order_n and_o purity_n and_o will_v make_v religion_n and_o truth_n to_o flourish_v to_o our_o praise_n and_o renown_n abroad_o our_o peace_n and_o comfort_n at_o home_n and_o to_o further_o and_o facilitate_v our_o attainment_n of_o eternal_a life_n hereafter_o amen_n sermon_n ix_o on_o rev._n ii_o 17._o he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n to_o he_o that_o overcome_v will_v i_o give_v to_o eat_v of_o the_o hide_a manna_n and_o will_v give_v he_o a_o white_a stone_n and_o in_o the_o stone_n a_o new_a name_n write_v which_o no_o man_n know_v save_v he_o that_o receive_v it_o these_o word_n be_v first_o direct_v advertisement_n to_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n but_o they_o be_v not_o intend_v for_o that_o church_n only_o for_o every_o one_o be_v require_v to_o give_v ear_n to_o they_o we_o have_v all_o the_o same_o vocation_n the_o same_o obligation_n be_v on_o we_o and_o the_o same_o reward_n be_v propose_v to_o we_o and_o therefore_o likewise_o we_o be_v all_o tie_v to_o the_o same_o duty_n the_o different_a station_n and_o order_n of_o the_o church_n do_v indeed_o call_v for_o some_o difference_n in_o person_n behaviour_n but_o otherwise_o all_o christian_n have_v the_o same_o task_n enjoin_v they_o and_o what_o be_v speak_v to_o one_o be_v speak_v to_o all_o the_o first_o thing_n here_o call_v for_o be_v a_o hear_v attention_n to_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n a_o listen_v to_o what_o his_o spirit_n say_v unto_o we_o let_v he_o who_o have_v a_o ear_n hear_v etc._n etc._n so_o likewise_o begin_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o their_o usual_a preface_n be_v hear_v o_o israel_n hear_v be_v a_o sign_n of_o a_o ready_a and_o willing_a mind_n and_o be_v necessary_a to_o prepare_v the_o way_n to_o those_o other_o act_n and_o exercise_n require_v of_o we_o it_o be_v indeed_o neither_o the_o only_a nor_o the_o main_a thing_n we_o have_v to_o do_v and_o therefore_o they_o who_o be_v only_a hearer_n deceive_v themselves_o as_o st._n james_n speak_v as_o the_o body_n will_v be_v deform_v if_o it_o be_v all_o ear_n so_o that_o man_n religion_n be_v misshapen_v which_o be_v whole_o exercise_v in_o hear_v but_o however_o necessity_n hear_v be_v necessary_a it_o must_v not_o swallow_v up_o all_o other_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a service_n but_o neither_o must_v it_o be_v slight_v and_o neglect_v he_o who_o turn_v away_o his_o ear_n and_o will_v not_o hear_v show_v a_o averseness_n to_o his_o duty_n and_o though_o he_o will_v set_v himself_o to_o it_o he_o can_v not_o go_v right_o about_o it_o for_o all_o our_o knowledge_n of_o spiritual_a thing_n come_v by_o hear_v this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v fetch_v from_o within_o and_o therefore_o he_o who_o hear_v not_o must_v continue_v in_o gross_a ignorance_n we_o shall_v begin_v with_o hear_v and_o we_o shall_v never_o cease_v to_o hear_v that_o we_o may_v be_v inform_v of_o our_o lord_n will_n that_o we_o may_v be_v keep_v in_o mind_n of_o it_o and_o final_o quicken_v to_o it_o as_o servant_n wait_v daily_o on_o their_o master_n to_o know_v their_o pleasure_n and_o to_o receive_v their_o command_n so_o shall_v we_o wait_v on_o god_n i_o will_v say_v the_o psalmist_n hear_v what_o god_n the_o lord_n will_v speak_v this_o be_v every_o one_o duty_n none_o be_v exempt_v from_o it_o not_o the_o ignorant_a to_o be_v sure_a nor_o yet_o he_o who_o think_v he_o have_v knowledge_n the_o man_n of_o leisure_n and_o he_o who_o be_v retire_v from_o the_o world_n can_v pretend_v no_o excuse_n nor_o will_v the_o man_n of_o business_n be_v excuse_v if_o he_o neglect_v to_o hear_v as_o many_o as_o have_v ear_n and_o faculty_n to_o perceive_v be_v oblige_v and_o command_v to_o hear_v for_o the_o word_n of_o our_o text_n be_v let_v he_o who_o have_v ear_n which_o certain_o comprehend_v all_o and_o every_o one_o but_o as_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o hear_v so_o we_o it_o ought_v to_o take_v heed_n how_o we_o hear_v as_o it_o be_v luke_n viij_o 18._o that_o we_o hear_v aright_o else_o we_o have_v