that_o we_o may_v be_v deliver_v from_o unreasonable_a and_o wicked_a man_n the_o second_o part_n of_o his_o direction_n follow_v which_o be_v deprecation_n wherein_o he_o require_v they_o to_o pray_v against_o a_o special_a evil_n that_o they_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o by_o mean_n whereof_o the_o free_a passage_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v great_o hinder_v and_o the_o glory_n thereof_o much_o deface_v the_o deprecation_n be_v this_o that_o they_o may_v be_v deliver_v from_o unreasonable_a and_o wicked_a man_n the_o word_n translate_v unreasonable_a be_v understand_v of_o such_o as_o we_o call_v gross_a shameless_a impudent_a perverse_a and_o peevish_a man_n such_o as_o care_v not_o how_o gross_a vile_a and_o absurd_a they_o show_v themselves_o so_o they_o may_v compass_v their_o own_o wicked_a will_n the_o word_n translate_v wicked_a by_o derivation_n signify_v such_o as_o put_v good_a man_n to_o labour_n and_o trouble_v and_o thereby_o use_v all_o mean_n to_o 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more_o peevish_a and_o wicked_a man_n show_v themselves_o against_o it_o else_o it_o can_v not_o be_v but_o all_o man_n that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v unto_o shall_v have_v faith_n if_o the_o outward_a mean_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a which_o show_v the_o vain_a conceit_n of_o they_o which_o think_v they_o may_v easy_o believe_v when_o they_o list_v themselves_o whereas_o except_o the_o lord_n give_v the_o gift_n they_o shall_v not_o believe_v though_o lie_v on_o their_o deathbed_n they_o shall_v have_v peter_n and_o paul_n preach_v to_o they_o and_o what_o hope_n can_v man_n have_v that_o god_n will_v bestow_v that_o gift_n upon_o they_o at_o their_o death_n which_o when_o he_o offer_v they_o they_o despise_v in_o their_o life_n 3._o it_o be_v a_o fearful_a sign_n of_o a_o man_n that_o faith_n belong_v not_o unto_o when_o he_o show_v himself_o
increase_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a duty_n towards_o god_n and_o his_o neighbour_n the_o word_n whereby_o the_o apostle_n note_v this_o growth_n signify_v to_o over-increase_a and_o superabound_a not_o that_o their_o faith_n and_o love_n do_v swell_v and_o flow_v over_o those_o bank_n which_o god_n in_o the_o law_n and_o gospel_n prescribe_v unto_o they_o for_o that_o neither_o be_v possible_a nor_o praiseworthy_a as_o we_o shall_v have_v more_o occasion_n to_o speak_v afterward_o but_o his_o meaning_n be_v that_o it_o exceed_v the_o expectation_n of_o man_n and_o they_o go_v further_a than_o man_n can_v require_v at_o their_o hand_n though_o they_o come_v short_a of_o that_o which_o god_n require_v from_o the_o person_n thus_o praise_v and_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o praise_n consider_v together_o we_o be_v to_o learn_v 1._o that_o the_o praise_n and_o glory_n of_o a_o church_n or_o christian_n do_v not_o lie_v only_o in_o this_o in_o be_v always_o the_o same_o but_o in_o grow_v and_o proceed_v from_o grace_n to_o grace_n those_o science_n be_v not_o commendable_a that_o grow_v not_o in_o the_o stock_n wherein_o they_o be_v graff_v but_o stand_v at_o a_o stay_n the_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v not_o dead_a but_o live_a plant_n if_o they_o take_v root_n in_o thy_o heart_n they_o will_v grow_v and_o increase_v if_o thy_o faith_n and_o love_n do_v not_o grow_v and_o increase_v in_o thou_o they_o be_v dead_a they_o never_o take_v any_o root_n in_o thou_o though_o for_o a_o time_n thou_o may_v have_v some_o respect_n in_o god_n church_n for_o the_o same_o yet_o the_o end_n will_v be_v shame_n and_o dishonour_n and_o thou_o discover_v to_o be_v a_o hypocrite_n when_o thy_o faith_n and_o love_n appear_v to_o be_v more_o and_o more_o wither_a as_o it_o will_v if_o it_o do_v not_o more_o and_o more_o grow_v and_o flourish_v i_o will_v to_o god_n belove_v we_o have_v our_o portion_n in_o this_o praise_n i_o will_v to_o god_n your_o minister_n can_v thank_v the_o lord_n for_o you_o in_o this_o respect_n but_o