of_o providence_n god_n will_v no_o doubt_n take_v care_n of_o his_o own_o honour_n but_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o give_v such_o man_n a_o account_n of_o the_o way_n and_o method_n and_o season_n of_o his_o do_v it_o he_o often_o raise_v up_o a_o nation_n fit_a for_o his_o purpose_n and_o make_v they_o as_o a_o scourge_n to_o neighbour_n nation_n and_o when_o they_o have_v do_v his_o work_n he_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v humble_v if_o not_o destroy_v by_o the_o same_o method_n they_o have_v use_v to_o other_o sometime_o he_o raise_v up_o one_o kingdom_n and_o nation_n against_o another_o when_o their_o sin_n make_v they_o ripe_a for_o vengeance_n and_o so_o he_o take_v the_o potsherd_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o break_v they_o upon_o one_o another_o and_o thus_o by_o their_o mutual_a punishment_n they_o both_o become_v the_o executioner_n of_o his_o wrath_n and_o we_o can_v determine_v by_o the_o event_n which_o be_v in_o the_o great_a gild_n so_o that_o god_n take_v care_n of_o his_o own_o honour_n by_o method_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v for_o who_o can_v weigh_v the_o nation_n in_o a_o balance_n and_o determine_v how_o far_o the_o sin_n of_o one_o do_v exceed_v the_o other_o and_o if_o we_o can_v know_v the_o number_n and_o aggravation_n of_o a_o people_n sin_n we_o can_v never_o fix_v the_o measure_n and_o degree_n of_o their_o punishment_n but_o however_o some_o thing_n be_v certain_a 1._o that_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o nation_n do_v natural_o tend_v to_o the_o weakness_n and_o dishonour_n of_o it_o thus_o a_o factious_a seditious_a turbulent_a temper_n not_o only_o be_v the_o reproach_n of_o a_o people_n but_o the_o ready_a way_n to_o destroy_v it_o and_o yet_o it_o have_v so_o happen_v that_o when_o the_o faction_n have_v be_v almost_o equal_o poise_v as_o at_o rome_n and_o carthage_n they_o have_v raise_v such_o a_o emulation_n between_o they_o which_o by_o their_o endeavour_n to_o outvie_v each_o other_o have_v for_o some_o time_n preserve_v their_o country_n who_o can_v deny_v that_o luxury_n and_o debauchery_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o intemperance_n not_o only_o sink_v the_o reputation_n of_o a_o people_n but_o effeminate_v and_o soften_v they_o and_o make_v they_o careless_a and_o idle_n regardless_o of_o any_o thing_n but_o what_o make_v for_o their_o own_o ease_n and_o voluptuousness_n and_o in_o all_o humane_a probability_n such_o a_o nation_n must_v sink_v when_o a_o people_n of_o more_o wisdom_n and_o courage_n and_o resolution_n make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o overcome_v they_o so_o that_o these_o sort_n of_o sin_n be_v natural_a cause_n of_o weaken_v the_o power_n and_o interest_n of_o a_o nation_n but_o there_o be_v other_o sin_n as_o profaneness_n and_o contempt_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n hypocrisy_n idolatry_n etc._n etc._n and_o of_o such_o which_o work_v as_o moral_a cause_n god_n himself_o be_v the_o only_a judge_n when_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o iniquity_n be_v fill_v up_o 2._o sometime_o god_n step_v out_o of_o his_o ordinary_a method_n and_o course_n of_o providence_n either_o in_o a_o way_n of_o judgement_n or_o mercy_n and_o then_o he_o more_o particular_o show_v that_o those_o that_o honour_n he_o he_o will_v honour_v and_o those_o who_o despise_v he_o shall_v be_v light_o esteem_v these_o thing_n be_v not_o every_o day_n experience_n but_o when_o they_o do_v happen_v they_o deserve_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a manner_n 14._o eudem_fw-la l._n 7._o c._n 14._o aristotle_n who_o be_v no_o great_a friend_n to_o providence_n as_o to_o humane_a affair_n profess_v that_o he_o do_v not_o know_v what_o to_o make_v of_o the_o extraordinary_a success_n some_o person_n have_v in_o their_o affair_n without_o