produce_v a_o 4_o the_o and_o which_o be_v the_o last_o cause_n i_o shall_v now_o mention_v of_o that_o incogitancy_n i_o be_o here_o complain_v of_o viz._n that_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o procrastinate_v this_o great_a affair_n they_o resolve_v they_o will_v one_o time_n or_o other_o consider_v but_o never_o hearty_o and_o effectual_o do_v so_o this_o be_v certain_o a_o very_a great_a and_o yet_o i_o fear_v a_o very_a general_a fault_n and_o such_o as_o perhaps_o have_v ruin_v more_o soul_n than_o any_o one_o thing_n again_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n total_o to_o silence_n conscience_n and_o stifle_v all_o the_o thought_n of_o piety_n and_o religion_n but_o our_o unhappiness_n be_v that_o when_o we_o be_v thus_o put_v in_o mind_n of_o our_o duty_n we_o either_o content_v ourselves_o with_o some_o very_a slight_a and_o superficial_a consideration_n of_o it_o or_o else_o we_o put_v off_o our_o conscience_n as_o felix_n do_v st._n paul_n to_o a_o more_o 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lessen_v practice_n nay_o rather_o do_v not_o very_o much_o serve_v to_o help_v and_o promote_v it_o be_v false_a and_o imperfect_a and_o if_o he_o stop_v there_o will_v certain_o deceive_v and_o ruin_v he_o in_o the_o end_n 2._o for_o the_o other_o part_n of_o our_o consideration_n ourselves_o two_o thing_n there_o be_v on_o which_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o must_v chief_o terminate_v viz._n 1._o what_o our_o state_n be_v with_o reference_n to_o what_o be_v past_a 2._o how_o to_o govern_v ourselves_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v it_o will_v require_v some_o long_a time_n than_o i_o may_v presume_v to_o allow_v to_o this_o discourse_n but_o bare_o to_o enumerate_v the_o several_a rule_n and_o caution_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o do_n of_o this_o with_o what_o care_n and_o diligence_n with_o what_o exactness_n and_o particularity_n in_o a_o word_n with_o what_o piety_n and_o sincerity_n we_o must_v proceed_v in_o all_o this_o and_o search_v into_o the_o real_a ground_n we_o 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and_o when_o he_o have_v say_v these_o thing_n he_o cry_v he_o that_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v in_o which_o parable_n our_o bless_a saviour_n set_v forth_o to_o we_o the_o different_a success_n which_o his_o gospel_n then_o do_v and_o will_v ever_o after_o be_v likely_a to_o meet_v with_o according_a to_o the_o different_a disposition_n of_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v preach_v it_o be_v indeed_o a_o uncomfortable_a reflection_n and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v say_v one_o of_o the_o great_a discouragement_n we_o labour_v under_o in_o the_o discharge_n of_o our_o ministry_n to_o consider_v how_o very_a little_a benefit_n for_o the_o most_o part_n all_o our_o endeavour_n have_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o to_o who_o we_o declare_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ._n that_o after_o all_o we_o can_v do_v 11_o either_o by_o the_o goodness_n or_o terror_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o persuade_v man_n yet_o scarce_o a_o four_o part_n bring_v any_o fruit_n at_o all_o to_o perfection_n 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which_o god_n require_v of_o we_o or_o exhortation_n to_o fulfil_v it_o or_o else_o to_o show_v the_o danger_n and_o baseness_n of_o those_o â—_z that_o most_o usual_o draw_v man_n aside_o from_o it_o now_o all_o these_o natural_o imply_v a_o obligation_n on_o the_o part_n of_o those_o that_o hear_v we_o to_o do_v somewhat_o in_o pursuance_n of_o these_o instruction_n either_o to_o fulfil_v this_o duty_n or_o to_o fly_v those_o sin_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o it_o or_o to_o watch_v and_o arm_v themselves_o against_o those_o temptation_n which_o they_o be_v forewarn_v will_v otherwise_o be_v apt_a to_o seduce_v they_o from_o it_o and_o if_o they_o neglect_v to_o do_v this_o they_o will_v be_v much_o more_o inexcusable_a than_o if_o they_o have_v never_o be_v instruct_v by_o we_o what_o our_o saviour_n once_o say_v of_o the_o jew_n with_o reference_n to_o his_o preach_v will_v be_v find_v as_o true_a now_o with_o respect_n to_o we_o if_o i_o have_v not_o come_v and_o speak_v unto_o 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the_o morning_n and_o our_o righteousness_n as_o the_o noonday_n god_n shall_v come_v and_o shall_v not_o keep_v silence_n 