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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
death_n eternal_a know_v life_n 7,230 5 4.8582 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61251 A vindication of the divine perfections illustrating the glory of God in them, by reason and revelation: methodically digested into several meditations. By a person of honour. Stair, James Dalrymple, Viscount of, 1619-1695. 1695 (1695) Wing S5181; ESTC R221836 207,616 368

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upon_o the_o omniscience_n of_o god_n for_o if_o he_o do_v foreknow_v all_o that_o every_o creature_n will_v do_v though_o his_o benevolence_n do_v arise_v from_o their_o act_n yet_o it_o can_v not_o be_v from_o the_o singular_a act_n but_o from_o the_o prevalence_n be_v it_o then_o possible_a that_o from_o eternity_n he_o shall_v have_v goodwill_n and_o hatred_n to_o the_o same_o person_n much_o less_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v so_o many_o change_n of_o it_o if_o he_o do_v foreknow_v that_o after_o the_o attainment_n of_o grace_n that_o creature_n will_v final_o forsake_v he_o can_v it_o consist_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v the_o love_n of_o benevolence_n to_o that_o creature_n the_o lord_n have_v say_v i_o be_o god_n and_o change_v not_o and_o therefore_o the_o son_n of_o jacob_n be_v not_o consume_v and_o who_o he_o love_v he_o love_v to_o the_o end_n which_o can_v only_o be_v understand_v of_o his_o love_n of_o benevolence_n not_o of_o his_o complacence_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n be_v manifest_a because_o his_o benevolence_n be_v anterior_a in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n to_o any_o moral_a goodness_n in_o the_o creature_n which_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o but_o his_o beneplacence_n presuppose_v goodness_n give_v by_o god_n to_o the_o creature_n this_o unchangeableness_n of_o god_n be_v further_o illustrate_v by_o his_o omniscience_n for_o from_o eternity_n know_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v there_o can_v no_o unexpected_a case_n arise_v that_o may_v give_v occasion_n to_o he_o to_o change_v and_o therefore_o this_o unchangeableness_n be_v a_o incommunicable_a perfection_n of_o god_n creature_n can_v not_o act_v suitable_o to_o their_o nature_n and_o to_o their_o duty_n if_o in_o many_o of_o their_o purpose_n they_o shall_v not_o change_v if_o matter_n of_o moment_n that_o they_o expect_v not_o shall_v occur_v their_o constancy_n reach_v no_o further_o than_o that_o upon_o small_a and_o light_a occasion_n which_o they_o may_v neglect_v or_o contemn_v they_o will_v not_o change_v their_o profess_a resolution_n in_o matter_n of_o moment_n the_o unchangeableness_n of_o god_n import_v not_o that_o he_o be_v inexorable_a and_o that_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pray_v to_o he_o because_o he_o have_v from_o eternity_n immutable_o decree_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o too_o hard_a objection_n if_o god_n do_v not_o determine_v with_o foresight_n and_o consideration_n of_o the_o earnest_a desire_n and_o fervent_a supplication_n of_o his_o creature_n as_o the_o object_n of_o his_o decree_n and_o not_o as_o the_o mere_a antecedent_n of_o it_o but_o see_v he_o do_v so_o decree_n we_o may_v with_o as_o good_a warrant_n and_o confidence_n supplicate_v as_o if_o he_o be_v undetermined_a when_o we_o pray_v whence_o only_o there_o can_v a_o rational_a account_n be_v give_v why_o we_o shall_v pray_v with_o divine_a approbation_n even_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o change_n of_o inscient_a nature_n as_o against_o drought_n barrenness_n inundation_n etc._n etc._n be_v we_o thereby_o allow_v to_o implore_v of_o god_n a_o miracle_n that_o by_o his_o omnipotence_n he_o shall_v alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n no_o but_o because_o he_o have_v so_o order_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n upon_o his_o foresight_n of_o the_o necessity_n and_o of_o the_o earnest_a desire_n and_o supplication_n of_o his_o creature_n so_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v correspondent_a to_o their_o desire_n it_o do_v not_o import_v a_o changeableness_n in_o god_n that_o he_o do_v not_o inflict_v the_o judgement_n he_o denounce_v against_o sinner_n general_o or_o particular_o and_o when_o he_o say_v to_o