be_v so_o much_o in_o our_o own_o power_n wherefore_o let_v not_o man_n think_v they_o can_v be_v holy_a without_o moral_a virtue_n which_o they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o do_v whenever_o grace_n be_v set_v in_o opposition_n to_o virtue_n they_o may_v as_o well_o think_v they_o may_v be_v godly_a without_o religion_n devout_a and_o pious_a without_o all_o sober_a and_o sincere_a use_n of_o their_o understanding_n in_o spiritual_a matter_n for_o this_o mischief_n will_v certain_o ensue_v upon_o it_o that_o man_n will_v embrace_v metaphor_n and_o allegory_n fancy_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n instead_o of_o the_o substance_n of_o true_a and_o real_a righteousness_n it_o be_v certain_a then_o religion_n the_o duty_n of_o morality_n be_v the_o most_o weighty_a concern_v of_o religion_n that_o the_o duty_n of_o morality_n be_v the_o most_o weighty_a and_o material_a concern_v of_o religion_n and_o as_o in_o the_o ordinary_a generation_n of_o mankind_n that_o vital_a principle_n the_o soul_n form_n and_o mould_v the_o foetus_fw-la according_a to_o the_o specifical_a nature_n of_o man_n and_o never_o give_v over_o till_o it_o have_v work_v the_o whole_a bodily_a mass_n into_o a_o full_a compliment_n of_o part_n so_o by_o a_o new_a principle_n of_o life_n call_v grace_n and_o derive_v from_o god_n through_o christ_n into_o the_o mind_n true_a wisdom_n righteousness_n justice_n holiness_n integrity_n and_o all_o the_o instance_n of_o moral_a virtue_n be_v fashion_v by_o this_o quicken_a spirit_n in_o the_o thought_n and_o action_n of_o good_a and_o pious_a man_n this_o make_v the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o regeneration_n intelligible_a so_o that_o any_o nicodemus_n may_v discern_v the_o manner_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o for_o to_o be_v bear_v again_o signify_v in_o its_o utmost_a meaning_n to_o become_v a_o sincere_a disciple_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n and_o to_o be_v his_o disciple_n be_v to_o believe_v and_o obey_v as_o we_o be_v engage_v by_o baptism_n this_o be_v the_o clear_a proof_n we_o can_v give_v to_o ourselves_o or_o other_o that_o we_o own_v he_o in_o good_a earnest_n to_o be_v our_o lord_n and_o master_n if_o for_o his_o sake_n we_o love_v truth_n and_o goodness_n above_o all_o worldly_a interest_n creature_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o new_a creature_n now_o to_o be_v regenerate_v be_v to_o be_v the_o sincere_a disciple_n of_o christ_n which_o will_v qualify_v a_o man_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o if_o that_o be_v true_a it_o follow_v that_o regeneration_n and_o all_o those_o other_o metaphor_n which_o express_v the_o state_n of_o a_o man_n fit_v for_o eternal_a happiness_n do_v mean_v nothing_o else_o but_o his_o be_v such_o a_o disciple_n of_o christ_n as_o to_o believe_v in_o he_o to_o love_v and_o obey_v he_o when_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o divine_a seed_n have_v wrought_v its_o due_a and_o proper_a effect_n upon_o his_o soul_n by_o its_o precept_n the_o temper_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o the_o disposition_n of_o his_o will_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n therefore_o we_o use_v to_o say_v of_o a_o meek_a spirit_a man_n that_o he_o can_v be_v furious_a and_o of_o a_o honest_a man_n that_o he_o can_v deceive_v and_o of_o a_o generous_a man_n that_o he_o can_v do_v a_o base_a or_o unworthy_a action_n that_o be_v it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a that_o he_o shall_v it_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o genius_n and_o sense_n of_o his_o soul_n so_o to_o do_v just_o so_o it_o be_v with_o he_o who_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n he_o can_v sin_v because_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o inclination_n and_o bent_n of_o his_o nature_n which_o be_v holy_a will_v produce_v a_o godly_a and_o virtuous_a life_n this_o notion_n of_o the_o new_a creature_n will_v not_o suffer_v a_o man_n to_o reckon_v himself_o regenerate_v who_o do_v not_o amend_v his_o life_n according_a to_o god_n holy_a word_n this_o will_v keep_v hypocrite_n from_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o