exult_v in_o the_o apprehension_n of_o it_o v_o 9_o then_o the_o people_n rejoice_v and_o david_n the_o king_n also_o rejoice_v with_o great_a joy_n because_o they_o have_v offer_v willing_o and_o with_o a_o perfect_a heart_n unto_o the_o lord_n they_o look_v upon_o this_o work_n as_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v very_o well_o please_v to_o god_n and_o a_o honour_n to_o their_o nation_n and_o consequent_o a_o just_a occasion_n of_o joy_n and_o triumph_v to_o all_o the_o people_n when_o nehemiah_n chap._n 13.14_o have_v with_o great_a industry_n and_o success_n promote_v the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o temple_n he_o do_v upon_o the_o reflection_n of_o it_o break_v out_o into_o this_o expression_n remember_v i_o o_o my_o god_n concern_v this_o and_o wipe_v not_o out_o the_o good_a deed_n that_o i_o have_v do_v for_o the_o house_n of_o my_o god_n and_o for_o the_o officer_n thereof_o it_o seem_v he_o believe_v his_o care_n and_o activity_n in_o this_o work_n to_o be_v a_o thing_n very_o acceptable_a to_o god_n which_o make_v he_o desire_v that_o it_o may_v be_v record_v and_o keep_v in_o remembrance_n to_o his_o advantage_n i_o may_v further_o confirm_v this_o observation_n by_o several_a reason_n i_o shall_v mention_v only_o two_o 1._o from_o the_o suitableness_n of_o such_o kind_n of_o duty_n unto_o the_o moral_a and_o more_o substantial_a part_n of_o religion_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n be_v not_o meat_n and_o drink_n but_o righteusness_n and_o peace_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o they_o who_o in_o these_o thing_n serve_v christ_n shall_v be_v accept_v with_o god_n and_o approve_v of_o man_n rom._n 14.17_o 18._o the_o word_n righteousness_n be_v frequent_o use_v in_o the_o scripture-phrase_n for_o the_o virtue_n of_o beneficence_n and_o bounty_n by_o peace_n be_v mean_v that_o gentle_a and_o charitable_a disposition_n whereby_o a_o man_n be_v incline_v to_o promote_v the_o quiet_a of_o society_n and_o good_a will_n among_o man_n and_o by_o the_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v a_o ability_n to_o rejoice_v in_o a_o afflict_a estate_n these_o be_v the_o thing_n recommend_v to_o we_o as_o be_v the_o more_o weighty_a and_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v zealous_a about_o meat_n and_o drink_n he_o may_v do_v it_o to_o gratify_v his_o contentious_a humour_n and_o to_o endear_v himself_o to_o a_o party_n nor_o be_v it_o hard_o for_o a_o man_n to_o pretend_v a_o zeal_n for_o religion_n by_o some_o good_a wish_n or_o kind_a word_n which_o be_v cheap_a thing_n and_o will_v cost_v he_o nothing_o but_o to_o give_v testimony_n of_o it_o by_o bountiful_a action_n that_o other_o may_v see_v our_o good_a work_n this_o be_v that_o which_o will_v make_v they_o glorify_v god_n in_o our_o behalf_n and_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o be_v in_o we_o of_o a_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o humour_n in_o the_o apostolical_a time_n as_o well_o as_o since_o that_o man_n set_v up_o for_o reputation_n in_o religion_n by_o their_o zeal_n about_o some_o opinion_n in_o lesser_a matter_n against_o which_o the_o apostle_n caution_n titus_n 3.8_o this_o i_o will_v that_o thou_o affirm_v constant_o that_o they_o which_o believe_v in_o god_n be_v careful_a to_o maintain_v good_a work_n for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v good_a and_o profitable_a unto_o man_n contention_n and_o dispute_n may_v please_v and_o gratify_v man_n present_a humour_n and_o passion_n but_o they_o be_v these_o work_n of_o piety_n and_o bounty_n that_o must_v promote_v the_o more_o last_a and_o public_a welfare_n and_o the_o general_a good_a of_o mankind_n 2._o person_n thus_o qualify_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v of_o a_o high_a rank_n and_o degree_n above_o other_o man_n it_o be_v in_o religion_n as_o in_o other_o profession_n there_o be_v some_o of_o a_o vulgar_a sort_n of_o a_o ordinary_a and_o common_a