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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
life_n believe_v eternal_a live_v 4,587 5 5.4984 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A58804 The Christian life. Vol. 5 and last wherein is shew'd : I. The worth and excellency of the soul, II. The divinity and incarnation of our Saviour, III. The authority of the Holy Scripture, IV. A dissuasive from apostacy / by John Scott ... Scott, John, 1639-1695. 1699 (1699) Wing S2059; ESTC R3097 251,737 514

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their_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o the_o spiritual_a sense_n of_o all_o their_o general_a promise_n of_o good_a thing_n to_o come_v they_o have_v all_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o all_o the_o instance_n of_o duty_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o attainment_n of_o eternal_a life_n exhibit_v to_o they_o in_o the_o write_n of_o their_o prophet_n and_o the_o type_n and_o figure_n of_o their_o law_n for_o it_o be_v by_o this_o rule_n alone_o that_o all_o the_o holy_a man_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n do_v live_v and_o believe_v and_o either_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o guide_v and_o direct_v they_o to_o eternal_a life_n or_o they_o be_v leave_v under_o a_o fatal_a necessity_n of_o fall_v short_a of_o it_o it_o be_v the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o do_v enlighten_v their_o eye_n and_o rejoice_v their_o heart_n and_o convert_v their_o soul_n and_o it_o be_v in_o keep_v it_o that_o they_o find_v great_a reward_n ps._n 19_o 7_o 8_o 11._o and_o therefore_o either_o they_o 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not_o perfect_o understand_v and_o in_o which_o theophilus_n have_v not_o be_v before_o instruct_v thus_o also_o st._n john_n testify_v of_o his_o gospel_n chap._n 20._o 31._o these_o thing_n be_v write_v that_o you_o may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o believe_v you_o may_v have_v life_n through_o his_o name_n and_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o by_o these_o thing_n the_o apostle_n only_o mean_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o motive_n of_o our_o belief_n and_o not_o his_o doctrine_n which_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v by_o we_o this_o be_v notorious_o false_a since_o by_o these_o thing_n st._n john_n mean_v his_o gospel_n in_o which_o not_o only_o the_o miracle_n but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v contain_v and_o therefore_o in_o his_o first_o epistle_n chap._n 5._o 13._o he_o say_v these_o thing_n have_v i_o write_v unto_o you_o that_o believe_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o you_o may_v 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that_o tradition_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n contend_v for_o and_o it_o be_v something_o hard_o that_o that_o which_o be_v damn_v for_o heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n shall_v be_v make_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o present_a roman_a not_o that_o we_o do_v disallow_v of_o tradition_n universal_o receive_v in_o all_o church_n and_o age_n for_o we_o frank_o acknowledge_v that_o what_o be_v now_o contain_v in_o scripture_n be_v tradition_n before_o it_o be_v scripture_n as_o be_v first_o deliver_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n before_o it_o be_v collect_v into_o write_v and_o therefore_o whensoever_o it_o can_v be_v make_v evident_a to_o we_o that_o there_o be_v any_o unwritten_a doctrine_n bear_v the_o same_o stamp_n of_o divine_a authority_n with_o those_o that_o be_v write_v we_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v they_o with_o the_o same_o veneration_n as_o we_o do_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o for_o it_o be_v not_o their_o be_v write_v that_o do_v authorise_v 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be_v understand_v and_o such_o as_o do_v not_o only_o exceed_v the_o apprehension_n of_o common_a capacity_n but_o also_o puzzle_v the_o understanding_n of_o the_o most_o acute_a and_o profound_a