A discourse concerning the beauty of holiness by the author of The duty of man, laid down in express words of Scripture.
         Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.
      
       
         
           1679
        
      
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             A discourse concerning the beauty of holiness by the author of The duty of man, laid down in express words of Scripture.
             Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.
          
           [7], 182, [2] p.
           
             Printed by J.C. for Robert Sollers ...,
             London :
             1679.
          
           
             Written by R. Allestree. Cf. Wing.
             "Imprimatur. July 18th, 1678. Guil. Sill"
             Advertisements: p. [1]-[2] at end.
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Holiness.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           DISCOURSE
           Concerning
           The
           BEAUTY
           OF
           HOLINESS
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           Author
           of
           The
           Duty
           of
           Man
           ,
           Laid
           down
           in
           Express
           words
           of
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           
             1
             CHRON.
             16.29
             .
          
           
             Worship
             the
             Lord
             in
             the
             Beauty
             of
             Holiness
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               
                 
                   Imprimatur
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     
                       July
                       18th
                       ,
                       1678.
                       
                    
                  
                   
                     GUIL
                     .
                     SILL
                     .
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             C.
          
           for
           
             Robert
             Soliers
          
           ,
           at
           the
           King's
           Arms
           in
           Ludgate-street
           .
           1679.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             OF
             the
             Nature
             of
             Holiness
             .
             page
             7.
             
          
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             Of
             the
             Rule
             of
             Holiness
             .
             11
          
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             Motives
             and
             inducements
             to
             the
             practice
             of
             Holiness
             .
             48
          
           
             Sect.
             1.
             
             The
             noble
             pattern
             of
             Holiness
             .
             49
          
           
             
             
             above
             all
             things
             most
             advantageous
             .
             124
          
           
             Chap.
             IV.
             Frivolous
             Cavils
             and
             Objections
             removed
             .
             142
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           INTRODUCTION
           .
        
         
           MAn
           in
           his
           original
           condition
           ,
           when
           he
           first
           came
           out
           of
           the
           hands
           of
           his
           Maker
           ,
           was
           a
           very
           noble
           and
           venerable
           Creature
           ,
           adorned
           with
           many
           peculiar
           excellencies
           ;
           and
           as
           the
           Psalmist
           observes
           ,
           
             Onely
             made
             a
             little
             lower
             than
             glorious
             Angels
             :
          
           But
           of
           all
           his
           perfections
           ,
           Holiness
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           the
           principal
           and
           most
           oriental
           ,
           so
           did
           it
           also
           give
           a
           beauty
           and
           lustre
           to
           the
           rest
           ;
           It
           made
           his
           Authority
           and
           Power
           lovely
           and
           desirable
           ,
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           Knowledge
           venerable
           ,
           and
           every
           other
           attribute
           ,
           which
           without
           this
           is
           terrible
           and
           dreadful
           ,
           to
           be
           comely
           and
           praise-worthy
           .
           This
           was
           that
           single
           perfection
           that
           raised
           Man
           above
           the
           beasts
        
         
         
         
           'T
           is
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           matter
           of
           great
           sadness
           to
           consider
           the
           lofty
           and
           intolerable
           affronts
           that
           are
           now
           cast
           upon
           Holiness
           ;
           how
           men
           are
           arrived
           at
           that
           pitch
           of
           impietie
           ,
           to
           scorn
           and
           deride
           Religion
           ,
           which
           former
           ages
           were
           at
           some
           pains
           to
           advance
           ;
           as
           if
           Holiness
           were
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           principles
           of
           Generosity
           ,
           and
           onely
           becoming
           mean
           and
           morose
           spirits
           .
        
         
           How
           transcendent
           a
           folly
           and
           madness
           this
           is
           ,
           will
           easily
           appear
           by
           what
           I
           shall
           afterwards
           lay
           down
           .
           Me
           thinks
           the
           naked
           representation
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           should
           be
           motive
           enough
           (
           if
           not
           to
           court
           it
           ,
           yet
           )
           to
           engage
           men
           to
           correct
           their
           unreasonable
           prejudices
           they
           entertain
           against
           it
           ;
           and
           even
           force
           its
           greatest
           Antagonists
           to
           become
           its
           Advocates
           .
           But
           alas
           !
           vice
           hath
           cast
           such
           a
           dark
           shadow
           upon
           mens
           Judgements
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           become
           as
           unfit
           Judges
           of
           its
           beauty
           ,
           as
           blinde
           men
           are
           of
           colours
           ;
           otherwise
           we
           might
           yet
           expect
           to
           see
           contemned
           Vertue
           much
           more
           in
           vogue
           than
           ever
           Vice
           was
           .
        
         
           To
           excite
           our
           desires
           ,
           Scripture
           has
           represented
           it
           under
           the
           most
           comely
           dress
           ,
           has
           discovered
           its
           beauty
           and
           excellencie
           ,
           and
           recommended
           it
           by
           the
           most
           endearing
           motives
           which
           are
           apt
           to
           work
           both
           upon
           our
           hope
           and
           fear
           :
           
             Vpon
             our
             
             hope
          
           ,
           by
           proposing
           an
           infinitely-valuable
           reward
           to
           the
           righteous
           ,
           besides
           the
           present
           advantages
           that
           attend
           it
           .
           
             Vpon
             our
             fear
          
           ,
           by
           opening
           to
           our
           view
           
             the
             powers
             of
             the
             world
             to
             come
             ,
          
           and
           discovering
           the
           insupportable
           misery
           that
           the
           damned
           suffer
           
             day
             and
             night
          
           ;
           so
           that
           if
           men
           would
           but
           so
           far
           actuate
           their
           Reason
           ,
           as
           soberly
           to
           consult
           their
           own
           interest
           and
           happiness
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           this
           alone
           should
           be
           motive
           enough
           to
           excite
           them
           to
           the
           practise
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           scare
           them
           from
           those
           ways
           of
           sin
           
             that
             lead
             down
             to
             the
             chambers
             of
             death
             .
          
        
         
           It
           would
           make
           (
           one
           would
           think
           )
           the
           greatest
           Sensualist
           to
           relinquish
           the
           momentary
           pleasures
           he
           enjoys
           here
           ,
           to
           be
           possest
           of
           those
           eternal
           joys
           that
           the
           pure
           in
           spirit
           shall
           reap
           
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             their
             Father
             :
          
           and
           the
           most
           hardened
           and
           impregnable
           sinner
           tremble
           ,
           to
           think
           of
           
             dwelling
             with
             devouring
             flames
          
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           onely
           infallible
           way
           to
           attain
           those
           coelestial
           felicities
           ,
           and
           to
           evite
           the
           miserable
           consequences
           of
           vice
           ,
           and
           those
           pains
           and
           tortures
           that
           it
           exposeth
           its
           votaries
           to
           ,
           is
           to
           abandon
           every
           lust
           ,
           be
           it
           never
           so
           impetuous
           ,
           and
           to
           
             cleanse
             our selves
          
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           adviseth
           us
           )
           
             from
             all
             filthiness
             of
             the
             flesh
             and
             spirit
             ,
             and
             to
             
             perfect
             holiness
             in
             the
             fear
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           For
           the
           better
           directing
           our
           present
           inquisition
           ,
           I
           shall
           first
           briefly
           represent
           the
           nature
           of
           true
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           shew
           the
           beauty
           and
           excellencie
           of
           it
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           shall
           discourse
           of
           its
           rule
           ,
           and
           more
           particularly
           discover
           the
           several
           branches
           of
           
             Holiness
             .
             Thirdly
          
           ,
           I
           shall
           propound
           several
           motives
           and
           inducements
           to
           engage
           men
           to
           the
           practise
           of
           Holiness
           ;
           and
           indeed
           this
           is
           what
           I
           chiefly
           intend
           to
           insist
           upon
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           I
           shall
           remove
           all
           those
           Cavils
           and
           Objections
           that
           are
           urged
           against
           Holiness
           .
           And
           Lastly
           ,
           conclude
           with
           some
           short
           Reflections
           and
           Inferences
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           CHAP.
           I.
           Of
           the
           nature
           of
           Holiness
           .
        
         
           I
           Intend
           not
           here
           to
           descend
           to
           the
           consideration
           of
           every
           particular
           branch
           of
           holiness
           ,
           but
           to
           discourse
           of
           it
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           the
           
             combination
             of
             all
             Christian
             vertues
          
           :
           and
           as
           it
           is
           thus
           considered
           ,
           I
           need
           not
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           in
           the
           description
           of
           it
           ,
           accurately
           study
           all
           those
           Logical
           rules
           Philosophers
           require
           in
           a
           good
           definition
           For
           my
           part
           ,
           it
           fully
           enough
           satisfies
           me
           to
           know
           ,
           that
           holiness
           is
           
             a
             conformity
             to
             the
             Divine
             Law
             ,
          
           and
           
             a
             hearty
             and
             sincere
             compliance
             with
             those
             original
             dictates
             of
             humane
             nature
             ,
             and
             the
             Commands
             revealed
             in
             sacred
             Writ
             .
          
        
         
           So
           long
           as
           man
           remained
           obedient
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           his
           Maker
           ,
           his
           holiness
           was
           untainted
           ,
           and
           his
           Beauty
           and
           primitive
           congenite
           comeliness
           continued
           ;
           but
           by
           his
           woful
           apostacy
           he
           lost
           that
           noble
           embellishment
           of
           his
           nature
           ,
           which
           did
           indeed
           give
           a
           grace
           to
           all
           his
           other
           accomplishments
           ,
           and
           is
           now
           become
           ugly
           and
           deformed
           .
           Holiness
           and
           
             purity
             of
             Spirit
          
           are
           different
           words
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           same
           signification
           ,
           and
           are
           promiscuously
           used
           in
           Scripture
           to
           express
           the
           same
           
           
           present
           state
           ,
           expects
           not
           more
           from
           us
           than
           we
           are
           able
           to
           perform
           .
           He
           is
           not
           so
           rigorous
           a
           Lord
           to
           require
           
             Brick
             where
             there
             is
             no
             Straw
             :
          
           the
           terms
           of
           the
           Gospel
           are
           accommodated
           to
           our
           capacities
           ,
           and
           onely
           require
           a
           holiness
           which
           is
           possible
           for
           the
           Creature
           to
           attain
           ;
           at
           least
           it
           exacts
           and
           expects
           no
           more
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           endeavour
           sincerely
           and
           unfeignedly
           to
           obey
           all
           those
           precepts
           he
           has
           enjoyned
           ;
           that
           we
           habituate
           our selves
           to
           perform
           good
           actions
           ;
           that
           the
           general
           propension
           and
           inclination
           of
           our
           wills
           and
           appetites
           be
           towards
           the
           doing
           of
           what
           is
           imposed
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           abstaining
           from
           all
           kinde
           of
           evil
           .
        
         
           By
           what
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           it
           may
           appear
           ,
           that
           holiness
           consists
           not
           in
           Speculation
           ,
           but
           in
           Practice
           :
           'T
           is
           not
           the
           knowledge
           of
           duty
           ,
           but
           the
           actual
           performance
           of
           it
           that
           intitles
           men
           to
           be
           holy
           ;
           and
           that
           too
           ,
           not
           superficially
           ,
           or
           in
           a
           good
           mode
           ,
           and
           rarely
           performed
           ;
           but
           sincerely
           ,
           and
           throughout
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           our
           lives
           .
           For
           men
           to
           know
           their
           duty
           and
           not
           perform
           it
           ,
           is
           to
           inhance
           their
           own
           misery
           ,
           and
           to
           secure
           to
           themselves
           double
           stripes
           :
           and
           to
           perform
           some
           good
           actions
           ,
           and
           abstain
           from
           the
           grosser
           pollutions
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           yet
           to
           be
           vicious
           in
           the
           general
           
           course
           of
           their
           lives
           ,
           this
           is
           such
           a
           holiness
           that
           will
           never
           profit
           any
           man.
           The
           
             rule
             of
             holiness
          
           ,
           to
           which
           we
           must
           heartily
           study
           an
           actual
           conformity
           ,
           does
           not
           dispense
           ,
           no
           not
           with
           the
           commission
           of
           the
           least
           sin
           ,
           nor
           omission
           of
           the
           smallest
           duty
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           general
           descriptions
           of
           things
           are
           frequently
           overlooked
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           think
           it
           unnecessary
           to
           descend
           to
           a
           more
           particular
           survey
           ,
           and
           consider
           Holiness
           in
           its
           several
           branches
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           plainly
           described
           by
           the
           Christian
           rule
           of
           Holiness
           .
        
      
       
         
           CHAP.
           II.
           Of
           the
           Rule
           of
           Holiness
           .
        
         
           ALthough
           the
           whole
           Canon
           of
           Scripture
           is
           useful
           to
           instruct
           us
           in
           our
           duty
           ;
           yet
           because
           many
           things
           ,
           if
           not
           approved
           ,
           yet
           dispensed
           with
           under
           the
           old
           dispensation
           ,
           are
           now
           quite
           antiquated
           and
           abrogate
           ,
           I
           shall
           therefore
           at
           present
           confine
           my
           discourse
           to
           the
           Gospel-Oeconomy
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           rule
           discover
           wherein
           the
           Nature
           of
           true
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           undefiled
           Religion
           before
           God
           consists
           .
        
         
         
         
           touch
           .
           'T
           is
           an
           odd
           and
           strange
           operation
           ,
           that
           streams
           of
           Love
           onely
           meet
           with
           contempt
           and
           disdain
           .
        
         
           Sure
           I
           am
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           concurrence
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           motives
           and
           arguments
           to
           engage
           us
           to
           love
           God
           ;
           and
           those
           indeed
           so
           charming
           and
           endearing
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           strange
           any
           body
           should
           fail
           in
           it
           .
           Methinks
           the
           work
           it self
           is
           so
           sweet
           and
           delectable
           ,
           so
           ravishing
           and
           lovely
           ,
           that
           men
           need
           not
           be
           courted
           to
           it
           by
           perswasion
           .
           O
           what
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           satisfaction
           ,
           of
           ineffable
           delight
           ,
           does
           the
           devout
           soul
           finde
           in
           those
           actings
           of
           love
           towards
           God!
           And
           if
           the
           Voluptuous
           and
           Sensualist
           would
           but
           abandon
           those
           sinful
           delights
           he
           now
           findes
           so
           charming
           and
           bewitching
           ,
           and
           betake
           himself
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           holiness
           :
           If
           he
           would
           change
           the
           object
           of
           his
           love
           ,
           and
           place
           it
           where
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           ;
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           he
           should
           quickly
           perceive
           there
           is
           more
           pleasure
           ,
           more
           contentment
           and
           satisfaction
           in
           the
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           all
           carnal
           pleasures
           .
        
         
           That
           man
           that
           shall
           make
           a
           just
           estimate
           of
           things
           ,
           shall
           be
           easily
           convinced
           there
           is
           nothing
           worthy
           of
           love
           in
           comparison
           of
           God.
           Alas
           !
           the
           pleasures
           of
           this
           world
           are
           but
           shadows
           and
           fancies
           ,
           
           which
           will
           soon
           disappear
           !
           It
           s
           beauty
           and
           splendour
           is
           but
           gilded
           and
           delusory
           :
           and
           is
           it
           reasonable
           ,
           nay
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           extream
           madness
           to
           place
           the
           strength
           of
           our
           affections
           on
           such
           uncertain
           and
           quickly-removed
           vanities
           ?
        
         
           The
           usual
           arguments
           of
           love
           amongst
           men
           ,
           are
           Relation
           ,
           Interest
           ,
           or
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Excellency
           of
           the
           Object
           .
           Now
           all
           these
           lay
           much
           stronger
           obligatios
           upon
           us
           to
           love
           God.
           For
           Relation
           ,
           is
           he
           not
           our
           Lord
           and
           Maker
           ,
           who
           gave
           us
           life
           and
           being
           ,
           who
           as
           a
           tender
           Father
           kindely
           compassionates
           our
           condition
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           low
           estate
           has
           carefully
           minded
           us
           ,
           when
           our
           other
           Relations
           have
           accounted
           us
           aliens
           and
           strangers
           ?
           This
           the
           Royal
           Psalmist
           experimented
           ;
           and
           I
           make
           no
           question
           but
           many
           good
           men
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           are
           living
           instances
           of
           this
           truth
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           ,
           that
           man
           that
           consults
           his
           own
           interest
           ,
           cannot
           but
           be
           strongly
           excited
           to
           love
           that
           God
           who
           is
           the
           best
           benefactor
           ,
           and
           equally
           willing
           and
           able
           to
           bestow
           favours
           upon
           him
           .
           It
           is
           an
           argument
           of
           a
           very
           base
           and
           mean
           spirit
           ,
           to
           despise
           our
           benefactors
           :
           but
           thus
           have
           we
           requited
           God
           ,
           who
           daily
           loadeth
           us
           with
           mercies
           ,
           and
           reneweth
           his
           blessings
           
           every
           morning
           :
           we
           have
           ,
           God
           knows
           ,
           most
           insolently
           carried
           our selves
           ,
           even
           then
           ,
           when
           he
           has
           been
           displaying
           a
           banner
           of
           love
           over
           us
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           Beauty
           and
           Excellency
           ,
           what
           in
           the
           world
           can
           compete
           with
           him
           ,
           
             who
             is
             glorious
             in
             holiness
          
           ,
           and
           
             whose
             Name
             is
             excellent
             in
             all
             the
             earth
             ?
          
           How
           quickly
           are
           all
           created
           beauties
           winked
           into
           darkness
           ?
           At
           the
           best
           they
           are
           but
           streams
           derived
           from
           this
           glorious
           being
           ;
           and
           is
           it
           not
           hugely
           reasonable
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           is
           the
           original
           of
           these
           ,
           should
           be
           the
           chief
           object
           of
           our
           love
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           with
           the
           Psalmist
           say
           ,
           
             Whom
             have
             I
             in
             the
             heaven
             but
             thee
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             none
             upon
             the
             earth
             I
             desire
             besides
             thee
             ?
          
        
         
           
             I
             know
          
           there
           is
           no
           man
           would
           take
           it
           well
           ,
           nay
           who
           would
           not
           be
           highly
           incensed
           ,
           and
           think
           himself
           much
           wronged
           ,
           to
           have
           his
           Love
           called
           in
           question
           ;
           but
           God
           knows
           how
           little
           reason
           the
           far
           greater
           part
           of
           Mankinde
           have
           to
           pretend
           love
           ,
           who
           stand
           not
           to
           break
           his
           Laws
           ,
           to
           cast
           behinde
           them
           ,
           and
           lightly
           esteem
           his
           precepts
           ,
           the
           obedience
           of
           which
           is
           made
           the
           best
           and
           surest
           character
           of
           Love.
           
        
         
           Would
           God
           it
           were
           as
           easie
           to
           perswade
           as
           it
           is
           to
           propose
           our
           duty
           .
           But
           how
           
           hard
           is
           it
           to
           convince
           men
           of
           the
           folly
           ,
           the
           extream
           and
           strange
           madness
           ,
           of
           being
           
             lovers
             of
             pleasures
             more
             than
             lovers
             of
             God
             ?
          
           But
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           such
           a
           mire
           and
           puddle
           of
           pollution
           in
           our
           hearts
           ,
           that
           it
           quite
           choaks
           and
           extinguisheth
           all
           sparks
           of
           Love
           ,
           makes
           us
           violate
           the
           principles
           of
           humanity
           ,
           and
           become
           more
           ungueate
           than
           the
           beasts
           who
           have
           no
           understanding
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           this
           Divine
           flame
           be
           kindled
           in
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           sincere
           and
           superlative
           as
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           it
           will
           easily
           employ
           all
           the
           faculties
           of
           our
           soul
           in
           his
           service
           ;
           it
           will
           engage
           ,
           and
           enable
           us
           too
           ,
           to
           perform
           the
           several
           Duties
           of
           Piety
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christianity
           enjoyn
           ;
           which
           because
           they
           are
           some
           of
           the
           particular
           branches
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           I
           shall
           briefly
           mention
           ,
           with
           their
           encouragements
           ;
           and
           for
           method
           and
           order
           reduce
           to
           four
           Heads
           .
           First
           ,
           it
           will
           instruct
           and
           enable
           us
           to
           trust
           and
           depend
           upon
           God.
           Secondly
           ,
           to
           submit
           and
           obey
           his
           Will.
           Thirdly
           ,
           to
           honour
           and
           reverence
           his
           great
           and
           sacred
           Name
           .
           And
           Lastly
           ,
           to
           worship
           and
           adore
           him
           according
           to
           the
           method
           he
           hath
           himself
           prescribed
           .
        
         
           
             I
             begin
          
           with
           the
           first
           ,
           namely
           ,
           That
           Love
           where
           it
           is
           sincere
           ,
           is
           a
           noble
           and
           generous
           
           
           (
           says
           our
           Lord
           )
           
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             Take
             no
             thought
             for
             your
             life
             ,
             what
             you
             shall
             eat
             ,
             or
             what
             you
             shall
             drink
             ;
             neither
             for
             your
             body
             ,
             what
             ye
             shall
             put
             on
             :
             Is
             not
             the
             life
             more
             than
             meat
             ?
             and
             the
             body
             than
             raiment
             ?
             Behold
             the
             fowls
             of
             the
             air
             ,
             for
             they
             sow
             not
             ,
             neither
             do
             they
             reap
             ,
             nor
             gather
             into
             barns
             ;
             yet
             your
             heavenly
             Father
             feedeth
             them
             .
             Are
             ye
             not
             much
             better
             than
             they
             ?
          
           &c.
           Matth.
           6.25
           ,
           26.
           
           'T
           is
           rejected
           and
           condemned
           as
           a
           Pagan
           and
           Heathnish
           sin
           ,
           to
           be
           querulous
           and
           sollicitous
           of
           
             what
             we
             shall
             eat
             ,
             or
             what
             we
             shall
             drink
             ,
             or
             wherewithal
             we
             shall
             be
             clothed
             :
             for
             after
             all
             these
             things
             do
             the
             Gentiles
             seek
             ,
          
           v.
           31
           ,
           32.
           
        
         
           
             I
             confess
          
           ,
           as
           I
           cannot
           sufficiently
           enough
           pity
           the
           madness
           of
           some
           men
           ,
           who
           will
           trust
           God
           with
           their
           Souls
           ,
           but
           not
           with
           their
           secular
           Concerns
           ;
           so
           could
           I
           never
           yet
           project
           what
           may
           be
           the
           reason
           why
           better
           men
           than
           the
           former
           are
           so
           apt
           to
           distrust
           God
           in
           times
           of
           danger
           and
           want
           .
           I
           wish
           such
           men
           would
           consider
           how
           shrewd
           a
           presumption
           this
           is
           of
           Atheism
           ,
           at
           least
           of
           establishing
           the
           Epicurean
           notion
           of
           a
           Deity
           who
           is
           quite
           unconcerned
           about
           inferiour
           beings
           ,
           and
           sequestrated
           from
           the
           care
           of
           sublunary
           affairs
           .
           For
           if
           we
           did
           indeed
           think
           that
           he
           takes
           notice
           
           of
           us
           ,
           we
           could
           not
           but
           confidently
           rely
           upon
           his
           care
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           we
           are
           by
           the
           perfect
           rule
           of
           Piety
           and
           Holiness
           instructed
           to
           submit
           to
           the
           divine
           Will
           ,
           and
           comply
           with
           the
           Gospel-precepts
           ,
           which
           concerning
           all
           things
           are
           right
           .
           Perhaps
           the
           lot
           infinite
           Wisdom
           has
           carved
           out
           to
           us
           ,
           is
           no
           ways
           relishing
           to
           flesh
           and
           blood
           .
           Whilst
           others
           are
           walking
           amongst
           roses
           ,
           enjoy
           all
           secular
           advantages
           ,
           and
           are
           placed
           in
           the
           sun-shine
           of
           prosperity
           ;
           may
           be
           we
           are
           forced
           
             to
             hang
             our
             harps
             upon
             the
             willows
             ,
          
           and
           spend
           our
           few
           days
           in
           sorrow
           and
           grief
           .
           However
           ,
           let
           us
           ,
           not
           even
           under
           these
           sad
           circumstances
           ,
           
             charge
             God
             foolishly
          
           ,
           or
           be
           impatient
           under
           the
           severity
           of
           his
           correction
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           no
           argument
           of
           the
           hatred
           of
           a
           Father
           .
           Let
           us
           rather
           in
           this
           case
           view
           the
           unspeakable
           reward
           ,
           and
           the
           divine
           promises
           ,
           which
           are
           sufficient
           arguments
           to
           revive
           our
           fainting
           and
           most
           languishing
           hopes
           ,
           and
           able
           to
           form
           our
           souls
           to
           true
           patience
           .
        
         
           Philosophers
           ,
           if
           ever
           they
           attained
           to
           a
           perfection
           in
           any
           vertue
           ,
           it
           was
           in
           their
           patience
           under
           the
           instability
           of
           worldly
           things
           ;
           and
           yet
           their
           grounds
           and
           motives
           to
           patience
           were
           sandy
           and
           ineffectual
           ,
           and
           no
           ways
           comparable
           to
           the
           arguments
           
           
           habit
           and
           custome
           ,
           while
           this
           is
           the
           very
           thing
           that
           enhances
           their
           guilt
           :
           neither
           will
           it
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           a
           whit
           lessen
           the
           crime
           ,
           that
           Great
           persons
           have
           given
           it
           such
           a
           vogue
           in
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           The
           Name
           of
           God
           is
           a
           sacred
           thing
           ,
           which
           must
           not
           be
           appealed
           to
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           most
           weighty
           and
           serious
           cases
           :
           
             Thou
             shalt
             swear
          
           (
           says
           the
           Prophet
           )
           
             that
             the
             Lord
             liveth
             ,
             in
             truth
             ,
             justice
             ,
             and
             judgement
             .
          
           If
           we
           either
           affirm
           or
           promise
           any
           thing
           by
           oath
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           after
           mature
           deliberation
           ,
           after
           we
           have
           ascertained
           our selves
           of
           the
           truth
           and
           lawfulness
           of
           it
           :
           this
           the
           very
           Poet
           could
           dictate
           ,
           
             
               Nec
               Deus
               intersit
               ,
               nisi
               dignus
               vindice
               nodus
            
             
               Inciderit
               —
            
          
           It
           were
           to
           be
           wished
           ,
           that
           the
           Hectors
           of
           this
           age
           would
           learn
           of
           the
           very
           Heathens
           more
           reverence
           ;
           and
           that
           those
           men
           that
           pretend
           to
           good
           breeding
           ,
           would
           be
           so
           civil
           ,
           even
           sometimes
           for
           the
           companies
           sake
           ,
           as
           to
           forbear
           those
           Oaths
           that
           tender
           ears
           cannot
           hear
           without
           offence
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           the
           divine
           Love
           ,
           if
           scattered
           in
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           will
           excite
           us
           to
           worship
           God
           after
           the
           method
           himself
           hath
           prescribed
           :
           It
           will
           direct
           us
           to
           the
           
           rule
           of
           Piety
           ,
           where
           we
           shall
           finde
           every
           thing
           that
           relates
           to
           our
           immediate
           intercourse
           with
           God
           in
           divine
           Ordinances
           and
           Worship
           exactly
           ordered
           .
           I
           confess
           ,
           the
           Heathen-world
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           confused
           in
           their
           notions
           of
           a
           Deity
           ,
           and
           almost
           quite
           ignorant
           of
           the
           eternal
           reward
           ;
           so
           were
           they
           superstitious
           in
           their
           Worship
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           ignorantly
           erected
           Altars
           to
           
             an
             unknown
             God.
          
           Their
           Worship
           was
           attended
           with
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           external
           pomp
           ,
           was
           very
           grateful
           to
           their
           external
           senses
           ;
           but
           it
           reached
           not
           the
           Heart
           .
           But
           the
           Christian
           rule
           instructs
           us
           to
           worship
           God
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           prescribes
           the
           best
           method
           of
           devotion
           :
           It
           requires
           that
           
             We
             worship
             and
             bow
             before
             the
             Lord
             our
             maker
             ,
          
           with
           all
           possible
           humility
           and
           reverence
           ;
           that
           we
           possess
           our
           Hearts
           with
           the
           greatness
           and
           glory
           of
           that
           Majesty
           we
           adore
           ;
           that
           we
           be
           intent
           in
           our
           devotion
           ,
           and
           not
           suffer
           secular
           concerns
           to
           intrude
           and
           interrupt
           us
           ;
           that
           we
           act
           faith
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           believe
           that
           he
           
             is
             a
             rewarder
             of
             those
             that
             diligently
             seek
             him
          
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           approach
           the
           throne
           of
           grace
           
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ.
             
          
        
         
           If
           Devotion
           were
           not
           a
           duty
           ,
           yet
           methinks
           the
           advantages
           thereof
           should
           invite
           
           
           and
           that
           which
           finally
           excludes
           from
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           where
           nothing
           that
           pollutes
           can
           enter
           ,
           2
           Cor.
           6.9
           .
           Rev.
           21.27
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           indeed
           not
           wonder
           though
           the
           Religion
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           which
           contained
           a
           prodigious
           mixture
           of
           vanity
           and
           impiety
           ,
           gratified
           the
           inclinations
           of
           uncleanness
           :
           for
           if
           we
           consult
           their
           writings
           ,
           we
           shall
           observe
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           abominable
           vice
           wanted
           not
           a
           Deity
           to
           patronize
           it
           amongst
           them
           ;
           which
           upon
           the
           matter
           was
           
             an
             establishing
             iniquity
             by
             Law
          
           ,
           and
           an
           argument
           more
           sufficient
           to
           encourage
           than
           to
           correct
           vice
           :
           And
           although
           the
           Writings
           of
           some
           Philosophers
           have
           been
           more
           refined
           ,
           yet
           the
           Lives
           even
           of
           such
           were
           full
           of
           the
           foulest
           actions
           .
           Nay
           ,
           the
           rules
           which
           the
           best
           Masters
           of
           Morality
           amongst
           them
           prescribed
           ,
           never
           reached
           to
           the
           purifying
           of
           the
           Heart
           .
        
         
           
             I
             confess
          
           ,
           that
           man
           that
           shall
           take
           notice
           (
           and
           who
           ,
           having
           eyes
           in
           his
           head
           ,
           can
           evite
           this
           ,
           when
           men
           proclaim
           their
           sin
           like
           
             Sodom
             ?
          
           )
           of
           the
           prodigious
           uncleanness
           this
           prophane
           age
           has
           arrived
           at
           ,
           shall
           be
           strongly
           tempted
           to
           suspect
           the
           purity
           of
           the
           Christian
           Rule
           ,
           if
           he
           make
           no
           farther
           enquiry
           than
           to
           the
           practices
           of
           most
           that
           are
           called
           Christians
           .
           We
           may
           
           indeed
           very
           aptly
           write
           to
           the
           professors
           of
           this
           age
           ,
           as
           the
           great
           Apostle
           did
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Corinth
             :
             It
             is
             reported
             commonly
             that
             there
             is
             fornication
             among
             you
             ,
             and
             such
             fornication
             as
             is
             not
             so
             much
             as
             named
             amongst
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           5.1
           .
           And
           I
           am
           a
           little
           afraid
           ,
           if
           the
           Church
           should
           strictly
           observe
           that
           charge
           that
           the
           Apostle
           gives
           there
           ,
           and
           excommunicate
           all
           such
           wicked
           persons
           ,
           that
           our
           Church
           should
           not
           need
           to
           brag
           much
           of
           the
           number
           of
           Christians
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           indeed
           matter
           of
           great
           sadness
           ,
           to
           consider
           how
           much
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           has
           suffered
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           the
           scandalous
           practices
           of
           Titular
           Christians
           ;
           and
           I
           make
           no
           doubt
           but
           this
           age
           has
           been
           at
           more
           pains
           than
           any
           that
           precedes
           it
           ,
           to
           increase
           the
           scandal
           :
           but
           sure
           't
           is
           but
           a
           silly
           artifice
           to
           challenge
           the
           exactness
           of
           the
           Rule
           ,
           and
           with
           Celsus
           impudently
           alleage
           that
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           encourageth
           men
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           immorality
           and
           vice
           ,
           since
           of
           all
           Religions
           ,
           the
           Christian
           onely
           can
           produce
           the
           strictest
           Laws
           against
           
             all
             filthiness
             of
             flesh
             and
             spirit
             .
          
           'T
           is
           
             a
             Doctrine
          
           ,
           as
           blessed
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             according
             to
             godliness
          
           ,
           and
           lays
           undispensible
           obligations
           upon
           its
           followers
           ,
           both
           to
           think
           upon
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           ,
           
           
           dearing
           a
           quality
           ,
           and
           so
           noble
           an
           embelishment
           of
           our
           nature
           ,
           that
           where
           this
           is
           wanting
           ,
           all
           other
           advantages
           are
           little
           regarded
           ;
           and
           not
           onely
           men
           ,
           but
           the
           great
           God
           also
           
             resists
             the
             proud
          
           ,
           it
           being
           a
           vice
           which
           ,
           besides
           Christianity
           ,
           Morality
           also-condemns
           ,
           as
           universally
           unbecoming
           to
           Humane
           nature
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           not
           onely
           disturbs
           ones
           self
           ,
           but
           also
           disquiets
           whole
           societies
           :
           But
           
             God
             gives
             grace
             to
             the
             humble
          
           ;
           he
           takes
           such
           persons
           into
           favour
           ,
           as
           being
           more
           pliable
           to
           receive
           the
           impress
           of
           his
           love
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           a
           humble
           ,
           so
           also
           a
           meek
           and
           quiet
           spirit
           
             is
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             of
             great
             price
             .
          
           And
           can
           there
           be
           a
           more
           convincing
           motive
           than
           this
           ,
           to
           recommend
           meekness
           to
           Christians
           ?
           And
           indeed
           we
           cannot
           pretend
           to
           be
           the
           Disciples
           of
           holy
           Jesus
           ,
           if
           we
           refuse
           to
           learn
           that
           lesson
           he
           hath
           copied
           out
           to
           us
           ,
           Matth.
           11.29
           .
           
             Learn
             of
             me
             ,
             for
             I
             am
             meek
             and
             lowly
             in
             heart
             .
          
        
         
           Although
           a
           calm
           and
           quiet
           spirit
           is
           a
           reward
           to
           it self
           ,
           as
           every
           vertue
           is
           ;
           yet
           it
           wants
           not
           a
           claim
           to
           a
           temporal
           felicity
           also
           ,
           Matth.
           5.5
           .
           
             Blessed
             are
             the
             meek
             ;
             for
             they
             shall
             inherit
             the
             earth
             .
          
           These
           be
           the
           persons
           to
           whom
           by
           right
           of
           promise
           this
           stately
           Fabrick
           of
           earth
           belongs
           .
           
           And
           if
           we
           now
           view
           that
           unpleasant
           vice
           of
           Anger
           opposite
           to
           it
           ,
           this
           will
           yet
           adde
           more
           to
           its
           lustre
           ,
           and
           help
           to
           recommend
           it
           the
           more
           effectually
           .
           Anger
           being
           such
           an
           unpleasant
           humour
           ,
           that
           it
           makes
           those
           men
           it
           possesses
           unfit
           for
           humane
           society
           ,
           it
           being
           not
           unfitly
           defined
           by
           the
           Poet
           to
           be
           
             a
             short
             madness
          
           ;
           which
           indeed
           agrees
           very
           well
           with
           the
           Wise
           mans
           verdict
           of
           it
           ,
           
             Eccl.
             Anger
             rests
             in
             the
             bosom
             of
             fools
             .
          