standard_n and_o there_o be_v other_o of_o a_o tall_a stature_n of_o a_o high_a form_n and_o attainment_n from_o who_o it_o may_v be_v expect_v that_o they_o shall_v adorn_v and_o add_v a_o lustre_n to_o their_o profession_n and_o they_o be_v the_o virtue_n of_o this_o kind_n namely_o a_o bountiful_a and_o charitable_a disposition_n towards_o any_o public_a good_a work_n that_o must_v raise_v man_n to_o this_o high_a pitch_n of_o esteem_n above_o other_o when_o araunah_n offer_v david_n free_o his_o threshing-floor_n and_o ox_n and_o thresh_a instrument_n for_o sacrifice_n it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o do_v it_o as_o a_o king_n 2_o sam._n 24.23_o in_o a_o royal_a and_o princely_a manner_n and_o david_n on_o the_o other_o side_n refuse_v it_o as_o a_o king_n think_v it_o unworthy_a of_o he_o to_o offer_v unto_o god_n of_o that_o which_o cost_v he_o nothing_o v_o 24._o i_o shall_v add_v nothing_o further_a at_o present_a by_o way_n of_o confirmation_n of_o this_o point_n that_o which_o i_o chief_o aim_v at_o be_v the_o application_n of_o it_o i_o have_v purposely_o make_v choice_n of_o this_o subject_a as_o have_v a_o peculiar_a suitableness_n to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n in_o this_o place_n god_n have_v be_v please_v by_o his_o late_a severe_a dispensation_n first_o to_o destroy_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o this_o city_n by_o the_o noisome_a pestilence_n and_o since_o to_o lay_v waste_v our_o habitation_n by_o a_o dreadful_a fire_n wherein_o his_o own_o house_n those_o that_o be_v dedicate_v to_o his_o worship_n do_v not_o escape_v but_o the_o devour_a fire_n in_o the_o phrase_n of_o the_o psalmist_n do_v come_v into_o his_o sanctuary_n 8._o cast_v down_o the_o dwell_a place_n of_o his_o name_n to_o the_o ground_n burn_v up_o the_o synagogue_n of_o god_n and_o amid_o the_o other_o dismal_a ruin_n of_o this_o place_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o sad_a spectacle_n to_o behold_v so_o many_o sacred_a structure_n the_o monument_n of_o our_o forefather_n devotion_n and_o bounty_n lay_v in_o the_o dust_n i_o suppose_v it_o needless_a to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o religion_n to_o government_n or_o the_o necessity_n of_o place_n for_o public_a worship_n to_o the_o keep_n up_o of_o religion_n those_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o so_o plain_a and_o obvious_a that_o no_o reasonable_a man_n can_v have_v any_o just_a cause_n to_o doubt_v of_o they_o that_o which_o i_o aim_v at_o be_v to_o excite_v other_o by_o this_o example_n of_o the_o centurion_n to_o such_o a_o love_n of_o their_o nation_n and_o city_n as_o may_v engage_v they_o to_o some_o effectual_a care_n for_o the_o build_n up_o of_o our_o synagogue_n and_o in_o order_n to_o this_o i_o will_v speak_v something_o 1._o particular_o to_o such_o as_o be_v magistrate_n 2._o general_o to_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n 1._o to_o you_o that_o be_v magistrate_n of_o this_o city_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o style_n belong_v to_o your_o office_n to_o be_v repairer_n of_o breach_n public_a thing_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v care_n of_o by_o public_a person_n you_o have_v already_o make_v some_o provision_n to_o preserve_v man_n propriety_n in_o their_o ground_n to_o enlarge_v the_o passage_n and_o avenue_n whereby_o the_o city_n may_v be_v render_v more_o safe_a beautiful_a and_o convenient_a for_o trade_n which_o be_v good_a work_n and_o such_o as_o become_v worthy_a magistrate_n but_o these_o thing_n concern_v you_o as_o you_o be_v man_n and_o citizen_n there_o be_v other_o thing_n to_o be_v provide_v for_o as_o you_o be_v christian_n and_o i_o will_v crave_v leave_n to_o be_v your_o remembrancer_n that_o some_o effectual_a care_n may_v be_v take_v for_o the_o rebuild_n of_o the_o place_n for_o public_a worship_n it_o will_v be_v very_o convenient_a that_o as_o several_a parish_n be_v build_v up_o so_o the_o