sake_n of_o that_o to_o deny_v themselves_o almost_o all_o sort_n of_o ease_n and_o pleasure_n to_o deny_v themselves_o do_v i_o say_v no_o they_o have_v wise_o and_o judicious_o choose_v the_o true_a and_o high_a pleasure_n that_o this_o world_n know_v the_o pleasure_n of_o do_v good_a and_o be_v benefactor_n to_o mankind_n may_v they_o have_v a_o long_a and_o happy_a reign_n over_o we_o to_o make_v we_o happy_a and_o to_o lay_v up_o in_o store_n for_o themselves_o a_o happiness_n without_o measure_n and_o without_o end_n in_o god_n glorious_a and_o everlasting_a kingdom_n for_o his_o mercy_n sake_n in_o jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o with_o thou_o o_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n thanksgiving_n and_o praise_n both_o now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n a_o sermon_n against_o evil-speaking_a preach_v before_o the_o king_n and_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n febr._n the_o 25_o the_o 1693_o 4._o a_o sermon_n against_o evil-speaking_a tit._n iij._o 2_o to_o speak_v evil_a of_o no_o man_n general_n persuasive_n to_o repentance_n and_o a_o good_a life_n and_o invective_n against_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n at_o large_a be_v certain_o of_o good_a use_n to_o recommend_v religion_n and_o virtue_n and_o to_o expose_v the_o deformity_n and_o danger_n of_o a_o vicious_a course_n but_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o these_o general_a discourse_n do_v not_o so_o immediate_o tend_v to_o reform_v the_o life_n of_o man_n because_o they_o fall_v among_o the_o crowd_n but_o do_v not_o touch_v the_o conscience_n of_o particular_a person_n in_o so_o sensible_a and_o awaken_n a_o manner_n as_o when_o we_o treat_v of_o particular_a duty_n and_o sin_n and_o endeavour_v to_o put_v man_n upon_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o one_o and_o to_o reclaim_v they_o from_o the_o other_o by_o proper_a argument_n take_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o particular_a virtue_n and_o vice_n the_o general_a way_n be_v as_o if_o a_o physician_n instead_o of_o apply_v particular_a remedy_n to_o the_o distemper_n of_o his_o patient_n shall_v entertain_v he_o with_o a_o long_a discourse_n of_o disease_n in_o general_a and_o of_o the_o pleasure_n and_o advantage_n of_o health_n and_o earnest_o persuade_v he_o to_o be_v well_o without_o take_v his_o particular_a disease_n into_o consideration_n and_o prescribe_v remedy_n for_o it_o but_o if_o we_o will_v effectual_o reform_v man_n we_o must_v take_v to_o task_n the_o great_a and_o common_a disorder_n of_o their_o life_n and_o represent_v their_o fault_n to_o they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o may_v convince_v they_o of_o the_o evil_a and_o danger_n of_o they_o and_o put_v they_o upon_o the_o endeavour_n of_o a_o cure_n and_o to_o this_o end_n i_o have_v pitch_v upon_o one_o of_o the_o common_a and_o reign_a vice_n of_o the_o age_n calumny_n and_o evil-speaking_a by_o which_o man_n contract_v so_o much_o guilt_n to_o themselves_o and_o create_v so_o much_o trouble_v to_o other_o and_o from_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v few_o or_o none_o be_v whole_o free_a for_o who_o be_v he_o 19.16_o say_v the_o son_n of_o sirach_n that_o have_v not_o offend_v with_o his_o tongue_n in_o many_o thing_n 3.2_o say_v st._n james_n we_o offend_v all_o and_o if_o any_o man_n offend_v not_o in_o word_n the_o same_o be_v a_o perfect_a man_n but_o how_o few_o have_v attain_v to_o this_o perfection_n and_o yet_o unless_o we_o do_v endeavour_v after_o it_o and_o in_o some_o good_a measure_n attain_v it_o all_o our_o pretence_n to_o religion_n be_v vain_a so_o the_o same_o apostle_n tell_v we_o 1.26_o if_o any_o man_n among_o you_o seem_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o bridle_v not_o his_o tongue_n but_o deceive_v his_o own_o heart_n that_o man_n religion_n be_v vain_a for_o the_o more_o distinct_a handle_n of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v