i_o but_o this_o acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n be_v not_o for_o my_o present_a turn_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o second_o place_n you_o may_v take_v they_o thus_o with_o mr._n ainsworth_n in_o his_o annotation_n upon_o the_o place_n how_o precious_a be_v thy_o thought_n i._o e._n the_o thought_n that_o i_o have_v of_o thou_o the_o thought_n that_o be_v raise_v out_o of_o my_o heart_n up_o to_o thou_o oh_o how_o precious_a be_v they_o divine_a meditation_n beloved_n be_v a_o very_a heaven_n upon_o earth_n it_o be_v a_o have_n of_o one_o foot_n already_o if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v in_o the_o porch_n of_o heaven_n it_o be_v a_o fore-taste_a of_o eternal_a life_n it_o be_v to_o the_o saint_n as_o the_o fiery_a chariot_n be_v to_o elijah_n by_o it_o they_o be_v transport_v from_o earth_n to_o heaven_n in_o their_o spirit_n nay_o so_o far_o ravish_v in_o their_o think_n upon_o god_n name_n as_o that_o sometime_o they_o know_v not_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v before_o they_o they_o mind_n not_o those_o person_n that_o be_v about_o they_o but_o be_v in_o the_o body_n they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v carry_v out_o of_o the_o body_n with_o spiritual_a ravishment_n they_o taste_v such_o incomparable_a sweetness_n in_o the_o good_a name_n of_o god_n as_o that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o express_v they_o even_o as_o the_o chew_v of_o our_o meat_n make_v we_o to_o taste_v much_o more_o sweetness_n in_o it_o so_o this_o heavenly_a practice_n of_o meditation_n cause_v we_o to_o feel_v much_o more_o sweetness_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n meditation_n ever_o bring_v with_o it_o delight_n therefore_o see_v how_o david_n do_v knit_v they_o together_o psalm_n 119.15_o 16._o i_o will_v meditate_v in_o thy_o precept_n and_o will_v have_v respect_n unto_o thy_o way_n i_o will_v delight_v myself_o in_o thy_o statute_n i_o will_v not_o forget_v thy_o word_n that_o holy_a object_n about_o which_o a_o man_n thought_n be_v much_o conversant_a he_o can_v but_o take_v much_o delight_n and_o complacency_n in_o as_o it_o argue_v love_n to_o the_o object_n psalm_n 119.97_o so_o i_o say_v it_o argue_v delight_n in_o the_o object_n and_o then_o in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o conclude_v the_o motive_n this_o be_v a_o exceed_a profitable_a and_o advantageous_a duty_n and_o that_o divers_a way_n i_o will_v name_v only_o two_o or_o three_o of_o they_o 1._o meditation_n turn_v the_o promise_n into_o marrow_n it_o not_o only_o taste_v but_o chew_v the_o promise_n and_o manifestation_n of_o god_n unto_o his_o people_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o only_o sweet_a and_o comfortable_a as_o i_o tell_v you_o before_o but_o it_o be_v profitable_a too_o read_v psalm_n 63.5_o 6._o my_o soul_n shall_v be_v satisfy_v as_o with_o marrow_n and_o fatness_n and_o my_o mouth_n shall_v praise_v thou_o with_o joyful_a lip_n when_o i_o remember_v thou_o upon_o my_o bed_n and_o meditate_v on_o thou_o in_o the_o night-watche_n as_o there_o be_v all_o manner_n of_o pleasure_n so_o be_v there_o all_o manner_n of_o profit_n in_o the_o believe_a meditation_n of_o god_n they_o make_v the_o promise_n as_o a_o royal_a feast_n to_o faith_n meditation_n be_v not_o only_o a_o effect_n of_o faith_n but_o it_o be_v a_o excellent_a mean_n to_o strengthen_v faith_n 2._o it_o be_v profitable_a for_o the_o avoid_n of_o evil_a meditation_n prevent_v the_o intrusion_n of_o vain_a and_o sinful_a thought_n of_o foul_a and_o fleshly_a lust_n which_o otherwise_o will_v swarm_v in_o the_o soul_n it_o leave_v the_o devil_n no_o room_n for_o his_o black_a and_o hellish_a suggestion_n for_o his_o blasphemous_a injection_n it_o defeat_v the_o world_n which_o otherwise_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o catch_v we_o to_o get_v in_o to_o defile_v our_o heart_n nay_o 3._o