repair_n of_o church_n shall_v be_v in_o some_o forwardness_n to_o which_o the_o inhabitant_n may_v resort_v for_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n the_o do_v of_o this_o will_v perhaps_o prove_v a_o matter_n of_o too_o great_a charge_n to_o be_v defray_v by_o the_o contribution_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n consider_v their_o particular_a loss_n but_o if_o any_o considerable_a help_n can_v be_v procure_v for_o it_o from_o the_o public_a which_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o remainder_n may_v be_v make_v up_o by_o particular_a charity_n and_o both_o together_o may_v prove_v sufficient_a for_o this_o great_a work_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n to_o question_n but_o if_o this_o business_n be_v serious_o consult_v and_o vigorous_o pursue_v such_o way_n may_v be_v offer_v as_o may_v prove_v effectual_a both_o for_o the_o build_n of_o such_o a_o number_n of_o church_n as_o shall_v be_v think_v sufficient_a and_o likewise_o for_o the_o provide_v of_o a_o sufficient_a maintenance_n for_o they_o
never_o work_v they_o over_o to_o a_o hearty_a conviction_n and_o make_v they_o true_a friend_n with_o what_o reason_n can_v any_o man_n expect_v those_o counsel_n shall_v be_v effectual_a which_o be_v deliver_v in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o to_o argue_v a_o hatred_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o person_n who_o we_o will_v persuade_v though_o a_o man_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v the_o truth_n on_o his_o side_n and_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o urge_v very_o cogent_a and_o strong_a argument_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o yet_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v press_v with_o scorn_n and_o harshness_n and_o bitterness_n the_o reason_n of_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o enforce_v as_o the_o passion_n of_o they_o will_v weaken_v and_o disparage_v they_o it_o will_v undoubted_o be_v the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o put_v hard_a argument_n into_o soft_a word_n 2._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o lenity_n and_o gentleness_n who_o property_n it_o be_v to_o insinuate_v itself_o into_o the_o hard_a thing_n it_o be_v compare_v to_o oil_n which_o will_v penetrate_v and_o supple_a more_o than_o any_o other_o liquor_n he_o that_o go_v about_o to_o convince_v and_o persuade_v another_o if_o he_o do_v so_o manage_v it_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v he_o intend_v kindness_n to_o the_o person_n who_o he_o will_v prevail_v upon_o that_o he_o have_v a_o love_n for_o he_o and_o do_v hearty_o desire_v his_o welfare_n his_o work_n be_v half_o do_v that_o prophecy_n psal._n 45.4_o ride_v on_o prosperous_o because_o of_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o meekness_n do_v refer_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n which_o by_o the_o meekness_n of_o its_o professor_n be_v first_o propagate_v and_o become_v triumphant_a through_o the_o heathen_a world_n the_o true_a nature_n of_o thing_n may_v be_v more_o clear_o distinguish_v when_o there_o be_v no_o mist_n or_o cloud_n stir_v up_o by_o the_o heat_n of_o contention_n many_o difference_n may_v be_v half_o reconcile_v if_o they_o be_v but_o mild_o debate_v it_o be_v not_o perhaps_o without_o some_o mystery_n that_o noah_n dove_n bring_v a_o olive_n branch_n in_o her_o mouth_n to_o show_v the_o mutual_a dependence_n betwixt_o these_o two_o mildness_n and_o peace_n it_o be_v the_o end_n of_o anger_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o a_o sense_n of_o their_o fault_n or_o be_v revenge_v upon_o they_o for_o it_o now_o a_o meek_a submission_n be_v one_o way_n of_o satisfy_v this_o end_n beside_o that_o mild_a and_o gentle_a carriage_n will_v discover_v the_o weakness_n and_o deformity_n of_o rage_n and_o fierceness_n and_o in_o that_o respect_n may_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o