enquirer_n but_o that_o which_o i_o assert_v be_v this_o that_o all_o those_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o rule_n of_o manner_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o man_n to_o believe_v and_o practice_v in_o order_n to_o their_o attainment_n of_o eternal_a life_n be_v so_o plain_o and_o clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v no_o honest_a teachable_a mind_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o understand_v common_a sense_n but_o may_v from_o thence_o receive_v full_a information_n of_o they_o upon_o faithful_a and_o diligent_a enquiry_n and_o though_o in_o some_o text_n these_o necessary_n be_v not_o so_o plain_o propose_v as_o in_o other_o yet_o in_o some_o text_n or_o other_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o so_o plain_o propose_v that_o no_o man_n can_v read_v the_o scripture_n and_o still_o 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be_v the_o church_n and_o yet_o still_o be_v mistake_v in_o short_a no_o authority_n can_v render_v i_o infallible_o certain_a but_o that_o which_o be_v infallible_a no_o infallibility_n can_v render_v i_o infallible_o certain_a but_o that_o of_o which_o i_o have_v a_o infallible_a certainty_n either_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n can_v render_v i_o infallible_o certain_a of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n and_o if_o it_o can_v i_o be_o sure_a nothing_o can_v or_o it_o can_v if_o it_o can_v why_o may_v it_o not_o as_o well_o render_v i_o infallible_o certain_a of_o other_o principle_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v at_o least_o as_o plain_o reveal_v in_o it_o as_o that_o if_o it_o can_v how_o can_v i_o be_v infallible_o certain_a that_o any_o thing_n she_o define_v and_o declare_v to_o i_o be_v true_a if_o then_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n can_v give_v we_o a_o infallible_a certainty_n we_o have_v as_o just_a a_o pretence_n to_o it_o as_o they_o it_o be_v upon_o this_o authority_n that_o we_o ground_n our_o faith_n if_o it_o can_v neither_o they_o nor_o we_o can_v just_o pretend_v to_o it_o because_o they_o can_v no_o otherwise_o be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o their_o own_o infallibility_n but_o by_o scripture_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v god_n never_o intend_v either_o that_o they_o or_o we_o shall_v be_v infallible_o certain_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o religion_n for_o after_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o certainty_n that_o he_o have_v give_v we_o he_o still_o suppose_v that_o we_o may_v err_v and_o plain_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o must_v be_v heresy_n and_o that_o even_o from_o among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o true_a church_n where_o infallible_a certainty_n be_v if_o it_o be_v any_o where_o there_o shall_v arise_v false_a teacher_n who_o shall_v bring_v in_o damnable_a doctrine_n which_o can_v never_o have_v happen_v if_o he_o have_v leave_v any_o such_o mean_n to_o his_o church_n as_o shall_v render_v her_o child_n 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do_v of_o which_o we_o search_v it_o in_o vain_a if_o we_o sincere_o attend_v to_o the_o public_a ministry_n with_o mind_n prepare_v to_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o though_o we_o may_v possible_o err_v in_o matter_n of_o less_o moment_n yet_o as_o to_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n our_o faith_n shall_v be_v inviolable_o secure_v and_o this_o be_v as_o much_o as_o any_o honest_a man_n needs_o or_o as_o any_o honest_a church_n can_v promise_v 2._o from_o hence_o also_o i_o infer_v that_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o religion_n god_n do_v expect_v that_o we_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n for_o to_o what_o end_n shall_v he_o put_v we_o upon_o search_v the_o scripture_n but_o that_o thereby_o we_o may_v inform_v ourselves_o what_o those_o thing_n be_v which_o he_o have_v require_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o practice_v but_o if_o it_o be_v his_o mind_n that_o we_o shall_v whole_o