A funeral sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson the late wife of Henry Sampson, Dr. of Physick, who died Nov. 24. 1689 / by John Howe ...
         Howe, John, 1630-1705.
      
       
         
           1690
        
      
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             A funeral sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson the late wife of Henry Sampson, Dr. of Physick, who died Nov. 24. 1689 / by John Howe ...
             Howe, John, 1630-1705.
          
           [4], 28 p.
           
             Printed for Thomas Parkhurst ...,
             London :
             1690.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Bristol Public Library, Bristol, England.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Sampson, Esther, d. 1689.
           Funeral sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Funeral
           Sermon
           FOR
           M
           rs
           .
           ESTHER
           SAMPSON
           ,
           The
           Late
           Wife
           of
           
             Henry
             Sampson
          
           ,
           D
           r.
           of
           Physick
           ,
           who
           Died
           Nov.
           24.
           
           M.DCLxxxix
           .
        
         
           By
           
             John
             Howe
          
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           Published
           principally
           for
           the
           use
           of
           such
           as
           languish
           under
           painful
           and
           Chronical
           Diseases
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Thomas
             Parkhurst
          
           at
           the
           Bible
           and
           
             Three
             Crowns
          
           ,
           at
           the
           lower
           end
           of
           Cheap-side
           ,
           near
           
             Mercers
             Chapel
          
           .
           1690.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           My
           Worthy
           Friend
           Dr.
           Henry
           Sampson
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           perused
           the
           Papers
           which
           you
           sent
           me
           ,
           and
           find
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           I
           can
           recollect
           ,
           they
           contain
           in
           them
           the
           Substance
           of
           what
           was
           delivered
           :
           With
           no
           more
           mistakes
           than
           is
           usual
           ,
           in
           writing
           from
           the
           mouth
           of
           one
           who
           is
           not
           of
           the
           slowest
           speakers
           .
        
         
           Some
           things
           besides
           ,
           which
           the
           limits
           of
           the
           time
           allow'd
           not
           to
           be
           spoken
           (
           having
           some
           short
           memorials
           of
           them
           by
           me
           )
           I
           have
           added
           ,
           conceiving
           they
           might
           ,
           also
           ,
           contribute
           towards
           the
           good
           end
           you
           proposed
           to
           your self
           ,
           in
           so
           earnestly
           desiring
           this
           publication
           ,
           the
           assisting
           of
           their
           patience
           ,
           and
           their
           good
           and
           placid
           thoughts
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           are
           exercis'd
           under
           Long
           and
           Languishing
           Distempers
           .
           The
           observations
           which
           your
           Profession
           hath
           occasion'd
           you
           to
           make
           
             in
             the
             cases
             of
             many
             others
             ,
          
           hath
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           let
           you
           see
           the
           need
           of
           somewhat
           to
           this
           purpose
           ;
           otherwise
           the
           example
           
           you
           have
           had
           so
           long
           before
           your
           eyes
           of
           so
           calm
           and
           compos'd
           a
           temper
           
             in
             this
             excellent
             relative
             of
             yours
             ,
          
           might
           have
           made
           you
           
             less
             apprehensive
          
           how
           great
           an
           addition
           a
           fretful
           ,
           unquiet
           spirit
           is
           ,
           both
           to
           the
           Sin
           ,
           and
           the
           Affliction
           of
           a
           
             Sickly
             State.
          
           I
           am
           sensible
           your
           own
           affliction
           is
           great
           in
           the
           loss
           you
           now
           sustain
           .
           The
           relief
           will
           be
           great
           ,
           and
           suitable
           ;
           which
           the
           forethoughts
           of
           that
           State
           will
           afford
           ,
           
             where
             they
             neither
             Marry
             ,
             nor
             are
             given
             in
             Marriage
             ,
             but
             are
             as
             the
             Angels
             of
             God
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           I
           am
           ,
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
           In
           much
           sincerity
           ,
           and
           affection
           ,
           yours
           to
           serve
           you
           in
           the
           work
           and
           labour
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             John
             Howe
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             LUKE
             13.
             16.
             
          
           
             And
             ought
             not
             this
             woman
             ,
             being
             a
             daughter
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             whom
             Satan
             hath
             bound
             ,
             lo
             these
             eighteen
             years
             ,
             be
             loosed
             from
             this
             bond
             ,
             on
             the
             Sabbath
             day
             ?
          
        
         
           
             YOU
             will
             soon
             see
             the
             occasion
             ,
             and
             connexion
             of
             these
             words
             ,
             by
             viewing
             over
             the
             whole
             Paragraph
             to
             which
             they
             belong
             ,
          
           verse
           10.
           
           And
           he
           was
           teaching
           in
           one
           of
           the
           Synagogues
           on
           the
           Sabbath
           .
           11.
           
           And
           behold
           there
           was
           a
           woman
           which
           had
           a
           spirit
           of
           infirmity
           eighteen
           years
           ,
           and
           was
           bowed
           together
           ,
           and
           could
           in
           no
           wise
           lift
           up
           her self
           .
           12.
           
           When
           Jesus
           saw
           her
           ,
           he
           said
           to
           her
           ,
           Woman
           ,
           thou
           art
           loosed
           from
           thine
           infirmity
           .
           13.
           
           And
           he
           laid
           his
           hands
           on
           her
           ,
           and
           immediately
           she
           was
           made
           straight
           ,
           and
           glorified
           God.
           14.
           
           And
           the
           Ruler
           of
           the
           Synagogue
           answered
           with
           indignation
           ,
           because
           that
           Jesus
           had
           healed
           on
           the
           Sabbath
           day
           ,
           and
           said
           unto
           the
           people
           ,
           There
           are
           six
           days
           ,
           in
           which
           men
           ought
           to
           work
           ,
           in
           them
           therefore
           come
           and
           be
           healed
           ,
           and
           not
           on
           the
           Sabbath
           day
           .
           15.
           
           The
           Lord
           then
           answered
           him
           ,
           and
           said
           ,
           Thou
           hypocrite
           ,
           doth
           not
           each
           of
           you
           on
           the
           Sabbath
           loose
           his
           Ox
           and
           his
           Ass
           from
           the
           stall
           ,
           and
           lead
           him
           away
           to
           watering
           ?
           16.
           
           And
           ought
           not
           this
           woman
           ,
           being
           a
           daughter
           of
           Abraham
           ,
           whom
           Satan
           hath
           bound
           ,
           lo
           these
           eighteen
           years
           ,
           be
           loosed
           from
           this
           bond
           on
           the
           Sabbath
           day
           ?
           17.
           
           And
           when
           he
           had
           said
           these
           things
           ,
           all
           his
           adversaries
           were
           ashamed
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           people
           rejoyced
           for
           all
           the
           glorious
           things
           that
           were
           done
           by
           him
           .
        
         
           Inasmuch
           as
           our
           blessed
           Lord
           spake
           these
           words
           ,
           and
           did
           the
           thing
           which
           occasion'd
           them
           ,
           upon
           that
           which
           was
           ,
           with
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
             their
             Sabbath
             day
          
           ;
           it
           cannot
           be
           unfit
           for
           us
           to
           consider
           them
           
             upon
             ours
          
           ,
           they
           so
           fitly
           leading
           us
           to
           consider
           also
           ,
           another
           release
           wrought
           
             for
             a
             daughter
             of
             Abraham
          
           too
           on
           
             our
             Sabbath
             day
          
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           formerly
           told
           you
           
             upon
             what
             occasion
          
           ,
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           
           but
           you
           generally
           know
           ,
           upon
           
             whose
             account
          
           we
           were
           to
           divert
           from
           our
           usual
           course
           and
           Subject
           at
           this
           time
           .
           Nor
           could
           any
           thing
           have
           been
           more
           suitable
           to
           the
           present
           occasion
           ;
           for
           not
           only
           was
           this
           Daughter
           of
           Abraham
           releas'd
           from
           her
           Infirmity
           upon
           the
           Sabbath
           day
           ;
           but
           the
           time
           ,
           wherein
           it
           remain'd
           upon
           Her
           (
           in
           a
           great
           and
           manifold
           complication
           )
           was
           (
           as
           her
           surviving
           Consort
           hath
           acquainted
           me
           ,
           and
           who
           therefore
           recommended
           this
           Subject
           )
           precisely
           
             about
             eighteen
             Years
          
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           (
           't
           is
           true
           )
           disagreements
           between
           
             our
             case
          
           ,
           and
           
             that
             case
             in
             the
             Text
          
           ,
           which
           do
           not
           therefore
           render
           both
           together
           less
           instructive
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           the
           more
           .
           And
           ,
           to
           make
           way
           to
           what
           may
           be
           so
           ,
           you
           must
           here
           take
           notice
           ,
           that
           these
           Words
           are
           part
           of
           our
           Lords
           Defence
           of
           what
           he
           had
           done
           ,
           in
           performing
           this
           work
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           wherein
           what
           he
           says
           is
           
             justly
             severe
          
           ,
           and
           very
           
             clearly
             convictive
          
           .
           It
           is
           very
           deserved
           and
           just
           severity
           ,
           that
           he
           call'd
           him
           ,
           who
           cavil'd
           in
           the
           case
           ,
           by
           his
           own
           true
           name
           ,
           
             thou
             hypocrite
          
           .
           He
           ,
           under
           pretence
           of
           
             great
             sanctity
          
           ,
           discovers
           the
           
             highest
             enmity
          
           ,
           even
           against
           our
           blessed
           Lord
           himself
           ,
           who
           came
           (
           being
           sent
           )
           upon
           the
           holiest
           and
           kindest
           design
           into
           this
           World.
           The
           zeal
           which
           he
           pretends
           for
           the
           observation
           of
           the
           Sabbath
           ,
           could
           not
           be
           the
           thing
           that
           he
           did
           really
           mean
           ,
           or
           that
           acted
           him
           in
           this
           case
           .
           For
           it
           was
           not
           likely
           he
           could
           be
           ignorant
           of
           what
           was
           a
           known
           adjudg'd
           Case
           among
           the
           Jews
           (
           as
           some
           of
           their
           own
           Rabbies
           *
           inform
           us
           )
           
             that
             all
             needful
             endeavours
             ought
             to
             be
             used
             for
             the
             cure
             of
             the
             sick
             upon
             the
             Sabbath
             day
             .
          
           So
           as
           that
           he
           very
           well
           knew
           ,
           no
           rule
           could
           be
           broken
           in
           this
           case
           .
           But
           this
           he
           reckons
           was
           somewhat
           plausible
           ,
           and
           he
           pleases
           himself
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           could
           tell
           how
           to
           vent
           his
           spite
           against
           Christ
           and
           Christianity
           ,
           under
           a
           mock-shew
           of
           great
           Sanctimony
           .
           And
           our
           Lord
           justly
           calls
           him
           what
           indeed
           he
           was
           ,
           when
           he
           would
           thus
           seem
           what
           he
           was
           not
           .
           It
           was
           not
           that
           he
           cared
           for
           Religion
           ,
           or
           for
           any
           thing
           of
           real
           Sanctity
           ,
           of
           which
           a
           due
           and
           just
           observation
           of
           the
           Sabbath
           was
           a
           real
           part
           ;
           but
           that
           he
           had
           a
           mind
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           conveniently
           he
           could
           ,
           to
           express
           his
           displeasure
           at
           that
           evidence
           and
           lustre
           ,
           wherewith
           the
           glorious
           works
           our
           Lord
           wrought
           evinc'd
           him
           to
           
           be
           
             the
             Messiah
          
           ;
           while
           yet
           he
           was
           struck
           with
           that
           awe
           of
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           adventures
           not
           to
           direct
           his
           reproof
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           
             the
             people
          
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           here
           by
           the
           way
           to
           be
           noted
           that
           they
           were
           not
           thus
           disaffected
           to
           our
           Lord
           ,
           and
           the
           Religion
           he
           was
           about
           to
           introduce
           .
           No
           ,
           but
           this
           Ceremonious
           Bigot
           ,
           
             a
             Ruler
             of
             the
             Synagogue
          
           ,
           was
           the
           ill-pleased
           ,
           disaffected
           Person
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           not
           trouble
           you
           with
           the
           discussion
           what
           sort
           of
           power
           it
           was
           that
           belonged
           to
           that
           Office.
           Some
           well
           acquainted
           with
           the
           
             Jewish
             writings
          
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Ruler
             of
             the
             Synagogue
          
           was
           not
           wont
           himself
           to
           officiate
           ,
           as
           Minister
           
             in
             Sacris
          
           ;
           but
           his
           business
           was
           
             circa
             Sacra
          
           ,
           to
           regulate
           the
           Administration
           .
           We
           consider
           not
           his
           Power
           ,
           but
           his
           ill-will
           ,
           and
           enmity
           against
           Christ
           ,
           and
           true
           Religion
           .
           The
           people
           ,
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           throng'd
           after
           him
           in
           Multitudes
           ,
           and
           beheld
           the
           great
           works
           he
           wrought
           with
           joy
           ,
           and
           glorified
           God.
           Only
           where
           was
           
             more
             power
          
           ,
           and
           probably
           
             more
             knowledge
          
           ,
           there
           was
           more
           too
           of
           a
           peevish
           spite
           and
           envy
           ,
           that
           the
           interest
           of
           our
           Lord
           was
           ,
           
             by
             so
             proper
             means
          
           ,
           growing
           in
           the
           World.
           A
           sad
           (
           and
           not
           a
           new
           )
           thing
           !
           that
           Religion
           should
           have
           most
           opposition
           ,
           whence
           it
           should
           have
           most
           of
           countenance
           ,
           and
           advantage
           to
           dilate
           and
           spread
           it self
           .
           
             Do
             any
             of
             the
             Rulers
             believe
             on
             him
             ?
          
           But
           the
           people
           (
           whom
           they
           despised
           ,
           and
           pronounc'd
           accursed
           for
           that
           reason
           )
           were
           more
           apt
           and
           forward
           to
           receive
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             Joh.
             7.
             48
             ,
             49.
             
             The
             more
             there
             is
             of
             light
             ,
             unaccompany'd
             with
             a
             pious
             Inclination
             ,
             the
             higher
             ,
             the
             more
             intense
             and
             fervent
             ,
             the
             finer
             and
             more
             subtle
             is
             the
             venome
             and
             malice
             against
             Christ
             ,
             and
             real
             Christianity
             .
          
        
         
           But
           our
           Lord
           was
           not
           diverted
           from
           his
           kind
           and
           compassionate
           design
           ,
           by
           any
           such
           obstructions
           as
           these
           .
           His
           love
           triumphs
           over
           them
           ;
           and
           he
           makes
           that
           discovery
           of
           this
           compassion
           ,
           which
           could
           not
           but
           carry
           the
           clearest
           conviction
           with
           it
           ,
           as
           his
           reproof
           carry'd
           the
           brightest
           justice
           .
           Why
           ,
           what
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             Do
             not
             any
             of
             you
             loose
             an
             Ox
             ,
             or
             an
             Ass
             from
             the
             Stall
             on
             the
             Sabbath
             day
             ?
             and
             shall
             not
             I
             loose
             a
             daughter
             of
          
           Abraham
           ?
           'T
           is
           like
           she
           was
           
             a
             Daughter
             of
          
           Abraham
           ,
           not
           only
           as
           being
           a
           Jewess
           ,
           but
           as
           being
           a
           believer
           ;
           as
           being
           ,
           according
           to
           Scripture
           language
           ,
           of
           
             Abrahams
             Seed
          
           ,
           in
           the
           Spiritual
           sense
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           natural
           ;
           and
           he
           was
           the
           more
           peculiarly
           compassionate
           upon
           that
           account
           ;
           and
           yet
           more
           ,
           because
           her
           ail
           proceeded
           from
           the
           malignant
           influence
           of
           the
           Devil
           .
           Shall
           not
           I
           loose
           such
           a
           one
           whom
           Satan
           hath
           bound
           ,
           that
           great
           enemy
           of
           mankind
           ?
           