break_v it_o in_o other_o this_o expression_n in_o the_o text_n concern_v the_o hard_a thing_n be_v break_v by_o the_o soft_a may_v perhaps_o contain_v in_o it_o a_o allusion_n to_o that_o ordinary_a experiment_n of_o break_v of_o flint_n upon_o a_o pillow_n and_o a_o sword_n upon_o a_o featherbed_n when_o the_o concussion_n of_o a_o blow_n be_v more_o equal_o disperse_v into_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o body_n so_o as_o to_o operate_v upon_o the_o weak_a it_o be_v hypocrates_n his_o counsel_n that_o a_o physician_n shall_v always_o be_v provide_v with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lenitive_n gentle_a mollify_a application_n as_o be_v of_o frequent_a use_n and_o great_a efficacy_n and_o they_o be_v so_o no_o less_o to_o the_o mind_n and_o passion_n of_o man_n than_o to_o their_o bodily_a disease_n before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o application_n of_o this_o point_n there_o be_v these_o three_o question_n to_o be_v speak_v unto_o for_o the_o clear_a state_v of_o it_o how_o this_o doctrine_n may_v consist_v with_o 1._o those_o imprecation_n 2._o those_o severe_a increpation_n 3._o the_o duty_n of_o zeal_n and_o reprove_v 1._o for_o the_o imprecation_n and_o curse_n we_o have_v frequent_a example_n of_o these_o in_o scripture_n obj._n not_o only_o against_o sin_n in_o general_a as_o those_o pronounce_v in_o mount_n ebal_n but_o likewise_o against_o particular_a person_n they_o be_v frequent_a in_o the_o psalm_n and_o especial_o that_o 109._o psalm_n and_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n likewise_o st._n peter_n to_o simon_n magus_n act_v 8.20_o thy_o money_n perish_v with_o thou_o st._n paul_n to_o elymas_n act_v 13.10_o and_o elsewhere_o to_o alexander_n the_o coppersmith_n 2_o tim._n 4.14_o and_o he_o wish_v they_o be_v cut_v off_o that_o trouble_n the_o church_n gal._n 5.12_o beside_o the_o many_o woe_n which_o be_v denounce_v by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o against_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n now_o the_o question_n be_v how_o these_o example_n may_v consist_v with_o this_o doctrine_n concern_v soft_a word_n to_o this_o several_a thing_n may_v be_v say_v by_o way_n of_o answer_n and_o solution_n ans._n which_o the_o time_n will_v not_o permit_v i_o to_o insist_v upon_o i_o shall_v only_o mention_v these_o few_o 1._o diverse_a of_o these_o imprecation_n in_o scripture_n though_o they_o be_v pronounce_v optative_o yet_o be_v they_o to_o be_v understand_v declarative_o as_o be_v declaration_n of_o the_o true_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o such_o person_n they_o be_v verba_fw-la praedicentium_fw-la non_fw-la vota_fw-la imprecantium_fw-la as_o st._n austin_n speak_v the_o hebrew_n phrase_n in_o those_o place_n which_o be_v render_v as_o imprecation_n be_v as_o well_o capable_a of_o the_o indicative_a future_a as_o the_o imperative_a mood_n and_o sense_n 2._o those_o who_o use_v these_o imprecation_n be_v such_o as_o be_v extraordinary_a person_n endow_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o discern_v whereby_o they_o be_v enable_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o incurable_a state_n of_o those_o with_o who_o they_o converse_v there_o be_v some_o that_o be_v curse_v child_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v 2_o pet._n 2.14_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d silij_fw-la maledictionis_fw-la execrandi_fw-la homines_fw-la and_o to_o such_o curse_n be_v reserve_v as_o their_o due_a portion_n and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n though_o such_o as_o have_v a_o extraordinary_a spirit_n of_o discern_v their_o true_a state_n do_v use_v imprecation_n against_o they_o which_o yet_o can_v be_v no_o warrant_n for_o other_o person_n to_o imitate_v as_o none_o but_o the_o magistrate_n may_v use_v the_o sword_n for_o revenge_n because_o of_o his_o public_a station_n and_o calling_n whereby_o he_o be_v authorize_v for_o it_o