rely_v 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a_o mind_n to_o steer_v and_o manage_v it_o it_o will_v be_v a_o equal_a chance_n whether_o we_o do_v well_o or_o ill_o with_o it_o so_o that_o unless_o there_o be_v some_o understanding_n either_o within_o or_o without_o we_o to_o conduct_v our_o active_a power_n and_o determine_v they_o to_o our_o good_a we_o be_v as_o good_a be_v altogether_o without_o they_o because_o while_o they_o act_v by_o chance_n it_o be_v at_o least_o a_o equal_a lay_v whether_o they_o will_v injure_v or_o advantage_v we_o since_o therefore_o understanding_n be_v the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o all_o our_o other_o power_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o itself_o be_v the_o great_a and_o noble_a of_o they_o all_o what_o a_o excellent_a be_v therefore_o must_v a_o soul_n be_v in_o which_o this_o great_a and_o sovereign_a power_n reside_v a_o power_n that_o can_v collect_v into_o itself_o such_o prodigious_a number_n of_o simple_a apprehension_n and_o by_o compare_v one_o with_o the_o other_o can_v connect_v 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though_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o in_o this_o imperfect_a state_n a_o soul_n shall_v arrive_v to_o such_o a_o pitch_n as_o this_o yet_o even_o now_o it_o may_v be_v grow_v up_o and_o aspire_v to_o it_o which_o if_o it_o do_v as_o i_o shall_v show_v you_o by_o and_o by_o when_o this_o be_v expire_v it_o have_v another_o life_n to_o live_v which_o be_v antecedent_o prepare_v for_o by_o those_o spiritual_a improvement_n it_o have_v make_v here_o will_v furnish_v it_o with_o opportunites_n of_o impro_v infinite_o fast_o than_o here_o it_o do_v or_o possible_o can_v for_o in_o that_o life_n it_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v free_v from_o those_o many_o encumbrance_n which_o do_v here_o retard_v it_o in_o its_o spiritual_a progress_n nor_o shall_v it_o only_o be_v associate_v with_o a_o world_n of_o pure_a and_o bless_a spirit_n who_o holy_a example_n and_o wise_a converse_n will_v doubtless_o wonderful_o edify_v and_o improve_v it_o but_o be_v also_o admit_v into_o a_o more_o intimate_a acquaintance_n with_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n and_o pattern_n of_o all_o perfection_n the_o sight_n of_o who_o ravish_a beauty_n will_v inflame_v it_o with_o a_o most_o ardent_a love_n to_o he_o and_o excite_v it_o to_o a_o most_o vigorous_a imitation_n of_o he_o all_o which_o consider_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v how_o much_o the_o state_n of_o heaven_n will_v immediate_o improve_v those_o happy_a soul_n that_o be_v prepare_v and_o dispose_v for_o it_o but_o then_o consider_v that_o moral_a perfection_n be_v as_o infinite_a as_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o infinity_o of_o holiness_n and_o justice_n and_o goodness_n within_o this_o boundless_a subject_n there_o will_v be_v room_n enough_o for_o soul_n to_o make_v far_o and_o far_a improvement_n in_o even_o to_o eternity_n and_o then_o when_o they_o shall_v still_o be_v grow_v on_o so_o fast_o and_o yet_o be_v still_o forever_o improve_n to_o what_o a_o transcendent_a height_n of_o glory_n and_o perfection_n will_v they_o at_o last_o arrive_v for_o though_o no_o finite_a soul_n can_v ever_o arrive_v to_o a_o infinite_a perfection_n yet_o still_o it_o may_v be_v grow_v on_o to_o it_o because_o there_o will_v still_o be_v possible_a degree_n of_o it_o beyond_o its_o present_a attainment_n and_o when_o it_o be_v arrive_v to_o the_o far_a imaginable_a degree_n yet_o still_o it_o will_v be_v capable_a of_o far_a and_o so_o far_o and_o far_o to_o all_o eternity_n and_o if_o so_o o_o bless_a god_n of_o what_o a_o capacious_a nature_n have_v thou_o make_v these_o soul_n of_o we_o which_o though_o they_o will_v doubtless_o improve_v in_o goodness_n as_o fast_o in_o the_o other_o life_n as_o be_v possible_a for_o they_o with_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o a_o heavenly_a state_n yet_o will_v never_o attain_v to_o a_o utmost_a period_n but_o still_o be_v grow_v perfect_a and_o perfect_a forever_o 3._o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v