let_v we_o earnest_o labour_v after_o perfection_n and_o that_o none_o may_v ask_v what_o perfection_n be_v it_o be_v no_o other_o no_o less_o no_o mean_a perfection_n that_o what_o be_v press_v in_o the_o text_n be_v you_o therefore_o perfect_a as_o your_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n be_v perfect_a this_o perfection_n to_o give_v a_o full_a account_n of_o it_o relate_v 1._o to_o the_o kind_n of_o grace_n 2._o to_o the_o degree_n of_o grace_n 1._o to_o the_o kind_n of_o grace_n endeavour_v after_o perfection_n appear_v in_o nothing_o so_o visible_o as_o in_o our_o serious_a endeavour_n after_o the_o several_a grace_n which_o make_v up_o the_o wedding-garment_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o charm_a ornament_n of_o christ_n spouse_n not_o only_o one_o but_o all_o must_v appear_v very_o lovely_a in_o our_o eye_n if_o one_o seem_v amiable_a and_o the_o rest_n be_v nauseated_a the_o heart_n be_v not_o right_a with_o god_n we_o must_v not_o content_v ourselves_o with_o be_v liberal_a to_o the_o poor_a and_o needy_a but_o meekness_n and_o humility_n and_o love_n of_o enemy_n and_o overcome_v the_o evil_a with_o good_a must_v be_v as_o hearty_o espouse_v as_o the_o other_o to_o this_o purpose_n be_v that_o command_n of_o st._n peter_n 2_o pet._n i_o 5_o add_v to_o your_o faith_n virtue_n unto_o virtue_n knowledge_n unto_o knowledge_n temperance_n unto_o temperance_n patience_n unto_o patience_n godliness_n unto_o godliness_n brotherly-kindness_n and_o unto_o brotherly-kindness_n charity_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v indeed_o a_o great_a stress_n on_o some_o particular_a virtue_n and_o particular_o on_o almsgiving_n and_o there_o be_v such_o lofty_a thing_n say_v of_o it_o that_o the_o unwary_a reader_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v he_o need_v do_v no_o more_o in_o order_n to_o salvation_n but_o though_o god_n special_a favour_n and_o esteem_v of_o such_o a_o virtue_n be_v set_v down_o by_o way_n of_o motive_n and_o encouragement_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a it_o be_v no_o where_o say_v that_o such_o a_o virtue_n alone_o will_v suffice_v in_o order_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o when_o the_o rest_n be_v enjoin_v with_o as_o great_a severity_n as_o this_o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o rest_n be_v equal_o necessary_a the_o pharisee_n indeed_o have_v a_o opinion_n that_o if_o a_o man_n do_v exercise_v himself_o in_o any_o one_o command_n though_o he_o neglect_v the_o rest_n he_o will_v not_o fail_v of_o a_o bless_a portion_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v but_o this_o plain_o contradict_v the_o christian_n rule_n which_o be_v you_o be_v my_o friend_n if_o you_o do_v whatsoever_o i_o command_v you_o john_n xv_o 14_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o where_o the_o obedience_n be_v partial_a the_o plant_n can_v be_v or_o be_v not_o of_o our_o heavenly_a father_n plant_v the_o stoic_n which_o hold_v that_o he_o who_o have_v one_o virtue_n have_v all_o the_o rest_n be_v so_o far_o in_o the_o right_n that_o he_o who_o upon_o a_o good_a principle_n out_o of_o love_n to_o goodness_n apply_v himself_o to_o one_o virtue_n be_v in_o a_o disposition_n to_o be_v master_n of_o the_o rest_n if_o he_o pursue_v that_o principle_n but_o to_o think_v that_o all_o the_o rest_n will_v fall_v in_o in_o course_n to_o he_o who_o by_o frequent_a act_n show_v he_o be_v please_v with_o one_o be_v what_o experience_n confute_v and_o reason_n tell_v we_o can_v be_v except_z the_o same_o industry_n be_v use_v to_o attain_v to_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v use_v in_o the_o pusuit_n of_o that_o we_o have_v make_v a_o considerable_a progress_n in_o 2._o this_o perfection_n must_v be_v see_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o those_o grace_n we_o be_v