           If
           then
           men
           would
           but
           compare
           the
           calm
           and
           happy
           serenity
           of
           Meekness
           ,
           with
           that
           inward
           and
           outward
           trouble
           and
           disquietment
           that
           is
           the
           effect
           of
           Anger
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           but
           esteem
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           declaim
           against
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           our
           
             Christian
             rule
          
           recommends
           contentment
           as
           the
           most
           precious
           Jewel
           in
           the
           Saints
           Diadem
           ;
           't
           is
           that
           noble
           ingredient
           that
           makes
           the
           most
           bitter
           cup
           sweet
           and
           pleasant
           :
           it
           renders
           things
           ,
           otherwise
           unsavory
           and
           burthensome
           ,
           to
           be
           indeed
           relishing
           and
           easie
           .
           This
           is
           it
           that
           seasons
           the
           meanest
           meal
           ;
           makes
           a
           dish
           of
           herbs
           a
           feast
           ,
           and
           a
           cup
           of
           cold
           Water
           please
           the
           palate
           :
           This
           is
           that
           vertue
           which
           makes
           men
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           storms
           represent
           a
           calm
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           saddest
           circumstances
           to
           sing
           sweetly
           .
           He
           
           
           us
           in
           those
           duties
           that
           concern
           our
           selves
           ;
           so
           it
           also
           teacheth
           us
           how
           to
           carry
           towards
           others
           .
           And
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           it
           recommends
           the
           
             Royal
             Law
             of
             love
          
           ,
           as
           the
           spring
           and
           source
           of
           all
           other
           duties
           ,
           Rom.
           13.9
           .
           
             If
             there
             be
             any
             other
             commandment
             ,
             't
             is
             briefly
             comprehended
             in
             this
             saying
             ,
             namely
             ,
             Thou
             shalt
             love
             thy
             neighbour
             as
             thy self
             .
          
           This
           ,
           for
           its
           excellency
           and
           comprehensiveness
           ,
           is
           said
           to
           be
           
             the
             fulfilling
             of
             the
             Law
          
           ,
           as
           those
           who
           neglect
           it
           are
           said
           
             to
             sin
             against
             the
             Law.
          
           
        
         
           Now
           if
           this
           rule
           of
           Charity
           were
           well
           observed
           ,
           it
           would
           help
           to
           correct
           ,
           first
           ,
           all
           undue
           Thoughts
           and
           Wishes
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           all
           injurious
           Words
           and
           Speeches
           .
           And
           thirdly
           ,
           all
           unjust
           Actions
           and
           Dealings
           towards
           our
           Neighbours
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           it
           would
           very
           much
           conduce
           to
           the
           regulating
           of
           our
           wishes
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           keeping
           of
           our
           mindes
           in
           a
           meek
           and
           peaceable
           temper
           towards
           others
           .
           Charity
           ,
           if
           sincere
           ,
           is
           a
           noble
           and
           generous
           vertue
           ,
           which
           believeth
           and
           hopeth
           the
           best
           of
           all
           men
           :
           
             It
             thinketh
             no
             evil
          
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           amongst
           many
           of
           its
           other
           good
           properties
           observeth
           ,
           2
           Cor.
           13.5
           .
           It
           eradicates
           and
           supplants
           all
           censorious
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           is
           incompatible
           with
           those
           
           tormenting
           passions
           of
           Malice
           and
           Revenge
           ,
           which
           ,
           as
           the
           Wise
           man
           describes
           ,
           
             suffer
             not
             men
             to
             sleep
             except
             they
             have
             done
             mischief
             ,
          
           Prov.
           4.16
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           this
           is
           but
           the
           least
           part
           of
           a
           Christians
           duty
           ,
           't
           is
           but
           an
           evidence
           of
           the
           lowest
           degree
           of
           Charity
           ,
           to
           retrench
           those
           irregular
           and
           undue
           wishes
           ,
           which
           oftentimes
           do
           more
           prejudice
           to
           our selves
           than
           others
           :
           If
           it
           be
           sincere
           ,
           it
           will
           have
           a
           further
           and
           more
           important
           influence
           ;
           it
           will
           help
           us
           to
           govern
           our
           tongues
           also
           that
           we
           may
           ,
           as
           the
           great
           Apostle
           adviseth
           us
           ,
           
             speak
             evil
             of
             no
             man
          
           ,
           Tit.
           3.2
           .
           to
           
             lay
             aside
             all
             malice
             ,
             and
             all
             guile
             and
             hypocrisie
             ,
             and
             evil
             speaking
             ,
          
           1
           Pet.
           2.1
           .
           and
           according
           to
           this
           precept
           did
           primitive
           Christians
           walk
           .
        
         
           But
           alas
           !
           we
           have
           degenerated
           in
           nothing
           more
           conspicuously
           from
           their
           practise
           than
           in
           this
           :
           In
           place
           of
           their
           love
           ,
           we
           have
           substituted
           an
           industrious
           search
           into
           the
           iniquities
           of
           others
           ,
           Psal.
           64.4
           .
           and
           have
           fully
           verified
           the
           Apostles
           description
           of
           the
           tongue
           ,
           Jam.
           3.8
           .
           that
           it
           is
           
             an
             unruly
             evil
             which
             no
             man
             can
             tame
             ,
             a
             world
             of
             iniquity
             that
             sets
             the
             whole
             creation
             on
             fire
             .
          
        
         
           Neither
           Majesty
           nor
           innocency
           can
           now
           guard
           against
           its
           darts
           ;
           its
           malignity
           
           
           blessings
           ,
           v.
           10.
           and
           it
           is
           noted
           as
           an
           evidence
           that
           
             the
             love
             of
             God
             dwelleth
             not
             in
             those
             persons
             ,
          
           who
           
             having
             this
             worlds
             goods
             ,
             shut
             up
             their
             bowels
             of
             compassion
             from
             those
             that
             have
             need
             ,
          
           1
           Joh
           3.17
           .
           Alas
           !
           little
           do
           men
           know
           how
           quickly
           the
           balance
           may
           change
           ;
           how
           soon
           the
           richest
           may
           be
           in
           poverty
           ,
           and
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           that
           supply
           that
           they
           now
           in
           the
           days
           of
           their
           plenty
           deny
           others
           the
           instances
           to
           prove
           this
           ,
           are
           more
           numerous
           than
           that
           they
           can
           be
           doubted
           or
           need
           to
           be
           related
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           the
           performance
           of
           this
           duty
           passeth
           not
           without
           a
           temporal
           reward
           God
           ,
           who
           accounts
           it
           a
           lending
           to
           himself
           ,
           hath
           promised
           to
           repay
           it
           ;
           and
           sure
           there
           cannot
           be
           better
           security
           than
           his
           promise
           .
           And
           I
           question
           not
           but
           all
           ages
           can
           attest
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           the
           Wise
           man
           observeth
           ,
           Prov.
           11.24
           .
           
             There
             is
             that
             scattereth
             ,
             and
             yet
             increaseth
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             that
             witholdeth
             more
             than
             is
             meet
             ,
             but
             it
             tendeth
             to
             poverty
             .
          
        
         
           
             I
             confess
          
           ,
           I
           know
           no
           vertue
           more
           becoming
           a
           Christian
           than
           Charity
           ,
           and
           scarce
           any
           more
           scandalously
           neglected
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           sorry
           to
           think
           that
           those
           good
           men
           who
           compassionate
           the
           wants
           of
           the
           indigent
           ,
           should
           be
           so
           unworthily
           scandalized
           ,
           
           as
           if
           they
           were
           but
           lukewarm
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           established
           the
           Popish
           Merit
           :
           but
           this
           is
           a
           piece
           of
           madness
           I
           shall
           rather
           pity
           than
           inveigh
           against
           ;
           and
           although
           I
           be
           no
           friend
           to
           merit
           ,
           yet
           I
           cannot
           but
           speak
           honourably
           of
           those
           whose
           charity
           and
           good
           works
           make
           them
           lovely
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           has
           accounted
           it
           
             pure
             religion
             and
             undefiled
             ,
             to
             visit
             the
             fatherless
             and
             widows
             in
             their
             affliction
             ,
          
           Jam.
           1.27
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           the
           
             Christian
             rule
          
           requires
           Justice
           in
           our
           intercourse
           and
           commerce
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           our
           dealings
           we
           be
           exactly
           conscientious
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           great
           rule
           of
           equity
           ,
           Matth.
           7.12
           .
           
             All
             things
             whatsoever
             ye
             would
             that
             men
             should
             do
             to
             you
             ,
             do
             ye
             even
             so
             to
             them
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             the
             law
             and
             the
             prophets
             .
          
           Injustice
           is
           a
           vice
           so
           mean
           and
           ignoble
           ,
           th●t
           I
           cannot
           but
           admire
           how
           great
           men
           should
           court
           it
           :
           and
           if
           men
           would
           but
           actuate
           their
           Reasons
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           they
           should
           never
           become
           guilty
           of
           that
           which
           ,
           if
           charged
           with
           ,
           they
           cannot
           patiently
           endure
           ,
           nor
           be
           reconciled
           with
           the
           persons
           which
           freely
           reprove
           them
           .
           There
           is
           no
           man
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           that
           would
           be
           satisfied
           to
           be
           called
           a
           Cheat
           ;
           and
           is
           it
           not
           unreasonable
           to
           think
           they
           shall
           evite
           this
           character
           who
           practise
           injustice
           ?
        
         
         
         
           were
           easie
           to
           shew
           how
           miserably
           they
           failed
           .
           The
           famous
           Peripatetick
           pleaded
           for
           the
           revenging
           of
           Injuries
           :
           The
           divine
           Plato
           allowed
           the
           community
           of
           Wives
           :
           The
           strict
           Stoicks
           patronized
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           Self-murther
           ;
           and
           thus
           
             professing
             themselves
             to
             be
             wise
             ,
             they
             became
             fools
             .
          
        
         
           And
           yet
           (
           to
           the
           shame
           of
           Christians
           )
           how
           conspicuous
           was
           the
           moral
           gallantry
           of
           the
           Romans
           !
           how
           famous
           and
           glorious
           are
           they
           esteemed
           for
           their
           Justice
           and
           Constancy
           in
           friendship
           by
           all
           succeeding
           ages
           !
           their
           vertue
           did
           conquer
           respect
           and
           esteem
           from
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           made
           them
           beloved
           by
           those
           who
           fear'd
           their
           power
           .
           And
           here
           I
           cannot
           but
           take
           notice
           of
           St.
           
           Augustin's
           commendation
           of
           the
           old
           
             Romans
             :
             Because
             God
          
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             would
             not
             bestow
             Heaven
             upon
             the
          
           Romans
           ,
           
             they
             being
             Pagans
             ,
             he
             bestowed
             the
             Empire
             of
             the
             world
             upon
             them
             ,
             because
             they
             were
             vertuous
             .
          
        
         
           And
           yet
           the
           best
           rules
           those
           Illustrious
           Hero's
           and
           Law-givers
           taught
           ,
           are
           not
           comparable
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           upon
           these
           three
           accounts
           .
           First
           ,
           the
           Pagan
           Law
           is
           deficient
           in
           many
           things
           ,
           and
           many
           particular
           Laws
           mightily
           tend
           to
           the
           promoting
           of
           vice
           ;
           their
           Law-givers
           
           being
           ignorant
           of
           the
           introduction
           of
           sin
           ,
           never
           made
           any
           precepts
           against
           the
           first
           motions
           to
           forbidden
           objects
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           those
           good
           Laws
           they
           taught
           ,
           are
           more
           clearly
           revealed
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             Which
             hath
             brought
             life
             and
             immortality
             to
             light
             .
          
           As
           the
           Gospel
           commands
           onely
           such
           things
           that
           are
           good
           ,
           and
           forbids
           onely
           vice
           ;
           so
           it
           more
           conspicuously
           manifests
           what
           is
           good
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           do
           it
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           evil
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           evite
           it
           .
           The
           good
           Laws
           that
           Epaminondas
           in
           
             Thebes
             ,
             Lycurgus
          
           in
           Lacedemon
           ,
           and
           Aristides
           in
           Athens
           taught
           ,
           are
           in
           the
           Gospel-Oeconomy
           more
           excellently
           confirmed
           ;
           and
           we
           are
           now
           undoubtedly
           secured
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           well
           in
           observing
           what
           is
           commanded
           ,
           and
           in
           abstaining
           from
           what
           is
           prohibited
           ;
           which
           
             Numa
             Pompilius
             ,
             Marcus
             Antonius
          
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Law-givers
           either
           of
           Greece
           or
           Rome
           ,
           could
           never
           be
           fully
           ascertained
           of
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           we
           have
           better
           encouragements
           and
           inducements
           to
           obey
           the
           Gospel-precepts
           than
           any
           other
           Religion
           prescribes
           .
           The
           best
           motive
           to
           vertue
           amongst
           the
           Heathens
           was
           ,
           that
           
             vertue
             is
             a
             reward
             to
             it self
          
           ;
           that
           it
           is
           the
           means
           to
           be
           celebrated
           by
           after-ages
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           ;
           which
           were
           but
           insignificant
           encouragements
           ,
           if
           compared
           with
           the
           eternal
           and
           
           
           gives
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           Rom.
           1.16
           .
           
             That
             it
             is
             the
             power
             of
             God
             to
             salvation
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           CHAP.
           III.
           Motives
           and
           inducements
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           Holiness
           .
        
         
           AS
           the
           naked
           proposal
           and
           representation
           of
           an
           excellent
           and
           beautiful
           object
           ,
           is
           motive
           enough
           to
           excite
           our
           love
           ,
           and
           draw
           out
           our
           affections
           to
           it
           :
           so
           methinks
           Holiness
           ,
           which
           of
           all
           ,
           things
           is
           the
           most
           noble
           ,
           most
           excellent
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           lovely
           ,
           should
           ,
           even
           abstracted
           from
           the
           considerations
           of
           its
           utility
           and
           advantages
           ,
           conquer
           our
           esteem
           .
           But
           God
           knows
           how
           much
           our
           depraved
           natures
           in
           this
           lapsed
           estate
           stand
           in
           need
           of
           encouragements
           to
           excite
           us
           to
           our
           duty
           ;
           and
           I
           wish
           common
           experience
           did
           not
           make
           it
           too
           certain
           ,
           that
           all
           motives
           are
           little
           enough
           to
           form
           us
           to
           Holiness
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           former
           Chapters
           I
           have
           onely
           laid
           a
           foundation
           to
           this
           :
           for
           I
           thought
           it
           fit
           to
           tell
           men
           what
           I
           understand
           by
           Holiness
           ,
           before
           I
           should
           excite
           them
           to
           it
           .
           In
           this
           dark
           age
           of
           the
           world
           we
           want
           not
           instances
           (
           God
           knows
           ,
           too
           many
           )
           of
           mens
           too
           frequent
           mistaking
           vice
           for
           
           vertue
           ;
           to
           prevent
           which
           errour
           ,
           it
           was
           thought
           necessary
           to
           shew
           men
           their
           duty
           ;
           and
           having
           done
           this
           ,
           the
           next
           thing
           I
           proposed
           ,
           was
           to
           lay
           down
           several
           motives
           and
           inducements
           to
           engage
           men
           to
           the
           practise
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           founded
           solely
           upon
           this
           ,
           that
           all
           those
           endearing
           arguments
           that
           prevail
           with
           us
           to
           perform
           any
           duty
           or
           action
           relating
           to
           our
           secular
           concerns
           ,
           do
           more
           powerfully
           oblige
           us
           to
           be
           holy
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           a
           subject
           which
           for
           its
           nobleness
           deserves
           a
           better
           judgement
           ,
           a
           more
           clear
           wit
           ,
           and
           a
           more
           enlivened
           and
           quick
           fancy
           to
           handle
           it
           than
           I
           can
           pretend
           to
           :
           yet
           if
           I
           can
           but
           prevail
           with
           others
           to
           perfect
           what
           I
           have
           begun
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           think
           I
           have
           much
           mis-employ'd
           my
           time
           in
           writing
           this
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           This
           Chapter
           is
           like
           to
           be
           somewhat
           disproportionable
           to
           the
           rest
           in
           length
           ,
           it
           being
           at
           first
           the
           onely
           designed
           subject
           to
           be
           discoursed
           on
           ;
           I
           shall
           therefore
           divide
           it
           into
           several
           Sections
           .
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             1.
             
             The
             noble
             pattern
             of
             Holiness
             .
          
           
             The
             great
             inclination
             of
             Mankinde
             to
             Imitation
             ,
             gave
             ground
             (
             I
             doubt
             not
             )
          
           
           
           
             And
             now
             ,
             seeing
             Examples
             ,
             have
             so
             much
             force
             ,
             methinks
             I
             hear
             the
             Captain
             of
             our
             salvation
             saying
             ,
             as
             Abimelek
             said
             to
             the
             men
             that
             were
             with
             him
             ,
             Judg.
             9.48
             .
             
               Make
               haste
               ,
               and
               do
               as
               I
               have
               done
               .
            
             Christ
             Jesus
             hath
             by
             his
             example
             taught
             us
             our
             duty
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             1.15
             ,
             16.
             
             
               As
               he
               which
               hath
               called
               you
               is
               holy
               ,
               so
               be
               ye
               holy
               in
               all
               manner
               of
               conversation
               ;
               because
               it
               is
               written
               ,
               Be
               ye
               holy
               as
               I
               am
               holy
               .
            
             Upon
             which
             account
             we
             are
             seriously
             exhorted
             in
             Scripture
             to
             look
             unto
             Jesus
             ,
             and
             to
             walk
             as
             he
             walked
             ;
             and
             can
             any
             consideration
             more
             abundantly
             serve
             to
             inspirit
             and
             excite
             us
             to
             live
             holy
             ,
             than
             this
             ?
             Methinks
             our
             having
             so
             brave
             an
             example
             should
             provoke
             us
             to
             follow
             his
             footsteps
             ,
             
               who
               did
               no
               sin
               ,
               neither
               was
               guile
               found
               in
               his
               mouth
               .
            
          
           
             There
             are
             two
             chief
             reasons
             that
             greatly
             prevail
             with
             us
             to
             imitate
             other
             examples
             .
             First
             ,
             the
             dignity
             and
             greatness
             of
             the
             person
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             Interest
             and
             advantage
             .
             Now
             both
             these
             motives
             should
             most
             powerfully
             prevail
             with
             us
             to
             make
             Christ
             the
             copy
             of
             our
             lives
             :
             For
             first
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             the
             dignity
             and
             worth
             of
             his
             person
             ,
             is
             he
             not
             the
             Son
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
             who
             in
             the
             days
             of
             his
             humiliation
             
               thought
               it
               no
               robbery
               to
               be
               called
               
               equal
               with
               God
               ?
            
             He
             was
             not
             a
             person
             of
             a
             mean
             and
             low
             extraction
             ,
             how
             meanly
             soever
             he
             lived
             here
             ,
             but
             one
             of
             extraordinary
             worth
             ,
             who
             by
             partaking
             of
             humane
             nature
             elevated
             it
             to
             the
             highest
             degree
             of
             honour
             :
             He
             was
             not
             onely
             
               the
               chiefest
               amongst
               ten
               thousands
            
             ,
             but
             the
             delight
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             before
             whom
             the
             Princes
             of
             the
             Earth
             must
             appear
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             men
             ,
             to
             give
             him
             an
             account
             of
             their
             works
             .
             And
             as
             for
             Interest
             ,
             I
             shall
             afterwards
             make
             it
             plain
             ,
             that
             we
             in
             nothing
             more
             cross
             our
             advantage
             ,
             than
             in
             walking
             contrary
             to
             Christ.
             
          
           
             But
             alas
             !
             how
             little
             are
             we
             moved
             by
             this
             noble
             president
             to
             minde
             Holiness
             ?
             how
             seldom
             do
             we
             express
             in
             our
             actions
             the
             vertues
             of
             our
             spiritual
             King
             ?
             although
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             rational
             ,
             more
             equitable
             and
             just
             ,
             than
             to
             follow
             his
             footsteps
             who
             hath
             called
             us
             to
             his
             Kingdom
             and
             Glory
             ;
             nothing
             more
             honourable
             ,
             nor
             can
             advance
             our
             happiness
             more
             than
             to
             be
             
               conform
               to
               the
               image
               of
               Christ
            
             ;
             yet
             in
             opposition
             to
             the
             most
             endearing
             encouragements
             ,
             we
             have
             as
             much
             set
             at
             nought
             his
             example
             ,
             as
             Herod
             and
             his
             men
             of
             war
             did
             his
             person
             ,
             Luke
             23.11
             .
             Alas
             !
             what
             tears
             are
             sufficient
             to
             express
             and
             set
             forth
             this
             exceeding
             great
             madness
             and
             insolency
             ?
          
           
           
           
             us
             to
             learn
             meekness
             and
             humility
             of
             him
             ,
             Mat.
             11.29
             .
             
               Learn
               of
               me
               ,
               for
               I
               am
               meek
               and
               lowly
               in
               heart
               .
            
             Throughout
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             his
             life
             he
             did
             evidence
             a
             spirit
             full
             of
             calmness
             and
             quietness
             .
             If
             we
             trace
             his
             footsteps
             from
             the
             Cradle
             to
             the
             Cross
             ,
             we
             shall
             not
             finde
             him
             either
             by
             his
             words
             or
             actions
             discovering
             the
             least
             expression
             of
             wrath
             ,
             or
             revenge
             ;
             but
             the
             most
             admirable
             disposition
             of
             gentleness
             and
             meekness
             ,
             even
             then
             when
             his
             insulting
             Enemies
             endeavoured
             to
             cast
             upon
             him
             the
             most
             ignominious
             affronts
             .
             We
             read
             ,
             Numb
             .
             12.3
             .
             of
             Moses
             his
             great
             meekness
             ;
             but
             how
             was
             he
             once
             and
             again
             transported
             with
             passion
             !
             but
             never
             did
             our
             meek
             Jesus
             ,
             by
             the
             most
             insufferable
             abuses
             he
             received
             ,
             ever
             discover
             a
             discomposed
             spirit
             .
             Isa.
             53.7
             .
             
               He
               was
               oppressed
               ,
               and
               he
               was
               afflicted
               ,
               yet
               he
               opened
               not
               his
               mouth
               :
               he
               is
               brought
               as
               a
               lamb
               to
               the
               slaughter
               ,
               and
               as
               a
               sheep
               before
               her
               shearers
               is
               dumb
               ,
               so
               he
               openeth
               not
               his
               mouth
               .
            
             He
             did
             indeed
             frequently
             meet
             with
             extraordinary
             provocations
             to
             anger
             ;
             but
             yet
             how
             sweet
             were
             his
             reproofs
             ?
             when
             the
             Samaritans
             refused
             to
             receive
             him
             ,
             Luke
             9.53
             .
             he
             did
             not
             treat
             them
             with
             contumelious
             speeches
             ,
             nor
             revenge
             himself
             upon
             them
             ,
             although
             he
             
             could
             have
             done
             it
             with
             ease
             ;
             but
             being
             desired
             by
             his
             exasperated
             Disciples
             
               to
               call
               for
               fire
               from
               Heaven
               to
               consume
               them
               ,
            
             he
             rebuked
             their
             revengeful
             motion
             with
             
               The
               Son
               of
               man
               is
               not
               come
               to
               destroy
               mens
               lives
               ,
               but
               to
               save
               them
               .
            
             It
             would
             be
             too
             prolix
             a
             business
             to
             instance
             the
             several
             examples
             of
             his
             Gentleness
             and
             Meekness
             ;
             onely
             let
             us
             view
             the
             last
             scene
             of
             his
             life
             ,
             where
             we
             shall
             behold
             lively
             instances
             to
             confirm
             this
             .
             When
             he
             did
             finde
             his
             three
             Disciples
             ,
             whom
             he
             had
             commanded
             to
             watch
             ,
             sleeping
             ,
             he
             did
             not
             upbraid
             them
             for
             their
             negligence
             ,
             but
             gently
             asks
             them
             ,
             
               What
               ,
               could
               not
               ye
               watch
               with
               me
               one
               hour
               ?
            
             and
             when
             he
             was
             treacherously
             accoasted
             by
             his
             own
             Disciple
             ,
             who
             became
             leader
             to
             a
             great
             multitude
             who
             came
             out
             with
             Swords
             and
             Staves
             to
             apprehend
             him
             ,
             with
             what
             astonishing
             mildness
             did
             he
             entertain
             this
             Traytor
             ,
             who
             had
             the
             impudence
             to
             betray
             him
             with
             a
             kiss
             ?
             
               Friend
               ,
               wherefore
               art
               thou
               come
               ?
            
             Mat.
             26.50
             .
             or
             ,
             as
             another
             of
             the
             Evangelists
             expresseth
             it
             ,
             
               Judas
               ,
               betrayest
               thou
               the
               Son
               of
               man
               with
               a
               kiss
               ?
            
             This
             was
             all
             the
             hard
             language
             he
             treated
             him
             with
             .
             And
             after
             he
             was
             apprehended
             ,
             with
             what
             horrid
             contumelies
             and
             affronts
             
             did
             his
             barbarous
             Enemies
             entertain
             him
             ?
             they
             did
             spit
             in
             his
             face
             ,
             and
             buffet
             him
             ;
             (
             the
             highest
             affronts
             imaginable
             )
             they
             stripped
             him
             of
             his
             ordinary
             cloaths
             ,
             and
             put
             upon
             him
             a
             fools
             robe
             and
             a
             Crown
             of
             Thorns
             ;
             and
             being
             thus
             disguised
             ,
             they
             expose
             him
             to
             the
             mockery
             and
             contempt
             of
             the
             Spectators
             :
             Notwithstanding
             of
             all
             which
             ,
             he
             
               opened
               not
               his
               mouth
            
             ;
             but
             with
             a
             most
             sedate
             and
             serene
             temper
             he
             received
             all
             these
             abuses
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             Peter
             expresseth
             it
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             2.23
             .
             
               When
               he
               was
               reviled
               he
               reviled
               not
               again
               ,
               when
               he
               suffered
               he
               threatned
               not
               ,
               but
               committed
               himself
               to
               him
               that
               judgeth
               righteously
               .
            
          
           
             Meekness
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             is
             so
             noble
             a
             vertue
             ,
             accompanied
             with
             so
             many
             admirable
             and
             charming
             advantages
             ,
             that
             it
             needs
             (
             as
             one
             would
             think
             )
             but
             few
             words
             to
             recommend
             it
             to
             men
             ;
             but
             no
             argument
             is
             like
             to
             prevail
             more
             with
             generous
             mindes
             ,
             then
             the
             example
             of
             so
             excellent
             and
             perfect
             a
             Pattern
             .
             Sure
             I
             am
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             most
             unaccountable
             thing
             imaginable
             ,
             for
             the
             Disciples
             of
             so
             meek
             a
             Master
             to
             be
             of
             a
             disposition
             and
             temper
             quite
             opposite
             to
             his
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             his
             meekness
             ,
             so
             is
             his
             humility
             also
             recommended
             to
             our
             imitation
             :
             As
             
             he
             was
             of
             a
             meek
             ,
             so
             also
             of
             a
             lowly
             spirit
             .
             His
             first
             appearance
             upon
             earth
             was
             but
             mean
             and
             despicable
             ;
             he
             was
             born
             (
             as
             the
             Scripture
             informs
             us
             )
             in
             a
             low
             estate
             ,
             more
             fit
             for
             the
             meanest
             of
             his
             Disciples
             ,
             than
             for
             so
             great
             a
             Prince
             .
             He
             was
             not
             brought
             forth
             in
             some
             stately
             Palace
             ,
             nor
             born
             in
             a
             Chamber
             curiously
             deckt
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             vile
             Stable
             where
             the
             bruit
             beasts
             had
             their
             residence
             .
             Nay
             ,
             after
             he
             had
             discovered
             himself
             by
             his
             Illustrious
             works
             to
             be
             a
             great
             Prophet
             ,
             the
             
               true
               Messiah
               who
               enlighteneth
               every
               one
               that
               cometh
               into
               the
               world
               ,
            
             yet
             how
             humbly
             did
             he
             walk
             !
             his
             Companions
             he
             did
             chuse
             were
             but
             mean
             Fishermen
             ;
             his
             Occupation
             and
             Employment
             was
             no
             ways
             honourable
             ;
             and
             his
             Revenues
             were
             but
             small
             ,
             as
             he
             himself
             did
             testifie
             ,
             
               The
               foxes
               have
               holes
               ,
               and
               the
               birds
               of
               the
               air
               nests
               ;
               but
               the
               Son
               of
               man
               hath
               not
               where
               he
               may
               lay
               his
               head
               .
            
          
           
             Although
             his
             descent
             and
             extraction
             was
             incomparably
             great
             ,
             yet
             he
             rather
             endeavoured
             to
             conceal
             than
             to
             brag
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             so
             humble
             was
             he
             ,
             that
             he
             chose
             rather
             to
             attribute
             the
             praise
             of
             his
             admired
             works
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             than
             take
             the
             honour
             of
             them
             to
             himself
             ,
             Joh.
             8.28
             .
             
               I
               do
               nothing
               of
               my self
               ,
               but
               as
               my
               Father
               
               hath
               taught
               me
               I
               speak
               these
               things
               .
            
          
           
             He
             was
             not
             ambitious
             of
             Rule
             and
             Government
             ,
             but
             modestly
             refused
             to
             be
             a
             Ruler
             and
             Judge
             .
             Nay
             ,
             when
             the
             multitude
             thought
             to
             make
             him
             a
             King
             ,
             he
             shunned
             their
             society
             by
             an
             invisible
             removal
             ,
             it
             being
             quite
             contrary
             to
             his
             designe
             in
             coming
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             (
             as
             he
             tells
             us
             ,
             Matth.
             20.28
             .
             )
             
               he
               came
               not
               to
               be
               ministred
               unto
               ,
               but
               to
               minister
               .
            
             And
             to
             correct
             the
             insolent
             pride
             and
             ambition
             of
             his
             followers
             ,
             how
             did
             he
             stoop
             to
             wash
             his
             Disciples
             feet
             !
             a
             most
             admirable
             evidence
             of
             his
             lowliness
             of
             spirit
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             since
             our
             great
             Lord
             and
             Master
             did
             so
             wonderfully
             debase
             himself
             to
             the
             form
             of
             a
             Servant
             ;
             since
             in
             all
             his
             actions
             he
             did
             manifest
             that
             he
             was
             meek
             and
             lowly
             ,
             how
             prodigiously
             incongruous
             is
             it
             for
             those
             who
             profess
             themselves
             to
             be
             his
             Disciples
             to
             be
             proud
             and
             lofty
             ?
          
           
             
               I
               confess
            
             ,
             Humility
             is
             a
             grace
             well
             becoming
             our
             state
             as
             creatures
             ;
             we
             are
             but
             dependent
             beings
             ,
             having
             life
             and
             motion
             ,
             and
             all
             those
             endowments
             we
             are
             proud
             of
             ,
             
               from
               the
               Father
               of
               spirits
               ,
               from
               whom
               every
               good
               gifts
               cometh
               .
            
             The
             fresh
             communications
             of
             his
             love
             we
             constantly
             participate
             of
             ,
             are
             freely
             bestowed
             ;
             which
             
             he
             may
             therefore
             ,
             when
             he
             thinks
             fit
             ,
             with
             an
             equal
             freedom
             and
             ease
             remove
             ,
             without
             being
             guilty
             of
             injuring
             us
             .
          
           
             Humility
             is
             that
             peculiar
             grace
             that
             qualifies
             and
             fits
             us
             to
             receive
             the
             divine
             aid
             and
             assistance
             ;
             as
             the
             Apostle
             St.
             James
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               he
               gives
               grace
               to
               the
               humble
               .
            
             Upon
             which
             account
             we
             may
             with
             the
             Wise
             man
             well
             conclude
             :
             
               Better
               is
               it
               to
               be
               of
               an
               humble
               spirit
               with
               the
               lowly
               ,
               than
               to
               divide
               the
               spoil
               with
               the
               proud
               ,
            
             Prov.
             16.19
             .
          
           
             
               I
               doubt
            
             not
             but
             every
             considering
             man
             will
             finde
             his
             own
             Reason
             suggest
             a
             sufficient
             store
             of
             arguments
             to
             confute
             the
             imperious
             assaults
             of
             Pride
             and
             Ambition
             :
             but
             methinks
             none
             can
             more
             powerfully
             prevail
             with
             ingenuous
             spirits
             ,
             than
             the
             consideration
             of
             Christ's
             humility
             :
             with
             this
             how
             effectually
             may
             he
             repel
             every
             temptation
             to
             pride
             ,
             by
             saying
             ,
             Was
             my
             Master
             lowly
             of
             spirit
             ,
             and
             does
             it
             become
             me
             to
             be
             proud
             ?
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Christ
             is
             also
             set
             forth
             as
             our
             Pattern
             in
             his
             sufferings
             :
             
               If
               when
               ye
               do
               well
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             )
             
               and
               suffer
               for
               it
               ye
               take
               it
               patiently
               ,
               this
               is
               acceptable
               with
               God
               ;
               for
               even
               hitherto
               were
               ye
               called
               :
               for
               Christ
               also
               suffered
               for
               us
               ,
               leaving
               us
               an
               example
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               follow
               his
            
             
             
             ther
             than
             allays
             the
             distemper
             ,
             though
             it
             augments
             the
             degrees
             of
             our
             trouble
             ,
             and
             disenables
             us
             to
             bear
             the
             stroke
             of
             Adversity
             ;
             yet
             we
             will
             not
             be
             perswaded
             to
             a
             calm
             and
             quiet
             submission
             to
             the
             divine
             Will.
             Though
             impatience
             exasperates
             the
             pain
             ,
             yet
             we
             think
             we
             do
             well
             to
             be
             angry
             .
             If
             we
             meet
             with
             injuries
             ,
             our
             appetite
             of
             revenge
             is
             stirred
             up
             ;
             flesh
             and
             bloud
             we
             say
             cannot
             endure
             such
             affronts
             ;
             we
             imagine
             it
             stains
             our
             Reputation
             and
             Honour
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             is
             degenerous
             and
             servile
             .
          
           
             Thus
             do
             we
             sew
             Fig-leaves
             to
             cover
             our
             nakedness
             ;
             but
             the
             all-seeing
             God
             knows
             that
             all
             these
             repinings
             are
             arrows
             directed
             against
             his
             providence
             ;
             otherwise
             we
             should
             with
             the
             Royal
             Psalmist
             say
             ,
             
               I
               will
               not
               open
               my
               mouth
               ,
               for
               thou
               didst
               it
               .
            
