all_o temptation_n that_o excuse_n be_v overthrow_v by_o the_o constant_a continuation_n of_o the_o kind_a influence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n we_o receive_v not_o now_o indeed_o those_o miraculous_a gift_n with_o which_o the_o apostle_n be_v once_o endue_v nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a that_o we_o shall_v receive_v they_o those_o contribute_v not_o direct_o to_o the_o secure_n of_o our_o salvation_n which_o may_v be_v equal_o obtain_v without_o they_o and_o lose_v with_o they_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a all_o that_o be_v convenient_a for_o we_o be_v yet_o continue_v to_o we_o the_o holy_a ghost_n still_o diffuse_v his_o inestimable_a benefit_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n excite_v they_o by_o inward_a motion_n confirm_v they_o by_o his_o assistance_n perfect_v they_o by_o his_o grace_n which_o lest_o we_o shall_v doubt_v that_o he_o still_o plentiful_o bestow_v on_o we_o for_o want_v of_o some_o external_a assurance_n he_o have_v institute_v the_o holy_a sacrament_n more_o 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god_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o everblessed_n trinity_n in_o honour_n of_o which_o this_o day_n have_v for_o some_o age_n be_v institute_v and_o celebrate_v in_o the_o church_n be_v that_o alone_a among_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n which_o carry_v a_o undeniable_a difficulty_n along_o with_o it_o and_o have_v be_v always_o make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o cross_n to_o oppose_v the_o revelation_n of_o christ._n other_o doctrine_n such_o as_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o such_o like_a may_v appear_v incredible_a but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o be_v possible_a and_o when_o the_o motive_n of_o faith_n be_v add_v to_o they_o must_v by_o all_o man_n right_o judge_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v credible_a but_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o the_o same_o divine_a nature_n be_v even_o contradictory_n and_o 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the_o promise_v of_o god_n of_o give_v he_o a_o better_a inheritance_n in_o another_o land_n he_o forsake_v his_o own_o country_n and_o his_o father_n house_n although_o neither_o we_o nor_o he_o have_v receive_v the_o assurance_n of_o those_o promise_n by_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n he_o have_v not_o yet_o see_v the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o we_o do_v not_o yet_o enjoy_v the_o possession_n of_o those_o glorious_a promise_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o god_n neither_o require_v nor_o accept_v a_o irrational_a belief_n in_o man_n but_o as_o he_o at_o first_o endue_v he_o with_o reasonable_a faculty_n so_o he_o expect_v he_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o they_o to_o his_o glory_n which_o be_v by_o no_o other_o thing_n so_o much_o diminish_v as_o by_o affix_v to_o he_o revelation_n repugnant_a to_o reason_n and_o include_v contradiction_n and_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v not_o such_o i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o manifest_v as_o plain_o as_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o subject_n will_v permit_v the_o foundation_n of_o my_o intend_a discourse_n be_v lay_v down_o by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o text_n and_o in_o the_o context_n of_o it_o which_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o explain_v and_o therein_o i_o desire_v you_o to_o accompany_v i_o by_o look_v upon_o the_o place_n the_o apostle_n have_v in_o the_o first_o eight_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n declare_v the_o nature_n and_o simplicity_n of_o his_o preach_a and_o doctrine_n that_o it_o be_v not_o recommend_v by_o pompous_a and_o affect_a ornament_n of_o rhetoric_n that_o it_o depend_v not_o upon_o sillogism_n and_o nice_a speculation_n as_o do_v that_o of_o the_o gentile_a philosopher_n who_o be_v esteem_v the_o only_o know_v man_n of_o the_o age_n that_o the_o matter_n declare_v by_o he_o be_v not_o such_o as_o may_v be_v find_v out_o by_o the_o natural_a light_n of_o reason_n or_o when_o find_v out_o be_v such_o