the_o lord_n know_v and_o all_o our_o conscience_n tell_v we_o we_o be_v far_o from_o this_o praise_n it_o be_v well_o in_o comparison_n with_o we_o if_o we_o do_v retain_v our_o first_o faith_n and_o love_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o with_o the_o ephesian_n we_o have_v lose_v that_o so_o far_o be_v we_o from_o grow_v from_o faith_n to_o faith_n and_o from_o love_n to_o love_v with_o these_o thessalonian_n 2._o this_o be_v the_o singular_a praise_n of_o this_o and_o all_o other_o church_n that_o their_o love_n one_o towards_o another_o grow_v with_o their_o faith_n the_o more_o faith_n in_o god_n the_o more_o love_n towards_o our_o neighbour_n show_v i_o the_o growth_n of_o thy_o faith_n by_o the_o growth_n of_o thy_o love_n it_o be_v as_o possible_a for_o a_o fire_n to_o increase_v without_o the_o increase_n of_o heat_n as_o for_o faith_n to_o increase_v without_o the_o increase_n of_o love_n the_o faith_n and_o profession_n of_o those_o man_n therefore_o be_v but_o pharesaisme_n and_o hypocrisy_n which_o manifest_v itself_o in_o the_o disdain_n and_o contempt_n of_o their_o brethren_n there_o be_v therefore_o no_o great_a enemy_n in_o the_o world_n to_o love_v and_o unity_n among_o brethren_n than_o those_o that_o be_v enemy_n to_o the_o growth_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o all_o the_o powerful_a and_o effectual_a mean_n thereof_o for_o such_o as_o a_o man_n faith_n and_o religion_n be_v such_o be_v his_o love_n for_o quantity_n for_o quality_n no_o true_a faith_n no_o true_a love_n a_o unsound_a faith_n a_o unsound_a love_n a_o ceremonial_a faith_n a_o ceremonial_a love_n a_o sincere_a faith_n a_o sincere_a love_n much_o faith_n much_o love_n a_o hypocritical_a faith_n a_o dissemble_a love_n 3._o in_o faith_n and_o love_n we_o shall_v not_o think_v it_o enough_o to_o stint_v and_o moderate_v they_o according_a to_o that_o measure_n and_o rule_v only_o that_o man_n may_v expect_v and_o exact_v at_o our_o hand_n but_o we_o must_v strive_v to_o exceed_v that_o and_o according_a to_o the_o pattern_n of_o this_o church_n labour_n therein_o to_o go_v beyond_o the_o expectation_n and_o imagination_n of_o man_n but_o where_o be_v such_o church_n and_o christian_n now_o to_o be_v find_v it_o be_v well_o for_o we_o in_o comparison_n of_o that_o we_o be_v that_o we_o be_v but_o answerable_a to_o the_o expectation_n of_o man_n or_o that_o we_o be_v proceed_v but_o so_o far_o in_o faith_n and_o love_n as_o man_n may_v just_o require_v and_o exact_v at_o our_o hand_n but_o the_o lord_n know_v we_o be_v far_o want_v even_o of_o that_o from_o the_o person_n praise_v we_o may_v learn_v to_o give_v god_n the_o praise_n and_o thanks_o not_o only_o for_o faith_n and_o love_n but_o also_o for_o the_o growth_n and_o increase_n of_o they_o whether_o in_o ourselves_o or_o other_o it_o be_v he_o that_o deserve_v the_o thanks_o for_o it_o more_o than_o any_o else_o though_o god_n tie_v we_o to_o be_v thankful_a to_o man_n when_o we_o reap_v the_o fruit_n of_o their_o faith_n &_o love_n yet_o in_o comparison_n it_o be_v no_o thanks_o to_o they_o it_o be_v god_n work_n in_o they_o otherwise_o the_o most_o religious_a and_o love_a man_n that_o ever_o be_v if_o god_n shall_v leave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o nature_n will_v quick_o show_v themselves_o monster_n of_o impiety_n and_o malice_n and_o the_o wolf_n and_o bear_n of_o the_o forest_n will_v as_o soon_o merit_v thanks_o at_o our_o hand_n as_o they_o in_o such_o case_n therefore_o to_o be_v thankful_a to_o man_n for_o the_o fruit_n that_o we_o reap_v of_o their_o faith_n and_o love_n and_o to_o forget_v god_n be_v to_o make_v they_o the_o author_n of_o their_o own_o grace_n and_o so_o to_o give_v that_o honour_n to_o they_o which_o be_v due_a to_o god_n a_o idolatry_n too_o usual_a in_o these_o time_n and_o yet_o we_o be_v not_o to_o whisper_v this_o thanks_o in_o god_n ear_n only_o but_o we_o be_v to_o profess_v and_o acknowledge_v it_o as_o much_o as_o convenient_o we_o may_v even_o to_o they_o that_o it_o concern_v to_o the_o