better_a not_o hear_v at_o all_o now_o he_o hear_v not_o right_o who_o let_v only_o the_o voice_n or_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o word_n strike_v his_o ear_n but_o who_o suffer_v it_o to_o pierce_v through_o to_o his_o mind_n and_o inner_a man_n and_o to_o leave_v a_o impression_n there_o wherefore_o as_o we_o must_v hear_v so_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v our_o ear_n well_o purge_v of_o whatever_o may_v stop_v what_o be_v speak_v from_o go_v to_o the_o heart_n or_o hinder_v its_o work_n there_o for_o the_o hear_n here_o require_v be_v opus_fw-la animi_fw-la non_fw-la auris_fw-la it_o be_v a_o ponder_v with_o the_o mind_n as_o well_o as_o harken_v with_o the_o ear._n wherefore_o as_o st._n james_n advise_v we_o ought_v to_o lay_v aside_o prejudice_n and_o filthiness_n and_o all_o superfluity_n of_o naughtiness_n and_o to_o receive_v with_o meekness_n the_o engraft_a word_n of_o god_n and_o sure_o none_o can_v refuse_v this_o who_o consider_v either_o the_o dignity_n of_o he_o who_o speak_v or_o the_o excellency_n of_o what_o be_v speak_v he_o who_o speak_v be_v great_a than_o socrates_n or_o plato_n or_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n who_o many_o travel_v far_o to_o hear_v speak_v he_o be_v great_a than_o solomon_n who_o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n be_v so_o desirous_a to_o hear_v and_o what_o be_v deliver_v do_v not_o tickle_v the_o fancy_n but_o satisfy_v and_o ravish_v the_o mind_n it_o be_v not_o airy_a notion_n and_o fruitless_a speculation_n which_o we_o be_v bid_v hear_v but_o a_o word_n which_o be_v able_a to_o save_v our_o soul_n and_o that_o we_o may_v hear_v this_o joyful_a hear_v and_o comfortable_a word_n we_o must_v not_o listen_v to_o the_o dictate_v of_o our_o corrupt_a nature_n nor_o to_o the_o maxim_n of_o a_o degenerate_a world_n nor_o to_o the_o particular_a tradition_n of_o elder_n for_o these_o do_v often_o misguide_v we_o and_o though_o sometime_o they_o seem_v to_o speak_v fair_a yet_o they_o only_o flatter_v that_o they_o may_v the_o better_o deceive_v and_o ensnare_v we_o to_o make_v void_a the_o commandment_n of_o god_n neither_o the_o clamour_n of_o the_o people_n nor_o the_o call_v of_o the_o court_n be_v always_o to_o be_v hearken_v to_o for_o the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o that_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o have_v sometime_o consult_v and_o conspire_v against_o the_o lord_n and_o against_o his_o christ._n we_o must_v not_o answer_v every_o voice_n nor_o believe_v every_o spirit_n for_o there_o be_v many_o lie_v and_o false_a spirit_n in_o the_o world_n but_o we_o must_v only_o hearken_v to_o what_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n say_v and_o then_o we_o be_v sure_a not_o to_o be_v deceive_v this_o holy_a spirit_n sometime_o speak_v to_o we_o by_o inward_a motion_n and_o inspiration_n to_o truth_n and_o goodness_n and_o will_v certain_o do_v it_o often_o if_o we_o be_v right_o dispose_v and_o careful_a to_o attend_v to_o they_o but_o it_o always_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n they_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o hear_v for_o no_o scripture_n be_v of_o private_a interpretation_n neither_o do_v the_o penman_n of_o scripture_n speak_v and_o write_v of_o their_o own_o head_n but_o as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n so_o than_o it_o be_v not_o man_n who_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o see_v god_n be_v not_o like_a man_n that_o he_o shall_v alter_v his_o mind_n see_v his_o will_n as_o his_o nature_n be_v unchangeable_a therefore_o nothing_o be_v from_o god_n which_o contradict_v what_o be_v say_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o also_o whatever_o voice_n we_o hear_v whether_o within_o we_o or_o without_o we_o we_o ought_v to_o compare_v the_o same_o with_o what_o the_o spirit_n say_v to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o scripture_n if_o it_o agree_v therewith_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v and_o obey_v it_o but_o if_o they_o sound_v not_o