as_o will_v be_v applaud_v by_o the_o world_n as_o 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more_o have_v more_o large_o treat_v of_o it_o in_o my_o discourse_n upon_o easter-day_n which_o i_o will_v not_o repeat_v the_o nineteen_o sermon_n preach_v on_o june_n one_a 1690._o at_o lambeth_n chapel_n mark_v xvi_o 19_o so_o then_o after_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v unto_o they_o he_o be_v receive_v up_o into_o heaven_n and_o sit_v on_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n we_o late_o celebrate_v the_o memory_n of_o the_o ascension_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o the_o office_n of_o our_o church_n direct_v we_o to_o employ_v our_o thought_n upon_o it_o in_o this_o intermediate_v time_n between_o that_o and_o whitsunday_n to_o do_v this_o we_o be_v not_o only_o induce_v by_o that_o near_a relation_n which_o it_o bear_v to_o christ_n who_o by_o it_o take_v his_o last_o farewell_n of_o his_o disciple_n and_o enter_v upon_o the_o possession_n of_o his_o kingdom_n but_o also_o by_o those_o eminent_a benefit_n which_o the_o whole_a church_n receive_v from_o it_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o confirmation_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o increase_n of_o hope_n in_o discourse_v of_o it_o i_o will_v confine_v myself_o to_o these_o three_o consideration_n i._o the_o necessity_n and_o convenience_n of_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ._n ii_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o iii_o the_o advantage_n and_o benefit_n which_o we_o receive_v by_o it_o i._o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a our_o lord_n shall_v leave_v the_o earth_n and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n himself_o often_o declare_v and_o in_o joh._n xvi_o 7._o give_v the_o primary_n reason_n of_o it_o nevertheless_o i_o tell_v you_o the_o truth_n it_o be_v convenient_a for_o you_o that_o i_o go_v away_o for_o if_o i_o go_v not_o away_o the_o comforter_n will_v not_o come_v unto_o you_o but_o if_o i_o depart_v i_o will_v send_v he_o unto_o you_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o comforter_n that_o be_v the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a and_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o confess_v by_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n yet_o can_v 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found_v and_o maintain_v by_o those_o divine_a gift_n and_o influence_n which_o be_v derive_v from_o thence_o yet_o neither_o can_v the_o apostle_n nor_o the_o church_n have_v be_v bless_v with_o this_o so_o necessary_a so_o often_o promise_v and_o so_o much_o to_o be_v desire_v mission_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v not_o our_o lord_n first_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o there_o by_o his_o power_n and_o intercession_n have_v procure_v it_o the_o comforter_n as_o he_o be_v to_o be_v the_o advocate_n the_o deputy_n to_o plead_v the_o cause_n of_o christ_n on_o earth_n can_v not_o natural_o take_v place_n but_o in_o his_o absence_n and_o the_o very_a mission_n of_o he_o as_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o regal_a power_n can_v not_o be_v administer_v by_o christ_n until_o he_o have_v take_v possession_n of_o his_o kingdom_n which_o commence_v at_o his_o ascension_n into_o heaven_n nor_o be_v this_o the_o only_a reason_n which_o make_v it_o convenient_a for_o the_o church_n that_o our_o lord_n shall_v remove_v his_o visible_a presence_n from_o we_o but_o the_o possibility_n at_o least_o the_o increase_n of_o man_n reward_n do_v depend_v upon_o it_o the_o design_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n so_o long_o expect_v be_v know_v and_o confess_v to_o be_v to_o restore_v the_o lose_a happiness_n of_o mankind_n to_o redeem_v they_o from_o their_o former_a misery_n and_o to_o advance_v they_o to_o a_o state_n of_o glory_n in_o prosecution_n of_o this_o design_n if_o we_o consider_v either_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n or_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v expect_v that_o this_o happiness_n shall_v be_v affix_v to_o certain_a rule_n consequent_a to_o certain_a condition_n to_o be_v perform_v by_o man_n not_o indifferent_o