end_n we_o may_v the_o more_o hearten_v and_o encourage_v they_o therein_o and_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v one_o cause_n why_o so_o many_o faint_a and_o languish_v in_o faith_n and_o love_n especial_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n for_o that_o there_o be_v so_o little_a encouragement_n of_o this_o kind_n among_o christian_n we_o pass_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o our_o brethren_n as_o though_o they_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v regard_v or_o any_o notice_n to_o be_v take_v of_o they_o and_o if_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o acknowledge_v our_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n for_o the_o grace_n of_o our_o brethren_n the_o immediate_a fruit_n whereof_o do_v not_o so_o direct_o concern_v we_o as_o other_o for_o paul_n speak_v not_o of_o their_o love_n to_o he_o but_o one_o towards_o another_o how_o much_o more_o be_v it_o our_o duty_n to_o do_v it_o when_o we_o ourselves_o in_o our_o own_o person_n shall_v immediate_o reap_v the_o fruit_n of_o our_o brother_n faith_n and_o love_n when_o his_o love_n shall_v direct_o and_o manifest_o in_o a_o special_a manner_n grow_v and_o increase_v towards_o us._n verse_n 4._o so_o that_o we_o ourselves_o glory_n of_o you_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n he_o amplify_v their_o former_a praise_n that_o such_o be_v the_o growth_n and_o increase_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o love_n that_o he_o moreover_o boast_v and_o glory_v of_o they_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n how_o can_v this_o but_o wonderful_o encourage_v they_o to_o be_v constant_a to_o the_o end_n to_o consider_v that_o their_o praise_n be_v not_o only_o talk_v of_o but_o glory_v in_o and_o that_o in_o no_o base_a and_o profane_a conventicle_n but_o in_o the_o holy_a church_n and_o assembly_n of_o god_n not_o by_o any_o ordinary_a or_o common_a person_n in_o god_n church_n but_o by_o paul_n silvanus_n and_o timothy_n themselves_o the_o great_a and_o most_o famous_a trumpet_n of_o jesus_n christ._n who_o will_v make_v the_o boasting_n of_o such_o person_n in_o vain_a who_o will_v not_o by_o all_o possible_a mean_n uphold_v and_o maintain_v such_o a_o honour_n who_o will_v not_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o any_o trouble_n and_o misery_n whatsoever_o rejoice_v and_o glory_n in_o such_o a_o fame_n sound_v upon_o such_o silver_n trumpet_n in_o such_o famous_a assembly_n let_v we_o then_o belove_v learn_v to_o emulate_v the_o glory_n of_o this_o church_n let_v we_o strive_v after_o such_o a_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_v of_o love_n that_o the_o worthy_a in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n may_v be_v provoke_v to_o boast_v and_o glory_n of_o we_o in_o all_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o faithful_a
unto_o they_o but_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o his_o fury_n they_o shall_v be_v safe_a and_o hold_v on_o their_o way_n to_o heaven_n though_o they_o be_v oft_o foil_v and_o overthrow_v in_o the_o way_n 2._o the_o certainty_n and_o assurance_n of_o our_o election_n be_v a_o mighty_a and_o powerful_a preseruative_n against_o antichrist_n apostasy_n it_o be_v that_o that_o make_v the_o apostle_n urge_v the_o certainty_n thereof_o upon_o this_o occasion_n and_o this_o be_v no_o doubt_n the_o main_a cause_n that_o make_v antichrist_n and_o all_o his_o wicked_a limb_n such_o enemy_n thereunto_o there_o be_v none_o that_o come_v once_o to_o be_v persuade_v of_o this_o that_o he_o can_v have_v any_o hope_n to_o seduce_v and_o man_n carelessness_n herein_o to_o make_v their_o election_n sure_a be_v a_o great_a cause_n that_o many_o become_v such_o apostate_n let_v we_o therefore_o labour_n by_o all_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o the_o assurance_n thereof_o and_o then_o though_o antichrist_n shall_v bring_v with_o he_o bishopric_n archbishoprics_a cardinalship_n popedome_n with_o he_o to_o allure_v we_o from_o