it_o promote_v our_o spiritual_a good_a hereby_o we_o get_v into_o acquaintance_n with_o god_n the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n hereby_o we_o attain_v unto_o a_o great_a measure_n of_o spiritual_a wisdom_n grace_n holiness_n we_o prove_v tall_a and_o experience_a christian_n fill_v with_o all_o knowledge_n nay_o this_o holy_a meditation_n in_o a_o word_n be_v profitable_a to_o other_o for_o why_o it_o fit_v we_o for_o holy_a and_o christian_a conference_n thus_o and_o many_o other_o way_n be_v this_o exercise_n profitable_a well_o then_o you_o have_v hear_v what_o a_o encouragement_n there_o be_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o dudy_n i_o come_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o show_v you_o the_o mean_n whereby_o you_o may_v be_v enable_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o the_o mean_n shall_v be_v of_o two_o sort_n 1._o negative_a 2._o positive_a by_o negative_a i_o intend_v those_o sin_n or_o impediment_n which_o we_o must_v labour_v against_o if_o we_o will_v fruitful_o think_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o the_o first_o place_n avoid_v pride_n and_o a_o conceitedness_n of_o a_o sufficiency_n in_o yourselves_o to_o conceive_v of_o god_n or_o to_o think_v of_o any_o thing_n else_o that_o be_v good_a you_o have_v hear_v before_o what_o the_o apostle_n speak_v 2_o cor._n 3.5_o pride_n hinder_v the_o right_a improvement_n of_o every_o holy_a duty_n and_o communion_n with_o god_n in_o every_o holy_a duty_n god_n indeed_o have_v promise_v to_o impart_v himself_o and_o his_o secret_n to_o the_o humble_a psalm_n 25.9_o but_o god_n will_v have_v no_o acquaintance_n with_o proud_a person_n he_o look_v upon_o they_o afar_o off_o as_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v this_o cause_v a_o man_n go_v out_o from_o god_n indeed_o but_o it_o hinder_v his_o draw_v nigh_o to_o god_n as_o in_o other_o exercise_n so_o in_o this_o of_o holy_a contemplation_n god_n common_o leave_v such_o to_o dote_v and_o busy_v their_o brain_n about_o question_n and_o vain_a disputation_n which_o tend_v to_o nothing_o but_o strife_n and_o ostentation_n see_v what_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o a_o proud_a and_o self-conceited_a man_n 1_o tim._n 6.4_o 5._o he_o be_v proud_a what_o follow_v know_v nothing_o but_o dote_v about_o question_n and_o strife_n of_o word_n whereof_o come_v envy_v strife_n rail_n evil_a surmising_n perverse_a dispute_n of_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n and_o destitute_a of_o the_o truth_n suppose_v that_o gain_n in_o godliness_n from_o such_o withdraw_v thyself_o it_o be_v just_a with_o god_n to_o leave_v proud_a heart_n to_o unprofitable_a study_n 2._o if_o you_o will_v religious_o meditate_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o god_n take_v heed_n as_o of_o pride_n so_o of_o passion_n passion_n carry_v we_o out_o of_o ourselves_o and_o carry_v we_o too_o from_o the_o business_n and_o duty_n before_o we_o as_o a_o angry_a man_n discourse_n run_v wild_a so_o his_o thought_n and_o cogitation_n run_v wild_a also_o as_o the_o passion_n of_o the_o concupiscible_a appetite_n and_o intemperancy_n of_o youth_n carry_v a_o man_n beyond_o his_o bound_n and_o therefore_o the_o prodigal_n repent_v be_v say_v to_o come_v to_o himself_o luk._n 15.17_o so_o likewise_o do_v the_o passion_n of_o the_o irascible_a appetite_n anger_n disorder_n and_o discompose_v the_o spirit_n passion_n in_o the_o mind_n be_v like_o a_o tempest_n in_o the_o air_n which_o do_v exceed_o disturb_v the_o mind_n many_o a_o man_n like_o a_o ship_n at_o sea_n have_v be_v overset_a and_o sink_v with_o the_o violent_a gust_n and_o whirlwinde_n of_o his_o own_o spirit_n as_o a_o turbulent_a heart_n can_v neither_o hear_v nor_o pray_v as_o it_o ought_v so_o so_o neither_o can_v it_o think_v or_o meditate_v as_o it_o ought_v passion_n unfit_v the_o heart_n to_o and_o for_o any_o religious_a duty_n