mind_n or_o conscience_n as_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o better_a sort_n of_o heathen_n or_o by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o our_o saviour_n time_n or_o last_o by_o the_o benefit_n of_o a_o christian_a education_n as_o the_o state_n of_o those_o among_o ourselves_o be_v who_o come_v to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o inquire_v more_o near_o into_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o suppose_v we_o a_o man_n already_o instruct_v by_o any_o of_o these_o mean_n in_o the_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o practice_n desirous_a of_o further_a knowledge_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n he_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o live_v up_o to_o those_o principle_n he_o be_v already_o instruct_v in_o resolve_v also_o to_o submit_v obedient_o to_o whatsoever_o else_o upon_o his_o further_a enquiry_n he_o shall_v find_v to_o be_v his_o duty_n such_o a_o man_n thus_o prepare_v by_o do_v his_o duty_n and_o thus_o resolve_v to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o far_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v make_v know_v to_o he_o such_o a_o one_o be_v the_o person_n to_o who_o this_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n do_v belong_v if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o i_o speak_v of_o myself_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n propound_v to_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o success_n to_o those_o that_o seek_v for_o knowledge_n with_o this_o preparation_n and_o here_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o consider_v brief_o in_o what_o sense_n this_o promise_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v before_o we_o undertake_v to_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o it_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v therefore_o that_o this_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v so_o universal_o as_o though_o no_o man_n who_o be_v sincere_o resolve_v to_o obey_v god_n shall_v fall_v into_o any_o kind_n of_o error_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o this_o be_v contradict_v by_o the_o constant_a experience_n of_o all_o age_n for_o it_o will_v be_v very_o uncharitable_a to_o suppose_v that_o among_o most_o of_o the_o dissent_v party_n in_o religion_n who_o maintain_v great_a controversy_n with_o one_o another_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v some_o person_n true_o devout_a and_o sincere_a on_o both_o side_n we_o be_v not_o therefore_o to_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n true_o religious_a shall_v not_o err_v at_o all_o but_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v lead_v into_o such_o error_n as_o be_v dangerous_a to_o or_o inconsistent_a with_o his_o salvation_n and_o indeed_o the_o promise_n in_o this_o place_n be_v not_o set_v down_o in_o so_o general_a term_n as_o that_o they_o shall_v seem_v to_o require_v any_o large_a interpretation_n than_o this_o i_o be_o speak_v of_o if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n say_v our_o saviour_n he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n i_o now_o beliver_v to_o you_o whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o i_o speak_v of_o myself_o which_o can_v reasonable_o be_v extend_v beyond_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o he_o shall_v receive_v satisfaction_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n that_o it_o be_v a_o doctrine_n true_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a and_o that_o the_o author_n of_o it_o come_v from_o god_n and_o deliver_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n 2._o he_o that_o will_v do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v satisfy_v also_o concern_v those_o particular_a truth_n which_o be_v indispensable_o necessary_a for_o he_o to_o know_v in_o order_n to_o his_o salvation_n these_o two_o thing_n will_v be_v the_o undoubted_a effect_n of_o a_o religious_a frame_n of_o mind_n of_o a_o sincere_a resolution_n to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o will_v certain_o be_v make_v good_a to_o all_o who_o seek_v for_o knowledge_n with_o that_o preparation_n and_o this_o we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o be_v assure_v of_o whether_o we_o consider_v 1._o the_o natural_a influence_n that_o a_o religious_a temper_n of_o mind_n have_v upon_o the_o understanding_n to_o make_v it_o fit_a for_o the_o reception_n of_o divine_a truth_n 2._o the_o peculiar_a blessing_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n good_a spirit_n which_o always_o accompany_v a_o true_o religious_a man_n to_o guide_v he_o into_o all_o