reduce_v my_o discourse_n to_o these_o five_o head_n first_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o nature_n of_o this_o vice_n and_o wherein_o it_o consist_v second_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o due_a extent_n of_o this_o prohibition_n to_o speak_v evil_a of_o no_o man_n three_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o evil_a of_o this_o practice_n both_o in_o the_o cause_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o four_o i_o shall_v add_v some_o further_a consideration_n to_o dissuade_v man_n from_o it_o five_o i_o shall_v give_v some_o rule_n and_o direction_n for_o the_o prevention_n and_o cure_n of_o it_o i._o i_o shall_v consider_v what_o this_o sin_n or_o vice_n of_o evil_a speak_n here_o forbid_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o defame_v and_o slander_v any_o man_n not_o to_o hurt_v his_o reputation_n as_o the_o etymology_n of_o the_o word_n do_v import_v so_o that_o this_o vice_n consist_v in_o say_v thing_n of_o other_o which_o tend_v to_o their_o disparagement_n and_o reproach_n to_o the_o take_v away_o or_o lessen_v of_o their_o reputation_n and_o good_a name_n and_o this_o whether_o the_o thing_n say_v be_v true_a or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v false_a and_o we_o know_v it_o than_o it_o be_v downright_a calumny_n and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o know_v it_o but_o take_v it_o upon_o the_o report_n of_o other_o it_o be_v however_o a_o slander_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o injurious_a because_o real_o groundless_a and_o undeserved_a if_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a and_o we_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o defamation_n and_o tend_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o our_o neighbour_n reputation_n and_o it_o be_v a_o fault_n to_o say_v the_o evil_a of_o other_o which_o be_v true_a unless_o there_o be_v some_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o beside_o because_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o that_o charity_n and_o goodness_n which_o christianity_n require_v to_o divulge_v the_o fault_n of_o other_o though_o they_o be_v real_o guilty_a of_o they_o without_o necessity_n or_o some_o other_o very_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o again_o it_o be_v evil-speaking_a and_o the_o vice_n condemn_v in_o the_o text_n whether_o we_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o a_o ill_a report_n or_o relate_v it_o from_o other_o because_o the_o man_n that_o be_v evil_a speak_v of_o be_v equal_o defame_v either_o way_n again_o whether_o we_o speak_v evil_a of_o a_o man_n to_o his_o face_n or_o behind_o his_o back_n the_o former_a way_n indeed_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o more_o generous_a but_o yet_o be_v a_o great_a fault_n and_o that_o which_o we_o call_v revile_v the_o latter_a be_v more_o mean_a and_o base_a and_o that_o which_o we_o proper_o call_v slander_n or_o backbiting_a and_o last_o whether_o it_o be_v do_v direct_o and_o in_o express_a term_n or_o more_o obscure_o and_o by_o way_n of_o oblique_a insinuation_n whether_o by_o way_n of_o downright_a reproach_n or_o with_o some_o crafty_a preface_n of_o commendation_n for_o so_o it_o have_v the_o effect_n to_o defame_v the_o manner_n of_o address_n do_v not_o much_o alter_v the_o case_n the_o one_o may_v be_v more_o dextrous_a but_o be_v not_o one_o jot_n less_o faulty_a for_o many_o time_n the_o deep_a wound_n be_v give_v by_o these_o smooth_a and_o more_o artificial_a way_n of_o slander_n as_o by_o ask_v question_n have_v you_o not_o hear_v so_o and_o so_o of_o such_o a_o man_n i_o say_v no_o more_o i_o only_o ask_v the_o question_n or_o by_o general_a intimation_n that_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o say_v what_o they_o have_v hear_v of_o such_o a_o one_o be_v very_o sorry_a for_o it_o and_o do_v not_o at_o all_o believe_v it_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v