that_o we_o may_v effectual_o do_v so_o what_o other_o or_o better_a course_n can_v we_o take_v than_o to_o consult_v our_o own_o reason_n which_o will_v easy_o discover_v to_o we_o the_o infinite_a scandal_n as_o well_o as_o danger_n of_o such_o practice_n which_o be_v so_o odious_a to_o god_n and_o so_o detestable_a among_o all_o wise_a and_o good_a men._n this_o will_v teach_v we_o right_o to_o compare_v thing_n and_o make_v a_o true_a judgement_n of_o they_o and_o will_v plain_o demonstrate_v to_o we_o that_o to_o live_v virtuous_o be_v indeed_o to_o live_v wise_o and_o like_a man_n and_o according_a to_o the_o dignity_n of_o our_o nature_n that_o if_o we_o will_v in_o good_a earnest_n approve_v ourselves_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n and_o do_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v command_v what_o a_o agreeable_a and_o delightful_a change_n there_o will_v sudden_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n the_o truth_n be_v we_o may_v easy_o deceive_v and_o abuse_v ourselves_o but_o when_o all_o be_v say_v we_o must_v either_o be_v christ_n servant_n or_o the_o devil_n slave_n either_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n must_v rule_v and_o govern_v we_o or_o else_o sin_n will_v have_v the_o dominion_n over_o we_o according_a to_o that_o aphorism_n ispoken_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o jew_n whosoever_o commit_v sin_n be_v the_o servant_n of_o sin_n john_n 8._o 34._o and_o st._n paul_n be_v likewise_o very_o express_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n know_v you_o not_o that_o to_o whosoever_o you_o yield_v yourselves_o servant_n to_o obey_v his_o servant_n you_o be_v to_o who_o you_o obey_v whether_o of_o sin_n unto_o death_n or_o of_o obedience_n unto_o righteousness_n rom._n 6._o 16._o which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o three_o thing_n i_o observe_v from_o the_o word_n and_o that_o be_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o service_n iii_o have_v christianity_n nothing_o beside_o the_o authority_n of_o its_o founder_n to_o recommend_v and_o enforce_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o even_o that_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a of_o itself_o have_v thou_o say_v then_o o_o bless_a jesus_n if_o any_o man_n serve_v i_o he_o will_v my_o father_n honour_n and_o can_v any_o man_n deny_v to_o serve_v thou_o have_v thou_o moreover_o do_v and_o suffer_v so_o very_a much_o for_o the_o wretched_a son_n of_o man_n and_o will_v any_o of_o they_o refuse_v to_o become_v obedient_a to_o thy_o will_n nay_o have_v thou_o ascertain_v so_o ample_a a_o reward_n upon_o thy_o word_n and_o promise_n and_o will_v not_o every_o one_o glad_o accept_v this_o so_o kind_a this_o so_o gracious_a a_o overture_n no_o thousand_o still_o there_o be_v who_o will_v not_o be_v persuade_v for_o all_o that_o who_o will_v not_o understand_v their_o true_a interest_n but_o rather_o choose_v to_o make_v themselves_o slave_n than_o to_o live_v as_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o freeman_n of_o christ_n stupid_a and_o ungrateful_a sinner_n what_o have_v bewitch_v thou_o into_o this_o treachery_n and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o best_a of_o master_n how_o can_v thou_o answer_v these_o thy_o do_n even_o to_o thy_o own_o ingenuity_n and_o conscience_n do_v thou_o imagine_v thou_o shall_v find_v thy_o account_n soon_o or_o better_a in_o serve_v thy_o own_o lust_n and_o gratify_v thy_o unreasonable_a and_o unlawful_a desire_n than_o in_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o obey_v his_o most_o just_a and_o reasonable_a command_n if_o thou_o be_v real_o of_o this_o mind_n know_v then_o that_o thy_o case_n be_v desperate_a since_o thou_o be_v not_o like_a to_o be_v undeceive_v till_o it_o be_v too_o late_o for_o thou_o to_o return_v and_o repent_v it_o be_v true_a indeed_o christ_n have_v invite_v we_o all_o into_o