who_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v their_o heart_n be_v good_a when_o their_o manner_n be_v naught_o but_o the_o state_n of_o a_o regenerate_v person_n be_v call_v spiritual_a as_o be_v cause_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n spirit_n so_o it_o may_v be_v call_v moral_a as_o consist_v in_o the_o conformity_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o action_n to_o the_o divine_a law_n now_o he_o who_o make_v a_o distinction_n between_o grace_n and_o virtue_n a_o spiritual_a and_o moral_a state_n must_v think_v that_o to_o disbelieve_v any_o of_o the_o revelation_n and_o to_o disobey_v any_o of_o the_o command_v of_o god_n be_v not_o immorality_n or_o that_o a_o regenerate_v state_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o faith_n and_o obedience_n which_o state_n be_v call_v regeneration_n a_o metaphor_n take_v from_o a_o natural_a generation_n because_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o change_n that_o a_o man_n be_v as_o it_o be_v another_o creature_n for_o first_o the_o understanding_n must_v be_v inform_v with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n concern_v god_n themselves_o and_o a_o life_n to_o come_v than_o this_o belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v so_o work_v upon_o their_o will_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v turn_v from_o sensuality_n to_o the_o love_n of_o goodness_n and_o this_o will_v produce_v a_o suitable_a change_n in_o their_o life_n which_o be_v not_o now_o lead_v according_a to_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o example_n of_o ill_a man_n but_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o example_n of_o christ_n and_o thus_o we_o come_v to_o the_o true_a use_n of_o all_o our_o faculty_n as_o a_o infant_n after_o it_o be_v bear_v fall_v into_o those_o natural_a motion_n which_o be_v hinder_v by_o its_o imprisonment_n in_o the_o womb_n nay_o by_o reason_n of_o that_o divine_a temper_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o good_a man_n by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n they_o have_v such_o a_o sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a with_o regard_n to_o their_o mind_n and_o conscience_n as_o all_o live_a creature_n have_v with_o respect_n to_o their_o nature_n for_o as_o in_o the_o natural_a life_n we_o apprehend_v what_o be_v contrary_a to_o it_o so_o that_o we_o will_v not_o run_v into_o the_o fire_n nor_o down_o precepice_n so_o in_o the_o regenerate_v state_n we_o shall_v look_v upon_o all_o kind_n of_o wickedness_n to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v detestable_a and_o pernicious_a to_o our_o soul_n but_o the_o doctrine_n and_o example_n of_o christ_n do_v communicate_v to_o we_o a_o new_a sense_n of_o thing_n whereby_o we_o be_v so_o much_o alter_v for_o the_o better_a as_o if_o we_o have_v never_o live_v till_o then_o and_o we_o have_v infinite_o more_o reason_n to_o think_v of_o this_o alteration_n in_o our_o state_n than_o to_o remember_v the_o day_n of_o our_o birth_n with_o joy_n and_o gladness_n for_o now_o god_n work_v in_o we_o both_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v wherefore_o the_o fear_n and_o love_n of_o god_n and_o godly_a sorrow_n and_o true_a repentance_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n together_o with_o all_o christian_a virtue_n such_o as_o righteousness_n mercy_n patience_n love_n joy_n long-suffering_a gentleness_n goodness_n faith_n god_n all_o moral_a virtue_n be_v produce_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n meekness_n and_o temperance_n be_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o god_n have_v not_o leave_v the_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o depend_v upon_o that_o force_n only_o which_o the_o bare_a revelation_n of_o the_o motive_n to_o obedience_n have_v to_o persuade_v we_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o it_o will_v be_v now_o lose_v labour_n to_o call_v upon_o god_n to_o help_v we_o by_o his_o grace_n but_o see_v all_o virtue_n and_o qualification_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v produce_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n it_o follow_v