so_o none_o but_o extraordinary_a prophetical_a man_n shall_v use_v these_o malediction_n if_o other_o shall_v presume_v upon_o it_o because_o of_o their_o example_n they_o will_v just_o fall_v under_o the_o rebuke_n of_o our_o saviour_n luke_n 9.55_o you_o know_v not_o what_o spirit_n you_o be_v of_o the_o ordinary_a rule_n prescribe_v for_o man_n practice_n be_v that_o of_o matth._n 5.44_o rom._n 12.14_o bless_v i_o say_v and_o curse_v not_o 3._o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o motive_n or_o affection_n upon_o which_o such_o imprecation_n as_o we_o read_v of_o have_v proceed_v which_o be_v not_o carnal_a or_o rash_a anger_n or_o desire_v of_o revenge_n in_o reference_n to_o any_o particular_a hurt_n or_o injury_n against_o themselves_o the_o usual_a occasion_n of_o they_o in_o other_o man_n but_o spiritual_a and_o divine_a respect_v the_o interest_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o zeal_n for_o his_o glory_n in_o our_o own_o case_n we_o be_v teach_v to_o be_v patient_a and_o long_a suffering_n pray_v for_o our_o persecutor_n 4._o the_o wish_v of_o evil_n direct_o to_o any_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o evil_n must_v needs_o be_v malice_n and_o can_v never_o be_v lawful_a not_o but_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o pray_v for_o such_o thing_n as_o by_o way_n of_o consequence_n will_v necessary_o imply_v a_o blast_a and_o kind_a of_o malediction_n upon_o the_o attempt_n of_o other_o which_o be_v no_o way_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o true_a happiness_n of_o their_o person_n the_o wish_v of_o such_o kind_n of_o temporal_a evil_n as_o tend_v to_o the_o prevent_n of_o great_a evil_n or_o else_o be_v to_o be_v inflict_v by_o way_n of_o correction_n and_o vindicate_v of_o divine_a justice_n be_v not_o opposite_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o charity_n it_o be_v lawful_a for_o we_o to_o wish_v conditional_o some_o temporal_a evil_n upon_o ourselves_o by_o way_n of_o correction_n and_o restraint_n from_o sin_n that_o god_n will_v rather_o afflict_v we_o than_o suffer_v sin_n upon_o we_o and_o consequent_o we_o may_v wish_v the_o same_o to_o other_o the_o love_n of_o ourselves_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o our_o love_n to_o other_o of_o this_o nature_n be_v that_o petition_n psal._n 83.16_o fill_v their_o face_n with_o shame_n o_o lord_n that_o they_o may_v seek_v thy_o name_n this_o be_v not_o to_o pray_v against_o they_o but_o for_o they_o we_o may_v likewise_o pray_v against_o the_o unjust_a action_n and_o attempt_n of_o our_o enemy_n act_n 4.29_o and_o
to_o be_v unite_v in_o these_o great_a thing_n of_o righteousness_n and_o peace_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n it_o be_v not_o the_o pour_v of_o a_o liquor_n from_o one_o vessel_n to_o another_o that_o take_v off_o its_o sourness_n and_o acrimony_n without_o such_o a_o mixture_n as_o may_v enter_v into_o it_o and_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o it_o if_o man_n will_v make_v this_o to_o be_v their_o great_a design_n and_o business_n to_o strive_v who_o shall_v be_v most_o righteous_a and_o peaceable_a and_o patient_a other_o contention_n among_o they_o will_v quick_o vanish_v 4._o a_o man_n may_v insist_v so_o much_o in_o the_o vindication_n of_o some_o truth_n and_o duty_n as_o thereby_o to_o bring_v a_o prejudice_n upon_o religion_n he_o may_v do_v the_o devil_n work_v by_o his_o endeavour_n to_o promote_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v in_o themselves_o right_a and_o true_a i_o mean_v such_o contest_v as_o concern_v point_n of_o the_o same_o or_o the_o like_a nature_n with_o those_o of_o meat_n and_o drink_n in_o the_o text._n but_o what_o then_o may_v some_o say_v shall_v we_o be_v of_o no_o opinion_n in_o such_o thing_n must_v we_o all_o turn_v sceptic_n and_o be_v indifferent_a to_o every_o thing_n as_o if_o there_o can_v be_v no_o certainty_n i_o answer_v by_o no_o mean_n nothing_o less_o every_o