3._o he_o shall_v save_v we_o from_o our_o enemy_n and_o put_v they_o to_o shame_v that_o hate_n we_o 7_o he_o shall_v arise_v 1_o and_o all_o our_o adversary_n shall_v be_v scatter_v they_o also_o that_o hate_v we_o shall_v flee_v before_o we_o 2._o like_a as_o the_o smoke_n vanish_v so_o shall_v we_o drive_v they_o away_o 16_o terror_n and_o dread_n shall_v fall_v upon_o they_o thus_o shall_v all_o our_o mourn_a be_v turn_v into_o laughter_n and_o our_o heaviness_n into_o joy_n and_o we_o shall_v yet_o sing_v the_o song_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o lamb_n when_o he_o shall_v have_v give_v we_o rest_n from_o all_o our_o enemy_n round_o about_o we_o salvation_n and_o glory_n and_o power_n and_o praise_v and_o thanksgiving_n be_v to_o he_o that_o sit_v upon_o the_o throne_n and_o to_o the_o lamb_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o amen_n of_o contend_v earnest_o for_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o mercers-chapel_n january_n 8._o 1687_o 8._o judas_n iii._o belove_a when_o i_o give_v all_o diligence_n to_o write_v unto_o you_o of_o the_o common_a salvation_n it_o be_v needful_a for_o i_o to_o write_v unto_o you_o and_o exhort_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v earnest_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n it_o be_v general_o agree_v by_o learned_a man_n that_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v by_o st._n judas_n upon_o the_o same_o occasion_n and_o to_o the_o same_o person_n to_o who_o st._n peter_n have_v not_o long_o before_o address_v his_o second_o who_o thought_n he_o pursue_v and_o who_o very_a word_n he_o seem_v in_o some_o place_n to_o have_v transcribe_v and_o the_o subject_a and_o design_n of_o both_o we_o have_v here_o express_v to_o we_o in_o the_o word_n of_o my_o text_n viz._n to_o exhort_v the_o christian_n disperse_v abroad_o among_o the_o 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to_o write_v unto_o they_o but_o even_o necessary_a for_o he_o so_o to_o do_v and_o to_o exhort_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o strive_v with_o all_o their_o might_n and_o as_o our_o translation_n have_v very_o well_o render_v it_o to_o contend_v earnest_o for_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n for_o the_o due_a prosecution_n of_o which_o word_n as_o they_o lie_v before_o we_o in_o the_o context_n i_o shall_v consider_v these_o four_o thing_n i._o what_o that_o faith_n be_v which_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v they_o to_o contend_v for_o ii_o how_o they_o be_v to_o contend_v for_o it_o iii_o the_o great_a reason_n they_o have_v at_o that_o time_n more_o especial_o so_o to_o do_v iv._o by_o what_o mean_v he_o advise_v they_o to_o contend_v for_o it_o that_o so_o they_o may_v secure_v their_o faith_n in_o those_o dangerous_a time_n i._o what_o that_o faith_n be_v which_o the_o apostle_n here_o exhort_v they_o to_o contend_v for_o now_o this_o the_o character_n here_o give_v of_o it_o in_o our_o text_n will_v clear_o show_v it_o be_v the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n that_o faith_n which_o the_o holy_a apostle_n have_v once_o for_o all_o instruct_v they_o in_o and_o which_o therefore_o both_o they_o and_o all_o succeed_a age_n in_o the_o church_n be_v both_o faithful_o to_o retain_v and_o earnest_o to_o contend_v for_o for_o ever_o so_o that_o here_o then_o we_o have_v a_o plain_a account_n what_o the_o true_a christian_a faith_n we_o be_v to_o profess_v be_v and_o where_o we_o be_v to_o seek_v it_o it_o be_v not_o the_o faith_n of_o this_o or_o that_o church_n or_o party_n it_o be_v not_o the_o faith_n of_o this_o or_o that_o country_n or_o century_n let_v man_n and_o time_n make_v what_o change_n and_o alteration_n they_o please_v in_o it_o the_o faith_n that_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n be_v what_o we_o be_v to_o contend_v for_o not_o for_o any_o invention_n or_o addition_n of_o man_n that_o have_v since_o be_v bring_v into_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o tell_v you_o whither_o you_o be_v to_o go_v for_o this_o faith_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n by_o provide_v we_o a_o rule_n of_o it_o and_o assist_v and_o direct_v those_o holy_a man_n who_o first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o saint_n that_o then_o live_v to_o send_v it_o down_o in_o write_v to_o all_o the_o other_o disciple_n that_o be_v to_o follow_v after_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n have_v sufficient_o direct_v