they_o and_o this_o many_o time_n without_o tell_v the_o thing_n but_o leave_v you_o in_o the_o dark_a to_o suspect_v the_o worst_a these_o and_o such_o like_a art_n though_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v tender_a and_o gentle_a way_n of_o use_v man_n reputation_n yet_o in_o truth_n they_o be_v the_o most_o malicious_a and_o effectual_a method_n of_o slander_n because_o they_o insinuate_v something_o that_o be_v much_o worse_a than_o be_v say_v and_o yet_o be_v very_o apt_a to_o create_v in_o unwary_a man_n a_o strong_a belief_n of_o something_o that_o be_v very_o bad_a though_o they_o know_v not_o what_o it_o be_v so_o that_o it_o matter_n not_o in_o what_o fashion_n a_o slander_n be_v dress_v up_o if_o it_o tend_v to_o defame_v a_o man_n and_o to_o diminish_v his_o reputation_n it_o be_v the_o sin_n forbid_v in_o the_o text._n ii_o we_o will_v consider_v the_o extent_n of_o this_o prohibition_n to_o speak_v evil_a of_o no_o man_n and_o the_o due_a bound_n and_o limitation_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v absolute_o to_o forbid_v we_o to_o say_v any_o thing_n concern_v other_o that_o be_v bad_a this_o in_o some_o case_n may_v be_v necessary_a and_o our_o duty_n and_o in_o several_a case_n
first_o i_o observe_v the_o charitable_a decorum_n which_o our_o b._n saviour_n keep_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o parable_n as_o if_o he_o will_v fain_o suppose_v and_o hope_v that_o among_o those_o who_o enjoy_v the_o gospel_n and_o make_v profession_n of_o it_o the_o number_n of_o they_o that_o be_v true_o good_a be_v equal_a to_o those_o that_o be_v bad_a for_o our_o b._n saviour_n here_o represent_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n by_o ten_o virgin_n the_o half_a whereof_o the_o parable_n seem_v to_o suppose_v to_o be_v true_o and_o real_o good_a and_o to_o persevere_v in_o goodness_n to_o the_o end_n vers_n 1_o 2._o then_o shall_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v liken_v unto_o ten_o virgin_n which_o take_v their_o lamp_n and_o go_v forth_o to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n and_o five_o of_o they_o be_v wise_a and_o five_o be_v foolish_a second_o i_o observe_v how_o very_o common_a it_o be_v for_o man_n to_o neglect_v this_o great_a concernment_n of_o their_o soul_n viz._n a_o due_a preparation_n for_o another_o world_n and_o how_o willing_a man_n be_v to_o deceive_v themselves_o herein_o and_o to_o depend_v upon_o any_o thing_n else_o how_o groundless_a and_o unreasonable_a soever_o rather_o than_o to_o take_v pain_n to_o be_v real_o good_a and_o fit_a for_o heaven_n and_o this_o be_v in_o a_o very_a lively_a manner_n represent_v to_o we_o in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n who_o have_v provide_v no_o supply_n of_o oil_n in_o their_o vessel_n and_o when_o the_o bridegroom_n be_v come_v will_v have_v furnish_v themselves_o by_o borrow_v or_o buy_v of_o other_o vers_n 8.9_o 10._o three_o i_o observe_v that_o even_o the_o better_a sort_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o careful_a and_o watchful_a as_o they_o ought_v to_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o death_n and_o judgement_n whilst_o the_o bridegroom_n tarry_v they_o all_o slumber_v and_o sleep_v even_o the_o wise_a virgin_n as_o well_o as_o the_o foolish_a four_o i_o observe_v further_o how_o little_a be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o we_o to_o any_o good_a purpose_n in_o this_o great_a work_n of_o preparation_n when_o it_o be_v defer_v and_o put_v off_o to_o the_o last_o thus_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n do_v and_o what_o a_o sad_a confusion_n and_o hurry_n they_o be_v in_o we_o may_v see_v vers_n 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o and_o at_o midnight_n there_o be_v a_o cry_n make_v behold_v the_o bridegroom_n come_v go_v you_o out_o to_o meet_v he_o at_o midnight_n the_o most_o dismal_a and_o unseasonable_a time_n of_o all_o other_o then_o all_o those_o virgin_n arise_v