foundation_n than_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o its_o precept_n do_v build_v his_o house_n upon_o the_o sand_n which_o when_o it_o come_v to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o rain_n and_o the_o wind_n will_v fall_v and_o the_o fall_n of_o it_o will_v be_v great_a and_o elsewhere_o if_o you_o know_v these_o thing_n 17._o happy_a be_v you_o if_o you_o do_v they_o and_o he_o do_v very_o severe_o check_v the_o vain_a confidence_n and_o presumption_n of_o those_o who_o will_v needs_o rely_v upon_o he_o for_o salvation_n without_o keep_v his_o commandment_n why_o call_v you_o i_o 6.46_o say_z he_o lord_n lord_n and_o do_v not_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o say_v do_v any_o man_n think_v that_o he_o can_v be_v save_v without_o love_a god_n and_o christ_n and_o this_o say_v st._n john_n be_v the_o love_n of_o god_n 5.3_o that_o we_o keep_v his_o commandment_n and_o again_o 2.4_o he_o that_o say_v i_o know_v he_o and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n he_o that_o say_v i_o love_v 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into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v he_o concern_v the_o term_n of_o this_o happiness_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o attain_v it_o by_o who_o favour_n and_o bounty_n alone_o we_o hope_v to_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o it_o and_o if_o god_n have_v not_o say_v it_o in_o his_o word_n yet_o the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n do_v plain_o declare_v it_o for_o religion_n be_v not_o only_o a_o condition_n of_o our_o happiness_n but_o a_o necessary_a qualification_n and_o disposition_n for_o it_o we_o must_v be_v like_a to_o god_n in_o the_o temper_n of_o our_o mind_n before_o we_o can_v find_v any_o felicity_n in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o man_n must_v be_v purge_v from_o their_o lust_n and_o from_o those_o ill-natured_a and_o devilish_a passion_n of_o malice_n and_o envy_n and_o revenge_n before_o they_o can_v be_v fit_a company_n for_o their_o heavenly_a father_n and_o meet_v to_o dwell_v with_o he_o who_o be_v love_n and_o dwell_v in_o 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that_o god_n may_v be_v justify_v in_o his_o say_n and_o appear_v righteous_a when_o he_o judge_v and_o second_o because_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o threaten_n of_o god_n in_o their_o utmost_a extent_n be_v of_o so_o great_a moment_n to_o a_o good_a life_n and_o so_o great_a a_o discouragement_n to_o sin_n for_o the_o sting_n of_o sin_n be_v the_o terror_n of_o eternal_a punishment_n and_o if_o man_n be_v once_o set_v free_a from_o the_o fear_n and_o belief_n of_o this_o the_o most_o powerful_a restraint_n from_o sin_n will_v be_v take_v away_o so_o that_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o eternal_a punishment_n of_o wicked_a man_n in_o another_o world_n be_v plain_o threaten_v in_o scripture_n second_o that_o this_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a either_o with_o the_o justice_n or_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n first_o that_o the_o eternal_a punishment_n of_o wicked_a man_n in_o another_o world_n be_v 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instance_n allege_v to_o this_o purpose_n but_o then_o second_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o these_o word_n be_v often_o in_o scripture_n use_v in_o a_o large_a sense_n and_o so_o as_o necessary_o to_o signify_v a_o interminable_a and_o endless_a duration_n as_o where_o eternity_n be_v attribute_v to_o god_n and_o he_o be_v say_v to_o live_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o and_o where_o eternal_a happiness_n in_o another_o world_n be_v promise_v to_o good_a man_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v for_o ever_o with_o the_o lord_n now_o the_o very_a same_o word_n and_o expression_n be_v use_v concern_v the_o punishment_n of_o wicked_a man_n in_o another_o life_n