we_o both_o whither_o we_o be_v to_o go_v for_o it_o and_o indeed_o where_o it_o be_v that_o we_o can_v alone_o be_v sure_a to_o find_v it_o and_o however_o interest_n have_v make_v some_o of_o late_a the_o better_a to_o defend_v their_o error_n and_o to_o maintain_v a_o usurp_a authority_n over_o man_n conscience_n to_o pretend_v to_o some_o other_o direction_n yet_o since_o it_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v write_v for_o that_o very_a purpose_n that_o they_o 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this_o be_v a_o cause_n which_o man_n do_v not_o indeed_o care_v so_o open_o to_o profess_v but_o yet_o such_o a_o one_o as_o their_o action_n oftentimes_o do_v but_o too_o plain_o point_v out_o to_o we_o and_o i_o wish_v that_o even_o this_o be_v all_o and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o some_o in_o the_o world_n who_o very_a principle_n seem_v to_o lead_v they_o into_o such_o a_o opinion_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o christianity_n and_o so_o fatal_o ruinous_a to_o their_o own_o eternal_a salvation_n for_o 1_o sy_n not_o to_o say_v any_o thing_n now_o to_o those_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o world_n who_o laugh_v at_o all_o our_o discourse_n of_o another_o life_n after_o this_o and_o of_o a_o account_n to_o be_v give_v of_o all_o our_o action_n before_o a_o divine_a tribunal_n but_o to_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o conviction_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n which_o speak_v loud_o to_o they_o this_o great_a truth_n and_o make_v they_o with_o felix_n still_o fear_v what_o they_o pretend_v not_o to_o believe_v what_o shall_v we_o say_v to_o a_o more_o refine_a sort_n of_o disputant_n who_o acknowledge_v a_o future_a judgement_n and_o a_o eternal_a reward_n for_o those_o that_o do_v well_o yet_o extinguish_v ibid._n in_o great_a measure_n all_o the_o flame_n of_o hell-fire_n and_o allow_v of_o little_a or_o no_o danger_n for_o those_o that_o do_v ill_a they_o suppose_v that_o the_o worst_a that_o can_v happen_v to_o they_o if_o they_o shall_v chance_v to_o be_v overtake_v in_o their_o sin_n be_v but_o to_o lose_v their_o portion_n in_o the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n and_o be_v for_o ever_o annihilate_v the_o only_a danger_n that_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v they_o attend_v the_o great_a sinner_n in_o the_o other_o world_n but_o yet_o still_o methinks_v since_o they_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o heaven_n and_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o enjoyment_n of_o honour_n and_o glory_n there_o to_o all_o eternity_n for_o those_o who_o at_o that_o day_n shall_v be_v find_v worthy_a of_o it_o even_o this_o shall_v be_v enough_o to_o make_v they_o think_v it_o worth_a their_o while_n to_o endeavour_v to_o procure_v themselves_o a_o share_n in_o so_o much_o happiness_n and_o however_o they_o suppose_v that_o the_o everlasting_a punishment_n which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n threaten_v sinner_n with_o shall_v be_v only_o a_o eternal_a annihilation_n yet_o since_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o same_o scripture_n speak_v very_o dreadful_a thing_n of_o it_o and_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v etc._n but_o that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n have_v and_o do_v believe_v that_o the_o wicked_a shall_v not_o cease_v to_o be_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a for_o ever_o continue_v in_o a_o state_n of_o misery_n which_o neither_o any_o tongue_n can_v express_v nor_o any_o thought_n conceive_v and_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o be_v many_o passage_n in_o the_o sacred_a writ_n that_o seem_v very_o much_o to_o favour_v this_o apprehension_n indeed_o that_o can_v without_o violence_n be_v detort_v to_o any_o other_o signification_n it_o must_v certain_o be_v the_o wise_a course_n not_o to_o be_v too_o secure_a in_o their_o own_o sense_n but_o whether_o they_o believe_v the_o torment_n of_o the_o damn_a to_o be_v eternal_a or_o no_o yet_o certain_o to_o live_v so_o as_o if_o they_o make_v not_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o it_o 2._o but_o second_o another_o sort_n of_o man_n there_o be_v who_o by_o their_o mistake_a notion_n of_o christianity_n have_v very_o much_o contribute_v to_o lessen_v their_o opinion_n concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o repentance_n that_o i_o do_v not_o say_v have_v