his_o service_n but_o then_o he_o just_o expect_v that_o whoever_o will_v become_v his_o servant_n shall_v strict_o observe_v the_o rule_n and_o order_n of_o his_o house_n which_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o be_v common_o practise_v and_o think_v to_o be_v very_o reasonable_a among_o men._n which_o rule_v of_o his_o no_o one_o among_o we_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o but_o by_o his_o own_o fault_n for_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n lie_v open_a to_o all_o and_o every_o one_o may_v see_v and_o learn_v from_o thence_o what_o he_o be_v particular_o oblige_v unto_o let_v none_o of_o we_o therefore_o scruple_n or_o boggle_v at_o any_o thing_n that_o christ_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o command_v we_o let_v we_o not_o stand_v upon_o term_n with_o our_o lord_n nor_o expect_v that_o we_o shall_v pick_v and_o choose_v our_o own_o work_n besure_n so_o wise_a a_o master_n will_v require_v nothing_o of_o his_o servant_n but_o what_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v certain_o very_o good_a and_o proper_a and_o even_o necessary_a for_o we_o in_o all_o condition_n so_o that_o if_o after_o all_o his_o kindness_n to_o we_o we_o be_v still_o wilful_a and_o perverse_a and_o be_v resolve_v to_o serve_v our_o lust_n and_o to_o continue_v in_o our_o sin_n what_o can_v in_o reason_n be_v expect_v but_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v turn_v out_o of_o our_o service_n and_o immediate_o be_v deliver_v over_o to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o i_o be_o willing_a to_o hope_v better_a thing_n of_o you_o all_o and_o thing_n that_o accompany_v salvation_n because_o there_o be_v so_o much_o reason_n for_o it_o because_o there_o be_v such_o agreeableness_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n which_o make_v i_o wonder_v the_o more_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o man_n otherwise_o of_o very_o good_a sense_n and_o understanding_n and_o who_o have_v have_v all_o the_o advantage_n of_o a_o ingenious_a and_o liberal_a education_n shall_v after_o such_o fair_a and_o promise_a beginning_n turn_v errant_a debauchee_n and_o thereby_o defeat_v all_o the_o hope_n which_o their_o relation_n or_o friend_n or_o country_n may_v conceive_v of_o they_o but_o wisdom_n be_v justify_v of_o her_o child_n and_o religion_n will_v always_o approve_v itself_o to_o the_o judicious_a and_o sober_a part_n of_o mankind_n the_o nature_n of_o who_o service_n be_v such_o that_o whatever_o our_o circumstance_n be_v in_o the_o world_n if_o we_o will_v distinguish_v ourselves_o and_o excel_v in_o any_o degree_n we_o can_v possible_o miss_v of_o our_o aim_n so_o long_o as_o we_o keep_v constant_a to_o our_o rule_n iv_o the_o four_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o service_n there_o be_v undoubted_o a_o necessity_n lay_v upon_o we_o all_o of_o be_v good_a and_o virtuous_a and_o holy_a and_o no_o pretence_n whatsoever_o have_v power_n to_o take_v off_o the_o obligation_n though_o some_o perhaps_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o say_v they_o can_v leave_v off_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a sin_n they_o have_v try_v as_o they_o pretend_v and_o have_v do_v whatever_o they_o can_v but_o it_o seem_v all_o in_o vain_a the_o reason_n be_v they_o have_v indulge_v themselves_o so_o long_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o sin_n that_o it_o be_v become_v in_o a_o manner_n natural_a to_o they_o so_o that_o they_o hardly_o perceive_v when_o they_o commit_v it_o thus_o it_o too_o often_o happen_v in_o the_o case_n of_o profane_a swear_v and_o curse_v again_o another_o perhaps_o will_v tell_v you_o for_o his_o part_n he_o be_v very_o sensible_a that_o intemperance_n be_v a_o great_a sin_n but_o for_o all_o that_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o resist_v the_o charm_n of_o wine_n and_o good_a company_n