           Why
           should
           not
           I
           shew
           my self
           so
           much
           the
           more
           a
           Friend
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           the
           more
           he
           appears
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           give
           the
           earliest
           relief
           the
           matter
           can
           admit
           ?
        
         
           'T
           is
           very
           true
           indeed
           ,
           his
           compassion
           was
           never
           to
           incline
           him
           to
           do
           unfit
           and
           unseasonable
           things
           ,
           or
           things
           that
           were
           no
           way
           subservient
           to
           his
           principal
           end
           .
           But
           such
           a
           subserviency
           being
           supposed
           ,
           his
           relief
           must
           be
           with
           the
           earliest
           ,
           to
           day
           ,
           before
           morrow
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           the
           Sabbath
           day
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           now
           you
           have
           the
           ground
           of
           discourse
           plainly
           in
           view
           before
           you
           .
        
         
           
             That
             the
             Devil
             cannot
             be
             more
             maliciously
             intent
             to
             afflict
             those
             that
             relate
             to
             God
             (
             even
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             in
             his
             power
             ,
             with
             bodily
             distempers
             )
             than
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             is
             compassionately
             willing
             to
             relieve
             them
             ,
             without
             distinction
             of
             time
             ,
             when
             it
             shall
             be
             consistent
             with
             ,
             and
             subservient
             to
             his
             higher
             and
             greater
             purposes
             .
          
        
         
           In
           speaking
           to
           this
           ,
           I
           shall
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Touch
             briefly
             upon
             what
             is
             here
             exprest
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
          
           the
           hand
           that
           Satan
           may
           have
           in
           the
           Afflictions
           ,
           yea
           and
           in
           the
           bodily
           distempers
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           even
           of
           them
           that
           belong
           to
           God
           among
           them
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           What
           hand
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           has
           in
           their
           relief
           or
           releasement
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           How
           far
           we
           may
           understand
           ,
           or
           may
           reasonably
           expect
           his
           compassion
           to
           influence
           him
           in
           such
           cases
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           I
           shall
           shew
           that
           however
           the
           release
           be
           wrought
           ,
           it
           is
           done
           very
           mercifully
           towards
           them
           that
           belong
           peculiarly
           to
           God.
           And
           so
           make
           use
           of
           all
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Somewhat
           briefly
           as
           to
           that
           first
           query
           ,
           What
           hand
           it
           is
           supposable
           the
           Devil
           may
           have
           in
           the
           afflictions
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           more
           particularly
           of
           them
           that
           belong
           to
           God
           ;
           as
           this
           woman
           being
           a
           Daughter
           of
           Abraham
           was
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           as
           one
           within
           the
           compass
           of
           Gods
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           not
           improbably
           as
           one
           ,
           that
           ,
           in
           the
           strictest
           sense
           ,
           was
           in
           Covenant
           with
           God.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           is
           plain
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           the
           Devil
           had
           a
           direct
           hand
           in
           her
           distemper
           ,
           called
           
             a
             Spirit
             of
             infirmity
          
           .
           There
           were
           more
           evident
           ,
           and
           more
           frequent
           instances
           of
           this
           kind
           in
           that
           time
           ,
           the
           Devil
           then
           setting
           himself
           more
           openly
           to
           contend
           against
           the
           incarnate
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           upon
           his
           more
           open
           appearance
           to
           rescue
           and
           recover
           an
           Apostate
           World
           from
           under
           his
           Dominion
           and
           Tyranny
           .
           But
           as
           to
           more
           ordinary
           cases
           we
           may
           further
           consider
           ,
        
         
         
           2.
           
           That
           the
           Devil
           is
           a
           constant
           enemy
           to
           mankind
           ,
           apt
           and
           inclin'd
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           God
           permits
           him
           ,
           to
           do
           men
           all
           the
           mischief
           he
           can
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           as
           he
           first
           introduc't
           sin
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           so
           he
           hath
           ,
           by
           consequence
           ,
           all
           the
           calamities
           that
           afflict
           it
           .
           There
           had
           been
           no
           Death
           ,
           Sickness
           ,
           or
           Distemper
           upon
           the
           bodies
           of
           men
           ,
           but
           from
           hence
           .
           Consider
           the
           Devil
           therefore
           ,
           as
           the
           Prince
           and
           Leader
           of
           the
           Apostasie
           ,
           who
           first
           drew
           man
           into
           transgression
           ,
           and
           thereby
           render'd
           him
           liable
           to
           the
           Justice
           of
           his
           Maker
           ,
           turn'd
           his
           Paradise
           into
           a
           desart
           ,
           and
           a
           region
           of
           immortal
           undecaying
           life
           ,
           into
           a
           Valley
           of
           sickly
           Languishings
           and
           death
           it self
           ;
           So
           may
           he
           said
           to
           have
           had
           a
           (
           remoter
           )
           hand
           ,
           in
           binding
           not
           only
           this
           Daughter
           of
           Abraham
           ,
           but
           every
           child
           of
           Adam
           in
           all
           the
           Afflictions
           ,
           Maladies
           ,
           and
           Distempers
           which
           befall
           them
           here
           ,
           and
           finally
           in
           the
           bonds
           of
           Death
           too
           ,
           whereof
           he
           is
           said
           to
           
             have
             had
             the
             power
          
           .
           
           Tho
           the
           Children
           of
           the
           
             second
             Adam
          
           ,
           (
           with
           whom
           ,
           for
           this
           purpose
           he
           was
           partaker
           of
           Flesh
           and
           Blood
           ,
           and
           became
           with
           them
           a
           
             Son
             of
             Abraham
          
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Seed
           )
           are
           ,
           by
           being
           so
           bound
           ,
           releas'd
           and
           made
           free
           ,
           both
           from
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           bondage
           of
           fearing
           it
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           were
           otherwise
           Subject
           all
           their
           days
           ,
           as
           we
           shall
           further
           see
           anon
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Tho
           God
           do
           not
           ordinarily
           allow
           him
           
             more
             power
          
           ,
           yet
           we
           may
           well
           suppose
           him
           to
           have
           
             more
             malice
          
           against
           
             these
             Children
             of
             Abraham
          
           (
           who
           thereby
           pass
           into
           the
           account
           of
           his
           own
           Children
           also
           )
           being
           more
           intent
           upon
           vexing
           and
           afflicting
           ,
           whom
           he
           apprehends
           or
           suspects
           he
           shall
           never
           be
           able
           finally
           to
           destroy
           ;
           and
           always
           apt
           to
           use
           all
           the
           power
           shall
           be
           allowed
           him
           to
           this
           mischievous
           purpose
           .
           We
           find
           that
           the
           afflictions
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           
             in
             other
             kinds
          
           ,
           and
           even
           in
           
             this
             kind
          
           ,
           are
           expresly
           ,
           often
           ,
           attributed
           to
           the
           Devil
           .
           In
           other
           kinds
           ,
           
             Satan
             shall
             cast
             some
             of
             you
             into
             prison
             ,
          
           Revel
           .
           2.
           10.
           
           And
           divers
           think
           
             that
             thorn
             in
             the
             flesh
          
           which
           the
           Apostle
           suffered
           ,
           2
           Cor.
           12.
           was
           some
           acute
           bodily
           pain
           ,
           and
           he
           says
           expresly
           ,
           it
           was
           
             a
             messenger
             of
             Satan
             sent
             to
             buffet
             him
             .
          
           He
           ,
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           smote
           Job
           with
           the
           
             tormenting
             boils
          
           that
           afflicted
           him
           so
           grievously
           ,
           and
           so
           long
           ,
           and
           brought
           the
           other
           calamities
           upon
           him
           that
           you
           read
           of
           in
           his
           Story
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           And
           again
           it
           is
           further
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           that
           whereas
           in
           all
           Diseases
           ,
           the
           Morbisick
           Matter
           ,
           whether
           immediate
           in
           Mens
           Bodies
           ,
           or
           remoter
           in
           the
           incompassing
           Air
           ,
           differs
           not
           from
           other
           matter
           ,
           otherwise
           than
           only
           in
           the
           various
           disposition
           ,
           figuration
           
           and
           motion
           of
           parts
           and
           particles
           whereof
           it
           is
           made
           up
           ;
           inasmuch
           as
           the
           Devil
           is
           called
           the
           
             Prince
             of
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Air
             ,
          
           we
           know
           nothing
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           but
           that
           he
           may
           frequently
           so
           modifie
           that
           ,
           as
           that
           it
           shall
           have
           most
           pernicious
           influences
           upon
           the
           Bodies
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           upon
           those
           especially
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           God
           permits
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           any
           greater
           malice
           against
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           And
           again
           ,
           (
           supposing
           this
           )
           it
           is
           not
           a
           stranger
           thing
           that
           God
           should
           permit
           him
           to
           afflict
           the
           Bodies
           of
           them
           that
           belong
           to
           him
           ,
           than
           to
           disturb
           their
           minds
           .
           Sure
           their
           Bodies
           are
           not
           more
           Sacred
           .
           If
           we
           should
           suppose
           that
           he
           may
           some
           way
           or
           other
           perniciously
           agitate
           the
           humours
           in
           humane
           Bodies
           ,
           't
           is
           no
           harder
           a
           supposition
           than
           that
           he
           should
           so
           variously
           from
           the
           images
           in
           the
           fancy
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           tempts
           :
           for
           herin
           surely
           he
           comes
           nearer
           us
           ,
           and
           is
           more
           inward
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           7ly
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           less
           supposable
           that
           God
           should
           ,
           in
           some
           instances
           .
           permit
           the
           Devils
           to
           follow
           their
           inclinations
           in
           afflicting
           his
           people
           ,
           than
           wicked
           men
           to
           follow
           theirs
           ,
           which
           ,
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           carry
           them
           to
           the
           same
           thing
           ;
           when
           he
           knows
           how
           to
           turn
           the
           one
           to
           after-advantage
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           But
           we
           have
           no
           ground
           to
           think
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           wisdom
           and
           goodness
           of
           Providence
           will
           ordinarily
           permit
           that
           this
           Agency
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           in
           the
           mentioned
           cases
           ,
           should
           be
           altogether
           in
           a
           contra-natural
           way
           ;
           but
           only
           ,
           by
           so
           moving
           and
           acting
           with
           natural
           causes
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           be
           also
           obviated
           ,
           through
           the
           ordinary
           blessing
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           natural
           means
           ,
           and
           causes
           too
           .
           Much
           less
           is
           it
           reasonable
           that
           diseases
           should
           be
           themselves
           reckon'd
           very
           Devils
           ,
           as
           was
           the
           opinion
           of
           the
           Gnosticks
           of
           old
           ,
           wherein
           they
           much
           concurred
           with
           the
           Manichees
           ,
           and
           whom
           ,
           together
           with
           them
           ,
           the
           more
           honest-minded
           Pagan
           Plotinus
           so
           copiously
           confutes
           ;
           (
           though
           that
           that
           was
           more
           anciently
           a
           common
           Opinion
           ,
           the
           Septuagints
           rendring
           the
           word
           that
           signifies
           Plague
           by
           the
           word
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           in
           several
           places
           of
           Scripture
           seems
           to
           intimate
           .
           But
           the
           commonness
           of
           such
           an
           Opinion
           in
           a
           
             dark
             time
          
           ,
           signifies
           nothing
           to
           sway
           ours
           this
           way
           or
           that
           .
           )
        
         
           But
           whatsoever
           hand
           the
           Devil
           may
           be
           supposed
           to
           have
           in
           their
           afflictions
           ,
           or
           sicknesses
           that
           belong
           to
           God
           ,
           we
           are
           in
           the
        
         
           2d
           .
           place
           sure
           ,
           That
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           has
           a
           most
           kind
           hand
           (
           whensoever
           it
           is
           )
           in
           their
           release
           ,
           which
           though
           it
           were
           here
           
           in
           a
           more
           extraordinary
           and
           immediate
           way
           ,
           and
           besides
           the
           course
           of
           nature
           ;
           the
           disparity
           in
           this
           case
           signifies
           nothing
           to
           the
           lessening
           of
           the
           favour
           ,
           towards
           those
           whom
           he
           vouchsafes
           to
           relieve
           in
           other
           cases
           ;
           for
           the
           influence
           that
           he
           has
           in
           ordinary
           cases
           is
           as
           truly
           divine
           .
           If
           the
           cure
           of
           a
           diseased
           person
           be
           wrought
           by
           his
           blessing
           upon
           ordinary
           natural
           means
           ,
           his
           cooperating
           with
           nature
           is
           less
           amazing
           ,
           but
           not
           less
           effectual
           ,
           or
           less
           kind
           ;
           as
           also
           the
           efflux
           from
           God
           is
           (
           for
           his
           own
           part
           )
           as
           real
           ,
           when
           he
           works
           with
           second
           causes
           ,
           as
           without
           them
           ;
           and
           as
           immediately
           reaches
           the
           effect
           ,
           in
           both
           the
           senses
           of
           immediateness
           ,
           whereof
           so
           much
           noise
           is
           made
           in
           the
           Schools
           .
        
         
           And
           we
           must
           further
           know
           our
           Lord
           Christ
           is
           now
           the
           universal
           Regent
           of
           all
           Nature
           ,
           even
           as
           he
           is
           
             the
             Christ
          
           ,
           the
           world
           being
           devolv'd
           into
           his
           hands
           ,
           and
           all
           power
           being
           given
           to
           him
           both
           in
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           .
           
             He
             is
             Lord
             of
             all
          
           .
           When
           therefore
           any
           of
           you
           are
           sick
           ,
           it
           is
           by
           his
           disposal
           ,
           if
           you
           are
           recovered
           out
           of
           that
           sickness
           .
           Nor
           is
           his
           Agency
           less
           or
           lower
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           by
           blessing
           a
           Medicine
           ,
           or
           working
           a
           Miracle
           .
           His
           power
           and
           love
           are
           the
           same
           either
           way
           .
           And
           know
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           honour
           ,
           and
           acknowledgment
           due
           from
           Christians
           to
           their
           great
           crucifi'd
           Lord
           ,
           who
           hath
           founded
           a
           dominion
           over
           this
           world
           in
           his
           blood
           ,
           
             who
             died
             ,
             and
             revived
             ,
             and
             rose
             again
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             be
             Lord
             of
             living
             and
             dead
             .
          