and_o trim_v their_o lamp_n and_o the_o foolish_a say_v unto_o the_o wise_a give_v we_o of_o your_o oil_n for_o our_o lamp_n be_v go_v out_o but_o the_o wise_a answer_v not_o so_o lest_o there_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o we_o and_o you_o but_o go_v you_o rather_o to_o they_o that_o sell_v and_o buy_v for_o yourselves_o and_o how_o ineffectual_a all_o that_o they_o can_v do_v at_o that_o time_n prove_v to_o be_v we_o find_v verse_n 10_o 11_o 12_o and_o whilst_o they_o go_v to_o buy_v the_o bridegroom_n come_v and_o they_o that_o be_v ready_a go_v in_o with_o he_o to_o the_o marriage_n and_o the_o door_n be_v shut_v afterward_o come_v also_o the_o other_o virgin_n say_v lord_n lord_n open_a to_o we_o but_o he_o answer_v and_o say_v very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o i_o know_v you_o not_o five_o i_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o work_n of_o super-erogation_a that_o no_o man_n can_v do_v more_o than_o needs_o and_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o do_v by_o way_n of_o preparation_n for_o another_o world_n for_o when_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n will_v have_v beg_v of_o the_o wise_a some_o oil_n for_o their_o lamp_n the_o wise_a answer_v not_o so_o lest_o there_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o we_o and_o you_o it_o be_v only_o the_o foolish_a virgin_n that_o have_v entertain_v this_o foolish_a conceit_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o overplus_n of_o grace_n and_o merit_n in_o other_o sufficient_a to_o supply_v their_o want_n but_o the_o wise_a know_v not_o of_o any_o that_o they_o have_v to_o spare_v but_o suppose_v all_o that_o they_o have_v little_a enough_o to_o qualify_v they_o for_o the_o reward_n of_o eternal_a life_n not_o so_o say_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lest_o at_o any_o time_n lest_o when_o there_o shall_v be_v need_n and_o occasion_n all_o that_o we_o have_v do_v or_o can_v do_v shall_v prove_v little_a enough_o for_o ourselves_o six_o and_o last_o i_o observe_v that_o if_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o person_n to_o be_v so_o overgood_a as_o to_o have_v more_o grace_n and_o goodness_n than_o need_v to_o qualify_v they_o for_o the_o reward_n of_o eternal_a life_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o assign_v and_o transfer_v of_o this_o overplus_n of_o grace_n and_o virtue_n from_o one_o man_n to_o another_o for_o we_o see_v verse_n 9_o 10._o that_o all_o the_o way_n which_o they_o can_v think_v of_o of_o borrow_v or_o buy_v oil_n of_o other_o do_v all_o prove_v ineffectual_a because_o the_o thing_n be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n impracticable_a that_o one_o sinner_n shall_v be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o merit_v for_o another_o all_o these_o observation_n seem_v to_o have_v some_o fair_a and_o probable_a foundation_n in_o some_o part_n or_o other_o of_o this_o parable_n and_o most_o of_o they_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o whole_a i_o shall_v speak_v to_o they_o several_o and_o as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v first_o i_o observe_v the_o charitable_a decorum_n which_o our_o b._n saviour_n keep_v in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o parable_n as_o if_o he_o will_v fain_o suppose_v and_o hope_v that_o among_o those_o who_o enjoy_v the_o gospel_n and_o make_v profession_n of_o it_o the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o make_v a_o firm_a and_o sincere_a profession_n of_o it_o and_o persevere_v in_o goodness_n to_o the_o end_n be_v equal_a to_o the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o make_v good_a their_o profession_n or_o who_o fall_v off_o from_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v long_o upon_o this_o because_o i_o lay_v the_o least_o stress_n upon_o it_o of_o all_o the_o rest_n i_o shall_v only_o take_v notice_n that_o our_o b._n saviour_n in_o this_o parable_n