             To
             this
             impregnable
             Fortress
             he
             had
             his
             recourse
             ,
             when
             causlesly
             cursed
             and
             reviled
             by
             Shimei
             :
             it
             was
             this
             that
             silenced
             old
             
               Eli
               ,
               It
               is
               the
               Lord
               ,
               let
               him
               do
               what
               seemeth
               him
               good
               :
            
             he
             durst
             not
             quarrel
             at
             the
             message
             ,
             but
             quietly
             he
             submits
             .
             There
             is
             a
             secret
             providence
             which
             doth
             over-rule
             the
             most
             terrible
             accidents
             ,
             and
             is
             not
             accountable
             to
             humane
             Reason
             .
             All
             those
             calamities
             and
             sufferings
             we
             undergo
             ,
             are
             ordered
             by
             infinite
             Counsel
             ;
             and
             in
             repining
             
             at
             such
             dispensations
             ,
             we
             indirectly
             blame
             Almighty
             Goodness
             and
             Wisdome
             .
          
           
             Is
             it
             fit
             and
             congruous
             that
             God
             should
             take
             measures
             from
             men
             in
             his
             Oeconomy
             of
             the
             World
             ?
             is
             it
             reasonable
             that
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             things
             should
             be
             put
             out
             of
             order
             ,
             to
             satisfie
             every
             private
             mans
             humor
             ?
             can
             there
             be
             any
             greater
             madness
             ,
             than
             to
             prescribe
             rules
             of
             Government
             to
             infinite
             Wisdome
             ?
             Why
             then
             are
             we
             dissatisfied
             with
             our
             adverse
             state
             ?
             why
             do
             we
             repine
             and
             complain
             ?
          
           
             If
             we
             did
             indeed
             compare
             our
             Mercies
             with
             our
             Sufferings
             ,
             our
             Receipts
             with
             our
             Merits
             ,
             or
             our
             Condition
             with
             that
             of
             some
             others
             ,
             we
             could
             not
             but
             be
             convinced
             of
             our
             folly
             :
             but
             we
             still
             pore
             upon
             the
             sore
             ;
             all
             our
             thoughts
             are
             taken
             up
             and
             in
             exercise
             about
             our
             affliction
             :
             if
             we
             would
             deal
             rationally
             ,
             let
             us
             view
             the
             sufferings
             of
             our
             blessed
             Redeemer
             ,
             and
             see
             if
             we
             dare
             make
             a
             contrary
             conclusion
             to
             that
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             4.1
             .
             
               Forasmuch
               then
               as
               Christ
               hath
               suffered
               for
               us
               in
               flesh
               ,
            
             let
             us
             arm
             our
             
               selves
               likewise
               with
               the
               same
               minde
               :
            
             He
             suffered
             patiently
             and
             calmly
             for
             us
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             but
             reasonable
             that
             Servants
             imitate
             their
             Master
             ,
             and
             suffer
             the
             disasters
             they
             meet
             
             
             our
             rule
             ,
             yet
             how
             ready
             are
             we
             to
             despise
             it
             ,
             if
             in
             the
             least
             it
             cross
             our
             humours
             or
             carnal
             interest
             ?
             Alas
             !
             little
             do
             we
             consider
             ,
             that
             obedience
             is
             essentially
             necessary
             in
             order
             to
             our
             supream
             happiness
             ;
             and
             that
             torments
             ,
             as
             severe
             and
             intolerable
             as
             they
             are
             lasting
             ,
             are
             the
             lot
             of
             the
             disobedient
             .
          
           
             It
             were
             to
             be
             wished
             that
             the
             rebellious
             posterity
             of
             Adam
             would
             but
             seriously
             ponder
             what
             they
             will
             be
             able
             to
             say
             in
             the
             great
             day
             of
             Audit.
             Sure
             I
             am
             ,
             the
             whole
             Contexture
             and
             Harmony
             of
             the
             divine
             Precepts
             and
             Doctrines
             are
             equitable
             and
             just
             ,
             and
             therefore
             call
             for
             our
             hearty
             compliance
             with
             them
             .
             The
             wise
             God
             never
             issued
             out
             any
             Command
             which
             could
             not
             be
             obeyed
             ;
             he
             is
             not
             like
             the
             
               Aegyptian
               Task-masters
            
             ,
             to
             require
             
               Brick
               while
               there
               is
               no
               Straw
               .
            
             Nay
             indeed
             our
             duty
             and
             interest
             are
             coupled
             together
             so
             closely
             ,
             that
             if
             we
             disobey
             and
             rebel
             ,
             we
             may
             thank
             our selves
             for
             the
             misery
             we
             have
             chosen
             ..
          
           
             And
             as
             his
             Obedience
             is
             set
             before
             us
             for
             imitation
             ,
             so
             is
             his
             
               Love
               ,
               Charity
            
             ,
             and
             Compassion
             also
             .
             His
             whole
             life
             was
             spent
             in
             
               doing
               good
            
             to
             men
             :
             how
             transcendent
             is
             his
             love
             in
             pitying
             us
             in
             our
             degenerate
             and
             forlorn
             estate
             ?
             when
             we
             were
             at
             
             odds
             with
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             incapable
             to
             help
             our selves
             ,
             then
             ,
             even
             then
             ,
             did
             he
             commiserate
             our
             case
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             
               own
               Blood
            
             reconciled
             us
             to
             the
             Father
             .
             It
             is
             the
             greatest
             demonstration
             of
             love
             imaginable
             ,
             for
             
               a
               man
               to
               lay
               down
               his
               life
               for
               his
               friend
               ,
            
             Joh.
             15.13
             .
             and
             yet
             more
             wonderful
             was
             the
             love
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             in
             passing
             through
             so
             many
             cruel
             sufferings
             for
             us
             ,
             who
             were
             but
             Rebels
             and
             Enenemies
             .
             O
             how
             should
             the
             remembrance
             of
             his
             boundless
             compassions
             transport
             and
             ravish
             us
             with
             love
             ?
             how
             strange
             is
             it
             ,
             that
             the
             highest
             endearments
             of
             Love
             have
             not
             inflamed
             our
             spirits
             ,
             and
             made
             Love
             mutual
             and
             reciprocal
             ?
          
           
             Love
             is
             a
             most
             excellent
             affection
             ,
             of
             a
             noble
             original
             ,
             by
             which
             we
             resemble
             the
             best
             of
             beings
             ;
             the
             great
             God
             being
             by
             the
             beloved
             Disciple
             described
             to
             be
             Love
             :
             and
             indeed
             well
             does
             this
             description
             sute
             with
             his
             dealings
             with
             men
             .
             But
             alas
             !
             how
             unlike
             are
             we
             to
             God
             in
             this
             ?
             there
             is
             scarce
             any
             duty
             more
             frequently
             inculcated
             by
             our
             Saviour
             than
             Love
             ,
             John
             15.12
             .
             
               This
               is
               my
               commandment
               ,
               that
               ye
               love
               one
               another
               as
               I
               have
               loved
               you
               :
            
             and
             yet
             how
             little
             efficacy
             has
             either
             his
             precept
             or
             example
             with
             us
             ?
          
           
             Blessed
             Redeemer
             !
             how
             unworthy
             do
             
             
             since
             it
             hath
             produced
             so
             little
             love
             in
             us
             to
             himself
             .
             But
             however
             ,
             I
             need
             not
             take
             much
             pains
             to
             prove
             that
             hereby
             we
             demonstrate
             our selves
             to
             be
             of
             all
             men
             the
             most
             ungrate
             ,
             and
             justly
             liable
             to
             the
             severest
             punishment
             ever
             inflicted
             upon
             the
             greatest
             criminal
             .
          
           
             It
             would
             be
             too
             prolix
             to
             enumerate
             the
             several
             instances
             wherein
             Christ
             is
             set
             forth
             as
             our
             Pattern
             :
             sure
             I
             am
             ,
             he
             hath
             by
             his
             example
             taught
             us
             the
             exercise
             of
             all
             vertues
             ;
             and
             I
             may
             say
             (
             as
             himself
             said
             in
             another
             case
             )
             
               If
               we
               know
               these
               things
               ,
               happy
               are
               we
               if
               we
               do
               them
               .
            
          
           
             To
             sum
             up
             this
             Section
             ,
             it
             will
             not
             be
             amiss
             to
             obviate
             an
             Objection
             ,
             which
             is
             indeed
             but
             very
             trivial
             ,
             although
             it
             be
             too
             commonly
             urged
             :
             the
             Objection
             is
             ,
             
               How
               is
               it
               possible
               for
               men
               to
               conform
               to
               Christ
               ,
               and
               be
               holy
               as
               he
               is
               holy
               ?
               Ans.
            
             I
             have
             already
             told
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             expected
             that
             we
             should
             imitate
             our
             blessed
             Redeemer
             in
             all
             and
             every
             of
             those
             actions
             he
             performed
             :
             but
             in
             all
             those
             moral
             duties
             which
             he
             hath
             enjoyned
             by
             his
             righteous
             precepts
             ,
             and
             encouraged
             us
             by
             his
             example
             to
             perform
             ,
             these
             we
             must
             by
             no
             means
             neglect
             :
             and
             to
             manifest
             the
             possibility
             of
             doing
             these
             ,
             we
             may
             satisfie
             our selves
             by
             viewing
             the
             pious
             and
             devout
             lives
             of
             
             primitive
             Christians
             .
             It
             is
             a
             great
             mistake
             to
             think
             we
             are
             commanded
             to
             a
             rigorous
             and
             strict
             conversation
             which
             cannot
             be
             attained
             ;
             the
             faithful
             in
             former
             ages
             have
             run
             the
             same
             race
             that
             is
             set
             before
             us
             ;
             they
             have
             fully
             enough
             cleared
             the
             possibility
             of
             our
             duty
             :
             
               Wherefore
               seeing
               we
               also
            
             (
             as
             the
             Apostle
             argues
             )
             
               are
               compassed
               about
               with
               so
               great
               a
               cloud
               of
               witnesses
               ,
               let
               us
               lay
               aside
               every
               weight
               ,
               and
               the
               sin
               that
               doth
               so
               easily
               beset
               us
               ,
               and
               let
               us
               run
               with
               patience
               the
               race
               that
               is
               set
               before
               us
               ,
            
             Heb.
             12.1
             .
             For
             shame
             ,
             let
             us
             rather
             imitate
             the
             excellent
             holiness
             of
             primitive
             Christians
             ,
             than
             the
             impure
             practices
             of
             those
             
               who
               are
               strangers
               from
               the
               sacred
               Covenant
               .
            
          
           
             
               O
               the
            
             perfect
             love
             and
             imitable
             kindeness
             of
             the
             first
             professors
             of
             the
             Gospel
             !
             what
             purity
             ,
             what
             integrity
             and
             innocence
             appeared
             in
             their
             lives
             ?
             how
             ravishing
             and
             splendant
             were
             their
             vertues
             and
             graces
             ;
             their
             Patience
             in
             suffering
             ,
             their
             Courage
             and
             Magnanimity
             in
             death
             ,
             their
             Temperance
             and
             Moderation
             ,
             their
             Charity
             and
             Compassion
             ,
             their
             Equality
             and
             Justice
             ,
             and
             their
             Contempt
             of
             this
             World
             and
             all
             earthly
             concerns
             for
             the
             sake
             and
             honour
             of
             their
             Master
             ?
             These
             were
             the
             vertues
             they
             were
             adorned
             with
             ,
             which
          
           
           
           
             There
             is
             nothing
             more
             certain
             ,
             than
             that
             onely
             holy
             souls
             are
             in
             a
             capacity
             of
             participating
             of
             that
             future
             felicity
             ;
             and
             these
             may
             without
             the
             least
             charge
             of
             presumption
             claim
             an
             interest
             in
             it
             :
             But
             for
             those
             vitious
             wretches
             ,
             who
             are
             wholly
             polluted
             ,
             who
             have
             devoted
             themselves
             to
             commit
             sin
             with
             greediness
             ,
             and
             take
             pleasure
             in
             doing
             evil
             ;
             how
             utterly
             incapable
             are
             they
             (
             if
             they
             continue
             such
             )
             to
             dwell
             in
             his
             presence
             ,
             
               who
               is
               not
               a
               God
               that
               taketh
               pleasure
               in
               wickedness
               ?
            
          
           
             And
             now
             seeing
             there
             is
             such
             an
             inseparable
             connexion
             between
             Happiness
             and
             Holiness
             ,
             it
             cannot
             be
             amiss
             if
             we
             take
             a
             short
             view
             of
             the
             excellency
             of
             this
             coelestial
             felicity
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             more
             plainly
             appear
             what
             a
             notable
             encouragement
             and
             motive
             it
             is
             to
             holiness
             .
          
           
             There
             be
             two
             things
             that
             forcibly
             recommend
             the
             excellency
             of
             that
             future
             state
             of
             bliss
             .
             First
             ,
             A
             perfect
             freedom
             and
             immunity
             from
             all
             evils
             .
             And
             Secondly
             ,
             a
             perpetual
             enjoyment
             of
             the
             chief
             good
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             blessedness
             wholly
             exempt
             from
             evils
             whether
             of
             sense
             or
             loss
             ;
             't
             is
             a
             happiness
             attended
             with
             no
             inconveniencies
             ,
             nor
             dismal
             circumstances
             ,
             as
             the
             happiest
             state
             here
             is
             :
             we
             now
             walk
             in
             the
             
             midst
             of
             perplexing
             doubts
             and
             fears
             ;
             temptations
             increase
             our
             inquietudes
             ,
             and
             dangers
             our
             continual
             fears
             :
             our
             complaints
             are
             by
             far
             more
             numerous
             than
             our
             joys
             ;
             nay
             ,
             what
             is
             our
             whole
             life
             ,
             but
             a
             scene
             where
             sorrow
             and
             fears
             act
             their
             parts
             !
             
               Man
               that
               is
               born
               of
               a
               woman
               is
               of
               few
               days
               ,
               and
               full
               of
               evil
               .
            
          
           
             But
             our
             future
             blessedness
             quite
             excludes
             all
             those
             evils
             ;
             there
             is
             nothing
             admitted
             to
             imbitter
             that
             pleasant
             state
             ,
             Rev.
             21.4
             .
             
               And
               God
               shall
               wipe
               away
               all
               tears
               from
               their
               eyes
               ,
               and
               there
               shall
               be
               no
               more
               death
               ,
               neither
               sorrow
               ,
               nor
               crying
               ,
               neither
               shall
               there
               be
               any
               more
               pain
               ;
               for
               the
               former
               things
               are
               passed
               away
               .
            
             The
             holy
             soul
             shall
             then
             no
             more
             complain
             of
             any
             dolorous
             hours
             ;
             the
             heavenly
             Jerusalem
             is
             a
             place
             unacquainted
             with
             every
             thing
             that
             is
             uneasie
             and
             troublesome
             .
          
           
             And
             yet
             this
             is
             but
             the
             least
             part
             of
             the
             Saints
             felicity
             :
             for
             as
             they
             shall
             enjoy
             a
             perfect
             freedom
             from
             evil
             ,
             so
             shall
             they
             also
             be
             advanced
             to
             the
             fullest
             fruition
             of
             that
             God
             ,
             where
             all
             the
             streams
             of
             goodness
             do
             finally
             empty
             themselves
             :
             
               Blessed
               are
               the
               pure
               in
               spirit
               ,
               for
               they
               shall
               see
               God
               ,
            
             Matth.
             5.8
             .
             They
             shall
             see
             him
             ,
             not
             as
             now
             
               through
               a
               Glass
               darkly
            
             ,
             but
             then
             
               face
               to
               face
            
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             13.12
             .
             they
             shall
             ,
             as
             
             the
             
               Angels
               in
               heaven
               ,
               always
               behold
               the
               face
               of
               their
               Father
               ,
            
             Matth.
             18.10
             .
             in
             whose
             presence
             (
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             assures
             us
             )
             
               is
               fulness
               of
               joy
               ,
               and
               at
               whose
               right
               hand
               are
               pleasures
               for
               evermore
               ,
            
             Psal.
             16.11
             .
             O
             the
             unspeakable
             delectability
             of
             the
             Saints
             future
             state
             !
             where
             the
             most
             blessed
             God
             shines
             forth
             in
             his
             Glory
             ,
             where
             the
             beams
             of
             beauty
             ravish
             the
             beholders
             ,
             who
             stand
             continually
             in
             his
             presence
             receiving
             the
             manifestations
             of
             his
             Glory
             !
          
           
             Sure
             if
             the
             faint
             expectation
             of
             enjoying
             the
             company
             of
             vertuous
             men
             in
             their
             fancied
             Elyzium
             ,
             did
             instigate
             some
             Heathens
             to
             imitate
             their
             vertues
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             perswasive
             should
             the
             heavenly
             Jerusalem
             ,
             and
             the
             City
             of
             the
             living
             God
             be
             ?
             where
             the
             holy
             Soul
             shall
             be
             admitted
             to
             converse
             with
             an
             innumerable
             company
             of
             holy
             Angels
             ,
             and
             taken
             into
             the
             blessed
             Society
             and
             Church
             of
             the
             first-born
             ;
             where
             all
             those
             imperfections
             that
             imbitter
             our
             communion
             here
             ,
             are
             removed
             ;
             where
             the
             holy
             Soul
             shall
             see
             
               Jesus
               the
            
             blessed
             
               Mediator
               of
               the
               new
               Covenant
               ,
               Heb.
            
             12.
             who
             suffered
             so
             much
             for
             sinners
             ,
             now
             sitting
             in
             glory
             and
             majesty
             ;
             not
             crowned
             (
             as
             once
             he
             was
             )
             with
             thorns
             ,
             nor
             wearing
             a
             
               purple
               robe
            
             ;
             but
             having
             on
             
             his
             head
             the
             most
             transplendent
             Diadem
             ,
             and
             cloathed
             with
             Majesty
             and
             Beauty
             .
             Methinks
             the
             thoughts
             of
             beholding
             this
             glory
             ,
             and
             participating
             of
             so
             much
             felicity
             ,
             should
             excite
             the
             most
             lazie
             to
             follow
             Holiness
             ,
             and
             to
             walk
             worthy
             of
             him
             who
             hath
             called
             us
             to
             his
             Kingdom
             and
             glory
             .
          
           
             But
             I
             confess
             I
             am
             not
             able
             to
             express
             half
             of
             the
             glory
             of
             that
             future
             felicity
             :
             The
             blessed
             Apostle
             seems
             to
             intimate
             ,
             that
             all
             Hyperbolical
             expressions
             fall
             short
             in
             describing
             it
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             4.17
             .
             where
             he
             stiles
             it
             ,
             
               A
               far
               more
               exceeding
               and
               eternal
               weight
               of
               glory
               :
            
             and
             1
             Cor.
             2.9
             .
             he
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               Eye
               hath
               not
               seen
               ,
               nor
               ear
               heard
               ,
               neither
               hath
               it
               entred
               into
               the
               heart
               of
               man
               to
               conceive
               what
               God
               hath
               pepared
               for
               those
               that
               love
               him
               .
            
             For
             although
             we
             may
             be
             assured
             that
             the
             reward
             is
             of
             infinite
             value
             ,
             and
             that
             
               the
               righteous
               shall
               shine
               forth
               as
               the
               sun
               in
               the
               kingdom
               of
               their
               Father
               :
            
             yet
             the
             most
             glorious
             part
             is
             hid
             from
             the
             eyes
             of
             viators
             ;
             't
             is
             onely
             those
             who
             taste
             the
             Honey-comb
             that
             can
             best
             discover
             its
             sweetness
             .
          
           
             And
             yet
             it
             is
             prodigiously
             strange
             that
             the
             imperfect
             glance
             of
             future
             Glory
             that
             men
             may
             here
             behold
             ,
             is
             so
             ineffectual
             to
             form
             them
             to
             Holiness
             ;
             that
             men
             who
             
             know
             they
             may
             be
             for
             ever
             happy
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             study
             and
             endeavour
             to
             be
             holy
             in
             all
             manner
             of
             conversation
             ,
             yet
             live
             as
             if
             they
             thought
             such
             a
             happy
             state
             not
             worthy
             to
             be
             noticed
             .
          
           
             
               I
               confess
            
             ,
             if
             the
             faithful
             and
             true
             God
             had
             not
             promised
             this
             state
             of
             blessedness
             ,
             and
             discovered
             by
             revelation
             the
             truth
             and
             reality
             of
             it
             ,
             we
             could
             never
             have
             dreamed
             of
             partaking
             of
             so
             much
             happiness
             .
             The
             Heathen
             world
             could
             never
             be
             ascertained
             (
             by
             Natures
             dim
             light
             )
             that
             the
             Soul
             is
             beyond
             all
             doubt
             immortal
             ,
             and
             that
             there
             is
             a
             future
             state
             of
             rewards
             and
             punishments
             .
             The
             wisest
             of
             their
             Philosophers
             ,
             by
             their
             most
             laborious
             search
             ,
             were
             exceedingly
             confused
             in
             their
             thoughts
             about
             it
             ,
             and
             could
             at
             the
             most
             onely
             entertain
             some
             probable
             guesses
             and
             conjectures
             ,
             founded
             upon
             moral
             arguments
             ,
             which
             could
             never
             perfectly
             conquer
             their
             doubts
             :
             They
             did
             indeed
             think
             it
             was
             very
             reasonable
             to
             believe
             that
             God
             (
             who
             is
             holy
             ,
             just
             ,
             and
             good
             )
             would
             in
             another
             life
             (
             since
             he
             did
             it
             not
             in
             this
             )
             reward
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             punish
             the
             bad
             ;
             but
             they
             could
             not
             be
             ,
             beyond
             all
             doubt
             ,
             ascertained
             that
             it
             would
             be
             so
             .
             The
             most
             celebrated
             Socrates
             ,
             who
             parted
             with
             this
             life
             in
             expectation
             of
             a
             better
             ,
             plainly
             told
             
             his
             Friends
             ,
             it
             was
             God
             onely
             who
             knew
             whether
             there
             were
             a
             future
             felicity
             or
             not
             ;
             much
             less
             could
             either
             he
             or
             any
             other
             ,
             without
             revelation
             ,
             discover
             the
             nature
             and
             quality
             of
             the
             blessedness
             of
             that
             future
             state
             .
             And
             indeed
             ,
             although
             they
             entertained
             some
             imperfect
             notions
             of
             a
             future
             life
             of
             bliss
             for
             the
             Soul
             ,
             yet
             they
             never
             thought
             of
             the
             resurrection
             of
             the
             Body
             :
             although
             't
             is
             true
             ,
             the
             felicity
             they
             formed
             ,
             was
             more
             congruous
             by
             far
             to
             satisfie
             sensual
             appetites
             than
             rational
             Soule
             :
             the
             Poets
             Elyzium
             being
             much
             of
             the
             same
             nature
             with
             the
             
               Mahometan
               Paradise
            
             ,
             exactly
             accommodated
             to
             their
             flesh
             and
             senses
             .
          
           
             In
             these
             thick
             clouds
             of
             darkness
             and
             ignorance
             did
             the
             wisest
             of
             the
             Heathens
             walk
             :
             Exceedingly
             perplexed
             they
             were
             what
             to
             think
             ,
             their
             doubts
             being
             greater
             than
             their
             hopes
             .
             But
             the
             arising
             of
             the
             
               Sunshine
               of
               Righteousness
            
             hath
             wholly
             dispelled
             all
             that
             darkness
             ;
             the
             Gospel
             hath
             
               brought
               life
               and
               immortality
               to
               light
               ,
            
             2
             Tim.
             1.10
             .
             and
             hath
             undoubtedly
             assured
             us
             that
             there
             is
             a
             reward
             for
             the
             Righteous
             ,
             and
             that
             Holiness
             shall
             be
             crowned
             with
             Happiness
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             3.
             
             Holiness
             the
             onely
             safe
             way
             to
             escape
             the
             wrath
             to
             come
             .
          
           
             Fear
             is
             a
             passion
             so
             extreamly
             violent
             ,
             and
             repugnant
             to
             Humane
             nature
             ,
             that
             nothing
             imaginable
             is
             of
             more
             force
             to
             conquer
             the
             unruly
             wills
             of
             men
             to
             duty
             .
             Hence
             is
             it
             ,
             that
             even
             humane
             Laws
             are
             much
             more
             secured
             by
             punishments
             than
             rewards
             :
             Therefore
             if
             the
             promise
             of
             Heaven
             be
             not
             forcible
             enough
             to
             work
             upon
             our
             rebellious
             Wills
             ,
             we
             have
             a
             Map
             of
             eternal
             and
             intolerable
             torments
             to
             excite
             our
             fear
             ,
             and
             to
             affright
             us
             from
             the
             commission
             of
             those
             sins
             
               that
               lead
               down
               to
               the
               chambers
               of
               death
            
             ;
             and
             that
             drawn
             so
             exactly
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             the
             greatest
             miracle
             ,
             that
             men
             will
             notwithstanding
             slight
             Holiness
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             onely
             means
             to
             evite
             these
             lasting
             tortures
             .
          
           
             In
             sacred
             Writ
             ,
             the
             torments
             of
             the
             damned
             are
             represented
             by
             such
             terrifying
             expressions
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             a
             wonder
             they
             impress
             not
             a
             fear
             and
             terrour
             upon
             the
             most
             daring
             sinner
             .
             The
             Apostle
             St.
             Jude
             describing
             Hell
             ,
             calls
             it
             ,
             
               The
               vengeance
               of
               eternal
               fire
            
             ,
             and
             
               the
               blackness
               of
               darkness
               for
               ever
               ,
            
             Jude
             7
             ,
             13.
             
             And
             the
             Apostle
             
             St.
             John
             calls
             it
             ,
             
               A
               lake
               of
               fire
               and
               brimstone
               ,
            
             Rev.
             20.10
             ,
             15.
             
             Our
             Saviour
             more
             emphatically
             describes
             it
             to
             be
             
               A
               fire
               that
               can
               never
               be
               quenched
               ,
               and
               where
               the
               worm
               dieth
               not
               ,
            
             Mark
             9.46
             .
             All
             which
             phrases
             do
             most
             significantly
             express
             the
             severity
             and
             intolerableness
             of
             the
             torments
             :
             for
             what
             punishment
             is
             so
             terrible
             as
             that
             of
             Fire
             ?
             and
             how
             unspeakably
             does
             it
             inhance
             the
             misery
             ,
             in
             that
             it
             is
             eternal
             ?
             and
             that
             too
             ,
             as
             inflicted
             by
             an
             offended
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             executing
             his
             vengeance
             upon
             sinners
             .
          
           
             Would
             God
             sinners
             would
             seriously
             consider
             whether
             they
             are
             able
             to
             endure
             the
             eternal
             pains
             of
             a
             gnawing
             Conscience
             ?
             or
             can
             patiently
             dwell
             with
             devouring
             Flames
             ?
             Whether
             the
             momentary
             pleasures
             of
             sin
             ,
             are
             to
             be
             balanced
             with
             those
             furious
             reflections
             ,
             those
             horrid
             stings
             and
             intolerable
             tortures
             the
             damned
             suffer
             day
             and
             night
             ,
             where
             nothing
             of
             life
             remains
             but
             the
             sense
             of
             pain
             ?
             Alas
             !
             will
             no
             argument
             prevail
             with
             men
             ?
             how
             amazing
             is
             it
             to
             think
             that
             the
             everlasting
             God
             has
             used
             all
             the
             methods
             of
             love
             to
             excite
             men
             to
             Holiness
             ,
             and
             to
             reclaim
             them
             from
             sin
             ,
             and
             all
             to
             no
             purpose
             ?
             May
             I
             not
             well
             say
             to
             such
             men
             ,
             as
             St.
             Paul
             said
             to
             the
             
               Galatians
               ,
               Vnwise
               sinners
               ,
               who
               hath
               bewitched
               you
               ?
            
          
           
           
           
             they
             endure
             ,
             we
             may
             also
             adde
             that
             celestial
             felicity
             they
             are
             for
             ever
             excluded
             from
             .
             How
             tormenting
             will
             it
             be
             to
             think
             of
             an
             everlasting
             separation
             from
             the
             divine
             Presence
             ,
             and
             instead
             of
             a
             holy
             Society
             ,
             to
             keep
             a
             continual
             correspondency
             with
             impure
             Spirits
             ?
          
           
             Would
             God
             that
             this
             brief
             discovery
             of
             the
             powers
             of
             the
             world
             to
             come
             ,
             might
             prevail
             with
             men
             to
             be
             holy
             in
             all
             manner
             of
             conversation
             .
          
           
             But
             methinks
             I
             hear
             the
             over-zealous
             Professor
             too
             ignorantly
             objecting
             ▪
             that
             it
             is
             servile
             ,
             mercenary
             ,
             and
             legal
             ,
             to
             be
             holy
             for
             love
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             or
             fear
             of
             Hell.
             Truely
             if
             it
             were
             so
             as
             these
             men
             teach
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             what
             can
             be
             the
             intent
             and
             designe
             of
             all
             the
             promises
             and
             threatnings
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             And
             although
             I
             question
             not
             but
             it
             is
             a
             generous
             and
             Christian
             principle
             ,
             to
             serve
             God
             out
             of
             pure
             love
             ;
             yet
             I
             can
             never
             be
             induced
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             to
             be
             holy
             for
             love
             of
             Heaven
             and
             fear
             of
             Hell
             ,
             can
             be
             separate
             from
             that
             principle
             of
             love
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             God
             knows
             how
             much
             in
             need
             men
             stand
             ,
             both
             of
             arguments
             to
             work
             upon
             their
             hope
             and
             fear
             ,
             to
             excite
             them
             to
             duty
             .
             And
             since
             he
             who
             knows
             our
             natures
             ,
             has
             used
             promises
             to
             allure
             us
             ,
             and
             
             threatnings
             to
             awaken
             us
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             pretend
             to
             be
             wiser
             than
             God
             ,
             and
             reject
             those
             motives
             he
             has
             thought
             fit
             to
             prescribe
             :
             and
             indeed
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             not
             for
             the
             fear
             of
             evil
             ,
             and
             the
             hope
             of
             good
             ,
             't
             is
             to
             be
             feared
             ,
             the
             pressing
             of
             other
             motives
             should
             be
             but
             a
             mere
             beating
             of
             the
             Air.
             
          
           
             But
             that
             this
             is
             not
             servile
             and
             mercenary
             ,
             needs
             no
             other
             argument
             to
             prove
             it
             ,
             but
             our
             Saviour's
             enduring
             the
             Cross
             ,
             and
             despising
             the
             Shame
             ,
             
               for
               the
               joy
               that
               was
               set
               before
               him
            
             ;
             a
             Scripture
             sufficient
             enough
             to
             stop
             the
             mouths
             of
             all
             opponents
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             4.
             
             Holiness
             the
             main
             designe
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             the
             end
             of
             all
             Christs
             sufferings
             .
          
           
             Subjects
             who
             know
             the
             intent
             and
             designe
             of
             those
             Laws
             issued
             forth
             by
             their
             Prince
             ,
             will
             be
             loath
             to
             contemn
             his
             Authority
             ,
             especially
             when
             the
             whole
             intent
             of
             these
             is
             to
             make
             them
             by
             their
             obedience
             the
             more
             happy
             ;
             and
             sure
             't
             is
             the
             most
             unaccountable
             thing
             that
             can
             be
             ,
             if
             they
             notwithstanding
             despise
             his
             Laws
             ,
             and
             quite
             counter-act
             his
             designe
             .
          
           
             Now
             the
             main
             designe
             of
             the
             Christian
             
             
             help
             himself
             ,
             our
             blessed
             Lord
             redeemed
             us
             from
             our
             captivity
             ,
             by
             offering
             up
             himself
             a
             ransom
             to
             satisfie
             divine
             Justice
             ;
             and
             all
             this
             ,
             that
             we
             might
             walk
             in
             newness
             of
             life
             .
             And
             now
             what
             ingratitude
             is
             it
             to
             despise
             so
             much
             love
             ?
             Sure
             ,
             
               If
               he
               that
               despised
               Moses
               law
               died
               without
               mercy
               ,
               of
               how
               much
               sorer
               punishment
               shall
               he
               be
               thought
               worthy
               ,
               who
               hath
               trodden
               under
               foot
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               hath
               counted
               the
               Bloud
               of
               the
               Covenant
               wherewith
               he
               was
               sanctified
               an
               unholy
               thing
               ?
            
             Heb.
             10.28
             ,
             29.
             
          
           
             He
             must
             certainly
             be
             of
             a
             very
             base
             and
             disingenuous
             spirit
             ,
             who
             takes
             pleasure
             in
             sin
             ,
             when
             he
             considers
             how
             dearly
             Christ
             paid
             for
             it
             .
             Hath
             he
             been
             at
             so
             much
             pains
             ,
             undergone
             such
             dismal
             sufferings
             to
             purchase
             our
             peace
             ,
             and
             will
             we
             notwithstanding
             frustrate
             his
             designe
             ?
             how
             strange
             to
             astonishment
             is
             this
             ,
             that
             men
             should
             prefer
             captivity
             to
             freedom
             ?
          
           
             Alas
             !
             is
             it
             not
             enough
             that
             our
             blessed
             Master
             was
             so
             barbarously
             and
             despitefully
             used
             by
             the
             Jews
             and
             Roman
             Souldiers
             ,
             but
             must
             we
             be
             also
             Actors
             in
             the
             Tragedy
             ,
             and
             by
             our
             sins
             crucifie
             him
             again
             ?
          
           
             Did
             he
             not
             die
             that
             we
             might
             live
             ?
             and
             shall
             we
             spend
             our
             life
             in
             offering
             
             despite
             unto
             him
             ?
             Strange
             ,
             that
             so
             much
             madness
             should
             lodge
             in
             the
             breasts
             of
             any
             into
             whom
             God
             hath
             breathed
             the
             breath
             of
             life
             !
          
           
             
               I
               might
            
             here
             also
             adde
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             a
             contemning
             ,
             and
             offering
             of
             the
             greatest
             despite
             to
             the
             
               Holy
               Spirit
            
             ,
             to
             despise
             Holiness
             :
             for
             upon
             this
             account
             is
             the
             third
             person
             of
             the
             blessed
             Trinity
             called
             
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
            
             ,
             because
             his
             peculiar
             office
             is
             to
             enable
             us
             to
             perform
             holy
             actions
             :
             now
             if
             we
             continue
             in
             our
             rebellion
             ,
             if
             we
             reject
             the
             offers
             of
             grace
             ,
             and
             the
             internal
             motions
             of
             the
             Spirit
             to
             Holiness
             ,
             we
             do
             hereby
             become
             guilty
             of
             quenching
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             offering
             despite
             unto
             him
             ;
             which
             is
             so
             horrid
             a
             piece
             of
             villany
             ,
             that
             Heaven
             threatens
             it
             with
             the
             severest
             torments
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             5.
             
             Holiness
             the
             most
             proper
             and
             effectual
             means
             for
             attaining
             length
             of
             days
             .
          
           
             Of
             all
             outward
             and
             temporal
             blessings
             ,
             
               length
               of
               days
            
             hath
             justly
             the
             precedency
             ,
             since
             without
             this
             all
             others
             can
             afford
             little
             or
             no
             comfort
             :
             The
             possession
             and
             enjoyment
             of
             other
             mercies
             ,
             can
             bestow
             no
             satisfaction
             to
             men
             lying
             on
             their
             beds
             
             
             Prov.
             23.29
             ,
             30.
             
