A sermon concerning holy resolution preached before the King at Kensington, December 30th, 1694 / by ... Thomas Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Elect.
         Tenison, Thomas, 1636-1715.
      
       
         
           1695
        
      
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             A sermon concerning holy resolution preached before the King at Kensington, December 30th, 1694 / by ... Thomas Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Elect.
             Tenison, Thomas, 1636-1715.
          
           [2], 30 p.
           
             Printed for Ri. Chiswell ...,
             London :
             1695.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms CXIX, 106 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           Concerning
           Holy
           Resolution
           .
        
         
           Preached
           before
           the
           KING
           At
           
             KENSINGTON
             ,
             December
          
           30
           
             th
             .
          
           1694.
           
        
         
           By
           his
           Grace
           THOMAS
           Lord
           Archbishop
           of
           CANTERBURY
           Elect.
           
        
         
           
             Published
             by
             his
             Majesties
             special
             Command
             .
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             .
          
           Printed
           for
           
             Ri.
             Chiswell
          
           at
           the
           
             Rose
          
           and
           
             Crown
          
           in
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           ,
           MDCXCV
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           PREACHED
           Before
           the
           KING
           at
           
             Kensington
             .
          
        
         
           
             Psalm
             119.
             106.
             
             Old
             Translation
             .
          
           
             
               
                 I
                 have
                 sworn
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 stedfastly
                 purposed
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 thy
                 righteous
                 Judgments
                 .
              
            
             
               New
               Translation
               .
            
             
               
                 I
                 have
                 sworn
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 perform
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 will
                 keep
                 thy
                 righteous
                 Judgments
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           THESE
           are
           the
           Words
           of
           
             King
             David
             ;
          
           and
           the
           Saying
           is
           the
           more
           remarkable
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           Condition
           of
           the
           Speaker
           :
           For
           ,
           the
           more
           Power
           ,
           Opportunity
           ,
           Temptation
           there
           is
           to
           break
           God's
           Commandments
           ,
           the
           greater
           is
           the
           Vertue
           of
           religiously
           observing
           them
           .
        
         
         
           This
           Prince
           was
           a
           Debtor
           to
           the
           
             Law
             ,
          
           as
           one
           who
           had
           enter'd
           into
           Covenant
           with
           the
           God
           of
           
             Israel
             ;
          
           he
           renew'd
           this
           obligation
           as
           often
           as
           ,
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           
             Sacrificer
             ,
          
           he
           presented
           an
           Offering
           to
           him
           .
           When
           he
           came
           to
           the
           
             Throne
             ,
          
           he
           understood
           (
           no
           doubt
           )
           from
           the
           Book
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           which
           he
           was
           no
           Stranger
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           his
           Duty
           to
           write
           out
           a
           
             Copy
          
           of
           
             God's
          
           
           
             Law
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             keep
             it
             by
             him
             ,
          
           and
           to
           
             read
             in
             it
             ,
          
           at
           convenient
           Seasons
           ,
           
             all
             the
             days
             of
             his
             life
             ,
          
           in
           order
           to
           his
           better
           observing
           the
           Contents
           of
           it
           .
           He
           was
           in
           many
           
             Troubles
             ,
          
           and
           those
           Troubles
           
           (
           both
           Publick
           and
           Private
           )
           were
           ,
           also
           ,
           exceeding
           great
           ;
           and
           he
           made
           many
           Solemn
           Promises
           to
           that
           God
           who
           could
           alone
           support
           ,
           comfort
           ,
           and
           deliver
           him
           ;
           and
           by
           these
           he
           strengthned
           his
           Obedience
           .
           Of
           such
           Holy
           
             Resolutions
          
           he
           hath
           given
           some
           account
           in
           the
           Words
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           Saying
           ,
           
             I
             have
             sworn
             ,
             and
             am
             stedfastly
             purposed
             ,
             to
             keep
             tby
             righteous
             Judgments
             .
          