of_o vast_a worth_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o immense_a capacity_n of_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n for_o its_o capacity_n of_o pleasure_n must_v necessary_o be_v as_o large_a and_o extensive_a as_o its_o capacity_n of_o understanding_n and_o of_o moral_a perfection_n because_o the_o proper_a pleasure_n of_o a_o soul_n result_v from_o its_o own_o knowledge_n and_o goodness_n from_o its_o far_a discovery_n of_o truth_n and_o far_a proficiency_n in_o inward_a rectitude_n and_o virtue_n and_o consequent_o as_o as_o it_o improve_v far_a and_o far_o in_o understanding_n and_o in_o moral_a perfection_n it_o must_v still_o gather_v more_o and_o more_o fuel_n to_o feed_v and_o increase_v its_o own_o joy_n and_o pleasure_n for_o the_o pleasure_n of_o every_o be_v consist_v in_o the_o vigorous_a exercise_n of_o its_o faculty_n about_o convenient_a and_o agreeable_a object_n but_o the_o faculty_n of_o a_o soul_n be_v understanding_n and_o will_n to_o which_o
law_n which_o they_o call_v the_o cabala_n or_o the_o law_n by_o tradition_n not_o that_o this_o traditional_a contain_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o in_o the_o write_a law_n but_o because_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v obscure_o contain_v in_o the_o type_n of_o the_o write_a law_n be_v explain_v and_o interpret_v in_o this_o their_o traditional_a law_n but_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o type_n of_o eternal_a life_n be_v not_o full_o explain_v in_o this_o traditional_a law_n till_o after_o the_o babylonish_n captivity_n after_o which_o the_o prophet_n daniel_n and_o after_o he_o ezekiel_n begin_v to_o speak_v more_o plain_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o from_o that_o time_n forward_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o eternal_a life_n begin_v to_o be_v more_o open_o teach_v among_o the_o common_a people_n till_o about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n when_o it_o be_v bring_v forth_o in_o the_o light_n from_o under_o those_o type_n in_o which_o it_o be_v so_o obscure_o represent_v and_o become_v a_o principle_n even_o of_o the_o popular_a religion_n and_o a_o article_n of_o the_o jewish_a faith_n as_o plain_o appear_v from_o the_o record_n of_o those_o time_n particular_o 2._o macc._n 7._o 23_o 26._o comp._n with_o heb._n 11._o ●5_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o then_o this_o article_n shall_v be_v more_o clear_o reveal_v to_o fortify_v the_o jew_n against_o those_o many_o persecution_n whereunto_o they_o be_v expose_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o religion_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v terrify_v to_o apostatise_v from_o it_o by_o those_o cruel_a martyrdom_n which_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n they_o many_o of_o they_o endure_v and_o beside_o now_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v approach_v and_o consequent_o its_o mystery_n like_o the_o light_n of_o the_o rise_a sun_n begin_v to_o break_v forth_o clear_a and_o clear_a from_o under_o that_o cloud_n of_o type_n wherein_o it_o be_v wrap_v and_o involve_v till_o at_o last_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n himself_o arise_v and_o disperse_v those_o cloud_n and_o bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_v by_o the_o gospel_n but_o as_o for_o the_o sadducee_n who_o give_v no_o heed_n to_o the_o cabala_n or_o traditional_a law_n in_o which_o this_o doctrine_n be_v first_o discover_v and_o adhere_v only_o to_o the_o write_a law_n of_o moses_n they_o still_o continue_v infidel_n in_o this_o point_n and_o believe_v neither_o angel_n nor_o spirit_n nor_o the_o life_n to_o come_v so_o very_o obscure_o be_v it_o represent_v in_o the_o type_n and_o shadow_n of_o the_o write_a law_n but_o when_o once_o the_o eternal_a word_n come_v to_o tabernacle_n in_o our_o flesh_n he_o reveal_v this_o great_a article_n so_o plain_o and_o clear_o to_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o one_o not_o to_o believe_v it_o that_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n or_o incarnate_a