god_n be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o provoke_v he_o to_o blast_v from_o heaven_n all_o our_o design_n and_o labour_n this_o neglect_n will_v make_v our_o very_a plow_a sin_n that_o which_o otherwise_o be_v our_o innocent_a call_n and_o the_o follow_v it_o our_o duty_n be_v hereby_o render_v abominable_a and_o a_o provocation_n he_o therefore_o that_o will_v work_v to_o prosper_v shall_v not_o so_o work_v as_o not_o to_o pray_v devotion_n always_o in_o great_a proportion_n further_a the_o success_n than_o divert_v or_o hinder_v our_o employment_n to_o conclude_v this_o point_n it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o in_o all_o this_o discourse_n against_o the_o encroachment_n of_o worldly_a affair_n upon_o our_o time_n and_o devotion_n nothing_o have_v be_v say_v to_o direct_v the_o redeem_n of_o time_n by_o fast_v and_o watch_v and_o such_o self-denying_a mean_n in_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v not_o judge_v proper_a to_o the_o case_n for_o neither_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o think_v that_o he_o who_o can_v impetrate_v of_o himself_o abstinence_n from_o needless_a encumbrance_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o divine_a duty_n for_o the_o same_o will_v abstain_v from_o eat_v or_o sleep_v or_o any_o such_o which_o seem_v necessary_a act_n of_o life_n nor_o can_v he_o be_v think_v a_o fit_a hearer_n of_o such_o doctrine_n which_o lead_v a_o man_n to_o retrench_v himself_o of_o what_o he_o lawful_o may_v do_v of_o which_o nature_n be_v eat_v and_o sleep_v etc._n etc._n who_o have_v not_o yet_o learned_a to_o deny_v himself_o of_o what_o be_v confess_o sinful_a viz._n immoderate_a pursuit_n of_o this_o world_n and_o place_v his_o whole_a time_n and_o therefore_o happiness_n therein_o this_o may_v therefore_o be_v sufficient_a for_o remedy_v those_o impediment_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o come_v from_o worldly_a care_n and_o business_n sect._n 3_o another_o original_n though_o still_o resolve_v into_o the_o same_o general_a the_o world_n another_o original_a i_o say_v of_o the_o neglect_n of_o divine_a worship_n be_v pleasure_n and_o the_o pursuit_n thereof_o so_o eager_o follow_v by_o many_o that_o as_o before_o say_v of_o wealth_n the_o grand_a occasion_n of_o business_n they_o either_o have_v not_o time_n or_o else_o when_o they_o have_v that_o not_o mind_n dispose_v to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o any_o devout_a entertainment_n all_o those_o pleasure_n which_o can_v be_v presume_v impediment_n of_o this_o nature_n must_v be_v either_o sensual_a or_o intellectual_a for_o certain_o that_o pleasure_n which_o arise_v from_o conscience_n if_o it_o may_v be_v abstract_v from_o intellectual_a pleasure_n as_o possible_o in_o a_o strict_a sense_n take_v intellectual_a pleasure_n only_o for_o that_o which_o proceed_v from_o speculation_n it_o may_v the_o pleasure_n i_o say_v of_o conscience_n will_v never_o dissuade_v a_o man_n the_o worship_n of_o god_n sect_n 4_o now_o as_o to_o all_o pleasure_n of_o either_o nature_n apt_a to_o prejudice_v devotion_n it_o be_v certain_o enough_o to_o take_v any_o sober_a and_o considerate_a man_n mind_n off_o they_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v for_o if_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a for_o the_o pursuit_n of_o wealth_n to_o neglect_n god_n and_o provision_n for_o heaven_n it_o be_v much_o more_o unreasonable_a to_o do_v it_o for_o the_o sake_n or_o pursuit_n of_o pleasure_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v by_o all_o who_o have_v brain_n to_o know_v and_o heart_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n that_o next_o to_o virtue_n and_o the_o good_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o the_o quiet_a and_o content_a that_o arise_v from_o thence_o or_o if_o we_o will_v speak_v in_o a_o holy_a character_n next_o to_o grace_v and_o wisdom_n and_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o sense_n thereof_o the_o most_o real_a good_a that_o can_v be_v attain_v in_o this_o life_n be_v a_o ample_a at_o least_o a_o competent_a estate_n riches_n be_v no_o trifle_n if_o compare_v to_o any_o thing_n but_o these_o and_o it_o be_v the_o make_v thing_n that_o can_v be_v for_o any_o man_n of_o straighten_a