truth_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o he_o i_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o former_a and_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o the_o practice_n of_o religious_a duty_n have_v a_o natural_a efficacy_n upon_o the_o mind_n to_o clear_v its_o discern_a faculty_n to_o make_v it_o capable_a of_o understanding_n and_o give_v a_o full_a assent_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v make_v appear_v by_o instance_v in_o some_o particular_a duty_n which_o be_v of_o a_o natural_a obligation_n which_o no_o man_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o each_o of_o which_o single_o consider_v have_v a_o very_a immediate_a influence_n upon_o the_o understanding_n to_o make_v it_o capable_a of_o divine_a knowledge_n in_o consideration_n of_o which_o it_o will_v also_o appear_v that_o the_o contrary_a vice_n to_o these_o be_v the_o only_a cause_n of_o dangerous_a and_o damnable_a error_n the_o duty_n i_o shall_v particular_o insist_v on_o be_v these_o 1._o simplicity_n of_o mind_n without_o prejudice_n 2._o purity_n of_o heart_n and_o affection_n 3._o humility_n 4._o calmness_n of_o temper_n 5._o prayer_n to_o god_n these_o be_v all_o duty_n of_o a_o natural_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o he_o that_o come_v to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n can_v be_v presume_v ignorant_a of_o nor_o unwilling_a to_o practice_v they_o if_o he_o seek_v for_o knowledge_n with_o that_o preparation_n i_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o 1._o he_o that_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n with_o this_o intention_n to_o satisfy_v his_o conscience_n concern_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a for_o he_o to_o believe_v and_o do_v resolve_v by_o god_n grace_n to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o far_o as_o it_o shall_v be_v make_v know_v to_o he_o such_o a_o one_o will_v bring_v with_o he_o a_o honest_a simplicity_n of_o mind_n not_o bias_v by_o prejudice_n or_o preconceive_a opinion_n such_o a_o one_o will_v consider_v with_o himself_o that_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o his_o own_o fancy_n or_o petty_a reason_n that_o a_o strong_a imagination_n can_v make_v those_o thing_n article_n of_o faith_n which_o god_n have_v not_o reveal_v and_o therefore_o he_o will_v bring_v with_o he_o no_o preconceive_a opinion_n which_o he_o will_v not_o be_v ready_a to_o lay_v aside_o upon_o sufficient_a evidence_n to_o the_o contrary_a he_o will_v not_o endeavour_v to_o distort_v and_o wrest_v the_o plain_a word_n of_o scripture_n to_o that_o sense_n of_o thing_n which_o he_o former_o have_v but_o will_v ready_o yield_v up_o all_o his_o former_a notion_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o divine_a revelation_n that_o we_o be_v natural_o oblige_v to_o this_o simplicity_n of_o judgement_n in_o all_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n be_v evident_a because_o in_o all_o manner_n of_o dispute_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o thing_n we_o challenge_v from_o our_o adversary_n as_o our_o undoubted_a right_n that_o he_o will_v hear_v what_o we_o have_v to_o say_v without_o prejudice_n and_o therefore_o we_o also_o ought_v to_o bring_v with_o we_o to_o a_o religious_a debate_n the_o same_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a mind_n which_o we_o expect_v from_o other_o and_o indeed_o this_o temper_n of_o mind_n be_v high_o necessary_a and_o very_o advantageous_a to_o prepare_v we_o for_o the_o reception_n of_o truth_n for_o certain_o the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n be_v very_o great_a to_o darken_v man_n mind_n and_o to_o mould_v they_o into_o such_o apprehension_n as_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o observe_v how_o man_n who_o be_v engage_v in_o a_o party_n and_o prepossess_v with_o the_o distinguish_a opinion_n of_o their_o sect_n easy_o find_v way_n to_o pervert_v the_o plain_a place_n of_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o sense_n to_o make_v it_o agree_v with_o the_o analogy_n of_o their_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o their_o darling_n notion_n when_o i_o speak_v of_o lay_v aside_o prejudice_n in_o the_o search_n after_o divine_a truth_n i_o do_v not_o understand_v that_o we_o must_v call_v in_o question_n all_o kind_n of_o preconception_n we_o have_v have_v concern_v religious_a matter_n some_o thing_n there_o be_v in_o religion_n of_o so_o great_a certainty_n and_o evidence_n that_o though_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v teach_v we_o otherwise_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o receive_v he_o such_o be_v those_o preconception_n we_o have_v concern_v the_o be_v and_o attribute_n of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v most_o wise_a just_a powerful_a faithful_a