adam_n of_o the_o forbid_a fruit_n in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v sure_o die_v or_o when_o isaiah_n from_o the_o lord_n say_v to_o hezekiah_n set_v thy_o house_n in_o order_n for_o thou_o shall_v die_v and_o not_o live_v and_o yet_o by_o the_o same_o prophet_n he_o say_v i_o have_v hear_v thy_o prayer_n i_o have_v see_v thy_o tear_n behold_v i_o will_v heal_v thou_o and_o thou_o shall_v go_v up_o to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n on_o the_o three_o day_n and_o i_o will_v add_v unto_o thy_o day_n fifteen_o year_n and_o when_o by_o jonah_n he_o prophesy_v to_o the_o ninevite_n yet_o forty_o day_n and_o nineveh_n shall_v be_v overthrow_v which_o doubtless_o have_v be_v upon_o a_o particular_a atrocious_a sin_n for_o which_o they_o humble_v themselves_o with_o fast_v and_o mourn_v in_o sackcloth_n and_o though_o their_o mourn_a be_v not_o repentance_n unto_o eternal_a life_n yet_o thereupon_o god_n forgive_v their_o overthrow_n which_o he_o have_v threaten_v these_o and_o like_a place_n signify_v not_o god_n will_n which_o be_v never_o without_o effect_n but_o the_o sanction_n of_o his_o justice_n intimate_v what_o be_v deserve_v or_o to_o be_v observe_v as_o his_o pleasure_n i_o know_v some_o man_n have_v consider_v the_o intimation_n of_o hezekiah_n death_n and_o nineveh_n overthrow_n as_o prediction_n wherein_o not_o only_o the_o unchangeableness_n but_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v and_o there_o be_v a_o whole_a treatise_n write_v on_o that_o subject_a whether_o the_o term_n of_o life_n be_v determine_v and_o fix_v and_o different_a judgement_n thereon_o which_o i_o think_v strange_a that_o any_o thing_n shall_v be_v suppose_v undetermined_a by_o the_o eternal_a decree_n of_o god_n to_o do_v or_o permit_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v see_v it_o be_v express_o say_v know_v unto_o god_n be_v all_o his_o work_n from_o the_o beginning_n but_o the_o addition_n to_o hezekiah_n life_n import_v no_o more_o than_o god_n not_o inflict_v his_o threaten_a judgement_n against_o hezekiah_n for_o his_o confidence_n in_o his_o own_o strength_n by_o his_o armour_n and_o treasury_n which_o he_o show_v to_o the_o messenger_n of_o babylon_n nor_o be_v it_o congruous_a to_o say_v that_o the_o prophet_n design_n be_v to_o show_v when_o hezekiah_n by_o the_o course_n of_o his_o nature_n will_v die_v for_o it_o be_v evident_o a_o threaten_n for_o his_o pride_n and_o selfconfidence_n which_o appear_v more_o after_o his_o recovery_n but_o it_o be_v lurk_v before_o for_o before_o his_o sickness_n it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v magnify_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o nation_n there_o be_v no_o example_n where_o god_n do_v ever_o use_v such_o expression_n but_o in_o the_o way_n of_o threaten_v for_o sin_n neither_o do_v i_o like_o that_o interpretation_n of_o jonah_n denunciation_n that_o there_o be_v ever_o a_o secret_a exception_n of_o repentance_n in_o the_o denunciation_n of_o all_o judgement_n which_o the_o ninevite_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n know_v see_v jonah_n do_v not_o know_v it_o but_o be_v angry_a that_o god_n spare_v nineveh_n lest_o he_o may_v be_v think_v a_o false_a prophet_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a and_o frequent_a in_o scripture_n that_o when_o god_n denounce_v evil_a for_o sin_n it_o be_v no_o prediction_n but_o a_o threaten_v import_v no_o more_o but_o that_o it_o be_v just_a to_o be_v inflict_v if_o there_o be_v no_o redress_n meditation_n xii_o upon_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n i_o do_v conceive_v that_o the_o first_o divine_a perfection_n in_o the_o natural_a order_n arise_v from_o god_n unchangeableness_n godlikeness_n or_o holiness_n in_o relation_n to_o creature_n be_v his_o goodness_n for_o the_o act_n of_o his_o goodness_n behove_v to_o be_v before_o the_o act_n of_o his_o justice_n mercy_n and_o faithfulness_n all_o which_o presuppose_v the_o existence_n of_o creature_n but_o the_o give_v or_o design_v to_o give_v they_o existence_n and_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o god_n give_v they_o be_v act_n of_o mere_a goodness_n which_o no_o meritmonger_n can_v pretend_v to_o arise_v from_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o creature_n and_o therefore_o the_o clear_a way_n to_o a_o distinct_a