           Therefore
           you
           are
           to
           reckon
           you
           are
           beholden
           to
           Christ
           for
           all
           your
           recoveries
           ,
           and
           all
           your
           refreshings
           that
           you
           meet
           with
           amidst
           the
           many
           infirmities
           and
           frailties
           of
           this
           your
           present
           mortal
           state
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           the
           release
           be
           by
           death
           ,
           as
           the
           case
           is
           ,
           which
           we
           now
           have
           specially
           to
           do
           with
           ,
           that
           universal
           power
           of
           his
           
             over
             all
             lives
          
           ,
           must
           be
           understood
           immediately
           to
           reach
           to
           that
           case
           too
           .
           It
           is
           he
           that
           measures
           lives
           ,
           that
           lengthens
           them
           out
           ,
           and
           cuts
           them
           shorter
           at
           his
           own
           pleasure
           .
           And
           ,
           as
           to
           those
           that
           are
           more
           peculiarly
           his
           own
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           more
           peculiar
           ,
           and
           favourable
           superintendency
           that
           he
           has
           over
           that
           affair
           ,
           even
           of
           their
           very
           dying
           .
           Their
           death
           is
           precious
           in
           his
           sight
           .
           He
           with
           a
           most
           gentle
           tender
           hand
           unties
           the
           knot
           of
           Man
           ,
           releases
           and
           receives
           the
           dislodging
           Soul.
           
             Lord
             Jesus
             receive
             my
             Spirit
          
           ,
           as
           dying
           Stephen
           speaks
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           3ly
           .
           We
           are
           to
           consider
           how
           far
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           his
           compassion
           
             concerns
             him
          
           in
           such
           cases
           ;
           or
           wherein
           that
           may
           move
           him
           to
           interpose
           in
           them
           so
           ,
           as
           in
           this
           case
           he
           did
           .
        
         
         
           And
           here
           two
           things
           are
           to
           be
           asserted
           .
        
         
           1st
           .
           That
           his
           compassion
           has
           not
           
             supream
             and
             principal
          
           influence
           in
           this
           Case
           .
        
         
           2ly
           .
           That
           yet
           it
           hath
           real
           influence
           .
        
         
           
             That
             it
             hath
             not
             supream
             or
             principal
             influence
             in
             such
             Cases
             .
          
           And
           this
           doth
           really
           require
           to
           be
           more
           principally
           insisted
           on
           ,
           as
           of
           greater
           importance
           to
           narrow
           ,
           terrene
           minds
           ,
           that
           are
           apt
           to
           measure
           all
           things
           
             by
             themselves
          
           ,
           and
           in
           reference
           to
           their
           own
           little
           Sphear
           and
           compass
           ;
           and
           
             to
             themselves
          
           only
           in
           their
           
             present
             State
          
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           inhabitants
           of
           this
           Minute
           Spot
           of
           Earth
           ;
           as
           if
           all
           things
           ought
           to
           bend
           ,
           and
           yield
           ,
           to
           their
           present
           convenience
           ,
           and
           accommodation
           here
           ;
           whereupon
           they
           wonder
           when
           they
           are
           sick
           ,
           and
           in
           pain
           ,
           God
           doth
           not
           presently
           relieve
           and
           ease
           them
           ;
           and
           think
           they
           should
           do
           so
           ,
           for
           any
           Friend
           or
           Neighbour
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           in
           their
           Power
           .
        
         
           Know
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           't
           was
           not
           from
           compassion
           ,
           as
           the
           solitary
           ,
           or
           as
           the
           chief
           inducement
           ,
           that
           our
           Lord
           did
           work
           this
           release
           for
           this
           Daughter
           of
           Abraham
           .
           That
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           .
           For
           he
           can
           never
           be
           understood
           to
           make
           
             a
             creature
          
           ,
           and
           the
           advantages
           of
           a
           Creature
           his
           Supream
           end
           .
           That
           would
           have
           been
           to
           invert
           the
           order
           of
           things
           ,
           to
           dethrone
           God
           ,
           and
           deifie
           man
           ,
           and
           had
           been
           ,
           it self
           ,
           a
           real
           sort
           of
           that
           Idolatry
           ,
           which
           was
           one
           ,
           among
           the
           many
           horrid
           evils
           ,
           which
           he
           purposely
           came
           to
           redress
           ,
           and
           give
           remedy
           to
           in
           this
           apostate
           degenerate
           World.
           He
           had
           a
           greater
           inducement
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           That
           he
           might
           diffuse
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           among
           the
           Children
           of
           Men
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           might
           give
           evidence
           thereby
           ,
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           his
           own
           Mission
           ,
           and
           prove
           most
           convincingly
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           the
           very
           Person
           that
           was
           anointed
           ,
           and
           sent
           about
           that
           great
           undertaking
           ,
           to
           recover
           Gods
           rights
           in
           this
           lapsed
           World
           ,
           to
           bring
           about
           a
           reconciliation
           between
           God
           and
           Men.
           And
           upon
           this
           account
           ,
           when
           he
           wrought
           cures
           upon
           mens
           Bodies
           ,
           it
           was
           out
           of
           an
           higher
           compassion
           to
           their
           Souls
           .
        
         
           And
           tho'
           even
           this
           it self
           of
           saving
           Mens
           Souls
           was
           not
           his
           highest
           design
           ,
           but
           the
           
             Glory
             of
             God
          
           (
           as
           we
           shall
           see
           further
           by
           and
           by
           )
           yet
           it
           being
           truly
           design'd
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           
             more
             principally
          
           than
           their
           bodily
           ease
           and
           relief
           ,
           this
           was
           an
           apt
           means
           to
           this
           his
           lower
           end
           .
           For
           ,
           whereas
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           this
           ,
           he
           was
           to
           manifest
           himself
           a
           
             Divine
             Saviour
          
           ,
           't
           was
           requisite
           he
           
           should
           give
           a
           joint
           ,
           and
           an
           equal
           demonstration
           of
           the
           two
           things
           ,
           which
           his
           being
           so
           implies
           ,
           his
           
             Godlike
             Power
             ,
             and
             Love.
          
           The
           former
           alone
           it
           did
           not
           serve
           his
           purpose
           to
           shew
           ,
           which
           he
           might
           have
           shewn
           as
           much
           by
           inflicting
           plagues
           on
           mens
           bodies
           ,
           as
           working
           cures
           ,
           by
           striking
           them
           with
           blindness
           ,
           lameness
           ,
           &c.
           as
           by
           giving
           them
           sight
           and
           soundness
           .
           But
           it
           was
           necessary
           to
           his
           end
           ,
           his
           Miracles
           should
           be
           beneficent
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           should
           (
           as
           it
           is
           elsewhere
           said
           in
           the
           Evangelical
           Story
           he
           did
           )
           
             go
             about
             doing
             good
          
           ,
           and
           not
           make
           men
           afraid
           of
           him
           ,
           by
           shewing
           the
           Power
           of
           a
           God
           in
           destructive
           strokes
           and
           judgments
           ;
           but
           ,
           (
           which
           became
           a
           Saviour
           )
           express
           a
           
             divine
             good-will
             towards
             men
          
           ,
           and
           thereby
           make
           his
           way
           into
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           bring
           them
           to
           understand
           ,
           and
           own
           a
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           ,
           
             as
             such
          
           ,
           to
           fall
           in
           ,
           and
           comply
           with
           his
           kind
           design
           towards
           them
           .
           And
           this
           ,
           as
           it
           serv'd
           to
           exalt
           God
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           chiefly
           induc'd
           him
           to
           work
           this
           present
           cure
           .
           If
           his
           compassion
           towards
           a
           poor
           afflicted
           woman
           ,
           labouring
           under
           bodily
           infirmity
           ,
           were
           his
           principal
           inducement
           ,
           if
           therefore
           ,
           she
           must
           be
           presently
           cured
           out
           of
           hand
           ,
           even
           on
           the
           Sabbath
           day
           ,
           because
           she
           had
           been
           now
           bound
           eighteen
           years
           ;
           Why
           ,
           I
           pray
           you
           ,
           was
           she
           to
           have
           been
           bound
           eighteen
           years
           ?
           or
           why
           bound
           at
           all
           ?
           His
           Divine
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           case
           ,
           and
           power
           to
           have
           redrest
           ,
           or
           prevented
           it
           ,
           had
           as
           well
           serv'd
           his
           compassionate
           inclination
           long
           before
           .
           Or
           why
           was
           not
           such
           a
           course
           formerly
           set
           on
           foot
           ,
           and
           continued
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           men
           might
           be
           cured
           of
           Blindness
           ,
           Deafness
           ,
           Lameness
           ,
           Feavers
           ,
           Dropsies
           ,
           or
           whatsoever
           other
           Maladies
           ,
           easily
           ,
           and
           by
           speaking
           a
           word
           ,
           in
           any
           former
           time
           ?
           Why
           was
           it
           deferr'd
           to
           this
           time
           ?
           Or
           why
           hath
           not
           such
           a
           course
           been
           kept
           afoot
           ever
           since
           his
           ascension
           ?
           Hath
           Heaven
           render'd
           him
           less
           merciful
           ,
           and
           compassionate
           ?
           Is
           it
           so
           unkind
           and
           ill-natur'd
           a
           place
           ?
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           that
           his
           apology
           for
           the
           cure
           he
           now
           wrought
           to
           
             this
             Ruler
             of
             the
             Synagogue
          
           ,
           seems
           to
           have
           no
           higher
           reference
           ,
           nor
           was
           he
           bound
           ,
           unseasonably
           ,
           to
           declare
           his
           utmost
           end
           and
           design
           ,
           to
           a
           prejudic'd
           ,
           malicious
           Enemy
           .
           That
           was
           to
           
             speak
             it self
          
           ,
           to
           shine
           by
           it's
           own
           light
           ,
           and
           ,
           by
           such
           means
           ,
           and
           methods
           as
           these
           ,
           gradually
           to
           make
           it
           's
           own
           way
           into
           less-obstructed
           minds
           ,
           insensibly
           sliding
           in
           upon
           them
           ;
           which
           might
           better
           be
           done
           (
           time
           being
           given
           at
           leisure
           to
           consider
           things
           )
           by
           the
           
             real
             evidence
          
           which
           his
           works
           carry'd
           with
           them
           ,
           than
           
           by
           industrious
           ,
           and
           often-repeated
           
             verbal
             Commentaries
             and
             Expositions
          
           .
        
         
           He
           sometimes
           spake
           it
           out
           expresly
           ,
           as
           he
           thought
           fit
           ,
           to
           competent
           ,
           and
           more
           prepared
           hearers
           ,
           that
           his
           great
           design
           was
           to
           make
           himself
           ,
           and
           
             his
             errand
          
           be
           understood
           ;
           
             who
             he
             was
          
           ,
           and
           
             what
             he
             came
             into
             the
             World
             for
          
           ;
           that
           he
           was
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           the
           
             promised
             Messiah
          
           ;
           and
           that
           his
           business
           was
           
             to
             save
             them
             that
             were
             lost
          
           ;
           and
           to
           restore
           Gods
           interest
           in
           an
           Apostate
           lost
           world
           (
           whose
           rights
           were
           to
           be
           cared
           for
           in
           the
           first
           place
           .
           
             He
             redeemed
             us
             to
             God
             by
             his
             blood
             ,
          
           Rev.
           5.
           9.
           )
           Or
           
             for
             the
             glory
             of
             God
          
           ,
           as
           he
           summ'd
           it
           up
           ,
           in
           the
           case
           of
           Lazarus
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           told
           of
           his
           being
           sick
           ,
           
             Jon.
             11.
             4.
             
             This
             sickness
             is
             not
             unto
             death
          
           (
           
             i.
             e.
          
           it
           was
           not
           to
           terminate
           in
           a
           continuing
           death
           )
           
             but
             for
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             the
             Son
             of
             man
             might
             be
             Glorifi'd
             ,
          
           the
           same
           account
           which
           
             this
             Evangelist
          
           gives
           of
           all
           these
           his
           great
           works
           ,
           and
           why
           they
           were
           recorded
           ,
           that
           we
           
             might
             believe
             that
             Jesus
             was
             the
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
             &c.
             chap.
          
           20.
           30.
           
           And
           otherwise
           was
           it
           so
           considerable
           a
           thing
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           well
           got
           out
           of
           this
           fearful
           gulf
           ,
           as
           Lazarus
           now
           was
           ,
           should
           be
           fetcht
           back
           again
           !
           that
           so
           mighty
           a
           wonder
           should
           be
           wrought
           !
           that
           the
           inclosure
           of
           the
           grave
           should
           be
           torn
           open
           !
           and
           the
           released
           Soul
           should
           be
           again
           drawn
           down
           ,
           as
           a
           bird
           escaped
           ,
           caught
           back
           into
           it's
           former
           confinement
           ,
           to
           converse
           a
           while
           longer
           amidst
           the
           impurities
           of
           a
           
             world
             lying
             in
             wickedness
          
           ,
           and
           with
           shadows
           ,
           in
           a
           
             world
             the
             fashion
             whereof
             passes
             away
             !
          
        
         
           No
           ;
           Miracles
           were
           not
           
             so
             cheap
             things
          
           .
           We
           may
           observe
           the
           great
           and
           wise
           God
           hath
           ,
           for
           great
           and
           weighty
           reasons
           ,
           been
           always
           very
           sparing
           in
           making
           very
           observable
           innovations
           upon
           Nature
           ,
           or
           any
           considerable
           changes
           in
           the
           ordinary
           course
           and
           method
           of
           Natural
           Causes
           ,
           and
           their
           Operations
           ;
           as
           a
           thing
           less
           suitable
           to
           
             a
             state
             of
             probation
          
           ,
           wherein
           men
           were
           to
           be
           held
           in
           this
           world
           .
           And
           hath
           only
           been
           wont
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           where
           the
           inconvenience
           was
           to
           be
           ballanced
           by
           preponderating
           greater
           reasons
           ;
           which
           might
           as
           much
           require
           that
           he
           should
           depart
           from
           the
           fixed
           rule
           sometimes
           ,
           as
           other
           reasons
           might
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           
             not
             do
             it
             often
          
           .
           It
           was
           equally
           necessary
           that
           miracles
           should
           not
           be
           common
           ,
           as
           that
           there
           should
           be
           any
           wrought
           at
           all
           ,
           and
           in
           great
           part
           for
           the
           same
           reason
           .
           For
           if
           they
           were
           common
           ,
           they
           must
           lose
           the
           only
           design
           ,
           for
           which
           they
           could
           be
           at
           all
           useful
           .
           If
           God
           should
           do
           ,
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           what
           is
           
             not
             necessary
          
           ,
           he
           should
           the
           less
           effect
           
           by
           it
           
             that
             which
             is
          
           .
           Inasmuch
           as
           they
           are
           only
           useful
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           strange
           ,
           and
           ,
           in
           the
           natural
           way
           ,
           unaccountable
           .
           But
           there
           is
           nothing
           so
           great
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           but
           ceases
           to
           be
           thought
           strange
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           common
           .
           Otherwise
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           
             forming
             of
             the
             eye
             ,
             in
             itself
          
           as
           great
           a
           thing
           ,
           as
           to
           give
           sight
           to
           the
           blind
           ?
           Or
           the
           framing
           such
           a
           world
           as
           this
           ,
           as
           great
           a
           thing
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           stupendous
           miracle
           that
           ever
           was
           wrought
           in
           it
           ?
        