alike_o if_o there_o be_v no_o harmony_n but_o a_o perfect_a discord_n betwixt_o they_o then_o that_o be_v not_o from_o god_n it_o be_v but_o a_o cheat_n and_o delusion_n which_o disagree_v with_o the_o write_a word_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v reject_v whoever_o bring_v it_o but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v remember_v that_o the_o quote_v text_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o speak_n in_o scripture_n term_n be_v not_o a_o certain_a sign_n that_o they_o who_o do_v so_o be_v true_a prophet_n or_o that_o their_o doctrine_n be_v true_a and_o from_o god_n for_o man_n may_v and_o often_o do_v wrest_v the_o scripture_n and_o use_v it_o ignorant_o and_o impertinent_o the_o devil_n when_o
forth_o it_o be_v the_o express_a condition_n of_o all_o the_o promise_n and_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v declare_v that_o we_o can_v look_v for_o mercy_n pardon_v or_o eternal_a life_n and_o this_o be_v not_o a_o new_a thing_n introduce_v by_o the_o gospel_n but_o the_o divine_a oeconomy_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n do_v require_v faith_n which_o be_v a_o second_o proof_n of_o its_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a now_o as_o it_o appear_v now_o to_o be_v the_o chief_a condition_n require_v of_o man_n under_o the_o gospel_n so_o it_o be_v under_o the_o law_n as_o st._n paul_n declare_v heb._n two_o nay_o before_o the_o law_n as_o appear_v from_o abraham_n and_o the_o other_o patriarch_n of_o abraham_n it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o believe_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o he_o count_v it_o to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n gen._n xv_o 6._o moreover_o faith_n be_v exact_v of_o man_n even_o before_o the_o fall_n while_o he_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o innocence_n for_o the_o two_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o life_n which_o god_n set_v apart_o in_o paradise_n and_o the_o interdiction_n of_o the_o first_o by_o that_o severe_a sanction_n in_o that_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v sure_o die_v be_v to_o try_v and_o exercise_v man_n faith_n thus_o the_o divine_a oeconomy_n before_o the_o fall_n and_o ever_o since_o before_o the_o law_n under_o the_o law_n and_o by_o the_o gospel_n have_v always_o require_v faith_n as_o a_o necessary_a condition_n to_o the_o obtain_n god_n favour_n in_o respect_n to_o the_o certain_a and_o unalterable_a order_n and_o method_n of_o which_o oeconomy_n it_o be_v that_o st._n paul_n say_v without_o 6._o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n and_o though_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n be_v secret_a and_o his_o method_n for_o the_o most_o part_n unaccountable_a yet_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o do_v appear_v from_o this_o that_o without_o faith_n in_o this_o present_a state_n we_o neither_o can_v acknowledge_v all_o the_o divine_a attribute_n nor_o yet_o worship_v he_o with_o all_o our_o faculty_n his_o veracity_n truth_n and_o faithfulness_n can_v be_v own_v otherwise_o than_o by_o faith_n by_o believe_v his_o word_n assent_v to_o his_o declaration_n rely_v on_o his_o promise_n and_o tremble_v at_o his_o threaten_n and_o as_o all_o those_o divine_a attribute_n can_v only_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o faith_n so_o it_o be_v only_o by_o faith_n that_o we_o worship_v he_o with_o our_o understanding_n it_o be_v reasonable_a that_o we_o worship_n god_n with_o the_o whole_a man_n all_o our_o faculty_n ought_v to_o pay_v he_o homage_n but_o how_o can_v he_o have_v homage_n from_o our_o understanding_n unless_o we_o believe_v it_o be_v only_o by_o act_n of_o faith_n that_o we_o declare_v the_o submission_n of_o our_o judgement_n to_o god_n for_o if_o we_o will_v admit_v or_o receive_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v demonstrable_a and_o what_o we_o can_v clear_o comprehend_v than_o we_o deny_v god_n infinite_a wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n and_o refuse_v to_o own_o his_o