well_o may_v such_o a_o one_o exact_a folly_n as_o solomon_n speak_v but_o i_o warrant_v you_o while_o he_o be_v thus_o distemper_a he_o wo'n_v lift_v up_o many_o holy_a thought_n these_o do_v require_v a_o sedate_n and_o quiet_a spirit_n free_a from_o the_o confuse_a hurry_n of_o troublesome_a passion_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o second_o place_n see_v that_o you_o eschew_v passion_n and_o then_o 3._o if_o you_o will_v conscionable_o perform_v this_o duty_n beware_v of_o earthly-mindedness_a worldliness_n or_o earthly-mindedness_a divide_v and_o distract_v the_o heart_n fill_v it_o with_o noisome_a lust_n but_o indispose_v it_o to_o the_o think_n of_o god_n or_o upon_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n this_o corruption_n if_o nourish_v will_v eat_v all_o manner_n of_o goodness_n out_o of_o the_o heart_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o 1_o cor._n 7.32_o 33._o but_o i_o will_v have_v you_o without_o carefulness_n he_o that_o be_v unmarried_a care_v for_o the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o lord_n how_o he_o may_v please_v the_o lord_n but_o he_o that_o be_v marry_v care_v for_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o the_o world_n how_o he_o may_v please_v his_o wife_n imply_v that_o a_o excessive_a and_o a_o immoderate_a engage_v of_o the_o heart_n in_o the_o world_n be_v
reason_n take_v from_o god_n the_o second_o sort_n respect_n man_n and_o that_o 1._o ourselves_o and_o then_o 2._o other_o 1._o ourselves_o and_o this_o i_o shall_v branch_v forth_o into_o two_o particular_n 1._o by_o cleave_v or_o stick_v close_o unto_o god_n in_o corrupt_a time_n we_o shall_v approve_v ourselves_o 1._o to_o be_v holy_a christian_n 2._o to_o be_v zealous_a christian_n first_o we_o shall_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o be_v holy_a christian_n that_o we_o be_v man_n and_o woman_n fear_v god_n jam._n 1.27_o say_v the_o apostle_n there_o pure_a religion_n and_o undefiled_a before_o god_n and_o the_o father_n be_v this_o to_o keep_v himself_o unspotted_a from_o the_o world_n when_o we_o keep_v ourselves_o unspotted_a of_o the_o world_n and_o escape_v untainted_a of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o our_o religion_n be_v a_o pure_a religion_n a_o pure_a life_n especial_o in_o impure_a time_n argue_v a_o holy_a faith_n it_o signify_v that_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n be_v hold_v in_o a_o pure_a conscience_n we_o never_o answer_v religion_n better_o then_o when_o we_o keep_v our_o way_n undefiled_a 1_o cor._n 11.19_o there_o must_v say_v the_o apostle_n be_v error_n also_o among_o you_o there_o must_v be_v error_n in_o doctrine_n and_o error_n in_o practice_n corruption_n in_o judgement_n and_o corruption_n in_o life_n but_o why_o it_o be_v because_o they_o which_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v make_v manifest_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o greek_a be_v metaphorical_a a_o metaphor_n borrow_v from_o allowance_n of_o coin_n silver_n which_o by_o the_o goldsmith_n trial_n be_v find_v good_a be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i.e._n allow_v good_a and_o currant_n evil_a and_o corrupt_a time_n be_v discriminate_v and_o distinguish_v time_n then_o man_n and_o woman_n show_v themselves_o what_o they_o be_v whether_o counterfeit_a or_o currant_n professor_n it_o be_v then_o easy_a for_o man_n to_o judge_v of_o themselves_o and_o for_o other_o to_o judge_v of_o they_o read_v phil._n 2.15_o that_o you_o may_v be_v blameless_a and_o harmless_a the_o son_n of_o god_n without_o rebuke_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o crooked_a and_o perverse_a nation_n among_o who_o you_o shine_v as_o light_n in_o the_o world_n there_o must_v be_v a_o perverse_a and_o graceless_a generation_n a_o viperous_a brood_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o who_o god_n saint_n must_v shine_v as_o lamp_n in_o the_o world_n