         
           It
           was
           indeed
           necessary
           somewhat
           extraordinary
           should
           at
           first
           be
           done
           to
           demonstrate
           
             that
             man
          
           ,
           Jesus
           of
           Nazareth
           ,
           to
           be
           
             the
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           which
           it
           was
           impossible
           should
           otherwise
           be
           known
           .
           When
           that
           was
           fully
           done
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           necessary
           there
           should
           still
           be
           a
           repetition
           of
           miracles
           ,
           from
           age
           to
           age
           ,
           to
           prove
           the
           former
           were
           wrought
           ,
           or
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           narratives
           ,
           which
           reported
           them
           .
           That
           was
           sufficiently
           to
           be
           known
           in
           the
           ordinary
           way
           ,
           as
           other
           matters
           of
           fact
           are
           ,
           or
           other
           history
           ,
           about
           which
           there
           is
           no
           doubt
           made
           among
           men
           .
           And
           the
           history
           of
           
             these
             things
          
           has
           greater
           advantages
           to
           recommend
           it
           to
           the
           certain
           belief
           of
           after
           time
           ,
           than
           most
           that
           ever
           were
           writ
           besides
           ,
           upon
           many
           accounts
           .
           It
           was
           indeed
           most
           becoming
           the
           Majesty
           ,
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           (
           taken
           together
           )
           to
           do
           what
           might
           answer
           the
           real
           necessities
           of
           men
           whom
           he
           was
           designing
           to
           save
           ;
           but
           not
           to
           indulge
           their
           curiosity
           ,
           nor
           their
           unaccountable
           dulness
           ,
           sloth
           ,
           or
           prejudice
           ,
           whereby
           they
           may
           be
           unapt
           to
           enquire
           about
           ,
           or
           receive
           plain
           things
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           miracles
           were
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           as
           rarities
           ,
           sometimes
           ,
           not
           at
           all
           times
           ,
           and
           at
           such
           a
           time
           ,
           and
           upon
           such
           an
           occasion
           most
           of
           all
           ,
           to
           notifie
           ,
           and
           signalize
           the
           Redeemer
           ,
           at
           his
           first
           appearance
           ,
           to
           draw
           mens
           eyes
           upon
           him
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           take
           notice
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           demean
           themselves
           towards
           him
           accordingly
           .
           This
           was
           to
           be
           done
           sufficiently
           once
           for
           all
           .
           And
           the
           
             great
             stupidity
          
           of
           the
           world
           made
           a
           matter
           which
           needed
           some
           supernatural
           evidence
           ,
           need
           
             so
             much
          
           in
           that
           kind
           .
           
             Except
             you
             see
             signs
             and
             wonders
             ,
             you
             will
             not
             believe
             .
          
           And
           if
           he
           did
           so
           far
           comply
           with
           the
           necessity
           of
           degenerate
           humanity
           ,
           as
           to
           give
           once
           some
           signal
           convictive
           evidence
           that
           he
           was
           the
           Christ
           ,
           the
           divine
           Wisdom
           would
           take
           care
           it
           should
           not
           be
           so
           
             often
             done
          
           ,
           as
           to
           become
           trivial
           ,
           and
           insignificant
           to
           it
           's
           proper
           end
           ;
           the
           importance
           whereof
           was
           such
           ,
           as
           that
           it
           ought
           to
           transcend
           any
           regard
           to
           the
           welfare
           of
           mens
           bodies
           ;
           but
           not
           to
           exclude
           it
           ;
           which
           we
           now
           come
           briefly
           to
           shew
           in
           the
           next
           place
           .
           viz.
           
        
         
         
           2.
           
           That
           tho'
           compassion
           towards
           an
           infirm
           creature
           ,
           under
           bodily
           distemper
           ,
           was
           not
           the
           
             principal
             inducement
          
           unto
           this
           cure
           ,
           it
           was
           a
           
             real
             one
          
           .
           Our
           Lord
           doth
           really
           compassionate
           the
           frailties
           of
           those
           that
           relate
           to
           him
           ,
           while
           they
           dwell
           in
           mortal
           flesh
           .
           
             He
             himself
             bears
             our
             sicknesses
          
           .
           He
           has
           a
           tenderness
           towards
           them
           ,
           even
           while
           he
           doth
           not
           think
           it
           fit
           actually
           to
           release
           ,
           and
           set
           them
           free
           ;
           which
           makes
           way
           to
           what
           was
           proposed
           in
           
             the
             last
             place
          
           to
           be
           insisted
           on
           ,
           as
           preparatory
           to
           the
           intended
           use
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           
             That
             in
             what
             way
             soever
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             works
             a
             release
             for
             them
             that
             are
             most
             specially
             his
             own
             ,
             from
             their
             bodily
             distempers
             ,
             he
             doth
             it
             in
             mercy
             to
             them
             .
          
           He
           lets
           their
           affliction
           continue
           upon
           them
           in
           mercy
           ;
           greater
           mercy
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           than
           would
           be
           in
           an
           unseasonable
           deliverance
           .
           But
           when
           he
           sees
           it
           a
           fit
           season
           to
           give
           them
           a
           release
           ,
           that
           is
           an
           unquestionable
           mercy
           too
           ;
           tho'
           it
           be
           not
           in
           such
           a
           way
           ,
           as
           appears
           such
           to
           vulgar
           eyes
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           more
           easily
           apprehensible
           to
           be
           from
           compassion
           ,
           if
           he
           relieves
           a
           poor
           ,
           pained
           ,
           weak
           ,
           languishing
           ,
           sickly
           creature
           ,
           by
           giving
           renewed
           strength
           ,
           and
           ease
           ,
           and
           health
           in
           this
           world
           .
           But
           when
           the
           release
           is
           by
           death
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           case
           we
           have
           under
           our
           farther
           present
           consideration
           ,
           it
           is
           hard
           to
           perswade
           that
           this
           is
           done
           in
           mercy
           ;
           that
           there
           is
           compassion
           in
           this
           case
           .
           There
           is
           't
           is
           true
           in
           this
           a
           manifest
           disparity
           ,
           but
           not
           a
           disadvantageous
           one
           .
           Is
           it
           a
           less
           thing
           ,
           to
           release
           an
           holy
           soul
           from
           
             the
             body
          
           than
           from
           
             bodily
             distempers
          
           ?
           It
           can
           only
           be
           so
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           such
           blind
           moles
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           as
           the
           children
           of
           men
           are
           now
           generally
           become
           .
           But
           let
           the
           case
           be
           considered
           according
           to
           it's
           true
           and
           real
           import
           .
           Why
           !
           a
           
             recovery
             from
             sickness
          
           is
           but
           
             an
             adjournment
             of
             death
          
           ;
           't
           is
           but
           death
           defer'd
           a
           while
           .
           When
           there
           is
           a
           release
           wrought
           in
           such
           a
           way
           as
           this
           ,
           in
           which
           hers
           was
           wrought
           ,
           whom
           God
           hath
           lately
           taken
           from
           amongst
           us
           ;
           here
           is
           a
           cure
           ,
           not
           only
           
             of
             one
          
           bodily
           distemper
           ,
           but
           
             of
             all
          
           ;
           not
           only
           of
           
             actual
             diseasedness
          
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           
             possibility
             of
             ever
             being
             diseased
             more
          
           ;
           here
           is
           a
           cure
           wrought
           ,
           not
           only
           
             of
             infirmity
          
           ,
           but
           of
           death
           :
           for
           the
           Saints
           conquer
           death
           by
           suffering
           it
           ;
           Yea
           a
           cure
           ,
           not
           
             of
             death
          
           only
           ,
           but
           of
           mortality
           ,
           of
           any
           liableness
           to
           death
           ,
           so
           as
           it
           can
           never
           touch
           them
           more
           ;
           Yea
           further
           ,
           not
           only
           of
           
             bodily
             diseases
          
           ,
           but
           of
           Spiritual
           too
           ,
           far
           worse
           ,
           and
           more
           grievous
           than
           all
           bodily
           diseases
           whatsoever
           ;
           a
           cure
           of
           blindness
           of
           mind
           ,
           deadness
           ,
           and
           hardness
           of
           heart
           ,
           of
           all
           indispositions
           towards
           God
           ,
           his
           ways
           ,
           and
           presence
           ,
           towards
           the
           most
           spiritual
           duties
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           ,
           
           and
           most
           excellent
           of
           our
           enjoyments
           .
           The
           
             body
             of
             Sin
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             mortal
             body
          
           are
           both
           put
           off
           together
           .
           The
           imprisoned
           soul
           is
           set
           free
           ,
           and
           enters
           upon
           a
           state
           of
           everlasting
           liberty
           ;
           is
           releast
           from
           the
           
             bands
             of
             death
          
           ,
           of
           whatsoever
           kind
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           highest
           ,
           fullest
           sense
           ,
           shall
           reign
           in
           life
           ,
           
             thorough
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           What
           is
           the
           decease
           of
           a
           Saint
           ,
           but
           a
           translation
           out
           of
           a
           valley
           of
           death
           ,
           a
           Golgotha
           ,
           a
           place
           of
           Skulls
           ,
           a
           region
           where
           death
           reigns
           ,
           into
           the
           region
           of
           perfect
           and
           everlasting
           life
           ?
           It
           is
           not
           to
           be
           called
           death
           
             simply
             or
             absolutely
          
           ,
           but
           with
           diminution
           ;
           't
           is
           death
           only
           
             in
             a
             certain
             respect
          
           ,
           when
           in
           
             an
             higher
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             considerable
             respect
             ,
          
           When
           in
           
             an
             higher
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             considerable
             respect
             ,
          
           it
           is
           a
           birth
           rather
           ;
           
             a
             dying
             out
             of
             one
             world
             ,
          
           and
           
             a
             being
             born
          
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           into
           another
           ,
           a
           much
           more
           lightsome
           ,
           a
           purer
           ,
           and
           more
           glorious
           world
           .
           The
           soul
           is
           cured
           in
           a
           moment
           ,
           of
           whatsoever
           was
           grievous
           or
           afflicting
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           body
           put
           into
           a
           certain
           way
           of
           cure
           ,
           of
           being
           made
           from
           an
           earthly
           ,
           mean
           ,
           mortal
           thing
           ,
           heavenly
           ,
           spiritual
           ,
           incorruptible
           ,
           and
           immortal
           ;
           from
           a
           vile
           ,
           a
           
             glorious
             body
             ,
             like
             Christs
          
           own
           ,
           and
           by
           
             that
             power
             ,
             by
             which
             he
             can
             subdue
             all
             things
             to
             himself
             ,
          
           Phil.
           3.
           21.
           
        
         
           
             And
             now
             for
             Use.
             
          
           
             I.
             Learn
             ,
             
               That
               there
               is
               no
               inconsistency
               in
               the
               case
               ,
               that
               the
               same
               person
               should
               be
               at
               once
               the
               subject
               of
               long
               continued
               bodily
               affliction
               ,
               and
               of
               divine
               compassion
               .
            
             These
             are
             reconcilable
             things
             ,
             sickly
             languishings
             ,
             under
             which
             one
             may
             be
             
               ready
               to
               fail
            
             ,
             and
             
               compassions
               that
               fail
               not
            
             .
             This
             is
             a
             
               common
               Theme
            
             ;
             but
             the
             
               due
               consideration
            
             of
             it
             is
             
               too
               little
               common
            
             .
             Let
             it
             now
             be
             considered
             with
             impartial
             equity
             ,
             and
             with
             deep
             seriousness
             .
             Do
             you
             think
             the
             all-comprehending
             mind
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             now
             first
             began
             to
             pity
             this
             daughter
             of
             Abraham
             ?
             While
             he
             was
             not
             yet
             ascended
             ,
             this
             attribution
             is
             given
             him
             ;
             Otherwise
             ,
             no
             doubt
             ,
             than
             as
             a
             false
             complement
             ;
             
               Lord
               thou
               knowest
               all
               things
            
             —
             Since
             his
             ascension
             ,
             we
             are
             assured
             he
             hath
             
               a
               feeling
               of
               our
               infirmities
            
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             be
             toucht
             with
             them
             ,
             a
             continuing
             sympathy
             ,
             remembring
             the
             inconveniences
             of
             that
             state
             he
             had
             past
             thorough
             (
             as
             she
             once
             ,
             
               non
               ignara
               mali
            
             &c.
             )
             and
             is
             always
             ready
             ,
             therefore
             ,
             to
             do
             the
             part
             of
             a
             faithful
             and
             merciful
             high
             Priest.
             
               Before
               his
               descent
            
             ,
             we
             must
             ,
             with
             equal
             reason
             ,
             suppose
             him
             to
             have
             an
             
               entire
               prospect
            
             of
             the
             sad
             case
             of
             wretched
             mortals
             ,
             in
             this
             miserable
             world
             of
             ours
             .
             What
             else
             
               made
               him
               descend
            
             ?
             And
             after
             that
             he
             was
             descended
             ,
             
             this
             mark
             could
             not
             but
             lye
             still
             before
             the
             eye
             of
             his
             divine
             mind
             ,
             to
             which
             
               all
               his
               works
               were
               known
               from
               the
               beginning
               of
               the
               world
               .
            
             Yet
             the
             cure
             is
             defer'd
             ,
             the
             release
             is
             not
             given
             till
             the
             appointed
             season
             .
             When
             it
             is
             the
             case
             of
             any
             of
             you
             to
             be
             afflicted
             with
             long
             sickness
             ,
             and
             to
             feel
             the
             tediousness
             of
             a
             lingering
             disease
             (
             count
             upon
             it
             that
             it
             may
             be
             so
             ,
             as
             't
             is
             like
             ,
             it
             hath
             been
             with
             divers
             of
             you
             ;
             )
             Do
             not
             then
             permit
             the
             matter
             to
             the
             censure
             of
             an
             incompetent
             ,
             partial
             Judge
             .
             If
             you
             consult
             
               flesh
               and
               blood
            
             ,
             if
             sense
             be
             to
             pronounce
             in
             the
             case
             ,
             and
             give
             judgment
             ,
             how
             hard
             will
             it
             be
             to
             perswade
             that
             you
             are
             not
             neglected
             in
             your
             languishings
             ,
             that
             your
             groans
             and
             faintings
             are
             unpity'd
             ;
             tho'
             you
             are
             so
             plainly
             told
             ,
             that
             
               whom
               the
               Lord
               loves
               he
               chastens
               ?
            
             Are
             you
             not
             ready
             to
             say
             ,
             how
             can
             this
             stand
             with
             being
             at
             the
             same
             time
             ,
             the
             object
             of
             divine
             pity
             ?
             If
             he
             pity
             me
             ,
             would
             he
             let
             me
             lye
             ,
             and
             languish
             thus
             ,
             in
             so
             miserable
             a
             plight
             ,
             day
             after
             day
             ,
             and
             year
             after
             year
             ?
             Yes
             ;
             these
             things
             very
             well
             agree
             ,
             and
             I
             would
             fain
             shortly
             evince
             to
             you
             that
             they
             do
             .
             Why
             !
          
           
             1.
             
             His
             Compassion
             may
             sufficiently
             be
             Evidenc'd
             in
             
               another
               kind
            
             ,
             and
             by
             another
             sort
             of
             instances
             .
             Sure
             ,
             it
             will
             speak
             compassion
             ,
             if
             he
             frequently
             visit
             his
             frail
             infirm
             creatures
             ,
             and
             
               by
               his
               visitation
               preserve
               their
               spirits
               ,
            
             if
             he
             support
             them
             ,
             if
             he
             refresh
             them
             ,
             this
             is
             grace
             .
             