any_o extraordinary_a visible_a cause_n it_o be_v possible_a he_o may_v have_v the_o success_n of_o his_o macedonian_a friend_n in_o his_o thought_n who_o swallow_v up_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o greece_n as_o so_o many_o morsel_n and_o then_o destroy_v the_o mighty_a persian_a monarchy_n but_o in_o these_o case_n he_o allow_v a_o divine_a impulse_n carry_v they_o on_o beyond_o the_o ordinary_a measure_n of_o humane_a prudence_n and_o overrule_a so_o many_o thing_n in_o order_n to_o success_n as_o nothing_o but_o a_o divine_a hand_n can_v manage_v and_o when_o great_a advantage_n come_v to_o a_o nation_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a degree_n of_o thankfulness_n be_v just_o expect_v that_o god_n may_v be_v honour_v in_o a_o particular_a manner_n for_o the_o deliverance_n he_o work_v by_o such_o mean_n and_o the_o mercy_n he_o bestow_v or_o continue_v thereby_o 2._o as_o to_o particular_a person_n how_o far_o this_o hold_v will_v appear_v by_o these_o thing_n 1._o that_o esteem_n and_o honour_n natural_o follow_v the_o opinion_n of_o another_o desert_n or_o excellency_n for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o arbitrary_a thing_n but_o be_v found_v on_o the_o supposition_n of_o something_o that_o deserve_v it_o it_o be_v like_o the_o assent_n give_v to_o mathematical_a evidence_n which_o be_v not_o because_o they_o will_v do_v it_o but_o because_o they_o can_v help_v it_o 2._o the_o sincere_a practice_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n do_v command_v esteem_n and_o reverence_n hypocrisy_n indeed_o lessen_v it_o to_o the_o utmost_a degree_n because_o it_o argue_v a_o mean_a and_o false_a temper_n of_o mind_n but_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o true_a religion_n but_o what_o tend_v to_o raise_v esteem_n for_o it_o imply_v all_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v allow_v by_o all_o person_n to_o gain_v honour_n among_o men._n for_o one_o that_o be_v true_o religious_a be_v a_o true_a lover_n of_o god_n and_o of_o mankind_n he_o be_v grateful_a to_o his_o benefactor_n and_o always_o own_v in_o the_o most_o solemn_a manner_n his_o dependence_n upon_o he_o both_o by_o prayer_n and_o praise_n he_o be_v ready_a to_o do_v good_a to_o all_o man_n as_o far_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o his_o duty_n to_o god_n he_o be_v just_a righteous_a and_o merciful_a sober_a and_o temperate_a in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n he_o act_v not_o by_o chance_n or_o for_o by_o end_n but_o by_o a_o fix_a principle_n of_o be_v and_o do_v good_a he_o keep_v himself_o within_o the_o bound_n which_o god_n have_v set_v he_o and_o with_o cheerfulness_n and_o resolution_n set_v himself_o to_o do_v and_o suffer_v his_o will_n and_o have_v so_o much_o courage_n as_o to_o dare_v to_o do_v his_o duty_n and_o be_v afraid_a of_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o offend_a god_n and_o now_o let_v any_o one_o judge_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n mean_a or_o contemptible_a in_o all_o this_o whether_o every_o one_o that_o hear_v this_o character_n do_v not_o wish_v it_o belong_v to_o himself_o and_o that_o be_v a_o certain_a token_n that_o it_o bring_v honour_n and_o esteem_v with_o it_o let_v i_o then_o for_o a_o conclusion_n of_o all_o recommend_v the_o practice_n of_o reliligion_n and_o virtue_n to_o all_o such_o as_o be_v the_o most_o concern_v for_o honour_n and_o esteem_n the_o world_n be_v always_o vain_a enough_o to_o flatter_v greatness_n either_o out_o of_o weakness_n or_o design_n but_o true_a greatness_n of_o mind_n despise_v flattery_n and_o where_o that_o be_v want_v in_o any_o this_o very_a flatterer_n despise_v they_o but_o this_o be_v a_o way_n to_o be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o contempt_n 8._o micah_n 6._o 8._o to_o do_v just_o and_o to_o love_v mercy_n and_o to_o walk_v humble_o with_o