reason_n to_o be_v above_o our_o own_o which_o be_v intolerable_a pride_n and_o insolence_n for_o this_o cause_n even_o to_o try_v our_o faith_n and_o to_o give_v we_o occasion_n to_o pay_v he_o this_o due_a homage_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o understanding_n it_o be_v that_o god_n propose_v to_o we_o mystery_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a and_o hence_o it_o be_v also_o that_o he_o often_o abscond_v himself_o as_o it_o be_v he_o work_v not_o always_o in_o a_o godlike_a manner_n that_o be_v in_o a_o splendid_a glorious_a or_o such_o a_o visible_a way_n as_o may_v force_v acknowledgement_n from_o man_n but_o often_o after_o a_o secret_a and_o covert_a manner_n under_o the_o shadow_n of_o mean_n and_o instrument_n of_o divers_a sort_n that_o hereby_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v whether_o we_o believe_v he_o almighty_a and_o the_o wise_a disposer_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o author_n of_o all_o event_n in_o the_o other_o world_n faith_n shall_v cease_v there_o will_v be_v no_o place_n for_o it_o because_o there_o will_v be_v a_o present_a immediate_a intuition_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o attribute_n but_o now_o that_o we_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o lord_n we_o walk_v by_o faith_n thus_o you_o see_v that_o as_o faith_n be_v require_v here_o so_o it_o be_v necessary_a and_o why_o it_o be_v so_o i_o have_v also_o brief_o lay_v before_o you_o and_o as_o the_o text_n oblige_v we_o to_o speak_v of_o this_o so_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o make_v it_o necessary_a for_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n be_v set_v up_o their_o head_n and_o some_o have_v the_o impudence_n in_o this_o licentious_a age_n to_o dispute_v both_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o necessity_n of_o what_o god_n have_v clear_o reveal_v as_o for_o you_o my_o belove_a i_o beseech_v you_o build_v yourselves_o up_o in_o your_o most_o holy_a faith_n and_o let_v not_o the_o weak_a effort_n of_o insolent_a wit_n shake_v your_o faith_n stand_v up_o and_o strive_v vigorous_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o have_v be_v confirm_v by_o so_o many_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n by_o such_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o power_n that_o if_o it_o be_v hide_v it_o be_v hide_v to_o they_o that_o be_v lose_v in_o who_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v the_o mind_n of_o they_o which_o believe_v not_o lest_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o image_n of_o god_n shall_v shine_v unto_o they_o take_v heed_n 3._o brethren_n say_v st._n paul_n lest_o there_o be_v 12._o in_o any_o of_o you_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o live_a god_n when_o we_o let_v go_v faith_n and_o entertain_v a_o heart_n of_o unbelief_n we_o depart_v from_o god_n lose_v the_o promise_n forfeit_a heaven_n render_v ourselves_o uncapable_a of_o mercy_n and_o give_v ourselves_o to_o a_o reprobate_a mind_n here_o and_o to_o damnation_n hereafter_o he_o that_o lay_v aside_o faith_n may_v also_o put_v off_o the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o all_o the_o pretension_n which_o that_o name_n may_v give_v to_o blessing_n earthly_a or_o heavenly_a bodily_a or_o spiritual_a temporal_a or_o eternal_a for_o faith_n be_v necessary_o employ_v in_o that_o name_n and_o as_o requisite_a to_o he_o that_o will_v deserve_v it_o as_o the_o skill_n of_o law_n or_o physic_n to_o one_o that_o set_v up_o for_o a_o lawyer_n or_o physician_n or_o philosophy_n to_o a_o philosopher_n see_v therefore_o we_o own_v ourselves_o to_o be_v christian_n that_o we_o may_v be_v worthy_a of_o so_o sacred_a a_o name_n let_v we_o evermore_o pray_v god_n with_o the_o man_n in_o the_o gospel_n say_v lord_n increase_v our_o faith_n and_o help_v our_o unbelief_n but_o now_o it_o may_v be_v very_o pertinent_o be_v ask_v what_o this_o faith_n be_v which_o be_v thus_o require_v in_o answer_n to_o this_o st._n paul_n have_v tell_v we_o the_o first_o and_o low_a