        
         
           In
           this
           Pious
           Declaration
           ,
           are
           contained
           
             Four
             things
          
           well
           worthy
           our
           notice
           .
        
         
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           Herein
           is
           taken
           for
           granted
           a
           
             possibility
             of
             keeping
             the
             Law
             of
             God.
          
           [
           That
           is
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           measures
           of
           a
           sincere
           Man
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           assistance
           of
           God's
           Grace
           ;
           for
           without
           him
           we
           can
           do
           nothing
           .
           ]
           
             David
          
           was
           a
           Man
           of
           better
           Understanding
           ,
           then
           to
           take
           an
           impossibility
           upon
           him
           ;
           and
           of
           greater
           Piety
           then
           to
           assume
           to
           himself
           a
           Power
           of
           doing
           that
           which
           was
           righteous
           ,
           and
           ,
           in
           its
           nature
           ,
           possible
           ,
           without
           the
           help
           of
           his
           God.
           
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           We
           have
           here
           supposed
           the
           
             eternal
             Equity
          
           of
           God's
           Commands
           ,
           which
           are
           called
           
             Righteous
             Judgments
             ;
          
           they
           being
           the
           Results
           ,
           not
           of
           the
           
             Arbitrariness
             ,
          
           but
           the
           
             Counsel
             of
             his
             Will.
             
          
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
          
           Here
           is
           further
           suggested
           the
           
             Rule
          
           by
           which
           Wise
           and
           Pious
           Men
           go
           in
           making
           Vows
           .
           They
           do
           not
           rashly
           oblige
           themselves
           to
           things
           either
           doubtful
           or
           unlawful
           ,
           or
           if
           lawful
           ,
           inexpedient
           :
           But
           they
           proceed
           upon
           sure
           Grounds
           ,
           vowing
           and
           resolving
           to
           perform
           
           such
           things
           as
           God
           himself
           has
           enjoyned
           in
           his
           
             Righteous
             Judgments
             ,
          
           or
           
             Statutes
             .
          
        
         
           
             Fourthly
             ,
          
           The
           Royal
           
             Psalmist
          
           does
           here
           expressly
           set
           forth
           a
           most
           serious
           and
           fixed
           
             Resolution
          
           of
           obeying
           these
           Possible
           ,
           these
           just
           and
           reasonable
           Laws
           of
           that
           God
           whose
           Wisdom
           and
           Clemency
           are
           equal
           to
           his
           Power
           .
           
             I
             have
             sworn
             ,
             and
             am
             stedfastly
             purposed
             ,
             to
             keep
             thy
             righteous
             Judgments
             .
          
        
         
           I
           have
           chosen
           the
           last
           of
           these
           
             four
             Points
          
           for
           my
           present
           Subject
           ,
           designing
           to
           Discourse
           (
           by
           God's
           assistance
           )
           concerning
           Holy
           RESOLUTION
           ,
           and
           the
           
             strengthening
          
           of
           our selves
           by
           it
           in
           our
           religious
           Duty
           .
           And
           ,
        
         
           In
           the
           
             First
             place
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           inquire
           into
           the
           Nature
           of
           
             Resolution
             .
          
           Then
           ,
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           shew
           how
           useful
           ,
           how
           necessary
           a
           steadfast
           Holy
           Purpose
           is
           in
           the
           course
           of
           our
           Lives
           .
        
         
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           conclude
           with
           a
           Hearty
           Exhortation
           to
           this
           Practice
           ;
           endeavouring
           so
           to
           move
           you
           to
           it
           ,
           that
           you
           ,
           being
           true
           to
           your
           Religious
           Obligations
           ,
           may
           finally
           obtain
           the
           Fruit
           of
           the
           
             exceeding
             great
             and
             precious
             Promises
          
           of
           that
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             with
             whom
             there
             is
             no
             variableness
             nor
             shadow
             of
             turning
             .
          