god_n and_o these_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o god_n himself_o assure_v we_o be_v the_o main_a part_n of_o our_o duty_n if_o we_o be_v careless_a of_o god_n honour_n and_o service_n now_o the_o time_n will_v short_o come_v when_o we_o shall_v hearty_o wish_v we_o have_v be_v otherwise_o for_o how_o great_a soever_o your_o honour_n be_v now_o you_o and_o that_o together_o must_v in_o a_o little_a time_n be_v lay_v in_o the_o dust._n and_o then_o the_o main_a difference_n will_v be_v according_a to_o the_o honour_n we_o have_v do_v to_o god_n for_o although_o the_o text_n do_v hold_v good_a as_o to_o this_o world_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v yet_o the_o most_o glorious_a accomplishment_n of_o it_o will_v be_v make_v evident_a to_o all_o mankind_n that_o those_o that_o honour_n he_o god_n will_v honour_v and_o they_o that_o despise_v he_o shall_v be_v light_o esteem_v finis_fw-la
reformation_n of_o manner_n the_o true_a way_n of_o honour_v god_n with_o the_o necessity_n of_o put_v the_o law_n in_o execution_n against_o vice_n and_o profaneness_n in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o white-hall_n by_o the_o late_a right_o reverend_a father_n in_o god_n edward_z lord_z bishop_n of_o worcester_z and_o publish_v by_o their_o majesty_n special_a command_n the_o second_o edition_n not_o print_v in_o any_o of_o the_o volume_n of_o his_o lordship_n sermon_n london_n print_v for_o tho._n bennet_n at_o the_o half-moon_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o the_o way_n of_o honour_v god_n by_o a_o reformation_n of_o manner_n in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o white-hall_n 1_o samuel_n 2._o 30._o for_o they_o that_o honour_v i_o i_o will_v honour_v and_o they_o that_o despise_v i_o shall_v be_v light_o esteem_v these_o word_n be_v speak_v by_o a_o prophet_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o eliâ—_n at_o that_o time_n the_o highpriest_n and_o judge_n over_o israel_n upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o wickedness_n of_o his_o son_n and_o the_o hishonour_n bring_v upon_o religion_n thereby_o which_o be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o be_v say_v 17._o v._o 17._o they_o make_v the_o people_n abhor_v the_o offer_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o that_o we_o may_v the_o better_o comprehend_v their_o scope_n and_o design_n there_o be_v some_o remarkable_a particular_n to_o be_v consider_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o circumstance_n that_o attend_v they_o 1._o that_o their_o sin_n be_v of_o a_o high_a and_o scandalous_a nature_n be_v a_o open_a affront_n both_o to_o the_o ceremonial_a and_o moral_a law_n the_o offer_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v that_o which_o himself_o have_v appoint_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n wherein_o it_o be_v express_o require_v that_o the_o fat_a of_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o peace-offering_n must_v be_v burn_v upon_o the_o altar_n 31._o leu._n 7._o 31._o and_o after_o that_o the_o joint_n be_v to_o be_v divide_v and_o the_o priest_n be_v to_o have_v his_o share_n 34._o v._o 33_o 34._o and_o the_o people_n that_o offer_v they_o the_o rest_n but_o these_o son_n of_o eli_n think_v themselves_o too_o great_a to_o be_v tie_v up_o to_o such_o a_o strict_a observance_n of_o the_o nicety_n of_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o they_o send_v their_o servant_n to_o demand_v what_o they_o please_v 16._o v._o 13_o 14_o 15_o 16._o without_o any_o regard_n to_o that_o order_n which_o the_o law_n appoint_v it_o be_v possible_a they_o may_v think_v although_o such_o lewd_a and_z and_o profane_a person_n be_v not_o much_o give_v to_o think_v that_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o great_a how_o or_o in_o what_o manner_n they_o take_v the_o share_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o