possess_v of_o a_o low_a degree_n must_v be_v raise_v into_o a_o high_a faith_n which_o be_v like_o a_o grain_n of_o mustard-see_a must_v be_v advance_v into_o a_o spread_a shrub_n so_o must_v hope_v so_o must_v love_v so_o must_v charity_n so_o must_v other_o grace_n the_o act_n must_v be_v improve_v into_o habit_n and_o the_o tender_a plant_n must_v become_v robu_v till_o it_o can_v bear_v the_o injury_n of_o wind_n and_o wether_n the_o beginning_n of_o a_o virtue_n be_v encouragement_n to_o proceed_v in_o it_o he_o that_o do_v not_o do_v not_o grow_v strong_a in_o the_o lord_n and_o consequent_o do_v not_o endeavour_v after_o perfection_n 3._o this_o perfection_n reach_v far_a yet_o even_o to_o do_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v more_o perfect_a there_o be_v divers_a action_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v no_o great_a hurt_n in_o they_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_o a_o more_o perfect_a act_n to_o abstain_v from_o they_o this_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v particular_o in_o eat_v and_o drink_v in_o dress_n and_o clothing_n in_o speech_n and_o discourse_n and_o visit_n in_o conversation_n and_o company_n in_o sport_n and_o recreation_n etc._n etc._n such_o a_o jest_n eat_v of_o the_o other_o dish_n drink_v the_o three_o glass_n play_v for_o company_n be_v sake_n such_o a_o gaudy_a dress_n etc._n etc._n may_v seem_v harmless_a but_o it_o be_v great_a perfection_n to_o forbear_v they_o so_o in_o do_v good_a it_o be_v many_o time_n great_a perfection_n to_o do_v such_o a_o act_n of_o charity_n than_o to_o forbear_v it_o in_o all_o which_o case_n a_o christian_n who_o follow_v our_o saviour_n rule_n in_o the_o text_n will_v have_v a_o special_a regard_n to_o what_o be_v more_o perfect_a and_o therefore_o more_o please_v to_o god_n in_o such_o particular_n as_o these_o consist_v the_o christian_a perfection_n which_o here_o we_o be_v exhort_v to_o labour_v after_o but_o i_o can_v have_v but_o little_a hope_n that_o you_o will_v exercise_v yourselves_o towards_o this_o perfection_n except_o you_o be_v very_o resolute_a to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o proper_a mean_n which_o be_v these_o follow_v 1._o a_o mighty_a ambition_n after_o spiritual_a thing_n as_o great_a a_o ambition_n to_o be_v true_o good_a and_o holy_a as_o other_o have_v to_o be_v rich_a and_o great_a in_o the_o world_n 2._o a_o vigorous_a consideration_n of_o the_o future_a degree_n of_o glory_n according_a to_o the_o progress_n you_o make_v here_o he_o that_o meditate_v much_o of_o these_o degree_n will_v find_v in_o himself_o a_o vehement_a desire_n after_o such_o degree_n of_o sanctity_n as_o the_o most_o perfect_a person_n have_v attain_v to_o 3._o a_o fervent_a love_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n such_o a_o love_n as_o we_o find_v in_o st._n paul_n in_o st._n john_n in_o mary_n the_o sister_n of_o martha_n etc._n etc._n a_o love_n which_o must_v rise_v from_o the_o strong_a impress_n make_v upon_o the_o soul_n by_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o love_n in_o descend_v from_o heaven_n and_o die_v for_o we_o 4._o a_o lively_a representation_n of_o what_o god_n have_v do_v for_o we_o both_o in_o spiritual_n and_o temporal_n for_o this_o will_v mighty_o inflame_v the_o soul_n and_o put_v she_o upon_o do_v any_o thing_n which_o he_o delight_v in_o 5._o a_o attentive_a consideration_n of_o the_o title_n in_o the_o text_n where_o god_n be_v call_v our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n a_o epithet_n often_o repeat_v and_o therefore_o often_o to_o be_v think_v of_o if_o we_o be_v his_o child_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v but_o imitate_v he_o that_o be_v the_o nature_n and_o duty_n of_o child_n that_o do_v not_o bear_v that_o name_n in_o vain_a he_o be_v in_o heaven_n this_o speak_v his_o