beside_o that_o he_o have_v be_v so_o long_o and_o so_o deep_o engage_v in_o this_o way_n and_o have_v contract_v such_o and_o so_o many_o acquaintance_n that_o he_o know_v not_o how_o to_o get_v fair_o off_o the_o man_n perhaps_o be_v not_o so_o much_o satisfy_v in_o what_o he_o do_v as_o unwilling_a to_o thwart_v his_o corrupt_a inclination_n the_o lewd_a person_n no_o doubt_n have_v his_o pretence_n too_o as_o well_o as_o the_o former_a but_o these_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n such_o as_o be_v not_o so_o fit_a to_o be_v mention_v now_o the_o case_n of_o these_o man_n be_v certain_o very_o bad_a and_o their_o condition_n be_v high_o deplorable_a and_o that_o because_o they_o trifle_v and_o be_v unconcern_v about_o the_o main_a issue_n and_o have_v not_o that_o inward_a affect_a sense_n of_o the_o danger_n which_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v they_o once_o make_v sensible_a of_o that_o they_o will_v quick_o forego_v their_o vicious_a practice_n but_o then_o here_o lie_v the_o difficulty_n that_o when_o man_n impiety_n have_v proceed_v thus_o far_o the_o command_v of_o god_n word_n and_o the_o terror_n and_o threaten_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v too_o gentle_a a_o application_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o some_o more_o effectual_a method_n be_v to_o be_v take_v such_o as_o
may_v thorough_o awaken_v sinner_n and_o may_v convince_v they_o of_o their_o wickedness_n and_o folly_n and_o engage_v they_o to_o become_v modest_a and_o temperate_a sober_a and_o religious_a or_o at_o least_o restrain_v they_o from_o break_v out_o into_o open_a lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n it_o be_v therefore_o a_o very_a proper_a remedy_n which_o solomon_n prescribe_v a_o rod_n for_o the_o fool_n be_v back_o it_o be_v seasonable_a doubtless_o and_o useful_a too_o in_o this_o case_n for_o when_o man_n be_v so_o bend_v upon_o wickedness_n that_o they_o will_v not_o grow_v better_o by_o reproof_n it_o be_v requisite_a some_o kind_n of_o discipline_n shall_v be_v exercise_v upon_o they_o when_o they_o be_v so_o harden_v in_o sin_n that_o neither_o religion_n nor_o reason_n will_v reduce_v they_o they_o shall_v then_o be_v make_v to_o feel_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o law_n this_o be_v the_o most_o likely_a method_n of_o effect_v that_o work_n which_o charity_n as_o well_o as_o prudence_n require_v to_o be_v do_v and_o the_o rather_o because_o a_o little_a severity_n when_o rational_a motive_n and_o persuasive_n fail_v be_v the_o true_a sort_n of_o kindness_n that_o can_v be_v show_v to_o such_o man_n who_o if_o they_o be_v let_v alone_o in_o their_o extravagancy_n will_v soon_o grow_v heady_a and_o licentious_a and_o will_v not_o be_v stop_v in_o their_o career_n till_o at_o last_o they_o give_v themselves_o over_o unto_o lasciviousness_n to_o work_v all_o uncleanness_n with_o greediness_n ephes_n 4._o 19_o the_o truth_n be_v when_o i_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n we_o be_v in_o as_o to_o the_o abound_v of_o vice_n and_o immorality_n it_o can_v but_o seem_v strange_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a interest_n and_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n shall_v be_v so_o little_o regard_v as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o world_n that_o virtue_n shall_v be_v so_o much_o discountenance_v and_o sobriety_n and_o temperance_n so_o rare_o see_v that_o man_n shall_v thus_o prostitute_v their_o reason_n and_o affront_n and_o baffle_v their_o understanding_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n shall_v value_v themselves_o upon_o such_o management_n as_o this_o this_o i_o say_v can_v not_o but_o seem_v very_o strange_a be_v it_o not_o that_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n 2_o cor._n 4._o 4._o who_o they_o have_v so_o faithful_o serve_v have_v blind_v the_o eye_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o