but_o god_n who_o best_o know_v what_o be_v please_v to_o himself_o say_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o young_a man_n be_v very_o great_a before_o the_o lord_n 17._o v._o 17._o for_o god_n will_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v serve_v in_o his_o own_o way_n and_o they_o who_o think_v to_o be_v wise_a than_o his_o law_n smart_v for_o their_o folly_n 1._o leu._n 10._o 1._o thus_o nadah_n and_o abihu_n then_o brisk_a young_a man_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o try_v the_o experiment_n of_o offer_v strange_a fire_n before_o the_o lord_n not_o take_v it_o from_o the_o altar_n as_o god_n have_v appoint_v 12._o leu._n 1._o 7._o ch_n 6._o v._n 12._o ch_n 16._o v._n 12._o and_o what_o come_v of_o this_o presumptuous_a violation_n of_o god_n law_n they_o be_v immediate_o consume_v by_o a_o strange_a fire_n themselves_o for_o 2._o ch_n 10._o v._n 2._o it_o be_v say_v a_o fire_n go_v out_o from_o the_o lord_n and_o devour_v they_o and_o they_o die_v before_o the_o lord_n i._n e._n they_o be_v strike_v dead_a with_o lightning_n upon_o the_o place_n and_o their_o dead_a body_n be_v carry_v forth_o from_o before_o the_o sanctuary_n out_o of_o the_o camp_n 4._o v._o 4._o that_o all_o the_o people_n may_v observe_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o moses_n say_v to_o aaron_n on_o this_o occasion_n 3._o v._o 3._o this_o be_v that_o the_o lord_n speak_v say_v i_o will_v be_v sanctify_v in_o they_o that_o come_v nigh_o i_o and_o before_o all_o the_o people_n i_o will_v be_v glorify_v it_o be_v true_a god_n do_v not_o punish_v hophni_n and_o phinehas_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n who_o add_v great_a lewdness_n and_o immorality_n to_o their_o other_o fault_n 22._o v._o 22._o but_o he_o severe_o threaten_v the_o whole_a house_n of_o eli_n for_o their_o sin_n and_o as_o a_o sign_n of_o the_o rest_n he_o declare_v that_o these_o profligate_v wretch_n shall_v both_o be_v take_v off_o the_o same_o day_n 34._o v._o 34._o which_o be_v according_o accomplish_v with_o dreadful_a circumstance_n 11._o â—â—_o 4._o v._n 11._o for_o the_o ark_n of_o god_n be_v take_v at_o the_o same_o time_n 2._o that_o the_o house_n of_o eli_n be_v advance_v to_o that_o dignity_n which_o it_o then_o enjoy_v by_o a_o extraordinary_a method_n of_o providence_n for_o when_o nadab_n and_o abihu_n the_o son_n of_o aaron_n be_v destroy_v 2._o leu._n 10._o 6._o 1_o chr._n 24._o 2._o there_o remain_v eleazar_n and_o ithamar_n for_o the_o other_o die_v childless_a from_o they_o descend_v two_o branch_n of_o aaron_n family_n 4._o num._n 3._o 4._o eleazar_n be_v of_o the_o elder_a house_n but_o eli_n who_o descend_v from_o ithamar_n be_v in_o possession_n of_o the_o high_a priesthood_n by_o god_n approbation_n and_o when_o abiathar_n in_o solomon_n time_n be_v put_v by_o the_o high_a priesthood_n 5._o 1_o chr._n 14._o 2._o 5._o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o descend_v from_o ithamar_n 27._o 1_o king_n 24._o 27._o and_o be_v of_o the_o house_n of_o eli_n and_o he_o be_v therefore_o thrust_v out_o that_o god_n may_v fulfil_v his_o word_n which_o he_o speak_v concern_v the_o house_n of_o eli_n in_o shiloh_n by_o which_o we_o find_v that_o god_n have_v raise_v up_o the_o house_n of_o eli_n after_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n and_o no_o doubt_n according_a to_o the_o wise_a method_n of_o divine_a providence_n for_o a_o extraordinary_a end_n and_o we_o find_v no_o ill_a character_n fix_v upon_o eli_n himself_o although_o he_o have_v judge_v israel_n forty_o year_n 18._o 1_o sam._n â—_o 18._o but_o there_o be_v those_o about_o he_o and_o very_o near_o he_o who_o be_v loose_a profane_a and_o dissolute_a person_n and_o although_o those_o who_o be_v most_o concern_v do_v common_o hear_v the_o last_o of_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o those_o relate_v to_o they_o yet_o the_o