and_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v understand_v they_o in_o the_o same_o extent_n both_o because_o if_o god_n have_v intend_v to_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o punishment_n of_o wicked_a man_n shall_v have_v no_o end_n the_o language_n wherein_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v do_v hardly_o afford_v full_a and_o more_o certain_a word_n than_o those_o that_o be_v use_v in_o this_o case_n whereby_o to_o express_v to_o we_o a_o duration_n without_o end_n and_o likewise_o which_o be_v almost_o a_o peremptory_a decision_n of_o the_o thing_n because_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o punishment_n of_o wicked_a man_n be_v in_o the_o very_a same_o sentence_n express_v by_o the_o very_a same_o word_n which_o be_v use_v for_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o righteous_a as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o text_n these_o speak_v of_o the_o wicked_a shall_v go_v away_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d into_o eternal_a punishment_n but_o the_o righteous_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d into_o life_n eternal_a i_o proceed_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n i_o propose_v namely_o to_o show_v that_o this_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a either_o with_o the_o justice_n or_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n for_o in_o this_o the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n lie_v and_o it_o have_v be_v attempt_v to_o be_v answer_v several_a way_n none_o of_o which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o give_v clear_a and_o full_a satisfaction_n to_o it_o first_o it_o be_v say_v by_o some_o that_o because_o sin_n be_v infinite_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o object_n against_o who_o it_o be_v commit_v which_o be_v god_n therefore_o it_o deserve_v a_o infinite_a punishment_n but_o this_o i_o doubt_v will_n upon_o examination_n be_v find_v to_o have_v more_o of_o subtlety_n than_o of_o solidity_n in_o it_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o person_n against_o who_o any_o offence_n be_v commit_v be_v a_o great_a aggravation_n of_o the_o fault_n for_o which_o reason_n all_o offence_n against_o god_n be_v certain_o the_o great_a of_o all_o other_o but_o that_o crime_n shall_v hereby_o be_v heighten_v to_o a_o infinite_a degree_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v admit_v and_o that_o for_o this_o plain_a reason_n because_o then_o the_o evil_a and_o demerit_n of_o all_o sin_n must_v necessary_o be_v equal_a for_o the_o demerit_n of_o no_o sin_n can_v be_v more_o than_o infinite_a and_o if_o the_o demerit_n of_o all_o sin_n be_v equal_a there_o can_v then_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o the_o degree_n of_o punishment_n in_o another_o world_n but_o to_o deny_v that_o there_o be_v degree_n of_o punishment_n there_o be_v not_o only_o contrary_a to_o reason_n but_o to_o our_o saviour_n express_a assertion_n that_o some_o shall_v be_v beat_v with_o many_o stripe_n and_o some_o with_o few_o and_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v more_o tolerable_a for_o some_o in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n than_o for_o other_o beside_o that_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o least_o sin_n that_o be_v commit_v against_o god_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v infinite_a because_o of_o its_o object_n the_o least_o punishment_n that_o be_v inflict_v by_o god_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v infinite_a because_o of_o its_o author_n and_o then_o all_o punishment_n from_o god_n as_o well_o as_o all_o sin_n against_o he_o will_v be_v equal_a which_o be_v palpable_o absurd_a so_o that_o this_o answer_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n sufficient_a to_o break_v the_o force_n of_o this_o objection_n second_o it_o be_v say_v by_o other_o that_o if_o wicked_a man_n live_v for_o ever_o in_o this_o world_n they_o will_v