apprehension_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n be_v to_o follow_v their_o natural_a order_n goodness_n be_v in_o ordinary_a use_n of_o very_o different_a signification_n sometime_o it_o comprehend_v all_o perfection_n natural_a and_o moral_a for_o all_o that_o be_v moral_o good_a or_o that_o be_v profitable_a and_o pleasant_a be_v comprehend_v in_o that_o kind_n of_o goodness_n to_o which_o all_o the_o act_n of_o reason_n be_v bound_v and_o it_o be_v not_o within_o the_o latitude_n of_o the_o large_a freedom_n to_o choose_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o in_o some_o of_o these_o way_n be_v or_o appear_v to_o be_v good_a but_o goodness_n in_o this_o latitude_n be_v not_o to_o be_v attribute_v to_o god_n who_o never_o act_v upon_o mere_a appearance_n but_o all_o his_o act_n towards_o creature_n be_v moral_o good_a even_o then_o when_o the_o effect_n be_v natural_o evil_a as_o it_o be_v say_v there_o be_v no_o evil_a in_o the_o city_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o
create_v any_o creature_n why_o he_o create_v not_o more_o individual_n more_o kind_n more_o excellent_a perfection_n why_o he_o suffer_v sin_n to_o come_v into_o the_o world_n why_o he_o save_v so_o few_o and_o permit_v the_o devil_n to_o tempt_v and_o therefore_o upon_o pretence_n to_o vindicate_v the_o purity_n and_o magnify_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n they_o represent_v he_o as_o have_v do_v all_o that_o be_v possible_a for_o he_o to_o do_v especial_o in_o relation_n to_o his_o rational_a creature_n who_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v create_v with_o reason_n and_o free_a choice_n so_o that_o he_o can_v in_o all_o case_n effectual_o over-rule_v they_o by_o hinder_v they_o to_o do_v evil_a or_o make_v they_o to_o do_v good_a but_o that_o he_o can_v only_o persuade_v they_o and_o bring_v into_o their_o thought_n and_o remembrance_n the_o best_a motive_n yet_o so_o as_o they_o can_v reject_v they_o all_o and_o choose_v the_o contrary_a at_o least_o that_o he_o have_v decree_v to_o have_v no_o far_o influence_n on_o they_o but_o by_o persuasion_n wherein_o they_o fortify_v themselves_o by_o god_n entreaty_n and_o expostulation_n and_o by_o his_o express_a declaration_n what_o can_v i_o have_v do_v more_o for_o my_o vineyard_n that_o i_o have_v not_o do_v this_o do_v no_o less_o derogate_v from_o the_o power_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n than_o the_o former_a do_v from_o his_o goodness_n and_o justice_n there_o be_v innumerable_a other_o mistake_v yea_o and_o pernicious_a error_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o amiableness_n and_o perfection_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o proper_a here_o to_o vindicate_v the_o divine_a perfection_n against_o these_o error_n but_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o particular_a perfection_n on_o which_o they_o encroach_v i_o shall_v only_o in_o general_n observe_v how_o these_o opinion_n can_v subsist_v with_o the_o common_a conception_n of_o god_n unto_o which_o all_o that_o use_v unprejudicate_v reason_n do_v agree_v that_o he_o be_v a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a that_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n can_v not_o conceive_v he_o more_o perfect_a than_o he_o be_v and_o consequent_o more_o amiable_a if_o that_o he_o act_v by_o absolute_a necessity_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v he_o more_o perfect_a if_o in_o his_o intention_n purpose_n and_o performance_n he_o act_v free_o it_o be_v a_o inbred_a principle_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v moral_o good_a virtuous_a or_o praiseworthy_a that_o be_v do_v of_o necessity_n and_o not_o free_o and_o therefore_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o well_o as_o revelation_n do_v represent_v the_o divine_a intention_n and_o act_n as_o free_v not_o by_o the_o freedom_n of_o indifference_n but_o that_o there_o be_v sufficiency_n of_o power_n and_o strength_n in_o god_n to_o have_v do_v otherways_o or_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o do_v not_o import_v inconsistency_n with_o itself_o which_o only_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a but_o there_o be_v another_o kind_n of_o impossibility_n not_o absolute_a by_o inconsistency_n but_o eventual_o impossible_a for_o example_n that_o all_o mankind_n shall_v be_v of_o one_o opinion_n suppose_v