cry_n be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o come_v to_o his_o ear_n and_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o reprove_v they_o for_o it_o 25._o ch_n 2._o v._n 22_o 23_o 24_o 25._o and_o he_o say_v to_o they_o why_o do_v you_o such_o thing_n etc._n etc._n the_o good_a old_a man_n seem_v to_o be_v hearty_o concern_v and_o trouble_v for_o his_o son_n folly_n but_o this_o do_v not_o answer_v god_n end_n for_o the_o reason_n he_o give_v of_o the_o heavy_a judgement_n denounce_v against_o his_o family_n 13._o ch_n 3._o v._n 13._o be_v because_o his_o son_n make_v themselves_o vile_a and_o he_o restrain_v they_o not_o god_n expect_v something_o more_o than_o mere_a word_n or_o bare_a reproof_n where_o his_o honour_n and_o that_o of_o religion_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v but_o when_o profaneness_n looseness_n and_o irreligion_n creep_v in_o among_o they_o and_o grow_v too_o hard_o for_o the_o government_n god_n threaten_v to_o do_v such_o a_o thing_n in_o israel_n 11._o ch_n 3._o v._n 11._o at_o which_o both_o the_o ear_n of_o every_o one_o that_o hear_v it_o shall_v tingle_v i_o need_v go_v no_o far_o 3._o that_o although_o god_n be_v just_o provoke_v by_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o house_n of_o eli_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o concurrence_n of_o the_o people_n sin_n in_o bring_v down_o such_o severe_a and_o astonish_a judgement_n there_o be_v no_o great_a loss_n in_o hophni_n and_o phinehas_n unless_o they_o have_v be_v better_a but_o it_o be_v a_o terrible_a judgement_n to_o have_v the_o ark_n of_o god_n take_v and_o carry_v captive_a and_o thereby_o their_o whole_a religion_n expose_v to_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n among_o their_o neighbour_n who_o hate_v they_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o religion_n for_o when_o the_o idolatrous_a nation_n about_o they_o have_v corrupt_v themselves_o and_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n he_o be_v please_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n to_o set_v up_o a_o form_n of_o worship_n among_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n according_a to_o his_o own_o will._n this_o give_v great_a dissatisfaction_n to_o all_o their_o neighbour_n and_o increase_v their_o spite_n and_o malice_n against_o they_o which_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o show_v on_o all_o occasion_n but_o never_o more_o than_o when_o the_o ark_n of_o god_n be_v take_v captive_a and_o carry_v
not_o to_o the_o true_a god_n but_o to_o a_o idol_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n but_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o such_o conception_n of_o god_n in_o our_o mind_n which_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o all_o we_o must_v do_v for_o want_n of_o faculty_n to_o comprehend_v he_o and_o such_o which_o attribute_v something_o to_o he_o which_o be_v unworthy_a of_o he_o not_o that_o if_o any_o happen_v to_o be_v mistake_v in_o their_o conception_n of_o god_n we_o must_v present_o charge_v they_o with_o idolatry_n for_o the_o scripture_n make_v that_o to_o lie_v in_o a_o open_a and_o public_a dishonour_v of_o god_n by_o give_v that_o worship_n which_o be_v alone_o due_a to_o he_o to_o any_o thing_n beside_o himself_o it_o be_v the_o set_n up_o of_o another_o interest_n among_o mankind_n in_o opposition_n to_o his_o power_n and_o sovereignty_n it_o be_v such_o a_o expose_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o divine_a worship_n as_o to_o render_v it_o mean_v and_o contemptible_a for_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o great_a disparagement_n to_o the_o divine_a nature_n than_o to_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v like_o the_o work_n of_o man_n hand_n or_o to_o have_v any_o of_o his_o own_o creature_n to_o have_v that_o worship_n give_v to_o they_o which_o belong_v