bestow_v on_o all_o nor_o yet_o on_o any_o without_o respect_n to_o their_o peculiar_a merit_n the_o application_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v direct_v and_o determine_v according_a to_o the_o right_a use_n of_o reason_n and_o freewill_n in_o every_o man._n the_o whole_a of_o this_o consist_v in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o one_o great_a branch_n of_o it_o in_o assent_v to_o his_o authority_n and_o believe_v all_o his_o revelation_n and_o as_o a_o assent_n to_o all_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n make_v at_o all_o time_n be_v the_o duty_n of_o man_n so_o more_o especial_o a_o assent_n to_o those_o last_o and_o most_o considerable_a revelation_n make_v by_o his_o own_o son_n incarnate_a be_v require_v of_o man_n and_o be_v far_o intend_v to_o qualify_v he_o for_o the_o reception_n of_o that_o supernatural_a happiness_n which_o be_v by_o he_o to_o be_v convey_v unto_o the_o world_n since_o no_o great_a evidence_n of_o a_o right_a use_n of_o reason_n and_o veneration_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n can_v be_v offer_v than_o to_o inquire_v after_o to_o assent_v to_o and_o obey_v the_o revelation_n communicate_v by_o he_o it_o will_v be_v tedious_a and_o unnecessary_a to_o repeat_v those_o great_a commendation_n of_o this_o eminent_a act_n of_o right_a reason_n call_v faith_n and_o those_o many_o promise_n of_o reward_n annex_v to_o it_o which_o may_v be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o from_o the_o whole_a it_o appear_v that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v the_o principal_a condition_n of_o the_o justification_n and_o therein_o of_o the_o happiness_n of_o man._n that_o this_o act_n therefore_o may_v be_v the_o more_o illustrious_a and_o may_v be_v crown_v with_o a_o more_o noble_a reward_n it_o be_v convenient_a that_o christ_n shall_v withdraw_v his_o visible_a presence_n from_o the_o world_n and_o therein_o give_v way_n to_o the_o operation_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v have_v christ_n continue_v for_o ever_o upon_o earth_n in_o that_o glorious_a majesty_n which_o be_v to_o take_v place_n after_o his_o resurrection_n have_v he_o present_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o every_o man_n sensible_a demonstration_n of_o his_o divine_a power_n in_o that_o case_n to_o have_v believe_v on_o he_o will_v have_v be_v no_o more_o praise_v worthy_a no_o more_o meritorious_a than_o to_o assent_v to_o the_o ordinary_a report_n of_o sense_n who_o ever_o pretend_v to_o have_v acquire_v merit_n by_o believe_v a_o axiom_n of_o mathematical_a demonstration_n or_o who_o ever_o think_v it_o a_o argument_n of_o a_o true_a and_o just_a management_n of_o the_o will_n and_o understanding_n to_o believe_v that_o one_o colour_n differ_v from_o another_o or_o that_o the_o sun_n do_v shine_v these_o thing_n strike_v our_o sense_n and_o force_v a_o belief_n whether_o we_o will_v or_o no_o in_o this_o case_n to_o offend_v while_o the_o soul_n enjoy_v its_o reason_n and_o the_o body_n the_o organ_n of_o sense_n be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o possible_a to_o have_v believe_v the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n while_o the_o sense_n of_o a_o illustrious_a
just_o to_o be_v account_v laudable_a for_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o great_a line_n and_o main_a part_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n they_o will_v be_v find_v to_o direct_v the_o practice_n of_o those_o action_n which_o by_o all_o the_o world_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v good_a and_o excellent_a to_o be_v laudable_a and_o divine_a such_o as_o be_v justice_n sobriety_n devotion_n and_o charity_n it_o be_v not_o among_o christian_n alone_o that_o such_o action_n be_v esteem_v praiseworthy_a all_o party_n of_o sober_a man_n as_o well_o heathen_n as_o those_o profess_v reveal_v religion_n have_v agree_v in_o this_o common_a sentiment_n in_o the_o veneration_n and_o praise_n of_o all_o such_o virtue_n from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o even_o when_o the_o heathen_n deride_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o cross_n they_o still_o acknowledge_v the_o excellency_n of_o those_o person_n who_o profess_v