will_v not_o suffer_v the_o light_n of_o truth_n to_o shine_v clear_o unto_o they_o but_o however_o that_o be_v this_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o they_o who_o be_v christian_n will_v not_o demean_v themselves_o as_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n if_o they_o will_v not_o consider_v and_o actual_o return_v to_o their_o duty_n perish_v they_o must_v there_o be_v no_o help_n for_o it_o for_o when_o they_o have_v say_v all_o they_o can_v for_o themselves_o god_n who_o know_v their_o heart_n and_o what_o mean_v and_o opportunity_n they_o have_v have_v but_o have_v neglect_v will_v infallible_o punish_v every_o wilful_a and_o impenitent_a sinner_n according_a to_o his_o desert_n i_o may_v enlarge_v upon_o this_o head_n but_o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o turn_v myself_o the_o other_o way_n and_o to_o show_v in_o the_o five_o and_o last_o place_n v._o that_o immense_a reward_n which_o attend_v the_o sincere_a performance_n of_o our_o duty_n if_o any_o man_n serve_v i_o say_v christ_n he_o will_v my_o father_n honour_n bless_a lord_n what_o abundant_a encouragement_n be_v here_o give_v to_o thy_o faithful_a servant_n and_o follower_n from_o these_o comfortable_a word_n of_o thou_o have_v thou_o say_v this_o o_o gracious_a master_n and_o will_v not_o all_o those_o who_o profess_v thy_o faith_n and_o religion_n be_v eager_o ambitious_a of_o this_o honour_n will_v any_o that_o have_v so_o vast_a a_o recompense_n in_o view_n and_o prospect_n choose_v to_o seek_v and_o follow_v after_o any_o other_o or_o think_v it_o worth_a their_o while_n to_o make_v their_o court_n here_o below_o to_o these_o fade_a honour_n these_o tarnished_a glory_n which_o the_o man_n of_o this_o world_n so_o much_o admire_v silly_a mistake_a creature_n what_o be_v there_o in_o any_o nay_o in_o all_o of_o they_o that_o shall_v tempt_v we_o from_o our_o master_n service_n only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o few_o vain_a empty_a and_o insignificant_a title_n do_v we_o but_o right_o know_v ourselves_o and_o understand_v our_o best_a interest_n we_o shall_v despise_v these_o gaudy_a trifle_n and_o shall_v quite_o disrelish_v the_o grosser_n delight_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o sense_n we_o shall_v then_o mind_v religion_n and_o the_o weighty_a concernment_n of_o it_o and_o shall_v make_v these_o the_o main_a pursuit_n and_o endeavour_n of_o our_o life_n we_o shall_v fix_v our_o thought_n and_o our_o affection_n chief_o on_o thing_n above_o and_o shall_v be_v continual_o wish_v for_o and_o aspire_v after_o those_o invaluable_a reward_n those_o glory_n and_o honour_n which_o eye_n have_v not_o see_v nor_o ear_n hear_v neither_o have_v enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v these_o indeed_o be_v the_o proper_a recompense_n of_o our_o fidelity_n and_o constancy_n and_o they_o be_v the_o high_a and_o noble_a that_o our_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o though_o these_o in_o the_o main_n be_v future_a only_o and_o in_o reversion_n yet_o religion_n usual_o give_v we_o something_o in_o hand_n beside_o and_o that_o be_v the_o present_a payment_n which_o every_o one_o that_o live_v well_o do_v one_o way_n or_o other_o receive_v the_o world_n it_o be_v time_n be_v general_o very_o bad_a and_o the_o wicked_a be_v by_o much_o the_o great_a number_n however_o virtue_n and_o true_a goodness_n do_v very_o seldom_o fail_v of_o respect_n even_o among_o those_o but_o suppose_v the_o worst_a to_o happen_v that_o can_v and_o that_o wickedness_n shall_v every_o where_n prevail_v and_o impiety_n get_v the_o upper_a hand_n still_o the_o faithful_a and_o sincere_a christian_a be_v sure_a to_o be_v take_v care_n of_o however_o our_o lord_n have_v promise_v it_o and_o we_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o depend_v upon_o his_o word_n for_o he_o be_v a_o great_a prince_n and_o one_o that_o have_v