represent_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n by_o ten_o virgin_n the_o half_a of_o which_o the_o parable_n seem_v to_o suppose_v to_o have_v sincere_o embrace_v the_o christian_a profession_n and_o to_o have_v persevere_v therein_o to_o the_o last_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n shall_v be_v liken_v unto_o ten_o virgin_n which_o take_v their_o lamp_n and_o go_v forth_o to_o meet_v the_o bridegroom_n and_o five_o of_o they_o be_v wise_a and_o five_o be_v foolish_a and_o this_o decorum_n our_o b._n saviour_n seem_v careful_o to_o observe_v in_o his_o other_o parable_n as_o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o prodigal_n luke_n 15._o where_o for_o one_o son_n that_o leave_v his_o father_n and_o take_v riotous_a course_n there_o be_v another_o that_o stay_v always_o with_o he_o and_o continue_v constant_a to_o his_o duty_n and_o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o ten_o talent_n which_o immediate_o follow_v that_o of_o the_o ten_o virgin_n two_o be_v suppose_v to_o improve_v the_o talent_n commit_v to_o they_o for_o one_o that_o make_v no_o improvement_n of_o he_o he_o that_o have_v five_o talent_n commit_v to_o he_o make_v they_o five_o more_o and_o he_o that_o have_v two_o gain_v other_o two_o and_o only_o he_o that_o have_v but_o one_o talon_n hide_v it_o in_o the_o earth_n and_o make_v no_o improvement_n of_o it_o and_o in_o the_o parable_n which_o i_o be_o now_o upon_o the_o number_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n who_o take_v care_n to_o fit_v and_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o the_o come_n of_o the_o bridegroom_n be_v suppose_v equal_a to_o the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o and_o whether_o this_o be_v particular_o intend_v in_o the_o parable_n or_o not_o it_o may_v however_o be_v thus_o far_o instructive_a to_o we_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o lessen_v the_o number_n of_o true_a christian_n and_o from_o confine_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n within_o a_o narrow_a compass_n so_o as_o to_o exclude_v out_o of_o its_o communion_n the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o professor_n of_o christianity_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o shall_v enlarge_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n as_o much_o as_o we_o can_v and_o extend_v our_o charity_n to_o all_o church_n and_o christian_n of_o what_o denomination_n soever_o as_o far_o as_o regard_v to_o truth_n and_o to_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o
in_o execution_n as_o against_o the_o profanation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n by_o secular_a business_n by_o vain_a sport_n and_o pastime_n which_o by_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o dissolve_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n into_o mirth_n and_o pleasure_n and_o to_o carry_v they_o off_o from_o all_o serious_a thought_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n and_o from_o the_o meditation_n of_o another_o world_n and_o to_o give_v the_o devil_n a_o advantage_n and_o a_o opportunity_n which_o be_v never_o fail_v to_o take_v to_o steal_v the_o good_a seed_n the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o they_o have_v hear_v that_o day_n out_o of_o their_o heart_n and_o to_o make_v it_o of_o none_o effect_v and_o which_o be_v yet_o worse_o by_o lewd_a and_o sinful_a practice_n which_o be_v unlawful_a at_o any_o time_n but_o upon_o that_o day_n be_v a_o double_a breach_n and_o violation_n of_o god_n law_n and_o likewise_o by_o neglect_v to_o put_v in_o execution_n the_o law_n against_o profane_a swear_v and_o curse_v for_o which_o the_o land_n mourn_v and_o against_o drunkenness_n and_o adultery_n and_o fornication_n which_o be_v so_o common_a and_o so_o impudent_o commit_v among_o we_o whether_o they_o be_v civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o say_v which_o of_o they_o be_v most_o remiss_o execute_v