that_o all_o christian_a virtue_n be_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o say_v s._n james_n every_o good_a and_o perfect_a gift_n be_v from_o above_o and_o come_v from_o the_o father_n of_o light_n with_o who_o be_v no_o variableness_n nor_o shadow_n of_o turn_v and_o s._n paul_n say_v that_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o bring_v salvation_n have_v appear_v to_o all_o man_n teach_v we_o that_o deny_v ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n we_o shall_v live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n this_o one_o scripture_n comprehend_v all_o that_o man_n ought_v to_o account_v religion_n that_o they_o live_v godly_o which_o be_v the_o virtue_n of_o humble_a gratitude_n towards_o god_n sober_o which_o contain_v the_o virtue_n of_o temperance_n chastity_n modesty_n and_o all_o other_o that_o consist_v in_o the_o dominion_n of_o reason_n over_o our_o sensual_a appetite_n righteous_o which_o imply_v all_o the_o virtue_n of_o justice_n and_o charity_n as_o affability_n courtesy_n meekness_n candour_n and_o ingenuity_n let_v man_n
foundation_n in_o reason_n and_o nature_n these_o do_v depend_v whole_o upon_o instruction_n and_o memory_n and_o can_v be_v preserve_v without_o they_o but_o we_o see_v among_o the_o rude_a and_o ignorant_a upon_o who_o hardly_o any_o care_n or_o instruction_n be_v use_v man_n have_v as_o lively_a a_o sense_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n in_o many_o particular_n as_o the_o more_o learned_a part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a argument_n that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o convey_v to_o we_o by_o tradition_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v apply_v to_o humane_a policy_n for_o many_o of_o these_o thing_n be_v never_o enact_v by_o humane_a law_n and_o yet_o they_o obtain_v among_o mankind_n as_o gratitude_n charity_n and_o such_o like_a seneca_n say_v that_o gratitude_n be_v never_o enjoin_v by_o any_o law_n but_o that_o of_o the_o macedonian_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o these_o thing_n owe_v their_o original_a to_o some_o other_o cause_n and_o that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v attribute_v to_o nature_n the_o author_n of_o which_o be_v god_n and_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o mankind_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o reality_n however_o it_o be_v object_v that_o several_a person_n and_o some_o whole_a nation_n have_v differ_v about_o some_o of_o these_o thing_n so_o that_o this_o consent_n be_v not_o so_o general_a beside_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o world_n in_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n may_v seem_v to_o weaken_v this_o argument_n from_o the_o universal_a agreement_n of_o mankind_n about_o good_a and_o evil._n we_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o man_n may_v so_o vitiate_v their_o nature_n vice_n nature_n may_v be_v so_o vitiate_v as_o to_o lose_v the_o sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n as_o to_o lose_v the_o sense_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n yet_o it_o may_v remain_v true_a that_o mankind_n have_v a_o natural_a sense_n and_o knowledge_n of_o they_o as_o some_o by_o lust_n and_o intemperance_n may_v so_o spoil_v their_o palate_n that_o they_o may_v not_o taste_v the_o difference_n of_o meat_n and_o drink_n yet_o this_o last_o be_v never_o the_o less_o natural_a to_o mankind_n for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o natural_a and_o moral_a agent_n natural_a agent_n always_o continue_v the_o same_o but_o voluntary_a agent_n may_v vary_v in_o some_o thing_n that_o be_v natural_a especial_o where_o man_n have_v debauch_v their_o nature_n and_o have_v offer_v great_a violence_n to_o themselves_o more_o than_o this_o the_o exception_n be_v not_o so_o general_a as_o to_o infringe_v the_o universal_a consent_n of_o mankind_n the_o difference_n be_v but_o in_o few_o thing_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o be_v collect_v together_o in_o history_n they_o may_v seem_v a_o great_a many_o but_o that_o they_o be_v particular_o note_v be_v a_o sign_n they_o be_v but_o few_o what_o if_o one_o