holiness_n through_o the_o use_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o he_o have_v appoint_v for_o the_o increase_n of_o holiness_n in_o we_o that_o there_o be_v degree_n of_o grace_n in_o good_a man_n no_o man_n ever_o deny_v and_o that_o the_o high_a and_o more_o perfect_a degree_n be_v attain_v by_o a_o more_o frequent_a sincere_a and_o diligent_a use_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n all_o divine_n be_v agree_v the_o part_n therefore_o which_o every_o good_a man_n have_v in_o his_o spiritual_a growth_n be_v to_o improve_v all_o advantage_n for_o his_o grow_a better_a i.e._n more_o perfect_a in_o every_o grace_n and_o more_o holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n and_o because_o some_o grace_n have_v a_o more_o powerful_a and_o diffusive_a influence_n upon_o the_o sanctification_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n and_o the_o due_a performance_n of_o all_o christian_a duty_n than_o other_o our_o improvement_n in_o grace_n and_o holiness_n chief_o consist_v in_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o in_o a_o more_o constant_a and_o vigorous_a exercise_n of_o those_o radical_a grace_n by_o which_o the_o life_n of_o holiness_n be_v convey_v into_o all_o the_o branch_n and_o instance_n of_o it_o of_o these_o our_o faith_n in_o god_n be_v the_o main_a and_o principal_a root_n all_o other_o grace_n be_v feed_v and_o cherish_v by_o it_o and_o enable_v to_o bring_v forth_o their_o proper_a fruit_n the_o reason_n why_o we_o love_v god_n which_o be_v both_o the_o noble_a and_o the_o strong_a motive_n to_o obedience_n be_v because_o we_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v all_o excellent_a and_o amiable_a property_n in_o he_o and_o so_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o fear_v he_o be_v because_o we_o believe_v he_o be_v powerful_a and_o just_a and_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n clear_v the_o guilty_a and_o we_o therefore_o hope_v in_o his_o mercy_n because_o we_o believe_v he_o be_v faithful_a that_o have_v promise_v and_o as_o faith_n be_v the_o root_n and_o principle_n of_o these_o grace_n so_o have_v they_o a_o radical_a virtue_n of_o their_o own_o a_o power_n i_o mean_v of_o diffuse_v holiness_n into_o all_o part_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o christirn_n life_n hence_o we_o be_v exhort_v to_o perfect_a holiness_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v root_v and_o ground_v in_o love_n that_o we_o may_v be_v fill_v with_o all_o the_o fullness_n of_o god_n and_o every_o man_n say_v s._n john_n that_o have_v the_o hope_n in_o he_o of_o see_v god_n as_o he_o be_v purify_v himself_o even_o as_o he_o be_v pure_a to_o grow_v therefore_o in_o these_o grace_n be_v in_o effect_n to_o grow_v in_o all_o other_o kind_n of_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o then_o second_o our_o spiritual_a growth_n consist_v 2._o in_o be_v more_o frequent_o and_o carnest_o employ_v in_o the_o several_a duty_n of_o christian_a practice_n in_o worship_v god_n with_o more_o life_n zeal_n and_o constancy_n in_o do_v good_a with_o more_o vigour_n and_o cheerfulness_n in_o bear_v affliction_n with_o more_o evenness_n and_o patience_n in_o great_a industry_n justice_n and_o faithfulness_n in_o our_o temporal_a calling_n in_o get_v a_o more_o absolute_a sway_n over_o our_o passion_n and_o reduce_v our_o affection_n to_o farthly_a thing_n to_o a_o more_o equal_a and_o moderate_a temper_n in_o deny_v ourselves_o the_o liberty_n which_o have_v any_o apparent_a temptation_n in_o they_o in_o arm_v ourselves_o against_o the_o insult_n of_o inordinate_a anger_n and_o the_o sudden_a start_n of_o any_o sinful_a inclination_n in_o prune_v off_o the_o undecency_n of_o our_o external_n behaviour_n in_o abate_v the_o freedom_n of_o our_o tongue_n and_o use_v better_o care_n to_o avoid_v all_o appearance_n of_o evil._n herein_o lie_v our_o proficiency_n in_o grace_n and_o virtue_n to_o which_o our_o endeavour_n in_o all_o these_o instance_n be_v strict_o necessary_a if_o we_o aim_v as_o we_o ought_v at_o a_o perfect_a imitation_n of_o our_o great_a example_n and_o to_o grow_v up_o to_o the_o stature_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n i_o be_o next_o to_o show_v 2._o what_o be_v the_o proper_a and_o effectual_a mean_n of_o our_o growth_n in_o grace_n and_o here_o since_o the_o nature_n of_o grace_n and_o holiness_n consist_v in_o a_o