               My
               grace
               shall
               be
               sufficient
               for
               thee
               ,
            
             saith
             he
             to
             the
             great
             Apostle
             ,
             when
             he
             refused
             to
             release
             him
             from
             that
             
               thorn
               in
               the
               flesh
               ,
               that
               messenger
               of
               Satan
               that
               did
               buffet
               him
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             Besides
             ,
             
               compassion
               may
               appear
               by
               this
               kind
               of
               dispensation
               it self
               .
            
             It
             may
             not
             only
             carry
             that
             
               with
               it
            
             ,
             but
             
               in
               it
            
             ,
             which
             may
             shew
             good
             will.
             If
             long
             continued
             affliction
             may
             be
             supposed
             to
             
               proceed
               from
               compassion
            
             ,
             it
             doth
             much
             more
             
               consist
               with
               it
            
             .
             It
             may
             proceed
             from
             compassion
             ,
             and
             bear
             the
             relation
             to
             it
             of
             an
             effect
             to
             the
             cause
             .
             We
             find
             it
             expresly
             so
             said
             in
             Scripture
             ;
             and
             who
             can
             so
             truly
             speak
             Gods
             mind
             as
             himself
             ?
             
               He
               afflicts
               in
               very
               faithfulness
            
             ;
             and
             ,
             
               as
               many
               as
               the
               Lord
               loves
               ,
               he
               chastens
               ,
               and
               scourges
               every
               son
               whom
               he
               receives
               ,
               Prov.
            
             3.
             12.
             quoted
             ,
             
               Heb.
               12.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
               Rev.
            
             3.
             
             Affliction
             must
             be
             the
             effect
             of
             his
             real
             ,
             and
             most
             sincere
             good
             will
             ,
             and
             compassion
             ,
             tho'
             of
             long
             continuance
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             apt
             ,
             and
             intended
             to
             do
             you
             good
             ,
             in
             higher
             ,
             and
             in
             greater
             regards
             ,
             than
             those
             wherein
             you
             suffer
             ;
             or
             if
             the
             good
             your
             affliction
             does
             you
             ,
             or
             is
             fitly
             design'd
             to
             do
             you
             be
             of
             a
             nobler
             ,
             and
             more
             excellent
             kind
             ,
             than
             that
             whereof
             it
             deprives
             you
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             understood
             ,
             not
             
             only
             to
             be
             consistent
             with
             kindness
             and
             good
             will
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             produc'd
             of
             it
             .
             For
             the
             same
             principle
             that
             intends
             the
             end
             ,
             must
             also
             intend
             the
             proper
             means
             that
             serve
             to
             effect
             it
             .
             Now
             the
             
               kind
               of
               this
               good
            
             is
             thus
             to
             be
             estimated
             .
             You
             read
             
               Psal.
               103.
               5.
               
               As
               a
               father
               pities
               his
               children
               ,
               so
               the
               Lord
               pities
               them
               that
               fear
               him
               .
               As
               a
               father
               .
            
             The
             relation
             he
             is
             in
             to
             them
             is
             that
             of
             a
             father
             to
             his
             children
             .
             But
             we
             must
             understand
             ,
             under
             what
             notion
             ,
             he
             is
             so
             related
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             told
             ,
             
               Heb.
               12.
               9
               ,
               10.
               
               Furthermore
               ,
               we
               have
               had
               fathers
               of
               our
               flesh
               ,
               which
               corrected
               us
               ,
               and
               we
               gave
               them
               reverence
               :
               Shall
               we
               not
               then
               much
               rather
               be
               in
               subjection
               to
               the
               father
               of
               our
               spirits
               ,
               and
               live
               ?
               For
               they
               ,
               verily
               ,
               for
               a
               few
               days
               ,
               chastened
               us
               after
               their
               own
               pleasure
               ;
               but
               he
               for
               our
               profit
               ,
               that
               we
               might
               be
               partakers
               of
               his
               holiness
               .
            
             We
             have
             here
             an
             account
             where
             the
             relation
             terminates
             ,
             and
             see
             both
             
               the
               object
            
             of
             his
             more
             special
             kindness
             and
             good
             will
             ,
             which
             accompany
             the
             relation
             ,
             and
             
               the
               end
            
             of
             it
             .
             He
             is
             
               the
               father
               of
               their
               spirits
            
             ;
             whence
             ,
             therefore
             ,
             we
             may
             collect
             the
             object
             of
             that
             love
             which
             goes
             with
             the
             relation
             must
             be
             
               their
               spirits
            
             also
             ;
             the
             end
             of
             it
             is
             their
             
               spiritual
               advantage
               ;
               to
               make
               them
               partakers
               of
               his
               own
               holiness
               .
               His
               holiness
               !
            
             ]
             is
             a
             lofty
             word
             ,
             and
             carries
             the
             matter
             high
             .
             Understanding
             it
             soberly
             (
             as
             we
             may
             be
             sure
             it
             was
             meant
             )
             it
             must
             signifie
             the
             holiness
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             himself
             imprest
             ,
             and
             the
             impression
             whereof
             is
             the
             lively
             resemblance
             and
             image
             of
             
               his
               own
            
             .
             And
             is
             not
             this
             
               a
               good
            
             of
             a
             nobler
             ,
             and
             more
             excellent
             kind
             ,
             than
             we
             can
             lose
             by
             a
             sickness
             ?
             better
             than
             
               the
               case
            
             of
             this
             vile
             flesh
             ,
             that
             was
             made
             out
             of
             dust
             ,
             and
             tends
             thither
             ?
             The
             object
             is
             
               their
               spirits
            
             ;
             for
             there
             the
             kindness
             that
             belongs
             to
             the
             relation
             must
             terminate
             ,
             where
             the
             relation
             terminates
             .
             
               How
               much
               more
               shall
               we
               not
               be
               subject
               to
               the
               father
               of
               our
               spirits
               ,
               and
               live
               ?
            
             The
             father
             of
             our
             spirits
             is
             there
             contradistinguisht
             from
             the
             fathers
             of
             our
             flesh
             .
             God
             is
             not
             the
             father
             of
             our
             flesh
             ;
             but
             the
             father
             of
             our
             spirits
             .
             He
             is
             the
             Creator
             of
             our
             flesh
             too
             ;
             our
             flesh
             is
             his
             creature
             ,
             but
             not
             his
             off-spring
             .
             There
             must
             be
             a
             similitude
             ,
             and
             likeness
             of
             nature
             between
             a
             father
             and
             a
             child
             ,
             which
             there
             is
             not
             necessarily
             ,
             between
             a
             maker
             ,
             and
             the
             
               thing
               made
            
             .
             In
             respect
             of
             our
             spiritual
             part
             ,
             we
             are
             his
             off-spring
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             so
             a
             father
             to
             us
             ;
             both
             ,
             as
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             in
             common
             bear
             his
             
               natural
               Image
            
             ;
             and
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             regenerate
             ,
             as
             they
             bear
             his
             
               holy
               Image
            
             too
             .
             And
             the
             case
             may
             be
             so
             ,
             that
             the
             suffering
             of
             our
             flesh
             is
             necessary
             for
             the
             advantage
             of
             our
             spirits
             .
             Our
             flesh
             may
             suffer
             so
             ,
             as
             that
             the
             spirit
             shall
             be
             the
             
             better
             for
             it
             ;
             and
             then
             pity
             it self
             ,
             compassion
             it self
             must
             not
             only
             permit
             ,
             but
             cause
             and
             produce
             such
             a
             course
             of
             dispensation
             ,
             as
             whereby
             that
             end
             shall
             be
             attained
             ,
             
               the
               making
               us
               partakers
               of
               his
               himself
            
             ;
             so
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             of
             his
             own
             case
             ;
             
               Though
               our
               outward
               man
               perish
               ,
               yet
               our
               inward
               man
               is
               renewed
               day
               by
               day
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             15.
             
             
               Though
               our
               outward
               man
               perish
            
             .
             We
             are
             compass'd
             about
             with
             Deaths
             that
             are
             continually
             beating
             down
             the
             Walls
             of
             this
             outward
             man
             ;
             they
             are
             beating
             upon
             it
             ,
             and
             are
             likely
             to
             infer
             it's
             perishing
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             perish
             ,
             let
             it
             perish
             ,
             I
             am
             not
             follicitous
             (
             
               q.
               d.
            
             )
             about
             that
             .
             If
             it
             must
             come
             down
             ;
             let
             it
             come
             down
             ;
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             all
             these
             outward
             assaults
             ,
             our
             
               inward
               man
            
             is
             renewed
             day
             by
             day
             ,
             gathers
             a
             fresh
             ,
             and
             increasing
             strength
             ,
             and
             vigour
             ,
             whilst
             this
             
               outward
               man
            
             is
             tending
             to
             dissolution
             and
             dust
             .
             And
             several
             ways
             such
             continued
             afflictions
             upon
             the
             outward
             man
             ,
             may
             make
             for
             the
             advantage
             of
             the
             inward
             man
             in
             the
             best
             kind
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             they
             withdraw
             ,
             and
             take
             off
             the
             Mind
             and
             Heart
             from
             this
             World
             ;
             a
             debasing
             and
             defiling
             thing
             ,
             and
             which
             transforms
             the
             Soul
             that
             converses
             too
             much
             with
             it
             ,
             into
             a
             Dunghil
             ,
             fills
             it
             with
             ill
             favour
             .
             But
             what
             doth
             all
             this
             World
             signifie
             to
             a
             sickly
             pained
             Person
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             As
             it
             engages
             them
             to
             be
             much
             in
             Prayer
             .
             Nothing
             is
             more
             sutable
             ,
             than
             that
             an
             afflicted
             Life
             be
             a
             Life
             of
             much
             Prayer
             .
             
               Is
               any
               man
               afflicted
               ,
               let
               him
               pray
               ,
            
             Jam.
             5.
             13.
             
             Much
             affliction
             hath
             a
             natural
             aptitude
             to
             incline
             men
             this
             way
             .
             
               In
               their
               affliction
               ,
               they
               with
               seek
               me
               early
               ,
            
             Hos.
             5.
             15.
             
             It
             is
             dictate
             of
             nature
             ,
             even
             when
             Grace
             ,
             as
             yet
             ,
             hath
             no
             possession
             ;
             but
             which
             ,
             through
             Gods
             blessing
             ,
             may
             ,
             by
             this
             means
             ,
             help
             to
             introduce
             it
             .
             For
             it
             urges
             the
             Soul
             Godward
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             
               God
               of
               all
               Grace
            
             ;
             obliges
             it
             to
             converse
             with
             him
             ,
             whereby
             somewhat
             better
             may
             be
             gained
             than
             is
             sought
             :
             In
             their
             afflictions
             they
             will
             be
             submissive
             and
             lye
             at
             my
             feet
             ,
             saith
             God
             ;
             they
             will
             
               seek
               me
               early
            
             ,
             from
             whom
             ,
             otherwise
             ,
             I
             should
             never
             hear
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             all
             their
             Life
             long
             .
             Oh!
             that
             you
             would
             understand
             the
             matter
             so
             ,
             when
             God
             afflicts
             in
             such
             kinds
             ,
             so
             as
             his
             hand
             touches
             your
             very
             bone
             and
             flesh
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             design
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             make
             you
             pray
             ,
             to
             bring
             you
             upon
             your
             knees
             ,
             to
             put
             you
             into
             a
             supplicating
             posture
             ,
             if
             he
             can
             ,
             upon
             any
             terms
             ,
             hear
             from
             you
             ,
             tho'
             you
             seek
             him
             but
             for
             bodily
             ease
             and
             refreshing
             ,
             
             it
             may
             be
             a
             means
             of
             the
             greatest
             advantage
             to
             you
             ,
             e're
             God
             have
             done
             with
             you
             ,
             when
             once
             he
             has
             brought
             you
             ,
             by
             this
             means
             to
             treat
             ;
             when
             he
             has
             got
             you
             into
             a
             more
             tractable
             disposition
             ,
             there
             is
             hope
             in
             the
             case
             .
             If
             thus
             he
             
               open
               your
               ear
               to
               Discipline
               ,
               and
               be
               to
               you
               an
               interpreter
               ,
               one
               of
               a
               thousand
               ,
               to
               shew
               you
               his
               Righteousness
               ,
               he
               may
               seal
               instruction
               to
               you
               ,
               and
               save
               your
               Soul
               from
               going
               down
               to
               the
               Pit
               ,
               having
               found
               a
               ransom
               for
               you
               ,
            
             Job
             33.
             15.
             
             &c.
             
          
           
             But
             for
             those
             that
             have
             a
             real
             Interest
             in
             God
             ,
             and
             Union
             with
             Christ
             ,
             that
             which
             occasions
             much
             Prayer
             ,
             is
             likely
             to
             be
             the
             means
             of
             much
             spiritual
             improvement
             ,
             and
             advantage
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             It
             puts
             several
             suitable
             Graces
             upon
             exercise
             ,
             and
             by
             being
             exercised
             they
             grow
             .
             It
             tries
             their
             Faith
             ,
             and
             improves
             it
             .
             Faith
             is
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             case
             as
             this
             ,
             necessarily
             called
             forth
             into
             act
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             the
             principle
             ;
             and
             as
             it
             acts
             ,
             it
             grows
             ;
             becomes
             more
             and
             more
             strong
             and
             lively
             .
             Their
             Patience
             is
             exercised
             by
             it
             ,
             and
             perfected
             ;
             and
             that
             has
             a
             great
             influence
             upon
             their
             universal
             perfection
             .
             
               Let
               patience
               have
               it's
               perfect
               work
               ,
               that
               you
               may
               be
               perfect
               ,
            
             Jam.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
             There
             will
             be
             an
             universal
             languor
             (
             as
             if
             he
             should
             have
             said
             )
             upon
             your
             Spirits
             ,
             if
             you
             be
             impatient
             ;
             if
             you
             cannot
             suffer
             (
             as
             patience
             is
             an
             ability
             for
             suffering
             )
             if
             you
             can
             by
             no
             means
             endure
             ,
             without
             tempestuous
             agitations
             ,
             or
             sullen
             despondencies
             of
             Spirit
             .
             But
             if
             
               Patience
               have
               it's
               perfect
               Work
            
             ,
             that
             will
             infer
             an
             universal
             healthfulness
             ,
             and
             good
             habit
             into
             your
             whole
             Soul.
             
          
           
             Their
             Love
             to
             God
             is
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             case
             ,
             eminently
             tried
             ;
             and
             improved
             ,
             
               Blessed
               is
               the
               man
               that
               endures
               Temptation
            
             (
             tentative
             affliction
             is
             there
             meant
             ,
             as
             above
             ,
             
               vers
               .
               2.
               )
               For
               when
               he
               is
               tryed
               ,
               he
               shall
               receive
               the
               Crown
               of
               Life
               ,
               which
               the
               Lord
               hath
               promised
               to
               them
               that
               love
               him
               ,
            
             Jam.
             1.
             12.
             
             Which
             implies
             
               their
               love
            
             to
             him
             is
             the
             great
             thing
             put
             upon
             trial
             ,
             in
             that
             case
             .
             And
             it
             is
             a
             great
             trial
             of
             Love
             to
             God
             ;
             a
             very
             improvable
             opportunity
             of
             discerning
             it's
             sincerity
             ,
             when
             ,
             upon
             a
             long
             affliction
             ,
             you
             can
             appeal
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             say
             ,
             
               Thou
               knowest
               I
               love
               thee
            
             ;
             tho'
             thou
             smite
             and
             kill
             ,
             I
             will
             still
             love
             thee
             .
             No
             discontentful
             motion
             ,
             no
             repining
             thought
             shall
             ever
             be
             allowed
             a
             place
             in
             my
             breast
             ;
             there
             may
             be
             sighs
             ,
             but
             no
             murmurings
             ;
             groans
             ,
             but
             no
             tumults
             ,
             nothing
             of
             displeasure
             against
             thy
             Holy
             Pleasure
             .
          