             
               Who
               hath
               woe
               ?
               who
               hath
               sorrow
               ?
               who
               hath
               wounds
               without
               cause
               ?
               they
               that
               tarry
               long
               at
               the
               wine
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Holiness
             is
             repugnant
             and
             inconsistent
             with
             excess
             ,
             which
             naturally
             puts
             a
             period
             to
             the
             lives
             of
             men
             :
             It
             forbids
             all
             manner
             of
             vice
             ,
             which
             
               leads
               down
               to
               the
               chambers
               of
               death
            
             ;
             and
             keeps
             men
             within
             due
             bounds
             in
             their
             eating
             and
             drinking
             .
          
           
             Before
             mankinde
             had
             corrupted
             themselves
             by
             their
             notorious
             and
             impudent
             vitiousness
             ,
             we
             read
             of
             their
             great
             length
             of
             days
             ;
             but
             the
             increase
             of
             sin
             multiplied
             diseases
             ,
             which
             hurry
             men
             to
             untimely
             deaths
             .
          
           
             
               I
               deny
            
             not
             but
             the
             great
             Lord
             and
             Master
             of
             the
             Universe
             may
             ,
             for
             holy
             and
             wise
             ends
             known
             unto
             himself
             ,
             cut
             short
             the
             lives
             of
             the
             righteous
             ;
             yet
             surely
             if
             we
             consult
             either
             Experience
             or
             Reason
             ,
             we
             shall
             finde
             it
             certain
             beyond
             doubt
             ,
             that
             vertuous
             men
             enjoy
             ,
             for
             ordinary
             ,
             far
             the
             longest
             lives
             .
          
           
             Some
             good
             men
             may
             be
             naturally
             of
             a
             brittle
             constitution
             ,
             yet
             how
             strangely
             has
             their
             life
             been
             protracted
             by
             their
             moderation
             and
             sobriety
             ?
             and
             how
             many
             strong
             men
             have
             had
             their
             days
             shortened
             by
             their
             intemperance
             and
             excess
             ?
          
           
           
             Indeed
             ,
             he
             that
             considers
             this
             well
             ,
             shall
             finde
             ,
             that
             Holiness
             is
             the
             most
             effectual
             means
             to
             promote
             long
             life
             ,
             both
             upon
             a
             moral
             and
             natural
             account
             .
             Upon
             a
             moral
             account
             ,
             long
             life
             is
             the
             reward
             which
             the
             divine
             promises
             do
             secure
             to
             such
             men
             ;
             and
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             wickedness
             is
             threatned
             with
             shortness
             of
             days
             .
             Upon
             a
             natural
             account
             ,
             the
             fire
             doth
             not
             more
             naturally
             produce
             heat
             ,
             than
             Holiness
             does
             procure
             health
             and
             length
             of
             days
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             evident
             ,
             than
             that
             the
             most
             of
             vices
             have
             a
             physical
             efficacy
             in
             the
             shortening
             of
             humane
             life
             .
             That
             this
             is
             the
             necessary
             product
             and
             genuine
             effect
             of
             intemperance
             and
             lasciviousness
             ,
             needs
             no
             other
             argument
             to
             prove
             it
             ,
             but
             the
             daily
             examples
             of
             multitudes
             ,
             whom
             those
             sins
             have
             hurried
             to
             their
             graves
             .
             And
             truely
             there
             is
             not
             any
             vice
             which
             does
             not
             like
             fire
             in
             mens
             bosoms
             torture
             and
             consume
             them
             ;
             and
             so
             disorders
             and
             discomposes
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             even
             neglect
             the
             necessary
             means
             of
             their
             health
             .
             See
             
               Period
               of
               Humane
               life
            
             ,
             pag.
             111
             ,
             124.
             
             Edit
             .
             2.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             6.
             
             Holiness
             that
             which
             makes
             men
             honourable
             ;
             vice
             rendering
             men
             mean
             and
             ignoble
             .
          
           
             Honour
             is
             an
             ornament
             so
             noble
             and
             venerable
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             but
             very
             sottish
             ,
             if
             not
             quite
             bruitish
             ,
             who
             doth
             not
             court
             and
             caress
             it
             .
             Upon
             this
             account
             it
             is
             nothing
             strange
             ,
             that
             ancient
             Philosophers
             ,
             who
             wanted
             the
             assistance
             of
             revelation
             ,
             placed
             mans
             happiness
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             How
             many
             brave
             and
             gallant
             actions
             have
             been
             performed
             ,
             which
             if
             they
             had
             wanted
             the
             bait
             of
             Honour
             had
             never
             been
             attempted
             !
             Gallant
             souls
             ,
             who
             despise
             all
             other
             rewards
             ,
             have
             been
             hereby
             excited
             to
             undergo
             the
             greatest
             dangers
             .
          
           
             Now
             ,
             since
             honour
             is
             so
             highly
             esteemed
             ,
             especially
             by
             those
             who
             pretend
             to
             generositie
             ;
             I
             shall
             ,
             to
             encourage
             such
             to
             befriend
             Holiness
             ,
             endeavour
             to
             prove
             ,
             that
             the
             most
             effectual
             means
             to
             procure
             Honour
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             in
             esteem
             both
             with
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             is
             
               to
               live
            
             (
             as
             the
             Apostle
             adviseth
             men
             )
             
               soberly
               ,
               righteoously
               ,
               and
               godly
               .
            
          
           
             Onely
             before
             I
             proceed
             to
             prove
             this
             ,
             I
             shall
             premise
             one
             Caution
             ,
             namely
             ,
             that
             
             by
             Honour
             I
             do
             not
             chiefly
             understand
             one
             dignified
             with
             any
             extrinsecal
             honour
             arising
             either
             from
             his
             Birth
             or
             Office
             ;
             though
             both
             these
             are
             to
             be
             highly
             esteemed
             ,
             and
             must
             not
             be
             denied
             that
             external
             respect
             due
             unto
             them
             :
             but
             by
             Honour
             I
             understand
             that
             esteem
             and
             reputation
             that
             the
             best
             and
             wisest
             men
             do
             give
             to
             any
             whose
             Moral
             honour
             is
             conspicuous
             ;
             and
             under
             this
             notion
             the
             Stoick-Moralists
             hath
             very
             well
             expressed
             it
             ,
             
               Nobilitas
               sola
               est
               atque
               unica
               virtus
               .
            
             which
             upon
             the
             matter
             disagrees
             not
             much
             from
             that
             sacred
             position
             of
             the
             Wise
             man
             ,
             Prov.
             22.1
             
               A
               good
               name
               is
               rather
               to
               be
               chosen
               than
               great
               riches
               .
            
          
           
             Having
             premised
             this
             ,
             I
             come
             now
             to
             prove
             that
             Holiness
             is
             the
             path-way
             to
             Honour
             .
             And
             indeed
             ,
             this
             is
             so
             plainly
             asserted
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             needless
             to
             insist
             .
             The
             God
             of
             Heaven
             hath
             assured
             us
             ,
             that
             those
             that
             
               Honour
               him
               ,
               he
               will
               honour
               ;
               and
               those
               that
               despise
               him
               shall
               be
               lightly
               esteemed
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             2.30
             .
             Much
             like
             to
             this
             ,
             is
             that
             inducement
             to
             Holiness
             urged
             by
             our
             Lord
             Christ
             ,
             Joh.
             12.26
             .
             
               If
               any
               man
               serve
               me
               ,
               him
               will
               my
               Father
               honour
               .
            
             Now
             men
             cannot
             honour
             God
             
             more
             ,
             than
             by
             being
             holy
             :
             for
             the
             word
             is
             comprehensive
             ,
             and
             includes
             all
             those
             duties
             that
             God
             hath
             enjoyned
             ;
             but
             every
             vice
             is
             a
             despising
             of
             his
             sacred
             Authority
             .
             If
             then
             holy
             men
             are
             those
             onely
             whom
             God
             will
             honour
             ,
             and
             vitious
             men
             those
             whom
             he
             will
             contemn
             ,
             we
             may
             easily
             conclude
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             honourable
             ,
             and
             who
             are
             the
             base
             and
             ignoble
             .
             Sure
             those
             men
             must
             be
             honourable
             ,
             whom
             the
             Fountain
             of
             Honour
             esteems
             such
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             upon
             this
             account
             that
             the
             Saints
             are
             called
             (
             in
             Scripture
             )
             
               the
               excellent
               of
               the
               earth
            
             ,
             and
             
               the
               worthies
               of
               the
               world
            
             ,
             (
             how
             meanly
             soever
             men
             esteem
             them
             )
             
               of
               whom
               the
               world
               is
               not
               worthy
               :
            
             And
             the
             righteous
             is
             said
             to
             be
             
               more
               excellent
               than
               his
               neighbour
            
             .
             And
             indeed
             ,
             Holiness
             doth
             not
             onely
             promote
             the
             honour
             and
             esteem
             of
             private
             persons
             ,
             but
             of
             publick
             Communities
             and
             Kingdoms
             also
             ,
             Prov.
             14.34
             .
             
               Righteousness
               exalteth
               a
               nation
               ;
               but
               sin
               is
               a
               reproach
               to
               any
               people
               .
            
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             truth
             which
             the
             wisest
             of
             the
             Heathens
             ,
             who
             yet
             wanted
             Revelation
             ,
             constantly
             taught
             ,
             namely
             ,
             That
             
               Honour
               is
               the
               reward
               of
               vertue
               .
            
             Hence
             the
             large
             Lectures
             they
             have
             written
             in
             the
             commendation
             thereof
             :
             it
             would
             be
             too
             
             tedious
             to
             transcribe
             even
             the
             Elogies
             that
             they
             have
             written
             in
             the
             praise
             of
             Vertue
             ;
             and
             indeed
             it
             is
             well
             worthy
             of
             our
             observation
             ,
             that
             as
             they
             have
             illustrated
             Vertue
             by
             their
             large
             Encomiums
             of
             it
             ,
             so
             Vertue
             (
             which
             they
             courted
             )
             hath
             made
             them
             venerable
             to
             posterity
             ,
             and
             transmitted
             to
             us
             their
             memories
             under
             the
             most
             amiable
             Encomiums
             imaginable
             :
             And
             however
             their
             birth
             was
             but
             mean
             and
             almost
             regardless
             ,
             yet
             their
             vertues
             have
             made
             them
             more
             famous
             than
             Princes
             and
             Emperours
             .
             The
             vertues
             of
             
               Aristides
               ,
               Socrates
               ,
               Seneca
               ,
               Marcus
               Regulus
               ,
            
             and
             many
             others
             ,
             have
             made
             their
             renown
             glorious
             ;
             whileas
             many
             Emperours
             and
             great
             men
             have
             had
             their
             names
             buried
             in
             silence
             .
          
           
             Let
             a
             man
             be
             as
             rich
             as
             ever
             any
             of
             
             Adam's
             posterity
             was
             ,
             or
             (
             that
             I
             may
             extend
             it
             farther
             )
             as
             high
             as
             his
             ambitious
             thoughts
             can
             wish
             ;
             let
             him
             be
             wise
             as
             Solomon
             ,
             and
             endued
             with
             all
             other
             perfections
             and
             advantages
             ;
             yet
             if
             he
             want
             vertue
             ,
             how
             insipid
             will
             his
             Name
             be
             to
             posterity
             ?
             It
             is
             Vertue
             alone
             that
             conduceth
             to
             fame
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             some
             wicked
             men
             (
             called
             in
             Scripture
             vile
             ,
             notwithstanding
             their
             authority
             )
             have
             been
             set
             in
             high
             places
             ,
             and
             honoured
             for
             fear
             ,
             
             when
             alive
             ;
             yet
             they
             never
             received
             that
             honour
             which
             hath
             in
             all
             ages
             accompanied
             the
             Righteous
             .
             They
             have
             had
             the
             external
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             indeed
             due
             to
             men
             by
             vertue
             of
             their
             Descent
             or
             Office
             )
             but
             wanted
             that
             internal
             reverence
             and
             honour
             which
             is
             onely
             due
             to
             good
             men
             :
             and
             I
             doubt
             not
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             incongruous
             and
             unsuitable
             ,
             than
             to
             see
             Honour
             given
             to
             such
             men
             .
             
               As
               snow
               in
               summer
               ,
               and
               as
               rain
               in
               harvest
               ;
               so
               honour
               is
               not
               seemly
               for
               a
               fool
               ,
            
             Prov.
             26.1
             .
          
           
             Vice
             is
             in
             the
             judgement
             of
             all
             considering
             men
             so
             mean
             and
             base
             ,
             that
             it
             casts
             a
             stain
             and
             reproach
             upon
             men
             ;
             makes
             their
             names
             unsavory
             ,
             and
             stink
             in
             the
             nostrils
             of
             after-ages
             :
             but
             Holiness
             forces
             a
             veneration
             from
             men
             ,
             and
             makes
             posterity
             raise
             Elogies
             in
             their
             memory
             ;
             
               but
               the
               memory
               of
               the
               wicked
               shall
               be
               forgotten
               .
            
          
           
             Virtue
             was
             that
             alone
             whereby
             many
             Kingdoms
             and
             Empires
             have
             been
             raised
             ;
             was
             that
             which
             made
             them
             so
             flourishing
             and
             potent
             ,
             and
             prevailed
             more
             to
             their
             establishment
             and
             advancement
             ,
             than
             Strength
             or
             Policy
             .
             Thus
             it
             was
             with
             the
             old
             Romans
             ,
             (
             for
             their
             vertues
             are
             a
             shame
             to
             the
             present
             state
             of
             that
             Empire
             )
             
             their
             Clemencie
             and
             Justice
             conquered
             Kingdoms
             ,
             and
             made
             Rome
             renowned
             and
             glorious
             beyond
             all
             other
             Kingdoms
             and
             Commonwealths
             :
             and
             as
             Vertue
             hath
             raised
             Kingdoms
             ,
             so
             hath
             it
             also
             particular
             Persons
             ;
             whileas
             Vice
             hath
             cast
             Emperours
             from
             their
             Thrones
             ,
             and
             made
             them
             as
             unfortunate
             as
             they
             were
             wicked
             .
          
           
             Many
             of
             the
             primitive
             Martyrs
             ,
             who
             were
             renowned
             by
             Kingdoms
             and
             Commonwealths
             (
             who
             keep
             Festivals
             in
             honour
             of
             their
             memories
             )
             were
             but
             of
             an
             inferiour
             degree
             ,
             and
             had
             nothing
             to
             recommend
             them
             to
             posterity
             but
             their
             Holiness
             and
             Sanctity
             ;
             and
             indeed
             ,
             any
             man
             that
             consults
             Reason
             ,
             will
             easily
             finde
             himself
             constrained
             to
             reverence
             and
             esteem
             vertuous
             men
             .
          
           
             'T
             is
             a
             wonder
             that
             any
             man
             who
             pretends
             to
             generosity
             should
             be
             vitious
             ,
             there
             being
             nothing
             so
             mean
             and
             base
             as
             Vice
             ,
             which
             like
             to
             cowards
             always
             lurketh
             ,
             and
             dares
             not
             approach
             the
             light
             .
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             this
             present
             age
             hath
             arrived
             at
             as
             high
             a
             confidence
             in
             proclaiming
             their
             sins
             as
             Sodom
             ,
             as
             ever
             any
             former
             age
             acquired
             ;
             and
             it
             may
             (
             to
             the
             reproach
             of
             it
             )
             be
             said
             ,
             as
             ever
             any
             is
             like
             to
             reach
             to
             :
             yet
             till
             men
             cast
             quite
             
             off
             humanity
             ,
             it
             cannot
             be
             expected
             that
             Vice
             shall
             have
             Advocates
             to
             plead
             in
             its
             defence
             .
             'T
             is
             a
             noble
             saying
             of
             the
             great
             Moralist
             
               Seneca
               ;
               Licet
               Deus
               nesciret
               nec
               homo
               puniret
               peccatum
               ,
               non
               tamen
               peccarem
               ob
               peccati
               vilitatem
               .
            
          
           
             'T
             is
             no
             wonder
             then
             though
             Vice
             appear
             (
             as
             the
             Devil
             in
             
             Samuel's
             mantle
             )
             under
             the
             cloak
             of
             Vertue
             ;
             though
             Lust
             mask
             it self
             with
             the
             pretence
             of
             Love
             ,
             and
             Cruelty
             of
             Zeal
             :
             but
             by
             this
             means
             it
             proclaims
             its
             timorousness
             ,
             not
             daring
             to
             own
             publickly
             what
             it
             really
             is
             .
          
           
             It
             were
             a
             large
             field
             ,
             to
             descend
             to
             the
             consideration
             of
             every
             particular
             vertue
             and
             vice
             ,
             and
             shew
             that
             there
             is
             not
             any
             vertue
             but
             tends
             to
             the
             advancement
             of
             a
             mans
             honour
             and
             fame
             ,
             and
             no
             vice
             which
             is
             not
             ungentile
             ,
             mean
             ,
             and
             base
             :
             But
             the
             brevity
             I
             have
             designed
             will
             not
             allow
             me
             to
             enlarge
             ;
             onely
             in
             brief
             I
             shall
             demonstrate
             the
             truth
             of
             this
             by
             some
             few
             Instances
             .
          
           
             Justice
             is
             so
             gallant
             a
             vertue
             ,
             that
             it
             advanced
             the
             renown
             of
             those
             whom
             it
             adorned
             ,
             beyond
             what
             riches
             or
             preferment
             could
             ever
             bestow
             .
             The
             Romans
             were
             more
             famous
             ,
             and
             (
             where
             they
             were
             Enemies
             )
             more
             formidable
             for
             their
             Justice
             than
             their
             Power
             :
             it
             was
             this
             vertue
             
             which
             in
             a
             peculiar
             manner
             made
             Scepters
             and
             Kingdoms
             submit
             to
             their
             Government
             .
             But
             Injustice
             is
             so
             base
             and
             contemptible
             a
             vice
             ,
             that
             it
             hath
             made
             those
             who
             are
             captivated
             by
             it
             ,
             despised
             as
             the
             unworthiest
             of
             men
             ,
             not
             deserving
             to
             be
             taken
             into
             friendship
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             excluded
             from
             humane
             Societies
             .
             How
             unsavory
             hath
             the
             name
             of
             unjust
             Judges
             been
             to
             posterity
             ,
             while
             every
             one
             is
             ready
             to
             strew
             some
             Elogies
             in
             honour
             of
             the
             just
             !
          
           
             To
             this
             I
             may
             annex
             
               Constancy
               in
               friendship
            
             ,
             as
             a
             vertue
             as
             noble
             as
             amiable
             :
             For
             who
             will
             not
             admire
             and
             celebrate
             the
             man
             who
             remains
             fixt
             to
             his
             friend
             ,
             whatever
             alterations
             or
             changes
             there
             may
             be
             in
             his
             condition
             ?
             And
             sure
             whosoever
             fails
             in
             his
             friendship
             ,
             lays
             himself
             open
             to
             the
             most
             merciless
             condition
             ,
             and
             needs
             expect
             to
             be
             left
             to
             befriend
             himself
             when
             the
             wheel
             of
             Providence
             laies
             him
             below
             those
             he
             thought
             unworthy
             of
             his
             favour
             .
          
           
             Of
             all
             vertues
             ,
             Liberality
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             and
             Compassion
             are
             so
             noble
             ,
             that
             common
             speech
             adapts
             this
             Elogie
             to
             them
             by
             way
             of
             emphasis
             ;
             and
             indeed
             ,
             I
             think
             I
             need
             not
             say
             much
             to
             raise
             an
             estimate
             of
             these
             :
             for
             no
             man
             can
             be
             so
             base
             as
             to
             despise
             
             those
             who
             bestow
             favours
             upon
             him
             .
             Sure
             there
             is
             no
             vertue
             that
             makes
             men
             more
             famous
             ,
             that
             wins
             the
             hearts
             and
             affections
             of
             people
             more
             ,
             than
             Liberality
             :
             but
             Avarice
             is
             ungentile
             and
             sordid
             ;
             and
             so
             odious
             a
             vice
             ,
             that
             it
             ever
             lessens
             all
             other
             vertues
             ,
             and
             makes
             those
             it
             possesses
             the
             most
             hateful
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             Charity
             is
             an
             obliging
             vertue
             ;
             and
             as
             it
             hath
             its
             original
             from
             ,
             so
             doth
             it
             also
             necessarily
             produce
             Love
             ,
             and
             esteem
             too
             :
             he
             who
             prefers
             the
             necessities
             of
             others
             before
             his
             own
             superfluities
             ,
             and
             who
             does
             supply
             the
             wants
             of
             others
             ,
             does
             so
             chear
             the
             languishing
             hearts
             of
             the
             needy
             ,
             that
             nothing
             can
             be
             more
             generous
             ,
             nor
             generally
             meets
             with
             a
             greater
             recompence
             of
             honour
             and
             esteem
             .
          
           
             To
             compassionate
             the
             case
             of
             the
             Fatherless
             ,
             of
             the
             Poor
             and
             Needy
             ,
             is
             so
             noble
             a
             vertue
             ,
             that
             the
             Apostle
             makes
             this
             qualification
             alone
             the
             evidence
             of
             
               pure
               and
               undefiled
               religion
            
             .
             It
             is
             a
             most
             unnatural
             and
             more
             than
             bruitish
             sin
             ,
             to
             slight
             and
             forget
             such
             .
          
           
             Meekness
             and
             Humility
             are
             such
             noble
             embellishments
             of
             humane
             nature
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             formerly
             shewed
             ,
             that
             none
             but
             proud
             and
             insolent
             spirits
             ,
             who
             have
             been
             always
             condemned
             as
             insufferable
             ,
             durst
             ever
             disesteem
             them
             .
          
           
           
             To
             these
             I
             may
             joyn
             Affability
             or
             Courtesie
             ,
             as
             a
             vertue
             near
             allied
             to
             Humility
             and
             Meekness
             ;
             which
             being
             noble
             in
             its
             causes
             and
             effects
             ,
             cannot
             but
             denominate
             the
             person
             it
             illustrates
             both
             noble
             ,
             and
             amiable
             ,
             and
             lovely
             :
             'T
             is
             indeed
             an
             evidence
             of
             a
             very
             base
             and
             abject
             spirit
             ,
             to
             be
             sullen
             and
             morose
             .
             Persons
             of
             a
             noble
             education
             and
             original
             ,
             are
             frequently
             known
             by
             their
             condescending
             and
             obliging
             behaviour
             ;
             and
             I
             am
             sure
             Reputation
             and
             Esteem
             are
             the
             apparent
             effects
             of
             Courtesie
             .
          
           
             Temperance
             and
             Moderation
             are
             vertues
             more
             noble
             than
             that
             they
             need
             eloquence
             to
             advance
             their
             value
             ,
             as
             its
             contraries
             are
             too
             mean
             and
             beastly
             to
             be
             inveighed
             against
             .
             How
             bruitish
             and
             contemptible
             is
             a
             drunken
             man
             ,
             who
             is
             rather
             an
             object
             of
             pity
             ,
             (
             as
             mad-men
             are
             )
             than
             reproach
             ;
             who
             being
             a
             more
             apt
             resemblance
             of
             a
             beast
             than
             a
             man
             ,
             deserves
             as
             little
             Honour
             ,
             as
             he
             is
             ignorant
             what
             Honour
             means
             ?
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             7.
             
             Holiness
             attended
             with
             the
             most
             solid
             and
             real
             pleasures
             .
          
           
             In
             all
             things
             that
             concern
             practice
             ,
             there
             is
             scarce
             any
             motive
             more
             forcible
             than
             Pleasure
             ;
             and
             of
             all
             plesures
             ,
             those
             that
             entertain
             the
             Soul
             are
             the
             most
             excellent
             .
             We
             indeed
             need
             no
             argument
             but
             experience
             ,
             to
             demonstrate
             how
             ravishing
             sensual
             pleasures
             and
             delights
             are
             ,
             how
             much
             they
             are
             caressed
             and
             courted
             ,
             till
             men
             be
             glutted
             and
             filled
             with
             them
             .
             But
             alas
             !
             how
             inconsiderable
             are
             all
             sensitive
             delights
             ?
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             these
             cannot
             raise
             us
             above
             
               the
               beasts
               that
               perish
            
             ;
             but
             those
             pleasures
             which
             are
             fitted
             for
             the
             rational
             nature
             ,
             are
             noble
             and
             lasting
             ;
             and
             such
             are
             all
             those
             delights
             that
             arise
             from
             a
             holy
             conversation
             ;
             no
             joy
             ,
             without
             this
             ,
             being
             able
             to
             make
             a
             mans
             life
             pleasant
             and
             delightful
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             in
             Holiness
             an
             internal
             delectability
             ,
             that
             is
             better
             felt
             ,
             than
             it
             can
             be
             expressed
             ;
             but
             how
             loathsome
             and
             odious
             is
             Vice
             ?
             it
             is
             compared
             in
             Scripture
             to
             the
             most
             ugly
             and
             unpleasant
             things
             :
             But
             Holiness
             is
             so
             comely
             ,
             so
             delightful
             ,
             and
             ravishing
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             very
             fitly
             (
             according
             
             to
             the
             Scripture-Epithet
             of
             it
             )
             called
             ,
             
               the
               Beauty
               of
               Holiness
            
             .
             It
             is
             this
             alone
             that
             produces
             a
             calm
             and
             serene
             Conscience
             ;
             from
             which
             necessarily
             results
             acquiescence
             and
             delight
             :
             and
             indeed
             ,
             this
             is
             no
             fantastick
             and
             imaginary
             joy
             ,
             (
             as
             the
             Atheists
             of
             this
             Age
             would
             make
             men
             believe
             )
             but
             a
             true
             and
             real
             one
             ,
             affording
             much
             more
             complacency
             and
             satisfaction
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             pleasures
             of
             sense
             .
             To
             the
             truth
             of
             which
             ,
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             those
             men
             who
             question
             it
             should
             assent
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             but
             make
             the
             experiment
             ;
             and
             till
             they
             do
             this
             ,
             they
             give
             us
             too
             evident
             an
             instance
             of
             their
             folly
             ,
             in
             denying
             the
             reality
             of
             those
             raptures
             of
             joy
             resulting
             from
             a
             holy
             conversation
             .
          
           
             But
             besides
             Experience
             ,
             this
             truth
             is
             likewise
             confirmed
             by
             Reason
             :
             For
             who
             is
             in
             more
             probable
             circumstances
             to
             participate
             of
             pleasures
             ,
             than
             he
             who
             is
             Master
             of
             his
             Passions
             ,
             who
             hath
             subdued
             his
             appetites
             ,
             and
             freed
             himself
             from
             those
             imperious
             Lords
             ,
             who
             denied
             him
             the
             liberty
             of
             tasting
             and
             relishing
             pleasures
             ?
             The
             pious
             Soul
             may
             have
             no
             large
             allowance
             of
             temporal
             mercies
             ;
             yet
             having
             Contentment
             ,
             he
             is
             richer
             than
             the
             wicked
             man
             whose
             coffers
             are
             full
             .
          
           
           
             But
             we
             need
             not
             doubt
             of
             the
             reality
             of
             those
             pleasures
             ;
             the
             Wise
             man
             hath
             long
             since
             put
             this
             out
             of
             question
             ,
             Prov.
             3.17
             .
             
               Her
               ways
               are
               ways
               of
               pleasantness
               .
            
             There
             is
             here
             a
             concurrence
             of
             all
             those
             circumstances
             that
             contribute
             to
             make
             any
             thing
             delectable
             :
             't
             is
             a
             way
             pleasant
             for
             its
             plainness
             ,
             and
             desirable
             for
             its
             end
             .
             There
             is
             not
             indeed
             any
             thing
             wanting
             in
             it
             ,
             that
             usually
             draws
             out
             mens
             delight
             .
          
           
             All
             beauty
             falls
             inconceivably
             short
             of
             this
             ;
             it
             being
             Holiness
             alone
             ,
             that
             makes
             the
             righteous
             
               shine
               forth
               as
               the
               sun
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               their
               Father
               :
            
             without
             this
             ,
             all
             natural
             comeliness
             is
             imperfect
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             the
             Wise
             man
             expresses
             it
             ,
             
               is
               deceitful
               and
               vain
            
             ,
             Prov.
             3●
             .
             30
             .
          
           
             And
             yet
             what
             an
             universal
             Empress
             is
             external
             beauty
             become
             ?
             nothing
             being
             of
             equal
             force
             to
             attract
             the
             eye
             of
             beholders
             as
             it
             doth
             .
             How
             hath
             she
             conquered
             the
             mighty
             ,
             and
             made
             the
             Nobles
             of
             the
             Earth
             Vassals
             to
             lacquey
             after
             her
             ?
             There
             is
             an
             almost
             irresistible
             power
             and
             force
             in
             her
             charmings
             ,
             which
             conquereth
             the
             hearts
             of
             men
             insensibly
             .
          
           
             Now
             if
             Beauty
             mixed
             with
             so
             much
             deformity
             ,
             accompanied
             with
             so
             much
             attendance
             and
             slavery
             ,
             be
             so
             enchanting
             
             and
             attractive
             ;
             how
             much
             more
             powerfully
             should
             the
             Beauty
             of
             Holiness
             ,
             which
             is
             every
             whit
             perfect
             and
             unspotted
             ,
             and
             attended
             with
             no
             dismal
             accidents
             ,
             raise
             our
             admiration
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             say
             (
             as
             David
             of
             
             Goliah's
             Sword
             )
             
               There
               is
               none
               like
               it
            
             ?
          
           
             Alas
             !
             all
             earthly
             beauty
             will
             be
             quickly
             laid
             in
             the
             dust
             !
             a
             little
             time
             will
             deface
             the
             fairest
             face
             ,
             and
             make
             its
             beauty
             consume
             like
             a
             Moth
             :
             an
             unexpected
             accident
             may
             disfigure
             it
             ,
             and
             marre
             the
             most
             lovely
             features
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             doubt
             but
             old
             Age
             ,
             which
             draws
             on
             apace
             ,
             will
             make
             wrinkles
             in
             the
             smoothest
             face
             ,
             and
             make
             it
             wither
             as
             a
             flower
             :
             But
             the
             Beauty
             of
             Holiness
             is
             lasting
             ;
             it
             fades
             not
             with
             time
             ,
             nor
             can
             it
             be
             impaired
             by
             the
             most
             loathsome
             and
             nauseating
             disease
             .
          
           
             Since
             then
             Pleasure
             is
             so
             ready
             to
             excite
             our
             affections
             ,
             and
             draw
             out
             our
             complacency
             ,
             't
             is
             pity
             that
             the
             noblest
             ,
             the
             most
             satisfying
             ,
             and
             most
             lasting
             should
             be
             so
             much
             contemned
             .
             Eccl.
             5.10
             .
             
               He
               that
               loveth
               silver
               ,
               shall
               not
               be
               satisfied
               with
               silver
               ;
               nor
               he
               that
               loveth
               abundance
               ,
               with
               increase
               .
            
             All
             the
             caresses
             of
             this
             World
             are
             unable
             to
             satisfie
             the
             Soul
             ;
             but
             how
             ravishing
             are
             the
             joys
             of
             a
             holy
             conversation
             ?
             The
             pleasures
             of
             this
             world
             
             are
             short
             and
             momentary
             ,
             are
             onely
             (
             as
             the
             Apostle
             phraseth
             them
             )
             for
             a
             season
             ,
             which
             quickly
             passeth
             ;
             but
             the
             joy
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             is
             as
             lasting
             as
             unspeakble
             ;
             and
             
               this
               joy
            
             (
             saith
             Christ
             to
             his
             Disciples
             )
             
               no
               man
               shall
               take
               from
               you
               .
            
             It
             is
             without
             the
             reach
             of
             the
             malice
             of
             men
             and
             Devils
             too
             .
          
           
             Alas
             !
             how
             dimunitive
             does
             it
             make
             the
             pleasures
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             to
             say
             they
             are
             short
             ?
             how
             exceedingly
             does
             this
             one
             circumstance
             diminish
             them
             ?
             But
             indeed
             this
             were
             not
             so
             very
             considerable
             ,
             if
             there
             were
             a
             concurrence
             of
             no
             worse
             circumstances
             ;
             but
             that
             which
             mostly
             is
             an
             allay
             and
             damp
             to
             temporal
             pleasures
             ,
             is
             the
             consequence
             ,
             a
             painful
             and
             lasting
             eternity
             of
             the
             severest
             punishments
             .
             'T
             is
             this
             life
             that
             puts
             a
             period
             and
             conclusion
             to
             the
             joys
             of
             wicked
             men
             ;
             whileas
             the
             pious
             have
             Rivers
             of
             pleasures
             for
             evermore
             to
             delight
             and
             ravish
             them
             :
             't
             is
             at
             Death
             that
             they
             
               enter
               into
               joy
               of
               their
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             This
             is
             a
             subject
             so
             ravishing
             and
             pleasant
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             without
             reluctancy
             conclude
             it
             .
             O
             how
             unsatisfactory
             are
             all
             the
             delights
             of
             Sense
             ,
             if
             compared
             with
             those
             Spiritual
             Joys
             the
             holy
             Soul
             partakes
             of
             !
             The
             delights
             that
             the
             Drunkard
             hath
             
             in
             his
             Cups
             and
             Companions
             ,
             the
             Covetous
             in
             his
             Riches
             ,
             the
             Ambitious
             in
             his
             Preferments
             ,
             &c.
             fall
             all
             incomparable
             short
             of
             that
             joy
             that
             is
             the
             lot
             of
             the
             righteous
             .
          
           
             The
             delights
             that
             the
             holy
             man
             enjoys
             do
             upon
             a
             double
             account
             far
             over-poise
             the
             transitory
             pleasures
             of
             the
             wicked
             .
             First
             ,
             the
             present
             satisfaction
             that
             the
             holy
             Soul
             tastes
             of
             in
             this
             valley
             of
             tears
             ,
             is
             incomparably
             greater
             than
             the
             delights
             that
             arise
             from
             sense
             .
             The
             soul
             that
             hath
             once
             tasted
             of
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             findes
             more
             pleasure
             in
             the
             very
             acts
             of
             mutual
             love
             ,
             than
             in
             all
             the
             feasts
             of
             delight
             that
             sense
             is
             capable
             to
             enjoy
             .
             Food
             is
             indeed
             sweet
             to
             the
             hungry
             ,
             and
             drink
             to
             those
             who
             are
             languishing
             with
             thirst
             :
             the
             taste
             does
             without
             doubt
             finde
             some
             meats
             sweet
             and
             relishing
             ,
             even
             where
             there
             is
             no
             extremity
             of
             hunger
             ,
             much
             more
             where
             it
             is
             :
             for
             ,
             
               to
               the
               hungry
               every
               bitter
               thing
               is
               sweet
               .
            
             Beauteous
             Sights
             ravish
             the
             Eye
             ,
             melodious
             Musick
             the
             Ear
             ,
             and
             Odoriferous
             things
             please
             the
             Smell
             :
             But
             alas
             !
             how
             far
             beyond
             these
             is
             the
             delight
             which
             the
             devout
             soul
             receives
             in
             Ordinances
             !
             the
             antipasts
             of
             joy
             which
             their
             Heavenly
             Father
             bestows
             upon
             them
             ,
             are
             more
             delightful
             than
             the
             concurrence
             of
             
             all
             sensual
             pleasures
             .
             The
             soul
             that
             is
             in
             trouble
             can
             fetch
             more
             consolation
             from
             the
             promises
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             than
             the
             carnal
             man
             can
             from
             his
             pleasures
             :
             
               Vnless
               thy
               Law
               had
               been
               my
               delight
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Psalmist
             )
             
               I
               had
               perished
               in
               my
               affliction
               .
            