sin_v for_o ever_o and_o therefore_o they_o deserve_v to_o be_v punish_v for_o ever_o but_o this_o have_v neither_o truth_n nor_o reason_n enough_o in_o it_o to_o give_v satisfaction_n for_o who_o can_v certain_o tell_v that_o if_o a_o man_n live_v never_o so_o long_o he_o will_v never_o repent_v and_o grow_v better_o beside_o that_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n do_v only_o punish_v the_o sin_n which_o man_n have_v commit_v in_o this_o life_n and_o not_o those_o which_o they_o may_v possible_o have_v commit_v if_o they_o have_v live_v long_a three_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o last_o place_n that_o god_n have_v set_v before_o man_n everlasting_a happiness_n and_o misery_n and_o the_o sinner_n have_v his_o choice_n here_o be_v two_o thing_n say_v which_o seem_v to_o bid_v fair_o towards_o a_o answer_n first_o that_o the_o reward_n which_o god_n promise_v to_o our_o obedience_n be_v equal_a to_o the_o punishment_n which_o he_o threaten_v to_o our_o disobedience_n but_o yet_o this_o i_o doubt_v will_v not_o reach_v the_o business_n because_o though_o it_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o justice_n to_o exceed_v in_o reward_n that_o be_v matter_n of_o mere_a favour_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v so_o to_o exceed_v in_o punishment_n second_o it_o be_v further_a say_v that_o the_o sinner_n in_o this_o case_n have_v nothing_o to_o complain_v of_o since_o he_o have_v his_o own_o choice_n this_o i_o confess_v be_v enough_o to_o silence_v the_o sinner_n and_o to_o make_v he_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o his_o destruction_n be_v of_o
as_o our_o thought_n but_o as_o the_o heaven_n be_v high_a above_o the_o earth_n so_o be_v his_o way_n above_o our_o way_n and_o his_o thought_n above_o our_o thought_n and_o the_o best_a way_n to_o keep_v ourselves_o from_o despair_v of_o god_n mercy_n and_o forgiveness_n to_o we_o be_v to_o be_v easy_a to_o grant_v forgiveness_n to_o other_o and_o without_o this_o as_o god_n have_v reason_n to_o deny_v forgiveness_n to_o we_o so_o we_o ourselves_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n utter_o to_o despair_v of_o it_o it_o will_v almost_o transport_v a_o christian_n to_o read_v that_o admirable_a passage_n of_o the_o great_a heathen_a emperor_n and_o philosopher_n m._n aurelius_n antoninus_n can_v the_o god_n 7._o say_v he_o that_o be_v immortal_a for_o the_o continuance_n of_o so_o many_o age_n bear_v without_o impatience_n with_o such_o and_o so_o many_o sinner_n as_o have_v ever_o be_v and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o likewise_o take_v care_n of_o they_o and_o provide_v for_o they_o that_o they_o want_v nothing_o and_o do_v thou_o so_o grievous_o take_v on_o as_o one_o that_o can_v bear_v with_o they_o no_o long_o thou_o that_o be_v but_o for_o a_o moment_n of_o time_n yea_o thou_o that_o be_v one_o of_o those_o sinner_n thyself_o i_o will_v conclude_v this_o whole_a discourse_n with_o those_o weighty_a and_o pungent_a say_n of_o the_o wise_a son_n of_o syrach_n he_o that_o revenge_v shall_v find_v vengeance_n from_o the_o lord_n 4._o and_o he_o will_v certain_o retain_v his_o sin_n forgive_v thy_o neighbour_n that_o have_v hurt_v thou_o so_o shall_v thy_o sin_n also_o be_v forgive_v when_o thou_o pray_v one_o man_n bear_v hatred_n against_o another_o and_o do_v he_o seek_v pardon_n of_o the_o lord_n he_o show_v no_o mercy_n to_o a_o man_n like_o himself_o and_o do_v he_o ask_v forgiveness_n of_o his_o own_o sin_n enable_n we_o o_o lord_n by_o thy_o grace_n to_o practice_v this_o excellent_a and_o difficult_a duty_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o then_o forgive_v we_o our_o trespass_n as_o we_o forgive_v they_o that_o trespass_n against_o we_o for_o thy_o mercy_n sake_n in_o jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o with_o thou_o o_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n adoration_n and_o obedience_n both_o now_o and_o ever_o amen_n the_o care_n of_o our_o soul_n