a_o man_n to_o aim_v and_o shoot_v at_o a_o mark_n and_o hit_v it_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n it_o have_v no_o inconsistency_n that_o the_o same_o man_n with_o the_o same_o instrument_n shall_v ever_o hit_v that_o mark_n and_o yet_o eventual_o it_o be_v impossible_a so_o it_o be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o god_n to_o lie_v and_o that_o he_o have_v do_v all_o that_o he_o can_v do_v for_o his_o vineyard_n the_o mean_v whereof_o be_v not_o because_o of_o his_o decree_n and_o immutability_n for_o so_o all_o thing_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o than_o they_o be_v but_o because_o god_n will_v never_o do_v any_o thing_n not_o worthy_a of_o and_o become_v his_o infinite_o glorious_a natural_a perfection_n it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o not_o inconsistent_a that_o he_o shall_v have_v give_v his_o rational_a creature_n such_o inclination_n as_o they_o can_v not_o possible_o act_v contrary_a thereto_o wherein_o he_o have_v convince_v we_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o rational_a creature_n to_o choose_v but_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o some_o kind_n of_o goodness_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o desire_v that_o which_o they_o conceive_v will_v be_v their_o own_o misery_n or_o not_o to_o desire_v their_o own_o happiness_n when_o they_o think_v upon_o it_o but_o he_o have_v never_o propose_v a_o reward_n for_o such_o act_n because_o they_o proceed_v like_o the_o instinct_n of_o brute_n which_o may_v do_v thing_n natural_o good_a as_o well_o as_o natural_o evil_a but_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o punishment_n or_o of_o reward_n because_o they_o have_v not_o freedom_n god_n have_v also_o give_v to_o mankind_n the_o natural_a affection_n to_o love_v their_o child_n distinct_a from_o that_o love_n which_o arise_v from_o their_o perfection_n this_o inclination_n be_v very_o strong_a yet_o some_o do_v counteract_v it_o and_o thereby_o their_o crime_n be_v most_o horrid_a but_o their_o reward_n be_v least_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n or_o of_o men._n these_o action_n be_v most_o praiseworthy_a whereby_o the_o contrary_a strong_a inclination_n be_v overcome_v as_o to_o hazard_v life_n without_o rational_a hope_n of_o escape_n for_o the_o good_a of_o a_o country_n or_o city_n to_o lay_v it_o down_o when_o escape_n be_v impossible_a and_o yet_o a_o contrary_a word_n will_v save_v it_o upon_o love_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n as_o the_o martyr_n have_v suffer_v the_o most_o cruel_a death_n when_o a_o contrary_a acknowledgement_n will_v both_o have_v give_v life_n and_o reward_n 13._o when_o therefore_o i_o consider_v and_o compare_v these_o two_o way_n that_o be_v both_o possible_a and_o good_a that_o god_n shall_v have_v create_v all_o his_o rational_a creature_n with_o such_o inclination_n that_o they_o can_v not_o counteract_v and_o thereby_o be_v neither_o capable_a of_o punishment_n nor_o reward_n not_o have_v any_o freedom_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v create_v they_o with_o sufficient_a inbred_a principle_n and_o inclination_n to_o good_a not_o of_o necessity_n but_o of_o free_a choice_n and_o which_o they_o can_v counteract_v and_o so_o do_v govern_v they_o by_o reward_n and_o punishment_n i_o be_o convince_v as_o clear_o as_o of_o the_o light_n that_o in_o this_o way_n creature_n be_v more_o like_a to_o their_o creator_n and_o that_o his_o choice_n be_v more_o suitable_a worthy_a of_o and_o become_v his_o infinite_o glorious_a nature_n than_o the_o former_a way_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v that_o the_o confirm_a angel_n or_o glorious_a saint_n be_v in_o a_o absolute_a impossibility_n to_o counteract_v their_o inclination_n god_n so_o assist_v they_o in_o all_o their_o choice_n that_o it_o be_v only_o eventual_o impossible_a as_o our_o saviour_n encourage_v his_o apostle_n not_o to_o be_v anxious_a what_o to_o say_v when_o they_o be_v bring_v before_o judge_n for_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v they_o what_o to_o say_v in_o that_o hour_n therefore_o both_o angel_n and_o man_n be_v at_o first_o create_v in_o a_o state_n of_o innocence_n and_o holiness_n but_o mutable_a for_o after-proof_n of_o their_o faithfulness_n and_o diligence_n god_n do_v confirm_v the_o elect_a angel_n by_o