and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o by_o neglect_v to_o prosecute_v that_o horrible_a sin_n of_o murder_n so_o frequent_o now_o commit_v in_o our_o street_n beyond_o the_o example_n of_o former_a age_n with_o that_o severity_n and_o impartiality_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o free_v the_o nation_n from_o the_o guilt_n of_o that_o cry_a sin_n which_o call_v so_o loud_a to_o heaven_n for_o vengeance_n and_o all_o this_o notwithstanding_o the_o magistrate_n be_v under_o the_o oath_n of_o god_n to_o put_v the_o law_n in_o due_a execution_n against_o all_o these_o crime_n so_o far_o as_o they_o come_v to_o their_o knowledge_n and_o fall_v under_o their_o cognisance_n 2._o the_o sin_n of_o the_o minister_n who_o serve_v at_o god_n altar_n and_o watch_v over_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n who_o blood_n will_v be_v require_v at_o their_o hand_n if_o any_o of_o they_o perish_v through_o their_o fault_n and_o neglect_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o good_a number_n of_o faithful_a shepherd_n in_o the_o land_n who_o watch_n over_o their_o flock_n with_o great_a care_n and_o conscience_n remember_v the_o dreadful_a account_n which_o they_o must_v one_o day_n make_v to_o he_o who_o shall_v judge_v the_o quick_a and_o dead_a of_o the_o soul_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n but_o yet_o how_o gross_o do_v many_o of_o we_o fail_v of_o the_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o the_o substantial_a part_n of_o this_o high_a office_n want_v a_o just_a sense_n of_o the_o inestimable_a worth_n and_o value_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n for_o who_o christ_n die_v take_v little_a or_o no_o care_n to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o good_a knowledge_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o lead_v they_o in_o the_o way_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n by_o a_o exemplary_a conversation_n nay_o too_o many_o among_o we_o demean_v themselves_o so_o scandalous_o as_o perfect_o to_o undermine_v the_o credit_n and_o effect_n of_o their_o doctrine_n by_o lead_v life_n so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o it_o and_o to_o alienate_v their_o people_n from_o the_o church_n and_o to_o make_v they_o to_o abhor_v the_o sacrifice_n and_o service_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o their_o wicked_a and_o unhallowed_a conversation_n hereby_o expose_v they_o to_o the_o craft_n of_o seducer_n and_o render_v they_o a_o easy_a prey_n to_o the_o emissary_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o to_o any_o other_o sect_n and_o faction_n that_o pretend_v a_o great_a zeal_n for_o religion_n or_o make_v a_o better_a show_n of_o a_o strict_a and_o unblameable_a life_n for_o who_o will_v regard_v or_o believe_v those_o teacher_n who_o give_v all_o the_o evidence_n that_o can_v be_v by_o their_o life_n and_o action_n that_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v themselves_o and_o their_o own_o doctrine_n when_o all_o be_v say_v the_o life_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o preacher_n be_v the_o best_a eloquence_n and_o have_v that_o dint_n and_o power_n of_o persuasion_n in_o they_o which_o no_o word_n no_o art_n can_v equal_v who_o so_o live_v as_o he_o speak_v do_v as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n speak_v as_o one_o that_o have_v authority_n and_o not_o as_o the_o scribe_n not_o as_o the_o scribe_n who_o word_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o formality_n and_o gravity_n with_o which_o they_o be_v deliver_v do_v therefore_o want_v weight_n and_o force_n because_o as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o of_o they_o they_o say_v but_o do_v not_o their_o life_n be_v not_o answerable_a to_o their_o doctrine_n whereas_o our_o bless_a saviour_n therefore_o speak_v as_o never_o man_n speak_v because_o he_o live_v as_o never_o man_n live_v so_o innocent_a so_o useful_a so_o exemplary_a a_o life_n he_o be_v