that_o so_o they_o may_v approve_v themselves_o blameless_a and_o harmless_a the_o son_n of_o god_n without_o rebuke_n hold_v forth_o the_o word_n of_o life_n when_o it_o be_v most_o oppose_v and_o oppress_v by_o the_o son_n of_o belial_n this_o now_o i_o say_v be_v the_o property_n of_o a_o man_n that_o true_o fear_v god_n he_o can_v blow_v hot_a and_o cold_a as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v he_o dare_v not_o swear_v by_o god_n and_o malchom_n he_o will_v not_o hide_v the_o truth_n in_o indifferency_n he_o know_v that_o god_n must_v be_v worship_v true_o without_o halt_v and_o total_o without_o halve_v that_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n but_o then_o 2._o as_o by_o cleave_v unto_o god_n his_o truth_n and_o service_n in_o the_o worst_a time_n we_o shall_v approve_v ourselves_o to_o be_v holy_a christian_n so_o likewise_o shall_v we_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o be_v zealous_a christian_n sollicitous_o mind_v that_o high_a &_o holy_a name_n of_o god_n whereby_o we_o be_v call_v thus_o the_o holy_a apostle_n stand_v before_o the_o council_n manifest_v themselves_o to_o be_v man_n inflame_v with_o fervent_a zeal_n towards_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n act_v 4.20_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o can_v but_o speak_v the_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v we_o can_v do_v otherwise_o we_o be_v necessitate_v unto_o it_o be_v like_o vessel_n that_o when_o they_o be_v fill_v and_o stop_v up_o must_v either_o vent_v or_o break_v without_o remedy_n we_o may_v see_v this_o likewise_o in_o paul_n that_o precious_a man_n when_o once_o he_o become_v a_o choose_a vessel_n to_o the_o lord_n christ_n to_o bear_v his_o name_n never_o be_v he_o so_o mad_a before_o in_o havock_v those_o that_o call_v upon_o that_o name_n in_o all_o place_n as_o he_o be_v now_o fierce_a and_o fiery_a against_o all_o that_o do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n paul_n declare_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o zealous_a christian_a and_o so_o shall_v we_o if_o we_o hold_v fast_o and_o close_o to_o god_n in_o loose_a and_o licentious_a time_n thus_o much_o likewise_o of_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o reason_n take_v from_o ourselves_o the_o last_o sort_n of_o reason_n respect_v other_o and_o they_o shall_v be_v likewise_o two_o the_o first_o concern_v the_o godly_a the_o second_o the_o wicked_a 1._o hereby_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v much_o confirm_v and_o comfort_v i_o mean_v by_o our_o hold_v out_o in_o bad_a time_n this_o be_v very_o effectual_a for_o the_o settle_n strengthen_v and_o establish_v of_o the_o hand_n that_o hang_v down_o and_o the_o feeble_a knee_n which_o it_o may_v be_v otherwise_o will_v warp_v and_o turn_v out_o of_o the_o way_n while_o we_o cease_v not_o to_o speak_v with_o these_o in_o my_o text_n often_o one_o to_o another_o we_o build_v up_o one_o another_o in_o our_o most_o holy_a faith_n phil._n 1.14_o say_v the_o apostle_n there_o and_o many_o of_o the_o brethren_n in_o the_o lord_n wax_v confident_a by_o my_o bond_n be_v much_o more_o bold_a to_o speak_v the_o word_n without_o fear_n pray_v mark_v it_o they_o wax_v confident_a by_o my_o bond_n by_o the_o apostle_n constancy_n to_o and_o perseverance_n in_o the_o truth_n in_o evil_a and_o persecute_v time_n the_o gospel_n take_v deep_o root_n and_o impression_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o many_o of_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v discourage_v by_o the_o apostle_n bond_n as_o that_o they_o grow_v bold_a than_o they_o be_v before_o and_o dare_v more_o free_o to_o preach_v and_o to_o profess_v the_o gospel_n if_o you_o look_v into_o the_o act_n and_o monument_n you_o shall_v find_v what_o abundance_n of_o confirmation_n the_o godly_a of_o those_o time_n receive_v by_o their_o fellow-brethrens_n constancy_n in_o the_o