christ_n &_o prison_n rack_n gibbet_n and_o fire_n to_o terrify_v and_o affright_v we_o yet_o shall_v he_o never_o be_v able_a to_o withdraw_v we_o from_o he_o the_o second_o degree_n be_v that_o god_n have_v do_v this_o from_o the_o beginning_n this_o may_v be_v take_v either_o for_o from_o all_o eternity_n or_o for_o from_o the_o fall_n of_o adam_n in_o the_o one_o sense_n it_o be_v take_v for_o the_o decree_n itself_o of_o election_n which_o be_v eternal_a in_o the_o other_o for_o the_o first_o act_n in_o the_o execution_n thereof_o out_o of_o the_o corrupt_a mass_n of_o all_o mankind_n in_o adam_n it_o be_v needle_n to_o contend_v whether_o sense_n be_v true_a or_o more_o fit_v this_o place_n see_v either_o sufficient_o argue_v the_o unremovable_a love_n of_o god_n towards_o they_o and_o the_o one_o can_v be_v understand_v without_o the_o other_o now_o the_o 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that_o he_o will_v suffer_v satan_n or_o antichrist_n so_o far_o to_o prevail_v against_o they_o that_o be_v so_o ancient_o belove_v of_o he_o see_v there_o can_v be_v no_o cause_n in_o they_o or_o we_o now_o to_o make_v the_o lord_n to_o cease_v to_o love_v we_o but_o what_o have_v be_v present_a before_o the_o lord_n when_o he_o begin_v to_o set_v his_o love_n on_o we_o and_o will_v as_o well_o have_v move_v he_o then_o to_o refuse_v we_o as_o now_o to_o reject_v us._n note_v withal_o by_o the_o way_n 1._o that_o this_o may_v serve_v as_o a_o special_a sign_n of_o one_o elect_v from_o eternity_n that_o antichrist_n be_v not_o able_a to_o prevail_v against_o he_o to_o withdraw_v he_o from_o the_o sincerity_n of_o his_o christian_a profession_n 2._o that_o so_o long_o as_o antichrist_n prevail_v against_o any_o so_o long_o little_a hope_n thereof_o can_v be_v have_v the_o three_o degree_n follow_v which_o consist_v in_o the_o mean_n that_o god_n have_v ordain_v for_o the_o attain_n of_o that_o salvation_n which_o from_o the_o beginning_n he_o have_v elect_v they_o unto_o the_o mean_n be_v inward_a outward_a the_o first_o inward_a mean_n of_o salvation_n be_v sanctification_n which_o be_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o such_o filth_n and_o pollution_n as_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o or_o a_o conformity_n of_o our_o will_n unto_o god_n reveal_v will_n whereby_o the_o image_n of_o god_n be_v renew_a again_o in_o us._n he_o be_v a_o holy_a and_o sanctify_a man_n that_o be_v afraid_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o god_n will_v not_o have_v he_o to_o do_v yea_o that_o he_o do_v but_o suspect_n that_o god_n will_v not_o approve_v and_o who_o whole_a study_n be_v how_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o may_v please_v god_n whence_o we_o may_v learn_v 1._o that_o these_o two_o sanctification_n and_o salvation_n be_v not_o sever_v in_o god_n election_n but_o go_v together_o those_o who_o god_n in_o his_o election_n have_v decree_v to_o save_v he_o have_v also_o decree_v to_o sanctify_v and_o his_o election_n be_v not_o ground_v upon_o our_o holiness_n but_o our_o holiness_n upon_o his_o election_n so_o that_o this_o sanctification_n be_v the_o very_a first_o act_n and_o entrance_n into_o our_o salvation_n so_o long_o as_o we_o be_v in_o sin_n and_o unsanctified_a so_o long_o be_v we_o in_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n yea_o in_o hell_n though_o in_o heaven_n but_o when_o once_o we_o begin_v to_o be_v sanctify_v then_o be_v we_o within_o heaven-gate_n we_o have_v one_o foot_n as_o it_o be_v over_o the_o threshold_n yea_o though_o we_o be_v local_o among_o the_o damn_a and_o amid_o all_o the_o devil_n in_o hell_n in_o regard_v whereof_o one_o once_o say_v well_o in_o my_o mind_n though_o a_o papist_n that_o he_o have_v rather_o be_v in_o hell_n without_o sin_n then_o with_o sin_n even_o in_o heaven_n now_o this_o sanctification_n be_v describe_v by_o the_o author_n thereof_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n by_o the_o power_n of_o that_o spirit_n whereby_o they_o be_v elect_v to_o salvation_n they_o be_v