allow_v those_o that_o differ_v from_o they_o any_o probable_a hope_n of_o salvation_n he_o that_o consider_v this_o must_v necessary_o suppose_v one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n either_o that_o the_o way_n of_o obtain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a truth_n be_v not_o sufficient_o plain_a and_o certain_a so_o that_o all_o that_o use_v a_o due_a diligence_n in_o the_o search_n after_o it_o may_v reasonable_o hope_v to_o obtain_v it_o or_o second_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n that_o maintain_v so_o wide_a difference_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n do_v not_o seek_v for_o knowledge_n after_o a_o right_a manner_n the_o former_a of_o these_o viz._n that_o the_o way_n of_o salvation_n be_v not_o sufficient_o plain_a and_o that_o all_o who_o use_v a_o due_a diligence_n in_o the_o search_n of_o it_o may_v not_o reasonable_o hope_v to_o find_v it_o this_o can_v be_v grant_v without_o injury_n and_o affront_n to_o the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o justice_n for_o since_o the_o eternal_a welfare_n of_o all_o christian_n do_v depend_v upon_o their_o due_a performance_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o christianity_n and_o this_o can_v be_v perform_v without_o a_o competent_a knowledge_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v so_o dark_a and_o obscure_a that_o even_o the_o plain_a christian_n may_v not_o attain_v to_o as_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o knowledge_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o he_o it_o will_v then_o follow_v that_o god_n have_v not_o take_v sufficient_a care_n of_o his_o people_n to_o make_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n know_v to_o they_o and_o withal_o that_o he_o deal_v very_o hardly_o and_o unmerciful_o with_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o in_o exclude_v they_o from_o the_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n when_o yet_o he_o have_v annex_v so_o great_a a_o penalty_n to_o the_o want_n of_o it_o as_o their_o fall_a short_a of_o that_o eternal_a inheritance_n to_o which_o they_o be_v call_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o true_a reason_n therefore_o why_o so_o many_o enquirer_n after_o knowledge_n do_v miscarry_v in_o their_o design_n and_o be_v lead_v away_o into_o strange_a and_o dangerous_a opinion_n be_v not_o because_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n be_v so_o hard_a to_o be_v obtain_v but_o because_o there_o be_v but_o few_o that_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o search_n of_o it_o after_o a_o due_a manner_n it_o can_v therefore_o but_o seem_v necessary_a that_o while_o we_o all_o pretend_v to_o seek_v after_o knowledge_n and_o to_o desire_v to_o be_v inform_v in_o those_o important_a truth_n reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n that_o we_o first_o of_o all_o endeavour_n to_o satisfy_v ourselves_o concern_v the_o true_a way_n and_o method_n by_o which_o the_o knowledge_n we_o seek_v after_o be_v to_o be_v obtain_v and_o this_o our_o saviour_n have_v direct_v we_o to_o in_o these_o word_n if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o i_o speak_v of_o myself_o in_o the_o foregoing_a verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n we_o read_v that_o there_o be_v great_a murmur_v among_o the_o people_n concern_v our_o saviour_n who_o about_o that_o time_n begin_v to_o show_v himself_o to_o israel_n and_o there_o be_v great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n concern_v he_o some_o say_v he_o be_v a_o good_a man_n other_o say_z nay_o but_o he_o deceive_v the_o people_n now_o to_o decide_v this_o controversy_n concern_v himself_o and_o the_o doctrine_n he_o teach_v he_o give_v they_o this_o plain_a direction_n if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n intimate_v thereby_o that_o they_o who_o thus_o dispute_v concern_v he_o have_v not_o that_o true_a frame_n of_o mind_n that_o be_v fit_a for_o his_o reception_n that_o they_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o obey_v god_n whatever_o they_o pretend_v and_o therefore_o that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o they_o to_o be_v so_o inquisitive_a about_o he_o for_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o look_v for_o further_a revelation_n and_o instruction_n from_o god_n when_o they_o refuse_v obedience_n to_o that_o doctrine_n they_o have_v already_o receive_v and_o which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v divine_a for_o to_o this_o purpose_n he_o upbraid_v they_o v._o 19_o do_v not_o moses_n