truth_n well_o might_n tertullian_n say_v constantiae_fw-la martyrum_fw-la irrigatur_fw-la &_o augetur_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la i.e._n the_o church_n be_v enlarge_v through_o the_o constancy_n of_o the_o martyr_n many_o instance_n of_o it_o may_v be_v give_v be_v it_o necessary_a so_o to_o do_v but_o in_o the_o last_o place_n god_n servant_n must_v be_v best_a in_o worst_a time_n because_o hereby_o as_o good_a man_n shall_v be_v confirm_v so_o wicked_a man_n shall_v be_v convince_v and_o even_o confound_v &_o that_o not_o only_o in_o the_o last_o great_a and_o general_a judgement_n but_o in_o this_o present_a world_n also_o a_o full_a proof_n whereof_o you_o have_v in_o those_o two_o mighty_a yet_o wicked_a monarch_n in_o daniel_n nabuchadnezzar_n and_o darius_n how_o be_v nabuchadnezzar_n appal_a and_o even_o confound_v when_o he_o see_v the_o high_a resolution_n and_o courage_n of_o those_o three_o worthy_n shadrach_n meshach_n &_o abednego_n in_o change_v the_o king_n word_n and_o yield_v their_o body_n to_o be_v burn_v rather_o than_o worship_v a_o strange_a god_n dan._n 3_o 28._o there_o you_o may_v find_v it_o how_o be_v darius_n amuze_v and_o amaze_v when_o daniel_n by_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o faith_n have_v stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lion_n after_o he_o have_v stand_v it_o out_o stout_o to_o the_o face_n of_o his_o adversary_n how_o do_v the_o innocence_n and_o piety_n of_o these_o godly_a man_n triumph_n in_o the_o conscience_n of_o those_o two_o tyrant_n make_v they_o afraid_a and_o compel_v they_o to_o vote_n the_o same_o way_n that_o they_o have_v before_o persecute_v yea_o and_o to_o proclaim_v that_o god_n for_o the_o only_a true_a god_n who_o yet_o they_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o set_v up_o for_o their_o own_o god_n dan._n 3.29_o say_v n._n buchadnezzar_n there_o i_o make_v a_o decree_n that_o every_o people_n nation_n and_o language_n which_o speak_v any_o thing_n amiss_o against_o the_o god_n of_o shadrach_n meshach_n and_o abednego_n shall_v be_v cut_v in_o piece_n and_o their_o house_n shall_v be_v make_v a_o dunghill_n because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o god_n that_o can_v deliver_v after_o this_o sort_n and_o dan._n 6.25_o 26._o say_v darius_n i_o make_v a_o decree_n that_o in_o every_o dominion_n of_o my_o kingdom_n man_n tremble_v and_o fear_n before_o the_o god_n of_o daniel_n for_o he_o be_v the_o live_a god_n and_o steadfast_a for_o ever_o and_o his_o kingdom_n that_o which_o shall_v not_o be_v destroy_v and_o his_o dominion_n shall_v be_v even_o unto_o the_o
second_o text_n that_o i_o shall_v press_v upon_o such_o as_o these_o be_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n peter_n 2_o pet._n 2.20_o 21._o for_o if_o after_o they_o have_v escape_v the_o pollution_n of_o the_o world_n through_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n they_o be_v again_o entangle_v therein_o and_o overcome_v the_o late_a end_n be_v worse_a with_o they_o then_o the_o beginning_n for_o it_o have_v be_v better_a for_o they_o not_o to_o have_v know_v the_o way_n of_o righteousness_n then_o after_o they_o have_v know_v it_o to_o turn_v from_o the_o holy_a commandment_n deliver_v unto_o they_o it_o be_v better_a that_o a_o man_n never_o put_v his_o hand_n to_o the_o plough_n then_o after_o he_o have_v do_v it_o with_o lot_n wife_n to_o look_v back_o through_o fear_n and_o dastardliness_n it_o be_v more_o safe_a yea_o more_o tolerable_a and_o excusable_a and_o that_o not_o upon_o a_o few_o consideration_n but_o i_o shall_v stand_v no_o long_o upon_o this_o first_o use_n only_o give_v you_o the_o three_o text_n and_o so_o proceed_v unto_o a_o second_o use_v of_o the_o point_n rev._n 21.8_o but_o the_o fearful_a and_o unbelieving_a and_o the_o abominable_a and_o murderer_n add_v whoremonger_n and_o sorcerer_n and_o idolater_n and_o all_o liar_n shall_v have_v their_o part_n