man_n shall_v endeavour_v to_o have_v a_o full_a persuasion_n in_o his_o own_o mind_n concern_v the_o thing_n in_o difference_n and_o when_o he_o do_v well_o understand_v they_o he_o shall_v be_v ready_a to_o assert_v and_o maintain_v they_o as_o occasion_n may_v be_v offer_v and_o so_o far_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v only_o herein_o lie_v the_o great_a difficulty_n which_o will_v require_v much_o christian_a prudence_n and_o consideration_n to_o the_o state_v of_o it_o namely_o how_o to_o proportion_v our_o zeal_n aright_o in_o reference_n to_o several_a truth_n which_o i_o shall_v particular_o speak_v to_o in_o the_o next_o use._n ii_o use_v of_o exhortation_n 1._o to_o be_v cautious_a and_o considerate_a in_o the_o right_a manage_n of_o our_o difference_n about_o these_o lesser_a thing_n there_o be_v never_o any_o age_n wherein_o contest_v of_o this_o nature_n have_v not_o be_v in_o fashion_n though_o perhaps_o never_o so_o much_o as_o in_o we_o and_o therefore_o it_o will_v the_o more_o concern_v we_o to_o regulate_v our_o prosecution_n and_o demeanour_n about_o they_o in_o order_n to_o which_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v well_o weigh_v and_o consider_v namely_o the_o evidence_n and_o importance_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n 1._o for_o their_o evidence_n every_o truth_n whether_o natural_a or_o reveal_v be_v not_o alike_o evident_a some_o be_v more_o obscure_a and_o doubtful_a than_o other_o and_o because_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n be_v the_o ground_n and_o formal_a reason_n of_o our_o assent_n to_o they_o therefore_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o proportion_v the_o degree_n of_o our_o assent_n to_o those_o of_o our_o evidence_n not_o to_o be_v doubtful_a in_o thing_n that_o be_v clear_a nor_o to_o be_v confident_a in_o thing_n that_o be_v doubtful_a but_o with_o a_o equal_a disposition_n of_o mind_n to_o submit_v to_o every_o thing_n according_a to_o its_o clearness_n and_o perspicuity_n in_o opposition_n to_o this_o there_o be_v two_o extreme_n which_o be_v exceed_o prejudicial_a to_o religion_n especial_o in_o time_n when_o controversy_n and_o dispute_n about_o it_o do_v so_o much_o abound_v namely_o scepticalness_n and_o dogmaticalness_n 1._o by_o scepticalness_n i_o mean_v a_o willingness_n and_o inclination_n of_o mind_n rather_o to_o comply_v with_o doubt_n and_o objection_n than_o with_o proof_n and_o evidence_n a_o aptness_n to_o pick_v quarrel_n with_o every_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o manifest_a as_o if_o we_o be_v not_o willing_a that_o any_o thing_n shall_v be_v certain_a and_o establish_v beside_o the_o insolence_n and_o pride_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o disposition_n there_o be_v likewise_o much_o of_o folly_n and_o contradiction_n in_o it_o whereby_o such_o man_n do_v become_v obnoxious_a unto_o that_o other_o extreme_a of_o dogmaticalness_n which_o they_o affect_v most_o to_o avoid_v for_o to_o look_v upon_o every_o thing_n as_o doubtful_a be_v to_o deny_v the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o some_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v as_o well_o dogmaticalness_n to_o deny_v clear_a evidence_n where_o it_o be_v as_o to_o assert_v it_o where_o it_o be_v not_o 2._o by_o dogmaticalness_n i_o mean_v a_o readiness_n to_o be_v over_o confident_a of_o the_o thing_n we_o be_v well_o incline_v to_o a_o aptness_n to_o own_o every_o thing_n for_o equal_o true_a and_o certain_a which_o be_v profess_v by_o that_o company_n or_o party_n of_o man_n among_o who_o our_o name_n be_v list_v when_o a_o man_n receive_v a_o whole_a system_fw-la of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o bulk_n as_o if_o every_o thing_n in_o it_o be_v undoubted_o true_a and_o alike_o evident_a without_o a_o particular_a enquiry_n into_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o thing_n a_o unwillingness_n to_o listen_v unto_o any_o objection_n which_o