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           For
           the
           Nature
           of
           
             Resolution
             ,
          
           it
           may
           be
           describ'd
           as
           an
           Act
           or
           Habit
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           as
           determined
           with
           strength
           ,
           vigour
           and
           steddiness
           towards
           some
           Object
           ,
           concerning
           which
           it
           was
           formerly
           doubtful
           ,
           or
           towards
           which
           it
           was
           either
           indifferent
           or
           averse
           .
           It
           is
           the
           Application
           of
           the
           Will
           to
           Business
           ,
           in
           the
           Opinion
           of
           some
           Moralists
           .
           It
           is
           the
           
             Bent
          
           of
           the
           Mind
           which
           setteth
           on
           work
           the
           other
           Powers
           .
           It
           is
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           the
           Seal
           of
           the
           inclination
           .
           St.
           
             Peter
          
           seems
           to
           describe
           it
           as
           the
           
             fortifying
          
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           in
           these
           Words
           ,
           
             forasmuch
          
           
           
           
             as
             Christ
             hath
             suffered
             for
             us
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
          
           A
           R
           M
           
             your selves
             ,
             likewise
             ,
             with
             the
             same
             mind
             ;
          
           or
           ,
           with
           the
           like
           force
           of
           Holy
           Resolution
           .
           
             Resolution
          
           considered
           in
           it self
           ,
           is
           neither
           Good
           nor
           Evil
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           either
           according
           to
           the
           matter
           and
           the
           degree
           of
           it
           .
           It
           is
           of
           a
           like
           Nature
           with
           Zeal
           ,
           which
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           it
           is
           exercis'd
           in
           a
           good
           matter
           ,
           and
           with
           due
           temper
           ,
           is
           very
           commendable
           and
           useful
           ;
           but
           ,
           in
           a
           bad
           Cause
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           most
           pernicious
           Instrument
           ;
           and
           ,
           like
           Fire
           in
           an
           undue
           place
           ,
           the
           more
           it
           rageth
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           more
           destructive
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Resolution
          
           which
           I
           am
           to
           recommend
           ,
           hath
           Religion
           for
           its
           
             Object
             ,
          
           and
           Discretion
           for
           its
           
             Temper
             .
          
           To
           be
           premptory
           in
           a
           Trifle
           is
           great
           folly
           and
           weakness
           ;
           To
           be
           resolute
           in
           any
           Brutal
           way
           is
           high
           Impiety
           ;
           To
           be
           moved
           by
           the
           Reason
           of
           the
           Case
           is
           just
           Compliance
           ;
           To
           be
           stedfast
           and
           unmoveable
           in
           
           our
           Duty
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           others
           and
           our selves
           ,
           is
           Resolution
           truly
           and
           properly
           so
           called
           .
        
         
           To
           such
           a
           sort
           of
           Resolution
           there
           are
           several
           Distempers
           in
           the
           Mind
           ,
           Will
           and
           Affections
           which
           oppose
           themselves
           .
        
         
           The
           
             First
          
           is
           
             Slightness
             ,
          
           Carelesness
           and
           Indifferency
           
             of
             Temper
             ,
          
           which
           causeth
           so
           little
           regard
           to
           be
           had
           to
           Persons
           ,
           or
           Things
           ,
           even
           those
           of
           the
           greatest
           moment
           ,
           that
           it
           neither
           setteth
           the
           Heart
           upon
           them
           or
           against
           them
           .
           Such
           was
           the
           disposition
           of
           
             Gallio
          
           the
           
             Deputy
             of
             Achaia
             .
          
           Though
           
           He
           was
           a
           Man
           in
           Authority
           ,
           and
           acquainted
           with
           the
           Riot
           of
           which
           the
           
             Greeks
          
           were
           guilty
           in
           the
           Case
           of
           
             Softhenes
             ,
          
           yet
           he
           CARED
           
             for
             none
             of
             these
             Things
             .
          