in_o the_o lake_n which_o burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n which_o be_v the_o second_o death_n why_o be_v the_o fearful_a first_o name_v before_o unbeliever_n murderer_n whoremonger_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n hold_v they_o worthy_a to_o be_v set_v in_o the_o front_n and_o to_o lead_v the_o ring-dance_a as_o it_o be_v of_o such_o wicked_a one_o as_o shall_v be_v hurry_v into_o hell_n by_o fearful_a say_v mr._n diodate_v in_o his_o annotation_n he_o intend_v such_o as_o through_o carnal_a and_o base_a fear_n dare_v not_o to_o own_o or_o at_o least_o to_o profess_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n in_o corrupt_a and_o loose_a time_n and_o thus_o far_o of_o the_o first_o corollary_n or_o deduction_n from_o this_o point_n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o 2._o be_v it_o so_o that_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n must_v labour_v to_o show_v themselves_o best_o in_o worst_a time_n be_v we_o then_o all_o provoke_v to_o set_v upon_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o most_o necessary_a and_o yet_o much-neglected_n duty_n labour_v to_o shine_v forth_o in_o evil_a time_n like_o that_o lamp_n gen._n 15.17_o that_o shine_v out_o in_o the_o smoky_a furnace_n or_o like_o that_o bright_a star_n that_o show_v itself_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o darkness_n matth._n 2._o oh_o let_v our_o piety_n &_o patience_n appear_v then_o most_o when_o impiety_n and_o violence_n do_v most_o prevail_v as_o the_o cold_a the_o air_n and_o the_o hard_a the_o weather_n the_o more_o the_o fire_n scorch_v so_o let_v our_o zeal_n by_o a_o holy_a antiperistasis_n than_o flame_n out_o and_o break_v through_o all_o impediment_n when_o most_o oppugned_a and_o oppose_v belove_a what_o though_o we_o shall_v find_v few_o or_o none_o that_o will_v set_v in_o or_o side_n with_o we_o in_o this_o important_a work_n in_o this_o one_o thing_n necessary_a yea_o what_o though_o all_o man_n shall_v forsake_v we_o yet_o the_o lord_n will_v stand_v by_o we_o and_o strengthen_v we_o as_o he_o do_v those_o sweet_a soul_n here_o in_o my_o text_n who_o fear_v the_o lord_n and_o think_v upon_o his_o name_n lift_v up_o therefore_o the_o hand_n that_o hang_v down_o and_o the_o feeble_a knee_n let_v we_o even_o in_o the_o loose_a and_o prefane_v time_n advance_v with_o a_o holy_a undauntedness_n of_o spirit_n towards_o that_o incorruptible_a and_o never-sading_a crown_n that_o be_v reserve_v for_o we_o in_o heaven_n like_o fish_n retain_v their_o natural_a sweetness_n in_o the_o salt_n sea_n like_o salamander_n which_o live_v unscorcht_a in_o the_o fire_n like_o oil_n that_o will_v overtop_n all_o other_o liquor_n but_o not_o commingle_v with_o they_o if_o we_o profess_v ourselves_o to_o be_v such_o as_o fear_v the_o lord_n let_v we_o ever_o hold_v a_o constant_a countermotion_n to_o the_o course_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o time_n let_v we_o keep_v our_o conscience_n good_a and_o unspotted_a as_o our_o best_a and_o chief_a treasure_n now_o because_o this_o be_v a_o duty_n of_o great_a difficulty_n and_o very_o uncouth_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n take_v along_o with_o you_o these_o follow_a rule_n or_o direction_n for_o your_o assistance_n i_o shall_v run_v they_o over_o brief_o and_o so_o conclude_v first_n reinforce_a upon_o your_o conscience_n those_o precept_n which_o be_v recite_v in_o the_o confirmation_n of_o this_o point_n and_o withal_o consider_v the_o equity_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o those_o command_n know_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o command_n of_o god_n but_o be_v holy_a just_a and_o good_a have_v we_o but_o eye_n to_o see_v it_o and_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o rom._n 7.12_o say_v the_o apostle_n in_o that_o place_n the_o law_n be_v holy_a and_o the_o commandment_n holy_a and_o just_a and_o