philosopher_n mention_v that_o snow_n be_v black_a and_o ten_o more_o have_v be_v of_o his_o mind_n this_o will_v have_v be_v no_o objection_n against_o the_o sense_n or_o reason_n of_o mankind_n for_o all_o man_n agree_v that_o self-preservation_n be_v a_o natural_a instinct_n notwithstanding_o some_o particular_a person_n have_v offer_v violence_n to_o their_o own_o life_n as_o to_o superstition_n or_o idolatry_n there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o agreement_n of_o mankind_n in_o that_o as_o to_o prove_v it_o to_o have_v a_o foundation_n in_o nature_n for_o it_o be_v confess_v that_o it_o be_v not_o always_o practise_v in_o the_o world_n but_o that_o it_o have_v a_o beginning_n and_o indeed_o it_o grow_v up_o by_o degree_n and_o spring_v out_o of_o the_o corruption_n of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o time_n be_v when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n so_o that_o it_o do_v not_o owe_v its_o rise_n to_o nature_n but_o to_o the_o defection_n of_o mankind_n for_o while_o idolatry_n prevail_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v condemn_v by_o several_a man_n as_o a_o stupid_a and_o sottish_a thing_n though_o they_o have_v not_o the_o courage_n to_o declare_v against_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o so_o that_o whilst_o it_o be_v use_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v censure_v as_o a_o great_a folly_n by_o those_o that_o be_v best_o able_a to_o judge_n last_o we_o know_v what_o be_v virtue_n and_o vice_n good_a and_o evil_a more_o distinct_o vice_n outward_a revelation_n discover_v to_o we_o what_o be_v virtue_n and_o what_o be_v vice_n by_o outward_a revelation_n in_o former_a age_n of_o the_o world_n god_n be_v please_v to_o reveal_v his_o will_n several_a way_n and_o more_o especial_o to_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n be_v leave_v sole_o to_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a light_n but_o in_o the_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n it_o please_v god_n to_o make_v a_o public_a and_o more_o full_a declaration_n of_o his_o mind_n by_o his_o son_n and_o this_o revelation_n be_v for_o substance_n the_o same_o with_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n our_o saviour_n comprehend_v it_o under_o these_o two_o head_n the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o of_o our_o neighbour_n the_o apostle_n reduce_v it_o to_o sobriety_n righteousness_n and_o piety_n for_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o bring_v salvation_n teach_v we_o to_o deny_v all_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n and_o to_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n so_o that_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o apostle_n the_o gospel_n teach_v we_o the_o very_a same_o thing_n that_o nature_n dictate_v to_o mankind_n for_o these_o be_v the_o very_a virtue_n which_o natural_a light_n prompt_a man_n unto_o only_o we_o allow_v a_o more_o perfect_a discovery_n of_o they_o by_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o convince_v man_n of_o the_o good_a and_o evil_a that_o be_v affix_v to_o virtue_n and_o vice_n there_o be_v great_a and_o eternal_a reward_n promise_v to_o one_o and_o endless_a punishment_n threaten_v to_o the_o other_o so_o that_o now_o mankind_n have_v no_o cloak_n for_o their_o sin_n their_o duty_n be_v so_o clear_o lay_v open_a to_o they_o and_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o another_o life_n so_o plain_o reveal_v all_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o natural_a law_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o it_o through_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o mankind_n be_v full_o supply_v by_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o we_o may_v now_o much_o better_o say_v than_o the_o prophet_n can_v in_o his_o day_n mich._n 6.8_o he_o have_v show_v thou_o o_o man_n what_o be_v good_a and_o what_o do_v the_o lord_n require_v of_o thou_o but_o to_o do_v just_o and_o to_o love_v mercy_n and_o to_o walk_v humble_o with_o thy_o god_n but_o as_o to_o external_a revelation_n it_o be_v object_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o obscure_a and_o give_v