        
         
         
           The
           
             Second
          
           is
           ,
           
             Haesitancie
          
           and
           doubtfulness
           
             of
             Mind
             ,
          
           a
           kind
           of
           
             halting
             betwixt
             God
             and
             Baal
             ;
          
           a
           Spirit
           not
           wrought
           up
           to
           that
           pitch
           of
           Resolution
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           
             Prophet
             Elijah
          
           would
           have
           the
           Purpose
           
           to
           rise
           ,
           in
           his
           Expostulation
           with
           the
           double
           minded
           Men
           of
           his
           Time
           ;
           
             how
             long
             halt
             ye
             between
             Two
             Opinions
             ?
             If
             the
             Lord
             be
             God
             ,
             follow
             him
             :
             But
             ,
             if
          
           Baal
           ,
           
             then
             follow
             him
             .
          
        
         
           A
           
             Third
             Opposite
             ,
          
           is
           
             Fickleness
          
           and
           Instability
           ;
           an
           humour
           which
           abounds
           where
           the
           
             Imagination
          
           governs
           ,
           
             That
          
           being
           pleas'd
           not
           so
           much
           with
           Things
           which
           are
           really
           good
           ,
           as
           with
           those
           which
           are
           new
           .
           Thus
           some
           of
           the
           
             Israelites
          
           affected
           novelty
           in
           Worship
           more
           than
           the
           
             Heathen
          
           themselves
           .
           This
           mov'd
           the
           Prophet
           to
           upbraid
           them
           on
           this
           manner
           ,
           
             hath
             a
             Nation
             changed
             their
             Gods
             ,
          
           
           
             which
             are
             yet
             no
             Gods
             ?
             but
             my
             People
             have
             chang'd
             their
          
           GLORY
           
             for
             that
             which
          
           
           
             doth
             not
             profit
             .
          
        
         
           A
           
             Fourth
             Distemper
          
           is
           
             Easiness
          
           of
           
             Disposition
             ,
          
           and
           
             good
             Nature
             ,
          
           commonly
           indeed
           ,
           but
           very
           falsly
           so
           called
           .
           The
           Persons
           whom
           God
           hath
           formed
           out
           of
           this
           softer
           Clay
           ,
           go
           on
           tolerably
           well
           when
           they
           are
           left
           to
           Themselves
           ;
           but
           they
           are
           soon
           drawn
           aside
           by
           the
           Ordinary
           
             Persuasions
          
           of
           Others
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           by
           their
           
             Importunities
             .
          
           Some
           Gentle
           Entreaties
           ,
           and
           seemingly
           Kind
           ,
           but
           Deceitful
           Words
           ,
           bring
           them
           off
           from
           their
           Judgments
           and
           good
           Purposes
           .
           One
           of
           these
           Easie
           Persons
           is
           the
           
             Simple
             One
          
           described
           in
           the
           
             Seventh
             Chapter
          
           of
           the
           
             Proverbs
             .
          
           The
           Harlot
           ,
           
           
             with
             her
             much
             fair
             Speech
             ,
             caused
             him
             to
             yield
             ;
             with
             the
             flattering
             of
             her
             Lips
             she
             forced
             him
             .
          
           And
           He
           
             went
             after
             her
          
           
           
             straightway
             ,
             as
             an
             Oxe
             goeth
             to
             the
             Slaughter
             ,
             or
             as
             a
             Fool
             to
             the
             Correction
             of
             the
             Stocks
             .
          
