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so_o much_o that_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o forget_v and_o offend_v your_o modesty_n the_o most_o proper_a and_o precious_a jewel_n of_o your_o sex_n only_o i_o desire_v god_n to_o increase_v this_o and_o all_o other_o his_o good_a grace_n in_o you_o and_o so_o to_o guide_v you_o by_o they_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o your_o life_n that_o they_o who_o have_v occasion_n to_o try_v may_v have_v good_a cause_n to_o say_v as_o the_o prophet_n david_n do_v of_o and_o to_o abigal_n 1._o sam._n 26._o 33._o bless_a be_v thy_o wisdom_n you_o know_v the_o story_n thus_o be_v loath_a to_o be_v tedious_a and_o troublesome_a unto_o you_o i_o commend_v this_o silly_a present_n to_o your_o gentle_a acceptation_n &_o your_o ladyship_n to_o the_o gracious_a protection_n of_o god_n write_a in_o cambridge_n this_o thirty_o of_o march_n in_o the_o year_n of_o grace_n reveal_v 1596._o your_o ladyship_n to_o be_v command_v in_o all_o duetifulnesse_n thomas_n morton_n to_o the_o reader_n increase_n of_o all_o spiritual_a understanding_n and_o everlasting_a peace_n we_o do_v here_o offer_v to_o thy_o christian_n consideration_n and_o courteous_a entertainment_n gentle_a reader_n a_o rude_a description_n of_o the_o spiritual_a state_n of_o man_n the_o which_o if_o perhaps_o thou_o desire_v to_o have_v for_o shortness_n plainness_n memory_n and_o fashion_n sake_n comprise_v in_o some_o one_o memorable_a word_n may_v not_o unfit_o be_v term_v adam_n in_o who_o only_o all_o these_o three_o estate_n do_v concur_v and_o may_v be_v see_v or_o a_o anatomy_n of_o the_o soul_n a_o matter_n of_o all_o other_o most_o needful_a to_o be_v know_v and_o learn_v yea_o most_o worthy_a to_o be_v handle_v explain_v dilate_a and_o illustrate_v with_o all_o care_n and_o diligence_n it_o be_v that_o
join_v to_o he_o then_o any_o other_o whosoever_o whether_o son_n kinsman_n orfriende_n and_o may_v more_o confident_o look_v to_o be_v enrich_v and_o protect_v by_o he_o so_o the_o faithful_a be_v now_o in_o the_o human_a nature_n of_o christ_n thus_o espouse_v &_o make_v one_o person_n with_o god_n be_v more_o near_o join_v to_o he_o then_o man_n be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n wherein_o god_n do_v not_o take_v unto_o himself_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v man_n to_o be_v as_o his_o belove_a spouse_n and_o a_o part_n of_o his_o own_o person_n but_o only_o as_o his_o subject_n servant_n scholar_n creature_n and_o son_n all_o which_o be_v distinct_a person_n from_o the_o king_n master_n teacher_n creator_n and_o father_n and_o so_o may_v more_o certain_o and_o undoubted_o look_v to_o be_v not_o only_o protect_v and_o save_v from_o death_n by_o the_o strength_n of_o god_n their_o new_a husband_n but_o also_o to_o be_v enrich_v by_o he_o with_o all_o spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a blessing_n belong_v to_o a_o holy_a and_o happy_a estate_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o manner_n of_o this_o new_a subjection_n the_o duty_n belong_v to_o it_o be_v all_o those_o which_o a_o dutiful_a wife_n owe_v to_o her_o husband_n as_o namely_o that_o she_o please_v he_o and_o cleave_v inseparable_o to_o he_o for_o the_o first_o as_o the_o apostle_n write_v 1_o cor._n 7._o 34._o as_o she_o that_o be_v marry_v care_v for_o worldly_a thing_n how_o she_o may_v please_v her_o husband_n 34._o so_o ought_v the_o faithful_a endeavour_n by_o all_o mean_n to_o please_v their_o heavenly_a husband_n by_o be_v pure_a both_o in_o body_n and_o soul_n do_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o know_v be_v acceptable_a in_o his_o sight_n especial_o by_o perform_v the_o second_o duty_n to_o wit_n that_o they_o renounce_v all_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o cleave_v fast_o to_o god_n without_o separation_n even_o as_o the_o