great_a grace_n than_o though_o rest_n and_o the_o first_o man_n and_o woman_n do_v fall_v free_o and_o by_o no_o necessity_n impose_v either_o by_o the_o decree_n or_o dispensation_n of_o god_n how_o foolish_a then_o be_v it_o to_o imagine_v that_o god_n who_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o no_o creature_n will_v create_v such_o creature_n as_o either_o by_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o nature_n or_o by_o his_o decree_n he_o can_v not_o govern_v but_o only_o persuade_v request_n and_o expostulate_v a_o supposition_n little_a agreeable_a to_o that_o of_o his_o foreknowledge_n or_o the_o use_v he_o may_v 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god_n pleasure_n neither_o to_o be_v a_o act_n of_o his_o understanding_n nor_o of_o his_o will_n but_o a_o distinct_a act_n result_v from_o his_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o in_o his_o divine_a perfection_n decree_n and_o dispensation_n and_o in_o the_o effect_n of_o they_o and_o see_v this_o knowledge_n be_v unchangeable_a so_o must_v his_o pleasure_n be_v and_o so_o must_v his_o will_v be_v of_o the_o continuance_n of_o that_o pleasure_n as_o it_o result_v from_o the_o natural_a or_o moral_a perfection_n of_o his_o creature_n in_o which_o his_o pleasure_n differ_v from_o the_o pleasure_n of_o creature_n who_o can_v necessary_o have_v the_o object_n of_o pleasure_n his_o pleasure_n also_o be_v infinite_a and_o can_v be_v no_o great_a nor_o no_o less_o intensive_o though_o it_o may_v be_v extensive_o for_o he_o delight_v not_o only_o in_o the_o idea_n of_o his_o creature_n when_o they_o exist_v not_o but_o he_o do_v also_o delight_v in_o the_o work_v of_o his_o hand_n when_o they_o 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unjust_a he_o open_v his_o bountiful_a hand_n and_o bestow_v what_o be_v necessary_a for_o every_o live_a thing_n while_o he_o allow_v it_o life_n he_o be_v merciful_a and_o pity_v the_o very_a raven_n when_o they_o cry_v for_o want_v of_o food_n and_o much_o more_o supply_v the_o necessity_n of_o man_n even_o when_o they_o do_v not_o trust_v or_o expect_v it_o all_o these_o perfection_n respect_v his_o creature_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v without_o obligation_n and_o in_o that_o differ_v from_o his_o justice_n and_o so_o be_v also_o his_o providence_n and_o government_n of_o the_o world_n but_o his_o truth_n and_o his_o wisdom_n be_v perfection_n terminate_v on_o himself_o as_o their_o peculiar_a end_n they_o be_v free_a for_o none_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o himself_o yet_o they_o be_v more_o necessary_a than_o the_o act_n of_o bounty_n which_o he_o may_v forbear_v but_o they_o be_v comprehend_v under_o the_o decency_n proper_a to_o god_n on_o his_o own_o account_n 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but_o
be_v lose_v and_o see_v the_o preference_n of_o the_o benefit_n by_o the_o second_o adam_n be_v express_v in_o the_o parallel_n if_o that_o exaltation_n have_v be_v whole_o new_a it_o will_v not_o have_v be_v omit_v the_o parallel_n also_o import_v that_o the_o promise_n of_o immortality_n be_v not_o only_o to_o adam_n but_o to_o his_o posterity_n it_o can_v not_o consist_v with_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n that_o the_o first_o covenant_n shall_v have_v be_v impracticable_a and_o therefore_o it_o must_v have_v be_v a_o part_n of_o god_n promise_n that_o if_o adam_n continue_v faithful_a for_o such_o time_n as_o god_n have_v appoint_v for_o his_o trial_n that_o god_n will_v confirm_v he_o by_o more_o powerful_a and_o efficacious_a grace_n as_o it_o be_v common_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v confirm_v the_o elect_a angel_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o fall_v but_o be_v happy_a i_o see_v not_o how_o it_o can_v be_v call_v a_o happy_a state_n that_o be_v still_o under_o 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only_o a_o reward_n of_o debt_n by_o justice_n but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v partly_o a_o reward_n of_o debt_n and_o partly_o a_o reward_n of_o grace_n free_o give_v and_o not_o deserve_v those_o who_o arrogate_v salvation_n by_o the_o merit_n of_o their_o work_n fortify_v themselves_o in_o their_o error_n by_o hold_v that_o salvation_n by_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n will_v have_v be_v whole_o by_o merit_n and_o