word_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v by_o all_o these_o instance_n what_o a_o vast_a difference_n there_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o truth_n between_o christ_n tabernacle_v in_o our_o nature_n and_o in_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o moses_n and_o now_o i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o argument_n with_o two_o or_o three_o practical_a inference_n one_a he_o dwell_v or_o tabernacle_v among_o we_o from_o hence_o i_o infer_v the_o high_a authority_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o holy_a religion_n which_o he_o have_v reveal_v to_o we_o for_o to_o tabernacle_n among_o we_o as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v you_o signify_v to_o dwell_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o as_o the_o shechinah_n presence_n or_o representative_a of_o the_o most_o high_a god_n as_o one_o that_o act_v in_o his_o father_n person_n and_o be_v vest_v with_o his_o authority_n and_o consequent_o as_o one_o who_o have_v as_o great_a a_o right_a to_o exact_v our_o obedience_n as_o the_o eternal_a father_n himself_o shall_v he_o have_v come_v down_o from_o heaven_n in_o his_o own_o person_n to_o give_v law_n to_o mankind_n for_o so_o when_o the_o eternal_a word_n go_v before_o the_o camp_n of_o israel_n as_o the_o shechinah_n or_o angel_n of_o god_n presence_n god_n require_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v obey_v he_o as_o himself_o beware_v of_o he_o and_o obey_v his_o voice_n say_v god_n provoke_v he_o not_o for_o he_o will_v not_o pardon_v your_o transgression_n for_o my_o name_n be_v in_o he_o exod._n 23._o 21._o and_o v_o 22._o to_o obey_v the_o voice_n of_o this_o angel_n be_v interpret_v to_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o obey_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o most_o high_a god_n himself_o but_o if_o thou_o shall_v indeed_o obey_v his_o voice_n say_v god_n and_o do_v all_o that_o i_o speak_v than_o i_o will_v be_v a_o enemy_n to_o thy_o enemy_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o for_o the_o israelite_n to_o disobey_v this_o angel_n who_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v to_o you_o be_v the_o eternal_a word_n or_o representative_a of_o the_o most_o high_a god_n to_o they_o be_v to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n the_o same_o thing_n as_o if_o they_o have_v disobey_v the_o most_o high_a himself_o and_o according_o our_o saviour_n tell_v the_o jew_n he_o that_o believe_v on_o i_o believe_v not_o on_o i_o but_o on_o the_o father_n that_o send_v i_o that_o be_v he_o do_v not_o mere_o believe_v on_o i_o but_o on_o the_o father_n too_o who_o authority_n i_o have_v and_o who_o person_n i_o represent_v for_o so_o he_o explain_v himself_o in_o the_o follow_a verse_n he_o that_o see_v i_o see_v he_o that_o send_v i_o that_o be_v i_o be_v my_o father_n be_v shechinah_n or_o representative_a joh._n 12._o 44_o 45._o and_o therefore_o as_o every_o contempt_n of_o the_o deputy_n or_o vice-governor_n be_v a_o affront_n to_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n who_o person_n he_o bear_v and_o by_o who_o authority_n he_o act_v so_o every_o rebellion_n against_o christ_n be_v a_o open_a defiance_n to_o the_o sovereign_a god_n who_o person_n he_o represent_v and_o by_o who_o authority_n he_o reign_v hence_o our_o saviour_n tell_v the_o jew_n joh._n 5._o 23._o that_o he_o that_o honour_v not_o the_o son_n honour_v not_o the_o father_n which_o have_v send_v he_o which_o plain_o intimate_v that_o god_n the_o father_n resent_v those_o indignity_n which_o we_o offer_v to_o christ_n and_o his_o law_n as_o if_o they_o be_v do_v to_o his_o own_o person_n and_o that_o if_o himself_o shall_v speak_v to_o we_o from_o the_o battlement_n of_o heaven_n or_o proclaim_v his_o law_n to_o we_o in_o a_o voice_n of_o thunder_n he_o will_v not_o be_v more_o displease_v to_o hear_v we_o open_o declare_v that_o we_o will_v not_o obey_v he_o than_o he_o be_v to_o see_v we_o trample_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o his_o son_n which_o he_o have_v stamp_v with_o his_o own_o sovereign_a authority_n so_o that_o if_o we_o be_v not_o