           
           
             4.
             
             It
             occasions
             such
             to
             live
             much
             upon
             the
             borders
             of
             Eternity
             .
             Under
             affliction
             we
             
               look
               not
               to
               the
               things
               that
               are
               seen
               and
               Temporal
               ,
               but
               to
               the
               things
               that
               are
               unseen
               and
               Eternal
               ,
            
             which
             make
             us
             count
             our
             affliction
             ,
             
               tho'
               long
            
             ,
             but
             momentany
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             4.17
             ,
             18
             ,
             And
             those
             Souls
             will
             prosper
             ,
             and
             flourish
             that
             have
             so
             unspeakably
             more
             to
             do
             with
             the
             other
             World
             than
             with
             this
             .
             'T
             is
             in
             this
             way
             ,
             that
             the
             afflictions
             of
             this
             present
             state
             
               do
               work
               for
               us
               the
               far
               more
               exceeding
               ,
               and
               eternal
               weight
               of
               Glory
               ,
            
             ver
             .
             17.
             as
             they
             direct
             our
             eye
             forward
             ,
             
               while
               we
               look
            
             ,
             ver
             .
             18.
             
               not
               to
               the
               things
               which
               are
               seen
               ,
               which
               are
               but
               temporal
               ;
               but
               to
               the
               things
               ,
               which
               are
               unseen
               ,
               and
               eternal
               .
            
             Life
             and
             Spirit
             ,
             strength
             and
             vigour
             enter
             (
             
               q.
               d.
            
             )
             at
             our
             eye
             ,
             which
             is
             prompted
             by
             the
             horrour
             of
             frightful
             spectacles
             in
             this
             scene
             of
             things
             ,
             to
             look
             to
             another
             ,
             where
             all
             things
             appear
             lightsome
             ,
             pleasant
             ,
             and
             glorious
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             other
             considerations
             ,
             whereby
             you
             might
             argue
             to
             your selves
             ,
             not
             only
             the
             consistency
             ,
             but
             the
             great
             suitableness
             of
             an
             afflicted
             state
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             with
             Gods
             Favour
             ,
             Kindness
             ,
             and
             Compassion
             towards
             you
             .
          
           
             As
             that
             
               when
               he
               is
               more
               highly
               provok'd
               ,
            
             he
             
               threatens
               not
               to
               afflict
            
             ,
             as
             the
             heaviest
             of
             penalties
             .
             
               Why
               should
               they
               be
               smitten
               any
               more
               ?
            
             Isa.
             1.
             5.
             
             I
             will
             no
             more
             punish
             your
             Daughters
             ,
             &c.
             
             Hos.
             4.
             14.
             
             Ephraim
             
               is
               joined
               to
               Idols
               ,
               let
               him
               alone
               ,
            
             ver
             .
             17.
             
          
           
             
               That
               his
               Covenant
               obliges
               him
               to
               it
               ,
            
             as
             to
             them
             ,
             who
             are
             ,
             on
             stricter
             terms
             ,
             in
             Covenant
             with
             him
             ,
             
               Christs
               own
               seed
            
             being
             signifi'd
             by
             Davids
             ,
             as
             by
             David
             is
             manifestly
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             Psal.
             89
             :
             Where
             you
             may
             see
             how
             ,
             and
             after
             what
             tenour
             his
             Covenant
             runs
             ,
             ver
             .
             30.
             31
             ,
             32
             ,
             33
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             According
             whereto
             he
             himself
             elsewhere
             acknowledges
             ,
             that
             
               in
               very
               faithfulness
               God
               had
               afflicted
               him
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.
             75.
             
          
           
             That
             ,
             in
             experience
             ,
             we
             are
             apt
             to
             grow
             remiss
             ,
             secure
             and
             negligent
             ,
             when
             all
             things
             are
             externally
             well
             with
             us
             .
             And
             let
             us
             but
             appeal
             to
             our selves
             ,
             how
             much
             a
             wakeful
             temper
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             under
             affliction
             ,
             is
             better
             than
             carelesness
             ,
             and
             vanity
             of
             Mind
             ,
             accompany'd
             with
             fleshly
             ease
             and
             pleasure
             .
          
           
             That
             we
             can
             our selves
             easily
             apprehend
             that
             it
             may
             ,
             not
             only
             consist
             with
             the
             tenderness
             of
             a
             Parent
             ,
             to
             have
             the
             wound
             of
             a
             Child
             search'd
             ,
             tho'
             with
             much
             pain
             ;
             but
             proceed
             from
             it
             .
          
           
           
             That
             in
             heaven
             our
             judgment
             of
             things
             will
             be
             right
             and
             incorrupt
             ,
             where
             we
             shall
             apprehend
             no
             cause
             of
             complaint
             ,
             that
             ,
             through
             many
             sicknesses
             ,
             diseases
             ,
             and
             death
             it self
             ,
             our
             way
             was
             made
             for
             us
             thither
             .
             And
             if
             that
             shall
             then
             be
             a
             
               true
               judgment
            
             ,
             the
             thing
             it self
             must
             be
             as
             true
             now
             .
             But
             these
             I
             hastily
             hint
             ,
             and
             pass
             to
             some
             further
             use
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             We
             may
             ,
             next
             ,
             collect
             ,
             that
             since
             it
             is
             out
             of
             doubt
             ,
             the
             Devil
             may
             have
             
               some
               hand
            
             in
             our
             outward
             affliction
             ,
             we
             are
             concern'd
             to
             take
             so
             much
             the
             more
             care
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             not
             have
             
               his
               end
            
             upon
             us
             by
             it
             .
             An
             hand
             he
             may
             have
             ,
             and
             we
             cannot
             determine
             how
             far
             ;
             but
             whether
             it
             be
             more
             or
             less
             ,
             great
             care
             we
             are
             concern'd
             to
             take
             how
             to
             frustrate
             his
             design
             .
             He
             has
             the
             most
             mischievous
             ends
             that
             can
             be
             ,
             and
             designs
             worse
             things
             to
             us
             than
             the
             affliction
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             means
             ,
             whatsoever
             that
             be
             .
             He
             would
             fain
             engage
             us
             in
             a
             controversie
             with
             God
             ;
             would
             have
             us
             contend
             with
             him
             ,
             murmur
             ,
             fret
             ,
             blaspheme
             and
             curse
             God
             ,
             and
             therewith
             send
             out
             our
             last
             ,
             and
             dying
             breath
             .
             That
             was
             his
             design
             upon
             Job
             .
             Let
             us
             labour
             to
             frustrate
             it
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             .
             Divers
             of
             the
             Antients
             (
             
               Justin
               Martyr
               ,
               Jerome
               ,
               Cyprian
            
             and
             Austin
             )
             speak
             much
             to
             this
             purpose
             ,
             how
             great
             a
             design
             the
             Devil
             drives
             in
             being
             the
             Author
             of
             sicknesses
             and
             diseases
             to
             men
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             make
             them
             apply
             themselves
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             divert
             from
             God
             ,
             as
             that
             wicked
             Prince
             did
             ,
             whom
             by
             the
             Prophet
             we
             find
             so
             tharply
             reprov'd
             for
             it
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             no
             God
             in
             Israel
             ,
             that
             he
             went
             to
             the
             God
             of
             E●rom
             (
             some
             Daemon
             ,
             or
             other
             as
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             think
             .
             )
          
           
             The
             last
             mentioned
             of
             those
             Authors
             speaks
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             just
             matter
             of
             Excommunication
             ,
             when
             those
             that
             bear
             the
             name
             of
             Christians
             ,
             shall
             in
             such
             cases
             ,
             use
             means
             bearing
             no
             natural
             proportion
             or
             accommodateness
             to
             the
             end
             ,
             charms
             ,
             spells
             ,
             &c.
             for
             ease
             ,
             or
             cure
             of
             maladies
             ;
             wherein
             no
             relief
             could
             reasonably
             be
             expected
             ,
             but
             from
             the
             Devils
             agency
             ;
             who
             may
             be
             officious
             enough
             ,
             if
             ,
             especially
             ,
             he
             have
             first
             hurt
             ,
             to
             heal
             too
             ,
             that
             by
             practising
             upon
             their
             bodies
             ,
             he
             may
             entangle
             their
             souls
             ;
             and
             (
             according
             to
             his
             wont
             of
             running
             counter
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             wounds
             that
             he
             may
             the
             more
             effectually
             heal
             and
             save
             )
             by
             a
             present
             temporary
             cure
             ,
             wound
             mortally
             ,
             and
             finally
             destroy
             .
          
           
             He
             hath
             not
             left
             the
             world
             (
             no
             ,
             not
             the
             Christian
             world
             )
             
             quite
             ignorant
             of
             his
             methods
             in
             these
             kinds
             ,
             of
             training
             men
             ,
             by
             gradual
             steps
             ,
             into
             things
             ,
             first
             ,
             that
             seem
             innocent
             ,
             and
             then
             into
             such
             familiarities
             (
             whether
             their
             
               real
               distress
            
             ,
             or
             their
             curiosity
             ,
             were
             the
             first
             handle
             he
             took
             hold
             of
             them
             by
             ,
             or
             the
             Engine
             by
             which
             he
             drew
             them
             )
             till
             ,
             at
             length
             ,
             it
             comes
             to
             express
             covenanting
             .
             If
             the
             matter
             come
             not
             so
             far
             ,
             't
             is
             rare
             to
             come
             off
             from
             the
             least
             tamperings
             without
             a
             scratch
             .
             
               He
               that
               is
               born
               of
               God
               keeps
               himself
               ,
               that
               the
               evil
               one
               may
               not
               touch
               him
               ,
            
             I
             John
             5.
             18.
             as
             knowing
             he
             designs
             to
             touch
             mortally
             ,
             and
             if
             he
             touch
             ,
             to
             kill
             .
             If
             it
             proceed
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             a
             solemn
             league
             ,
             how
             tragical
             consequences
             doth
             story
             abound
             with
             !
             That
             of
             
               Count
               Matiscon
            
             (
             pluckt
             away
             by
             the
             Devil
             from
             among
             divers
             persons
             of
             quality
             ,
             whom
             he
             was
             entertaining
             ,
             and
             at
             noon-day
             ,
             whirl'd
             in
             the
             air
             three
             times
             about
             the
             City
             ,
             in
             open
             view
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             to
             whom
             he
             in
             vain
             cried
             for
             help
             )
             reported
             by
             some
             Historians
             ;
             and
             that
             of
             an
             infamous
             
               Magician
               of
               Saltzburg
            
             ,
             and
             divers
             others
             ,
             are
             instances
             both
             very
             extraordinary
             ,
             and
             very
             monitory
             .
          
           
             But
             as
             to
             a
             future
             ruine
             ,
             which
             he
             finally
             aims
             to
             involve
             men
             in
             ,
             with
             himself
             ,
             he
             hath
             not
             faster
             hold
             of
             any
             ,
             than
             those
             that
             have
             learnt
             to
             ridicule
             every
             thing
             of
             this
             kind
             ,
             and
             who
             have
             put
             so
             much
             Sadducism
             into
             their
             Creed
             (
             consisting
             of
             so
             many
             negatives
             ,
             or
             things
             they
             believe
             not
             ,
             that
             they
             scarce
             leave
             enough
             positive
             to
             admit
             that
             name
             )
             as
             to
             think
             
               there
               is
               no
               such
               creature
            
             :
             perhaps
             as
             being
             conscious
             there
             can
             be
             no
             worse
             than
             themselves
             .
             But
             how
             near
             is
             he
             to
             them
             that
             think
             him
             out
             of
             the
             Universe
             !
          
           
             3.
             
             Since
             it
             is
             possible
             the
             Devil
             may
             bind
             even
             those
             
               that
               belong
               to
               God
            
             ,
             with
             some
             kind
             of
             bodily
             affliction
             or
             other
             ;
             it
             is
             the
             more
             to
             be
             apprehended
             ,
             how
             much
             worse
             bonds
             they
             are
             ,
             in
             which
             he
             binds
             those
             
               that
               do
               not
               belong
               to
               him
               .
            
             Oh!
             that
             you
             would
             be
             serious
             here
             !
             How
             many
             such
             sad
             cases
             are
             there
             ,
             amongst
             even
             them
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             feared
             ,
             that
             are
             called
             Christians
             ,
             concerning
             which
             it
             may
             be
             said
             ,
             here
             is
             a
             soul
             that
             Satan
             hath
             bound
             ,
             not
             eighteen
             ,
             but
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             thirty
             ,
             forty
             ,
             fifty
             years
             !
             Oh!
             when
             shall
             this
             soul
             be
             releast
             ,
             that
             Satan
             hath
             so
             long
             bound
             !
          
           
             4.
             
             As
             from
             the
             Devils
             malice
             to
             the
             bodies
             of
             men
             we
             may
             collect
             his
             greater
             malice
             to
             their
             Souls
             ;
             So
             we
             may
             
             judg
             proportionably
             of
             Christs
             compassions
             ;
             that
             as
             they
             incline
             him
             to
             give
             them
             all
             sutable
             relief
             in
             their
             bodily
             afflictions
             ,
             as
             far
             as
             can
             consist
             with
             those
             measures
             ,
             which
             infinite
             wisdom
             hath
             pitcht
             upon
             ,
             for
             the
             government
             of
             this
             present
             world
             ,
             and
             as
             shall
             fall
             in
             with
             the
             design
             of
             his
             office
             of
             a
             Redeemer
             and
             Saviour
             to
             us
             ;
             So
             they
             much
             more
             incline
             him
             to
             relieve
             embondag'd
             souls
             ;
             for
             this
             doth
             most
             directly
             fall
             in
             with
             his
             design
             ,
             and
             is
             the
             proper
             business
             of
             his
             office
             ;
             the
             other
             may
             be
             only
             collateral
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             to
             be
             done
             
               on
               the
               by
            
             .
             He
             came
             not
             into
             this
             world
             to
             procure
             ,
             that
             men
             might
             not
             be
             sick
             ,
             or
             pained
             ;
             or
             be
             presently
             restored
             to
             health
             and
             ease
             .
             But
             he
             came
             and
             died
             ,
             that
             souls
             might
             live
             ;
             to
             procure
             for
             them
             pardon
             ,
             reconciliation
             with
             God
             ,
             all
             needful
             assisting
             influences
             of
             grace
             ,
             and
             eternal
             life
             .
             Of
             these
             therefore
             they
             may
             be
             most
             assured
             ,
             if
             they
             duly
             apply
             themselves
             .
             And
             some
             encouragement
             to
             expect
             so
             much
             they
             may
             draw
             even
             from
             this
             instance
             .
             This
             infirm
             woman
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             bodily
             cure
             ,
             
               did
               apply
               her self
               to
               him
            
             .
             She
             came
             after
             him
             ,
             as
             others
             did
             ,
             
               for
               this
               purpose
            
             ;
             and
             did
             ,
             in
             a
             sort
             ,
             put
             herself
             in
             the
             way
             of
             his
             healing
             influence
             .
             Now
             if
             any
             of
             you
             find
             your
             souls
             are
             yet
             held
             by
             the
             Devil
             in
             worse
             bonds
             ,
             apply
             your selves
             to
             the
             merciful
             compassionate
             Jesus
             ,
             there
             is
             hope
             in
             the
             case
             .
             Oh!
             will
             you
             not
             say
             so
             much
             to
             him
             for
             a
             soul
             in
             bondage
             ?
             Lord
             loose
             this
             poor
             soul
             of
             mine
             ,
             that
             Satan
             hath
             bound
             for
             so
             many
             sad
             years
             .
             Do
             but
             labour
             to
             know
             you
             are
             bound
             ,
             to
             feel
             your
             bonds
             .
             Whatsoever
             there
             is
             of
             prevailing
             sin
             in
             you
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             bond
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             Devil
             holds
             your
             souls
             .
             