the_o one_o thing_n needful_a a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n and_o queen_n at_o hampton-court_n april_n the_o 14_o the_o 1689._o the_o care_n of_o our_o soul_n the_o one_o thing_n needful_a luke_n x._o 42_o but_o one_o thing_n be_v needful_a in_o the_o account_n of_o wise_a man_n one_o of_o the_o first_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o human_a action_n be_v this_o to_o regard_v every_o thing_n more_o or_o less_o according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o its_o consequence_n and_o importance_n to_o our_o happiness_n that_o which_o be_v most_o necessary_a to_o that_o end_n ought_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o be_v mind_v by_o we_o in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o other_o thing_n only_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v consistent_a with_o that_o great_a end_n and_o subservient_fw-fr to_o it_o our_o b._n saviour_n here_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n needful_a that_o be_v one_o thing_n which_o ought_v first_o and_o principal_o to_o be_v regard_v by_o we_o and_o what_o that_o be_v it_o be_v of_o great_a concernment_n to_o we_o all_o to_o know_v that_o we_o may_v mind_n and_o pursue_v it_o as_o it_o deserve_v and_o we_o may_v easy_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v by_o consider_v the_o context_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o these_o word_n which_o be_v brief_o this_o our_o saviour_n as_o he_o go_v about_o preach_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n come_v into_o a_o certain_a village_n where_o he_o be_v entertain_v at_o the_o house_n of_o two_o devout_a sister_n the_o elder_a who_o have_v the_o care_n and_o management_n of_o the_o family_n and_o the_o affair_n of_o it_o be_v employ_v in_o make_v entertainment_n for_o such_o a_o guest_n the_o other_o sit_v at_o our_o saviour_n foot_n attend_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n which_o he_o preach_v the_o elder_a find_v herself_o not_o able_a to_o do_v all_o the_o business_n alone_o desire_v of_o our_o saviour_n that_o he_o will_v command_v her_o sister_n to_o come_v and_o help_v she_o upon_o this_o our_o saviour_n give_v she_o this_o gentle_a reprehension_n martha_n martha_n thou_o be_v careful_a and_o trouble_v about_o many_o thing_n but_o one_o thing_n be_v needful_a and_o what_o that_o be_v he_o declare_v in_o the_o next_o word_n and_o mary_n have_v choose_v that_o good_a part_n which_o shall_v not_o be_v take_v away_o from_o she_o that_o be_v she_o have_v choose_v to_o take_v care_n of_o her_o salvation_n which_o be_v infinite_o more_o considerable_a than_o any_o thing_n else_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o altogether_o blame_v martha_n for_o her_o respectful_a care_n of_o he_o but_o cmmend_v her_o sister_n for_o her_o great_a care_n of_o her_o soul_n which_o make_v she_o either_o whole_o to_o forget_v or_o unwilling_a to_o mind_v other_o thing_n at_o that_o time_n so_o that_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n he_o high_o approve_v her_o wise_a choice_n in_o prefer_v a_o attentive_a regard_n to_o his_o doctrine_n even_o before_o that_o which_o may_v be_v think_v a_o necessary_a civility_n to_o his_o person_n from_o the_o word_n thus_o explain_v the_o observation_n which_o i_o shall_v make_v be_v this_o that_o the_o care_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o our_o soul_n be_v the_o one_o thing_n necessary_a and_o that_o which_o every_o man_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n to_o mind_n and_o regard_n this_o observation_n seem_v to_o be_v plain_o contain_v in_o the_o text._n i_o shall_v handle_v it_o as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v and_o then_o by_o way_n of_o application_n shall_v endeavour_v to_o persuade_v you_o and_o myself_o to_o mind_v this_o one_o thing_n necessary_a and_o in_o speak_v to_o this_o serious_a and_o weighty_a argument_n i_o shall_v do_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v