we_o not_o sufficient_a direction_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n we_o answer_v that_o this_o objection_n have_v no_o colour_n of_o truth_n in_o it_o for_o if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o who_o be_v behold_v for_o this_o objection_n against_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o who_o be_v ready_a upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o quarrel_n with_o it_o yet_o they_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a as_o to_o precept_n of_o life_n and_o practice_n but_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n they_o pretend_v its_o defection_n in_o as_o if_o god_n have_v not_o intend_v to_o reveal_v but_o conceal_v his_o mind_n in_o these_o thing_n indeed_o they_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o pretend_v this_o consider_v how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o find_v several_a of_o their_o doctrine_n in_o the_o scripture_n but_o as_o to_o the_o moral_a precept_n of_o a_o good_a life_n they_o all_o grant_v that_o they_o be_v clear_o deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n so_o that_o this_o objection_n about_o the_o obscurity_n thereof_o do_v not_o lie_v against_o what_o i_o have_v be_v speak_v therefore_o see_v moral_a virtue_n may_v be_v plain_o understand_v by_o natural_a instinct_n natural_a reason_n the_o consent_n of_o mankind_n and_o outward_a revelation_n we_o must_v in_o the_o next_o place_n see_v how_o easy_a and_o pleasant_a they_o be_v to_o be_v practise_v first_o they_o be_v easy_a because_o we_o be_v assist_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n against_o all_o difficulty_n whatsoever_o second_o they_o be_v both_o easy_a and_o pleasant_a because_o they_o be_v profitable_a for_o all_o thing_n improve_v our_o understanding_n and_o bring_v peace_n to_o our_o mind_n for_o our_o christian_a race_n be_v a_o warfare_n and_o we_o have_v many_o conquest_n to_o make_v over_o the_o corruption_n of_o our_o nature_n the_o influence_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o disorder_n of_o passion_n arise_v whence_o the_o difficulty_n of_o a_o virtuous_a life_n do_v
be_v call_v the_o light_n of_o the_o earth_n that_o enlighten_v all_o about_o they_o for_o they_o be_v ever_o distil_v wise_a advice_n which_o however_o they_o may_v at_o first_o seem_v grievous_a yet_o they_o insinuate_v by_o degree_n and_o get_v possession_n of_o the_o understanding_n they_o be_v frequent_o awaken_n those_o with_o who_o they_o discourse_n to_o the_o consideration_n of_o god_n goodness_n the_o eternity_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n put_v they_o upon_o the_o best_a improvement_n of_o their_o time_n exciting_a they_o to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o of_o their_o neighbour_n take_v all_o wise_a occasion_n to_o reprove_v the_o wickedness_n of_o man_n and_o to_o restrain_v their_o exorbitant_a course_n so_o their_o example_n be_v of_o great_a force_n to_o amend_v their_o brethren_n because_o it_o be_v a_o great_a encouragement_n to_o go_v before_o a_o man_n and_o show_v he_o the_o path_n of_o virtue_n than_o only_o to_o give_v he_o direction_n it_o be_v true_a religion_n and_o virtue_n be_v more_o lovely_a in_o the_o notion_n and_o definition_n of_o they_o than_o they_o be_v in_o the_o person_n in_o the_o definition_n they_o be_v pure_a and_o have_v nothing_o of_o alloy_n but_o in_o the_o person_n they_o be_v attend_v with_o mixture_n and_o imperfection_n yet_o virtue_n be_v more_o lively_a in_o the_o person_n and_o they_o say_v that_o a_o man_n who_o shoot_v can_v better_o take_v his_o aim_n at_o a_o live_a than_o a_o dead_a mark_n because_o there_o be_v something_o in_o life_n that_o command_v a_o more_o steady_a attention_n and_o make_v we_o look_v more_o intent_o upon_o it_o though_o religion_n and_o virtue_n may_v he_o represent_v with_o more_o advantage_n in_o a_o discourse_n and_o a_o man_n may_v be_v better_o convince_v that_o way_n of_o their_o excellency_n yet_o example_n satisfy_v one_o of_o the_o practicableness_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o holiness_n will_v appear_v a_o impossible_a thing_n and_o not_o to_o be_v attain_v be_v it_o not_o that_o we_o have_v it_o