act_n of_o faith_n when_o he_o say_v he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v first_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o who_o diligent_o seek_v he_o we_o must_v begin_v with_o the_o belief_n and_o persuasion_n of_o god_n existence_n power_n wisdom_n providence_n and_o what_o else_o reason_n and_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v of_o he_o but_o then_o that_o our_o faith_n may_v be_v perfect_a we_o must_v add_v to_o it_o knowledge_n and_o extend_v it_o to_o all_o the_o manifestation_n which_o god_n have_v make_v of_o himself_o from_o time_n to_o time_n we_o must_v embrace_v all_o the_o divine_a revelation_n and_o what_o they_o contain_v all_o the_o declaration_n law_n promise_n and_o threaten_n in_o god_n word_n be_v propose_v as_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o by_o faith_n we_o ought_v to_o receive_v they_o that_o be_v we_o must_v own_v and_o acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o by_o a_o constant_a regard_n to_o they_o in_o all_o our_o action_n testify_v the_o firmness_n and_o sincerity_n of_o this_o belief_n and_o persuasion_n more_o particular_o our_o faith_n must_v respect_v the_o person_n office_n doctrine_n and_o action_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n we_o must_v receive_v he_o as_o the_o person_n who_o be_v promise_v to_o adam_n abraham_n and_o the_o patriarch_n who_o be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n prefigure_v by_o the_o law_n expect_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o even_o wait_v for_o by_o the_o gentile_n we_o must_v receive_v he_o and_o rely_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n we_o must_v embrace_v he_o as_o the_o person_n who_o god_n have_v set_v forth_o to_o be_v a_o propitiation_n for_o sin_n and_o the_o mediator_n by_o who_o and_o through_o who_o only_o we_o have_v access_n unto_o
in_o itself_o and_o be_v become_v so_o peevish_o selfish_a that_o it_o can_v move_v but_o by_o the_o narrow_a spring_n of_o self-love_n now_o all_o person_n and_o thing_n be_v only_o consider_v with_o a_o relation_n to_o one_o self_n and_o a_o concernment_n for_o they_o be_v more_o or_o less_o according_a as_o they_o be_v find_v more_o or_o less_o useful_a consider_v man_n in_o their_o present_a natural_a state_n before_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o true_a religion_n inspire_v and_o enable_v they_o all_o their_o action_n be_v perform_v only_o with_o a_o respect_n to_o themselves_o and_o their_o own_o particular_a interest_n they_o look_v only_o to_o their_o own_o thing_n and_o provide_v these_o thing_n be_v well_o they_o be_v not_o concern_v how_o it_o fare_v with_o other_o nay_o be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o those_o virtue_n the_o apostle_n be_v recommend_v so_o far_o from_o look_v upon_o this_o humble_a and_o charitable_a serviceableness_n as_o 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exclusive_a of_o all_o reality_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n what_o st._n paul_n say_v here_o of_o jesus_n may_v be_v with_o as_o great_a truth_n say_v of_o some_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o especial_o of_o moses_n to_o this_o be_v reply_v by_o dr._n hammond_n and_o other_o learned_a critic_n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v never_o use_v for_o a_o external_a or_o accidental_a appearance_n but_o for_o such_o visible_a token_n as_o flow_v from_o and_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o real_a essence_n and_o so_o according_a to_o the_o common_a acceptation_n of_o author_n the_o word_n which_o we_o have_v for_o form_n be_v all_o one_o with_o nature_n or_o it_o do_v signify_v the_o external_a or_o visible_a appearance_n of_o a_o inward_a and_o real_a or_o natural_a essence_n i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v you_o with_o instance_n to_o prove_v this_o but_o even_o the_o unlearned_a may_v see_v this_o from_o the_o text_n for_o as_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o the_o form_n of_o god_n 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