therefore_o christ_n have_v expiate_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o elect_n their_o good_a work_n must_v merit_v heaven_n which_o be_v clear_o confute_v see_v god_n dispensation_n be_v by_o covenant_n import_v engagement_n which_o do_v not_o arise_v from_o the_o creature_n interest_n by_o creation_n but_o only_o by_o god_n promise_n which_o be_v free_a by_o the_o freedom_n of_o indiffrency_n i_o be_o full_o persuade_v that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o god_n promise_n in_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n be_v by_o his_o free_a favour_n and_o can_v not_o have_v be_v claim_v by_o adam_n or_o 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that_o the_o engage_v to_o these_o performance_n be_v voluntary_a even_o though_o the_o matter_n engage_v be_v necessary_a and_o have_v a_o anterior_a obligation_n distinct_a from_o that_o obligation_n which_o arise_v by_o the_o contract_n for_o as_o it_o be_v well_o say_v by_o lawyer_n the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v due_a by_o several_a obligation_n and_o may_v be_v exact_v by_o any_o of_o they_o but_o the_o property_n of_o a_o thing_n can_v be_v by_o more_o right_n for_o none_o can_v acquire_v that_o which_o be_v already_o his_o own_o therefore_o before_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n the_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o a_o full_a observance_n of_o god_n command_n without_o any_o engagement_n of_o his_o own_o because_o god_n who_o give_v he_o his_o be_v may_v just_o qualify_v his_o own_o gift_n at_o his_o pleasure_n so_o he_o have_v give_v man_n his_o be_v by_o creation_n with_o sufficient_a intimation_n of_o his_o pleasure_n and_o command_n by_o the_o law_n write_v in_o his_o heart_n 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apostle_n but_o to_o other_o be_v either_o reason_n or_o will_n make_v use_v of_o in_o the_o produce_v of_o these_o or_o be_v it_o a_o brute_n way_n unbeseeming_a god_n be_v not_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_v inbred_a in_o nature_n and_o free_o give_v of_o god_n be_v therefore_o man_n reason_v a_o brute_n way_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o express_a against_o this_o opinion_n than_o that_o of_o ezekiel_n a_o new_a heart_n also_o will_v i_o give_v you_o and_o a_o new_a spirit_n will_v i_o put_v within_o you_o and_o i_o will_v take_v away_o the_o stony_a heart_n out_o of_o your_o flesh_n and_o give_v you_o a_o heart_n of_o flesh_n and_o i_o will_v put_v my_o spirit_n within_o you_o and_o cause_v you_o to_o walk_v in_o my_o statute_n and_o you_o shall_v keep_v my_o judgement_n and_o do_v they_o 3._o there_o be_v a_o great_a inclination_n in_o man_n to_o put_v work_n upon_o man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o that_o as_o deserve_v by_o justice_n the_o performance_n of_o 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far_o as_o humane_a frailty_n can_v allow_v to_o fulfil_v they_o all_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o that_o holiness_n be_v man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n we_o behove_v to_o take_v the_o antinomian_n interpretation_n that_o we_o be_v no_o more_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n that_o the_o law_n have_v no_o more_o obligation_n on_o believer_n therefore_o the_o new_a obedience_n must_v be_v man_n part._n this_o opinion_n have_v be_v hold_v by_o some_o pious_a and_o otherwise_o orthodox_n divine_v and_o therefore_o it_o ought_v rather_o to_o be_v clear_v as_o a_o mistake_n than_o prosecute_v as_o a_o state_v profession_n it_o must_v therefore_o be_v advert_v that_o god_n moral_a law_n be_v indispensable_a and_o behove_v to_o be_v bind_v tho_o there_o have_v never_o be_v a_o covenant_n as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o god_n dispensation_n may_v have_v be_v without_o take_v man_n consent_n by_o way_n of_o covenant_n but_o by_o the_o law_n write_v in_o his_o heart_n oblige_v he_o to_o obedience_n under_o the_o just_a and_o proportion_a punishment_n of_o eternal_a exclusion_n from_o god_n favour_n the_o breach_n or_o loss_n of_o no_o covenant_n can_v take_v away_o that_o it_o become_v indeed_o man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n but_o that_o covenant_n be_v break_v yet_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v anterior_a to_o that_o covenant_n stand_v in_o thecovenaut_n