wife_n forsake_v father_n mother_n sister_n brethren_n kindred_n &_o acquaintance_n and_o betake_v herself_o whole_o to_o her_o husband_n this_o duty_n of_o the_o church_n to_o christ_n be_v notable_o describe_v psal_n 45._o 11._o 12._o hear_v o_o daughter_n incline_v thy_o care_n forget_v thy_o people_n and_o thy_o father_n house_n so_o shall_v the_o king_n have_v pleasure_n in_o thy_o beauty_n 12_o for_o he_o be_v thy_o lord_n and_o worship_n thou_o he_o yea_o there_o can_v no_o wife_n have_v so_o good_a cause_n to_o perform_v all_o loyal_a duty_n to_o her_o husband_n as_o the_o faithful_a have_v in_o respect_n of_o god_n for_o if_o it_o shall_v please_v some_o great_a prince_n to_o advance_v some_o base_a poor_a and_o miserable_a woman_n to_o the_o dignity_n of_o be_v his_o wife_n all_o man_n will_v say_v that_o she_o can_v not_o by_o any_o duty_n of_o subjection_n show_v herself_o sufficient_o thankful_a how_o then_o shall_v sinful_a man_n who_o of_o himself_o be_v the_o most_o wretched_a creature_n in_o the_o world_n but_o be_v now_o espouse_v to_o god_n the_o king_n of_o king_n behave_v himself_o in_o any_o measure_n so_o dutiful_o as_o he_o oâ—â—ht_v the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n wherein_o be_v handle_v the_o second_o part_n of_o man_n holiness_n and_o sinfulness_n to_o wit_n his_o conformity_n or_o likeness_n to_o god_n with_o the_o contrary_a unlikeness_n or_o defermitie_n chap._n i_o sect._n 1_o of_o the_o image_n of_o god_n in_o man_n in_o his_o pure_a estate_n it_o have_v be_v declare_v that_o the_o good_a estate_n of_o the_o reasonable_a creature_n whether_o man_n or_o angel_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o he_o be_v join_v to_o god_n the_o fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n both_o personal_o or_o local_o in_o happiness_n and_o also_o spiritual_o in_o perfect_a holiness_n the_o which_o holiness_n have_v two_o part_n subjection_n and_o conformity_n for_o so_o it_o have_v please_v god_n in_o great_a wisdom_n to_o join_v these_o two_o together_o in_o his_o reasonable_a creature_n lest_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v too_o much_o either_o debase_v by_o the_o one_o or_o lift_v up_o by_o the_o other_o for_o if_o they_o have_v be_v make_v like_o to_o god_n without_o subjection_n they_o will_v easy_o have_v be_v bring_v to_o think_v themselves_o squall_n to_o god_n estate_n and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v subject_a to_o â—od_a without_o any_o likeness_n or_o resemblance_n to_o he_o â—ey_n shall_v have_v lack_v that_o wherein_o their_o â—hole_a excellency_n and_o dignity_n do_v consist_v â—_o have_v be_v in_o the_o same_o condition_n with_o the_o â—ute_a beast_n thus_o god_n have_v create_v the_o â—ule_n of_o man_n in_o a_o equal_a temperament_n â—f_o contrary_a quality_n that_o so_o the_o one_o may_v qualify_v and_o preserve_v the_o other_o the_o subâ—ection_n of_o man_n be_v already_o declare_v now_o follow_v his_o conformity_n which_o be_v that_o â—arte_n of_o man_n holiness_n wherein_o he_o resemble_v god_n or_o be_v like_a unto_o god_n usual_o â—alled_v in_o scripture_n the_o image_n of_o god_n for_o as_o there_o be_v a_o likeness_n and_o similitude_n betwixt_o â—n_a image_n and_o that_o whereof_o it_o be_v the_o image_n so_o there_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o this_o part_n of_o man_n holiness_n a_o likeness_n betwixt_o god_n and_o man_n for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o easy_a resolve_v of_o those_o manifold_a doubt_n which_o be_v move_v about_o it_o it_o be_v needful_a that_o we_o declare_v what_o god_n be_v to_o who_o we_o make_v man_n to_o be_v like_a the_o essence_n of_o god_n be_v so_o infinite_a secret_a and_o hide_a that_o it_o can_v be_v conceive_v in_o our_o mind_n much_o less_o express_v in_o word_n to_o the_o capacity_n of_o other_o for_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v 