all_o power_n at_o command_n and_o so_o be_v continual_o in_o readiness_n whenever_o he_o please_v to_o right_a and_o vindicate_v his_o distress_a servant_n but_o if_o after_o all_o we_o shall_v suffer_v a_o while_n here_o let_v none_o of_o we_o be_v discourage_v thereat_o since_o christ_n have_v honour_n and_o preferment_n enough_o to_o bestow_v upon_o all_o that_o shall_v suffer_v in_o his_o cause_n and_o upon_o his_o account_n this_o be_v a_o very_a encourage_v consideration_n to_o we_o all_o and_o which_o ought_v to_o animate_v our_o hope_n and_o excite_v our_o ambition_n not_o after_o earthly_a honour_n and_o advantage_n which_o too_o often_o betray_v we_o but_o after_o those_o bright_a and_o dazzle_a crown_n which_o be_v reserve_v in_o heaven_n for_o we_o it_o be_v the_o want_n of_o a_o right_a apprehension_n of_o these_o matter_n that_o make_v we_o so_o indifferent_a about_o our_o best_a and_o weighty_a concernment_n do_v we_o but_o know_v how_o to_o value_v these_o as_o we_o ought_v we_o shall_v pursue_v they_o with_o far_o more_o zeal_n and_o earnestness_n than_o we_o common_o do_v and_o o_o that_o we_o be_v all_o of_o we_o so_o wise_a as_o to_o understand_v our_o own_o happiness_n and_o will_v effectual_o be_v persuade_v to_o seek_v the_o honour_n that_o come_v from_o god_n only_o john_n 5._o 44._o for_o it_o be_v certain_a none_o but_o that_o can_v stand_v we_o in_o stead_n none_o but_o that_o can_v make_v we_o true_o honourable_a and_o therefore_o whatever_o befall_v we_o here_o let_v we_o always_o appear_v on_o the_o side_n of_o religion_n and_o let_v we_o endeavour_v to_o rescue_v it_o from_o the_o exception_n and_o cavil_n of_o unreasonable_a man_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o because_o whenever_o that_o be_v attack_v or_o injure_v the_o honour_n of_o our_o great_a maker_n be_v then_o concern_v which_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o vindicate_v or_o must_v expect_v to_o be_v disow_v and_o discard_v by_o he_o the_o word_n which_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o this_o purpose_n be_v very_o remarkable_a whosoever_o shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o i_o and_o of_o my_o word_n in_o this_o adulterous_a and_o sinful_a generation_n of_o he_o also_o shall_v the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v ashamed_a when_o he_o come_v in_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o father_n with_o the_o holy_a angel_n mar._n 8._o 38._o this_o be_v a_o terrible_a sentence_n indeed_o and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v how_o far_o any_o of_o we_o may_v be_v concern_v in_o it_o whether_o at_o this_o very_a day_n even_o in_o this_o adulterous_a and_o sinful_a generation_n whenever_o we_o hear_v the_o son_n
of_o god_n revile_v in_o his_o person_n or_o ridicule_v and_o evil_a speak_v of_o in_o his_o law_n and_o doctrine_n if_o we_o be_v silent_a and_o passive_a on_o such_o a_o occasion_n he_o may_v not_o then_o just_o reckon_v we_o as_o ashamed_a of_o he_o and_o of_o his_o word_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o if_o we_o will_v own_v christ_n for_o our_o master_n we_o must_v then_o serve_v he_o to_o the_o utmost_a of_o our_o power_n we_o must_v espouse_v his_o interest_n and_o maintain_v his_o cause_n against_o all_o opposer_n whatsoever_o against_o the_o theist_n and_o the_o unitarian_n the_o blasphemer_n and_o the_o profane_a person_n against_o the_o common_a swearer_n the_o drunkard_n and_o the_o lascivious_a all_o which_o be_v one_o way_n or_o other_o either_o in_o principle_n or_o in_o practice_n the_o avow_a adversary_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o true_a christian_a faith_n and_o religion_n this_o if_o we_o consider_v be_v as_o little_a as_o any_o of_o we_o can_v do_v so_o long_o as_o we_o profess_v ourselves_o servant_n to_o the_o bless_a jesus_n all_o who_o command_n ought_v to_o be_v dear_a to_o we_o than_o our_o very_a life_n and_o since_o