greatness_n we_o see_v how_o great_a man_n prevail_v with_o we_o to_o do_v thing_n even_o contrary_a to_o our_o inclination_n and_o shall_v not_o he_o who_o be_v the_o great_a of_o all_o influence_n our_o resolution_n to_o be_v perfect_a as_o he_o himself_o be_v perfect_a moreover_o he_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o from_o thence_o look_v down_o upon_o we_o it_o be_v his_o condescension_n that_o he_o do_v so_o and_o that_o condescension_n ought_v to_o be_v a_o motive_n to_o this_o perfection_n he_o look_v down_o upon_o we_o to_o see_v how_o we_o improve_v our_o talent_n if_o we_o do_v not_o he_o note_v our_o gild_n in_o his_o book_n where_o it_o will_v stand_v as_o a_o witness_n against_o we_o and_o he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o heaven_n to_o let_v we_o see_v the_o place_n which_o we_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o if_o we_o be_v perfect_a and_o true_o endeavour_v after_o it_o thither_o he_o intend_v to_o draw_v we_o to_o the_o same_o kingdom_n where_o himself_o reign_v and_o where_o christ_n our_o head_n reign_v and_o be_v this_o no_o argument_n to_o stir_v we_o up_o to_o this_o perfection_n i_o do_v not_o mention_v prayer_n as_o a_o mean_n because_o we_o still_o suppose_v that_o whatever_o help_n we_o offer_v all_o be_v insignificant_a without_o fervent_a prayer_n and_o thus_o we_o have_v chalk_v out_o
be_v cast_v into_o hell_n and_o if_o thy_o right_a hand_n offend_v thou_o cut_v it_o off_o and_o cast_v it_o from_o thou_o for_o it_o be_v profitable_a for_o thou_o that_o one_o of_o thy_o member_n shall_v perish_v and_o not_o that_o thy_o whole_a body_n shall_v be_v cast_v into_o hell_n these_o word_n relate_v either_o to_o all_o the_o precept_n that_o go_v before_o or_o to_o the_o command_n or_o prohibition_n immediate_o precede_v either_o to_o all_o the_o rule_n and_o lesson_n and_o virtue_n which_o we_o have_v already_o treat_v of_o such_o as_o humility_n meekness_n hunger_n and_o thirst_n after_o righteousness_n purity_n of_o heart_n peaceableness_n and_o peacemaking_a exceed_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n in_o righteousness_n lead_v a_o exemplary_a life_n etc._n etc._n or_o to_o the_o law_n and_o command_n which_o prohibit_v harbour_v adulterous_a and_o impure_a desire_n intention_n and_o lust_n even_o that_o whosoever_o took_v on_o a_o woman_n to_o lust_n after_o she_o have_v already_o commit_v adultery_n with_o she_o in_o his_o heart_n the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n be_v metaphorical_a or_o hyperbolical_a to_o be_v sure_a can_v be_v understand_v in_o a_o literal_a sense_n for_o though_o it_o have_v happen_v so_o and_o providence_n sometime_o have_v so_o order_v it_o for_o reason_n great_a and_o weighty_a that_o some_o good_a man_n have_v have_v their_o right_a eye_n pulck_v out_o by_o other_o and_o their_o right_a hand_n cut_v off_o by_o enemy_n by_o tyrant_n and_o persecutor_n yet_o to_o think_v that_o christ_n will_v command_v his_o follower_n to_o pluck_v out_o their_o own_o right_a eye_n and_o cut_v off_o their_o own_o right_a hand_n be_v butcher_n and_o executioner_n upon_o themselves_o practise_v that_o inhumanity_n upon_o their_o own_o body_n and_o go_v beyond_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n who_o only_o cut_v and_o hack_v their_o flesh_n till_o the_o blood_n gush_v out_o this_o seem_v not_o at_o all_o agreeable_a with_o the_o design_n of_o he_o who_o come_v to_o save_v that_o which_o be_v lose_v and_o have_v charge_v we_o not_o to_o hate_v our_o own_o flesh_n but_o to_o cherish_v it_o as_o a_o servant_n that_o the_o soul_n may_v be_v the_o better_a for_o those_o kind_a usage_n show_v to_o her_o minister_n and_o therefore_o the_o meaning_n of_o our_o saviour_n must_v needs_o be_v this_o if_o thy_o right_a eye_n offend_v thou_o or_o if_o thy_o right_a hand_n offend_v thou_o i._n e._n if_o these_o