fortune_n to_o think_v or_o design_n while_o such_o to_o enjoy_v his_o pleasure_n whether_o they_o be_v the_o pleasure_n of_o a_o gentleman_n or_o student_n i_o can_v command_v the_o world_n to_o be_v obedient_a that_o i_o may_v have_v my_o will_n that_o be_v to_o say_v my_o pleasure_n nor_o can_v i_o command_v my_o mind_n to_o think_v coherent_o that_o i_o may_v catch_v my_o pursue_a notion_n if_o i_o want_v due_a supply_n of_o necessary_n he_o that_o will_v be_v a_o epicure_n must_v first_o provide_v a_o large_a purse_n and_o therefore_o apicius_n do_v but_o act_v reasonable_o and_o congruous_o to_o his_o own_o principle_n when_o after_o the_o consumption_n of_o so_o vast_a a_o treasure_n view_v the_o comparative_o so_o small_a remain_v he_o choose_v a_o voluntary_a death_n for_o fear_v of_o see_v the_o necessary_a end_n of_o his_o pleasure_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o estate_n the_o consequent_a of_o which_o be_v possible_o more_o than_o we_o be_v at_o first_o ware_n of_o to_o wit_n that_o he_o who_o will_v pursue_v his_o pleasure_n otherwise_o than_o a_o man_n mad_a and_o beside_o reason_n and_o sense_n must_v not_o only_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o pursuit_n of_o his_o pleasure_n so_o much_o time_n as_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o over_o and_o above_o so_o much_o as_o may_v suffice_v for_o such_o study_n and_o labour_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o secure_v he_o a_o estate_n for_o the_o aliment_n and_o support_v of_o those_o pleasure_n he_o pursue_v and_o this_o consequence_n i_o say_v be_v good_a for_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o what_o be_v say_v under_o the_o former_a head_n that_o he_o who_o will_v have_v but_o so_o much_o business_n as_o a_o reasonable_a man_n shall_v have_v aught_o to_o have_v no_o more_o than_o what_o may_v well_o consist_v with_o sacred_a office_n and_o it_o be_v also_o evident_a by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o this_o head_n that_o he_o who_o will_v pursue_v his_o pleasure_n so_o as_o that_o he_o may_v enjoy_v they_o aught_o to_o pursue_v they_o no_o far_o than_o may_v consist_v with_o the_o dispatch_n of_o such_o business_n as_o may_v get_v or_o secure_v a_o estate_n suitable_a to_o the_o pleasure_n he_o design_n if_o therefore_o i_o ought_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o forbear_v pleasure_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o secondary_a and_o subordinate_a good_a that_o be_v a_o estate_n whensoever_o it_o can_v be_v have_v if_o my_o pleasure_n be_v still_o pursue_v much_o more_o ought_v i_o to_o forbear_v it_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o first_o supreme_a good_a when_o the_o pursuit_n of_o my_o pleasure_n cast_v i_o upon_o the_o neglect_n of_o that_o viz._n god_n and_o his_o worship_n rather_o than_o have_v neglect_v which_o i_o shall_v have_v neglect_v a_o great_a good_a than_o my_o pleasure_n viz_o the_o get_n and_o secure_v a_o estate_n sect._n 5_o but_o to_o speak_v somewhat_o more_o
their_o religion_n true_a must_v because_o it_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n acknowledge_v the_o great_a thing_n which_o scripture_n contain_v to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v reveal_v or_o prescribe_v from_o above_o it_o remain_v then_o now_o only_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o christian_n be_v the_o true_a religion_n which_o be_v very_o needless_a do_v we_o intend_v to_o be_v large_a it_o have_v be_v infinite_o better_a do_v by_o many_o hand_n than_o we_o can_v pretend_v to_o but_o in_o regard_n what_o we_o design_v be_v brief_a and_o we_o trust_v may_v be_v satisfactory_a such_o a_o proof_n will_v not_o be_v needless_a to_o such_o who_o it_o may_v be_v have_v not_o or_o can_v peruse_v large_a and_o more_o elaborate_a work_n sect._n 2_o i_o say_v then_o that_o the_o mere_a frame_n of_o the_o history_n of_o christian_a religion_n lie_v so_o that_o no_o man_n can_v rational_o disbelieve_v that_o that_o religion_n come_v from_o god_n that_o be_v be_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o this_o will_v distinct_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v what_o of_o history_n be_v extant_a touch_v christian_a religion_n before_o the_o time_n that_o