also_o sanctify_v and_o this_o sanctification_n be_v a_o work_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o election_n and_o not_o a_o act_n of_o humane_a power_n or_o will_n otherwise_o there_o be_v small_a comfort_n in_o this_o if_o we_o be_v elect_v to_o salvation_n through_o such_o a_o sanctification_n as_o be_v of_o man_n own_o will_n only_o for_o what_o hope_n can_v we_o then_o have_v to_o stand_v forth_o against_o all_o the_o temptation_n and_o assault_n of_o satan_n and_o antichrist_n this_o sanctification_n therefore_o be_v of_o god_n own_o spirit_n he_o be_v the_o first_o mover_n in_o the_o same_o which_o argue_v that_o there_o be_v in_o this_o sanctification_n a_o divine_a efficacy_n and_o power_n indeed_o such_o as_o against_o which_o all_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n be_v not_o able_a to_o prevail_v for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o dead_a or_o senseless_a quality_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o a_o quality_n that_o have_v a_o spirit_n in_o it_o that_o turn_v and_o move_v about_o all_o the_o motion_n that_o be_v in_o a_o man_n soul_n and_o where_o god_n own_o spirit_n turn_v the_o wheel_n one_o way_n it_o pass_v the_o strength_n of_o all_o the_o spirit_n in_o hell_n to_o turn_v it_o a_o other_o way_n so_o that_o whosoever_o feel_v these_o motion_n in_o he_o for_o they_o be_v not_o dead_a and_o senseless_a motion_n may_v thereby_o assure_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v one_o of_o god_n elect_v and_o one_o that_o though_o antichrist_n shall_v mingle_v heaven_n and_o earth_n together_o yet_o shall_v he_o not_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o he_o to_o his_o ruin_n and_o confusion_n note_v withal_o that_o it_o be_v the_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n man_n can_v merit_v thereby_o for_o what_o can_v man_n merit_v with_o god_n by_o that_o which_o he_o have_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o for_o which_o therefore_o he_o stand_v bind_v and_o indebt_v unto_o god_n the_o second_o inward_a mean_n be_v faith_n in_o the_o truth_n whether_o this_o be_v first_o or_o second_o in_o nature_n i_o will_v not_o stand_v here_o to_o discuss_v according_a to_o the_o diverse_a acception_n or_o degree_n of_o sanctification_n it_o may_v be_v in_o nature_n before_o or_o after_o but_o in_o time_n they_o be_v together_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a sanctification_n of_o the_o heart_n till_o faith_n be_v in_o the_o heart_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v faith_n in_o the_o heart_n before_o there_o be_v sanctification_n there_o now_o this_o be_v then_o when_o the_o sanctify_a spirit_n of_o god_n do_v in_o that_o manner_n reveal_v unto_o the_o elect_a child_n of_o god_n so_o much_o of_o god_n will_n as_o be_v needful_a for_o he_o to_o know_v and_o practice_v for_o his_o own_o salvation_n that_o he_o assent_v
unto_o it_o and_o embrace_v it_o this_o faith_n and_o sanctification_n go_v hand_n in_o hand_n together_o the_o motion_n of_o a_o sanctify_a spirit_n go_v no_o further_o than_o the_o light_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o this_o eye_n of_o faith_n do_v direct_v and_o what_o need_v they_o fear_v to_o be_v seduce_v or_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o way_n that_o have_v such_o a_o spirit_n to_o move_v they_o such_o a_o eye_n and_o light_n and_o rule_v to_o direct_v they_o vers._n 14._o whereunto_o he_o have_v call_v you_o by_o our_o gospel_n to_o obtain_v the_o glory_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n the_o outward_a mean_n whereby_o the_o inward_a mean_n be_v wrought_v be_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n which_o he_o call_v their_o gospel_n whereby_o he_o declare_v that_o whatsoever_o they_o minister_v to_o the_o people_n it_o be_v the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o that_o we_o that_o be_v minister_n shall_v tread_v in_o their_o step_n and_o minister_v that_o only_a to_o god_n people_n that_o we_o may_v avow_v to_o be_v gospel_n by_o