of_o work_n there_o be_v partly_o merit_n partly_o favour_n but_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n exclude_v all_o merit_n and_o man_n part_n be_v by_o faith_n only_o so_o that_o faith_n be_v not_o consider_v in_o its_o moral_a goodness_n for_o in_o that_o consideration_n love_n be_v a_o far_o more_o excellent_a and_o disintere_v virtue_n than_o faith_n but_o holiness_n be_v on_o god_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o in_o the_o former_a conception_n be_v express_v he_o infuse_v the_o habit_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a virtue_n in_o conversion_n man_n engagement_n to_o endeavour_v to_o keep_v god_n law_n be_v of_o no_o import_n unless_o he_o do_v keep_v it_o and_o so_o god_n part_n shall_v not_o be_v at_o the_o time_n of_o conversion_n but_o at_o the_o time_n of_o death_n after_o the_o course_n of_o man_n life_n do_v appear_v the_o scripture_n make_v no_o mention_n or_o moment_n of_o man_n resolution_n which_o be_v as_o the_o early_a cloud_n or_o morning_n dew_n which_o quick_o pass_v away_o neither_o will_v the_o term_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v equal_a to_o all_o the_o endeavour_n of_o some_o will_v go_v much_o further_a than_o the_o endeavour_n of_o other_o 5._o some_o divine_n in_o england_n have_v make_v man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n to_o be_v faith_n as_o it_o be_v a_o good_a work_n because_o it_o be_v say_v abraham_n believe_v in_o god_n and_o it_o be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n that_o be_v it_o be_v hold_v sufficient_a as_o if_o all_o righteousness_n have_v be_v perform_v but_o this_o have_v be_v still_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n accept_v one_o work_n in_o place_n of_o entire_a obedience_n but_o abraham_n believe_v in_o that_o place_n be_v not_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n for_o it_o relate_v to_o a_o former_a place_n of_o scriptnre_n as_o the_o scripture_n say_v abraham_n believe_v which_o be_v concern_v his_o son_n isaac_n who_o be_v promise_v to_o he_o in_o his_o old_a age_n and_o therefore_o he_o stagger_v not_o at_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n through_o unbelief_n which_o be_v a_o particular_a act_n of_o belief_n of_o that_o promise_n and_o be_v proper_o a_o act_n of_o holiness_n and_o be_v so_o impute_v or_o repute_v as_o a_o act_n of_o righteousness_n but_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n in_o which_o abraham_n enter_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v believe_v in_o god_n through_o the_o messiah_n to_o be_v justify_v sanctify_a and_o glorify_v 6._o some_o reform_a divine_n in_o france_n and_o england_n bring_v good_a work_n on_o man_n part_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o perfect_v and_o complete_n faith_n for_o only_o a_o lively_a faith_n work_v by_o love_n be_v save_v for_o there_o be_v a_o faith_n that_o work_v not_o by_o love_n the_o devil_n believe_v and_o tremble_v and_o faith_n without_o work_n be_v dead_a abraham_n be_v justify_v by_o work_n when_o he_o offer_v isaac_n see_v thou_o how_o faith_n wrought_v with_o his_o work_n and_o abraham_n believe_v and_o it_o be_v impute_v to_o he_o for_o righteousness_n by_o work_v a_o man_n be_v justify_v and_o not_o by_o faith_n only_o yet_o paul_n reason_v be_v much_o more_o full_a and_o accurate_a discuss_v the_o point_n of_o justification_n by_o faith_n only_o without_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n which_o can_v not_o consist_v if_o james_n speak_v of_o faith_n as_o justify_v whereas_o james_n take_v off_o a_o error_n of_o those_o that_o think_v they_o may_v be_v save_v by_o believe_v the_o gospel_n without_o holiness_n which_o he_o redargues_fw-la as_o a_o wrong_a consequence_n from_o paul_n and_o show_v that_o not_o to_o be_v true_a faith_n but_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o the_o devil_n have_v which_o can_v be_v that_o act_n of_o faith_n whereby_o man_n enter_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o be_v not_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o rely_v on_o god_n for_o salvation_n through_o christ_n according_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a abraham_n faith_n be_v bring_v in_o as_o true_a faith_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o the_o justify_v act_n nor_o be_v the_o justification_n there_o mean_v the_o justification_n in_o conversion_n which_o make_v a_o man_n just_a but_o that_o which_o manifest_v his_o justification_n to_o himself_o and_o other_o man_n for_o paul_n say_v if_o abraham_n be_v justify_v by_o