infinite_o foolhardy_a methinks_v we_o shall_v never_o dare_v to_o violate_v our_o religion_n in_o which_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o most_o high_a god_n be_v so_o immediate_o concern_v for_o whatsoever_o our_o religion_n require_v of_o we_o it_o require_v in_o his_o name_n who_o have_v a_o undoubted_a right_n and_o authority_n to_o command_v we_o for_o from_o all_o eternity_n he_o be_v invest_v with_o a_o absolute_a and_o unlimited_a power_n of_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o unbecoming_a his_o divine_a perfection_n and_o in_o this_o the_o right_a of_o his_o dominion_n over_o we_o be_v original_o found_v for_o he_o that_o have_v power_n must_v needs_o have_v a_o right_a to_o exercise_v it_o so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v just_a and_o become_a his_o nature_n otherwise_o his_o power_n will_v be_v altogether_o in_o vain_a and_o therefore_o since_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n have_v a_o power_n of_o do_v whatsoever_o he_o please_v so_o far_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o his_o holiness_n and_o goodness_n there_o be_v nothing_o can_v be_v pretend_v against_o the_o right_n of_o his_o dominion_n and_o authority_n over_o we_o for_o god_n can_v but_o have_v a_o eternal_a right_n to_o exercise_v his_o own_o power_n and_o he_o can_v but_o have_v a_o immutable_a right_n to_o exercise_v it_o over_o his_o own_o creature_n and_o as_o from_o all_o eternity_n he_o have_v power_n to_o do_v whatsoever_o be_v just_a and_o become_v he_o so_o from_o his_o create_v of_o we_o it_o become_v most_o just_a and_o become_v that_o he_o shall_v rule_v and_o govern_v we_o for_o we_o become_v his_o as_o soon_o as_o we_o be_v create_v by_o he_o all_o our_o power_n of_o action_n be_v from_o he_o and_o by_o that_o he_o have_v acquire_v a_o unalienable_a right_n in_o whatsoever_o we_o be_v able_a to_o do_v we_o have_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v his_o gift_n and_o therefore_o can_v do_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v his_o
he_o have_v promise_v to_o we_o and_o prepare_v for_o we_o i_o confess_v be_v his_o service_n all_o work_n and_o no_o wage_n there_o be_v some_o reason_n to_o be_v dishearten_v but_o when_o he_o have_v promise_v and_o so_o ample_o assure_v we_o that_o after_o we_o have_v spend_v a_o few_o day_n or_o year_n in_o his_o service_n upon_o earth_n he_o will_v receive_v we_o into_o the_o participation_n of_o his_o own_o joy_n where_o we_o shall_v commence_v as_o happy_a as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o everlasting_a heaven_n to_o make_v we_o methinks_v we_o shall_v kiss_v his_o yoke_n and_o court_v his_o service_n and_o think_v we_o can_v never_o do_v too_o much_o for_o such_o a_o bountiful_a master_n who_o reward_v all_o his_o servant_n with_o such_o immortal_a preferment_n for_o what_o be_v the_o labour_n of_o a_o few_o moment_n compare_v with_o that_o everlasting_a rest_n and_o pleasure_n wherein_o it_o shall_v short_o terminate_v and_o when_o once_o we_o be_v arrive_v to_o the_o heavenly_a canaan_n and_o have_v taste_v those_o ravish_a delight_n with_o which_o it_o flow_v and_o abound_v how_o light_n and_o inconsiderable_a will_v all_o these_o difficulty_n in_o our_o voyage_n appear_v to_o we_o which_o now_o do_v so_o startle_v and_o affright_v we_o how_o shall_v we_o wonder_v at_o our_o own_o sloth_n and_o faint-heartedness_n to_o think_v that_o ever_o we_o shall_v be_v such_o wretched_a coward_n as_o to_o be_v afraid_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v heaven_n at_o the_o end_n of_o it_o which_o be_v a_o happiness_n so_o vast_a and_o unspeakable_a that_o the_o hope_n of_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o turn_v torment_n into_o recreation_n how_o shall_v we_o be_v astonish_v at_o ourselves_o to_o think_v that_o we_o can_v ever_o be_v such_o wretched_a fool_n as_o to_o deliberate_v one_o moment_n whether_o heaven_n be_v preferable_a before_o all_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v more_o eligible_a to_o dwell_v with_o harlot_n and_o drunkard_n for_o a_o moment_n and_o wallow_v in_o their_o beastly_a pleasure_n than_o