may_v seem_v to_o make_v against_o they_o or_o to_o shake_v their_o certainty_n this_o be_v a_o unblamable_a partiality_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n and_o have_v in_o it_o the_o like_a inconsistency_n and_o contradiction_n with_o the_o other_o extreme_a such_o person_n hereby_o expose_v the_o most_o clear_a and_o manifest_a truth_n to_o the_o suspicion_n of_o error_n by_o put_v more_o obscure_a and_o doubtful_a matter_n in_o the_o same_o rank_n with_o they_o 2._o the_o second_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o question_n as_o every_o truth_n be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o evidence_n so_o neither_o be_v it_o of_o the_o same_o necessity_n but_o there_o be_v in_o this_o respect_n likewise_o several_a degree_n among_o they_o some_o thing_n be_v essential_a to_o religion_n belong_v to_o the_o foundation_n and_o be_v therefore_o necessary_a to_o the_o very_o be_v of_o a_o christian._n as_o righteousness_n in_o the_o text_n that_o be_v faith_n and_o holiness_n and_o justice_n or_o as_o it_o be_v elsewhere_o express_v faith_n which_o work_v by_o love_n other_o thing_n be_v only_a superstruction_n and_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o well-being_n of_o a_o christian_a among_o which_o some_o be_v as_o gold_n and_o silver_n and_o precious_a stone_n thing_n of_o the_o great_a value_n among_o man_n next_o to_o life_n and_o be_v other_o be_v of_o a_o light_a consequence_n and_o more_o remote_a from_o the_o foundation_n now_o herein_o much_o christian_a prudence_n will_v be_v require_v to_o distinguish_v aright_o concern_v the_o importance_n of_o several_a truth_n and_o duty_n and_o according_o to_o proportion_v our_o zeal_n for_o they_o and_o our_o contention_n about_o they_o not_o by_o our_o remissness_n to_o bring_v down_o foundation_n truth_n to_o the_o same_o rate_n with_o superstruction_n nor_o by_o our_o forwardness_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o raise_v up_o superstruction_n unto_o the_o same_o value_n with_o fundamental_o which_o be_v the_o two_o extreme_n refer_v to_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o thing_n by_o which_o truth_n itself_o will_v be_v very_o much_o prejudice_v 1._o too_o great_a carelessness_n and_o coldness_n about_o necessary_a truth_n a_o kind_n of_o indifferency_n about_o all_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o if_o they_o be_v all_o alike_o and_o do_v so_o far_o only_o oblige_v as_o the_o civil_a law_n of_o several_a country_n do_v enforce_v they_o i_o can_v say_v of_o this_o extreme_a that_o it_o do_v increase_v controversy_n in_o religion_n but_o it_o do_v that_o which_o be_v much_o worse_o it_o take_v away_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o question_n i_o mean_v religion_n itself_o 2._o on_o the_o other_o side_n a_o man_n may_v lay_v too_o great_a a_o weight_n on_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v truth_n and_o duty_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o ordinary_a than_o for_o good_a man_n when_o they_o be_v once_o well_o persuade_v of_o some_o particular_a opinion_n to_o think_v they_o do_v god_n good_a service_n by_o prosecute_a it_o with_o their_o utmost_a zeal_n or_o by_o lay_v great_a weight_n upon_o it_o than_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n require_v or_o will_v admit_v but_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v of_o very_o dangerous_a consequence_n for_o if_o this_o course_n be_v admit_v where_o shall_v it_o end_v why_o may_v not_o falsehood_n be_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o on_o the_o same_o account_n if_o we_o once_o transgress_v those_o bound_n which_o be_v fix_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o evidence_n and_o importance_n there_o can_v be_v no_o security_n against_o the_o wild_a error_n in_o the_o world_n these_o two_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v mention_v be_v sober_o consider_v and_o impartial_o apply_v to_o some_o of_o our_o