christ_n be_v bear_v and_o then_o what_o the_o state_n of_o this_o religion_n be_v under_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o last_o what_o its_o progress_n and_o state_n have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n ever_o since_o within_o each_o and_o much_o more_o within_o all_o of_o these_o several_a period_n there_o be_v so_o much_o of_o sacred_a story_n certain_a and_o undeniable_a as_o will_n beyond_o controversy_n evince_v the_o divine_a original_n of_o christian_a religion_n sect._n 3_o first_o as_o to_o what_o of_o the_o history_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v extant_a in_o the_o world_n before_o christ_n come_n thereinto_o it_o may_v possible_o seem_v improper_a language_n to_o talk_v of_o the_o history_n of_o any_o thing_n not_o yet_o suppose_v in_o be_v such_o as_o christian_a religion_n which_o take_v its_o rise_n as_o well_o as_o denomination_n from_o christ_n must_v be_v confess_v to_o be_v before_o christ_n come_v but_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o christianity_n suppose_v judaisme_n once_o to_o have_v be_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o build_v upon_o and_o perfect_v it_o it_o can_v be_v say_v but_o judaisme_n be_v long_o before_o extant_a a_o great_a part_n of_o christianity_n be_v so_o also_o the_o moral_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a law_n christianity_n only_o advance_v and_o reinforce_v it_o add_v haply_o somewhat_o to_o it_o it_o disannul_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o the_o jewish_a law_n make_v up_o of_o certain_a typical_a observation_n and_o office_n christianity_n exhibit_v the_o real_a substance_n that_o be_v whatsoever_o truth_n be_v deliver_v of_o old_a to_o the_o jew_n under_o shadow_n the_o gospel_n plain_o speak_v out_o so_o that_o even_o many_o of_o the_o christian_a truth_n or_o doctrinal_n may_v have_v be_v say_v extant_a before_o christ_n though_o in_o a_o different_a manner_n from_o that_o wherein_o they_o be_v now_o know_v these_o thing_n therefore_o consider_v it_o be_v not_o unreasonable_a to_o speak_v somewhat_o of_o the_o history_n of_o christianity_n extant_a before_o christ_n now_o that_o i_o say_v whatever_o it_o be_v deliver_v so_o much_o as_o make_v up_o a_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n i_o mean_v of_o its_o divine_a original_n first_o it_o can_v by_o any_o man_n of_o reason_n be_v deny_v but_o as_o there_o be_v at_o present_a a_o scatter_a race_n of_o man_n which_o call_v and_o profess_v themselves_o jew_n so_o the_o forefather_n of_o these_o be_v a_o very_a ancient_a people_n and_o that_o both_o these_o and_o they_o have_v or_o have_v many_o odd_a custom_n and_o usage_n of_o live_v different_a from_o other_o nation_n all_o which_o they_o have_v observe_v and_o in_o part_n still_o do_v with_o most_o religious_a veneration_n as_o pretend_v that_o they_o be_v enact_v by_o a_o law_n deliver_v from_o heaven_n and_o consign_v in_o certain_a book_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n their_o lawgiver_n by_o divine_a direction_n it_o can_v second_o be_v deny_v that_o such_o a_o man_n as_o moses_n a_o very_a long_a time_n ago_o do_v live_v and_o that_o among_o the_o first_o and_o most_o ancient_a monument_n of_o all_o learning_n or_o letter_n be_v that_o arcane_a volume_n wherein_o moses_n comprise_v that_o law_n for_o beside_o that_o we_o have_v the_o book_n in_o our_o hand_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n live_v in_o multitude_n of_o book_n which_o we_o credit_v in_o other_o thing_n we_o have_v mention_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o his_o law_n and_o the_o ancient_a state_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o jew_n yea_o we_o find_v moses_n law_n translate_v into_o other_o tongue_n some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n all_o which_o be_v argument_n beyond_o contradiction_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o be_v before_o extant_a nor_o three_o can_v it_o be_v deny_v that_o beside_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o jew_n have_v long_o before_o christ_n time_n certain_a other_o book_n which_o they_o do_v and_o their_o posterity_n still_o do_v believe_v to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o man_n commission_v and_o