24._o john_n 4._o 24._o that_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n the_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n be_v not_o visible_a and_o sensible_a but_o mystical_a and_o wonderful_a as_o be_v spirit_n for_o otherwise_o the_o name_n of_o spirit_n as_o it_o be_v give_v to_o angel_n be_v too_o gross_a to_o express_v the_o essence_n of_o god_n yet_o it_o have_v please_v god_n in_o mercy_n to_o make_v himself_o know_v unto_o we_o by_o his_o property_n usual_o call_v by_o the_o divine_n the_o attribute_n of_o god_n as_o his_o knowledge_n wisdom_n justice_n mercy_n love_n power_n eternity_n and_o such_o other_o for_o as_o we_o in_o common_a speech_n go_v about_o to_o describe_v any_o man_n do_v mention_n his_o virtue_n quality_n and_o condition_n say_v that_o he_o be_v honest_a gentle_a faithful_a liberal_a just_a and_o learned_a so_o we_o have_v reveal_v unto_o we_o in_o scripture_n no_o other_o essence_n or_o nature_n of_o god_n but_o the_o aforesaid_a attribute_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o will_v describe_v god_n we_o must_v say_v that_o he_o be_v a_o certain_a essence_n most_o simple_a without_o any_o manner_n of_o composition_n exist_v of_o itself_o and_o from_o who_o all_o creature_n and_o action_n do_v 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more_o or_o less_o yet_o there_o be_v this_o difference_n that_o the_o strength_n of_o god_n be_v essential_a unto_o he_o and_o a_o part_n of_o his_o nature_n but_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o creature_n be_v a_o quality_n or_o accidental_a thing_n which_o may_v be_v spare_v as_o when_o we_o see_v two_o sun_n the_o one_o be_v a_o true_a substance_n but_o the_o other_o be_v only_o the_o reflection_n of_o the_o beam_n of_o the_o true_a sun_n in_o god_n it_o be_v primarelie_o as_o in_o the_o fountain_n but_o the_o creature_n have_v his_o strength_n from_o god_n in_o god_n it_o be_v infinite_a in_o the_o creature_n it_o be_v finite_a god_n have_v all_o strength_n the_o creature_n have_v but_o some_o yea_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o mighty_a creature_n be_v great_a weakness_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o
man_n general_o not_o only_a to_o his_o church_n but_o also_o to_o the_o heathen_a and_o infidel_n be_v manifest_a even_o to_o the_o gentiles_n for_o god_n have_v make_v it_o know_v unto_o they_o for_o the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o god_n as_o namely_o his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godheade_n be_v see_v since_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v by_o reason_n or_o the_o understanding_n gather_v out_o of_o the_o creature_n this_o appear_v also_o in_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n which_o have_v be_v since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n for_o although_o few_o of_o they_o have_v have_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o of_o his_o true_a worship_n yet_o all_o general_o have_v have_v and_o worship_v some_o god_n yea_o almost_o every_o particular_a country_n city_n town_n village_n and_o family_n have_v have_v their_o proper_a god_n whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v in_o their_o mind_n the_o aforesaid_a knowledge_n to_o wit_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v otherwise_o for_o whenas_o man_n see_v the_o creature_n to_o wit_n the_o heaven_n the_o earth_n the_o sea_n he_o must_v needs_o think_v with_o himself_o that_o these_o dead_a and_o senseless_a creature_n can_v not_o make_v themselves_o yea_o that_o no_o man_n nor_o any_o other_o creature_n can_v make_v either_o they_o or_o yet_o itself_o for_o how_o shall_v any_o thing_n work_n or_o do_v any_o thing_n before_o it_o do_v exist_v itself_o thus_o we_o see_v what_o be_v the_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o natural_a man_n but_o what_o be_v this_o incomparison_n