conformity_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o will_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o same_o hand_n that_o draw_v the_o first_o lineament_n of_o it_o must_v give_v it_o the_o more_o lively_a and_o finish_v stroke_n before_o it_o come_v to_o perfection_n i_o mean_v that_o the_o work_n of_o grace_n shall_v be_v carry_v on_o by_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n through_o the_o use_n especial_o of_o the_o same_o mean_n by_o which_o we_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n at_o first_o and_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n be_v of_o perpetual_a use_n to_o all_o christian_n and_o the_o same_o duty_n require_v as_o well_o of_o the_o regenerate_v as_o of_o those_o that_o remain_v in_o a_o natural_a state_n 1._o a_o better_a understanding_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o attention_n to_o the_o truth_n reveal_v by_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n the_o usefulness_n of_o this_o mean_n s._n peter_n seem_v to_o recommend_v in_o the_o context_n grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n imply_v that_o a_o great_a measure_n of_o knowledge_n be_v a_o special_a mean_n of_o grow_v in_o other_o grace_n as_o be_v plain_a by_o that_o parallel_n exhortation_n in_o his_o former_a epistle_n desire_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n that_o you_o may_v grow_v thereby_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n the_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o the_o word_n deliver_v without_o any_o deceit_n be_v the_o most_o natural_a food_n for_o the_o new_a creature_n for_o promote_a the_o growth_n of_o it_o and_o make_v it_o every_o way_n strong_a and_o vigorous_a in_o the_o grace_n which_o be_v in_o christ_n jesus_n 2.1_o 2_o tim._n 2.1_o in_o the_o scripture_n we_o have_v a_o lively_a draught_n and_o representation_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n in_o they_o we_o behold_v all_o the_o glorious_a revelation_n of_o god_n sacred_a will_n to_o mankind_n and_o the_o thought_n of_o his_o heart_n from_o eternity_n here_o we_o meet_v with_o the_o kind_a invitation_n to_o the_o mercy_n and_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o merit_n of_o a_o saviour_n with_o the_o most_o admirable_a rule_n for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n the_o most_o excellent_a pattern_n of_o the_o noble_a virtue_n and_o the_o strong_a inducement_n to_o a_o perfect_a imitation_n of_o they_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o redemption_n be_v here_o unveil_v and_o heaven_n as_o it_o be_v throw_v open_a to_o our_o view_n that_o we_o as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v with_o open_a face_n behold_v as_o in_o a_o glass_n 3.18_o 2_o cor._n 3.18_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n may_v be_v change_v into_o the_o same_o image_n from_o glory_n to_o glory_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o frequent_a converse_v with_o the_o scripture_n and_o observe_v the_o tenor_n of_o they_o we_o shall_v not_o only_o attain_v to_o a_o competent_a knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n but_o to_o a_o firm_a and_o rule_v judgement_n and_o be_v thereby_o exempt_v from_o error_n and_o doubtfulness_n which_o be_v none_o of_o the_o least_o impediment_n to_o our_o thrive_a in_o grace_n and_o holiness_n by_o this_o mean_n we_o shall_v be_v continual_o under_o the_o power_n of_o conviction_n the_o sense_n of_o our_o duty_n will_v be_v always_o quick_a and_o urgent_a upon_o our_o mind_n we_o shall_v feel_v the_o great_a motive_n and_o terror_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o eternal_a weight_n of_o glory_n and_o misery_n press_v upon_o our_o hope_n and_o fear_n and_o provoke_v we_o to_o every_o good_a work_n and_o we_o shall_v thence_o be_v furnish_v with_o a_o present_a answer_n to_o all_o temptation_n to_o gratify_v any_o sinful_a lust_n or_o neglect_v the_o opportunity_n of_o secure_v our_o future_a happiness_n so_o that_o by_o make_v the_o scripture_n our_o daily_a study_n and_o meditation_n we_o shall_v neither_o wander_v for_o want_v of_o light_n nor_o be_v at_o a_o stand_n through_o any_o mistrust_n of_o our_o way_n nor_o can_v we_o easy_o fail_v of_o make_v a_o good_a progress_n in_o it_o be_v quicken_v upon_o all_o occasion_n with_o a_o present_a sense_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o encourage_v with_o a_o prospect_n of_o our_o reward_n 2._o regular_n and_o constant_a attendance_n on_o the_o public_a ordinance_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o service_n it_o must_v be_v a_o great_a advantage_n to_o we_o to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o special_a presence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o holy_a assembly_n of_o his_o people_n and_o have_v our_o thought_n sequester_v from_o the_o world_n