               The
               wicked
               are
               held
               in
               the
               cords
               of
               their
               own
               iniquities
               .
            
             Prov.
             5.
             22.
             
             And
             sins
             are
             said
             to
             be
             the
             works
             of
             Satan
             ,
             from
             which
             it
             is
             the
             design
             of
             the
             Redeemer
             to
             loose
             us
             .
             
               The
               Son
               of
               God
               was
               for
               this
               purpose
               manifested
               that
               he
               might
               destroy
            
             (
             we
             read
             ,
             )
             it
             is
             ,
             
               that
               he
               might
               dissolve
               the
               works
               of
               the
               Devil
               .
            
             q.
             d.
             that
             he
             might
             release
             ,
             and
             unbind
             souls
             ,
             that
             the
             Devil
             as
             yet
             holds
             in
             fast
             bonds
             .
             And
             you
             may
             find
             you
             are
             so
             bound
             ,
             when
             upon
             self-reflexion
             you
             take
             notice
             ,
             you
             are
             ordinarily
             restrained
             from
             what
             you
             should
             do
             ,
             against
             the
             light
             ,
             and
             conviction
             of
             your
             own
             minds
             and
             judgments
             ;
             
               i.
               e.
            
             you
             find
             ,
             if
             you
             reflect
             ,
             a
             conviction
             hath
             taken
             place
             in
             your
             consciences
             ,
             you
             ought
             to
             love
             God
             ;
             but
             
             there
             is
             with
             you
             no
             such
             motion
             of
             soul
             ,
             no
             inclination
             towards
             him
             ▪
             you
             ought
             ,
             in
             a
             stated
             course
             to
             pray
             ,
             and
             pour
             out
             your
             soul
             to
             him
             ;
             but
             you
             are
             bound
             ,
             you
             cannot
             offer
             at
             it
             ;
             you
             have
             no
             liberty
             for
             it
             ;
             your
             terrene
             inclination
             ,
             or
             love
             to
             vanity
             plucks
             you
             back
             ;
             you
             ought
             to
             
               walk
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               God
               ,
            
             but
             you
             are
             fetterred
             ,
             you
             cannot
             move
             a
             foot
             ;
             you
             ought
             to
             
               do
               the
               works
               of
               God
            
             ,
             but
             you
             are
             manacled
             ,
             you
             cannot
             
               stir
               and
               an
               hand
            
             .
             Are
             you
             so
             bound
             ,
             and
             will
             you
             not
             know
             it
             ?
             What!
             never
             feel
             your
             bonds
             ?
             When
             once
             they
             are
             felt
             ,
             you
             will
             soon
             begin
             to
             cry
             ,
             and
             supplicate
             .
             And
             if
             once
             you
             shall
             be
             brought
             seriously
             ,
             and
             incessantly
             to
             supplicate
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             hop't
             the
             release
             will
             follow
             .
             Was
             our
             Lord
             so
             compassionate
             towards
             infirm
             bodies
             ,
             in
             the
             days
             of
             his
             flesh
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             and
             do
             we
             think
             he
             ,
             above
             ,
             is
             less
             compassionate
             to
             souls
             ?
             Can
             it
             be
             thought
             heaven
             hath
             altered
             him
             to
             your
             disadvantage
             ?
             Is
             he
             less
             kind
             ,
             benign
             ,
             and
             less
             apt
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             now
             he
             is
             inthroned
             in
             glory
             ?
             Why
             should
             you
             not
             believe
             he
             will
             give
             release
             unto
             your
             captiv'd
             embondaged
             souls
             ,
             if
             you
             implore
             his
             help
             and
             mercy
             ,
             with
             seriousness
             ,
             and
             insist
             upon
             it
             ,
             and
             do
             not
             give
             him
             over
             .
             Say
             to
             him
             ,
             
               Jesus
               ,
               thou
               Son
               of
               God
               have
               mercy
               on
               me
            
             ;
             for
             do
             you
             not
             know
             it
             is
             his
             office
             .
             
               The
               Spirit
               of
               the
               Lord
               was
               upon
               him
               ,
               to
               proclaim
               liberty
               to
               the
               captives
               ,
               and
               opening
               of
               Prisons
               to
               them
               that
               are
               bound
               .
            
             Isa.
             61.
             1.
             
             What!
             will
             you
             be
             bound
             all
             your
             days
             ,
             and
             never
             lift
             up
             a
             cry
             to
             the
             great
             Redeemer
             and
             Saviour
             of
             Souls
             to
             give
             you
             release
             ?
             How
             deservedly
             should
             these
             bonds
             end
             with
             you
             in
             the
             chains
             ,
             wherein
             the
             Devils
             themselves
             shall
             for
             ever
             be
             bound
             with
             you
             ?
          
           
             5.
             
             We
             may
             collect
             ,
             there
             is
             an
             awful
             regard
             due
             to
             the
             Sabbath-day
             .
             When
             our
             Lord
             justifies
             the
             cure
             now
             wrought
             on
             their
             Sabbath
             ,
             only
             on
             this
             account
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             an
             act
             of
             mercy
             towards
             a
             daughter
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             by
             the
             exception
             of
             
               such
               a
               case
            
             he
             strengthens
             the
             
               general
               rule
            
             ,
             and
             intimates
             so
             holy
             a
             day
             should
             not
             ,
             upon
             light
             occasions
             ,
             be
             otherwise
             imploy'd
             ,
             than
             for
             the
             proper
             end
             of
             it's
             appointment
             .
             Tho'
             
               our
               day
            
             be
             not
             the
             same
             ,
             the
             business
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             great
             part
             ,
             is
             ;
             by
             the
             reason
             given
             in
             the
             
               fourth
               Commandment
            
             ,
             which
             being
             plac't
             among
             the
             rest
             of
             those
             
               ten
               words
            
             ,
             so
             many
             ways
             remarkably
             distinguisht
             from
             the
             other
             laws
             given
             the
             Jews
             ,
             and
             signifying
             that
             these
             were
             intended
             not
             to
             them
             alone
             ,
             but
             to
             mankind
             ,
             and
             given
             upon
             a
             reason
             common
             to
             man
             ;
             
             the
             words
             also
             not
             necessarily
             signifying
             more
             ,
             than
             there
             should
             be
             
               a
               seventh
               day
            
             kept
             as
             sacred
             to
             God
             ,
             reserving
             it
             to
             after-significations
             of
             his
             pleasure
             to
             mark
             out
             ,
             and
             signalize
             this
             or
             that
             day
             ,
             as
             he
             should
             see
             fit
             .
             And
             our
             Saviour
             having
             told
             us
             expresly
             the
             
               Sabbath
               was
               made
               for
               man
               ,
               (
               i.
               e.
            
             as
             men
             ,
             not
             for
             Jews
             ,
             as
             Jews
             )
             These
             considerations
             taken
             together
             ,
             with
             many
             more
             (
             not
             fit
             to
             be
             here
             mentioned
             )
             do
             challenge
             a
             very
             great
             regard
             to
             the
             day
             ,
             which
             we
             have
             cause
             to
             think
             it
             is
             the
             will
             of
             God
             we
             should
             keep
             
               as
               our
               Sabbath
            
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             That
             there
             is
             somewhat
             of
             priviledge
             due
             by
             gracious
             vouchsafement
             and
             grant
             to
             the
             children
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             to
             Abrahams
             seed
             ,
             
               i.
               e.
               to
               speak
               by
               Analogy
               ,
            
             to
             the
             children
             of
             
               covenanted
               Parents
               .
               Abraham
            
             is
             considerable
             here
             ,
             as
             being
             
               under
               that
               notion
            
             ,
             a
             father
             ;
             whosoever
             of
             you
             therefore
             are
             the
             children
             of
             such
             ,
             as
             
               were
               of
               the
               faith
               of
               Abraham
            
             ;
             and
             you
             are
             now
             come
             to
             that
             adult
             state
             ,
             wherein
             you
             are
             capable
             of
             transacting
             with
             God
             for
             your selves
             ,
             and
             wherein
             the
             transitus
             is
             made
             from
             minority
             to
             maturity
             ;
             if
             now
             you
             own
             the
             God
             of
             your
             fathers
             ;
             if
             you
             will
             now
             say
             ,
             My
             fathers
             God
             shall
             be
             my
             God
             ;
             
               he
               keeps
               mercy
               for
               thousands
               of
               them
               that
               love
               him
               ,
               and
               keep
               his
               commandments
               .
               i.
               e.
            
             if
             there
             were
             a
             thousand
             generations
             of
             such
             (
             generations
             being
             spoken
             of
             so
             immediately
             before
             ,
             
               viz.
               that
               he
               would
               visit
               iniquity
               upon
               them
               that
               hate
               him
               ,
               to
               the
               third
               ,
               and
               fourth
               generation
               ;
               but
               shew
               mercy
               to
               them
               that
               love
               him
               ,
               and
               keep
               his
               commandments
               ,
               unto
               a
               thousand
               generations
               ,
               i.
               e.
               to
               never
               so
               many
            
             )
             If
             you
             will
             not
             when
             now
             grown
             up
             disavow
             your
             fathers
             God
             ;
             if
             you
             will
             avow
             and
             own
             him
             ,
             and
             devote
             your selves
             to
             him
             ,
             he
             will
             be
             your
             God
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             theirs
             .
             Here
             is
             now
             the
             priviledge
             due
             to
             Abrahams
             children
             ,
             or
             to
             the
             children
             of
             covenanted
             parents
             .
             God
             has
             an
             early
             preventive
             interest
             in
             them
             ,
             upon
             which
             they
             may
             lay
             their
             claim
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             their
             God
             ,
             if
             they
             will
             but
             now
             give
             up
             themselves
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             stand
             to
             his
             covenant
             .
             But
             if
             you
             will
             not
             do
             so
             ,
             but
             slight
             ,
             and
             reject
             the
             God
             of
             your
             Fathers
             ,
             then
             your
             
               birth
               priviledge
            
             can
             signifie
             nothing
             to
             you
             ;
             then
             ,
             
               think
               not
               to
               say
               with
               your selves
               ,
               We
               have
               Abraham
               to
               our
               father
               ,
            
             in
             that
             3d.
             of
             Matthews
             Gospel
             ;
             for
             God
             will
             never
             want
             children
             ;
             
               he
               is
               able
               of
               stones
               to
               raise
               up
               children
               to
               Abraham
               ,
               q.
               d.
            
             rather
             stones
             than
             you
             .
             And
             then
             indeed
             ,
             upon
             a
             true
             account
             ,
             Abraham
             is
             none
             of
             
             your
             father
             ;
             as
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             tells
             the
             Jews
             ,
             If
             you
             were
             Abrahams
             children
             ,
             you
             would
             do
             the
             works
             of
             Abraham
             .
             You
             do
             so
             and
             so
             ,
             
               thus
               did
               not
               Abraham
            
             .
             Joh.
             8.
             39
             ,
             40.
             
             Pray
             consider
             what
             Abraham
             was
             ,
             and
             how
             he
             lived
             on
             earth
             ,
             like
             an
             inhabitant
             of
             heaven
             ,
             as
             an
             heir
             of
             the
             heavenly
             Country
             ,
             his
             business
             was
             to
             
               seek
               the
               better
               country
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               heavenly
               ,
               wherefore
               God
               was
               not
               ashamed
               to
               be
               called
               his
               God
               ,
            
             as
             in
             that
             11th
             .
             to
             the
             
               Heb.
               16.
               ver
            
             .
             But
             if
             you
             will
             go
             from
             day
             to
             day
             grovelling
             in
             the
             dust
             of
             the
             earth
             ,
             
               this
               did
               not
               Abraham
            
             .
             If
             you
             will
             spend
             your
             lives
             in
             the
             pursuit
             of
             vanity
             and
             trifles
             ,
             
               this
               did
               not
               Abraham
            
             .
             There
             is
             a
             great
             priviledge
             belonging
             by
             Gospel
             grant
             unto
             the
             children
             of
             covenanted
             parents
             ,
             if
             they
             do
             not
             forfeit
             it
             ,
             by
             neglecting
             ,
             and
             practically
             disavowing
             their
             fathers
             God.
             
          
           
             7.
             
             But
             I
             further
             infer
             hence
             ,
             that
             since
             this
             compassion
             has
             a
             real
             ,
             tho'
             not
             a
             principal
             hand
             in
             the
             release
             that
             is
             given
             to
             them
             that
             belong
             to
             God
             ,
             in
             whatsoever
             way
             they
             are
             releast
             ,
             from
             all
             their
             infirmities
             ,
             and
             ails
             ,
             and
             afflictions
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             It
             very
             much
             becomes
             ,
             and
             much
             concerns
             all
             the
             children
             of
             Abraham
             patiently
             to
             wait
             for
             it
             ,
             in
             Gods
             own
             way
             .
             Patiently
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             in
             Gods
             own
             way
             wait
             for
             it
             :
             The
             children
             of
             Abraham
             shall
             be
             loosen'd
             sooner
             or
             later
             ,
             and
             in
             one
             way
             or
             other
             ,
             tho
             very
             long
             ,
             tho
             so
             many
             years
             bound
             by
             such
             and
             such
             afflicting
             distempers
             .
          