to_o enjoy_v the_o society_n of_o god_n and_o saint_n and_o angel_n to_o all_o eternity_n the_o odds_o will_v then_o appear_v so_o vast_a and_o the_o disproportion_n so_o unspeakable_a that_o we_o shall_v wonder_v how_o we_o can_v ever_o be_v so_o senseless_a as_o to_o make_v a_o comparison_n between_o they_o sure_a sir_n we_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o heaven_n be_v the_o recompense_n of_o christ_n service_n for_o if_o we_o do_v methinks_v we_o shall_v more_o hearty_o engage_v in_o it_o for_o can_v we_o stand_v thus_o deliberate_v upon_o the_o shore_n whether_o we_o shall_v bid_v adieu_o to_o our_o lust_n take_v leave_v of_o all_o their_o fulsome_a pleasure_n and_o embark_v ourselves_o in_o the_o service_n of_o our_o saviour_n can_v we_o stand_v pause_v thus_o as_o we_o do_v whether_o we_o shall_v venture_v into_o those_o petty_a storm_n that_o be_v like_a to_o attend_v we_o in_o our_o spiritual_a voyage_n do_v we_o very_o believe_v that_o a_o few_o league_n distance_n lie_v that_o bless_a shore_n where_o we_o shall_v be_v crown_v as_o soon_o as_o we_o be_v land_v with_o all_o the_o joy_n that_o a_o everlasting_a heaven_n mean_n certain_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o put_v life_n and_o courage_n into_o the_o most_o crest-fallen_a soul_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o give_v her_o spirit_n and_o vigour_n enough_o to_o carry_v she_o triumphant_o through_o all_o the_o weary_a stage_n of_o her_o duty_n so_o that_o consider_v how_o in_o all_o respect_n our_o bless_a lord_n abound_v in_o grace_n and_o goodness_n to_o we_o we_o have_v the_o great_a encouragement_n imaginable_a to_o engage_v we_o to_o his_o service_n 3_o he_o be_v full_a of_o truth_n from_o whence_o i_o infer_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v a_o very_a plain_a and_o intelligible_a thing_n for_o this_o as_o i_o have_v show_v you_o at_o large_a be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a note_n of_o distinction_n 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rom._n 15._o 4._o and_o for_o our_o admonition_n 1_o cor._n 10._o 11._o and_o as_o for_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o be_v tell_v that_o it_o be_v write_v that_o we_o may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o believe_v we_o may_v have_v life_n through_o his_o name_n joh._n 20._o 31._o and_o st._n peter_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o write_v both_o his_o epistle_n to_o stir_v up_o the_o pure_a mind_n of_o christian_n by_o way_n of_o remembrance_n and_o to_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v speak_v before_o by_o the_o holy_a prophet_n and_o of_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n 2_o pet._n 3._o 1._o and_o st._n john_n give_v we_o this_o account_n of_o his_o write_v his_o epistle_n these_o thing_n have_v i_o write_v to_o you_o that_o you_o sin_v not_o 1_o joh._n 2._o ●_o and_o st._n jude_n this_o of_o he_o belove_v when_o i_o give_v all_o diligence_n to_o write_v unto_o you_o of_o the_o 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soever_o you_o shall_v find_v it_o put_v the_o question_n to_o yourselves_o over_o and_o over_o o_o my_o soul_n here_o be_v such_o advantage_n and_o such_o calamity_n before_o you_o importune_v you_o to_o change_v your_o present_a discountenance_a religion_n for_o a_o more_o thrive_a and_o prosperous_a one_o be_v you_o now_o resolve_v fair_o and_o impartial_o to_o examine_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o if_o thereupon_o you_o still_o find_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o your_o present_a religion_n be_v the_o very_a truth_n of_o jesus_n will_v you_o rather_o renounce_v those_o advantage_n and_o incur_v those_o calamity_n than_o forgo_v it_o will_v you_o follow_v the_o truth_n wheresoever_o you_o find_v it_o and_o whithersoever_o it_o shall_v happen_v to_o lead_v you_o though_o it_o be_v from_o preferment_n into_o persecution_n be_v you_o resolve_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o prostrate_v all_o your_o temporal_a hope_n and_o fear_n before_o it_o and_o rather_o to_o lose_v 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