of_o that_o knowledge_n which_o man_n have_v in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n but_o mere_a &_o gross_a ignorance_n for_o man_n in_o his_o pure_a estate_n have_v more_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o god_n although_o not_o the_o same_o particular_a knowledge_n than_o all_o the_o â—earned_a divine_n in_o the_o world_n have_v have_v have_v or_o shall_v have_v hereafter_o but_o since_o the_o fall_n he_o have_v not_o by_o nature_n the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n for_o we_o can_v say_v that_o he_o that_o think_v his_o idol_n to_o be_v a_o god_n know_v the_o true_a god_n beside_o this_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v not_o a_o settle_a and_o ground_a persuasion_n but_o a_o light_n and_o waver_a opinion_n a_o mean_a betwixt_o knowledge_n and_o ignorance_n and_o therefore_o little_o regard_v or_o follow_v in_o life_n and_o easy_o lose_v out_o of_o the_o mind_n whereof_o it_o come_v that_o those_o relic_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v so_o soon_o lose_v and_o by_o the_o least_o persuasion_n or_o occasion_n turn_v into_o senseless_a idolatry_n wherein_o god_n be_v think_v to_o be_v like_a to_o man_n and_o other_o base_a creature_n but_o to_o proceed_v although_o the_o actual_a ignorance_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n be_v so_o palpable_a as_o that_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v yet_o he_o will_v not_o yield_v to_o potential_a ignorance_n that_o be_v he_o will_v not_o confess_v himself_o to_o be_v so_o blockish_a dull_a &_o uncapable_a of_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n but_o that_o he_o may_v easy_o attain_v unto_o it_o by_o his_o own_o strength_n and_o by_o the_o natural_a faculty_n of_o his_o body_n and_o mind_n if_o so_o be_v he_o list_v to_o go_v about_o it_o for_o the_o proof_n whereof_o he_o will_v allege_v the_o example_n of_o many_o natural_a and_o unregenerate_a man_n who_o although_o they_o never_o know_v indeed_o what_o spiritual_a regenerationment_n but_o do_v always_o laugh_v at_o it_o and_o secret_o scorn_v the_o professor_n of_o it_o be_v in_o their_o whole_a life_n carnal_a worldly_a and_o dissolute_a yet_o for_o knowledge_n in_o all_o point_n of_o divinity_n they_o be_v count_v the_o most_o profound_a man_n of_o all_o other_o to_o this_o we_o answer_v as_o we_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n 1._o cor._n 2._o 14._o that_o the_o natural_a man_n do_v not_o conceive_v or_o comprehend_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n 14._o for_o they_o be_v foolishness_n unto_o he_o neither_o can_v he_o know_v they_o because_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v that_o be_v the_o carnal_a man_n be_v not_o only_o actual_o ignorant_a of_o god_n but_o also_o unable_a to_o conceive_v and_o understand_v heavenly_a thing_n for_o although_o he_o labour_v most_o earnest_o in_o a_o presumptuous_a opinion_n of_o his_o own_o wit_n and_o learning_n to_o know_v god_n yet_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n altogether_o impossible_a for_o he_o to_o attain_v to_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o he_o to_o this_o agree_v daily_a experience_n for_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v preach_v diligent_o plain_o and_o painful_o in_o many_o place_n in_o the_o which_o most_o of_o the_o hearer_n remain_v as_o ignorant_a of_o religion_n as_o if_o they_o have_v never_o hear_v tell_v of_o such_o a_o matter_n whereas_o if_o a_o man_n do_v tell_v they_o a_o tale_n of_o any_o worldly_a matter_n belong_v to_o their_o profit_n or_o pleasure_n they_o will_v understand_v it_o at_o the_o first_o and_o carry_v it_o away_o so_o well_o that_o they_o will_v be_v able_a to_o instruct_v other_o very_o readely_a in_o it_o as_o touch_v the_o great_a measure_n of_o knowledge_n which_o may_v be_v see_v in_o diverse_a unregenerate_a