inspire_v by_o god_n to_o expound_v that_o law_n to_o they_o and_o acquaint_v they_o of_o other_o mystery_n i_o mean_v they_o have_v the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n particular_o of_o isaiah_n jeremiah_n daniel_n the_o psalm_n and_o the_o rest_n he_o that_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o history_n that_o he_o read_v can_v disbelieve_v this_o now_o these_o thing_n be_v grant_v if_o we_o compare_v christianity_n the_o truth_n and_o doctrine_n of_o it_o with_o what_o be_v extant_a in_o those_o book_n we_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v what_o be_v contend_v for_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o book_n of_o moses_n do_v foretell_v that_o a_o prophet_n god_n shall_v raise_v a_o man_n as_o moses_n be_v who_o shall_v come_v with_o great_a authority_n than_o he_o do_v and_o must_v according_o be_v more_o hearken_v unto_o and_o regard_v it_o be_v plain_a he_o specify_v that_o prophet_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n and_o that_o by_o isaac_n posterity_n and_o more_o particular_o of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n but_o not_o bear_v till_o the_o sceptre_n be_v depart_v from_o judah_n the_o prophet_n yet_o be_v more_o express_v they_o specify_v the_o very_a place_n of_o his_o birth_n bethlehem_n the_o time_n of_o it_o a_o multitude_n of_o circumstance_n and_o action_n of_o his_o life_n and_o then_o the_o time_n and_o manner_n of_o his_o death_n the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n on_o this_o occasion_n the_o success_n of_o his_o doctrine_n both_o in_o his_o life_n not_o to_o be_v regard_v and_o after_o his_o death_n to_o take_v in_o the_o whole_a inhabit_a world_n to_o instance_n in_o one_o particular_a prophecy_n daniel_n in_o express_a term_n tell_v we_o that_o from_o the_o go_v forth_o of_o the_o commandment_n to_o restore_v and_o build_v jerusalem_n unto_o messiah_n the_o prince_n shall_v be_v seven_o week_n and_o threescore_o and_o two_o week_n shall_v the_o street_n be_v build_v again_o and_o the_o wall_n even_o in_o troublous_a time_n and_o after_o threescore_o and_o two_o week_n shall_v the_o messiah_n be_v cut_v off_o but_o not_o for_o himself_o and_o the_o people_n of_o a_o prince_n to_o come_v shall_v destroy_v the_o city_n and_o the_o sanctuary_n and_o after_o the_o end_n of_o the_o war_n desolation_n be_v determine_v what_o be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o the_o time_n of_o the_o restauration_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n of_o his_o death_n and_o perhaps_o its_o design_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o desolation_n of_o the_o country_n be_v foretell_v if_o any_o one_o say_v this_o be_v in_o obscure_a and_o enigmatical_a term_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v in_o such_o as_o all_o prophecy_n of_o like_a nature_n use_v to_o be_v write_v and_o that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n for_o the_o mysteriousness_n of_o prophetical_a language_n as_o god_n have_v for_o not_o make_v man_n prescient_a i_o do_v not_o here_o conceive_v needful_a to_o answer_v that_o old_a calumny_n of_o porphyry_n that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n be_v write_v after_o those_o thing_n be_v do_v for_o we_o will_v suppose_v it_o must_v be_v write_v either_o by_o a_o plagiary_n jew_n or_o christian_n jew_n will_v not_o write_v what_o must_v be_v so_o much_o against_o himself_o as_o to_o make_v he_o and_o his_o countryman_n the_o murderer_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o have_v christian_n write_v it_o it_o will_v never_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o we_o know_v it_o both_o now_o long_o have_v be_v and_o be_v i_o will_v only_o add_v one_o thing_n more_o before_o