part_n of_o thy_o body_n administer_v occasion_n to_o sin_n if_o look_v upon_o a_o object_n or_o touch_v it_o cause_n or_o be_v apt_a to_o cause_v evil_a thought_n and_o impure_a desire_n lust_n and_o design_n within_o thou_o pluck_v out_o and_o cut_v off_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o evil._n forbear_v look_v that_o way_n as_o much_o as_o if_o thy_o eye_n be_v pluck_v out_o and_o avoid_v touch_v that_o object_n as_o much_o as_o if_o thy_o hand_n be_v cut_v off_o it_o be_v better_a for_o thou_o that_o thou_o enter_v into_o life_n with_o one_o eye_n or_o maim_v or_o that_o one_o of_o thy_o member_n shall_v perish_v i._n e._n it_o be_v better_a for_o thou_o that_o thou_o shall_v miss_v that_o satisfaction_n which_o thy_o eye_n give_v thou_o and_o thy_o hand_n prompt_v thou_o to_o than_o with_o that_o satisfaction_n to_o be_v cast_v into_o hell_n so_o that_o these_o word_n be_v a_o metaphor_n take_v from_o surgeon_n who_o in_o a_o gangrene_n cut_v off_o a_o limb_n a_o hand_n or_o foot_n or_o a_o arm_n to_o preserve_v the_o other_o part_n and_o cause_n one_o to_o perish_v that_o the_o other_o may_v continue_v whole_a and_o untainted_a this_o be_v at_o least_o part_n of_o our_o saviour_n meaning_n here_o but_o as_o i_o tell_v you_o the_o word_n relate_v not_o only_o to_o unlawful_a lust_n show_v how_o that_o be_v to_o be_v cure_v but_o to_o all_o the_o precede_a precept_n and_o virtue_n and_o therefore_o something_o more_o must_v be_v intend_v by_o they_o and_o that_o you_o may_v see_v the_o full_a extent_n of_o they_o i_o shall_v comprehend_v it_o as_o near_o as_o i_o can_v in_o these_o three_o proposition_n i._o virtue_n and_o watchfulness_n against_o sin_n be_v of_o that_o mighty_a consequence_n that_o if_o it_o be_v not_o otherwise_o attainable_a it_o be_v worth_a lose_v a_o eye_n or_o a_o limb_n to_o get_v it_o rather_o than_o be_v cast_v into_o hell_n for_o want_v of_o it_o ii_o to_o attain_v to_o a_o true_o spiritual_a life_n or_o to_o root_v up_o habit_n of_o sin_n if_o gentle_a mean_n will_v not_o do_v a_o christian_a must_v apply_v himself_o to_o a_o more_o painful_a discipline_n iii_o to_o avoid_v or_o to_o be_v rid_v of_o unlawful_a lust_n whether_o adulterous_a or_o other_o impure_a desire_n a_o christian_a must_v give_v not_o the_o least_o encouragement_n to_o the_o sin_n by_o action_n that_o feed_v it_o nor_o cherish_v any_o thing_n that_o provoke_v to_o it_o i._o virtue_n and_o watchfulness_n against_o sin_n be_v of_o that_o mighty_a consequence_n that_o if_o it_o be_v not_o otherwise_o attainable_a it_o be_v worth_a lose_v a_o eye_n or_o a_o limb_n to_o get_v it_o rather_o than_o be_v cast_v into_o hell_n for_o want_n of_o it_o this_o be_v as_o little_a as_o we_o can_v draw_v from_o our_o saviour_n word_n and_o there_o be_v none_o so_o weak_a but_o will_v be_v able_a to_o infer_v from_o they_o that_o so_o much_o at_o least_o be_v suppose_v in_o these_o expression_n if_o thy_o right_a eye_n or_o thy_o right_a hand_n offend_v thou_o etc._n etc._n whatever_o opinion_n the_o world_n may_v have_v of_o virtue_n and_o watchfulness_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o sin_n god_n have_v other_o thought_n of_o it_o and_o judge_n the_o attainment_n so_o necessary_a that_o he_o hold_v it_o advisable_v rather_o to_o endure_v any_o thing_n and_o to_o run_v any_o hazard_n of_o the_o body_n than_o go_v without_o it_o and_o indeed_o all_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n who_o have_v any_o lively_a apprehension_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v and_o have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n not_o only_a christian_n but_o even_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n have_v a_o insight_n into_o this_o truth_n there_o be_v a_o remarkable_a say_n of_o seneca_n to_o this_o purpose_n projice_fw-la quae_fw-la cor_fw-la tuum_fw-la laniant_fw-la quae_fw-la