it_o they_o also_o be_v convince_v that_o all_o those_o moral_a virtue_n be_v the_o 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the_o vile_a injury_n to_o undergo_v long_o watch_v in_o prayer_n and_o fast_v for_o so_o it_o behove_v he_o even_o in_o this_o sense_n also_o to_o perform_v all_o righteousness_n who_o be_v to_o be_v the_o grand_a exemplar_n to_o all_o succeed_a age_n not_o to_o confine_v himself_o to_o any_o one_o method_n of_o life_n lest_o thereby_o his_o example_n shall_v become_v deficient_a to_o those_o who_o shall_v be_v engage_v in_o another_o but_o to_o pass_v through_o all_o the_o more_o ordinary_a action_n and_o variety_n of_o humane_a life_n that_o in_o all_o case_n we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o approve_v and_o direct_v our_o action_n by_o conform_v they_o to_o his_o practice_n and_o if_o any_o doubt_n shall_v arise_v concern_v they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o justify_v they_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o example_n both_o the_o observation_n therefore_o of_o the_o precept_n and_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v equal_o the_o duty_n of_o every_o 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as_o a_o glorious_a light_n to_o dispel_v this_o darkness_n and_o remove_v this_o ignorance_n that_o so_o all_o who_o do_v but_o lift_v up_o their_o eye_n have_v the_o least_o inclination_n to_o truth_n and_o goodness_n may_v there_o discover_v the_o light_n and_o repair_v to_o it_o and_o this_o can_v fail_v to_o take_v effect_n while_o the_o brightness_n of_o this_o light_n shall_v remain_v while_o the_o church_n shall_v continue_v glorious_a and_o unspotted_a while_o the_o member_n of_o it_o shall_v all_o or_o the_o more_o part_n of_o they_o perform_v their_o duty_n for_o as_o it_o follow_v a_o city_n place_v on_o a_o hill_n or_o a_o light_n place_v in_o a_o room_n can_v be_v hide_v if_o indeed_o those_o virtue_n which_o i_o command_v be_v observe_v by_o those_o who_o profess_v my_o name_n if_o justice_n chastity_n beneficence_n and_o other_o mark_n of_o goodness_n be_v indeed_o so_o eminent_o exercise_v by_o so_o numerous_a a_o body_n of_o man_n it_o can_v be_v but_o the_o rest_n 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they_o intend_v it_o or_o not_o they_o can_v be_v conceal_v or_o pass_v unregarded_a upon_o which_o account_n christ_n just_o resemble_v they_o to_o a_o city_n place_v on_o a_o hill_n and_o to_o a_o candle_n set_v on_o a_o candlestick_n in_o the_o 14_o and_o 15_o verse_n which_o natural_o appear_v and_o give_v light_a to_o all_o round_a about_o they_o as_o if_o he_o shall_v say_v do_v but_o you_o take_v care_n to_o perform_v good_a work_n and_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o they_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o become_v exemplar_n i_o do_v not_o require_v you_o to_o publish_v and_o blazon_n they_o abroad_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o need_n of_o it_o for_o if_o they_o be_v indeed_o perform_v they_o can_v escape_v the_o knowledge_n and_o observation_n of_o other_o men._n far_o not_o only_o the_o nature_n of_o good_a work_n make_v the_o ostentation_n of_o they_o to_o be_v unnecessary_a in_o order_n to_o become_v exemplar_n but_o also_o they_o carry_v with_o they_o less_o temptation_n to_o pride_n 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and_o most_o signal_o the_o great_a of_o they_o that_o of_o charity_n towards_o the_o poor_a do_v natural_o dispose_v to_o humility_n accustom_v the_o mind_n to_o consider_v and_o compassionate_v the_o want_n and_o infirmity_n of_o inferior_a person_n and_o condescend_v to_o the_o relief_n of_o their_o condition_n it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o pride_n or_o a_o overvalue_a of_o their_o own_o dignity_n be_v in_o some_o man_n the_o cause_n of_o uncharitableness_n as_o well_o as_o the_o love_n of_o riches_n betray_v they_o to_o imagine_v it_o beneath_o their_o quality_n to_o take_v into_o their_o consideration_n the_o necessity_n of_o distress_a person_n and_o to_o be_v aggrieve_v for_o they_o which_o sort_n of_o pride_n can_v consist_v with_o real_a charity_n and_o where_o this_o be_v to_o be_v find_v the_o former_a can_v have_v no_o place_n at_o