these_o advantage_n they_o be_v so_o little_a the_o better_a for_o that_o he_o upbraid_v they_o for_o their_o unparalleled_a infidelity_n and_o hardness_n of_o heart_n represent_v they_o as_o more_o obstinate_a than_o the_o very_a heathen_n about_o they_o more_o averse_a to_o their_o own_o hppiness_n than_o their_o neighbour_n of_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n who_o have_v nothing_o but_o the_o weak_a light_n of_o nature_n to_o guide_v they_o to_o it_o these_o gentile_n have_v no_o prophet_n or_o scripture_n to_o instruct_v they_o no_o miracle_n to_o open_v their_o eye_n no_o promise_n of_o pardon_n or_o eternal_a life_n to_o encourage_v their_o repentance_n and_o yet_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o they_o be_v in_o a_o better_a disposition_n to_o receive_v the_o gospel_n and_o will_v much_o soon_o have_v repent_v at_o the_o sight_n of_o his_o mighty_a work_n than_o the_o galileant_fw-la that_o have_v all_o the_o proper_a mean_n to_o dispose_v and_o incline_v they_o to_o it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a aggravation_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o these_o impenitent_a jew_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o threaten_v here_o denounce_v against_o they_o woe_n unto_o thou_o chorazin_n woe_n unto_o thou_o bethsaida_n for_o if_o the_o mighty_a work_n which_o be_v do_v in_o you_o have_v be_v do_v in_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n they_o have_v repent_v etc._n etc._n though_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o great_a difficulty_n in_o the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n yet_o what_o ever_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o there_o be_v a_o great_a dispute_n among_o interpreter_n about_o it_o viz_o whether_o our_o saviour_n mean_v that_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o miracle_n upon_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n will_v have_v be_v the_o real_a conversion_n of_o those_o city_n or_o whether_o by_o their_o repent_v in_o sackcloth_n and_o ash_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v no_o more_o than_o a_o mere_a external_n or_o counterfeit_n repentance_n that_o the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v in_o several_a respect_n the_o more_o natural_a sense_n as_o will_v sufficient_o appear_v if_o we_o consider_v 1._o the_o scope_n and_o tenor_n of_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n in_o this_o place_n in_o the_o verse_n before_o the_o text_n the_o evangelist_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o then_o begin_v to_o upbraid_v the_o city_n where_o most_o of_o his_o mighty_a work_n be_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o they_o repent_v not_o i._n e._n true_o and_o hearty_o as_o be_v clear_a by_o the_o current_a usage_n of_o the_o original_a word_n in_o scripture_n and_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o genuine_a importance_n of_o it_o beside_o this_o be_v the_o only_a repentance_n which_o christ_n come_v to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o and_o this_o his_o doctrine_n and_o miracle_n be_v apt_a to_o produce_v in_o all_o that_o right_o weigh_v and_o observe_v they_o and_o therefore_o if_o christ_n reprove_v the_o jew_n for_o want_n of_o any_o repentance_n it_o must_v be_v for_o want_n of_o this_o and_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o when_o he_o upbraid_v they_o with_o the_o repentance_n of_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n in_o sackcloth_n and_o ash_n his_o meaning_n must_v be_v that_o they_o will_v have_v prove_v a_o true_a solemn_a and_o unfeigned_a repentance_n for_o where_o be_v otherwise_o the_o upbraid_v which_o the_o evangelist_n speak_v of_o if_o the_o tyrian_n have_v continue_v impenitent_a under_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o view_n of_o the_o mighty_a work_n of_o our_o saviour_n they_o will_v have_v do_v just_a as_o the_o jew_n do_v and_o if_o they_o