si_fw-la aliter_fw-la extrahi_fw-la nequirent_fw-la cor_fw-la ipsum_fw-la cum_fw-la illis_fw-la evellendum_fw-la erat_fw-la i._n e._n throw_v away_o those_o base_a lust_n which_o war_n against_o thy_o soul_n which_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o cure_v it_o be_v worth_a pull_v out_o the_o very_a heart_n with_o they_o nay_o some_o of_o these_o philosopher_n have_v actual_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o the_o use_n of_o some_o considerable_a member_n of_o their_o body_n for_o the_o study_n of_o philosophy_n and_o its_o hard_a if_o the_o study_n of_o piety_n shall_v not_o deserve_v as_o much_o if_o it_o be_v so_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v procure_v no_o other_o way_n virtue_n and_o watchfulness_n against_o sin_n be_v of_o infinite_o great_a value_n than_o all_o outward_a advantage_n whatsoever_o and_o since_o we_o ordinary_o part_v with_o thing_n of_o a_o lesser_a for_o those_o of_o great_a worth_n seem_v it_o to_o you_o so_o hard_a a_o bargain_n to_o part_v with_o a_o eye_n or_o limb_n for_o a_o great_a blessing_n the_o loss_n of_o a_o eye_n or_o limb_n be_v nothing_o to_o the_o loss_n of_o a_o soul_n he_o that_o lose_v either_o of_o these_o if_o he_o be_v virtuous_a and_o holy_a and_o watchful_a against_o sin_n may_v yet_o enter_v into_o life_n but_o he_o that_o be_v destitute_a of_o this_o watchfulness_n can_v never_o enter_v in_o with_o all_o his_o part_n about_o he_o the_o loss_n of_o a_o eye_n or_o limb_n can_v hurt_v the_o soul_n for_o all_o that_o loss_n the_o soul_n may_v be_v happy_a and_o bless_a and_o glorious_a and_o a_o favourite_n of_o heaven_n and_o he_o that_o lose_v a_o eye_n or_o a_o limb_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o righteousness_n shall_v have_v that_o eye_n or_o that_o limb_n restore_v to_o he_o in_o a_o more_o splendid_a manner_n in_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o just_a so_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v no_o loser_n by_o it_o whereas_o he_o that_o be_v a_o stranger_n to_o this_o watchfulness_n here_o can_v never_o have_v it_o restore_v to_o he_o in_o the_o last_o day_n for_o as_o the_o tree_n fall_v so_o it_o shall_v lie_v and_o he_o that_o continue_v filthy_a here_o shall_v continue_v so_o till_o doomsday_n add_v to_o all_o this_o that_o hell_n be_v so_o tremendous_a a_o torment_n that_o if_o a_o man_n have_v any_o lively_a notion_n of_o it_o he_o will_v suffer_v any_o thing_n rather_o the_o rack_n the_o gibbet_n the_o wheel_n and_o the_o bull_n of_o phalaris_n than_o venture_v fall_v into_o that_o misery_n i_o grant_v very_o few_o man_n
will_v exact_v no_o more_o than_o be_v appoint_v they_o luk._n iii._o 13_o but_o greediness_n after_o gain_n and_o a_o desire_n to_o be_v rich_a tempt_v they_o to_o these_o infamous_a sin_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o they_o be_v love_v and_o civil_a and_o kind_a and_o courteous_a to_o those_o who_o be_v so_o to_o they_o and_o without_o all_o peradventure_o go_v into_o the_o temple_n and_o join_v with_o the_o congregation_n for_o so_o we_o read_v luk._n xviii_o 10_o and_o they_o ask_v their_o neighbour_n how_o they_o do_v which_o be_v call_v salute_v their_o brethren_n and_o indeed_o our_o own_o experience_n be_v sufficient_a witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o observation_n a_o man_n who_o give_v himself_o to_o drink_v we_o see_v often_o be_v very_o just_a in_o his_o deal_n and_o will_v not_o wrong_v a_o child_n another_o who_o be_v choleric_a and_o passionate_a a_o slave_n to_o wrath_n and_o anger_n when_o provoke_v shall_v be_v very_o charitable_a another_o that_o may_v be_v live_v in_o fornication_n and_o uncleanness_n shall_v be_v ready_a to_o do_v kind_a office_n to_o relation_n and_o other_o and_o he_o who_o cheat_n and_o defraud_n man_n whether_o in_o trade_n or_o otherwise_o go_v to_o church_n and_o