             Other
             things
             could
             not
             avail
             him
             ,
             they
             could
             afford
             no
             relief
             :
             but
             to
             have
             access
             to
             God
             in
             prayer
             ,
             and
             to
             pour
             out
             our
             complaints
             to
             our
             willing
             God
             ,
             this
             is
             more
             ravishing
             than
             I
             can
             express
             .
             And
             I
             am
             sure
             there
             is
             no
             man
             who
             hath
             tasted
             these
             joys
             ,
             who
             would
             part
             with
             them
             for
             sensual
             pleasures
             ;
             and
             no
             man
             dare
             inveigh
             against
             those
             spiritual
             delights
             ,
             but
             
               strangers
               who
               intermeddle
               not
               with
               this
               joy
               .
            
          
           
             The
             very
             Heathens
             have
             taught
             us
             ,
             that
             
               Vertue
               is
               a
               reward
               to
               it self
            
             ;
             they
             experimented
             more
             real
             satisfaction
             in
             moderation
             and
             temperance
             ,
             than
             in
             Drinking
             and
             Whoring
             .
             But
             Christianity
             gives
             us
             more
             uncontrolable
             evidences
             of
             the
             reality
             of
             that
             joy
             that
             good
             men
             even
             in
             this
             state
             of
             absence
             taste
             of
             .
             Into
             what
             a
             rapture
             and
             unexpressible
             extasie
             of
             joy
             did
             the
             abundance
             of
             revelation
             St.
             Paul
             met
             with
             put
             him
             !
             and
             the
             Apostle
             St.
             Peter
             was
             so
             transported
             with
             joy
             when
             he
             did
             see
             Christ
             in
             his
             Transfiguration
             ,
             
             that
             he
             could
             not
             forbear
             crying
             ,
             
               Master
               ,
               it
               is
               good
               being
               here
               .
            
             How
             full
             of
             joy
             have
             Martyrs
             been
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             flames
             ?
             what
             comforts
             have
             they
             even
             then
             expressed
             ?
             And
             is
             not
             all
             this
             evidence
             ,
             that
             the
             joy
             of
             holy
             men
             is
             more
             real
             ,
             more
             sweet
             and
             ravishing
             ,
             than
             the
             transitory
             pleasures
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             which
             in
             several
             seasons
             can
             afford
             no
             delight
             ?
             a
             little
             pain
             or
             disease
             is
             such
             an
             allay
             and
             damp
             to
             their
             pleasures
             ,
             that
             it
             quite
             extirps
             them
             .
          
           
             But
             besides
             those
             foretastes
             of
             joy
             that
             the
             holy
             Soul
             experiments
             here
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             shewed
             ,
             infinitely
             overwhelms
             all
             trouble
             and
             pain
             ;
             that
             which
             contributes
             most
             to
             advance
             the
             joy
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             are
             those
             felicities
             above
             ,
             which
             are
             prepared
             for
             them
             ;
             and
             to
             these
             wicked
             men
             can
             lay
             no
             claim
             ,
             their
             farthest
             prospect
             being
             confined
             to
             temporal
             delights
             .
          
           
             What
             abundance
             of
             delights
             and
             unexpressible
             pleasures
             are
             laid
             up
             for
             the
             holy
             Soul
             above
             !
             How
             delectable
             will
             it
             be
             ,
             to
             be
             constant
             residents
             in
             the
             Heavenly
             Jerusalem
             ,
             whose
             Streets
             are
             pure
             Gold
             ,
             and
             whose
             Gates
             are
             Pearl
             ?
             how
             ravishing
             will
             it
             be
             ,
             to
             be
             always
             in
             his
             presence
             ,
             where
             there
             are
             Streams
             and
             
             Rivers
             of
             perpetual
             pleasures
             ?
             How
             sweet
             will
             it
             be
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             member
             of
             that
             blessed
             Society
             of
             the
             first-born
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             a
             perfect
             concord
             and
             agreement
             ?
             But
             I
             confess
             ,
             I
             am
             not
             able
             to
             express
             half
             the
             joy
             of
             this
             future
             felicity
             :
             
               Eye
               hath
               not
               seen
               ,
               nor
               ear
               heard
               ,
               neither
               hath
               it
               entred
               into
               the
               hearts
               of
               men
               to
               conceive
               ,
            
             what
             a
             store
             of
             happiness
             God
             hath
             laid
             up
             in
             Heaven
             for
             those
             who
             are
             
               holy
               in
               all
               manner
               of
               conversation
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             8.
             
             Holiness
             accompanied
             with
             Peace
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             nothing
             more
             suitable
             to
             ,
             and
             agreeable
             with
             Humane
             nature
             ,
             that
             Peace
             ;
             as
             those
             who
             endure
             trouble
             and
             vexation
             can
             fully
             attest
             :
             Amongst
             earthly
             blessings
             it
             deserves
             not
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             it
             being
             a
             mercy
             which
             crowns
             all
             others
             ,
             and
             without
             which
             ,
             the
             fullest
             fruition
             could
             not
             prove
             satisfactory
             .
          
           
             Those
             languishing
             ,
             and
             much
             to
             be
             pitied
             ,
             Kingdoms
             ,
             which
             now
             lie
             bathed
             in
             blood
             ,
             can
             attest
             the
             evils
             and
             mischiefs
             of
             War
             ,
             much
             more
             pathetically
             than
             words
             can
             express
             .
             How
             sweet
             and
             acceptable
             would
             Peace
             (
             a
             word
             always
             sounding
             sweetly
             )
             be
             to
             them
             ?
          
           
           
             Now
             the
             Apostle
             St.
             James
             hath
             given
             us
             a
             brief
             ,
             but
             unquestionably
             true
             ,
             account
             of
             the
             real
             causes
             of
             Wars
             and
             Fightings
             ,
             Jam.
             4.1
             .
             
               From
               whence
               come
               wars
               and
               fightings
               among
               you
               ?
               come
               they
               not
               hence
               ,
               even
               of
               your
               lusts
               that
               war
               in
               your
               members
               ?
            
             From
             these
             sinful
             causes
             have
             all
             the
             disorders
             and
             jars
             in
             Kingdomes
             and
             private
             Societies
             had
             their
             real
             (
             I
             speak
             not
             of
             their
             pretended
             )
             original
             .
             How
             impetuous
             are
             the
             lusts
             of
             turbulent
             spirits
             !
             like
             the
             raging
             waves
             of
             the
             Sea
             ,
             they
             are
             still
             in
             motion
             ,
             casting
             forth
             filth
             and
             dirt
             .
             Ambition
             is
             so
             unquiet
             and
             restless
             a
             passion
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             is
             ignorant
             what
             desolations
             it
             hath
             wrought
             in
             the
             earth
             :
             How
             many
             famous
             Kingdoms
             hath
             it
             ruined
             and
             destroyed
             ?
             what
             inquietudes
             and
             disorders
             are
             occasioned
             by
             discontentment
             ?
             All
             these
             are
             things
             so
             evident
             ,
             that
             I
             need
             not
             enlarge
             upon
             them
             :
             but
             how
             repugnant
             are
             these
             vices
             to
             Holiness
             ?
             and
             can
             it
             be
             rationally
             imagined
             that
             their
             genuine
             and
             proper
             effects
             can
             be
             more
             reconcilable
             with
             it
             ?
          
           
             
               I
               confess
            
             ,
             Religion
             hath
             too
             frequently
             been
             pretended
             as
             a
             Cloak
             to
             cover
             the
             greatest
             Villanies
             ,
             Confusions
             ,
             and
             Rebellions
             :
             but
             sure
             I
             am
             ,
             nothing
             imaginable
             
             contains
             a
             greater
             contradiction
             ,
             than
             to
             say
             these
             impieties
             have
             a
             warrant
             from
             the
             sacred
             Laws
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             the
             combination
             of
             which
             is
             the
             rule
             of
             Holiness
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             formerly
             explained
             .
             Is
             not
             Christ
             called
             
               the
               Prince
               of
               Peace
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
               the
               Gospel
               of
               Peace
            
             ?
             and
             it
             is
             certain
             ,
             if
             men
             would
             be
             ruled
             by
             the
             Laws
             of
             so
             peaceable
             a
             Prince
             ,
             they
             should
             be
             of
             a
             calm
             and
             quiet
             spirit
             :
             then
             should
             we
             indeed
             see
             
               Righteousness
               and
               Peace
               kissing
               each
               other
               .
            
          
           
             When
             ever
             therefore
             we
             read
             in
             ancient
             prophesies
             of
             the
             great
             peace
             that
             shall
             be
             in
             the
             Messiahs
             reign
             ,
             we
             must
             thereby
             understand
             ,
             that
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             Gospel
             and
             its
             precepts
             are
             such
             ,
             that
             if
             men
             would
             conform
             their
             lives
             to
             them
             ,
             there
             should
             be
             an
             universal
             Peace
             .
             How
             strictly
             are
             all
             the
             causes
             of
             Envy
             ,
             Contention
             ,
             Ambition
             ,
             and
             Rebellion
             ,
             prohibited
             ?
             and
             sure
             if
             these
             causes
             were
             removed
             ,
             their
             effect
             should
             have
             no
             place
             :
             Then
             should
             the
             Bow
             be
             broken
             ,
             and
             the
             Spear
             cut
             in
             sunder
             :
             Swords
             should
             be
             turned
             into
             
               Plough
               shares
            
             ,
             and
             the
             Instruments
             of
             War
             into
             more
             necessary
             uses
             :
             
               War
               should
               cease
               unto
               the
               ends
               of
               the
               earth
               ,
            
             and
             
               Peace
               should
               be
               within
               each
               wall
               .
            
          
           
           
             By
             this
             it
             is
             apparent
             how
             much
             holiness
             conduceth
             to
             the
             establishment
             of
             publick
             peace
             .
             But
             that
             which
             I
             would
             more
             especially
             take
             notice
             of
             ,
             is
             ,
             the
             internal
             serenity
             and
             calmness
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             onely
             effect
             of
             holiness
             :
             and
             truely
             upon
             this
             account
             
               there
               is
               no
               peace
               to
               the
               wicked
               .
            
          
           
             
               I
               might
            
             here
             appeal
             to
             every
             mans
             breast
             ,
             whether
             Holiness
             does
             not
             calm
             and
             quiet
             the
             Consciences
             of
             men
             ;
             whileas
             a
             natural
             horrour
             results
             from
             the
             commission
             of
             vice
             ,
             more
             heavy
             than
             the
             severest
             lashes
             ever
             inflicted
             by
             Ceditius
             or
             Rhadamanthus
             .
             What
             unspeakable
             peace
             and
             ease
             does
             attend
             holiness
             of
             life
             !
             there
             is
             no
             jar
             nor
             contention
             ,
             no
             check
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             nor
             wound
             of
             spirit
             ,
             to
             disturb
             the
             inward
             repose
             of
             the
             Righteous
             :
             but
             that
             remorse
             that
             results
             from
             the
             commission
             of
             sin
             ,
             even
             after
             men
             have
             acquired
             what
             they
             sinfully
             lusted
             after
             ,
             is
             like
             that
             hand-writing
             ,
             Dan.
             5.5
             .
             which
             made
             the
             stout
             heart
             of
             Belshazzer
             to
             tremble
             ,
             and
             his
             knees
             to
             smite
             one
             against
             another
             :
             It
             troubles
             the
             thoughts
             of
             the
             most
             daring
             sinner
             ,
             and
             makes
             him
             a
             terrour
             to
             himself
             .
             There
             is
             no
             imaginable
             torment
             that
             can
             equal
             the
             terrours
             of
             an
             awakened
             guilty
             Conscience
             ;
             
             it
             hath
             put
             men
             to
             chuse
             strangling
             and
             death
             rather
             than
             life
             :
             all
             which
             is
             fully
             verified
             by
             the
             Word
             of
             truth
             :
             
               The
               spirit
               of
               a
               man
               can
               sustain
               his
               infirmity
               ;
               but
               a
               wounded
               spirit
               who
               can
               bear
               ?
            
          
           
             
               O
               the
            
             secret
             pangs
             and
             fears
             that
             possess
             the
             spirits
             of
             wicked
             men
             !
             the
             severe
             checks
             and
             lashes
             of
             Conscience
             that
             seize
             upon
             transgressors
             ,
             which
             all
             imaginable
             divertisements
             cannot
             quite
             stifle
             and
             suppress
             !
             All
             the
             attendance
             of
             the
             most
             dear
             Relations
             cannot
             give
             ease
             and
             comfort
             to
             them
             .
             How
             dismal
             and
             inconsolable
             was
             
             Spira's
             condition
             ?
             how
             amazing
             are
             the
             very
             thoughts
             of
             those
             gnawings
             and
             horrours
             of
             Conscience
             he
             suffered
             ?
             The
             fears
             and
             apprehensions
             of
             a
             future
             misery
             ,
             mar
             all
             the
             joy
             and
             mirth
             of
             carnal
             men
             .
             In
             their
             most
             flourishing
             state
             it
             continually
             haunts
             them
             ,
             and
             so
             fills
             them
             with
             horror
             and
             inquietude
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             quietly
             enjoy
             themselves
             .
             Whilst
             the
             Soul
             acts
             within
             the
             Body
             ,
             it
             cannot
             but
             present
             those
             horrid
             and
             disquieting
             reflections
             .
          
           
             Hi
             sunt
             qui
             trepidant
             &
             ad
             omnia
             fulgora
             pallent
             .
          
           
             These
             are
             the
             men
             who
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             
             outward
             felicity
             are
             amazed
             with
             tormenting
             fears
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             eradicated
             but
             by
             a
             sincere
             repentance
             .
          
           
             But
             the
             holy
             Soul
             ,
             in
             the
             extremity
             of
             outward
             troubles
             ,
             enjoys
             an
             internal
             calmness
             and
             quiet
             of
             minde
             :
             the
             very
             Pagan
             ,
             who
             could
             not
             be
             beyond
             doubt
             assured
             of
             the
             certainty
             of
             a
             future
             reward
             ,
             could
             yet
             say
             ,
             
               
                 —
                 Hic
                 murus
                 ahenaeus
                 esto
                 ,
              
               
                 Nil
                 conscire
                 sibi
                 ,
                 nulla
                 palescere
                 culpa
                 .
              
            
             But
             the
             Word
             of
             truth
             hath
             made
             this
             more
             unquestionably
             sure
             :
             Psal.
             119.165
             .
             
               Great
               peace
               have
               they
               that
               love
               thy
               Law
               ,
               and
               nothing
               shall
               offend
               them
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             9.
             
             Holiness
             the
             best
             evidence
             of
             true
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             real
             Worth
             ,
             and
             Courage
             .
          
           
             Wisdom
             and
             Courage
             having
             their
             rise
             and
             source
             from
             nobler
             Principles
             than
             external
             helps
             ,
             have
             therefore
             in
             all
             Ages
             been
             esteemed
             excellent
             and
             venerable
             vertues
             ;
             and
             much
             preferable
             to
             those
             others
             which
             depend
             upon
             external
             advantages
             .
             
               Wisdom
               is
            
             (
             as
             the
             Wise
             man
             speaks
             )
             
               the
               principal
               thing
            
             ,
             Prov.
             4.7
             .
             
             It
             is
             that
             vertue
             which
             in
             a
             peculiar
             manner
             raiseth
             the
             Humane
             nature
             above
             that
             of
             Bruits
             ,
             who
             act
             without
             consideration
             and
             counsel
             .
             And
             Courage
             is
             that
             which
             subdueth
             that
             ignoble
             passion
             of
             fear
             ,
             which
             hindreth
             men
             from
             attempting
             a●tions
             praise-worthy
             .
             Hence
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             to
             be
             called
             a
             Fool
             ,
             or
             Coward
             ,
             are
             such
             reproachful
             denominations
             ,
             that
             nothing
             imaginable
             is
             more
             shameful
             .
          
           
             That
             Holiness
             is
             an
             infallible
             evidence
             of
             true
             Wisdom
             ,
             is
             more
             plain
             than
             it
             can
             be
             doubted
             .
             In
             sacred
             Writ
             ,
             Wisdom
             and
             Religion
             are
             used
             as
             convertible
             terms
             ,
             as
             words
             expressing
             the
             same
             thing
             .
             
               And
               unto
               man
               he
               said
               ,
               Behold
               ,
               the
               fear
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               that
               is
               wisdom
               ,
               and
               to
               depart
               from
               evil
               ,
               that
               is
               understanding
               ,
            
             Job
             28.28
             .
             Hence
             the
             impious
             and
             wicked
             are
             frequently
             called
             Fools
             ,
             and
             men
             void
             of
             understanding
             and
             wisdom
             .
             And
             however
             this
             prophane
             Age
             of
             ours
             hath
             accounted
             those
             men
             great
             wits
             ,
             who
             have
             cast
             off
             all
             Religion
             ,
             and
             who
             Burlesque
             Scripture
             ;
             who
             think
             it
             the
             greatest
             folly
             to
             be
             kept
             in
             awe
             by
             the
             fears
             of
             future
             danger
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             kept
             in
             thraldom
             by
             the
             apprehension
             of
             an
             invisible
             being
             :
             yet
             men
             who
             consider
             things
             aright
             ,
             have
             
             in
             all
             ages
             accounted
             those
             Atheists
             both
             fools
             and
             mad-men
             .
          
           
             Fools
             ,
             in
             condemning
             that
             which
             all
             wise
             men
             have
             assented
             too
             .
             But
             't
             is
             no
             wonder
             ,
             since
             sin
             is
             that
             which
             overclouds
             and
             stupifies
             the
             judgement
             ,
             and
             deprives
             them
             of
             those
             intellectual
             abilities
             whereby
             men
             acquire
             a
             right
             judgement
             of
             things
             .
             Alas
             !
             why
             should
             such
             be
             accounted
             wise
             ,
             who
             cast
             themselves
             in
             the
             dirt
             and
             puddle
             ,
             who
             contaminate
             and
             pollute
             their
             Souls
             ,
             who
             prefer
             a
             temporal
             to
             an
             eternal
             felicity
             ,
             who
             blindly
             and
             inconsiderately
             expose
             themselves
             to
             the
             wrath
             of
             a
             God
             revenging
             sin
             ?
             Sure
             the
             greatest
             Idiots
             are
             not
             comparably
             so
             unwise
             as
             these
             men
             ,
             who
             venture
             their
             Souls
             upon
             such
             hazards
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             nothing
             that
             doth
             so
             much
             debase
             Humane
             nature
             ,
             as
             sin
             :
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             who
             but
             upon
             a
             surprisal
             vented
             his
             impatience
             and
             envy
             ,
             yet
             characterizeth
             himself
             a
             fool
             for
             doing
             so
             ,
             Psal.
             73.22
             .
             
               So
               foolish
               was
               I
               ,
               and
               ignorant
               :
               I
               was
               as
               a
               beast
               before
               thee
               .
            
             'T
             is
             Religion
             alone
             that
             is
             the
             most
             certain
             and
             uncontrovertable
             difference
             betwixt
             men
             and
             bruits
             .
             The
             very
             Pagan
             Satyrist
             could
             say
             ,
             
               
               
                 —
                 Separat
                 haec
                 nos
              
               
                 A
                 grege
                 brutorum
                 —
              
            
          
           
             Reason
             will
             easily
             convince
             every
             man
             that
             will
             but
             take
             pains
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             those
             men
             who
             neglect
             their
             greatest
             interest
             ,
             can
             never
             shun
             to
             be
             esteemed
             fools
             .
             Now
             to
             be
             serious
             and
             careful
             about
             the
             Soul
             ,
             to
             be
             ascertained
             how
             it
             shall
             go
             with
             us
             in
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             greatest
             concern
             of
             man
             ,
             about
             which
             the
             greatest
             care
             and
             diligence
             possible
             is
             little
             enough
             :
             and
             sure
             those
             men
             who
             designe
             happiness
             (
             a
             thing
             implanted
             in
             the
             natures
             of
             men
             )
             must
             either
             make
             use
             of
             the
             right
             means
             in
             order
             to
             their
             acquiring
             of
             it
             ,
             otherwise
             they
             too
             plainly
             proclaim
             their
             folly
             :
             but
             the
             holy
             Soul
             makes
             Religion
             its
             whole
             business
             ;
             he
             knows
             that
             it
             is
             his
             greatest
             interest
             to
             be
             holy
             ,
             and
             that
             without
             this
             he
             can
             never
             expect
             to
             be
             happy
             hereafter
             .
             And
             indeed
             ,
             whatever
             may
             be
             the
             present
             apprehensions
             and
             thoughts
             of
             men
             ,
             yet
             they
             shall
             ere
             long
             pass
             this
             verdict
             of
             circumspect
             walkers
             ,
             That
             they
             were
             the
             onely
             wise
             men
             :
             and
             the
             God
             of
             wisdom
             ,
             who
             can
             give
             the
             best
             judgement
             in
             the
             case
             ,
             does
             account
             the
             Saints
             to
             be
             wise
             
             men
             .
             Let
             us
             then
             hearken
             to
             the
             Apostles
             advice
             ,
             Eph.
             5.15
             .
             
               See
               that
               ye
               walk
               circumspectly
               ,
               not
               as
               fools
               ,
               but
               as
               wise
               .
            
          
           
             But
             as
             Holiness
             doth
             thus
             entitle
             men
             to
             wisdom
             ,
             so
             doth
             it
             also
             promote
             true
             valour
             ;
             it
             mightily
             conduceth
             to
             inspirit
             men
             with
             courage
             and
             magnanimity
             :
             
               The
               righteous
               are
               bold
               like
               a
               lyon
               ;
               but
               the
               wicked
               flee
               when
               no
               man
               pursueth
               .
            
             And
             the
             reason
             of
             both
             is
             plain
             :
             the
             one
             hath
             secured
             his
             future
             state
             ;
             but
             the
             other
             expects
             no
             better
             inheritance
             .
             And
             however
             wicked
             men
             may
             be
             very
             daring
             ,
             yet
             they
             cannot
             be
             said
             to
             be
             truely
             valiant
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             always
             rational
             and
             deliberate
             :
             but
             if
             wicked
             men
             should
             soberly
             consider
             the
             unspeakable
             hazard
             they
             run
             upon
             ,
             they
             durst
             not
             be
             so
             daring
             ;
             for
             what
             considering
             man
             would
             thus
             expose
             himself
             to
             danger
             to
             be
             esteemed
             gallant
             ,
             who
             knows
             if
             he
             miscarry
             he
             is
             everlastingly
             miserable
             ?
             If
             this
             merits
             the
             Encomium
             of
             courage
             ,
             why
             may
             not
             those
             mad-men
             who
             inconsiderately
             expose
             themselves
             to
             danger
             ,
             be
             also
             accounted
             valiant
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             the
             Horse
             that
             undauntedly
             ,
             but
             inconsiderately
             ,
             runs
             so
             many
             dangers
             ,
             encounters
             so
             many
             perils
             in
             battle
             ,
             may
             be
             as
             truely
             said
             to
             be
             valiant
             ,
             as
             those
             men
             :
             But
             this
             is
             to
             mistake
             quite
             the
             true
             notion
             of
             courage
             .
          
           
           
             That
             man
             that
             is
             affrighted
             with
             a
             small
             danger
             because
             it
             is
             present
             ,
             but
             nothing
             amazed
             with
             a
             future
             danger
             which
             is
             certain
             and
             intolerable
             ,
             is
             certainly
             both
             Fool
             and
             Coward
             .
             A
             Fool
             ,
             in
             judging
             so
             badly
             ,
             and
             mistaking
             his
             own
             interest
             and
             well-being
             :
             A
             Coward
             ,
             in
             being
             afraid
             for
             a
             danger
             because
             it
             is
             present
             .
             He
             who
             runs
             from
             his
             Colours
             in
             time
             of
             Battle
             ,
             proclaims
             himself
             to
             be
             a
             coward
             ,
             although
             thereby
             he
             exposeth
             himself
             to
             a
             greater
             danger
             if
             he
             be
             apprehended
             ,
             even
             the
             severe
             Sentence
             of
             the
             Martial
             Law
             justly
             inflicted
             upon
             Fugitives
             .
             How
             then
             can
             those
             men
             be
             accounted
             valiant
             ,
             who
             for
             fear
             of
             some
             small
             danger
             they
             may
             run
             the
             hazard
             of
             here
             for
             Holiness
             ,
             expose
             themselves
             to
             those
             vials
             of
             fury
             which
             is
             the
             portion
             of
             ungodly
             men
             hereafter
             ?
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             10.
             
             Holiness
             universally
             profitable
             ,
             and
             above
             all
             things
             most
             advantageous
             .
          
           
             In
             all
             secular
             affairs
             that
             concern
             practice
             ,
             Gain
             and
             Advantage
             is
             the
             great
             argument
             and
             attracting
             inducement
             that
             prevails
             upon
             men
             ;
             it
             is
             like
             oyl
             to
             the
             wheel
             ,
             making
             its
             motion
             more
             easie
             and
             
             swift
             .
             There
             is
             no
             danger
             so
             terrifying
             ,
             but
             men
             have
             hazarded
             on
             ,
             who
             have
             had
             this
             motive
             to
             animate
             them
             :
             this
             is
             it
             that
             prompts
             the
             Mariner
             to
             expose
             himself
             to
             the
             dangers
             of
             the
             merciless
             Ocean
             ,
             that
             excites
             Servants
             to
             toil
             so
             industriously
             ,
             and
             encourageth
             Souldiers
             to
             fight
             battles
             .
          
           
             That
             men
             may
             also
             be
             inspirited
             and
             allured
             to
             court
             Holiness
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             its
             utility
             and
             profit
             ,
             I
             shall
             (
             abstracting
             from
             those
             advantages
             I
             have
             already
             instanced
             )
             now
             briefly
             discover
             ,
             that
             Holiness
             is
             ,
             first
             ,
             profitable
             to
             men
             in
             every
             condition
             and
             state
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             attended
             with
             all
             outward
             blessings
             ,
             and
             wants
             not
             a
             claim
             to
             a
             temporal
             felicity
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             That
             without
             it
             all
             other
             mercies
             are
             useless
             ,
             and
             unable
             to
             quiet
             the
             Soul.
             Fourthly
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             the
             most
             incomparable
             blessing
             ,
             and
             frees
             the
             Soul
             from
             the
             worst
             of
             evils
             .
             Fifthly
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             the
             best
             evidence
             of
             our
             being
             in
             favour
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             adoption
             to
             Gods
             Family
             .
             And
             Lastly
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             the
             best
             cordial
             against
             the
             fears
             of
             death
             ,
             and
             affords
             the
             greatest
             satisfaction
             to
             men
             lying
             on
             their
             beds
             of
             languishing
             .
          
           
             That
             Holiness
             is
             profitable
             and
             advantageous
          
           
           
             That
             Holiness
             is
             profitable
             and
             advantageous
             to
             men
             in
             every
             condition
             and
             state
             ,
             seems
             to
             be
             clearly
             enough
             asserted
             by
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             when
             he
             says
             ,
             
               Godliness
               is
               profitable
               for
               all
               things
               .
            
             But
             besides
             Scripture
             ,
             Experience
             and
             Reason
             do
             joyntly
             agree
             in
             the
             proof
             of
             this
             .
             That
             man
             that
             is
             advanced
             above
             others
             in
             riches
             ,
             has
             no
             ground
             to
             expect
             honour
             and
             reverence
             from
             men
             ,
             if
             he
             walk
             not
             according
             to
             the
             rule
             of
             Holiness
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             if
             he
             be
             not
             moderate
             and
             compassionate
             ,
             if
             he
             restrains
             not
             his
             ambition
             and
             pride
             :
             And
             sure
             ,
             without
             this
             love
             and
             reverence
             from
             others
             ,
             his
             condition
             is
             not
             very
             happy
             ,
             he
             lies
             exposed
             to
             infinite
             dangers
             .
          
           
             Again
             ,
             if
             a
             man
             be
             exposed
             to
             a
             mean
             and
             adverse
             estate
             ,
             is
             environed
             with
             an
             infinite
             number
             of
             perplexing
             difficulties
             ;
             yet
             this
             case
             is
             not
             altogether
             hopeless
             :
             for
             if
             he
             be
             not
             vitious
             ,
             but
             on
             the
             contrary
             religious
             ,
             besides
             the
             divine
             aid
             that
             is
             engaged
             for
             his
             relief
             ,
             the
             circumstances
             he
             is
             stated
             in
             are
             apt
             motives
             to
             stir
             up
             bowels
             of
             compassion
             towards
             such
             a
             person
             .
          
           
             Vnless
             the
             Magistrate
             ,
             who
             is
             invested
             with
             Supream
             Power
             and
             Authority
             ,
             imitate
             God
             in
             goodness
             as
             well
             as
             in
             greatness
             ,
             
             his
             Authority
             will
             produce
             fear
             rather
             than
             love
             .
             The
             very
             Moralist
             could
             say
             ,
             
               Sine
               bonitate
               nulla
               majestas
            
             .
             Those
             who
             will
             be
             at
             the
             pains
             to
             consult
             Experience
             ,
             shall
             finde
             that
             good
             Princes
             have
             always
             been
             in
             the
             greatest
             esteem
             ;
             and
             sure
             it
             is
             the
             most
             unpardonable
             villany
             to
             attempt
             any
             evil
             against
             religious
             Kings
             .
          
           
             Holiness
             is
             also
             profitable
             for
             Subjects
             to
             teach
             them
             obedience
             ,
             and
             to
             submit
             ,
             not
             merely
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             wrath
             ,
             but
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ;
             which
             is
             certainly
             the
             onely
             safe
             expedient
             to
             secure
             the
             obedience
             of
             Subjects
             :
             And
             ,
             I
             confess
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             how
             that
             man
             can
             be
             a
             true
             Subject
             to
             his
             earthly
             Prince
             ,
             who
             stands
             not
             to
             offend
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             .
             I
             know
             some
             who
             have
             pretended
             to
             much
             Holiness
             ,
             have
             been
             the
             greatest
             villains
             ;
             but
             this
             proves
             not
             that
             the
             rule
             of
             Holiness
             gives
             a
             Supersedeas
             or
             allowance
             to
             any
             to
             disobey
             Authority
             .
          
           
             Art
             thou
             
               a
               Parent
            
             ?
             the
             rule
             of
             Holiness
             (
             to
             which
             holy
             men
             conform
             )
             will
             instruct
             thee
             to
             be
             gentle
             and
             tender
             to
             thy
             Children
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             
               provoke
               them
               to
               wrath
            
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             onely
             thing
             that
             lessens
             their
             affection
             .
             Art
             thou
             
               a
               Childe
            
             ?
             it
             will
             teach
             thee
             to
             reverence
             and
             honour
             
             thy
             parents
             ;
             in
             doing
             of
             which
             ,
             thou
             entitlest
             thy self
             to
             the
             promise
             annexed
             to
             the
             fifth
             Commandment
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             it
             is
             profitable
             to
             make
             all
             manner
             of
             Relations
             live
             in
             quietness
             and
             peace
             ,
             and
             to
             bestow
             mutual
             offices
             of
             love
             upon
             each
             other
             .
             It
             instructs
             men
             to
             be
             faithful
             in
             every
             calling
             and
             employment
             :
             and
             certainly
             the
             good
             man
             is
             to
             be
             trusted
             far
             rather
             than
             the
             wicked
             ;
             for
             Religion
             lays
             an
             awe
             and
             restraint
             upon
             the
             one
             ,
             but
             the
             other
             pretends
             no
             such
             motive
             to
             engage
             him
             to
             fidelity
             ,
             especially
             if
             he
             may
             deceive
             and
             not
             be
             noticed
             .
             To
             this
             purpose
             Plutarch
             hath
             a
             notable
             saying
             :
             Pietate
             (
             saith
             he
             ;
             
               Nat.
               Deor.
            
             lib.
             1.
             )
             
               sublata
               sides
               etiam
               &
               Societas
               humanae
               generis
               ,
               &
               una
               excellentissima
               virtus
               justitia
               tollitur
               .
            
          
           
             There
             are
             several
             things
             useful
             for
             some
             men
             ,
             but
             altogether
             unprofitable
             for
             others
             ;
             but
             Holiness
             is
             equally
             profitable
             for
             all
             ;
             there
             are
             none
             exempt
             from
             tasting
             its
             utility
             ,
             but
             those
             who
             exclude
             themselves
             by
             a
             vitious
             conversation
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Holiness
             is
             attended
             with
             all
             outward
             blessings
             ,
             and
             wants
             not
             a
             claim
             to
             a
             temporal
             felicity
             ,
             Matth.
             6.33
             .
             
               Seek
               ye
               first
               the
               kingdom
               of
               God
               and
               his
               righteousness
               ,
               and
               all
               other
               things
               shall
               be
               added
               
               unto
               you
               .
            
             The
             promise
             of
             inheriting
             the
             Earth
             (
             by
             which
             all
             temporal
             felicity
             is
             meant
             )
             is
             made
             to
             the
             meek
             :
             Matth.
             5.8
             .
             
               Blessed
               are
               the
               meek
               ;
               for
               they
               shall
               inherit
               the
               earth
               .
            
             And
             indeed
             ,
             we
             finde
             this
             blessing
             even
             promised
             to
             the
             posterity
             of
             those
             that
             fear
             the
             Lord
             ,
             Psal.
             25.13
             .
             And
             to
             put
             this
             beyond
             all
             doubt
             ,
             we
             finde
             the
             Psalmist
             repeating
             this
             five
             times
             in
             one
             Psalm
             ,
             Psal.
             37.9
             ,
             11
             ,
             22
             ,
             29
             ,
             34.
             
             And
             the
             great
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             Godliness
             that
             
               hath
               the
               promise
               of
               the
               life
               that
               now
               is
               ,
               and
               of
               that
               which
               is
               to
               come
               ,
            
             1
             Tim.
             4.8
             .
             The
             God
             of
             Heaven
             hath
             also
             assured
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             
               withhold
               no
               good
               thing
               from
               them
               that
               walk
               uprightly
               .
            
             Upon
             this
             account
             well
             might
             Wisdom
             say
             ,
             Prov.
             8.18
             .
             
               Riches
               and
               honour
               are
               with
               me
               :
            
             a
             plain
             instance
             of
             which
             ,
             we
             have
             in
             Solomon
             ,
             who
             because
             of
             his
             asking
             Wisdom
             to
             govern
             his
             Subjects
             ,
             when
             he
             might
             as
             freely
             have
             ask'd
             Riches
             and
             Honour
             ,
             he
             receives
             this
             answer
             from
             God
             ,
             
               I
               have
               also
               given
               thee
               both
               riches
               and
               honour
               ,
            
             1
             King.
             3.13
             .
          
           
             But
             however
             this
             discriminating
             providence
             doth
             not
             so
             discernedly
             appear
             here
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             no
             man
             but
             can
             attest
             Vice
             hath
             impoverished
             thousands
             ;
             there
             being
             several
             sins
             that
             have
             a
             natural
             tendency
             
             to
             poverty
             .
             