have_v make_v a_o show_n of_o repent_v when_o they_o do_v not_o put_v sackcloth_n upon_o their_o loin_n and_o ash_n upon_o their_o head_n when_o their_o heart_n be_v as_o hard_o and_o their_o lust_n be_v as_o rampant_a as_o ever_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a christ_n will_v never_o have_v call_v this_o repentance_n which_o be_v all_o over_o hypocrisy_n nor_o can_v this_o be_v any_o reproach_n to_o the_o jew_n to_o hear_v that_o other_o nation_n have_v they_o be_v in_o their_o circumstance_n will_v have_v prove_v as_o wicked_a or_o worse_o than_o they_o no_o man_n think_v it_o any_o shame_n to_o he_o to_o be_v tell_v that_o other_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o bad_a and_o vicious_a as_o himself_o this_o be_v not_o to_o aggravate_v and_o upbraid_v but_o rather_o to_o stroke_n and_o extenuate_v his_o crime_n by_o show_v the_o commonness_n of_o they_o and_o the_o great_a aptitude_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o fall_v into_o they_o brief_o our_o saviour_n say_v to_o the_o man_n of_o galilee_n that_o it_o will_v be_v more_o tolerable_a for_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n than_o for_o they_o plain_o refer_v to_o the_o good_a disposition_n of_o those_o city_n to_o repent_v of_o their_o lewdness_n and_o idolatry_n and_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v 2._o that_o the_o conversion_n of_o these_o very_a nation_n begin_v sudden_o after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o visit_n st._n paul_n make_v to_o the_o disciple_n of_o tyre_n and_o sidon_n 5.27.3_o act_n 21.3_o 4_o 5.27.3_o shall_v we_o question_v now_o whether_o these_o be_v true_a penitent_n and_o disciple_n or_o not_o if_o not_o why_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o christ_n own_o preach_v and_o miracle_n may_v not_o have_v wrought_v the_o same_o bless_a effect_n upon_o they_o which_o his_o apostle_n do_v or_o what_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o repentance_n at_o any_o time_n when_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v tender_v with_o the_o same_o advantage_n to_o they_o especial_o since_o christ_n himself_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o will_v have_v repent_v long_o ago_o in_o sackcloth_n and_o ash_n than_o which_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o find_v a_o more_o proper_a expression_n to_o signify_v at_o once_o a_o very_a solemn_a and_o serious_a repentance_n from_o the_o word_n thus_o explain_v we_o may_v observe_v one_a obser_n that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o afford_v better_a mean_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n to_o some_o person_n and_o nation_n than_o to_o other_o 2d_o obser_n that_o the_o same_o mean_n which_o be_v unprofitable_a to_o some_o man_n will_v sure_o have_v be_v effectual_a to_o the_o reformation_n of_o other_o if_o they_o have_v enjoy_v they_o 3d._a obser_n that_o the_o final_a condition_n of_o those_o that_o reject_v the_o gospel_n and_o continue_v impenitent_a under_o the_o ministration_n of_o it_o will_v be_v more_o grievous_a and_o intolerable_a than_o they_o that_o be_v never_o call_v to_o repentance_n by_o it_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o these_o viz._n 1._o that_o god_n be_v please_v to_o afford_v better_a mean_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n to_o some_o person_n and_o nation_n than_o to_o oother_n in_o speak_v to_o this_o truth_n i_o shall_v 1._o clear_v it_o by_o some_o undeniable_a instance_n and_o 2._o endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v the_o equity_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o reference_n to_o this_o particular_a dispensation_n of_o it_o 1._o for_o the_o first_o that_o god_n afford_v better_a mean_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n to_o some_o person_n and_o nation_n than_o to_o other_o be_v clear_a to_o all_o that_o understand_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o state_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n when_o god_n begin_v to_o distinguish_v his_o own_o people_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n he_o give_v they_o better_a mean_n to_o improve_v and_o secure_v his_o favour_n than_o the_o rest_n enjoy_v he_o do_v not_o leave_v they_o mere_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o natural_a light_n as_o he_o leave_v the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n