say_v his_o prayer_n and_o may_v be_v will_v venture_v upon_o the_o tremendous_a ordinance_n of_o the_o eucharist_n and_o a_o very_a debauch_a person_n be_v very_o often_o very_o punctual_a to_o his_o word_n and_o true_a to_o his_o promise_n all_o which_o be_v agreeable_a to_o what_o we_o read_v in_o scripture_n ahab_n as_o wicked_a as_o he_o be_v yet_o hear_v elijah_n threaten_v he_o rend_v his_o clothes_n and_o put_v sackcloth_n upon_o his_o flesh_n and_o fast_v and_o lay_v in_o sackcloth_n and_o go_v soft_o 1_o king_n xxi_o 27_o the_o jew_n jer._n seven_o 9_o 10._o they_o steal_v they_o murder_v they_o commit_v adultery_n they_o swear_v false_o and_o burn_v incense_n to_o baal_n yet_o come_v very_o orderly_o and_o stand_v and_o pray_v before_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o temple_n and_o be_v very_o zealous_a for_o the_o church_n and_o temple_n herod_n be_v a_o person_n wicked_a with_o a_o witness_n yet_o when_o john_n the_o baptist_n reprove_v he_o he_o do_v many_o thing_n observe_v and_o fear_v the_o good_a man_n and_o have_v a_o very_a great_a veneration_n for_o he_o nay_o and_o make_v conscience_n of_o his_o oath_n a_o sinful_a one_o it_o be_v true_a yet_o a_o oath_n mark_v vi_o 20_o 26._o indeed_o one_o will_v wonder_v how_o vice_n and_o virtue_n shall_v lodge_v together_o in_o one_o breast_n the_o rather_o because_o st._n james_n say_v chap._n iii._o 9_o can_v a_o fountain_n at_o the_o same_o place_n send_v forth_o bitter_a water_n and_o sweet_a yet_o we_o see_v nothing_o be_v more_o common_a and_o as_o the_o samaritan_n 2_o king_n xvii_o 33_o they_o fear_v the_o lord_n and_o serve_v their_o own_o god_n so_o most_o wicked_a man_n serve_v both_o god_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v votary_n to_o the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n and_o yet_o be_v willing_a to_o do_v something_o in_o religion_n and_o morality_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v brief_o these_o 1._o conviction_n abundance_n of_o such_o man_n be_v convince_v that_o religion_n be_v necessary_a and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o safe_a without_o something_o of_o it_o whether_o it_o be_v that_o they_o think_v that_o little_a devotion_n they_o have_v will_n like_o a_o spell_n keep_v the_o devil_n from_o hurt_v they_o or_o whether_o they_o hope_v that_o by_o that_o little_a sprinkle_n of_o morality_n they_o shall_v compensate_a god_n and_o make_v he_o amends_o for_o the_o sin_n they_o allow_v themselves_o something_o of_o it_o they_o think_v be_v necessary_a for_o though_o they_o make_v a_o shift_n to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o conscience_n yet_o like_o a_o importunate_a creditor_n it_o will_v dunn_v they_o and_o therefore_o some_o show_n they_o must_v make_v of_o religion_n to_o satisfy_v its_o importunity_n 2._o it_o be_v interest_n many_o time_n that_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o it_o there_o happen_v to_o be_v time_n when_o religion_n be_v in_o fashion_n and_o we_o may_v remember_v when_o it_o be_v the_o way_n to_o get_v place_n and_o preferment_n some_o worldly_a advantage_n be_v sometime_o to_o be_v get_v by_o it_o and_o it_o prove_v a_o security_n to_o their_o place_n or_o trade_n or_o employment_n gehazi_n get_v considerable_o by_o it_o and_o be_v officious_a and_o complaisant_a to_o his_o devout_a master_n the_o syrian_a general_n present_v he_o with_o silver_n and_o raiment_n religion_n be_v a_o thing_n please_v to_o good_a man_n even_o the_o very_a shadow_n of_o it_o and_o where_o they_o see_v something_o of_o devotion_n it_o be_v a_o motive_n to_o converse_v and_o deal_v with_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o though_o some_o vice_n be_v mingle_v with_o the_o profession_n 3._o care_v of_o their_o reputation_n in_o another_o cause_n as_o vicious_a as_o this_o age_n be_v a_o man_n very_o vicious_a