give_v you_o the_o law_n and_o yet_o none_o of_o you_o keep_v the_o law_n so_o then_o have_v the_o jew_n be_v obedient_a observer_n of_o the_o law_n as_o they_o pretend_v great_a admiration_n of_o it_o they_o can_v not_o have_v find_v so_o many_o difficulty_n in_o their_o own_n our_o saviour_n for_o the_o true_a messiah_n they_o will_v then_o easy_o have_v understand_v that_o he_o come_v from_o god_n and_o that_o the_o doctrine_n he_o teach_v be_v true_o divine_a and_o heavenly_a and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o endeavour_v to_o destroy_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n as_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o object_v against_o he_o but_o that_o he_o do_v eminent_o and_o exact_o fulfil_v they_o but_o not_o to_o insist_v on_o this_o strict_a connexion_n of_o the_o word_n with_o the_o forego_n and_o follow_v verse_n i_o shall_v now_o consider_v they_o not_o as_o have_v any_o peculiar_a respect_n to_o the_o jew_n but_o as_o they_o be_v a_o general_a rule_n for_o all_o enquirer_n after_o divine_a truth_n if_o any_o man_n whosoever_o he_o be_v jew_n or_o gentile_n will_v do_v his_o will_n he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o i_o speak_v of_o myself_o in_o handle_v of_o these_o word_n i_o shall_v first_o endeavour_v to_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o condition_n which_o our_o saviour_n here_o require_v in_o order_n to_o the_o search_n of_o divine_a truth_n 2._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o certainty_n of_o success_n to_o all_o such_o as_o seek_v for_o knowledge_n after_o this_o manner_n here_o require_v 1._o for_o the_o condition_n itself_o if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o i_o speak_v of_o myself_o this_o condition_n imply_v in_o it_o these_o four_o thing_n 1._o a_o previous_a sense_n of_o the_o divine_a sovereignty_n over_o we_o and_o our_o obligation_n to_o do_v whatsoever_o god_n command_v this_o belief_n of_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o god_n be_v antecedent_o necessary_a to_o all_o inquiry_n after_o divine_a truth_n for_o he_o that_o will_v be_v satisfy_v concern_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o particular_a kind_n of_o religion_n must_v in_o the_o first_o place_n suppose_v that_o some_o religious_a worship_n be_v due_a from_o man_n to_o god_n and_o this_o be_v of_o so_o natural_a a_o evidence_n and_o obligation_n that_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o have_v be_v any_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o they_o have_v not_o have_v a_o sense_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o supreme_a right_n to_o give_v law_n to_o mankind_n and_o that_o our_o well-being_n and_o happiness_n do_v depend_v upon_o our_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v well-pleasing_a to_o he_o and_o therefore_o we_o find_v that_o how_o far_o soever_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n have_v err_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n ofttimes_o attribute_v to_o he_o those_o unworthy_a passion_n and_o practice_n which_o a_o wise_a man_n will_v be_v ashamed_a of_o yet_o still_o they_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o find_v out_o some_o way_n of_o express_v their_o homage_n to_o he_o and_o though_o the_o way_n of_o worship_n devise_v by_o the_o heathen_n be_v common_o very_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a yet_o thus_o much_o be_v abundant_o evident_a from_o their_o practice_n that_o they_o own_v a_o obligation_n to_o a_o religious_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o have_v a_o sense_n of_o his_o sovereignty_n and_o right_a to_o govern_v they_o and_o to_o dispose_v of_o they_o as_o he_o please_v and_o this_o sense_n of_o his_o divine_a sovereignty_n be_v necessary_o suppose_v in_o this_o condition_n if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n for_o no_o man_n can_v intend_v to_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n who_o be_v not_o before_o persuade_v that_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o whensoever_o it_o be_v make_v know_v to_o he_o 2._o this_o condition_n if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n imply_v or_o presuppose_v a_o serious_a desire_n to_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o order_n to_o practice_n and_o a_o diligent_a use_n of_o those_o mean_n of_o instruction_n which_o god_n have_v afford_v we_o as_o viz._n a_o search_n of_o the_o scripture_n a_o sober_a use_n of_o our_o reason_n in_o the_o examination_n of_o it_o a_o diligent_a attendance_n on_o those_o spiritual_a guide_n which_o god_n have_v set_v over_o we_o for_o our_o instruction_n in_o the_o way_n of_o righteousness_n and_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o the_o guidance_n and_o assistance_n of_o