           
             You
             have
             a
             great
             instance
             of
             this
             kind
             in
             that
             daughter
             of
             Abraham
             ,
             whom
             God
             hath
             called
             away
             from
             us
             .
             In
             all
             that
             long
             exercise
             ,
             the
             main
             thing
             she
             was
             ever
             wont
             to
             insist
             upon
             ,
             was
             that
             in
             all
             this
             affliction
             ,
             she
             might
             gain
             patience
             submission
             ,
             and
             instruction
             .
             And
             in
             her
             later
             time
             ,
             when
             she
             drew
             nearer
             to
             eternity
             ,
             was
             more
             in
             view
             of
             it
             ,
             that
             was
             the
             great
             subject
             wherewith
             she
             entertained
             her self
             ,
             and
             was
             conversant
             much
             with
             somewhat
             more
             lately
             written
             upon
             that
             subject
             ,
             as
             by
             
               Mr.
               Shower
            
             (
             now
             known
             to
             most
             of
             you
             )
             and
             by
             another
             Author
             :
             And
             her
             last
             entertainment
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             been
             told
             ,
             (
             as
             to
             helps
             from
             creatures
             in
             any
             such
             kind
             )
             was
             the
             repetition
             of
             what
             some
             of
             you
             have
             heard
             
               concerning
               the
               Emmanuel
            
             ,
             wherewith
             she
             formerly
             pleased
             her self
             ,
             as
             being
             ,
             't
             is
             likely
             much
             habituated
             in
             the
             temper
             of
             her
             spirit
             
               to
               the
               thoughts
               of
               him
            
             ,
             that
             having
             ,
             by
             agreement
             with
             her
             pious
             consort
             ,
             
             been
             their
             Motto
             *
             ,
             at
             their
             first
             coming
             together
             ,
             Emmanuel
             ,
             God
             with
             us
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             I
             shall
             only
             add
             one
             instruction
             more
             ,
             to
             shut
             up
             all
             ;
             that
             since
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             hath
             such
             an
             agency
             ,
             and
             even
             with
             compassion
             in
             the
             release
             of
             those
             ,
             that
             do
             belong
             to
             him
             ,
             from
             their
             afflicting
             infirmities
             ,
             we
             should
             all
             of
             us
             labour
             ,
             with
             a
             due
             and
             right
             frame
             ,
             and
             disposition
             of
             spirit
             to
             behold
             any
             such
             releasment
             .
             It
             is
             a
             great
             matter
             to
             be
             able
             to
             behold
             instances
             of
             that
             kind
             ,
             with
             a
             right
             frame
             of
             mind
             ,
             and
             spirit
             .
             If
             one
             be
             released
             by
             recovery
             ,
             into
             ease
             ,
             health
             ,
             and
             strength
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             't
             is
             easily
             and
             readily
             made
             matter
             of
             joy
             .
             Is
             one
             recovered
             out
             of
             a
             long
             and
             languishing
             sickness
             ,
             friends
             and
             relations
             behold
             it
             with
             great
             complacency
             and
             gladness
             of
             heart
             .
             But
             if
             a
             Godly
             friend
             be
             relea'd
             by
             dying
             ,
             truly
             we
             can
             hardly
             make
             our selves
             believe
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             a
             release
             or
             so
             valuable
             a
             release
             ;
             so
             much
             are
             we
             under
             the
             government
             of
             sense
             ,
             so
             little
             doth
             that
             faith
             signifie
             with
             us
             ,
             or
             do
             it's
             part
             ,
             that
             is
             
               the
               substance
               of
               what
               we
               hope
               for
               ,
               and
               the
               evidence
               of
               what
               we
               see
               not
               .
            
             No!
             This
             is
             to
             go
             with
             us
             for
             no
             release
             .
             We
             look
             only
             upon
             the
             sensible
             ,
             
               i.
               e.
            
             upon
             the
             gloomy
             part
             of
             such
             a
             dispensation
             ,
             when
             such
             a
             one
             is
             gone
             ,
             releast
             ,
             set
             at
             liberty
             ,
             (
             as
             a
             bird
             out
             of
             the
             cage
             ,
             or
             the
             snare
             )
             We
             can
             hardly
             tell
             how
             to
             consider
             it
             as
             a
             release
             .
             We
             will
             not
             be
             induc'd
             to
             apprehend
             it
             so
             .
             There
             are
             no
             dispositions
             no
             deportments
             commonly
             that
             suit
             such
             an
             apprehension
             .
             And
             Oh!
             how
             unbecoming
             and
             incongruous
             a
             thing
             ,
             when
             Christ
             is
             ,
             in
             that
             way
             ,
             about
             releasing
             such
             a
             one
             ,
             to
             have
             an
             holy
             soul
             just
             upon
             the
             confines
             of
             a
             glorious
             blessed
             eternity
             ,
             compassed
             about
             with
             sighs
             ,
             sobs
             ,
             tears
             ,
             and
             lamenations
             .
             How
             great
             an
             incongruity
             !
             I
             have
             many
             times
             thought
             with
             my self
             ,
             the
             love
             and
             kindness
             of
             friends
             and
             relations
             is
             very
             pleasant
             in
             life
             ,
             but
             grievous
             at
             death
             .
             It
             is
             indeed
             
               in
               some
               respects
            
             ,
             a
             very
             desirable
             thing
             ,
             (
             if
             God
             shall
             vouchsafe
             it
             ,
             )
             to
             die
             with
             ones
             friends
             about
             one
             .
             It
             may
             be
             one
             may
             need
             some
             little
             bodily
             relief
             ,
             in
             those
             last
             hours
             ;
             besides
             that
             ,
             
               some
               proper
               thoughts
            
             may
             be
             suggested
             by
             them
             ,
             to
             mingle
             with
             ones
             own
             .
             And
             ,
             if
             God
             afford
             the
             use
             of
             reason
             ,
             and
             speech
             ,
             and
             the
             supply
             of
             his
             own
             spirit
             ,
             one
             may
             possibly
             ,
             in
             this
             last
             juncture
             ,
             be
             a
             means
             of
             some
             good
             to
             them
             .
             One
             
             may
             possibly
             say
             that
             ,
             that
             may
             abide
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             be
             of
             future
             advantage
             to
             them
             .
             But
             ,
             
               in
               other
               respects
            
             ,
             if
             the
             related
             friendly
             by-standers
             cannot
             duly
             temper
             themselves
             ;
             if
             they
             are
             apter
             to
             receive
             or
             do
             more
             hurt
             ,
             than
             good
             ;
             if
             Christians
             do
             not
             labour
             to
             shew
             a
             truly
             Christian
             spirit
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             case
             ,
             their
             presence
             has
             very
             little
             eligible
             in
             it
             .
             And
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             the
             deportment
             even
             of
             those
             that
             profess
             Christianity
             ,
             about
             their
             deceasing
             godly
             friends
             ,
             is
             such
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             foundations
             of
             all
             Religion
             were
             shaken
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             as
             if
             they
             had
             a
             design
             to
             shake
             them
             too
             ,
             if
             possible
             ,
             in
             such
             with
             whom
             they
             are
             now
             to
             part
             ;
             as
             if
             it
             were
             to
             be
             called
             in
             question
             ,
             whether
             what
             God
             hath
             said
             concerning
             another
             world
             ,
             and
             the
             blessed
             state
             of
             the
             innumerable
             and
             holy
             assembly
             above
             be
             true
             or
             no
             ,
             or
             were
             not
             doubted
             to
             be
             false
             and
             a
             solemn
             fiction
             ,
             invented
             to
             delude
             mortals
             here
             on
             earth
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             little
             considered
             how
             opposite
             such
             a
             temper
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             as
             commonly
             appears
             in
             us
             ,
             is
             to
             the
             very
             design
             of
             all
             Christianity
             .
             For
             doth
             not
             the
             whole
             of
             Christianity
             terminate
             upon
             Eternity
             ,
             and
             upon
             another
             State
             ,
             and
             World
             ?
             Now
             do
             but
             consider
             the
             inconsistencies
             that
             are
             to
             be
             found
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             between
             the
             carriage
             ,
             and
             temper
             of
             many
             that
             profess
             Christianity
             and
             their
             very
             profession
             it self
             .
             They
             acknowledge
             ,
             they
             own
             ,
             that
             the
             design
             of
             Christ's
             appearing
             here
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             dying
             upon
             the
             Cross
             ,
             was
             to
             
               bring
               us
               to
               God
            
             ;
             to
             
               bring
               the
               many
               Sons
               to
               Glory
               .
            
             They
             grant
             that
             this
             is
             not
             to
             be
             done
             all
             at
             once
             ,
             not
             all
             in
             a
             day
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             to
             be
             done
             by
             degrees
             .
             Here
             he
             takes
             up
             one
             ,
             and
             there
             another
             ;
             leaving
             others
             still
             to
             transmit
             Religion
             ,
             and
             continue
             it
             on
             to
             the
             end
             of
             time
             .
             So
             far
             they
             agree
             ,
             with
             our
             common
             Lord
             ;
             and
             seem
             to
             approve
             the
             divine
             determinations
             ,
             in
             all
             these
             steps
             of
             his
             procedure
             .
             But
             yet
             for
             all
             this
             ,
             if
             they
             might
             have
             their
             own
             will
             ,
             Christ
             should
             not
             have
             one
             to
             ascend
             to
             him
             ,
             of
             those
             ,
             for
             whom
             he
             died
             ,
             and
             himself
             ascended
             ,
             to
             open
             Heaven
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             prepare
             a
             place
             for
             their
             reception
             ,
             as
             their
             forerunner
             ,
             there
             .
             I
             say
             not
             one
             to
             ascend
             after
             him
             !
             For
             they
             take
             up
             with
             a
             general
             approving
             of
             this
             design
             of
             his
             .
             Very
             well
             !
             say
             they
             ,
             it
             is
             fitly
             ordered
             ,
             his
             method
             is
             wise
             ,
             and
             
             just
             ,
             and
             kind
             ,
             and
             let
             him
             take
             them
             that
             belong
             to
             him
             ,
             when
             he
             thinks
             fit
             ;
             only
             let
             him
             excuse
             my
             Family
             ;
             let
             him
             take
             whom
             he
             will
             ,
             only
             let
             him
             touch
             no
             Relation
             of
             mine
             ,
             not
             my
             Husband
             ,
             Wife
             ,
             Child
             ,
             Brother
             ,
             Sister
             ,
             take
             whom
             he
             will
             ,
             but
             let
             all
             mine
             alone
             .
             I
             agree
             to
             all
             he
             shall
             do
             well
             enough
             ,
             only
             let
             him
             allow
             me
             my
             exception
             .
             But
             if
             every
             one
             be
             of
             this
             temper
             and
             resolution
             ,
             for
             themselves
             and
             theirs
             ,
             according
             to
             this
             tendency
             ,
             and
             course
             of
             things
             ,
             he
             shall
             have
             none
             at
             all
             to
             ascend
             ;
             none
             
               to
               bring
               with
               him
            
             ,
             when
             he
             returns
             .
             
               Those
               that
               are
               dead
               in
               Jesus
               ,
               he
               is
               to
               bring
               with
               him
               .
            
             No
             ,
             he
             should
             be
             solitary
             ,
             and
             unattended
             for
             all
             them
             .
             They
             ,
             and
             all
             their
             Relations
             would
             be
             immortal
             upon
             Earth
             .
             How
             ill
             doth
             this
             agree
             ,
             and
             accord
             with
             the
             Christian
             Scheme
             and
             model
             of
             things
             ?
          
           
             But
             you
             will
             say
             ,
             what
             !
             would
             I
             perswade
             you
             to
             be
             indifferent
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             love
             ,
             and
             care
             for
             your
             Relatives
             ,
             or
             be
             unwilling
             to
             part
             with
             them
             .
             No.
             All
             that
             I
             perswade
             to
             is
             that
             there
             be
             a
             mixture
             in
             your
             temper
             ;
             and
             such
             a
             mixture
             ,
             as
             that
             the
             prevailing
             ingredient
             therein
             ,
             may
             agree
             with
             the
             stronger
             and
             weightier
             reason
             .
             'T
             is
             not
             that
             I
             would
             have
             love
             extinguisht
             among
             Relatives
             ;
             but
             I
             would
             have
             it
             moderated
             and
             subdued
             ,
             to
             that
             degree
             ,
             as
             to
             admit
             of
             being
             governed
             by
             Superiour
             ,
             Greater
             ,
             and
             Nobler
             Considerations
             .
             Do
             you
             think
             Christ
             did
             expect
             or
             design
             ,
             that
             his
             Disciples
             should
             not
             love
             him
             .
             And
             yet
             he
             tells
             them
             ,
             
               If
               you
               loved
               me
               ,
               you
               would
               rejoice
               that
               I
               say
               ,
               I
               go
               to
               my
               Father
               .
            
             
             And
             who
             in
             all
             this
             World
             could
             ever
             have
             such
             a
             loss
             ,
             as
             they
             of
             him
             ,
             dwelling
             in
             flesh
             among
             them
             ?
             Yet
             ,
             says
             he
             ,
             if
             you
             loved
             me
             ,
             you
             would
             rejoice
             ,
             that
             I
             say
             ,
             I
             go
             to
             my
             Father
             .
             And
             when
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             visibly
             tending
             towards
             death
             ,
             by
             the
             prediction
             given
             concerning
             him
             ,
             Acts
             21.
             13.
             said
             to
             the
             Disciples
             round
             about
             him
             ,
             
               What
               mean
               you
               to
               weep
               ,
               and
               to
               break
               my
               Heart
               ?
               I
               am
               ready
               ,
               not
               only
               to
               be
               bound
               ,
               but
               to
               die
               for
               the
               Name
               of
               Jesus
               .
            
             If
             there
             had
             not
             been
             a
             faulty
             excess
             in
             the
             affection
             they
             exprest
             ,
             certainly
             he
             would
             not
             have
             rebuk'd
             it
             .
             He
             would
             not
             have
             blam'd
             what
             he
             thought
             not
             blame-worthy
             .
          
           
           
             In
             short
             ,
             It
             were
             desirable
             (
             if
             God
             see
             good
             )
             to
             die
             amidst
             the
             pleasant
             Friends
             and
             Relatives
             ,
             who
             were
             not
             ill-pleased
             that
             we
             lived
             ;
             that
             living
             ,
             and
             dying
             breath
             might
             mingle
             ,
             and
             ascend
             together
             in
             Prayers
             ,
             and
             Praises
             to
             the
             blessed
             Lord
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             the
             God
             of
             our
             Lives
             .
             If
             then
             ,
             we
             could
             part
             with
             consent
             ,
             a
             rational
             ,
             and
             a
             joyful
             consent
             .
          
           
             Otherwise
             ,
             To
             die
             with
             Ceremony
             !
             To
             die
             amongst
             the
             fashionable
             bemoanings
             ,
             and
             lamentations
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             despair'd
             of
             futurity
             !
             One
             would
             say
             (
             with
             humble
             submission
             to
             the
             divine
             pleasure
             )
             Lord
             !
             Let
             me
             rather
             die
             alone
             !
             in
             perfect
             solitude
             !
             in
             some
             unfrequented
             Wood
             ,
             or
             on
             the
             top
             of
             some
             far
             remote
             Mountain
             !
             where
             none
             might
             interrupt
             the
             solemn
             transactions
             ,
             between
             thy
             glorious
             blessed
             self
             ,
             and
             my
             joyfully
             departing
             ,
             self-resigning
             Soul
             !
          
           
             But
             in
             all
             this
             ,
             we
             must
             refer
             our selves
             to
             Gods
             Holy
             Pleasure
             ,
             who
             will
             dispose
             of
             us
             ,
             living
             ,
             and
             dying
             ,
             in
             the
             best
             ,
             the
             wisest
             ,
             and
             the
             kindest
             way
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A44678-e360
           
             *
             Vid.
             Maimon
             .
             constitut
             .
             de
             fundam
             .
             c.
             5.
             9.
             cum
             Abrav
             .
             N.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             And
             ,
             as
             our
             own
             Dr.
             Lightfoot
             says
             upon
             that
             question
             of
             our
             Lords
             ;
             
               Is
               it
               lawful
               to
               heal
               upon
               the
               Sabbath
               day
               ?
            
             (
             quoting
             divers
             more
             of
             theirs
             to
             that
             purpose
             ,
             )
             he
             violated
             not
             the
             Sabbath
             so
             much
             as
             their
             own
             Cannons
             allow'd
             .
             See
             
               his
               Works
            
             ,
             Vol
             2.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             2.
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             *
             The
             posie
             on
             their
             wedding
             ring
             .
          
           
             John
             14.
             28.