to_o which_o luke_n add_v with_o all_o thy_o strength_n can_v any_o creature_n do_v more_o than_o this_o command_n do_v require_v which_o do_v not_o import_v that_o all_o be_v oblige_v to_o the_o same_o measure_n but_o according_a to_o their_o several_a capacity_n for_o to_o who_o much_o be_v give_v of_o they_o much_o be_v require_v 3._o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apposite_a to_o take_v off_o that_o pretence_n that_o remission_n of_o sin_n be_v not_o attribute_v to_o work_n but_o only_o the_o exaltation_n of_o man_n from_o a_o animal_n life_n such_o as_o adam_n have_v in_o his_o innocence_n to_o a_o angelical_a life_n in_o heaven_n than_o where_o it_o be_v say_v even_o when_o we_o be_v dead_a in_o sin_n have_v he_o quicken_v we_o in_o christ_n and_o have_v raise_v we_o up_o together_o and_o make_v we_o sit_v together_o in_o heavenly_a place_n with_o christ_n jesus_n what_o a_o pitiful_a pretence_n be_v it_o that_o by_o the_o work_v of_o the_o law_n be_v only_o mean_v the_o moysaicall_a law_n include_v institution_n and_o ceremony_n when_o faith_n be_v say_v to_o justify_v without_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n and_o thereafter_o work_n be_v exclude_v without_o mention_n of_o any_o particular_a law_n all_o negative_n and_o exclusives_n be_v universal_a it_o be_v also_o a_o groundless_a pretence_n to_o bring_v in_o work_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n to_o make_v man_n more_o diligent_a in_o holiness_n see_v it_o be_v the_o evidence_n of_o true_a faith_n ever_o join_v with_o it_o in_o existence_n though_o not_o in_o concurrence_n as_o the_o term_n of_o the_o covenant_n on_o man_n part_n for_o the_o habitual_a grace_n of_o holiness_n be_v god_n part_n give_v in_o regeneration_n which_o even_o infant_n must_v have_v i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o a_o convince_a reason_n against_o merit_n as_o it_o be_v against_o supererrogation_n or_o super-merit_n that_o no_o creature_n can_v merit_v except_o it_o do_v that_o which_o it_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o do_v see_v all_o creature_n be_v indispensable_o oblige_v to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o their_o strength_n and_o so_o to_o do_v all_o that_o be_v acceptable_a in_o his_o sight_n for_o then_o god_n shall_v only_o have_v punitive_a justice_n and_o not_o premiative_a justice_n by_o proportionable_a reward_n which_o yet_o certain_o be_v as_o congruous_a to_o the_o divine_a perfection_n as_o the_o other_o to_o he_o that_o have_v shall_v it_o be_v give_v well_o do_v thou_o good_a and_o faithful_a servant_n thou_o have_v be_v faithful_a in_o a_o few_o thing_n i_o will_v make_v thou_o ruler_n over_o many_o thing_n there_o be_v indeed_o two_o kind_n of_o reward_n and_o there_o be_v but_o one_o word_n common_o use_v to_o signify_v both_o the_o one_o be_v a_o reward_n proportion_v to_o deserve_v of_o which_o it_o be_v say_v to_o he_o that_o work_v the_o reward_n be_v not_o reckon_v of_o grace_n but_o of_o debt_n whence_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o there_o be_v one_o reward_n of_o debt_n and_o another_o of_o grace_n which_o be_v more_o proper_o to_o be_v call_v a_o prize_n or_o a_o gratification_n i_o doubt_v not_o that_o the_o exaltation_n of_o adam_n if_o he_o have_v persist_v in_o integrity_n from_o a_o animal_n to_o a_o angelical_a life_n and_o the_o confirmation_n of_o he_o and_o his_o posterity_n against_o the_o hazard_n of_o fall_v be_v a_o prize_n far_o above_o the_o proportion_n of_o his_o merit_n and_o so_o a_o reward_n not_o of_o debt_n but_o of_o grace_n for_o it_o be_v annex_v to_o perseverance_n in_o his_o innocence_n not_o to_o any_o high_a degree_n of_o his_o attainment_n and_o be_v lose_v by_o lose_v his_o innocence_n not_o by_o come_v short_a of_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o holiness_n how_o impudent_o insolent_a be_v it_o then_o for_o any_o sinful_a mortal_a to_o claim_v celestial_a glory_n and_o to_o be_v out_o of_o hazard_n of_o misery_n by_o their_o own_o merit_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o most_o excessive_a boast_n for_o than_o they_o may_v say_v that_o 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