wherein_o this_o care_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o our_o soul_n do_v consist_v second_o to_o convince_v man_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o take_v this_o care_n i._o i_o shall_v show_v wherein_o this_o care_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o our_o soul_n do_v consist_v and_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o do_v with_o all_o the_o plainness_n i_o can_v and_o so_o as_o every_o one_o that_o hear_v i_o may_v understand_v and_o be_v sufficient_o direct_v what_o be_v necessary_a for_o he_o to_o do_v in_o order_n to_o his_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n in_o the_o five_o follow_v particular_n in_o which_o i_o think_v the_o main_a business_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o due_a care_n of_o our_o soul_n do_v consist_v first_o in_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n and_o in_o the_o firm_a belief_n and_o persuasion_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o believe_v by_o we_o in_o order_n to_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n second_o in_o the_o frequent_a examination_n of_o our_o life_n and_o action_n and_o in_o a_o sincere_a repentance_n for_o all_o the_o error_n and_o miscarriage_n of_o they_o three_o in_o the_o constant_a and_o daily_a exercise_n of_o piety_n and_o devotion_n four_o in_o avoid_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v pernicious_a to_o our_o salvation_n and_o whereby_o man_n do_v often_o hazard_v their_o soul_n five_o in_o the_o even_a and_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o several_a grace_n and_o virtue_n of_o a_o good_a life_n i._o the_o due_a care_n of_o religion_n and_o our_o soul_n do_v consist_v in_o the_o distinct_a knowledge_n and_o in_o the_o firm_a belief_n and_o persuasion_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o believe_v by_o we_o in_o order_n to_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n for_o this_o knowledge_n of_o the_o necessary_a principle_n and_o duty_n of_o religion_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o good_a practice_n wherein_o the_o life_n of_o religion_n do_v consist_v and_o without_o this_o no_o man_n can_v be_v true_o religious_a without_o faith_n say_v the_o apostle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n 11.6_o for_o he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o now_o these_o two_o expression_n of_o please_a god_n and_o seek_v he_o be_v plain_o of_o the_o same_o importance_n and_o do_v both_o of_o they_o signify_v religion_n or_o the_o worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n which_o do_v antecedent_o suppose_v our_o firm_a belief_n and_o persuasion_n of_o these_o two_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o all_o religion_n that_o there_o be_v a_o
sake_n of_o that_o to_o deny_v themselves_o almost_o all_o sort_n of_o ease_n and_o pleasure_n to_o deny_v themselves_o do_v i_o say_v no_o they_o have_v wise_o and_o judicious_o choose_v the_o true_a and_o high_a pleasure_n that_o this_o world_n know_v the_o pleasure_n of_o do_v good_a and_o be_v benefactor_n to_o mankind_n may_v they_o have_v a_o long_a and_o happy_a reign_n over_o we_o to_o make_v we_o happy_a and_o to_o lay_v up_o in_o store_n for_o themselves_o a_o happiness_n without_o measure_n and_o without_o end_n in_o god_n glorious_a and_o everlasting_a kingdom_n for_o his_o mercy_n sake_n in_o jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o with_o thou_o o_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n thanksgiving_n and_o praise_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n a_o sermon_n against_o evil-speaking_a preach_v before_o the_o king_n and_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n febr._n the_o 25_o the_o 1693_o 4._o a_o sermon_n against_o evil-speaking_a tit._n iij._o 2_o to_o speak_v evil_a of_o no_o man_n general_n persuasive_n to_o repentance_n and_o a_o good_a life_n and_o invective_n against_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n