to_o himself_o and_o so_o it_o take_v away_o the_o due_a apprehension_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v always_o maintain_v of_o the_o infinite_a distance_n between_o god_n and_o the_o workmanship_n of_o his_o hand_n but_o these_o consequence_n do_v not_o reach_v to_o inward_a false_a conception_n of_o god_n yet_o they_o ought_v by_o all_o possible_a mean_n to_o be_v avoid_v by_o those_o who_o will_v give_v unto_o god_n in_o their_o mind_n the_o honour_n which_o be_v due_a unto_o he_o and_o to_o avoid_v all_o wrong_a apprehension_n concern_v he_o we_o must_v settle_v in_o our_o mind_n such_o a_o fix_a notion_n of_o he_o as_o result_v from_o those_o evidence_n which_o prove_v his_o be_v 20_o rom._n 1._o 20_o for_o the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o god_n say_v the_o apostle_n be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v i._n e._n the_o visible_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n do_v afford_v such_o plain_a evidence_n of_o the_o wisdom_n power_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o maker_n of_o they_o that_o from_o thence_o we_o may_v form_v a_o distinct_a and_o clear_a notion_n of_o god_n in_o our_o mind_n as_o a_o be_v infinite_o wise_a powerful_a and_o good_n this_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a easy_a and_o orderly_a conception_n we_o can_v have_v of_o god_n in_o our_o mind_n because_o it_o arise_v from_o the_o same_o argument_n which_o prove_v his_o be_v and_o when_o our_o mind_n be_v fix_v and_o settle_v herein_o the_o next_o thing_n be_v to_o exclude_v all_o mean_a and_o unworthy_a thought_n of_o he_o as_o inconsistent_a with_o his_o divine_a perfection_n therefore_o whatever_o savour_v of_o impotency_n or_o cruelty_n whatevertend_v to_o abate_v our_o reverence_n to_o lessen_v our_o esteem_n to_o damp_n our_o affection_n or_o to_o cool_v our_o devotion_n towards_o he_o can_v be_v agreeable_a to_o those_o just_a conception_n we_o ought_v to_o have_v always_o in_o our_o mind_n concern_v he_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o have_v such_o terrible_a apprehension_n of_o his_o majesty_n and_o power_n and_o justice_n as_o may_v drive_v we_o into_o horror_n and_o despair_n but_o in_o entertain_v such_o a_o opinion_n of_o his_o wisdom_n goodness_n and_o love_a kindness_n as_o may_v incline_v we_o to_o love_v he_o and_o to_o trust_v in_o his_o mercy_n and_o then_o god_n be_v true_o honour_v by_o we_o when_o we_o preserve_v a_o deep_a sense_n and_o awe_n of_o he_o upon_o our_o mind_n when_o we_o adore_v he_o for_o his_o infinite_a perfection_n when_o we_o esteem_v he_o as_o the_o most_o proper_a object_n of_o our_o love_n as_o well_o as_o of_o our_o fear_n when_o we_o put_v our_o trust_n and_o confidence_n in_o he_o and_o depend_v upon_o he_o as_o to_o the_o conveniency_n of_o this_o life_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o another_o when_o the_o desire_n of_o our_o soul_n be_v towards_o he_o and_o our_o meditation_n of_o he_o be_v frequent_a and_o serious_a and_o delightful_a to_o we_o when_o we_o set_v he_o always_o before_o we_o and_o direct_v the_o course_n of_o our_o life_n and_o action_n to_o the_o please_a he_o when_o we_o dare_v not_o wilful_o do_v any_o thing_n to_o offend_v he_o but_o make_v it_o our_o chief_a study_n and_o business_n to_o do_v what_o tend_v to_o his_o honour_n and_o to_o promote_v it_o in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v therefore_o of_o very_o great_a consequence_n as_o to_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o religion_n to_o keep_v up_o in_o our_o mind_n such_o a_o true_a and_o settle_a notion_n of_o god_n as_o may_v influence_n our_o devotion_n reform_v our_o disorder_n inflame_v our_o affection_n and_o keep_v we_o from_o be_v lead_v aside_o by_o the_o violent_a and_o impetuous_a heat_n of_o imagination_n for_o this_o be_v the_o true_a source_n of_o most_o