utter_o corrupt_v the_o very_a nature_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o i_o mean_v the_o casuist_n and_o confessor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o be_v a_o point_n common_o dispute_v among_o these_o man_n what_o the_o precise_a time_n be_v in_o which_o man_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n to_o repent_v there_o have_v be_v some_o of_o they_o indeed_o so_o severe_a as_o to_o think_v that_o a_o man_n ought_v to_o repent_v on_o all_o the_o great_a scotus_n festival_n of_o the_o church_n other_o 2._o think_v that_o it_o be_v enough_o if_o a_o man_n do_v it_o against_o easter_n but_o the_o common_a opinion_n be_v that_o this_o be_v only_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o external_a and_o ritual_a repentance_n of_o the_o church_n which_o consist_v in_o confess_v and_o receive_v the_o holy_a sacrament_n but_o that_o for_o the_o true_a inward_a repentance_n below_o the_o precise_a time_n in_o which_o the_o sinner_n be_v bind_v by_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n to_o be_v contrite_a for_o his_o sin_n be_v the_o imminent_a article_n of_o a_o natural_a or_o violent_a death_n insomuch_o that_o some_o of_o they_o doubt_v not_o to_o say_v that_o even_o for_o a_o man_n to_o resolve_v to_o defer_v his_o repentance_n and_o refuse_v to_o repent_v for_o a_o certain_a time_n be_v but_o a_o 2._o venial_a sin_n nay_o and_o other_o think_v anno._n no_o sin_n at_o all_o and_o these_o man_n to_o be_v sure_a in_o express_a term_n take_v away_o the_o necessity_n of_o present_a repentance_n but_o this_o be_v not_o yet_o all_o for_o when_o they_o do_v come_v to_o the_o time_n that_o they_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n even_o than_o they_o find_v out_o so_o many_o other_o artifices_fw-la to_o elude_v the_o sincere_a performance_n of_o it_o that_o they_o who_o do_v all_o which_o they_o require_v of_o they_o yet_o do_v not_o in_o effect_n true_o repent_v what_o else_o can_v we_o make_v of_o the_o allow_v practice_n of_o that_o church_n upon_o confession_n of_o sin_n and_o a_o imperfect_a contrition_n for_o they_o to_o admit_v they_o to_o absolution_n and_o so_o in_o effect_n make_v the_o whole_a of_o this_o duty_n to_o amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o a_o little_a sorrow_n for_o sin_n 781._o and_o a_o resolution_n to_o forsake_v it_o though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o do_v it_o that_o it_o may_v be_v they_o do_v not_o themselves_o believe_v that_o ever_o they_o shall_v make_v good_a such_o their_o resolution_n and_o that_o too_o though_o they_o have_v neither_o any_o love_n of_o god_n in_o their_o heart_n etc._n nor_o otherwise_o hate_v their_o sin_n than_o they_o be_v afraid_a of_o be_v damn_v for_o they_o i_o need_v not_o say_v how_o many_o other_o device_n these_o man_n have_v find_v out_o to_o free_v themselves_o from_o the_o trouble_n of_o a_o true_a repentance_n by_o pardon_n and_o indulgence_n by_o mass_n and_o prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a by_o consecrate_a garment_n and_o privilege_v fraternity_n and_o the_o end_n of_o all_o which_o be_v what_o i_o be_o now_o compla_v of_o to_o make_v man_n careless_a and_o negligent_a in_o the_o discharge_n of_o that_o piety_n that_o god_n require_v of_o they_o and_o of_o that_o repentance_n which_o alone_o can_v obtain_v a_o effectual_a forgiveness_n of_o their_o sin_n but_o these_o be_v not_o yet_o all_o who_o by_o their_o mistake_a notion_n of_o some_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n have_v be_v but_o too_o much_o encourage_v to_o neglect_v the_o practice_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n other_o there_o be_v 3_o dly_z and_o those_o of_o a_o more_o near_o concern_v to_o we_o than_o either_o of_o the_o forego_n who_o principle_n seem_v without_o great_a care_n but_o too_o natural_o to_o tend_v to_o the_o same_o neglect_n such_o be_v the_o great_a assertor_n of_o salvation_n by_o faith_n alone_o without_o work_n of_o god_n eternal_a predestination_n and_o in_o consequence_n thereof_o man_n absolute_a election_n or_o reprobation_n of_o the_o slavery_n of_o the_o will_n and_o its_o incapacity_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n as_o to_o the_o business_n of_o our_o future_a state_n without_o that_o special_a grace_n of_o god_n which_o if_o man_n have_v than_o they_o must_v needs_o do_v well_o and_o without_o it_o can_v but_o do_v ill_a and_o which_o god_n do_v not_o afford_v 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