               By
               means
               of
               a
               whorish
               woman
               ,
               a
               man
               is
               brought
               to
               a
               piece
               of
               bread
               ,
            
             Prov.
             6.26
             .
             The
             like
             we
             may
             truely
             enough
             say
             of
             several
             other
             sins
             .
             
               I
               have
               seen
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Psalmist
             )
             
               the
               wicked
               great
               in
               power
               ,
               and
               spreading
               himself
               like
               a
               green
               bay-tree
               ;
               yet
               he
               passed
               away
               ,
               and
               lo
               ,
               he
               was
               not
               :
               yea
               ,
               I
               sought
               him
               ,
               but
               he
               could
               not
               be
               found
               ,
            
             Psal.
             37.35
             ,
             36.
             
             I
             confess
             ,
             good
             men
             may
             be
             reduced
             to
             great
             wants
             ,
             may
             be
             destitute
             of
             necessary
             provisions
             ;
             nay
             ,
             how
             frequently
             is
             this
             the
             lot
             of
             the
             most
             excellent
             and
             gallant
             Souls
             ?
             yet
             this
             may
             be
             safely
             said
             ,
             
               That
               a
               little
               that
               a
               righteous
               man
               hath
               ,
               is
               better
               than
               the
               riches
               of
               many
               wicked
               .
            
          
           
             But
             then
             those
             things
             that
             best
             deserve
             the
             name
             of
             riches
             ,
             because
             of
             their
             enriching
             the
             Soul
             ,
             which
             being
             more
             excellent
             than
             the
             Body
             ,
             must
             upon
             that
             account
             be
             of
             greater
             value
             than
             these
             things
             that
             onely
             respect
             the
             Body
             ,
             these
             are
             onely
             peculiar
             to
             holy
             men
             :
             and
             such
             are
             the
             graces
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             the
             combination
             of
             Christian
             vertues
             ,
             the
             price
             of
             which
             is
             above
             that
             of
             Rubies
             .
             These
             are
             riches
             which
             are
             of
             a
             more
             lasting
             nature
             than
             those
             which
             the
             ignoble
             of
             the
             world
             call
             riches
             ;
             they
             are
             not
             subject
             to
             the
             casualties
             which
             Gold
             
             and
             Silver
             and
             precious
             Stones
             are
             ;
             which
             upon
             that
             account
             cannot
             be
             called
             a
             mans
             own
             ,
             as
             Pagan
             Moralists
             have
             largely
             and
             excellently
             confirmed
             :
             And
             if
             we
             will
             not
             dispute
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             contest
             his
             determination
             ,
             we
             shall
             finde
             one
             single
             vertue
             receiving
             a
             more
             ample
             commendation
             than
             ever
             riches
             did
             ;
             1
             Pet.
             3.4
             .
             
               The
               ornament
               of
               a
               meek
               and
               quiet
               spirit
               is
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               God
               of
               great
               price
               .
            
          
           
             Although
             the
             holy
             and
             devout
             Soul
             may
             be
             reduced
             to
             our
             Saviours
             straits
             ,
             
               not
               to
               have
               where
               to
               lay
               his
               head
            
             ;
             yet
             how
             can
             he
             be
             said
             to
             be
             poor
             ,
             since
             he
             possesses
             him
             who
             is
             All
             ?
             The
             most
             adverse
             chances
             that
             befal
             such
             a
             Soul
             ,
             cannot
             denominate
             it
             poor
             ;
             there
             is
             a
             Crown
             and
             Princely
             Inheritance
             which
             belongs
             to
             it
             .
             Nay
             ,
             besides
             that
             glorious
             reversion
             ,
             we
             have
             express
             promises
             that
             such
             Souls
             shall
             not
             be
             altogether
             destitute
             of
             necessaries
             to
             sustain
             and
             support
             them
             in
             this
             their
             pilgrimage
             .
          
           
             
               I
               have
            
             already
             shewed
             ,
             that
             Honour
             and
             Pleasures
             are
             the
             attendants
             of
             Holiness
             :
             What
             in
             the
             world
             is
             more
             glorious
             ,
             than
             for
             a
             man
             to
             conquer
             those
             lusts
             and
             inordinate
             appetites
             that
             seek
             the
             mastery
             over
             him
             ?
             what
             pleasure
             is
             able
             to
             contest
             
             with
             those
             ravishing
             joys
             which
             result
             from
             a
             holy
             conversation
             ?
             There
             is
             nothing
             imaginable
             that
             so
             exhilarates
             and
             revives
             men
             ,
             as
             a
             calm
             and
             quiet
             Conscience
             .
             But
             I
             pass
             this
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             next
             place
             I
             come
             to
             shew
             ,
             that
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             all
             other
             blessings
             can
             never
             profit
             that
             man
             that
             wants
             Holiness
             .
             This
             is
             plainly
             attested
             by
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               What
               hath
               a
               man
               profited
               if
               he
               should
               gain
               the
               whole
               world
               ,
               and
               lose
               his
               own
               soul
               ?
            
             To
             have
             an
             affluence
             of
             temporal
             mercies
             ,
             cannot
             so
             much
             as
             contribute
             to
             a
             present
             felicity
             ,
             where
             the
             forementioned
             qualification
             is
             lacking
             .
             Outward
             favours
             ,
             not
             attended
             and
             chained
             with
             real
             Holiness
             ,
             contribute
             onely
             to
             enhance
             the
             misery
             of
             their
             possessor
             ;
             they
             being
             proper
             fewel
             to
             increase
             the
             flame
             of
             inquietude
             and
             restlesness
             ,
             but
             unfit
             to
             allay
             it
             .
             The
             greatest
             plenty
             of
             riches
             cannot
             satisfie
             the
             covetous
             minde
             ,
             which
             like
             the
             Grave
             cries
             ,
             
               Give
               ,
               give
            
             .
             The
             whole
             world
             could
             not
             satisfie
             
             Alexander's
             insatiable
             ambition
             ;
             but
             ,
             as
             the
             Poet
             speaks
             ,
             
               Aestuat
               infoelix
               angusto
               limite
               mundi
               .
            
          
           
             'T
             is
             indeed
             impossible
             for
             a
             man
             to
             enjoy
             
             that
             earthly
             felicity
             he
             designs
             ,
             if
             he
             want
             Holiness
             :
             For
             ,
             suppose
             he
             be
             possessed
             of
             it
             ,
             yet
             the
             secret
             acknowledgement
             of
             a
             superiour
             power
             ,
             impairs
             the
             delights
             that
             do
             arise
             from
             such
             a
             state
             ,
             and
             makes
             him
             in
             the
             height
             of
             his
             fancied
             felicity
             startle
             and
             quake
             .
             Conscience
             ,
             upon
             the
             apprehension
             of
             guilt
             ,
             and
             the
             vengeance
             due
             to
             it
             ,
             recoils
             upon
             the
             sinner
             ,
             and
             disturbs
             his
             quiet
             enjoyment
             of
             the
             pleasures
             he
             might
             otherwise
             freely
             enough
             delight
             in
             .
             O
             how
             does
             it
             molest
             and
             torment
             him
             
               Nocte
               dieque
               suum
               gestare
               in
               pectore
               testem
               .
            
             to
             have
             an
             inward
             principle
             of
             Fear
             haunting
             the
             sinner
             in
             his
             most
             retired
             enjoyment
             of
             pleasures
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             silenced
             by
             his
             utmost
             endeavours
             !
             This
             ,
             this
             is
             it
             that
             torments
             him
             with
             anguish
             and
             confusion
             ,
             that
             allays
             the
             imaginary
             pleasure
             of
             the
             most
             charming
             Lust
             ,
             and
             
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               laughter
               makes
               his
               heart
               heavy
               :
            
             which
             fully
             verifies
             the
             truth
             of
             what
             I
             said
             ;
             that
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             all
             other
             blessings
             can
             never
             free
             a
             man
             from
             torment
             ,
             nor
             a
             whit
             profit
             him
             that
             is
             destitute
             of
             Holiness
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             Holiness
             is
             the
             most
             incomparable
             
             blessing
             ,
             and
             frees
             and
             Soul
             from
             the
             worst
             of
             evils
             .
             What
             David
             said
             of
             Goliahs
             Sword
             ,
             I
             may
             more
             safely
             say
             of
             Holiness
             ,
             
               There
               is
               none
               like
               it
            
             ;
             nothing
             in
             the
             world
             so
             apt
             to
             remove
             those
             disasters
             and
             turmoiling
             fears
             that
             inwardly
             work
             upon
             and
             damp
             the
             mindes
             of
             men
             with
             severe
             checks
             and
             lashes
             ,
             as
             Holiness
             ,
             which
             being
             diametrically
             opposite
             to
             sin
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             worst
             of
             evils
             ,
             must
             therefore
             by
             a
             necessary
             consequence
             be
             the
             best
             of
             blessings
             .
          
           
             Now
             seeing
             contraries
             placed
             near
             to
             other
             are
             the
             more
             discernable
             ,
             I
             shall
             therefore
             take
             a
             short
             view
             of
             the
             evil
             and
             malignity
             of
             sin
             ,
             that
             hereby
             the
             beauty
             and
             excellency
             of
             Holiness
             may
             appear
             the
             brighter
             ,
             and
             have
             the
             greater
             force
             to
             conquer
             our
             affections
             .
          
           
             To
             express
             the
             evil
             and
             malignity
             of
             sin
             ,
             Scripture
             represents
             it
             by
             the
             most
             ugly
             and
             abominable
             things
             ,
             by
             the
             most
             dangerous
             and
             terrible
             Diseases
             :
             Nay
             ,
             the
             great
             Apostle
             seems
             to
             want
             language
             and
             comparisons
             too
             ,
             to
             express
             the
             evil
             of
             it
             ,
             when
             he
             calls
             it
             
               exceedingly
               evil
            
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             said
             ,
             it
             infinitely
             transcends
             all
             other
             evils
             ;
             the
             malignity
             of
             which
             ,
             no
             Pen
             can
             fully
             delineate
             and
             describe
             ,
             either
             in
             its
             nature
             or
             consequences
             .
          
           
           
             In
             its
             Nature
             ;
             the
             Scripture-character
             of
             it
             is
             ,
             it
             is
             
               an
               enmity
               against
               God
            
             ;
             a
             transgression
             and
             voluntary
             violation
             of
             his
             most
             holy
             and
             righteous
             Law
             ;
             a
             disobedience
             of
             his
             Authority
             ,
             and
             a
             wicked
             contempt
             of
             all
             the
             divine
             Attributes
             :
             't
             is
             the
             woful
             stain
             and
             blemish
             of
             our
             Natures
             ,
             the
             disease
             of
             our
             Souls
             ,
             and
             the
             reproach
             of
             our
             Reason
             .
          
           
             The
             consequences
             of
             sin
             are
             fearful
             and
             fatal
             .
             So
             bad
             a
             cause
             can
             never
             fail
             to
             produce
             the
             worst
             effects
             ;
             for
             besides
             all
             the
             temporal
             calamities
             and
             mischiefs
             that
             befal
             Mankinde
             ,
             those
             unspeakable
             miseries
             and
             extream
             torments
             that
             accompany
             men
             to
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             are
             also
             the
             dreadful
             and
             sad
             effects
             of
             sin
             .
             I
             have
             already
             shewed
             ,
             that
             every
             vice
             is
             naturally
             attended
             with
             some
             particular
             punishment
             :
             but
             that
             indeed
             which
             is
             most
             terrible
             ,
             which
             should
             mightily
             amaze
             and
             startle
             the
             sinner
             ,
             are
             the
             dreadful
             miseries
             of
             another
             world
             :
             Alas
             !
             how
             dismal
             is
             the
             condition
             of
             those
             men
             who
             have
             lost
             the
             divine
             Image
             ,
             and
             consequently
             his
             love
             and
             favour
             ,
             and
             are
             liable
             to
             his
             fury
             and
             wrath
             ?
             who
             are
             possess'd
             with
             a
             legion
             of
             impure
             lusts
             ,
             which
             lead
             them
             captive
             ,
             and
             hurry
             them
             headlong
             to
             perdition
             ,
             where
             they
             must
             
             have
             their
             everlasting
             abode
             with
             impure
             spirits
             and
             devouring
             flames
             .
          
           
             How
             impossible
             is
             it
             to
             give
             a
             just
             List
             and
             Catalogue
             of
             the
             sad
             and
             dreadful
             consequences
             of
             sin
             ,
             or
             fully
             describe
             the
             evil
             and
             malignity
             of
             it
             !
             But
             yet
             this
             imperfect
             glance
             may
             in
             part
             satisfie
             and
             inform
             us
             ,
             that
             a
             holy
             and
             vertuous
             life
             ,
             which
             excludes
             all
             those
             mischiefs
             and
             inconveniencies
             which
             both
             in
             this
             and
             the
             next
             life
             attend
             sin
             ,
             is
             the
             best
             of
             blessings
             ,
             and
             frees
             us
             from
             the
             worst
             of
             evils
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             Holiness
             is
             the
             best
             evidence
             of
             our
             being
             in
             favour
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             adoption
             to
             Gods
             Family
             .
             How
             sedulous
             and
             inquisitive
             are
             many
             good
             Christians
             to
             understand
             their
             spiritual
             state
             and
             condition
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             know
             into
             which
             of
             the
             two
             regions
             of
             the
             other
             world
             they
             shall
             be
             stated
             after
             death
             ?
             This
             is
             certainly
             a
             matter
             of
             the
             greatest
             consequence
             ,
             and
             deserves
             every
             mans
             most
             serious
             consideration
             ;
             a
             mistake
             here
             being
             so
             exceedingly
             dangerous
             ,
             like
             a
             wound
             in
             the
             vital
             parts
             ,
             it
             proves
             mortal
             and
             incurable
             if
             continued
             in
             .
             Now
             the
             most
             infallible
             mark
             and
             character
             of
             our
             being
             in
             favour
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             comprehends
             all
             others
             ,
             is
             that
             
             which
             the
             beloved
             Apostle
             sets
             down
             ,
             1
             Joh.
             3.7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             
               Little
               children
               ,
               let
               no
               man
               deceive
               you
               :
               he
               that
               doth
               righteousness
               is
               righteous
               .
               (
               And
               every
               one
               that
               doth
               righteousness
               is
               born
               of
               God
               ,
            
             Chap.
             2.29
             .
             )
             
               He
               that
               committeth
               sin
               is
               of
               the
               Devil
               —
               Whosoever
               is
               born
               of
               God
               doth
               not
               commit
               sin
               —
               In
               this
               the
               children
               of
               God
               are
               manifest
               ,
               and
               the
               children
               of
               the
               Devil
               :
               Whosoever
               doth
               not
               righteousness
               ,
               is
               not
               of
               God.
            
             Let
             men
             pretend
             what
             they
             will
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             destitute
             of
             righteousness
             ,
             they
             are
             of
             their
             Father
             the
             Devil
             ,
             and
             can
             claim
             no
             interest
             in
             God
             as
             their
             Father
             ;
             seeing
             it
             is
             purity
             of
             Spirit
             that
             gives
             us
             a
             title
             to
             be
             the
             Children
             of
             the
             most
             high
             ;
             2
             Cor.
             6.17
             ,
             18.
             
             
               Be
               ye
               separate
               ,
               and
               touch
               not
               the
               unclean
               thing
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               receive
               you
               ,
               and
               will
               be
               a
               Father
               unto
               you
               ,
               and
               ye
               shall
               be
               my
               sons
               and
               daughters
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord
               Almighty
               .
            
             The
             whole
             tenour
             of
             the
             Scripture
             abounds
             with
             so
             many
             such
             instances
             ,
             that
             I
             shall
             supersede
             a
             tedious
             citation
             of
             texts
             .
          
           
             This
             then
             being
             so
             infallible
             and
             certain
             a
             character
             ,
             methinks
             every
             rational
             man
             may
             quickly
             come
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             his
             spiritual
             estate
             .
             A
             bad
             man
             may
             certainly
             enough
             know
             whether
             he
             breaks
             the
             divine
             Laws
             ,
             and
             goes
             in
             a
             continued
             
             course
             of
             sin
             ;
             and
             a
             good
             man
             may
             sufficiently
             know
             whether
             he
             obeys
             the
             divine
             Laws
             ,
             and
             is
             sincere
             in
             his
             actions
             .
             These
             are
             things
             so
             plain
             and
             undeniable
             ,
             that
             all
             doubts
             of
             this
             kinde
             are
             ridiculous
             .
             Now
             't
             is
             no
             difficulty
             to
             draw
             these
             plain
             inferences
             :
             
               I
               break
               the
               divine
               Laws
            
             ,
             therefore
             
               I
               am
               not
               of
               God
            
             :
             or
             ,
             
               I
               obey
               them
            
             ,
             therefore
             
               I
               am
               a
               Childe
               of
               God.
            
             And
             this
             every
             considering
             man
             ,
             who
             impartially
             considers
             ,
             and
             exactly
             examines
             his
             life
             and
             actions
             ,
             may
             be
             fully
             enough
             ascertained
             whether
             he
             be
             a
             Childe
             of
             God
             or
             not
             .
             Alas
             !
             how
             useless
             and
             dangerous
             is
             it
             to
             ascend
             unto
             Heaven
             to
             search
             the
             secret
             and
             eternal
             Decrees
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             belong
             not
             to
             us
             to
             pry
             into
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             know
             whether
             our
             Names
             be
             written
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             Life
             or
             not
             ?
             He
             that
             doth
             righteousness
             needs
             not
             fear
             any
             latent
             Decree
             concerning
             his
             reprobation
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             the
             vainest
             thing
             imaginable
             ,
             for
             impenitent
             and
             obstinate
             sinners
             to
             dream
             that
             God
             hath
             from
             eternity
             elected
             them
             to
             life
             .
             The
             pure
             nature
             of
             God
             is
             so
             perfectly
             opposite
             to
             sin
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             quite
             impossible
             there
             can
             be
             any
             agreement
             betwixt
             him
             and
             sinners
             ,
             no
             more
             than
             there
             can
             be
             betwixt
             light
             and
             darkness
             .
             The
             Psalmist
             acquaints
             us
             ,
             
               That
               he
               is
               not
               
               a
               God
               that
               hath
               pleasure
               in
               wickedness
               .
            
             And
             the
             Apostle
             hath
             told
             us
             ,
             
               That
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               is
               revealed
               from
               Heaven
               against
               all
               ungodliness
               and
               unrighteousness
               of
               men
               .
            
             But
             yet
             
               the
               righteous
               Lord
               loveth
               the
               righteous
               :
            
             These
             are
             the
             men
             whom
             he
             esteems
             his
             Children
             ,
             to
             whom
             the
             promises
             of
             eternal
             life
             belong
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             last
             place
             ,
             there
             is
             nothing
             in
             the
             world
             that
             will
             prove
             so
             effectual
             to
             comfort
             men
             at
             the
             hour
             of
             death
             ,
             as
             the
             sweet
             thoughts
             of
             their
             being
             separated
             from
             the
             pollutions
             of
             the
             world
             .
             How
             unspeakably
             comfortable
             is
             it
             for
             men
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             just
             stepping
             into
             the
             other
             world
             ,
             to
             reflect
             upon
             the
             good
             life
             they
             have
             led
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             carry
             in
             their
             bosoms
             Consciences
             void
             of
             offence
             both
             toward
             God
             and
             towards
             man
             ?
             This
             is
             indeed
             that
             noble
             and
             Sovereign
             Cordial
             that
             revives
             the
             spirits
             of
             good
             men
             ,
             
               in
               their
               passage
               through
               the
               valley
               and
               shadow
               of
               death
               ,
            
             and
             makes
             their
             comforts
             abound
             and
             overflow
             .
          
           
             Death
             is
             not
             so
             small
             a
             matter
             as
             some
             men
             think
             ;
             in
             Scripture
             it
             is
             not
             unfitly
             called
             
               the
               King
               of
               terrours
            
             :
             Now
             nothing
             can
             free
             men
             from
             the
             terrour
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             a
             good
             Conscience
             ;
             and
             this
             cannot
             
             be
             had
             without
             Holiness
             ,
             which
             makes
             all
             calm
             and
             serene
             within
             .
             It
             will
             afford
             men
             little
             pleasure
             when
             they
             come
             to
             die
             ,
             to
             reflect
             upon
             the
             earthly
             pleasures
             they
             have
             enjoyed
             :
             these
             things
             profit
             not
             
               in
               the
               day
               of
               wrath
            
             ;
             but
             the
             Conscience
             of
             well
             doing
             makes
             men
             salute
             death
             without
             dread
             and
             astonishment
             ,
             and
             lift
             up
             their
             heads
             with
             joy
             ,
             because
             
               the
               day
               of
               their
               redemption
               approacheth
               .
            
          
           
             But
             with
             the
             ungodly
             and
             wicked
             it
             is
             not
             so
             ;
             then
             their
             sins
             stare
             them
             in
             their
             face
             ,
             and
             so
             terrifie
             and
             affright
             them
             ,
             that
             no
             wonder
             though
             in
             the
             extremity
             of
             their
             agony
             they
             prefer
             strangling
             and
             death
             to
             life
             .
             If
             holy
             Job
             doth
             so
             heavily
             complain
             of
             the
             terrours
             of
             God
             ,
             how
             much
             more
             terrifying
             shall
             the
             apprehensions
             of
             a
             severe
             and
             terrible
             judgement
             be
             to
             the
             unsanctified
             and
             polluted
             ?
             To
             think
             how
             shortly
             he
             must
             be
             everlastingly
             separate
             from
             the
             good
             things
             he
             enjoyed
             here
             ,
             and
             be
             cast
             into
             utter
             darkness
             ,
             to
             have
             his
             portion
             with
             the
             damned
             in
             devouring
             Flames
             ,
             to
             be
             an
             everlasting
             resident
             in
             the
             Lake
             of
             fire
             and
             brimstone
             ,
             where
             he
             shall
             be
             continually
             tormented
             with
             that
             gnawing
             worm
             that
             never
             dies
             :
             These
             are
             the
             amazing
             thoughts
             
             that
             will
             seize
             upon
             the
             sinner
             :
             his
             Conscience
             then
             will
             not
             sleep
             ;
             nothing
             will
             be
             able
             to
             allay
             those
             Storms
             and
             Tempests
             that
             are
             raised
             by
             the
             fearful
             expectation
             of
             the
             reward
             due
             to
             sin
             .
             At
             death
             ,
             men
             are
             generally
             wiser
             than
             at
             other
             times
             ;
             then
             they
             begin
             to
             consider
             what
             they
             have
             been
             doing
             ,
             and
             call
             themselves
             fool
             a
             thousand
             times
             for
             their
             disobedience
             and
             wickedness
             .
             The
             smoak
             of
             worldly
             cares
             that
             formerly
             blinded
             their
             eyes
             ,
             are
             now
             dispelled
             ;
             they
             see
             their
             folly
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             too
             late
             to
             mend
             it
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             do
             no
             more
             ,
             yet
             
             Balaam-like
             ,
             they
             will
             cry
             ,
             
               O
               that
               I
               might
               die
               the
               death
               of
               the
               righteous
               !
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           CHAP.
           IV.
           Frivolous
           Cavils
           and
           Objections
           removed
           .
        
         
           THe
           former
           Chapters
           having
           discovered
           the
           
             Beauty
             of
             Holiness
          
           ,
           and
           the
           mighty
           power
           and
           force
           of
           Arguments
           that
           excite
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           it
           ;
           one
           who
           weighs
           all
           this
           by
           the
           measures
           of
           equity
           ,
           cannot
           (
           as
           any
           man
           would
           think
           )
           but
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           the
           strangest
           prodigie
           ,
           that
           so
           just
           a
           Cause
           should
           raiss
           of
           its
           effect
           ,
           and
           finde
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           pretend
           to
           be
           such
           Masters
           of
           Reason
           ,
           so
           monstrously
           foolish
           in
           rejecting
           it
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           some
           frivolous
           and
           very
           fallacious
           cavils
           :
           But
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           resolute
           Impiety
           is
           set
           upon
           the
           bench
           and
           made
           Judge
           ;
           and
           no
           wonder
           though
           it
           pass
           an
           unjust
           sentence
           ,
           and
           condemn
           Holiness
           because
           of
           its
           opposition
           to
           Vice.
           
        
         
           The
           common
           imputations
           and
           prejudices
           which
           wicked
           men
           load
           Holiness
           with
           ,
           I
           shall
           reduce
           to
           the
           four
           following
           Heads
           .
           First
           ,
           Holiness
           lays
           upon
           men
           heavy
           burdens
           ,
           and
           grievous
           to
           be
           born
           ,
           which
           makes
           humane
           life
           joyless
           and
           uneasie
           ,
           they
           being
           so
           inconsistent
           ,
           first
           ,
           with
           
           Peace
           ;
           and
           secondly
           ,
           with
           Pleasure
           and
           Satisfaction
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Experience
           informs
           us
           ,
           that
           wicked
           men
           enjoy
           pleasure
           and
           satisfaction
           in
           their
           ways
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           men
           so
           jovial
           and
           merry
           as
           they
           ;
           and
           that
           men
           who
           pretend
           to
           Holiness
           are
           fullen
           and
           melancholy
           ,
           and
           are
           exposed
           to
           heavy
           sufferings
           and
           trials
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           'T
           is
           singularity
           and
           ambition
           that
           prevail
           more
           with
           men
           than
           any
           other
           motive
           to
           be
           holy
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           'T
           is
           the
           greatest
           piece
           of
           folly
           ,
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           impudence
           ,
           for
           men
           to
           quit
           with
           present
           pleasures
           for
           mere
           uncertainties
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           being
           the
           most
           material
           Objection
           ,
           I
           shall
           therefore
           more
           largely
           and
           distinctly
           examine
           it
           ;
           and
           in
           doing
           of
           this
           ,
           I
           shall
           desire
           these
           four
           things
           may
           be
           considered
           .
           First
           ,
           that
           the
           divine
           Laws
           are
           not
           grievous
           and
           uneasie
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           Vice
           is
           much
           more
           troublesom
           and
           difficult
           than
           Vertue
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           that
           Holiness
           conduceth
           both
           to
           the
           Peace
           and
           Happiness
           of
           humane
           Societies
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           temporal
           Advantage
           of
           private
           persons
           .
           And
           Fourthly
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           more
           pleasure
           in
           the
           ways
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           commission
           of
           sin
           .
        
         
         
           That
           the
           divine
           Laws
           are
           not
           grievous
           and
           uneasie
           ,
           but
           extreamly
           reasonable
           and
           wise
           ,
           is
           a
           truth
           I
           have
           already
           made
           plain
           ,
           when
           I
           discoursed
           of
           
             the
             rule
             of
             Holiness
          
           .
           The
           whole
           tenour
           of
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christianity
           being
           so
           exceedingly
           suitable
           to
           the
           very
           nature
           of
           men
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           rationally
           supposed
           that
           they
           can
           be
           grievous
           to
           them
           .
           St.
           Paul
           to
           the
           Philippians
           ,
           gives
           us
           a
           brief
           and
           compendious
           ,
           but
           very
           full
           and
           comprehensive
           ,
           account
           of
           what
           things
           the
           Laws
           of
           our
           Christianity
           enjoyn
           ,
           
             viz.
             Whatsoever
             things
             are
             true
             ,
             whatsoever
             things
             are
             honest
             ,
             whatsoever
             things
             are
             just
             ,
             whatsoever
             things
             are
             pure
             ,
             whatsoever
             things
             are
             lovely
             ,
             and
             whatsoever
             things
             are
             of
             good
             report
             :
          
           all
           which
           are
           so
           agreeable
           to
           Reason
           ,
           that
           even
           the
           light
           of
           Nature
           prompts
           men
           to
           the
           doing
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           fully
           discovers
           it self
           to
           be
           an
           irreconcilable
           Enemy
           to
           all
           kinde
           of
           vices
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           not
           then
           Reason
           ,
           but
           the
           impetuous
           Lusts
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           determines
           a
           holy
           Law
           to
           be
           grievous
           and
           uneasie
           :
           and
           indeed
           ,
           no
           wonder
           though
           this
           unjust
           Judge
           make
           Holiness
           appear
           formidable
           ,
           and
           represent
           it
           as
           grievous
           to
           Mankinde
           ;
           it
           being
           so
           much
           the
           interest
           of
           this
           partial
           Judge
           to
           condemn
           it
           as
           criminal
           ,
           
           and
           to
           decrie
           it
           as
           a
           yoak
           intolerable
           and
           grievous
           to
           be
           born
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           probable
           that
           the
           most
           innocent
           shall
           pass
           uncondemned
           ,
           when
           an
           Enemy
           is
           set
           up
           in
           the
           Judgement-seat
           to
           pass
           Sentence
           :
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           must
           be
           pronounced
           guilty
           by
           Pilat
           ,
           although
           even
           this
           unjust
           Judge
           openly
           profest
           ,
           
             he
             found
             no
             fault
             in
             him
             .
          
           And
           seeing
           our
           great
           Law-giver
           met
           with
           so
           severe
           a
           sentence
           ,
           who
           can
           expect
           any
           more
           upright
           verdicts
           should
           pass
           upon
           his
           Laws
           ?
        
         
           But
           that
           the
           divine
           Laws
           are
           not
           indeed
           grievous
           to
           be
           born
           ,
           may
           easily
           appear
           from
           plain
           Texts
           of
           Scripture
           (
           which
           is
           the
           onely
           infallible
           rule
           .
           )
           Our
           great
           Lord
           hath
           himself
           taught
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             That
             his
             yoak
             is
             easie
             ,
             and
             his
             burden
             light
             .
          
           And
           one
           of
           his
           inspired
           Disciples
           has
           assured
           us
           ,
           
             that
             his
             commands
             are
             not
             grievous
             :
          
           two
           Texts
           sufficient
           methinks
           to
           remove
           all
           those
           prejudices
           that
           are
           cast
           upon
           a
           holy
           life
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           full
           of
           fatigue
           and
           trouble
           .
        
         
           But
           besides
           Scripture
           ,
           Reason
           and
           Experience
           too
           ,
           come
           in
           to
           witness
           this
           truth
           .
           
             First
             ,
             Reason
          
           bears
           witness
           that
           the
           divine
           Commands
           are
           extreamly
           reasonable
           and
           natural
           ;
           and
           is
           it
           not
           against
           the
           common
           vote
           of
           Mankinde
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           What
           
           is
           natural
           ,
           is
           uneasie
           and
           difficult
           ?
           Men
           who
           impose
           hard
           and
           grievous
           tasks
           upon
           others
           ,
           are
           by
           all
           men
           condemned
           as
           unreasonable
           ;
           which
           certainly
           implies
           ,
           that
           whatever
           is
           reasonable
           ,
           is
           not
           grievous
           and
           difficult
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           sinners
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           many-repeated
           acts
           of
           disobedience
           have
           contracted
           a
           habit
           of
           sin
           ,
           do
           indeed
           commit
           it
           with
           less
           trouble
           than
           those
           who
           first
           engage
           to
           this
           Tyranny
           ;
           as
           Slaves
           ,
           who
           by
           custom
           look
           upon
           that
           as
           easie
           ,
           which
           at
           their
           first
           entrance
           upon
           such
           a
           slavery
           was
           very
           difficult
           and
           grievous
           :
           And
           yet
           whatever
           ease
           the
           most
           daring
           sinner
           may
           pretend
           is
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           acts
           of
           sin
           ,
           I
           durst
           appeal
           to
           his
           own
           breast
           ,
           whether
           he
           might
           not
           with
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           more
           ease
           ,
           and
           less
           fatigue
           ,
           have
           kept
           the
           divine
           Laws
           ,
           than
           he
           met
           with
           in
           breaking
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           
             I
             confess
          
           ,
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christianity
           are
           not
           natural
           in
           a
           strict
           and
           confined
           sence
           ;
           but
           onely
           in
           so
           far
           as
           they
           correspond
           with
           ,
           and
           are
           suitable
           to
           ,
           the
           nature
           of
           Mankinde
           :
           hence
           some
           sins
           are
           said
           to
           be
           unnatural
           ;
           not
           because
           all
           sins
           may
           not
           adopt
           to
           themselves
           that
           title
           ,
           but
           because
           upon
           a
           more
           peculiar
           and
           special
           account
           ,
           all
           men
           are
           sensible
           that
           they
           are
           bruitish
           ,
           and
           unbecoming
           any
           who
           
           carry
           in
           their
           bosom
           a
           rational
           Soul.
           There
           is
           not
           any
           vice
           ,
           but
           it
           infests
           and
           prejudges
           Nature
           .
           Anger
           is
           a
           degree
           of
           Madness
           ,
           that
           violently
           transports
           men
           ,
           and
           quite
           mars
           their
           inward
           ease
           and
           repose
           .
           Revenge
           ,
           a
           more
           lasting
           and
           deliberate
           fury
           ,
           preys
           upon
           the
           Soul
           where
           it
           resides
           ,
           and
           so
           distracts
           and
           hurries
           it
           with
           inquietude
           and
           restlesness
           ,
           that
           nothing
           imaginable
           can
           be
           supposed
           a
           greater
           Enemy
           to
           Nature
           ,
           how
           sweet
           soever
           and
           luscious
           it
           may
           seem
           to
           depraved
           nature
           .
           Intemperance
           ,
           and
           Vncleanness
           ,
           are
           sins
           which
           debase
           Humane
           nature
           below
           that
           of
           beasts
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           cause
           of
           many
           intolerable
           pains
           and
           Diseases
           ,
           which
           make
           Humane
           life
           but
           an
           uneasie
           burden
           .
           But
           besides
           all
           these
           troubles
           ,
           we
           may
           adde
           that
           horrour
           of
           Conscience
           that
           haunts
           the
           sinner
           with
           fear
           and
           astonishment
           .
           All
           which
           contribute
           to
           clear
           the
           truth
           of
           what
           I
           assert
           .
        
         
           Again
           ,
           Reason
           tells
           a
           man
           ,
           that
           it
           cannot
           be
           grievous
           to
           him
           to
           perform
           that
           which
           is
           so
           much
           his
           interest
           and
           advantage
           .
           Men
           in
           their
           secular
           concerns
           finde
           no
           difficulties
           in
           any
           undertaking
           wherein
           their
           interest
           is
           concerned
           ;
           and
           sure
           it
           is
           mans
           greatest
           interest
           to
           keep
           the
           divine
           Precepts
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           already
           at
           
           some
           length
           discovered
           .
           'T
           is
           an
           excellent
           saying
           ,
           of
           as
           excellent
           an
           Author
           :
           Reason
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             must
             first
             cease
             to
             be
             Reason
             ,
             and
             commence
          
           Phrenzie
           ,
           
             before
             't
             is
             possible
             it
             can
             set
             it self
             in
             defiance
             of
             those
             Laws
             of
             Christ
             ,
             which
             are
             accommodated
             to
             its
             greatest
             interest
             .
          
           Causes
           of
           the
           decay
           of
           Christian
           Piety
           ,
           Chap.
           5.
           