least_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o hypocrisy_n may_v consist_v with_o all_o those_o mistake_a indication_n of_o holiness_n i_o 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his_o church_n this_o be_v warrant_v by_o the_o express_a word_n of_o our_o lord_n in_o the_o text_n which_o require_v his_o disciple_n to_o cause_v their_o light_n so_o to_o shine_v before_o man_n that_o they_o may_v see_v their_o good_a work_n and_o glorify_v god_n if_o this_o design_n do_v at_o last_o terminate_v in_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o be_v so_o intend_v it_o be_v not_o only_o warrantable_a but_o recommendable_a by_o god_n and_o will_v be_v certain_o reward_v by_o he_o only_o great_a caution_n be_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o management_n of_o it_o and_o a_o scrupulous_a care_n to_o be_v observe_v lest_o any_o thing_n of_o vain_a glory_n any_o sinister_a end_n shall_v intervene_v and_o be_v to_o be_v put_v in_o practice_n only_o in_o case_n of_o exceed_a moment_n such_o be_v when_o any_o age_n or_o large_a society_n of_o man_n be_v especial_o deficient_a in_o any_o duty_n in_o which_o case_n it_o be_v a_o laudable_a and_o noble_a undertake_n for_o any_o private_a person_n to_o give_v the_o great_a and_o most_o public_a lustre_n to_o their_o performance_n of_o that_o duty_n that_o so_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a by_o their_o eminen_n example_n therein_o they_o may_v retrieve_v the_o public_a practice_n of_o it_o and_o whensoever_o any_o great_a and_o common_a good_a although_o of_o another_o nature_n may_v be_v attain_v or_o promote_v thereby_o such_o be_v the_o case_n more_o particular_o of_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v send_v to_o preach_v faith_n and_o repentance_n among_o jew_n and_o heathen_n general_o devoid_a not_o only_o of_o faith_n but_o of_o all_o moral_a virtue_n for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o those_o noble_a act_n of_o charity_n which_o they_o exercise_v in_o heal_v the_o sick_a and_o restore_v the_o use_n of_o their_o limb_n and_o sense_n to_o those_o who_o before_o want_v they_o shall_v be_v perform_v public_o that_o themselves_o shall_v decline_v no_o opportunity_n of_o manifest_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o deep_a impression_n of_o it_o upon_o their_o own_o mind_n for_o this_o cause_n also_o st._n paul_n be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o relate_v at_o large_a and_o to_o glory_n in_o the_o many_o affliction_n hazard_n and_o persecution_n which_o he_o have_v undergo_v for_o the_o testimony_n of_o christ_n because_o the_o amplify_a of_o his_o labour_n and_o patience_n tend_v to_o the_o spiritual_a good_a of_o the_o corinthian_n to_o who_o it_o be_v direct_v and_o consequent_o promote_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n this_o design_n also_o justify_v the_o bravery_n of_o those_o ancient_a christian_n who_o voluntary_o and_o unsought_a for_o deliver_v up_o themselves_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o persecutor_n when_o they_o observe_v a_o general_a cowardice_n and_o frequent_a example_n of_o apostasy_n among_o other_o christian_n who_o be_v apprehend_v and_o bring_v before_o the_o heathen_a tribunal_n that_o so_o by_o their_o courage_n and_o constancy_n they_o may_v excite_v other_o to_o persist_v resolute_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o simple_o to_o throw_v themselves_o into_o danger_n to_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o fury_n of_o their_o persecutor_n be_v unlawful_a our_o lord_n in_o matth._n x._o 23._o have_v command_v his_o disciple_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v persecute_v in_o one_o city_n to_o fly_v into_o another_o and_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n have_v forbid_v the_o ordinary_a practice_n of_o such_o rash_a undertake_n yet_o whensoever_o so_o great_a a_o good_a may_v be_v attain_v thereby_o as_o to_o raise_v the_o deject_a courage_n of_o other_o christian_n and_o to_o assert_v the_o honour_n of_o christ_n against_o the_o heathen_n boast_v in_o the_o subversion_n of_o many_o weak_a christian_n it_o be_v not_o only_o lawful_a to_o engage_v in_o voluntary_a martyrdom_n but_o high_o meritorious_a and_o reward_v as_o such_o by_o