man_n we_o answer_v first_o that_o god_n do_v bestow_v his_o spiritual_a gift_n not_o only_o on_o the_o elect_a but_o also_o on_o the_o reprobate_n as_o we_o be_v to_o declare_v at_o large_a in_o the_o next_o part_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v not_o mere_a carnal_a man_n because_o they_o have_v a_o shadow_n of_o regeneration_n second_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o man_n howsoever_o it_o carry_v a_o glorious_a show_n yet_o in_o strait_a examination_n will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v nothing_o but_o ignorance_n for_o it_o be_v not_o wrought_v effectual_o in_o their_o mind_n and_o heart_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n but_o only_o borrow_v out_o of_o the_o book_n and_o sermon_n of_o other_o man_n have_v no_o steedfast_a ground_n in_o they_o but_o in_o mingle_v with_o much_o doubt_n unbeleef_n error_n &_o ignorance_n for_o who_o know_v not_o that_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a &_o common_a matter_n for_o man_n to_o talk_v and_o reason_n at_o large_a of_o matter_n which_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v 1._o tim._n 1._o 7._o they_o will_v be_v doctor_n of_o the_o law_n 7._o &_o yet_o they_o know_v not_o what_o they_o speak_v nor_o whereof_o they_o affirm_v so_o many_o do_v prophecy_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n who_o neither_o know_v christ_n nor_o be_v acknowledge_v of_o he_o 10._o so_o we_o read_v john_n 3._o 10._o of_o nicodemus_n who_o although_o he_o be_v a_o teacher_n in_o israel_n yet_o he_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o regeneration_n that_o be_v of_o all_o religion_n so_o many_o preach_v of_o god_n christ_n faith_n the_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o dispute_v very_o cunning_o and_o subtle_o of_o these_o thing_n who_o think_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o they_o be_v but_o vain_a &_o false_a doctrine_n invent_v perhaps_o for_o a_o good_a end_n to_o make_v man_n live_v a_o honest_a and_o orderly_a life_n but_o such_o as_o have_v no_o truth_n in_o they_o neither_o shall_v ever_o be_v see_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v if_o any_o do_v marvel_v how_o man_n of_o singular_a wit_n of_o great_a capacity_n learning_n read_v judgement_n and_o wisdom_n shall_v be_v so_o dull_a or_o rather_o dead_a and_o senseless_a as_o not_o to_o understand_v the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o action_n which_o be_v so_o plain_o teach_v and_o so_o often_o iterate_v in_o the_o scripture_n the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v give_v in_o the_o place_n before_o cite_v 1._o cor._n 3._o 14._o because_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n be_v spiritual_o to_o be_v discern_v 14._o that_o be_v because_o there_o be_v a_o repugnancy_n and_o contrariety_n betwixt_o the_o reason_n of_o a_o natural_a man_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n for_o the_o natural_a man_n tri_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o thing_n by_o his_o own_o sense_n esteem_v that_o impossible_a and_o false_a which_o can_v be_v effect_v by_o ordinary_a and_o natural_a cause_n but_o the_o word_n of_o god_n especial_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v in_o it_o many_o thing_n which_o be_v impossible_a in_o nature_n &_o therefore_o incredible_a in_o all_o reason_n as_o namely_o the_o incarnation_n of_o god_n the_o miraculous_a conception_n of_o christ_n the_o spiritual_a regeneration_n of_o the_o faithful_a the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n eternal_a glory_n and_o many_o other_o the_o full_a knowledge_n and_o undoubted_a persuasion_n whereof_o be_v far_o more_o hardly_o attain_v by_o those_o who_o excel_v in_o natural_a wit_n worldly_a wisdom_n profound_a learning_n then_o by_o those_o who_o be_v simple_a and_o unlearned_a 26._o 1._o cor._n