        
         
           But
           besides
           Reason
           ,
           Experience
           bears
           also
           witness
           to
           this
           truth
           ,
           that
           the
           divine
           Laws
           are
           not
           grievous
           .
           But
           before
           I
           proceed
           to
           prove
           this
           ,
           I
           shall
           premise
           two
           Cautions
           :
           First
           ,
           when
           I
           say
           that
           Experience
           makes
           it
           plain
           ,
           that
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christianity
           are
           not
           grievous
           ;
           I
           do
           not
           mean
           that
           a
           sinner
           when
           he
           first
           forsaketh
           his
           sins
           ,
           and
           betakes
           himself
           to
           a
           holy
           and
           vertuous
           life
           ,
           shall
           encounter
           with
           no
           difficulties
           ;
           no
           sure
           ,
           this
           cannot
           reasonably
           be
           expected
           :
           for
           his
           former
           habit
           in
           sin
           will
           at
           the
           first
           give
           him
           work
           enough
           ;
           he
           has
           an
           old
           custom
           to
           oppose
           and
           struggle
           with
           ,
           which
           will
           cost
           him
           no
           small
           pains
           to
           overcome
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           far
           less
           must
           we
           fondly
           imagine
           that
           the
           Law
           of
           Christianity
           is
           so
           easie
           ,
           as
           supersedes
           and
           gives
           a
           discharge
           to
           humane
           industry
           ,
           vigilancy
           ,
           and
           care
           :
           they
           are
           but
           strangers
           to
           a
           holy
           life
           ,
           and
           never
           knew
           what
           it
           is
           to
           obey
           Gods
           
           Commands
           ,
           who
           never
           were
           at
           any
           pains
           ,
           nay
           who
           are
           not
           very
           industrious
           and
           careful
           to
           observe
           them
           .
           When
           our
           Saviour
           says
           ,
           
             his
             yoak
             is
             easie
          
           ,
           he
           does
           not
           hereby
           intend
           to
           perswade
           men
           to
           be
           like
           Solomons
           sluggard
           ;
           sure
           Heaven
           was
           never
           designed
           for
           loiterers
           in
           Gods
           Vineyard
           :
           but
           his
           intent
           there
           ,
           is
           to
           remove
           a
           common
           prejudice
           men
           were
           like
           to
           entertain
           against
           Christianity
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           an
           intolerable
           yoak
           ,
           and
           insupportable
           task
           :
           now
           this
           Christ
           forewarns
           his
           Disciples
           is
           not
           true
           .
        
         
           These
           two
           things
           being
           premised
           ,
           I
           now
           appeal
           to
           Experience
           (
           which
           often
           corrects
           errour
           in
           speculation
           )
           whether
           the
           Laws
           of
           Heaven
           or
           Hell
           are
           most
           grievous
           .
           And
           to
           condescend
           as
           far
           as
           possible
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           here
           call
           in
           the
           Experiences
           of
           good
           men
           ,
           who
           all
           unanimously
           assent
           that
           there
           is
           more
           ease
           and
           less
           fatigue
           in
           obeying
           ,
           than
           in
           breaking
           the
           divine
           Laws
           ;
           but
           I
           shall
           submit
           to
           the
           sinners
           own
           testimony
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           in
           his
           most
           sober
           state
           ;
           I
           mean
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           under
           the
           extremity
           of
           some
           pain
           inflicted
           by
           his
           sins
           ,
           or
           when
           he
           lies
           upon
           his
           death-bed
           :
           at
           other
           times
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           in
           the
           pursute
           of
           some
           Lust
           ,
           no
           wonder
           though
           he
           pass
           as
           unjust
           a
           sentence
           as
           sick
           
           men
           do
           of
           tastes
           ,
           who
           having
           their
           palates
           infected
           with
           some
           venomous
           and
           filthy
           humour
           ,
           judge
           every
           thing
           ,
           be
           it
           really
           never
           so
           pleasant
           ,
           to
           be
           bitter
           and
           harsh
           .
        
         
           Go
           then
           to
           sinners
           when
           they
           come
           to
           themselves
           (
           as
           it
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Prodigal
           ,
           
             He
             came
             to
             himself
          
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           been
           before
           mad
           or
           distracted
           )
           and
           ask
           them
           whether
           they
           finde
           more
           trouble
           in
           their
           doing
           or
           omitting
           of
           sin
           ?
           Ask
           the
           Drunkard
           ,
           who
           by
           his
           intemperance
           lies
           smarting
           under
           the
           tormenting
           pains
           of
           the
           Gout
           ,
           whether
           he
           had
           been
           wiser
           ,
           and
           suffered
           less
           trouble
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           been
           temperate
           ,
           and
           abstained
           from
           excess
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           besides
           the
           diseases
           that
           many
           ,
           if
           not
           most
           of
           vices
           bring
           upon
           men
           ;
           there
           are
           some
           sins
           that
           make
           men
           sensibly
           in
           the
           time
           finde
           pain
           and
           trouble
           .
           Go
           to
           the
           Lascivious
           and
           Wanton
           person
           who
           is
           tormented
           with
           the
           Pox
           ,
           and
           ask
           whether
           his
           sin
           be
           grievous
           to
           him
           or
           not
           ?
           There
           are
           few
           sins
           which
           are
           not
           attended
           with
           grievous
           concomitants
           .
           But
           I
           shall
           not
           insist
           .
        
         
           
             I
             confess
          
           ,
           no
           mens
           Experiences
           are
           so
           likely
           to
           demonstrate
           this
           truth
           ,
           nor
           are
           more
           pertinently
           appealed
           to
           ,
           as
           theirs
           who
           have
           once
           experimented
           the
           pleasures
           
           and
           pains
           of
           both
           states
           :
           Ask
           therefore
           those
           who
           were
           once
           Drunkards
           and
           Adulterers
           ,
           but
           are
           now
           sanctified
           and
           settled
           in
           a
           course
           of
           Holiness
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           sure
           they
           shall
           verily
           testifie
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           onely
           Satan's
           Yoak
           that
           is
           uneasie
           and
           burthensome
           .
        
         
           But
           granting
           that
           there
           is
           some
           difficulty
           in
           the
           exact
           observation
           of
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           (
           as
           sure
           any
           man
           who
           consults
           the
           corruption
           of
           his
           own
           nature
           ,
           and
           the
           depraved
           inclinations
           thereof
           ,
           against
           which
           they
           are
           levelled
           ,
           will
           never
           deny
           )
           yet
           if
           this
           shall
           be
           judged
           a
           good
           Argument
           to
           cancel
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           all
           Laws
           whatsoever
           shall
           be
           quite
           dashed
           out
           ,
           and
           banished
           the
           world
           ;
           for
           who
           shall
           be
           guilty
           ,
           if
           he
           may
           have
           the
           liberty
           to
           use
           this
           for
           a
           relevant
           excuse
           ?
        
         
           This
           being
           then
           so
           unreasonable
           to
           imagine
           ,
           (
           and
           if
           it
           should
           be
           admitted
           ,
           should
           yet
           never
           a
           whit
           excuse
           the
           sinner
           ,
           who
           to
           his
           experience
           findes
           sin
           to
           be
           so
           uneasie
           and
           troublesome
           )
           yet
           I
           shall
           adde
           two
           Considerations
           that
           demonstrate
           ,
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christianity
           are
           more
           easie
           than
           any
           other
           Laws
           that
           ever
           were
           invented
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           are
           not
           (
           as
           carnal
           men
           represent
           them
           )
           
             hard
             sayings
             
             which
             none
             can
             bear
             .
          
           First
           ,
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Gospel-precepts
           hath
           offered
           to
           us
           an
           assistance
           ,
           able
           to
           conquer
           all
           the
           difficulties
           that
           can
           be
           supposed
           to
           attend
           the
           keeping
           of
           his
           Mandates
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           if
           Christ
           had
           enjoyned
           his
           followers
           to
           obey
           a
           Law
           which
           could
           not
           possibly
           be
           kept
           ;
           I
           confess
           ,
           in
           that
           case
           ,
           his
           Commands
           had
           been
           grievous
           ,
           and
           his
           Yoak
           insupportable
           :
           Or
           if
           he
           had
           been
           satisfied
           with
           no
           less
           than
           perfect
           innocency
           ,
           and
           unsinning
           obedience
           ,
           I
           don't
           see
           how
           this
           prejudice
           and
           cavil
           could
           have
           been
           removed
           .
           But
           he
           who
           prescribed
           those
           Precepts
           ,
           considered
           the
           frailties
           of
           our
           nature
           ,
           and
           the
           weakness
           of
           man
           in
           this
           lapsed
           estate
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           has
           provided
           help
           for
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           but
           be
           at
           the
           pains
           seriously
           to
           implore
           it
           ;
           
             For
             he
             giveth
             his
             Spirit
             to
             them
             that
             ask
             it
             .
          
           And
           upon
           this
           account
           the
           beloved
           Apostle
           encourageth
           Christians
           to
           obey
           the
           precepts
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           because
           
             Greater
             is
             he
             that
             is
             in
             you
             ,
             than
             he
             that
             is
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           excellency
           of
           the
           Reward
           that
           is
           promised
           to
           the
           obedient
           ,
           is
           a
           most
           noble
           consideration
           to
           make
           men
           (
           as
           the
           Psalmist
           speaks
           )
           run
           the
           way
           of
           Gods
           Commandments
           .
           The
           promissory
           
           part
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           renders
           the
           preceptive
           part
           easie
           .
           Methinks
           the
           holy
           Soul
           should
           with
           comfort
           thus
           express
           it self
           ,
           when
           the
           greatest
           difficulties
           offer
           :
           Good
           God!
           shall
           I
           be
           discouraged
           to
           obey
           the
           hardest
           (
           if
           any
           thing
           proceeding
           from
           infinite
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           can
           be
           said
           to
           be
           difficult
           )
           of
           thy
           Commandments
           ,
           when
           so
           glorious
           a
           prize
           is
           the
           reward
           thereof
           ?
           If
           a
           terrene
           and
           temporal
           felicity
           animates
           others
           to
           encounter
           the
           most
           Giant-difficulties
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           unconcernedly
           should
           I
           slight
           all
           hazards
           ,
           and
           contemn
           by
           a
           fearless
           courage
           all
           dangers
           ,
           for
           that
           
             blessed
             hope
             that
             is
             set
             before
             me
             ?
          
           Can
           I
           remember
           there
           is
           a
           Kingdom
           promised
           ,
           and
           yet
           be
           terrified
           from
           it
           by
           supposed
           difficulties
           ,
           or
           complain
           that
           the
           way
           is
           inaccessible
           ?
           Do
           I
           really
           know
           that
           it
           is
           indeed
           a
           good
           Land
           ,
           and
           am
           yet
           discouraged
           to
           attempt
           the
           taking
           of
           it
           ,
           because
           it
           will
           require
           some
           violence
           ?
           Shall
           I
           ,
           like
           the
           Reubenites
           and
           Gadites
           ,
           set
           up
           my
           rest
           on
           this
           side
           of
           Jordan
           ,
           notwithstanding
           this
           proposal
           of
           Canaan
           ?
           No
           sure
           ,
           eternal
           Life
           is
           too
           noble
           a
           prize
           to
           be
           lost
           ,
           for
           fear
           of
           fighting
           the
           Good
           sight
           .
           I
           regard
           no
           difficulties
           while
           I
           eye
           the
           Crown
           ;
           I
           cannot
           think
           those
           Precepts
           grievous
           ,
           that
           
           are
           enforced
           by
           so
           many
           excellent
           promises
           .
           So
           great
           a
           recompence
           of
           reward
           should
           ,
           methinks
           ,
           inspire
           the
           dullest
           Heart
           ,
           and
           sweeten
           the
           hardest
           Service
           ;
           should
           make
           any
           one
           willing
           and
           content
           to
           sacrifice
           his
           most
           beloved
           lusts
           ,
           to
           cut
           off
           the
           right
           Hand
           ,
           and
           pluck
           out
           the
           right
           eye
           ,
           which
           stand
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           hinder
           him
           from
           entring
           into
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           endeavoured
           to
           explain
           upon
           what
           account
           the
           Laws
           of
           Christianity
           are
           not
           grievous
           ,
           I
           hope
           I
           shall
           not
           need
           to
           insist
           long
           upon
           the
           following
           particulars
           .
           At
           first
           sight
           it
           seems
           plain
           ,
           that
           since
           the
           case
           is
           so
           ,
           Vice
           must
           certainly
           be
           more
           troublesome
           than
           Vertue
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           is
           easier
           for
           men
           to
           live
           holily
           ,
           than
           wickedly
           :
           and
           yet
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           by
           what
           strange
           artifice
           ,
           Holiness
           has
           had
           the
           bad
           luck
           to
           be
           represented
           as
           being
           extreamly
           difficult
           .
           I
           confess
           ,
           I
           intend
           not
           to
           inveigh
           against
           the
           sacred
           Tribe
           of
           Levi
           ,
           who
           have
           represented
           Heaven
           almost
           as
           unaccessible
           ,
           as
           the
           Israelitish
           Spies
           did
           the
           good
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           ;
           knowing
           they
           thereby
           onely
           designe
           to
           raise
           mens
           endeavours
           :
           although
           I
           could
           have
           wished
           that
           they
           had
           considered
           better
           ,
           how
           readily
           men
           of
           corrupt
           
           mindes
           and
           vitious
           practices
           lay
           aside
           all
           care
           of
           Gods
           Commandments
           ,
           upon
           this
           suggestion
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           grievous
           ;
           and
           are
           deterred
           from
           a
           holy
           and
           vertuous
           life
           .
        
         
           But
           that
           Vice
           is
           more
           troublesome
           and
           uneasie
           than
           Vertue
           ,
           will
           (
           besides
           what
           I
           have
           formerly
           said
           )
           appear
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           from
           the
           following
           Considerations
           .
           First
           ,
           Sacred
           Records
           represent
           sinners
           as
           men
           who
           
             weary
             themselves
             with
             sin
          
           ;
           and
           the
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           describes
           their
           trouble
           by
           a
           very
           apt
           similitude
           ,
           Isa.
           57.20
           .
           
             The
             wicked
             is
             like
             the
             troubled
             sea
             ,
             when
             it
             cannot
             rest
             ,
             whose
             waters
             cast
             up
             mire
             and
             dirt
             .
          
           The
           ways
           of
           sin
           are
           frequently
           called
           
             crooked
             paths
          
           ,
           and
           wicked
           men
           are
           said
           
             to
             walk
             astray
          
           ;
           whileas
           the
           way
           of
           Holiness
           and
           Vertue
           is
           said
           to
           be
           a
           streight
           and
           
             high
             way
          
           :
           All
           which
           Phrases
           plainly
           enough
           imply
           ,
           that
           the
           former
           is
           full
           of
           intricacy
           and
           perplexities
           ,
           and
           the
           latter
           plain
           and
           easie
           .
        
         
           Experiences
           to
           prove
           this
           ,
           are
           every
           day
           so
           multiplied
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           abundantly
           serve
           to
           silence
           all
           doubts
           .
           The
           Drunkard
           can
           experimentally
           tell
           the
           costliness
           of
           his
           sin
           ,
           and
           the
           tormenting
           diseases
           that
           are
           frequently
           the
           effect
           of
           an
           overcharged
           Stomach
           ;
           the
           uneasie
           
           belchings
           and
           overturnings
           within
           ,
           the
           grievous
           pains
           of
           Head
           and
           Joynts
           .
           The
           Wanton
           and
           Lascivious
           can
           produce
           his
           painful
           boils
           and
           sores
           ,
           to
           witness
           the
           uneasiness
           of
           Lust
           ;
           at
           best
           ,
           he
           can
           onely
           produce
           an
           hectick
           Body
           .
           But
           besides
           those
           loathsome
           diseases
           that
           are
           the
           effects
           of
           Lasciviousness
           ,
           how
           restless
           and
           uneasie
           is
           the
           condition
           of
           such
           persons
           ?
           But
           how
           impossible
           is
           it
           to
           give
           a
           just
           list
           of
           those
           miseries
           that
           Wantonness
           and
           Intemperance
           hurry
           men
           to
           ?
           To
           what
           a
           multitude
           of
           amazing
           difficulties
           does
           Pride
           expose
           men
           !
           what
           mischiefs
           ,
           jarrs
           and
           contests
           does
           it
           raise
           ?
           Envy
           and
           Revenge
           torment
           mens
           spirits
           ,
           and
           so
           disquiet
           and
           perturb
           them
           ,
           that
           men
           may
           as
           well
           take
           fire
           into
           their
           bosom
           ,
           and
           pretend
           they
           perceive
           no
           torment
           ,
           as
           lodge
           those
           horrid
           lusts
           in
           their
           breasts
           without
           the
           sense
           of
           their
           extream
           misery
           and
           pain
           .
           The
           Covetous
           minde
           is
           never
           at
           rest
           ,
           but
           is
           ever
           craving
           and
           desirous
           of
           more
           .
           But
           to
           shew
           how
           troublesome
           the
           practice
           of
           every
           sin
           is
           ,
           requires
           a
           larger
           discourse
           than
           I
           can
           well
           allow
           .
        
         
           But
           how
           easie
           is
           Vertue
           ,
           if
           compared
           with
           Vice
           ?
           At
           what
           trouble
           and
           pains
           are
           men
           ,
           to
           invent
           a
           lie
           ?
           and
           when
           they
           have
           contrived
           it
           ,
           they
           cannot
           but
           be
           
           afraid
           lest
           it
           be
           discovered
           .
           But
           how
           easie
           is
           it
           to
           speak
           the
           truth
           ?
           With
           how
           much
           art
           and
           pains
           do
           men
           trouble
           themselves
           to
           conceal
           their
           vices
           ?
           The
           Adulterer
           is
           wearied
           with
           watching
           convenient
           opportunities
           ,
           and
           afraid
           lest
           he
           be
           discovered
           ;
           whileas
           the
           chast
           person
           enjoys
           himself
           quietly
           ,
           &
           is
           troubled
           with
           no
           such
           attender
           .
           The
           
             covetous
             Miser
          
           is
           cruciate
           and
           tormented
           with
           a
           desire
           of
           what
           he
           cannot
           expect
           ;
           is
           extreamly
           tormented
           by
           an
           incessant
           care
           ,
           lest
           he
           lose
           what
           he
           hath
           ,
           and
           ever
           toiling
           to
           acquire
           more
           ;
           whileas
           the
           vertuous
           Soul
           is
           contented
           with
           what
           he
           enjoyeth
           ,
           and
           grudgeth
           not
           to
           bestow
           a
           part
           of
           what
           is
           his
           to
           others
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           no
           man
           who
           is
           not
           quite
           given
           up
           to
           commit
           all
           manner
           of
           wickedness
           ,
           and
           whose
           conscience
           is
           not
           seared
           as
           with
           a
           hot
           Iron
           ,
           but
           can
           tell
           by
           his
           experience
           ,
           how
           perplexing
           and
           uneasie
           Vice
           is
           .
           And
           to
           make
           this
           yet
           more
           plain
           ,
           I
           shall
           adde
           these
           few
           following
           Reasons
           .
           First
           ,
           the
           nature
           of
           Vice
           is
           so
           reproachful
           ,
           that
           men
           are
           even
           troubled
           to
           coyn
           shifts
           to
           avoid
           the
           owning
           it
           ;
           and
           sure
           this
           cannot
           but
           be
           uneasie
           to
           men
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           the
           most
           viciously
           inclined
           persons
           ,
           who
           will
           not
           practise
           ,
           yet
           are
           force
           for
           their
           interest
           
           to
           pretend
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           usually
           indeed
           become
           greater
           Zealots
           than
           those
           who
           are
           really
           vertuous
           :
           But
           this
           cannot
           but
           be
           exceedingly
           troublesome
           to
           them
           ,
           it
           being
           against
           their
           inclinations
           ,
           and
           contradictory
           to
           the
           internal
           sentiments
           of
           their
           mindes
           .
           And
           besides
           ,
           at
           what
           pains
           are
           they
           to
           make
           other
           men
           believe
           that
           they
           are
           real
           in
           what
           they
           onely
           pretend
           ?
           Thirdly
           ,
           Vice
           is
           very
           perplexing
           and
           difficult
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           that
           it
           requires
           hard
           ,
           if
           not
           impossible
           performances
           :
           the
           Covetous
           minde
           is
           prompted
           to
           attempt
           many
           difficulties
           to
           obtain
           what
           it
           craves
           ,
           and
           after
           all
           is
           disappointed
           .
           Nay
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           Covetousness
           is
           a
           vice
           so
           uneasie
           and
           troublesome
           ,
           that
           it
           proposeth
           what
           can
           never
           be
           acquired
           :
           for
           after
           it
           hath
           got
           what
           is
           designed
           ,
           it
           is
           restless
           ,
           and
           as
           ready
           to
           say
           
             Give
             ,
             give
          
           ,
           as
           ever
           .
           But
           Lastly
           ,
           that
           which
           contributes
           most
           to
           render
           Vice
           uneasie
           ,
           are
           those
           after-pangs
           of
           Conscience
           which
           fill
           the
           Soul
           with
           horrour
           and
           amazement
           ;
           the
           consciousness
           of
           guilt
           stings
           and
           torments
           it
           ,
           and
           makes
           the
           sinner
           a
           terrour
           to
           himself
           .
           'T
           is
           impossible
           either
           to
           gag
           or
           corrupt
           Conscience
           ,
           that
           it
           shall
           never
           give
           any
           check
           .
           But
           now
           how
           quieting
           and
           solacing
           is
           Vertue
           ?
           no
           man
           ever
           yet
           complained
           that
           
           terrours
           haunted
           him
           for
           living
           holily
           .
           O
           how
           do
           the
           thoughts
           of
           a
           vertuous
           life
           refresh
           men
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           greatest
           dangers
           ?
           Let
           us
           go
           to
           sinners
           on
           their
           death-bed
           ,
           and
           then
           we
           shall
           finde
           this
           truth
           preached
           to
           the
           full
           ;
           an
           evidence
           valid
           enough
           to
           condemn
           sin
           as
           the
           uneasiest
           thing
           imaginable
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           we
           have
           seen
           how
           many
           difficulties
           attend
           sin
           ,
           both
           before
           ,
           and
           after
           it
           is
           committed
           .
           And
           now
           what
           reason
           can
           any
           man
           alleadge
           for
           the
           pretended
           easiness
           of
           sin
           ?
           I
           confess
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           any
           thing
           ,
           except
           it
           be
           custom
           ,
           that
           can
           be
           pertinently
           adduced
           ;
           but
           how
           weak
           is
           this
           Plea
           ?
           for
           although
           Custom
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           second
           nature
           ,
           may
           contribute
           very
           much
           to
           stupifie
           the
           Judgement
           ,
           and
           harden
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           so
           consequently
           make
           Vice
           the
           more
           easie
           ;
           ye●
           we
           can
           hardly
           suppose
           that
           ever
           Humane
           nature
           will
           so
           far
           assimilate
           the
           nature
           of
           mere
           Animals
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           deprived
           of
           Reason
           and
           Conscience
           :
           And
           sure
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           any
           of
           these
           remain
           ,
           Vice
           must
           needs
           meet
           with
           opposition
           .
           But
           Secondly
           ,
           if
           men
           will
           compare
           the
           easiness
           of
           Vertue
           and
           Vice
           ,
           they
           must
           put
           them
           in
           equal
           circumstances
           ;
           and
           then
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           Vice
           shall
           stand
           condemned
           ,
           as
           the
           great
           
           troubler
           of
           peace
           and
           quietness
           .
           For
           instance
           ,
           let
           us
           suppose
           that
           a
           man
           is
           accustomed
           to
           a
           holy
           life
           ,
           and
           is
           habituate
           to
           live
           soberly
           ,
           righteously
           ,
           and
           godly
           ;
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           let
           any
           man
           make
           but
           the
           experiment
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           sure
           he
           shall
           ingenuously
           acknowledge
           ,
           that
           a
           good
           life
           affords
           more
           tranquillity
           and
           peace
           ,
           than
           Vice
           dares
           lay
           claim
           to
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           by
           what
           bad
           luck
           ,
           Holiness
           has
           been
           represented
           as
           opposite
           to
           mens
           present
           welfare
           ,
           and
           hurtful
           to
           their
           peace
           and
           tranquillity
           .
           How
           groundless
           this
           prejudice
           is
           ,
           I
           have
           already
           endeavoured
           to
           shew
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           now
           onely
           in
           a
           few
           words
           make
           it
           plain
           ,
           that
           Holiness
           is
           the
           most
           effectual
           method
           that
           can
           be
           taken
           ,
           to
           exalt
           the
           publick
           peace
           and
           happiness
           of
           a
           Nation
           .
           And
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           it
           infinitely
           conduceth
           to
           the
           happiness
           ,
           peace
           ,
           and
           tranquillity
           of
           particular
           persons
           ;
           and
           that
           nothing
           is
           so
           inconsistent
           with
           ,
           and
           hurtful
           to
           both
           ,
           as
           sin
           .
        
         
           How
           much
           Holiness
           tends
           to
           the
           advancement
           of
           publick
           peace
           in
           a
           Kingdom
           and
           Nation
           ,
           appears
           very
           plainly
           from
           the
           Wise
           mans
           observation
           ,
           Prov.
           14.34
           .
           
             Righteousness
             exalteth
             a
             nation
             ;
             but
             sin
             is
             the
             reproach
             of
             any
             people
             .
          
           And
           
           the
           Apostle
           St.
           James
           gives
           us
           a
           true
           account
           of
           the
           causes
           of
           publick
           jars
           ,
           Jam.
           4.1
           .
           
             From
             whence
             come
             wars
             and
             sightings
             amongst
             you
             ?
             are
             they
             not
             hence
             ,
             even
             from
             your
             lusts
             that
             war
             in
             your
             members
             ?
          
           If
           mankinde
           had
           not
           corrupted
           their
           ways
           ,
           and
           degenerated
           from
           their
           pristine
           purity
           ,
           how
           peaceable
           and
           happy
           had
           humane
           societies
           been
           ?
           but
           in
           this
           lapsed
           state
           ,
           Ambition
           ,
           Pride
           ,
           and
           Injustice
           act
           their
           tragical
           parts
           ,
           and
           so
           tend
           to
           the
           destruction
           of
           humane
           societies
           ,
           that
           if
           there
           did
           not
           remain
           some
           sparks
           and
           remainders
           of
           Religion
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           possible
           that
           humane
           society
           could
           evite
           an
           utter
           ruine
           .
           And
           he
           that
           well
           ponders
           the
           settled
           course
           of
           divine
           Providence
           ,
           shall
           easily
           assent
           ,
           that
           in
           all
           Ages
           Righteousness
           and
           Vertue
           have
           been
           rewarded
           with
           a
           temporal
           tranquillity
           and
           happiness
           ;
           and
           that
           
             fruitful
             lands
             have
             been
             turned
             into
             barrenness
             ,
             for
             the
             wickedness
             of
             them
             that
             dwell
             therein
             .
          
           And
           indeed
           't
           is
           very
           reasonable
           to
           think
           that
           the
           divine
           Justice
           will
           reward
           a
           righteous
           Nation
           ,
           and
           punish
           a
           rebellious
           People
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           he
           may
           defer
           his
           Judgements
           for
           a
           while
           ,
           yet
           his
           Justice
           will
           not
           always
           give
           place
           to
           mercy
           and
           forbearance
           ;
           but
           a
           Nation
           that
           continueth
           
           and
           increaseth
           its
           provocations
           ,
           must
           expect
           to
           be
           punished
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           the
           onely
           proper
           place
           )
           as
           a
           righteous
           Land
           may
           expect
           a
           present
           reward
           .
        
         
           That
           Holiness
           doth
           also
           conduce
           to
           the
           peace
           and
           quietness
           of
           particular
           persons
           ,
           is
           nothing
           less
           evident
           from
           Scripture
           :
           Psal.
           119.165
           .
           
             Great
             peace
             have
             they
             that
             love
             thy
             Law
             ,
             and
             nothing
             shall
             offend
             them
             :
          
           but
           
             the
             wicked
             is
             like
             the
             troubled
             sea
             when
             it
             cannot
             rest
             ,
             whose
             waters
             cast
             up
             mire
             and
             dirt
             ,
          
           Isa.
           57.20
           .
           I
           have
           once
           and
           again
           shewed
           ,
           that
           there
           can
           be
           no
           inward
           tranquillity
           and
           peace
           ,
           where
           Holiness
           is
           wanting
           :
           the
           very
           thoughts
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           above
           all
           things
           are
           most
           sweet
           ,
           are
           notwithstanding
           troublesome
           to
           wicked
           men
           .
           But
           because
           Humane
           nature
           is
           in
           this
           degenerate
           state
           extreamly
           sunk
           down
           into
           Sense
           ,
           and
           more
           apt
           to
           be
           wrought
           upon
           by
           temporal
           advantages
           ,
           than
           what
           onely
           concern
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           prospect
           to
           things
           that
           are
           future
           ;
           I
           have
           also
           in
           the
           former
           part
           of
           this
           Discourse
           endeavoured
           to
           make
           plain
           ,
           how
           advantageous
           Holiness
           is
           upon
           the
           foresaid
           account
           ;
           and
           
             that
             length
             of
             days
             are
             in
             her
             right
             hand
             ,
             and
             in
             her
             left
             hand
             riches
             and
             honour
             :
          
           That
           
             her
             
             ways
             are
             ways
             of
             pleasantness
             ,
             and
             all
             her
             paths
             peace
             :
          
           That
           
             Godliness
             is
             great
             gain
             ,
             having
             the
             promises
             of
             the
             life
             that
             now
             is
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             that
             which
             is
             to
             come
             .
          
           And
           indeed
           ,
           any
           man
           ,
           who
           considers
           the
           nature
           and
           reason
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           cannot
           but
           be
           inclined
           to
           think
           it
           must
           be
           so
           :
           For
           how
           can
           that
           man
           be
           exposed
           to
           trouble
           and
           disquietment
           ,
           who
           hath
           gotten
           the
           mastery
           over
           his
           Passions
           ?
           And
           I
           dare
           appeal
           to
           the
           sinners
           own
           experience
           ,
           whether
           vices
           have
           not
           been
           prejudicial
           to
           his
           health
           ,
           macerated
           his
           Body
           ,
           and
           filled
           him
           with
           tortures
           and
           pains
           ?
           whether
           some
           sins
           have
           not
           brought
           him
           to
           poverty
           and
           disgrace
           ,
           ruined
           both
           his
           estate
           and
           fame
           ?
           Can
           any
           man
           produce
           any
           good
           effect
           that
           ever
           sin
           caused
           ?
           sure
           ,
           if
           men
           would
           speak
           impartially
           ,
           they
           should
           acknowledge
           all
           this
           to
           be
           true
           .
        
         
           That
           there
           is
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           more
           pleasure
           in
           the
           ways
           of
           Holiness
           than
           in
           the
           commission
           of
           sin
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           the
           fourth
           thing
           proposed
           to
           be
           considered
           )
           needs
           not
           puzzle
           any
           man
           to
           prove
           it
           .
           How
           delightful
           are
           all
           acts
           of
           Piety
           and
           Vertue
           ?
           how
           unexpressible
           is
           that
           comfort
           that
           the
           devout
           Soul
           findes
           in
           conversing
           with
           God
           ?
           Well
           might
           the
           Psalmist
           say
           ,
           
             Light
             is
             sown
             for
             the
             righteous
             ,
             and
             gladness
             
             for
             the
             upright
             in
             heart
             ,
          
           Psal.
           97.11
           .
           he
           often
           experienced
           that
           sweetness
           and
           satisfaction
           that
           is
           the
           result
           of
           obedience
           ;
           whileas
           Solomon
           ,
           who
           could
           pass
           the
           best
           verdict
           of
           sensual
           pleasures
           ,
           yet
           concludes
           them
           to
           be
           but
           
             vanity
             and
             vexation
             of
             spirit
          
           .
        
         
           There
           be
           two
           things
           that
           allay
           the
           pleasures
           of
           sin
           :
           First
           ,
           the
           unruliness
           of
           immoderate
           passions
           ,
           which
           fret
           and
           vex
           the
           mindes
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           hinder
           the
           sinner
           from
           tasting
           its
           pleasure
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           the
           fear
           of
           an
           invisible
           being
           ,
           armed
           to
           punish
           them
           for
           their
           misdemeanors
           :
           Conscience
           ,
           upon
           the
           apprehension
           of
           guilt
           ,
           recoils
           upon
           the
           sinner
           ,
           and
           mars
           all
           the
           pleasure
           he
           promised
           himself
           to
           enjoy
           :
           This
           made
           Belshazzer
           ,
           a
           King
           ,
           and
           environed
           with
           his
           Nobles
           ,
           tremble
           and
           quake
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           cups
           .
           But
           supposing
           vices
           did
           bring
           as
           much
           pleasure
           along
           with
           them
           as
           they
           pretend
           ,
           yet
           upon
           two
           accounts
           they
           are
           not
           half
           so
           delicious
           as
           the
           pleasure
           that
           spring
           from
           a
           good
           life
           .
           First
           ,
           the
           pleasures
           of
           sin
           are
           so
           interrupted
           ,
           of
           a
           short
           duration
           ,
           or
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           expresseth
           them
           ,
           they
           are
           but
           
             for
             a
             season
          
           :
           how
           quickly
           will
           a
           period
           be
           put
           to
           all
           these
           pleasures
           ,
           which
           now
           make
           so
           much
           noise
           ?
           They
           are
           very
           fitly
           
           compared
           by
           Solomon
           ,
           to
           
             the
             crackling
             of
             thorns
             under
             a
             pot
             ,
          
           which
           are
           scarce
           sooner
           in
           a
           blaze
           ,
           than
           they
           vanish
           ;
           but
           the
           joys
           that
           spring
           from
           a
           good
           conversation
           ,
           are
           at
           their
           lowest
           ebb
           here
           :
           they
           do
           indeed
           continue
           ,
           
             for
             no
             man
             taketh
             away
             this
             joy
          
           ;
           but
           Heaven
           is
           the
           designed
           place
           for
           the
           good
           Soul
           to
           feed
           upon
           those
           
             Rivers
             of
             pleasures
             that
             are
             at
             God's
             right
             hand
             for
             evermore
             .
             Secondly
             ,
          
           sensual
           pleasures
           do
           soon
           cloy
           mens
           appetites
           :
           we
           cannot
           enjoy
           long
           any
           sensual
           delight
           ,
           but
           we
           are
           quickly
           weary
           of
           it
           :
           but
           it
           is
           not
           so
           with
           spiritual
           delights
           ;
           't
           is
           onely
           the
           absence
           of
           them
           ,
           when
           suspended
           for
           our
           sins
           ,
           that
           troubles
           and
           molests
           us
           .
           'T
           is
           impossible
           that
           sensual
           pleasures
           can
           satisfie
           the
           soul
           of
           man
           ,
           which
           was
           never
           framed
           for
           a
           Mahometan
           Paradise
           ;
           nor
           can
           it
           be
           rationally
           expected
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           is
           conscious
           to
           himself
           of
           guilt
           ,
           should
           be
           free
           from
           fear
           ;
           which
           being
           so
           tormenting
           ,
           can
           never
           permit
           men
           to
           enjoy
           pleasure
           freely
           .
        