joy_n which_o it_o afford_v we_o in_o this_o spiritual_a race_n which_o infinite_o over-ballance_n all_o the_o false_a pleasure_n we_o forsake_v and_o all_o the_o difficulty_n we_o undergo_v in_o undertake_v this_o enterprise_n and_o last_o i_o may_v put_v you_o in_o mind_n of_o the_o great_a danger_n reproach_n and_o confusion_n of_o face_n which_o will_v certain_o attend_v we_o if_o by_o our_o negligence_n and_o indifference_n we_o fall_v short_a of_o this_o glorious_a prize_n all_o which_o argument_n ought_v to_o have_v a_o mighty_a influence_n upon_o we_o to_o awake_v and_o excite_v our_o utmost_a industry_n and_o vigour_n to_o promote_v our_o vigilance_n and_o to_o confirm_v strengthen_v and_o maintain_v our_o courage_n constancy_n and_o resolution_n to_o go_v on_o steadfast_o in_o the_o way_n of_o holiness_n and_o to_o run_v with_o patience_n the_o race_n set_v before_o we_o but_o the_o prosecution_n of_o these_o and_o the_o like_a argument_n will_v be_v too_o large_a a_o scope_n for_o the_o time_n allot_v to_o this_o exercise_n and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n confine_v my_o thought_n to_o a_o more_o particular_a consideration_n of_o the_o example_n of_o the_o saint_n martyr_n and_o holy_a confessor_n who_o have_v go_v before_o we_o in_o this_o glorious_a race_n and_o have_v already_o finish_v their_o course_n with_o patience_n wherefore_o see_v we_o also_o be_v compass_v about_o with_o so_o great_a a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n let_v we_o lay_v aside_o every_o weight_n etc._n etc._n the_o word_n martyr_n or_o witness_v in_o a_o ecclesiastical_a sense_n be_v usual_o restrain_v to_o such_o only_a who_o have_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o in_o the_o language_n of_o holy_a scripture_n i_o find_v no_o such_o limitation_n of_o it_o any_o of_o these_o who_o be_v either_o great_a example_n of_o obedience_n and_o faith_n in_o god_n any_o who_o bare_a witness_n to_o divine_a truth_n though_o they_o be_v not_o call_v to_o suffer_v death_n for_o that_o testimony_n be_v indifferent_o style_v by_o that_o name_n the_o father_n mention_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n can_v all_o be_v account_v martyr_n in_o the_o strict_a sense_n however_o they_o all_o help_n to_o make_v up_o the_o number_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o be_v here_o call_v a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n now_o the_o force_n of_o their_o witness_n and_o example_n to_o engage_v we_o in_o a_o like_a diligence_n and_o constancy_n in_o run_v the_o race_n set_v before_o we_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o represent_v in_o these_o follow_a particular_n 1._o they_o be_v witness_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o who_o we_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o those_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o and_o therefore_o that_o our_o labour_n and_o industry_n in_o our_o christian_a race_n shall_v not_o be_v in_o vain_a i_o mention_v this_o truth_n more_o particular_o because_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o only_a creed_n which_o all_o the_o saint_n recite_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n agree_v in_o some_o of_o they_o it_o be_v true_a have_v a_o great_a prospect_n and_o hope_n of_o a_o messiah_n to_o come_v abraham_n rejoice_v to_o see_v his_o day_n jacob_n prophecy_n of_o he_o be_v very_o punctual_a and_o particular_a the_o other_o prophet_n give_v witness_n to_o he_o but_o yet_o it_o appear_v not_o that_o all_o there_o mention_v have_v any_o knowledge_n at_o all_o either_o that_o he_o be_v to_o come_v or_o what_o he_o shall_v do_v or_o suffer_v for_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o chapter_n lay_v down_o that_o viz._n that_o god_n be_v the_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o as_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o their_o belief_n in_o confidence_n of_o which_o they_o willing_o undergo_v so_o many_o trial_n and_o temptation_n with_o such_o bravery_n and_o undaunted_a resolution_n if_o therefore_o we_o look_v upon_o these_o man_n only_o as_o give_v testimony_n to_o this_o truth_n yet_o this_o alone_a be_v sufficient_a reason_n for_o our_o imitation_n of_o they_o and_o do_v justify_v the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o choice_n in_o be_v religious_a and_o serve_v the_o same_o god_n on_o who_o they_o believe_v and_o forsake_v all_o in_o obedience_n to_o he_o as_o they_o do_v before_o we_o since_o we_o have_v the_o same_o conviction_n of_o reason_n that_o they_o have_v that_o our_o god_n who_o we_o serve_v be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o