this_o ministry_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v they_o call_v say_v the_o apostle_n to_o sanctification_n and_o faith_n in_o the_o truth_n the_o gospel_n then_o yea_o our_o gospel_n i_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n practise_v and_o institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v god_n own_o consecrate_a instrument_n whereby_o the_o spirit_n work_v sanctification_n &_o faith_n thus_o do_v the_o lord_n honour_v his_o ministry_n so_o that_o they_o which_o be_v the_o despiser_n thereof_o never_o have_v any_o true_a faith_n or_o sanctification_n and_o therefore_o be_v a_o prey_n to_o antichrist_n and_o sure_o who_o be_v they_o that_o he_o prevail_v against_o in_o our_o kingdom_n be_v they_o not_o manifest_a despiser_n of_o this_o ordinance_n for_o as_o for_o those_o that_o be_v call_v by_o the_o same_o unto_o sanctification_n and_o faith_n they_o can_v but_o honour_v it_o as_o the_o bless_a instrument_n of_o their_o conversion_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n he_o show_v further_a wherein_o the_o end_n of_o this_o their_o ministry_n consist_v in_o call_v of_o they_o to_o the_o obtain_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o christ._n i._n of_o that_o everlasting_a glory_n and_o happiness_n by_o christ_n which_o christ_n our_o head_n himself_o in_o heaven_n now_o enjoy_v so_o that_o this_o be_v a_o notable_a mean_n to_o debase_v the_o glory_n of_o antichrist_n to_o fix_v our_o eye_n on_o the_o glory_n that_o christ_n have_v purchase_v for_o we_o and_o be_v enter_v into_o heaven_n to_o take_v seizin_n and_o possession_n of_o in_o our_o behalf_n and_o sure_o one_o main_a cause_n why_o a_o many_o be_v so_o carry_v away_o with_o the_o glitter_a show_n of_o antichrist_n pompous_a estate_n be_v because_o they_o have_v not_o their_o mind_n set_v nor_o the_o eye_n of_o their_o soul_n fix_v on_o that_o wonderful_a and_o unutterable_a and_o inconceivable_a glory_n that_o for_o all_o christ_n faithful_a follower_n be_v prepare_v in_o heaven_n all_o the_o glory_n of_o antichrist_n will_v be_v vile_a in_o their_o eye_n if_o they_o so_o do_v vers._n 15._o therefore_o brethren_n stand_v fast_o and_o keep_v the_o instruction_n which_o you_o have_v be_v teach_v either_o by_o word_n or_o by_o our_o epistle_n the_o use_n and_o application_n follow_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v see_v you_o have_v so_o great_a matter_n of_o comfort_n brethren_n stand_v fast_o etc._n etc._n wherein_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v these_o 3._o thing_n 1._o the_o duty_n that_o he_o exhort_v they_o unto_o 2._o the_o ground_n of_o the_o duty_n 3._o the_o mean_n of_o perform_v of_o the_o duty_n the_o duty_n be_v that_o they_o stand_v fast_o it_o be_v a_o metaphor_n borrow_v from_o soldier_n who_o in_o brunt_n of_o battle_n gather_v their_o strength_n together_o that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v overthrow_v so_o he_o will_v have_v they_o to_o do_v to_o gather_v together_o all_o the_o strength_n they_o can_v that_o they_o may_v stand_v against_o the_o brunt_n and_o storm_n of_o antichrist_n whence_o we_o may_v learn_v 1._o the_o belove_a and_o elect_a of_o god_n shall_v be_v powerful_o and_o strong_o assault_v by_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n and_o in_o great_a danger_n to_o fall_v into_o the_o apostasy_n aforesaid_a if_o they_o look_v not_o unto_o themselves_o 2._o that_o they_o must_v therefore_o gather_v all_o their_o force_n and_o strength_n together_o to_o stand_v strong_o to_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o religion_n that_o no_o tempest_n and_o storm_n may_v remove_v they_o from_o it_o 2._o the_o ground_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v imply_v in_o the_o word_n therefore_o i._n see_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v elect_v you_o &c_n &c_n therefore_o stand_v fast_o the_o doctrine_n then_o of_o the_o certainty_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o of_o our_o election_n be_v not_o a_o doctrine_n of_o security_n