of_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o mankind_n about_o religion_n they_o have_v no_o true_a notion_n of_o god_n in_o their_o mind_n but_o they_o dread_v his_o power_n and_o know_v not_o how_o to_o please_v he_o and_o so_o run_v from_o one_o thing_n to_o another_o through_o the_o several_a method_n of_o superstition_n or_o enthusiasm_n as_o agree_v best_a with_o their_o fancy_n which_o be_v so_o unstable_a and_o uncertain_a a_o principle_n that_o no_o steady_a course_n of_o religion_n can_v be_v steer_v by_o it_o a_o man_n who_o act_v by_o imagination_n be_v like_o a_o ship_n at_o sea_n without_o anchor_n or_o compass_n which_o roll_v up_o and_o down_o just_a as_o the_o wind_n and_o the_o wave_n carry_v she_o but_o reason_n and_o understanding_n be_v a_o steady_a and_o uniform_a principle_n and_o be_v well_o fix_v from_o a_o due_a and_o thorough_a consideration_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o will_n of_o god_n keep_v the_o mind_n even_o and_o constant_a and_o go_v on_o its_o course_n as_o well_o as_o it_o can_v and_o make_v its_o way_n notwithstanding_o the_o force_n of_o the_o current_n and_o tide_n of_o natural_a inclination_n be_v against_o it_o and_o that_o the_o cloud_n and_o vapour_n of_o imagination_n often_o hinder_v the_o freedom_n of_o its_o motion_n nothing_o be_v so_o uncomfortable_a nothing_o so_o ungovernable_a as_o a_o restless_a imagination_n and_o when_o it_o be_v oppress_v with_o a_o religious_a melancholy_n than_o every_o thing_n seem_v dark_a and_o confuse_a we_o neither_o know_v god_n nor_o ourselves_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v and_o we_o must_v judge_v amiss_o when_o we_o judge_v by_o such_o a_o false_a light_n and_o therefore_o our_o wise_a course_n in_o such_o a_o case_n be_v to_o be_v humble_a and_o patient_a to_o suspend_v any_o peremptory_a judgement_n as_o to_o ourselves_o till_o we_o have_v clear_a light_n and_o those_o mist_n and_o vapour_n be_v disperse_v which_o darken_v and_o perplex_v our_o thought_n 2._o man_n dishonour_n god_n when_o they_o pretend_v to_o honour_v he_o not_o according_a to_o his_o will_n but_o their_o own_o intention_n and_o imagination_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n practise_v and_o defend_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n which_o one_o will_v hardly_o think_v possible_a to_o have_v ever_o prevail_v have_v it_o not_o be_v that_o they_o think_v to_o do_v honour_n to_o god_n by_o they_o i_o shall_v not_o insist_v upon_o the_o pretence_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o honour_v god_n against_o his_o will_n by_o give_v divine_a and_o religious_a worship_n to_o image_n saint_n and_o angel_n etc._n etc._n because_o though_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o folly_n and_o superstition_n and_o real_a dishonour_n to_o god_n in_o they_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o such_o mischief_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n unless_o they_o take_v up_o a_o imagination_n that_o god_n will_v be_v honour_v by_o root_a out_o and_o destroy_v all_o such_o as_o can_v comply_v with_o they_o in_o their_o superstitious_a folly_n but_o as_o the_o true_a spirit_n of_o religion_n wear_v off_o that_o of_o persecution_n often_o come_v in_o the_o place_n of_o it_o like_o wasp_n and_o hornet_n out_o of_o a_o dead_a carcase_n thus_o in_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n there_o be_v the_o same_o outward_a show_n and_o pomp_n of_o religion_n which_o have_v be_v in_o their_o best_a time_n and_o our_o saviour_n himself_o frequent_v both_o the_o synagogue_n worship_n and_o the_o solemn_a festival_n at_o the_o temple_n 2._o luk._n 4._o 16._o mat._n 23._o 2._o nay_o he_o allow_v that_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n sit_v in_o moses_n chair_n and_o that_o his_o disciple_n shall_v observe_v what_o they_o teach_v agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n but_o