but_o reveal_v himself_o to_o they_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o angel_n and_o prophet_n by_o vision_n and_o voice_n from_o heaven_n he_o write_v down_o the_o great_a rule_n of_o their_o obedience_n to_o he_o with_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o encourage_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o by_o special_a and_o ample_a promise_n when_o god_n choose_v the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n at_o first_o for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n he_o make_v a_o express_a covenant_n with_o he_o to_o distinguish_v his_o seed_n by_o spiritual_a blessing_n from_o all_o the_o kindred_n of_o the_o earth_n while_o all_o the_o world_n about_o he_o live_v in_o ignorance_n and_o idolatry_n worship_v the_o god_n which_o their_o own_o fear_n and_o fancy_n have_v make_v abraham_n have_v the_o privilege_n to_o converse_v with_o god_n and_o to_o behold_v the_o day_n of_o christ_n afar_o off_o 18.19_o gen._n 18.19_o he_o be_v teach_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o teach_v his_o child_n to_o walk_v in_o the_o same_o path_n to_o do_v justice_n and_o judgement_n that_o god_n may_v bring_v upon_o abraham_n the_o great_a thing_n which_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o he_o and_o according_o he_o do_v so_o he_o give_v
and_o we_o all_o pretend_v to_o know_v it_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o our_o memory_n be_v short_a too_o and_o that_o our_o fondness_n of_o this_o world_n be_v such_o that_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o forget_v where_o we_o be_v upon_o what_o term_n we_o be_v here_o how_o sudden_o we_o must_v remove_v and_o what_o be_v requisite_a to_o procure_v we_o a_o safe_a and_o easy_a passage_n into_o that_o eternal_a world_n where_o we_o must_v dwell_v in_o perfect_a bliss_n or_o anguish_n for_o ever_o we_o be_v so_o much_o enamour_a with_o this_o present_a world_n that_o like_o passionate_a lover_n we_o seem_v not_o to_o remember_v what_o we_o say_v or_o do_v while_o we_o be_v converse_v with_o it_o it_o fetter_n our_o memory_n while_o it_o captivate_v our_o affection_n and_o while_o it_o subdue_v our_o heart_n it_o bereave_v we_o of_o the_o best_a use_n of_o our_o reason_n which_o certain_o be_v to_o set_v our_o affection_n on_o thing_n above_o where_o we_o hope_v ever_o long_o to_o be_v and_o 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mighty_o help_v to_o quicken_v our_o devotion_n and_o inflame_v our_o affection_n to_o heavenly_a thing_n it_o will_v thereby_o prevent_v a_o world_n of_o sin_n and_o folly_n it_o will_v excite_v we_o to_o hasten_v our_o repentance_n to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o our_o little_a life_n and_o improve_v all_o advantage_n we_o hold_v by_o it_o for_o a_o bless_a eternity_n and_o for_o these_o reason_n the_o scripture_n often_o recommend_v this_o serious_a meditation_n to_o we_o and_o to_o keep_v it_o fresh_a in_o our_o memory_n present_v we_o with_o great_a variety_n of_o affect_v emblem_n and_o lively_a representation_n of_o the_o shortness_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o humane_a life_n such_o as_o be_v most_o obvious_a to_o our_o sense_n and_o apt_a to_o raise_v a_o new_a passion_n in_o our_o mind_n every_o time_n we_o think_v of_o they_o for_o instance_n 1._o our_o life_n be_v compare_v in_o scripture_n to_o thing_n of_o the_o most_o transitory_a and_o fade_a nature_n st._n james_n call_v it_o a_o vapour_n that_o appear_v for_o a_o little_a time_n and_o then_o vanish_v away_o such_o be_v the_o life_n of_o mortal_a man_n even_o the_o great_a and_o gallant_a of_o they_o it_o be_v up_o &_o down_o in_o a_o moment_n it_o be_v a_o vapour_n very_o often_o in_o the_o civil_a as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o natural_a sense_n and_o common_o the_o great_a ostentation_n it_o make_v the_o soon_o it_o disappear_v and_o be_v go_v and_o the_o eye_n that_o see_v it_o see_v it_o not_o more_o and_o on_o the_o same_o account_v it_o be_v compare_v to_o a_o shadow_n 1_o chron._n 29.15_o and_o to_o the_o grass_n and_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n for_o its_o weak_a and_o fade_a nature_n psalm_n 103.15_o 16._o verse_n as_o for_o man_n his_o day_n be_v as_o grass_n as_o a_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n so_o he_o flourish_v for_o the_o wind_n pass_v over_o it_o and_o it_o be_v go_v and_o the_o place_n