but_o it_o have_v this_o nature_n in_o whosoever_o it_o be_v find_v to_o stir_v up_o man_n so_o much_o the_o more_o to_o stand_v to_o the_o truth_n so_o that_o the_o more_o that_o a_o man_n be_v assure_v of_o his_o salvation_n the_o more_o he_o will_v strive_v to_o keep_v the_o faith_n so_o that_o if_o he_o shall_v see_v his_o name_n write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n yet_o will_v not_o this_o make_v he_o wax_v secure_a but_o so_o much_o the_o more_o careful_a to_o please_v god_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o resolute_a against_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n if_o a_o man_n shall_v know_v that_o his_o body_n be_v in_o that_o case_n that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v slay_v in_o battle_n howsoever_o he_o may_v be_v wound_v maim_a and_o hurt_v will_v that_o make_v he_o to_o yield_v himself_o to_o his_o enemy_n or_o to_o suffer_v they_o to_o wound_n and_o hurt_v he_o will_v it_o not_o rather_o make_v he_o fight_v so_o much_o the_o more_o courageous_o 3._o the_o mean_n follow_v of_o perform_v this_o duty_n whereby_o they_o and_o all_o other_o may_v stand_v fast_o the_o first_o be_v that_o they_o hold_v fast_o or_o lay_v a_o sure_a hand_n as_o the_o word_n signify_v upon_o the_o apostle_n tradition_n these_o tradition_n be_v all_o such_o ordinance_n of_o religion_n and_o divine_a worship_n as_o be_v teach_v and_o establish_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n whether_o by_o word_n or_o by_o epistle_n for_o unto_o they_o who_o the_o apostle_n with_o their_o own_o mouth_n preach_v their_o word_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o their_o write_n but_o with_o we_o to_o who_o they_o never_o speak_v their_o write_n only_o be_v authentical_a and_o not_o their_o word_n because_o we_o know_v not_o what_o they_o speak_v more_o than_o they_o write_v 1._o the_o dutil_a then_o be_v this_o to_o lay_v hold_n with_o both_o hand_n on_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o not_o to_o suffer_v any_o part_n or_o parcel_n thereof_o to_o be_v wring_v forth_o of_o our_o hand_n 2._o this_o show_v the_o mean_n whereby_o antichrist_n have_v so_o much_o prevail_v for_o that_o man_n have_v not_o hold_v fast_o the_o apostle_n tradition_n but_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v suffer_v now_o one_o ordinance_n and_o then_o a_o other_o to_o be_v wring_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n vers._n 16._o now_o the_o same_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n and_o our_o god_n even_o the_o father_n which_o have_v love_v we_o and_o have_v give_v we_o everlasting_a consolation_n and_o good_a hope_n through_o grace_n 17._o comfort_v your_o heart_n and_o establish_v you_o in_o every_o word_n and_o good_a work_n the_o second_o mean_n of_o stand_v fast_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v twofold_a 1._o consolation_n of_o the_o heart_n except_o the_o lord_n from_o heaven_n send_v a_o comfortable_a and_o cheerful_a heart_n that_o it_o be_v not_o daunt_v and_o terrify_v one_o shall_v hardly_o hold_v fast_o whereas_o so_o long_o as_o the_o lord_n comfort_v the_o heart_n so_o long_o we_o shall_v uphold_v and_o maintain_v the_o faith_n 2._o god_n must_v also_o establish_v we_o and_o confirm_v we_o in_o every_o word_n and_o good_a work_n that_o we_o may_v so_o carry_v ourselves_o in_o word_n and_o deed_n that_o we_o give_v no_o advantage_n to_o the_o adversary_n for_o if_o antichrist_n can_v trip_v we_o in_o either_o he_o will_v give_v we_o a_o dangerous_a blow_n the_o apostle_n therefore_o conclude_v this_o matter_n with_o a_o prayer_n to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o god_n the_o father_n stir_v he_o thereunto_o by_o mention_n of_o that_o free_a favour_n of_o he_o towards_o they_o whereby_o in_o christ_n he_o have_v love_v they_o and_o give_v they_o everlasting_a consolation_n by_o put_v they_o in_o good_a hope_n of_o eternal_a salvation_n through_o grace_n thereby_o teach_v we_o that_o the_o main_a ground_n of_o our_o assurance_n of_o future_a