at_o large_a be_v certain_o of_o good_a use_n to_o recommend_v religion_n and_o virtue_n and_o to_o expose_v the_o deformity_n and_o danger_n of_o a_o vicious_a course_n but_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o these_o general_a discourse_n do_v not_o so_o immediate_o tend_v to_o reform_v the_o life_n of_o man_n because_o they_o fall_v among_o the_o crowd_n but_o do_v not_o touch_v the_o conscience_n of_o particular_a person_n in_o so_o sensible_a and_o awaken_n a_o manner_n as_o when_o we_o treat_v of_o particular_a duty_n and_o sin_n and_o endeavour_v to_o put_v man_n upon_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o one_o and_o to_o reclaim_v they_o from_o the_o other_o by_o proper_a argument_n take_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o particular_a virtue_n and_o vice_n the_o general_a way_n be_v as_o if_o a_o physician_n instead_o of_o apply_v particular_a remedy_n to_o the_o distemper_n of_o his_o patient_n shall_v entertain_v he_o with_o a_o long_a discourse_n of_o disease_n in_o general_a and_o of_o the_o pleasure_n and_o advantage_n of_o health_n and_o earnest_o persuade_v he_o to_o be_v well_o without_o take_v his_o particular_a disease_n into_o consideration_n and_o prescribe_v remedy_n for_o it_o but_o if_o we_o will_v effectual_o reform_v man_n we_o must_v take_v to_o task_n the_o great_a and_o common_a disorder_n of_o their_o life_n and_o represent_v their_o fault_n to_o they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o may_v convince_v they_o of_o the_o evil_a and_o danger_n of_o they_o and_o put_v they_o upon_o the_o endeavour_n of_o a_o cure_n and_o to_o this_o end_n i_o have_v pitch_v upon_o one_o of_o the_o common_a and_o reign_a vice_n of_o the_o age_n calumny_n and_o evil-speaking_a by_o which_o man_n contract_v so_o much_o guilt_n to_o themselves_o and_o create_v so_o much_o trouble_v to_o other_o and_o from_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v few_o or_o none_o be_v whole_o free_a for_o who_o be_v he_o 19.16_o say_v the_o son_n of_o sirach_n that_o have_v not_o offend_v with_o his_o tongue_n in_o many_o thing_n 3.2_o say_v st._n james_n we_o offend_v all_o and_o if_o any_o man_n offend_v not_o in_o word_n the_o same_o be_v a_o perfect_a man_n but_o how_o few_o have_v attain_v to_o this_o perfection_n and_o yet_o unless_o we_o do_v endeavour_v after_o it_o and_o in_o some_o good_a measure_n attain_v it_o all_o our_o pretence_n to_o religion_n be_v vain_a so_o the_o same_o apostle_n tell_v we_o 1.26_o if_o any_o man_n among_o you_o seem_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o bridle_v not_o his_o tongue_n but_o deceive_v his_o own_o heart_n that_o man_n religion_n be_v vain_a for_o the_o more_o distinct_a handle_n of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v reduce_v my_o discourse_n to_o these_o five_o head_n first_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o nature_n of_o this_o vice_n and_o wherein_o it_o consist_v second_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o due_a extent_n of_o this_o prohibition_n to_o speak_v evil_a of_o no_o man_n three_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o evil_a of_o this_o practice_n both_o in_o the_o cause_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o four_o i_o shall_v add_v some_o further_a consideration_n to_o dissuade_v man_n from_o it_o five_o i_o shall_v give_v some_o rule_n and_o direction_n for_o the_o prevention_n and_o cure_n of_o it_o i._o i_o shall_v consider_v what_o this_o sin_n or_o vice_n of_o evil_a speak_n here_o forbid_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o defame_v and_o slander_v any_o man_n not_o to_o hurt_v his_o reputation_n as_o the_o etymology_n of_o the_o word_n do_v import_v so_o that_o this_o vice_n consist_v in_o say_v thing_n of_o other_o which_o tend_v to_o their_o disparagement_n and_o reproach_n to_o the_o take_v away_o or_o lessen_v of_o their_o reputation_n and_o good_a name_n and_o this_o whether_o the_o thing_n say_v be_v true_a