good_a whatsoever_o contrariety_n or_o antipathy_n there_o be_v between_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n it_o proceed_v not_o from_o any_o injustice_n or_o unreasonableness_n in_o the_o command_n but_o from_o the_o corruption_n and_o deprave_a disposition_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n own_o heart_n who_o will_v not_o say_v and_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o most_o be_v ever_o the_o worst_a why_o then_o shall_v we_o go_v against_o common_a sense_n and_o universal_a experience_n nay_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o verity_n tell_v we_o plain_o that_o the_o way_n to_o hell_n be_v broad_a and_o most_o beat_a the_o gate_n that_o lead_v to_o destruction_n be_v wide_a and_o many_o enter_v in_o at_o it_o but_o the_o way_n that_o lead_v unto_o life_n be_v straight_o and_o narrow_a and_o few_o find_v it_o now_o who_o do_v not_o judge_v it_o better_o with_o a_o few_o to_o go_v to_o heaven_n then_o with_o a_o multitude_n to_o pass_v down_o to_o hell_n christ_n flock_n have_v be_v ever_o find_v to_o be_v a_o little_a flock_n luke_n 12.32_o when_o the_o wicked_a on_o the_o other_o side_n fill_v the_o country_n this_o the_o purblind_a philosopher_n see_v and_o therefore_o they_o say_v sapiendum_fw-la cum_fw-la paucis_fw-la we_o shall_v be_v wise_a though_o with_o a_o few_o diogenes_n think_v he_o shall_v do_v best_a when_o he_o do_v lest_o what_o the_o most_o do_v vive_fw-fr ut_fw-la pauci_fw-la say_v another_o live_v as_o the_o few_o live_v it_o be_v a_o brave_a answer_n of_o liberius_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n who_o when_o he_o be_v urge_v by_o constantius_n to_o forsake_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n and_o to_o vote_n for_o arrianism_n by_o this_o argument_n be_v thou_o wise_a than_o all_o the_o world_n he_o very_o honest_o and_o discreet_o reply_v the_o truth_n be_v no_o whit_n prejudice_v by_o my_o singularity_n and_o aloneness_n in_o stand_v out_o in_o a_o word_n it_o matter_n not_o how_o small_a the_o number_n be_v if_o godly_a nor_o how_o great_a if_o ungodly_a multitude_n be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v stand_v upon_o so_o then_o this_o be_v the_o first_o direction_n lay_v to_o heart_n the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o the_o holiness_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o command_n and_o hereby_o through_o mercy_n you_o may_v in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v assist_v in_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o great_a incumbent_a duty_n i_o come_v to_o a_o second_o secondary_o if_o you_o will_v stand_v up_o for_o god_n and_o his_o truth_n in_o evil_a corrupt_a and_o degenerate_v time_n then_o study_v the_o great_a art_n or_o lesson_n of_o self-denial_n learn_v to_o say_v nay_o to_o all_o those_o person_n or_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o dear_a or_o delightful_a that_o will_v cool_v thy_o courage_n for_o christ_n or_o take_v thou_o off_o from_o this_o godly_a practice_n mark_v 8.34_o say_v our_o saviour_n there_o whosoever_o will_v come_v after_o i_o let_v he_o deny_v himself_o now_o there_o be_v three_o or_o four_o particular_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o deny_v ourselves_o in_o in_o this_o case_n the_o first_o be_v carnal_a and_o fleshly_a reason_n if_o that_o shall_v persuade_v we_o as_o it_o be_v apt_a to_o do_v to_o a_o forbearance_n of_o our_o holy_a resolution_n by_o the_o fear_n of_o what_o may_v follow_v if_o that_o shall_v dictate_v or_o suggest_v unto_o we_o as_o it_o be_v eccles_n 7.16_o the_o place_n before_o mention_v be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_o neither_o make_v thyself_o over-wise_a why_o shall_v thou_o destroy_v thyself_o i.e._n be_v discreet_a and_o wary_a and_o stand_v not_o so_o strict_o upon_o term_n of_o conscience_n why_o shall_v thou_o incur_v needless_a danger_n stop_v thy_o ear_n unto_o this_o