christ_n our_o lord_n have_v strict_o charge_v all_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n and_o degree_n without_o exception_n to_o shun_v the_o way_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o path_n of_o iniquity_n let_v we_o contest_v this_o matter_n with_o ourselves_o and_o with_o all_o our_o might_n strive_v against_o the_o force_n and_o bend_v of_o our_o evil_a inclination_n and_o passion_n whatever_o difficulty_n there_o may_v be_v in_o the_o attempt_n still_o duty_n and_o obligation_n ought_v to_o take_v place_n here_o let_v we_o not_o take_v upon_o we_o to_o dispute_v or_o cavil_v at_o any_o of_o his_o command_n but_o let_v we_o ready_o comply_v with_o they_o all_o whatever_o they_o be_v and_o be_v thorough_o satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v our_o interest_n as_o well_o as_o duty_n to_o fulfil_v and_o obey_v they_o let_v we_o not_o think_v any_o thing_n too_o hard_a or_o too_o dear_a to_o part_v with_o for_o his_o sake_n who_o have_v show_v himself_o the_o best_a friend_n and_o the_o great_a benefactor_n to_o mankind_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o so_o much_o the_o rather_o because_o in_o return_n to_o those_o manifold_a unspeakable_a advantage_n which_o he_o have_v procure_v to_o we_o all_o that_o he_o expect_v or_o require_v from_o we_o be_v that_o we_o constant_o maintain_v and_o practise_v his_o excellent_a religion_n whatever_o contempt_n or_o hardship_n we_o may_v meet_v with_o from_o the_o world_n in_o a_o word_n though_o vice_n and_o profaneness_n have_v get_v many_o powerful_a advocate_n on_o their_o side_n yet_o let_v not_o that_o be_v any_o discouragement_n to_o we_o while_o we_o have_v christ_n on_o we_o the_o cause_n which_o we_o undertake_v be_v in_o itself_o high_o honourable_a and_o at_o this_o juncture_n the_o most_o necessary_a of_o all_o other_o the_o thing_n that_o we_o contend_v for_o be_v truth_n virtue_n and_o religion_n the_o best_a the_o most_o valuable_a in_o themselves_o and_o the_o most_o deserve_a of_o our_o zeal_n and_o concern_v christ_n be_v our_o master_n and_o lord_n and_o as_o his_o servant_n we_o appear_v we_o strive_v we_o oppose_v letus_fw-la be_v find_v true_a to_o his_o service_n just_a to_o his_o interest_n and_o zealous_a for_o his_o honour_n and_o then_o that_o god_n who_o have_v say_v they_o that_o honour_v i_o i_o will_v honour_v shall_v translate_v we_o into_o his_o own_o most_o glorious_a kingdom_n and_o shall_v actual_o reward_v and_o honour_n we_o to_o all_o eternity_n almighty_a and_o merciful_a god_n of_o who_o only_a gift_n it_o come_v that_o thy_o faithful_a people_n do_v unto_o thou_o true_a and_o laudable_a service_n grant_v we_o beseech_v thou_o that_o we_o may_v so_o faithful_o serve_v thou_o in_o this_o life_n that_o we_o fail_v not_o final_o to_o attain_v thy_o heavenly_a promise_n through_o the_o merit_n of_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n amen_o a_o second_o sermon_n preach_v against_o immorality_n and_o profaneness_n deut._n xxxii_o 6._o do_v you_o thus_o requite_v the_o lord_n o_o foolish_a people_n and_o unwise_a these_o word_n be_v part_n of_o that_o prophetic_a song_n which_o moses_n compose_v and_o which_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o ear_n of_o all_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n here_o in_o a_o kind_n of_o poetical_a strain_n he_o set_v forth_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o the_o perverseness_n and_o disobedience_n of_o the_o people_n and_o be_v short_o to_o leave_v the_o world_n he_o summon_v they_o together_o and_o rehearse_n this_o song_n for_o a_o testimony_n against_o they_o if_o so_o be_v they_o shall_v hereafter_o turn_v aside_o and_o forget_v their_o god_n as_o he_o foresee_v they_o will_v alas_o so_o very_o deceitful_a be_v the_o heart_n of_o man_n so_o prone_a to_o evil_a and_o so_o averse_a from_o good_a that_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a instruction_n