be_v a_o contemptible_a wretch_n if_o he_o have_v a_o estate_n his_o flatterer_n and_o dependent_n may_v fawn_v upon_o he_o and_o cringe_v to_o he_o but_o man_n of_o consideration_n can_v but_o despise_v he_o in_o their_o heart_n something_o of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n give_v a_o man_n credit_n in_o the_o world_n and_o his_o neighbour_n do_v ordinary_o show_v he_o more_o respect_n than_o otherwise_o they_o will_v do_v the_o praise_n of_o man_n as_o it_o be_v sometime_o the_o cause_n of_o deny_v christ_n so_o it_o be_v sometime_o the_o cause_n of_o confess_v he_o and_o honour_n and_o reputation_n may_v make_v a_o man_n at_o least_o seem_o religious_a when_o all_o the_o argument_n of_o eternity_n can_v work_v upon_o he_o 4._o custom_n and_o education_n be_v another_o prevalent_a motive_n this_o be_v as_o great_a a_o ingredient_n of_o those_o little_a show_n of_o religion_n and_o morality_n in_o wicked_a man_n as_o any_o and_o if_o some_o loose_a people_n be_v ask_v why_o they_o come_v to_o church_n and_o say_v their_o prayer_n and_o perform_v some_o other_o duty_n of_o religion_n if_o they_o will_v answer_v serious_o they_o can_v give_v no_o other_o reason_n but_o this_o because_o they_o have_v be_v educate_v into_o it_o and_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o country_n from_o which_o to_o vary_v will_v be_v a_o little_a odd_a and_o impertinent_a so_o that_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v you_o may_v safe_o infer_v and_o carry_v this_o maxim_n home_o with_o you_o and_o think_v and_o ruminate_v upon_o it_o that_o the_o external_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o a_o little_a smack_n of_o virtue_n do_v not_o excuse_n or_o free_v a_o man_n from_o the_o gild_n of_o be_v wicked_a it_o be_v your_o live_n in_o a_o sin_n which_o god_n have_v peremptory_o forbid_v in_o his_o word_n and_o cherish_v make_v much_o of_o it_o and_o keep_v it_o warm_a that_o make_v you_o wicked_a and_o all_o the_o external_a service_n of_o prayer_n hear_v come_v to_o church_n etc._n etc._n you_o pay_v to_o god_n can_v cover_v that_o sin_n or_o make_v you_o pure_a in_o his_o sight_n who_o be_v of_o pure_a eye_n than_o to_o behold_v iniquity_n for_o that_o sin_n you_o live_v in_o make_v you_o impure_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o impure_a and_o defile_v be_v nothing_o pure_a tit._n i._n 15_o that_o impurity_n dash_v all_o that_o little_a goodness_n which_o be_v in_o you_o it_o drown_v the_o act_n of_o devotion_n which_o you_o perform_v it_o be_v a_o worm_n that_o kill_v all_o the_o seem_a virtue_n that_o grow_v about_o you_o i._n e._n make_v they_o ineffectual_a that_o sin_n you_o live_v in_o be_v maintain_v rebellion_n against_o god_n and_o therefore_o all_o your_o pretend_a obedience_n be_v insignificant_a it_o be_v presumption_n and_o you_o will_v maintain_v it_o come_v what_o will_v of_o it_o and_o how_o can_v god_n almighty_a like_o any_o thing_n you_o do_v it_o be_v enmity_n against_o god_n and_o how_o can_v he_o be_v your_o friend_n it_o be_v like_o a_o rot_a sheep_n that_o infect_v the_o whole_a flock_n it_o be_v a_o evil_a root_n that_o send_v up_o a_o bitterness_n into_o all_o the_o bough_n and_o branch_n that_o grow_v from_o it_o it_o be_v true_a god_n be_v a_o lover_n of_o goodness_n but_o the_o sin_n you_o live_v in_o make_v all_o your_o goodness_n counterfeit_n and_o a_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v abomination_n to_o the_o lord_n that_o very_a sin_n you_o will_v not_o part_v with_o impoison_v that_o morality_n and_o those_o act_n of_o religion_n you_o make_v a_o show_n of_o that_o very_a sin_n make_v you_o wicked_a and_o the_o seem_a goodness_n that_o be_v about_o you_o can_v change_v the_o nature_n of_o it_o be_v it_o so_o that_o a_o ounce_n of_o goodness_n can_v counter-balance_n a_o whole_a talon_n of_o wickedness_n much_o may_v be_v say_v