make_v familiar_a to_o we_o and_o easy_a for_o our_o imitation_n in_o the_o live_v of_o virtuous_a man_n who_o by_o their_o counsel_n and_o instruction_n point_v out_o the_o way_n of_o virtue_n to_o we_o but_o by_o their_o example_n they_o take_v we_o by_o the_o hand_n and_o lead_v we_o in_o that_o way_n and_o it_o be_v incredible_a of_o what_o advantage_n a_o few_o great_a example_n may_v be_v to_o reform_v the_o world_n chief_o if_o their_o place_n have_v give_v they_o any_o advantage_n of_o ground_n and_o do_v make_v they_o subject_a to_o the_o notice_n of_o other_o thus_o the_o example_n of_o socrates_n have_v a_o influence_n upon_o athens_n and_o the_o severe_a life_n of_o cato_n upon_o the_o people_n of_o rome_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n lean_v to_o evil_a and_o be_v insensible_o draw_v away_o by_o bad_a example_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o degenerate_a but_o it_o may_v receive_v some_o impression_n of_o virtue_n from_o the_o 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ungodliness_n of_o man_n and_o one_o of_o a_o wise_a and_o grave_a behaviour_n do_v restrain_v their_o vanity_n and_o folly_n thus_o the_o preservation_n and_o the_o better_v of_o the_o world_n must_v be_v ascribe_v to_o virtuous_a person_n as_o a_o effect_n and_o as_o a_o reward_n of_o their_o goodness_n for_o they_o be_v ever_o persuade_v man_n to_o be_v better_o and_o they_o keep_v they_o from_o grow_v worse_o and_o god_n do_v not_o only_o reward_v they_o in_o their_o person_n but_o all_o who_o be_v near_o or_o relate_v to_o they_o shall_v thrive_v the_o better_a for_o their_o sake_n thus_o the_o eminent_a faith_n of_o abraham_n and_o the_o sincerity_n of_o david_n have_v a_o influence_n upon_o the_o happiness_n of_o israel_n for_o many_o generation_n therefore_o if_o we_o will_v avoid_v be_v impose_v upon_o and_o will_v take_v just_a measure_n of_o ourselves_o we_o be_v to_o judge_n of_o our_o condition_n as_o the_o psalmist_n direct_v psal_n 18.21_o according_a as_o we_o have_v keep_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o have_v not_o wicked_o depart_v from_o god_n for_o the_o best_a proof_n the_o school_n afford_v be_v a_o demonstration_n by_o the_o effect_n as_o for_o instance_n if_o you_o be_v to_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n the_o best_a way_n to_o do_v it_o be_v from_o what_o he_o have_v make_v so_o the_o best_a method_n for_o a_o man_n to_o prove_v himself_o to_o be_v virtuous_a be_v from_o what_o he_o do_v thus_o our_o saviour_n have_v tell_v we_o a_o good_a tree_n bring_v forth_o good_a fruit_n and_o a_o evil_a one_o evil_a fruit_n now_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o great_a consequence_n to_o know_v whether_o we_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n or_o not_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o puzzle_v ourselves_o with_o obscure_a mark_n of_o grace_n and_o doubtful_a sign_n of_o our_o good_a state_n but_o there_o be_v one_o plain_a and_o sensible_a mark_n which_o will_v silence_v all_o jealousy_n and_o that_o be_v the_o keep_n of_o god_n commandment_n this_o 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one_o be_v wherein_o sin_n prevail_v in_o the_o other_o religion_n and_o goodness_n take_v place_n these_o two_o differ_v in_o degree_n as_o wide_o as_o heaven_n and_o hell_n which_o place_n we_o must_v not_o believe_v to_o be_v all_o hereafter_o for_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n begin_v here_o upon_o earth_n they_o who_o be_v make_v like_o to_o god_n in_o the_o frame_n and_o temper_n of_o their_o mind_n who_o live_v according_a to_o the_o everlasting_a and_o unchangeable_a rule_n of_o goodness_n righteousness_n and_o truth_n may_v be_v proper_o enough_o say_v to_o have_v make_v their_o entrance_n already_o into_o heaven_n but_o they_o who_o confound_v the_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a who_o care_v not_o to_o approve_v themselves_o to_o god_n by_o lead_v good_a and_o holy_a life_n do_v partake_v of_o the_o diabolical_a nature_n and_o be_v already_o enter_v into_o the_o state_n of_o hell_n wherefore_o it_o behoove_v we_o to_o keep_v the_o 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superad_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o