those_o that_o put_v their_o trust_n in_o he_o and_o be_v further_o confirm_v in_o our_o belief_n of_o this_o by_o their_o patience_n and_o constancy_n in_o the_o same_o profession_n and_o by_o their_o cheerful_a suffer_a persecution_n for_o it_o by_o their_o suffering_n we_o have_v this_o satisfaction_n at_o least_o that_o we_o be_v not_o singular_a in_o this_o our_o persuasion_n concern_v god_n and_o that_o he_o have_v not_o be_v without_o his_o witness_n in_o all_o age_n who_o have_v lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o this_o faith_n and_o assurance_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v steadfast_a in_o it_o without_o waver_v now_o if_o any_o shall_v object_v that_o the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o have_v die_v in_o this_o faith_n though_o they_o be_v here_o call_v a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n be_v yet_o but_o a_o very_a few_o in_o comparison_n of_o those_o who_o have_v live_v without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n and_o have_v despise_v and_o reject_v all_o hope_n of_o a_o future_a reward_n to_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o reply_v that_o the_o credit_n of_o any_o testimony_n do_v not_o depend_v on_o the_o number_n and_o noise_n of_o those_o that_o affirm_v any_o thing_n but_o from_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o evidence_n they_o give_v now_o a_o few_o man_n who_o give_v sufficient_a proof_n that_o they_o understand_v perfect_o what_o they_o say_v and_o do_v and_o will_v not_o deceive_v other_o be_v more_o to_o be_v value_v as_o witness_n than_o ten_o thousand_o of_o the_o rude_a multitude_n who_o take_v up_o report_v upon_o trust_n and_o if_o you_o come_v to_o examine_v they_o they_o shrink_v into_o nothing_o they_o say_v something_o they_o know_v not_o what_o but_o know_v not_o whence_o they_o have_v it_o nor_o why_o they_o say_v it_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n those_o that_o have_v be_v true_o pious_a and_o religious_a have_v in_o all_o age_n be_v man_n of_o the_o clear_a and_o best_a understanding_n that_o have_v always_o be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o their_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o and_o to_o satisfy_v the_o world_n that_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v this_o for_o any_o temporal_a advantage_n they_o do_v deliberate_o and_o cheerful_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o most_o severe_a trial_n and_o persecution_n for_o their_o testimony_n of_o it_o not_o accept_v deliverance_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v that_o they_o may_v obtain_v a_o better_a resurrection_n this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o those_o heroic_a spirit_n recite_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n they_o be_v man_n of_o find_a mind_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o glorious_a thing_n they_o do_v and_o suffer_v many_o of_o which_o be_v at_o large_a record_v in_o sacred_a story_n they_o know_v the_o value_n of_o life_n as_o well_o as_o other_o they_o be_v sensible_a of_o disgrace_n and_o pain_n and_o want_v and_o can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o expose_v themselves_o to_o these_o thing_n without_o a_o mighty_a evidence_n and_o conviction_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o believe_v concern_v god_n of_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o power_n that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o reward_v they_o after_o this_o life_n of_o the_o greatness_n of_o his_o wisdom_n that_o he_o know_v when_o and_o how_o to_o do_v it_o better_o than_o they_o can_v choose_v of_o the_o justice_n of_o his_o providence_n that_o he_o will_v certain_o do_v it_o but_o then_o on_o the_o contrary_a for_o those_o that_o have_v reject_v this_o belief_n or_o at_o least_o have_v not_o live_v answerable_o to_o it_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o much_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v only_o a_o rash_a inconsiderate_a multitude_n of_o no_o understanding_n in_o these_o matter_n who_o never_o take_v time_n to_o think_v whether_o religion_n have_v any_o real_a foundation_n in_o nature_n or_o reason_n or_o not_o and_o therefore_o these_o be_v not_o competent_a judge_n in_o the_o case_n and_o not_o to_o be_v regard_v as_o witness_n for_o those_o other_o who_o have_v live_v wicked_o and_o have_v yet_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o consider_v of_o the_o ground_n and_o obligation_n of_o a_o religious_a course_n of_o life_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o these_o be_v most_o of_o they_o self-condemned_n and_o act_n against_o the_o conviction_n of_o their_o