can_v make_v but_o little_a impression_n upon_o it_o though_o moses_n here_o say_v my_o doctrine_n shall_v drop_v as_o the_o rain_n my_o spirit_n shall_v distil_v as_o the_o dew_n yet_o from_o so_o corrupt_a a_o root_n so_o cold_a and_o barren_a a_o soil_n scarce_o any_o fruit_n or_o increase_n be_v to_o be_v hope_v for_o such_o be_v the_o unhappy_a temper_n of_o that_o people_n so_o weak_a their_o judgement_n and_o so_o perverse_a their_o will_n that_o the_o prophet_n seem_v to_o give_v they_o up_o for_o lose_v they_o be_v say_v he_o a_o nation_n void_a of_o counsel_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o understanding_n they_o ver_fw-la 28._o and_o indeed_o what_o wisdom_n or_o understanding_n or_o counsel_n can_v any_o people_n or_o nation_n be_v say_v to_o have_v when_o once_o they_o have_v cast_v off_o god_n and_o religion_n and_o be_v sink_v into_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n and_o vice_n that_o be_v a_o sad_a and_o deplorable_a case_n indeed_o and_o which_o will_v bring_v swift_a inevitable_a ruin_n upon_o we_o if_o we_o do_v not_o bethink_v ourselves_o in_o time_n and_o return_v to_o a_o wise_a and_o better_a mind_n which_o be_v the_o best_a thing_n that_o we_o can_v do_v and_o the_o only_a certain_a way_n for_o we_o to_o escape_v the_o danger_n whereas_o while_o we_o be_v thus_o unmindful_a of_o the_o rock_n that_o beget_v we_o and_o do_v thus_o forget_v god_n that_o form_v we_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o expect_v that_o he_o will_v rub_v up_o our_o memory_n and_o will_v to_o our_o cost_n make_v we_o feel_v the_o weight_n of_o that_o displeasure_n which_o we_o refuse_v to_o stand_v in_o awe_n of_o i_o say_v we_o have_v all_o just_a cause_n to_o fear_v that_o because_o as_o this_o kind_n of_o behaviour_n be_v the_o worst_a sort_n of_o ingratitude_n so_o it_o be_v moreover_o a_o very_a high_a dishonour_n to_o god_n and_o a_o downright_a contempt_n of_o his_o majesty_n and_o law_n and_o do_v you_o thus_o requite_v the_o lord_n o_o foolish_a people_n and_o unwise_a in_o discourse_v upon_o which_o word_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o these_o four_o thing_n i._o the_o baseness_n and_o ingratitude_n of_o a_o sinful_a and_o irreligious_a course_n of_o life_n ii_o the_o gross_a absurdity_n and_o unaccountable_a folly_n of_o such_o a_o course_n iii_o the_o evil_a consequence_n which_o attend_v it_o with_o respect_n to_o man_n private_a interest_n and_o concern_v iv_o and_o last_o as_o it_o be_v destructive_a of_o the_o welfare_n and_o prosperity_n of_o any_o nation_n or_o people_n i._o the_o baseness_n and_o ingratitude_n of_o a_o sinful_a and_o irreligious_a course_n of_o life_n the_o obligation_n we_o lie_v under_o to_o god_n be_v certain_a and_o unquestionable_a whether_o we_o take_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o the_o bright_a discovery_n of_o revelation_n for_o our_o rule_n and_o guide_n either_o of_o which_o do_v plain_o show_v impiety_n to_o be_v baseness_n and_o disobedience_n the_o utmost_a ingratitude_n thus_o several_a of_o the_o heathen_n though_o they_o have_v only_o the_o dim_a light_n of_o reason_n to_o direct_v they_o can_v nevertheless_o discover_v the_o necessity_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o make_v one_o of_o they_o to_o say_v virtue_n philosophy_n and_o justice_n be_v but_o the_o sound_n of_o empty_a word_n it_o be_v only_o a_o good_a life_n that_o can_v make_v man_n happy_a sen._n ep._n 123._o but_o then_o as_o for_o revelation_n that_o indeed_o have_v make_v our_o duty_n and_o the_o several_a obligation_n of_o it_o so_o plain_a that_o man_n must_v be_v utter_a infidel_n if_o they_o reject_v it_o so_o that_o upon_o either_o of_o these_o account_v no_o pretence_n of_o ignorance_n whatsoever_o can_v excuse_v man_n for_o their_o disobedience_n or_o unbelief_n for_o as_o moses_n say_v in_o the_o word_n immediate_o after_o the_o text_n be_v not_o he_o thy_o father_n that_o