mind_n be_v of_o strength_n sufficient_a to_o subdue_v all_o the_o temptation_n to_o evil_a if_o the_o creation_n below_o we_o by_o natural_a instinct_n do_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v regular_a shall_v not_o these_o high_a principle_n do_v the_o like_a always_o preserve_v we_o from_o know_a evil_n and_o determine_v we_o to_o that_o which_o be_v moral_o good_a this_o be_v the_o course_n of_o thing_n in_o nature_n every_o habit_n begin_v be_v great_o weaken_v by_o a_o forbearance_n of_o act_n for_o every_o thing_n must_v be_v keep_v up_o in_o the_o way_n it_o be_v produce_v a_o disposition_n be_v first_o wrought_v by_o some_o act_n and_o if_o act_n be_v not_o continue_v upon_o act_n the_o disposition_n will_v fail_v for_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o bring_v to_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n will_v go_v back_o again_o if_o they_o be_v not_o maintain_v in_o the_o same_o way_n that_o they_o be_v produce_v wherefore_o it_o will_v be_v worth_a the_o 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than_o art_n and_o science_n whilst_o they_o lie_v only_o in_o book_n and_o paper_n without_o we_o can_v make_v we_o learned_a for_o christ_n jesus_n do_v not_o undergo_v a_o reproachful_a life_n and_o death_n mere_o to_o bring_v in_o a_o notion_n into_o the_o world_n without_o the_o change_n mend_a and_o reform_v it_o so_o that_o man_n may_v still_o be_v as_o wicked_a as_o they_o be_v before_o and_o as_o much_o under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n indeed_o christ_n come_v to_o expiate_v and_o atone_v for_o our_o sin_n but_o the_o end_n of_o this_o be_v that_o we_o may_v forsake_v all_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v some_o that_o dishearten_v we_o in_o this_o spiritual_a warfare_n and_o bring_v a_o ill_a report_n upon_o that_o land_n which_o we_o be_v to_o conquer_v tell_v of_o nothing_o but_o strange_a giant_n the_o son_n of_o anak_n that_o we_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o subdue_v other_o will_v suggest_v that_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o if_o we_o be_v but_o once_o in_o a_o state_n of_o grace_n we_o need_v not_o take_v so_o great_a pain_n to_o travel_v any_o far_o or_o that_o christ_n have_v do_v all_o for_o we_o already_o without_o we_o and_o nothing_o need_v more_o to_o be_v do_v within_o we_o harken_v not_o to_o they_o i_o beseech_v you_o but_o hear_v what_o caleb_n and_o joshua_n say_v let_v we_o go_v up_o at_o once_o and_o possess_v it_o for_o we_o be_v able_a to_o overcome_v they_o the_o huge_a army_n of_o lust_n not_o by_o our_o own_o strength_n but_o by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n hear_v also_o the_o wholesome_a word_n of_o s._n peter_n give_v all_o diligence_n to_o add_v to_o your_o faith_n virtue_n and_o to_o virtue_n knowledge_n to_o knowledge_n temperance_n and_o to_o temperance_n patience_n to_z patience_z godliness_n and_o to_o godliness_n brotherly_a kindness_n and_o to_o brotherly_a kindness_n charity_n for_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o you_o and_o abound_v they_o make_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v neither_o be_v barren_a nor_o unfruitful_a in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n for_o holiness_n have_v something_o of_o god_n in_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o victorious_a and_o triumphant_a thing_n and_o as_o the_o devil_n be_v always_o active_a to_o encourage_v evil_a so_o the_o heavenly_a host_n of_o bless_a angel_n be_v as_o busy_v in_o promote_a that_n which_o be_v good_a for_o we_o can_v imagine_v but_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o light_n shall_v be_v as_o true_a to_o its_o own_o interest_n and_o as_o vigilant_a for_o the_o enlarge_n itself_o as_o the_o kingdom_n of_o darkness_n but_o then_o by_o holiness_n be_v not_o mean_v a_o mere_a performance_n of_o the_o outward_a duty_n of_o religion_n but_o a_o inward_a soul_n and_o principle_n of_o divine_a life_n that_o enliven_v the_o dead_a carca_v of_o all_o our_o outward_a devotion_n for_o this_o be_v the_o vulgar_a error_n of_o mankind_n they_o 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