         
           But
           let
           us
           descend
           to
           sensual
           pleasures
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           finde
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           is
           temperate
           and
           moderate
           ,
           is
           more
           likely
           to
           relish
           the
           pleasantness
           of
           Meat
           ,
           Drink
           ,
           and
           Pastime
           ,
           than
           the
           intemperate
           and
           immoderate
           .
           He
           who
           relieves
           the
           Poor
           ,
           and
           
           refresheth
           the
           Needy
           ,
           cannot
           but
           finde
           more
           real
           sweetness
           and
           satisfaction
           in
           doing
           so
           ,
           than
           he
           who
           drinks
           away
           his
           Estate
           .
           He
           who
           speaks
           the
           truth
           ,
           findes
           not
           those
           tormenting
           checks
           of
           Conscience
           which
           are
           the
           just
           reward
           of
           lying
           .
           But
           all
           this
           will
           more
           plainly
           appear
           ,
           by
           the
           Solution
           of
           the
           next
           Objection
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           Imputation
           is
           brought
           from
           Experience
           ;
           namely
           ,
           that
           wicked
           men
           are
           for
           ordinary
           very
           jovial
           and
           cheerful
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           satisfaction
           in
           their
           ways
           ;
           whereas
           men
           who
           pretend
           to
           Piety
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           are
           very
           sad
           and
           disconsolate
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ;
           That
           the
           Question
           is
           not
           whether
           wicked
           men
           have
           some
           pleasure
           in
           their
           sins
           ,
           or
           not
           ?
           but
           ,
           whether
           that
           pleasure
           that
           ariseth
           from
           a
           good
           life
           ,
           be
           not
           infinitely
           preferable
           to
           these
           ?
           Alas
           !
           the
           most
           promising
           sensual
           pleasure
           (
           supposing
           it
           to
           be
           lawful
           )
           is
           much
           inferiour
           to
           the
           satisfaction
           and
           comfort
           that
           springs
           from
           a
           good
           Conscience
           .
           How
           much
           more
           inconsiderable
           must
           sinful
           pleasures
           be
           ,
           which
           are
           attended
           with
           so
           black
           and
           dismal
           consequences
           ?
           
             Indignation
             and
             wrath
             ,
             tribulation
             and
             anguish
             upon
             every
             soul
             of
             man
             that
             doth
             evil
             .
          
           Sinful
           pleasures
           are
           at
           the
           best
           but
           short
           ;
           and
           sure
           
           this
           consideration
           contributes
           very
           much
           to
           lessen
           their
           value
           :
           But
           that
           which
           makes
           them
           so
           mean
           ,
           and
           not
           worth
           the
           enjoying
           ,
           is
           the
           painful
           Eternity
           that
           succeeds
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           However
           then
           the
           wicked
           may
           appear
           jovial
           and
           merry
           ,
           yet
           their
           inward
           thoughts
           (
           if
           we
           could
           discover
           them
           )
           cannot
           be
           at
           quiet
           and
           ease
           :
           Whatever
           pleasure
           they
           may
           reap
           in
           the
           present
           act
           ,
           yet
           they
           cannot
           afterwards
           look
           unto
           themselves
           without
           horrour
           and
           amazement
           :
           The
           after-stings
           of
           sin
           are
           so
           painful
           ,
           that
           he
           buys
           those
           present
           pleasures
           at
           a
           rate
           no
           reasonable
           man
           would
           purchase
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           that
           wicked
           men
           cannot
           really
           enjoy
           that
           pleasure
           and
           contentment
           they
           pretend
           to
           ,
           seems
           very
           plain
           from
           Reason
           .
           For
           first
           ,
           How
           can
           any
           man
           be
           satisfied
           with
           those
           actions
           which
           are
           so
           cross
           to
           his
           very
           nature
           ,
           and
           opposite
           to
           Reason
           ,
           as
           every
           sin
           is
           ?
           Can
           a
           man
           finde
           pleasure
           in
           doing
           that
           which
           he
           knows
           he
           ought
           not
           to
           do
           ?
           sure
           the
           reboundings
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           upon
           the
           apprehension
           of
           doing
           amiss
           ,
           will
           soon
           rase
           out
           any
           pleasure
           that
           sin
           affords
           ;
           and
           a
           sick
           man
           may
           more
           rationally
           expect
           rest
           ,
           than
           those
           men
           pleasure
           and
           contentment
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           
           it
           can
           afford
           little
           pleasure
           to
           men
           ,
           to
           act
           quite
           contrary
           to
           their
           own
           interests
           ;
           it
           is
           rather
           like
           the
           laughter
           of
           fools
           and
           mad
           men
           ,
           than
           a
           real
           pleasure
           ,
           that
           such
           men
           can
           pretend
           to
           .
           Now
           every
           sinner
           quite
           ruines
           his
           interest
           and
           happiness
           ,
           while
           he
           runneth
           headlong
           to
           destruction
           ;
           and
           for
           a
           present
           pleasure
           ,
           which
           is
           onely
           grateful
           to
           the
           sensual
           appetite
           ,
           loseth
           those
           lasting
           Rivers
           of
           pleasure
           ,
           which
           ,
           though
           future
           ,
           are
           yet
           certain
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           calculated
           for
           the
           Soul.
           Thirdly
           ,
           What
           pleasure
           can
           any
           man
           enjoy
           ,
           who
           is
           sure
           to
           be
           eternally
           tormented
           ?
           As
           
             there
             is
             no
             peace
          
           ,
           so
           no
           pleasure
           
             to
             the
             wicked
          
           ,
           who
           are
           at
           oddes
           with
           God
           ,
           
             whose
             favour
             is
             better
             than
             life
             .
          
        
         
           But
           what
           reason
           have
           good
           men
           to
           be
           sad
           and
           disconsolate
           ,
           since
           all
           the
           causes
           of
           grief
           are
           removed
           from
           them
           ?
           
             Light
             is
             sown
             for
             the
             righteous
             ,
             and
             gladness
             for
             the
             upright
             in
             heart
          
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Apostle
           had
           good
           reason
           to
           double
           that
           Exhortation
           ,
           
             Rejoyce
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             again
             I
             say
             rejoyce
             .
          
           O
           how
           satisfying
           and
           pleasant
           is
           it
           for
           men
           to
           act
           reasonably
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           assured
           that
           they
           have
           done
           their
           duty
           ,
           and
           have
           acted
           for
           their
           own
           interest
           !
           
             Our
             rejoycing
             is
             this
          
           ,
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             the
             testimony
             of
             our
             consciences
             ,
             that
             in
             all
             
             simplicity
             and
             godly
             sincerity
             we
             have
             had
             our
             conversation
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
        
         
           Sure
           there
           was
           never
           any
           man
           who
           was
           troubled
           for
           living
           holily
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           reason
           why
           any
           should
           :
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           good
           men
           may
           be
           of
           a
           melancholy
           disposition
           ,
           and
           naturally
           inclined
           to
           sadness
           ;
           but
           this
           can
           be
           no
           reflection
           on
           Holiness
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           the
           cause
           of
           that
           melancholy
           temper
           :
           nay
           ,
           the
           best
           of
           men
           have
           their
           own
           failings
           ,
           and
           no
           wonder
           though
           these
           breed
           some
           trouble
           and
           disquiet
           :
           But
           this
           is
           not
           to
           be
           disconsolate
           for
           being
           good
           ,
           but
           for
           doing
           evil
           .
           And
           indeed
           ,
           I
           may
           adde
           ,
           that
           the
           great
           abominations
           and
           profanity
           ,
           the
           contempt
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           dishonour
           that
           is
           done
           to
           God
           that
           abounds
           ,
           may
           very
           rationally
           make
           good
           men
           with
           the
           Psalmist
           say
           ,
           
             Rivers
             of
             tears
             run
             down
             my
             eyes
             ,
             because
             men
             observe
             not
             thy
             Law.
             
          
        
         
           And
           thus
           this
           imputation
           cast
           upon
           Holiness
           ,
           is
           easily
           wip'd
           off
           .
           Grief
           and
           sadness
           are
           not
           the
           effect
           of
           a
           good
           life
           ;
           but
           of
           an
           imperfect
           obedience
           :
           And
           while
           our
           sins
           call
           for
           mourning
           and
           fasting
           ,
           it
           were
           a
           piece
           of
           madness
           for
           men
           to
           be
           jovial
           and
           merry
           ,
           and
           entertain
           themselves
           with
           those
           deceitful
           melodies
           ,
           which
           will
           end
           
             in
             weeping
             and
             gnashing
             of
             teeth
             .
          
        
         
         
           And
           yet
           the
           sorrow
           of
           truely
           good
           men
           is
           not
           so
           obvious
           to
           the
           eye
           of
           men
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           to
           him
           who
           is
           
             the
             searcher
             of
             the
             heart
          
           ;
           it
           is
           rather
           the
           artifice
           of
           the
           formal
           Penitent
           ,
           and
           hypocritical
           Professor
           ,
           than
           the
           character
           of
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           to
           
             disfigure
             their
             faces
          
           ,
           and
           appear
           sad
           and
           demure
           .
           A
           good
           man
           chuseth
           rather
           ,
           with
           David
           ,
           to
           mourn
           in
           secret
           ,
           and
           when
           he
           appears
           in
           publick
           to
           wash
           his
           face
           ,
           than
           with
           those
           Hypocrites
           of
           whom
           Isaiah
           speaks
           ,
           who
           
             bow
             down
             their
             head
             like
             a
             bull-rush
             ,
          
           who
           have
           
             chosen
             affliction
             rather
             than
             innocence
          
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           imputation
           cast
           upon
           Holiness
           is
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           but
           a
           piece
           of
           singularity
           ,
           and
           a
           vain
           ambition
           to
           walk
           alone
           .
           Ans.
           I
           am
           heartily
           sorry
           that
           the
           universal
           deluge
           of
           Impiety
           should
           make
           good
           men
           say
           as
           once
           Elijah
           did
           in
           another
           case
           ,
           
             I
             am
             onely
             left
          
           :
           the
           few
           number
           of
           good
           men
           ,
           compared
           with
           the
           vast
           multitude
           and
           Armies
           of
           transgressors
           ,
           makes
           them
           to
           be
           esteemed
           singular
           and
           precise
           ;
           and
           brings
           upon
           them
           the
           wrath
           and
           fury
           of
           ungodly
           sinners
           ,
           because
           
             they
             will
             not
             run
             with
             them
             to
             the
             same
             excess
             of
             riot
             ,
          
           and
           wallow
           in
           the
           mire
           as
           they
           do
           .
           But
           truely
           this
           charge
           is
           not
           more
           rational
           ,
           than
           if
           a
           company
           of
           mad
           men
           should
           
           call
           one
           a
           singular
           fool
           ,
           because
           he
           does
           not
           comply
           with
           them
           in
           all
           their
           extravagant
           actings
           ,
           which
           do
           really
           rather
           require
           pity
           and
           compassion
           than
           imitation
           .
        
         
           
             I
             doubt
          
           not
           but
           Singularity
           in
           some
           cases
           is
           a
           very
           intolerable
           temper
           ,
           and
           unbecoming
           any
           man
           who
           pretends
           wisdom
           :
           but
           yet
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           universally
           condemned
           ,
           and
           in
           no
           case
           admitted
           as
           reasonable
           ,
           I
           don't
           see
           but
           the
           charge
           will
           rebound
           upon
           the
           sinner
           ,
           who
           in
           this
           degenerate
           age
           thinks
           the
           worse
           of
           himself
           ,
           if
           he
           exceed
           not
           others
           in
           wickedness
           .
        
         
           But
           since
           Holiness
           is
           so
           conformable
           to
           Humane
           reason
           ,
           so
           advantageous
           and
           beneficial
           to
           every
           man
           ;
           what
           madness
           is
           it
           to
           condemn
           it
           as
           singular
           ?
           Sure
           ,
           he
           who
           intends
           to
           walk
           as
           a
           man
           who
           is
           
             of
             a
             good
             understanding
          
           ,
           (
           as
           good
           men
           are
           said
           to
           be
           )
           who
           intends
           to
           minde
           his
           interest
           and
           happiness
           ,
           will
           never
           be
           frighted
           from
           Holiness
           ,
           because
           may
           be
           it
           is
           not
           in
           vogue
           ,
           nor
           become
           the
           mode
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           .
           If
           a
           whole
           Kingdom
           (
           excepting
           a
           few
           )
           should
           rebel
           against
           their
           Prince
           ,
           would
           it
           be
           any
           blot
           upon
           these
           few
           Loyal
           Subjects
           ,
           that
           they
           affected
           Singularity
           ?
        
         
         
           But
           this
           cavil
           is
           so
           insignificant
           and
           silly
           ,
           that
           I
           need
           not
           enlarge
           .
           Sure
           ,
           since
           Holiness
           is
           the
           peculiar
           excellency
           and
           noble
           embellishment
           of
           Humane
           nature
           ;
           since
           it
           is
           so
           venerable
           and
           lovely
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           perfections
           the
           most
           excellent
           ;
           he
           must
           be
           degenerate
           to
           the
           brutal
           nature
           ,
           who
           condemns
           Singularity
           in
           Holiness
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           in
           truth
           a
           condemning
           a
           man
           because
           he
           is
           
             more
             excellent
             than
             his
             neghbour
          
           ,
           as
           the
           righteous
           is
           said
           to
           be
           in
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           The
           last
           heavy
           Charge
           is
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           folly
           and
           madness
           for
           men
           to
           quit
           with
           their
           present
           pleasures
           ,
           and
           expose
           themselves
           to
           grievous
           troubles
           ,
           for
           a
           future
           reward
           which
           is
           uncertain
           ,
           and
           which
           no
           body
           ever
           saw
           .
           To
           this
           I
           Answer
           ,
           First
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           great
           mistake
           to
           think
           that
           Holiness
           exposeth
           men
           to
           relinquish
           temporal
           and
           sensual
           pleasures
           ,
           there
           being
           no
           men
           in
           the
           world
           so
           qualified
           to
           experiment
           the
           sweetness
           of
           these
           ,
           none
           who
           live
           in
           so
           happy
           and
           flourishing
           condition
           ,
           who
           are
           more
           healthful
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           a
           greater
           measure
           of
           peace
           and
           quietness
           ,
           than
           good
           men
           .
           The
           onely
           inconveniency
           they
           are
           exposed
           to
           ,
           is
           affliction
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           Religion
           ;
           which
           when
           Christianity
           did
           commence
           ,
           was
           no
           rare
           thing
           ,
           but
           now
           is
           not
           so
           ordinary
           .
           But
           supposing
           
           good
           men
           were
           exposed
           to
           greater
           afflictions
           than
           other
           men
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           satisfaction
           in
           submitting
           to
           them
           ,
           since
           they
           are
           but
           
             light
             afflictions
          
           ,
           and
           momentary
           too
           ,
           
             which
             work
             for
             us
             a
             far
             more
             exceeeding
             and
             eternal
             weight
             of
             glory
             .
          
           These
           small
           evils
           are
           rather
           to
           be
           endured
           ,
           than
           lasting
           pains
           and
           torments
           .
           Sure
           ,
           Of
           two
           evils
           ,
           the
           least
           is
           to
           be
           chosen
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Although
           the
           reward
           of
           Holiness
           be
           future
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           not
           uncertain
           .
           We
           have
           as
           great
           assurance
           that
           there
           will
           be
           a
           reward
           for
           the
           Righteous
           in
           another
           world
           ,
           as
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           thing
           is
           capable
           of
           :
           and
           sure
           he
           is
           an
           unwise
           man
           that
           asks
           any
           other
           demonstration
           or
           proof
           .
           Now
           that
           there
           is
           a
           reward
           laid
           up
           for
           good
           men
           ,
           which
           though
           unseen
           ,
           is
           yet
           as
           certain
           as
           if
           it
           were
           obvious
           to
           sense
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           greatest
           rational
           evidence
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           moral
           arguments
           to
           confirm
           it
           .
           For
           first
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           a
           God
           ;
           Secondly
           ,
           if
           the
           Scriptures
           be
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           then
           there
           is
           not
           any
           thing
           more
           certain
           ,
           than
           that
           there
           is
           a
           state
           of
           rewards
           and
           punishments
           after
           this
           life
           .
           First
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           a
           God
           ,
           then
           we
           can
           have
           no
           reasonable
           scruple
           about
           the
           future
           reward
           :
           for
           since
           God
           is
           holy
           and
           just
           (
           perfections
           essential
           
           to
           a
           Deity
           )
           then
           certainly
           he
           will
           ,
           as
           the
           great
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           reward
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           punish
           Vice.
           But
           this
           doth
           not
           always
           fall
           out
           so
           here
           ;
           therefore
           it
           is
           reasonable
           to
           conclude
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           reserved
           the
           wicked
           till
           that
           great
           day
           of
           wrath
           ,
           and
           prepared
           a
           reward
           for
           the
           righteous
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           If
           the
           Scripture
           be
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           then
           he
           who
           runs
           may
           read
           this
           truth
           .
        
         
           We
           have
           then
           the
           greatest
           moral
           assurance
           possible
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           future
           reward
           ;
           which
           may
           sufficiently
           encourage
           men
           to
           hazard
           all
           they
           enjoy
           here
           ,
           for
           the
           expectation
           of
           it
           .
           But
           I
           shall
           onely
           suppose
           that
           the
           future
           reward
           is
           possible
           ;
           (
           which
           I
           think
           few
           will
           deny
           ,
           or
           can
           prove
           it
           to
           be
           impossible
           )
           yet
           even
           upon
           this
           supposition
           ,
           good
           men
           who
           part
           with
           the
           transitory
           things
           of
           this
           life
           ,
           prove
           a
           great
           deal
           wiser
           than
           those
           who
           condemn
           them
           :
           For
           if
           there
           be
           no
           life
           after
           this
           ,
           all
           the
           loss
           a
           good
           man
           suffers
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           temporal
           conveniency
           ;
           he
           hath
           denied
           himself
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           sensual
           pleasures
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           he
           judgeth
           them
           sinful
           ;
           he
           is
           not
           so
           intemperate
           as
           other
           men
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           is
           exposed
           to
           some
           hazards
           for
           his
           Religion
           ;
           at
           the
           most
           ,
           all
           that
           he
           is
           to
           hazard
           is
           but
           very
           small
           .
           
           But
           if
           there
           be
           a
           future
           reward
           ,
           in
           what
           a
           dismal
           state
           are
           the
           wicked
           ,
           who
           shall
           everlastingly
           be
           deprived
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           be
           irrecoverably
           plunged
           into
           a
           state
           of
           lasting
           and
           severe
           torments
           ?
        
         
           But
           since
           we
           are
           assured
           of
           a
           future
           reward
           ,
           and
           know
           certainly
           ,
           that
           
             the
             righteous
             shall
             shine
             forth
             as
             the
             sun
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             their
             Father
             ,
          
           and
           that
           the
           wicked
           
             shall
             be
             cast
             into
             utter
             darkness
          
           ;
           What
           folly
           and
           madness
           is
           it
           to
           be
           careful
           for
           the
           Body
           ,
           and
           careless
           what
           becomes
           of
           the
           Soul
           ;
           to
           provide
           for
           Time
           ,
           and
           neglect
           Eternity
           ?
           Sure
           't
           is
           no
           wonder
           though
           the
           Wise
           man
           does
           so
           frequently
           characterize
           the
           sinner
           a
           fool
           ,
           and
           represents
           him
           as
           one
           that
           
             lacketh
             understanding
          
           :
           And
           indeed
           ,
           we
           may
           rationally
           say
           ,
           
             This
             their
             way
             is
             their
             folly
          
           ;
           their
           foolish
           choice
           proclaims
           ,
           
             that
             those
             workers
             of
             iniquity
             have
             no
             knowledge
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Conclusion
           .
        
         
           WE
           have
           now
           seen
           the
           Excellency
           and
           Beauty
           of
           Holiness
           ,
           have
           discovered
           the
           absolute
           Perfection
           of
           its
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           Compleatness
           of
           its
           Rule
           ;
           have
           taken
           a
           view
           of
           its
           Allurements
           and
           powerful
           Motives
           ,
           and
           have
           discovered
           the
           weakness
           of
           those
           Cavils
           that
           are
           urged
           against
           it
           :
           and
           what
           remains
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           set
           about
           this
           work
           with
           the
           greatest
           seriousness
           imaginable
           ;
           that
           
             we
             give
             no
             sleep
             to
             our
             eyes
             ,
             nor
             slumber
             to
             our
             eye-lids
             ,
          
           till
           we
           forsake
           our
           sins
           ,
           and
           enter
           upon
           a
           course
           of
           Holiness
           ?
        
         
           If
           God
           had
           imposed
           upon
           us
           a
           heavy
           and
           intolerable
           yoak
           ;
           if
           he
           had
           commanded
           us
           to
           perform
           some
           grievous
           and
           uneasie
           service
           ,
           had
           we
           not
           been
           obliged
           to
           have
           obeyed
           ?
           But
           since
           he
           onely
           commands
           us
           
             to
             wash
             and
             be
             clean
          
           ,
           requires
           onely
           our
           consent
           to
           what
           is
           so
           much
           our
           own
           interest
           ,
           onely
           exacts
           that
           we
           separate
           our selves
           from
           those
           lusts
           that
           pollute
           and
           defile
           us
           ,
           that
           vex
           and
           
           torments
           our
           mindes
           ,
           and
           which
           (
           if
           continued
           in
           )
           will
           certainly
           ruine
           and
           undo
           us
           ;
           what
           fools
           and
           mad
           men
           are
           we
           if
           we
           refuse
           to
           hear
           his
           voice
           ?
        
         
           Almighty
           God
           has
           been
           drawing
           us
           with
           the
           Cords
           of
           Love
           ;
           has
           presented
           to
           us
           the
           most
           charming
           motives
           to
           excite
           our
           love
           and
           esteem
           ;
           has
           carried
           us
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           to
           the
           Pinacle
           of
           the
           Temple
           ,
           and
           discovered
           to
           us
           
             all
             the
             glory
             and
             beauty
             of
             this
             world
          
           ;
           has
           taken
           us
           to
           Pisgah
           ,
           and
           given
           us
           a
           view
           of
           the
           good
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           ,
           of
           
             the
             City
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
             of
             which
             glorious
             things
             are
             spoken
          
           ;
           and
           promised
           ,
           that
           
             all
             these
             things
             shall
             be
             ours
             ,
          
           if
           we
           will
           but
           
             be
             holy
             in
             all
             manner
             of
             conversation
             :
          
           And
           to
           excite
           our
           fear
           ,
           he
           has
           opened
           to
           our
           view
           ,
           
             the
             powers
             of
             the
             world
             to
             come
          
           ;
           has
           plainly
           told
           us
           of
           the
           pains
           and
           torments
           that
           the
           damned
           suffer
           day
           and
           night
           ,
           and
           that
           
             indignation
             and
             wrath
             ,
             tribulation
             and
             anguish
             ,
          
           remains
           as
           the
           due
           portion
           of
           those
           that
           do
           evil
           .
           And
           now
           may
           he
           not
           take
           up
           that
           same
           protestation
           that
           he
           used
           to
           his
           ancient
           People
           the
           Jews
           ;
           
             What
             more
             can
             I
             do
             for
             you
             ?
          
           But
           alas
           !
           we
           have
           in
           the
           most
           insolent
           manner
           despised
           all
           these
           charms
           of
           Love
           ,
           and
           ,
           like
           the
           mad
           man
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           have
           
           broken
           to
           pieces
           the
           strongest
           Fetters
           and
           Chains
           .
           We
           are
           ,
           God
           knows
           ,
           as
           deeply
           sunk
           into
           sensuality
           and
           bruitishness
           ,
           as
           those
           to
           whom
           
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             that
             bringeth
             salvation
          
           hath
           never
           appeared
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           credible
           ,
           (
           I
           may
           say
           possible
           )
           that
           men
           could
           have
           been
           more
           wicked
           than
           they
           now
           are
           ,
           supposing
           they
           had
           never
           heard
           of
           Heaven
           or
           Hell.
           
        
         
           'T
           is
           a
           wonder
           (
           as
           any
           one
           would
           think
           )
           that
           those
           very
           men
           who
           profess
           they
           believe
           in
           Christ
           ,
           should
           so
           grosly
           and
           openly
           contradict
           his
           plain
           Precepts
           ;
           that
           those
           who
           believe
           ,
           that
           
             without
             holiness
             no
             man
             shall
             see
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           and
           
             that
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
             is
             revealed
             from
             Heaven
             against
             all
             ungodliness
             ,
          
           yet
           persist
           in
           their
           abominable
           wickedness
           ,
           and
           are
           neither
           awed
           with
           fears
           ,
           nor
           animated
           with
           hopes
           .
           What
           is
           all
           this
           ,
           but
           for
           men
           to
           expose
           themselves
           to
           the
           contempt
           rather
           than
           pity
           of
           discerning
           men
           ?
        
         
           We
           have
           surveyed
           the
           several
           advantages
           which
           attend
           Holiness
           ;
           have
           discovered
           how
           much
           mans
           temporal
           as
           well
           as
           his
           eternal
           welfare
           and
           happiness
           depends
           upon
           it
           :
           We
           have
           explained
           how
           
             in
             her
             right
             hand
             is
             length
             of
             days
             ,
             and
             in
             her
             left
             hand
             are
             riches
             and
             honour
             :
          
           
           that
           
             her
             ways
             are
             ways
             of
             pleasantness
             ,
             and
             all
             her
             paths
             peace
             :
          
           And
           now
           may
           we
           not
           give
           the
           same
           testimony
           of
           it
           which
           Joshua
           and
           Caleb
           did
           of
           Canaan
           ,
           Numb
           .
           14.
           
           
             The
             land
             which
             we
             passed
             through
             to
             search
             ,
             it
             is
             an
             exceeding
             good
             land
             ?
          
           The
           Sons
           of
           Anak
           (
           I
           mean
           the
           pretended
           difficulties
           )
           are
           not
           so
           strong
           as
           some
           men
           represent
           them
           to
           be
           ;
           we
           need
           not
           be
           discouraged
           to
           encounter
           with
           them
           ;
           
             greater
             is
             he
             that
             is
             in
             you
             ,
             than
             he
             that
             is
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           Alas
           !
           what
           Objection
           can
           men
           possibly
           make
           against
           a
           Duty
           that
           is
           so
           excellent
           ,
           useful
           ,
           and
           necessary
           ,
           that
           is
           founded
           upon
           such
           mighty
           motives
           ,
           as
           may
           prevail
           with
           any
           who
           is
           not
           quite
           petrified
           in
           desperate
           Impiety
           ?
           Good
           God!
           what
           stupid
           folly
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           men
           
             hide
             their
             hands
             in
             their
             bosom
             ,
          
           and
           will
           not
           so
           much
           as
           stretch
           them
           out
           to
           this
           
             tree
             of
             Life
          
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           eat
           of
           this
           fruit
           ,
           
             which
             is
             pleasant
             to
             the
             eye
             ,
          
           and
           profitable
           both
           to
           our
           present
           and
           future
           happiness
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           indeed
           pity
           ,
           that
           men
           should
           be
           thus
           permitted
           to
           run
           headlong
           to
           destruction
           .
           Alas
           !
           is
           perdition
           so
           lovely
           and
           desirable
           ,
           that
           ,
           like
           Rachel
           ,
           a
           double
           servitude
           is
           
             thought
             light
             for
             it
          
           ?
           and
           shall
           wise
           and
           discerning
           men
           be
           Eye-witnesses
           
           of
           the
           bad
           bargain
           those
           men
           make
           ,
           and
           not
           warn
           them
           of
           their
           folly
           ?
           I
           know
           this
           is
           a
           duty
           chiefly
           incumbent
           to
           our
           spiritual
           Watchmen
           to
           discharge
           ;
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           many
           of
           them
           stand
           upon
           their
           watch
           ,
           and
           warn
           men
           of
           their
           danger
           .
           It
           were
           to
           be
           wished
           that
           all
           and
           every
           of
           them
           were
           thus
           faithful
           ;
           but
           sure
           every
           man
           is
           in
           some
           manner
           concerned
           to
           be
           
             his
             brothers
             keeper
          
           ;
           and
           he
           is
           highly
           criminal
           ,
           who
           should
           see
           a
           mad
           man
           running
           upon
           danger
           ,
           and
           not
           stop
           him
           in
           his
           course
           .
        
         
           
             I
             wish
          
           some
           new-coined
           Doctrines
           had
           not
           an
           inauspicious
           influence
           upon
           the
           bad
           practices
           of
           many
           ,
           had
           not
           too
           much
           countenanced
           and
           authorized
           vice
           :
           but
           my
           present
           designe
           is
           so
           far
           from
           controversial
           ,
           that
           I
           shall
           rather
           think
           my self
           concerned
           to
           inveigh
           against
           needless
           disputes
           ,
           than
           start
           any
           .
           If
           I
           may
           speak
           from
           my
           own
           experience
           ,
           I
           ingenuously
           confess
           ,
           I
           finde
           Disputes
           so
           insipid
           and
           fruitless
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           review
           so
           unsatisfactory
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           resolved
           henceforth
           to
           bid
           an
           eternal
           adieu
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           condemn
           them
           as
           the
           great
           underminers
           of
           Christian
           Piety
           :
           And
           if
           any
           shall
           after
           this
           fair
           warning
           assault
           any
           Doctrine
           I
           have
           elsewhere
           owned
           ,
           I
           hope
           discerning
           men
           
           will
           neither
           esteem
           me
           nor
           the
           Cause
           the
           worse
           ,
           that
           I
           draw
           not
           my
           Sword
           in
           its
           defence
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           what
           shall
           I
           say
           more
           ,
           but
           conclude
           with
           
           Moses's
           passionate
           Exhortation
           ,
           Deut.
           32.46
           .
           
             Set
             your
             hearts
             to
             the
             words
             which
             I
             testifie
             to
             you
             this
             day
             :
             for
             it
             is
             not
             a
             vain
             thing
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             your
             life
             .
          
           Let
           us
           no
           longer
           delay
           and
           put
           off
           this
           duty
           ;
           
             while
             it
             is
             called
             to
             day
             ,
             let
             us
             not
             harden
             our
             hearts
             through
             the
             deceitfulness
             of
             sin
          
           ;
           but
           seriously
           
             search
             and
             try
             our
             ways
             ,
             and
             turn
             to
             the
             Lord
             :
          
           this
           is
           the
           proper
           season
           for
           so
           necessary
           a
           work
           ;
           ere
           long
           there
           will
           be
           no
           time
           left
           us
           to
           consider
           our
           ways
           :
           
             O
             that
             in
             this
             our
             day
             we
             did
             understand
             the
             things
             that
             belong
             to
             our
             peace
             ,
             before
             they
             be
             hid
             from
             our
             eyes
             !
          
           If
           men
           would
           but
           be
           induced
           to
           imitate
           the
           Psalmists
           Example
           ,
           Psal.
           119.59
           .
           
             I
             thought
             on
             my
             ways
          
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           they
           should
           also
           imitate
           the
           course
           he
           did
           take
           ,
           
             I
             made
             haste
             and
             delayed
             not
             to
             keep
             thy
             commandments
             :
          
           But
           men
           consider
           not
           what
           they
           are
           doing
           ,
           and
           so
           no
           wonder
           though
           they
           perish
           ,
           no
           wonder
           that
           they
           prefer
           darkness
           to
           light
           ,
           and
           despise
           Holiness
           as
           a
           thing
           of
           no
           value
           .
           Let
           us
           therefore
           humbly
           and
           heartily
           
           invoke
           the
           Father
           of
           Lights
           to
           open
           the
           Eyes
           of
           men
           ,
           whom
           the
           God
           of
           this
           world
           hath
           blinded
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           
             flee
             from
             the
             wrath
             to
             come
             ,
          
           by
           
             cleansing
             themselves
             from
             all
             filthiness
             of
             the
             flesh
             and
             spirit
             ,
             perfecting
             holiness
             in
             the
             fear
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           BOOKS
           Printed
           for
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           Sold
           by
           
             Robert
             Sollers
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Kings
           Arms
           in
           Ludgate-street
           .
        
         
           
             SErmons
             preached
             upon
             several
             occasions
             before
             the
             King
             at
          
           Whitehal
           .
           By
           the
           Right
           Reverend
           Father
           in
           God
           
             John
             Wilkins
          
           ,
           late
           Lord-bishop
           of
           Chester
           ;
           to
           which
           is
           added
           
             A
             discourse
             concerning
             the
             beauty
             of
             Providence
             ,
          
           by
           the
           same
           Author
           .
        
         
           
             Rome
             a-la-mode
          
           :
           or
           the
           Sentiments
           of
           the
           Court
           and
           Cardinals
           there
           ,
           concerning
           Religion
           and
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           delivered
           by
           Cardinal
           Palavicini
           in
           his
           History
           of
           the
           Council
           of
           Trent
           .
        
         
           Syncrisis
           ,
           or
           the
           most
           natural
           and
           easie
           method
           of
           learning
           Latine
           by
           comparing
           it
           with
           English.
           Together
           with
           the
           holy
           History
           of
           Scripture-war
           :
           Or
           the
           sacred
           Art
           Military
           ,
           Illustrated
           in
           fourteen
           Copper-plates
           ;
           with
           the
           rude
           Translation
           opposite
           ,
           for
           the
           exercise
           of
           those
           that
           begin
           to
           make
           Latine
           .
           By
           
             E.
             Coles
          
           .
        
         
           
           Cocker's
           Arithmetick
           :
           the
           second
           Impression
           .
        
         
           
           Cocker's
           Morals
           ,
           fitted
           for
           the
           use
           of
           all
           Grammar
           and
           Writing-schools
           :
           For
           the
           Scholars
           of
           the
           first
           to
           turn
           into
           Latine
           ;
           and
           for
           those
           of
           the
           other
           to
           transcribe
           
           into
           all
           their
           various
           and
           curious
           Hands
           .
        
         
           
             Nugae
             venales
          
           :
           or
           ,
           the
           complaisant
           Companion
           ;
           being
           new
           Jests
           Domestick
           and
           Forrain
           ,
           Bulls
           ,
           Rhodomontado's
           ,
           pleasant
           Novels
           and
           Miscellanies
           .
        
         
           Asteria
           and
           Tamberlain
           ;
           or
           ,
           the
           Distressed
           Lovers
           ,
           a
           Novel
           .
        
         
           
             Madam
             Wheadle
          
           :
           or
           ,
           the
           fashionable
           Miss
           discovered
           :
           with
           all
           her
           modest
           Pretences
           ,
           and
           subtile
           Stratagems
           .
        
         
           Scaramouch
           ,
           a
           Philosopher
           ,
           &c.
           
           Acted
           at
           the
           Theatre
           Royal
           :
           A
           Comedy
           ,
           written
           by
           
             Edward
             Ravenscroft
          
           ,
           Gent.
           
        
         
           
             A
             Treatise
             of
             the
             nature
             of
             a
             Minister
             in
             all
             his
             Offices
             .
          
           To
           which
           is
           annexed
           ,
           an
           Answer
           to
           Dr.
           Forbes
           ,
           concerning
           the
           necessity
           of
           Bishops
           to
           ordain
           ;
           which
           is
           an
           Answer
           to
           a
           Question
           proposed
           in
           these
           late
           unhappy
           times
           to
           the
           Author
           ,
           What
           is
           a
           Minister
           ?
           By
           
             William
             Lucy
          
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           St.
           Davids
           .