observation_n we_o be_v christian_n still_o and_o in_o a_o secure_a condition_n nay_o in_o this_o reform_a age_n do_v not_o they_o who_o pretend_v to_o the_o pure_a reformation_n of_o doctrine_n teach_v we_o be_v justify_v by_o faith_n alone_o without_o work_n and_o good_a work_n be_v only_o necessary_a as_o token_n of_o gratitude_n and_o not_o as_o have_v any_o influence_n no_o not_o as_o a_o condition_n to_o our_o justification_n before_o god_n and_o thus_o long_o if_o we_o may_v have_v heaven_n and_o so_o much_o of_o the_o pleasure_n and_o licentious_a converse_n of_o this_o world_n too_o why_o shall_v we_o abridge_v our_o self_n of_o either_o all_o this_o be_v certain_o a_o diabolical_a stratagem_n the_o old_a trick_n again_o practise_v and_o a_o fine_a plausible_a give_v god_n the_o lie_n as_o at_o first_o to_o our_o mother_n eve_n yea_o have_v god_n say_v you_o shall_v not_o eat_v of_o every_o tree_n of_o the_o garden_n be_v any_o pleasant_a liberty_n or_o latitude_n of_o life_n forbid_v you_o you_o shall_v not_o sure_o die_v for_o god_n do_v know_v that_o in_o the_o day_n you_o eat_v thereof_o your_o eye_n shall_v be_v open_v and_o you_o shall_v be_v as_o god_n know_v good_a and_o evil_n that_o be_v in_o word_n more_o apposite_a to_o our_o age_n and_o purpose_n affect_v and_o practise_v the_o more_o unconcerned_a and_o airy_a religion_n you_o shall_v be_v christian_n of_o a_o free_a and_o more_o generous_a strain_n than_o the_o narrow-sould_a orthodox_n or_o devotee_n sect._n 5_o now_o for_o the_o prevent_n or_o dispossess_v this_o wicked_a conceit_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a first_o that_o i_o do_v what_o i_o can_v for_o the_o rational_a satisfy_n myself_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o indispensable_a necessity_n which_o lie_v on_o we_o who_o have_v scripture_n to_o conform_v our_o life_n to_o the_o command_n and_o rule_v thereof_o somewhat_o have_v be_v speak_v to_o this_o purpose_n in_o the_o discourse_n before_o of_o which_o the_o sum_n be_v that_o suppose_v the_o providence_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o he_o have_v reveal_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n and_o especial_o for_o their_o direction_n by_o what_o act_n and_o how_o he_o will_v be_v worship_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n pretend_v to_o have_v give_v we_o direction_n in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o admit_v what_o it_o to_o this_o purpose_n prescribe_v for_o we_o find_v it_o in_o possession_n of_o a_o infallible_a authority_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n we_o find_v it_o ever_o have_v be_v so_o since_o know_v to_o be_v extant_a this_o authority_n it_o have_v gain_v not_o only_o by_o the_o sublinity_n of_o its_o matter_n and_o style_n from_o its_o harmony_n and_o particular_o the_o concord_n of_o event_n with_o the_o prediction_n of_o they_o but_o especial_o from_o its_o author_n who_o be_v know_v in_o their_o generation_n for_o inspire_a man_n most_o of_o they_o by_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o they_o who_o themselves_o see_v what_o they_o relate_v or_o receive_v in_o command_n from_o god_n what_o they_o prescribe_v this_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o those_o day_n who_o see_v the_o miracle_n and_o have_v opportunity_n to_o search_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o every_o circumstance_n receive_v and_o deliver_v down_o to_o we_o and_o in_o many_o especial_o more_o primitives_n age_n seal_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o see_v and_o deliver_v with_o their_o own_o blood_n nothing_o of_o what_o scripture_n in_o such_o case_n propound_v to_o we_o aught_o in_o reason_n and_o equity_n any_o more_o to_o be_v doubt_v by_o we_o than_o if_o we_o ourselves_o have_v see_v these_o very_a miracle_n do_v or_o hear_v these_o command_v promulge_v from_o heaven_n and_o as_o to_o all_o objection_n which_o diabolical_a agent_n have_v bring_v in_o against_o divine_a oracle_n we_o find_v the_o devil_n have_v thereby_o only_o destroy_v his_o own_o work_n they_o lie_v strong_a against_o the_o old_a heathenish_a oracle_n and_o the_o way_n of_o their_o delivery_n against_o mahometan_a and_o such_o like_a imposture_n but_o holy_a scripture_n either_o they_o can_v assail_v at_o all_o or_o if_o they_o do_v their_o assault_n only_o bespeak_v first_o its_o author_n malice_n and_o then_o impotence_n further_o as_o to_o the_o indispensableness_n of_o obedience_n to_o scripture_n can_v i_o think_v that_o my_o creator_n in_o who_o hand_n i_o be_o as_o clay_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o potter_n have_v make_v a_o law_n and_o signify_v nay_o and_o justify_v it_o too_o to_o the_o world_n from_o heaven_n by_o miracle_n and_o that_o i_o poor_a trifle_n may_v safe_o choose_v whether_o