thereof_o shall_v know_v it_o no_o more_o so_o job_n 14.1_o 2._o man_n that_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o woman_n be_v of_o few_o day_n and_o full_a of_o trouble_n he_o come_v forth_o like_o a_o flower_n and_o be_v cut_v down_o he_o flee_v also_o as_o a_o shadow_n and_o continue_v not_o 2._o the_o shortness_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v represent_v by_o thing_n that_o be_v small_a in_o number_n and_o extension_n in_o their_o kind_n thus_o the_o day_n of_o man_n be_v say_v to_o be_v like_o the_o day_n of_o a_o hireling_n 7.1_o job_n 7.1_o which_o be_v few_o and_o precarious_a in_o comparison_n of_o those_o which_o the_o child_n of_o the_o family_n enjoy_v in_o their_o father_n house_n as_o our_o saviour_n himself_o observe_v 8.35_o john_n 8.35_o the_o servant_n abide_v not_o in_o the_o house_n for_o ever_o but_o the_o son_n abide_v for_o ever_o and_o so_o the_o psalmist_n measure_v the_o life_n of_o man_n by_o the_o breadth_n of_o his_o hand_n which_o bear_v no_o proportion_n to_o the_o vast_a circumference_n of_o the_o earth_n or_o heaven_n behold_v say_v he_o thou_o have_v make_v my_o day_n 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the_o shortness_n and_o instability_n of_o our_o life_n shall_v teach_v we_o to_o moderate_v our_o care_n about_o earthly_a thing_n and_o submit_v all_o our_o design_n and_o purpose_n to_o god_n good_a pleasure_n and_o providence_n over_o we_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a absurdity_n which_o the_o overbusy_a and_o design_v man_n of_o this_o world_n be_v guilty_a of_o that_o they_o love_v it_o better_o than_o their_o life_n though_o all_o their_o enjoyment_n of_o it_o depend_v upon_o they_o they_o complain_v that_o their_o life_n be_v short_a and_o yet_o sell_v they_o very_o cheap_a to_o purchase_v a_o little_a estate_n or_o honour_n and_o wear_v they_o out_o much_o fast_a than_o they_o need_v to_o do_v by_o immoderate_a toyal_a and_o labour_n only_o to_o have_v a_o name_n for_o leave_v something_o behind_o they_o to_o die_v rich_a they_o kill_v themselves_o with_o pierce_v and_o vexatious_a care_n and_o have_v hardly_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o fool_n in_o the_o gospel_n to_o ease_v and_o 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to_o say_v if_o the_o lord_n will_v we_o shall_v live_v and_o do_v this_o or_o that_o since_o your_o project_n depend_v upon_o your_o life_n and_o your_o life_n upon_o god_n you_o will_v do_v well_o to_o take_v he_o into_o your_o counsel_n and_o propose_v none_o but_o reasonable_a and_o moderate_a thing_n always_o submit_v yourselves_o and_o they_o to_o his_o wisdom_n and_o conduct_n to_o leave_v future_a time_n and_o event_n to_o god_n overrule_a providence_n to_o do_v your_o present_a duty_n and_o not_o interest_n yourselves_o in_o the_o world_n any_o far_a than_o you_o may_v be_v serviceable_a to_o it_o 5._o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o shortness_n of_o our_o life_n and_o the_o great_a instability_n of_o they_o shall_v engage_v the_o young_a of_o we_o to_o begin_v they_o well_o and_o to_o use_v all_o the_o care_n and_o frugality_n that_o they_o can_v in_o the_o spend_n of_o they_o lest_o they_o shall_v not_o hold_v out_o for_o the_o great_a purpose_n of_o live_v while_o we_o 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and_o important_a work_n of_o your_o life_n to_o the_o best_a advantage_n you_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o escape_v two_o mighty_a hazard_n by_o it_o viz._n the_o danger_n of_o die_v young_a which_o be_v over_o when_o you_o be_v fit_v for_o heaven_n by_o a_o early_a piety_n and_o that_o of_o defer_v your_o repentance_n till_o you_o be_v old_a or_o you_o know_v not_o when_o which_o seldom_o come_v to_o any_o thing_n or_o at_o most_o but_o to_o a_o deep_a and_o pierce_a sorrow_n that_o you_o do_v not_o repent_v soon_o when_o you_o have_v life_n and_o quickness_n of_o thought_n opportunity_n and_o ability_n of_o serve_v god_n and_o lay_v a_o good_a and_o last_a foundation_n for_o eternal_a life_n and_o then_o by_o consecrate_v your_o green_a and_o bloom_a year_n to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n you_o will_v have_v the_o advantage_n of_o make_v the_o most_o of_o a_o short_a life_n you_o will_v soon_o find_v the_o way_n of_o religion_n pleasant_a and_o the_o pleasantness_n of_o they_o will_v 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