holy_a harmless_a and_o undefiled_a he_o do_v no_o sin_n neither_o be_v guile_n find_v in_o his_o lip_n he_o fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n and_o go_v about_o do_v good_a this_o be_v that_o which_o make_v he_o so_o powerful_a a_o preacher_n of_o righteousness_n and_o we_o must_v necessary_o fall_v so_o much_o short_a of_o he_o in_o the_o authority_n and_o efficacy_n of_o our_o sermon_n as_o we_o do_v in_o the_o holiness_n and_o goodness_n of_o our_o life_n such_o a_o preacher_n and_o such_o a_o practice_n as_o that_o of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v be_v every_o way_n fit_v to_o reprove_v and_o persuade_v and_o reform_v mankind_n we_o now_o live_v in_o a_o age_n and_o church_n wherein_o they_o who_o be_v call_v to_o be_v the_o teacher_n and_o guide_n of_o soul_n ought_v to_o take_v great_a heed_n both_o to_o their_o doctrine_n and_o their_o life_n that_o the_o name_n of_o god_n may_v not_o be_v blaspheme_v and_o his_o holy_a religion_n be_v bring_v into_o contempt_n by_o those_o who_o above_o all_o other_o be_v most_o near_o concern_v to_o preserve_v and_o support_v the_o credit_n and_o honour_n of_o it_o and_o we_o can_v but_o see_v how_o our_o religion_n and_o church_n be_v beset_v and_o endanger_v on_o every_o side_n by_o the_o rude_a assault_n of_o infidelity_n and_o by_o the_o cunning_a art_n of_o seduce_a spirit_n and_o by_o our_o own_o intestine_a heat_n and_o division_n and_o it_o can_v never_o be_v sufficient_o lament_v no_o though_o it_o be_v with_o tear_n of_o blood_n that_o we_o who_o particular_a charge_n and_o employment_n it_o be_v to_o build_v up_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o a_o holy_a faith_n and_o in_o the_o resolution_n of_o a_o good_a life_n shall_v for_o want_v of_o due_a instruction_n and_o by_o the_o dissolute_a and_o profligate_v life_n of_o too_o many_o among_o we_o and_o by_o inflame_v our_o needless_a difference_n about_o lesser_a thing_n have_v so_o great_a a_o hand_n in_o pull_v down_o religion_n and_o in_o betray_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n either_o to_o downright_a infidelity_n or_o to_o a_o careless_a neglect_n and_o profane_a contempt_n of_o all_o religion_n may_v not_o god_n just_o expostulate_v this_o matter_n with_o we_o as_o he_o do_v of_o old_a with_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n 31._o a_o wonderful_a and_o horrible_a thing_n be_v commit_v in_o the_o land_n the_o prophet_n prophesy_v false_o and_o the_o priest_n bear_v rule_v by_o their_o mean_n and_o my_o people_n love_n to_o have_v it_o so_o and_o what_o will_v you_o do_v in_o the_o end_n thereof_o when_o they_o who_o be_v the_o pastor_n and_o guide_n of_o soul_n have_v by_o their_o ill_a conduct_n and_o management_n bring_v matter_n to_o that_o pass_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n sit_v down_o content_v with_o the_o worst_a state_n of_o thing_n and_o be_v become_v almost_o indifferent_a whether_o they_o have_v any_o religion_n or_o not_o what_o can_v the_o end_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v but_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n will_v be_v take_v from_o we_o and_o give_v to_o a_o nation_n that_o will_v bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n of_o it_o if_o ever_o there_o be_v a_o public_a reformation_n among_o we_o it_o must_v begin_v at_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o they_o who_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o religion_n must_v lead_v on_o this_o work_n and_o be_v more_o careful_a and_o conscientious_a in_o the_o discharge_n of_o that_o high_a and_o holy_a office_n which_o be_v commit_v to_o they_o by_o the_o great_a shepherd_n and_o bishop_n of_o soul_n else_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v when_o god_n shall_v challenge_v we_o as_o he_o once_o do_v the_o pastor_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n by_o his_o prophet_n say_v where_o be_v the_o flock_n that_o be_v give_v thou_o 21._o thy_o beautiful_a