i_o will_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o or_o no_o and_o when_o i_o have_v notice_n of_o it_o possible_o whether_o i_o will_v or_o no_o may_v secure_o pick_v and_o choose_v out_o of_o it_o obey_v it_o only_o in_o what_o i_o please_v or_o perhaps_o at_o pleasure_n disobey_v and_o neglect_v the_o whole_a these_o be_v extravagancy_n which_o will_v find_v no_o harbour_n or_o reception_n in_o my_o serious_a thought_n if_o this_o remedy_n seem_v needless_a because_o the_o poison_n have_v not_o yet_o so_o prevail_v as_o that_o the_o antidote_n need_v to_o be_v take_v in_o so_o deep_a than_o second_o let_v i_o from_o holy_a scripture_n satisfy_v myself_o of_o the_o undoubted_a necessity_n of_o good_a work_n in_o order_n to_o my_o acceptance_n before_o god_n and_o future_a bliss_n and_o that_o that_o faith_n which_o justify_v be_v not_o such_o a_o trust_n which_o regard_v not_o but_o include_v the_o endeavour_n of_o impartial_a obedience_n as_o a_o formal_a and_o essential_a part_n of_o it_o that_o be_v that_o if_o this_o endeavour_n be_v not_o in_o the_o faith_n which_o i_o have_v be_v no_o long_o a_o justify_v faith_n and_o particular_o under_o obedience_n let_v i_o consider_v how_o undispensable_o due_a unto_o god_n be_v a_o daily_a homage_n from_o i_o which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o what_o the_o devil_n by_o this_o suggestion_n will_v possess_v i_o of_o and_o for_o the_o 2._o see_v method_n of_o pr._n devot_n part._n ii_o ch._n 1_o &_o 2._o enforce_v these_o truth_n upon_o i_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a i_o be_o not_o or_o need_v not_o be_v destitute_a of_o mean_n proper_a and_o particular_a enough_o if_o i_o will_v be_v at_o pain_n to_o use_v they_o it_o may_v be_v proper_a three_o for_o any_o who_o this_o suggestion_n attempt_n to_o consider_v how_o far_o the_o present_a age_n come_v short_a either_o of_o the_o primitive_a or_o middle_a christian_a age_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o devotion_n how_o much_o time_n and_o pain_n have_v ancient_a christian_n spend_v in_o prayer_n and_o self-denial_n and_o mortification_n in_o comparison_n of_o what_o we_o do_v and_o shall_v devotion_n but_o so_o decrease_v proportionable_o in_o a_o future_a age_n or_o to_o as_o it_o have_v do_v of_o late_a into_o what_o a_o nothing_o will_v it_o dwindle_v nay_o let_v we_o but_o at_o present_a look_n over_o sea_n and_o be_v teach_v our_o interest_n even_o from_o our_o enemy_n what_o watch_n what_o fasting_n what_o prayer_n what_o mortify_v discipline_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n many_o walk_a skeleton_n almost_o instead_o of_o man_n among_o they_o certain_o diligence_n be_v not_o popery_n too_o and_o as_o our_o saviour_n forbid_v not_o the_o pharisee_n righteousness_n when_o he_o condemn_v their_o ostentation_n and_o superstitious_a will-worship_n so_o neither_o if_o the_o roman-catholic_n be_v more_o severe_a to_o their_o flesh_n than_o needs_o can_v we_o serious_o view_v their_o conscientious_a observance_n and_o constancy_n in_o their_o devotion_n but_o it_o will_v true_o upbraid_v the_o laxness_n and_o negligence_n of_o most_o of_o our_o people_n let_v we_o blush_v therefore_o that_o have_v a_o pure_a faith_n and_o order_n of_o worship_n than_o they_o we_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o the_o worse_a observer_n of_o it_o last_o it_o may_v not_o be_v improper_a to_o oppose_v also_o to_o this_o suggestion_n our_o thought_n when_o we_o be_v in_o our_o grave_a most_o impartial_a and_o clear_a state_n of_o mind_n and_o do_v we_o at_o such_o time_n imagine_v ourselves_o guilty_a of_o over_n our_o duty_n in_o point_n of_o devotion_n when_o we_o have_v consider_v how_o many_o year_n we_o have_v spend_v without_o any_o serious_a devotion_n or_o thought_n of_o god_n how_o many_o and_o grievous_a interruption_n our_o present_a course_n suffer_v how_o difficult_a it_o be_v by_o all_o to_o keep_v ourselves_o but_o in_o tolerable_a temper_n do_v we_o think_v we_o have_v take_v upon_o ourselves_o too_o hard_a task_n of_o prayer_n and_o penitence_n and_o such_o performance_n alas_o we_o think_v the_o contrary_n and_o be_v we_o not_o then_o wont_a to_o accuse_v ourselves_o of_o vile_a unchristian_a sloth_n worldlyness_n vanity_n and_o manifold_a vitiousness_n of_o mind_n