or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v false_a and_o we_o know_v it_o than_o it_o be_v downright_a calumny_n and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o know_v it_o but_o take_v it_o upon_o the_o report_n of_o other_o it_o be_v however_o a_o slander_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o injurious_a because_o real_o groundless_a and_o undeserved_a if_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a and_o we_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o defamation_n and_o tend_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o our_o neighbour_n reputation_n and_o it_o be_v a_o fault_n to_o say_v the_o evil_a of_o other_o which_o be_v true_a unless_o there_o be_v some_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o beside_o because_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o charity_n and_o goodness_n which_o christianity_n require_v to_o divulge_v the_o fault_n of_o other_o though_o they_o be_v real_o guilty_a of_o they_o without_o necessity_n or_o some_o other_o very_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o again_o it_o be_v evil-speaking_a and_o the_o vice_n condemn_v in_o the_o text_n whether_o we_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o a_o ill_a report_n or_o relate_v it_o from_o other_o because_o the_o man_n that_o be_v evil_a speak_v of_o be_v equal_o defame_v either_o way_n again_o whether_o we_o speak_v evil_a of_o a_o man_n to_o his_o face_n or_o behind_o his_o back_n the_o former_a way_n indeed_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o more_o generous_a but_o yet_o be_v a_o great_a fault_n and_o that_o which_o we_o call_v revile_v the_o latter_a be_v more_o mean_a and_o base_a and_o that_o which_o we_o proper_o call_v slander_n or_o backbiting_a and_o last_o whether_o it_o be_v do_v direct_o and_o in_o express_a term_n or_o more_o obscure_o and_o by_o way_n of_o oblique_a insinuation_n whether_o by_o way_n of_o downright_a reproach_n or_o with_o some_o crafty_a preface_n of_o commendation_n for_o so_o it_o have_v the_o effect_n to_o defame_v the_o manner_n of_o address_n do_v not_o much_o alter_v the_o case_n the_o one_o may_v be_v more_o dextrous_a but_o be_v not_o one_o jot_n less_o faulty_a for_o many_o time_n the_o deep_a wound_n be_v give_v by_o these_o smooth_a and_o more_o artificial_a way_n of_o slander_n as_o by_o ask_v question_n have_v you_o not_o hear_v so_o and_o so_o of_o such_o a_o man_n i_o say_v no_o more_o i_o only_o ask_v the_o question_n or_o by_o general_a intimation_n that_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o say_v what_o they_o have_v hear_v of_o such_o a_o one_o be_v very_o sorry_a for_o it_o and_o do_v not_o at_o all_o believe_v it_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v they_o and_o this_o many_o time_n without_o tell_v the_o thing_n but_o leave_v you_o in_o the_o dark_a to_o suspect_v the_o worst_a these_o and_o such_o like_a art_n though_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v tender_a and_o gentle_a way_n of_o use_v man_n reputation_n yet_o in_o truth_n they_o be_v the_o most_o malicious_a and_o effectual_a method_n of_o slander_n because_o they_o insinuate_v something_o that_o be_v much_o worse_a than_o be_v say_v and_o yet_o be_v very_o apt_a to_o create_v in_o unwary_a man_n a_o strong_a belief_n of_o something_o that_o be_v very_o bad_a though_o they_o know_v not_o what_o it_o be_v so_o that_o it_o matter_n not_o in_o what_o fashion_n a_o slander_n be_v dress_v up_o if_o it_o tend_v to_o defame_v a_o man_n and_o to_o diminish_v his_o reputation_n it_o be_v the_o sin_n forbid_v in_o the_o text._n ii_o we_o will_v consider_v the_o extent_n of_o this_o prohibition_n to_o speak_v evil_a of_o no_o man_n and_o the_o due_a bound_n and_o limitation_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v absolute_o to_o forbid_v we_o to_o say_v any_o thing_n concern_v other_o that_o be_v bad_a this_o in_o some_o case_n may_v be_v necessary_a and_o our_o duty_n and_o in_o several_a case_n