        
         
           A
           
             Fifth
             Distemper
          
           which
           hindreth
           Resolution
           ,
           is
           
             Weakness
          
           and
           
             Faintness
          
           of
           
             Purpose
             ,
          
           whence
           divers
           express
           themselves
           in
           Phrases
           of
           
             desire
          
           rather
           then
           of
           
             Bent
          
           and
           
             fixedness
          
           of
           mind
           .
           They
           say
           ,
           we
           
             wish
             ,
          
           we
           
             would
             ,
             we
             would
             be
             glad
             to
             have
             it
             so
             ;
          
           But
           there
           are
           not
           Nerves
           strong
           enough
           in
           their
           Hearts
           to
           cause
           them
           to
           protest
           ,
           (
           though
           in
           a
           good
           and
           necessary
           matter
           )
           that
           they
           are
           
             Resolv'd
             ,
          
           and
           
             peremptorily
             determined
             .
             Agrippa
          
           is
           represented
           ,
           in
           the
           
             Acts
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
          
           as
           a
           Man
           of
           such
           a
           Temper
           .
           
             He
             said
             unto
             Paul
          
           (
           who
           spake
           with
           a
           
           force
           of
           Evidence
           not
           to
           be
           resisted
           by
           a
           teachable
           Mind
           )
           ALMOST
           Thou
           
             perswadest
             me
             to
             be
             a
             Christian.
          
           To
           whom
           that
           Apostle
           thus
           dextrously
           apply'd
           himself
           ;
           
           
             I
             would
             to
             God
             that
             not
             only
             Thou
             .
             but
             also
             all
             that
             hear
             me
             this
             Day
             ,
             were
             both
          
           ALMOST
           
             and
          
           ALTOGETHER
           
             such
             as
             I
             am
             ,
             except
             these
             Bonds
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sixthly
             ,
          
           Nigh
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           forementioned
           Evil
           ,
           is
           that
           of
           
             Fearfulness
             and
             Cowardice
             ,
          
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           Difficulties
           which
           Men
           must
           go
           thorough
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           enter
           into
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Heaven
           .
           Men
           ,
           in
           whom
           this
           Passion
           ruleth
           ,
           start
           out
           of
           the
           streight
           way
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           espy
           the
           Cross
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           at
           some
           distance
           from
           them
           .
           They
           do
           indeed
           take
           up
           a
           
             Resolution
             ,
          
           but
           it
           is
           ,
           to
           go
           no
           further
           then
           They
           shall
           be
           attended
           by
           Ease
           and
           Safety
           ;
           by
           Worldly
           Pleasure
           ,
           Profit
           and
           Honour
           .
           
             When
             Persecution
             ariseth
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             Word
          
           or
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             by
             and
             by
             they
             are
             offended
             .
          
           They
           stumble
           at
           the
           Affliction
           ,
           and
           forsake
           
           a
           good
           Cause
           rather
           than
           suffer
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           
             Lastly
             ,
          
           There
           is
           a
           Temper
           ,
           which
           (
           it
           is
           true
           )
           is
           a
           pretence
           to
           
             Resolution
             ,
          
           but
           it
           is
           as
           different
           from
           it
           as
           those
           others
           which
           I
           have
           named
           ;
           That
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           
             Wilfulness
             ,
             Stubbornness
          
           or
           
             Perverseness
             ,
          
           which
           maintains
           the
           same
           Stiffness
           ,
           be
           the
           matter
           what
           it
           will.
           This
           ariseth
           ,
           
             partly
          
           from
           
             Soureness
          
           in
           the
           frame
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           
             partly
          
           from
           
             Ignorance
          
           which
           first
           blindeth
           Men
           ,
           and
           then
           makes
           them
           confident
           in
           a
           false
           way
           ;
           and
           
             partly
          
           from
           
             Pride
          
           which
           is
           very
           assuming
           and
           Dogmatical
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           suffer
           a
           Man
           either
           to
           see
           his
           Mistake
           ,
           or
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           seen
           by
           him
           ,
           to
           own
           it
           .
           Of
           this
           Refractory
           ,
           Stomackful
           and
           Restive
           Humour
           were
           divers
           
             Jews
          
           in
           the
           
           Days
           of
           
             Jeremiah
             ,
          
           who
           were
           resolute
           without
           Reason
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             We
             will
             certainly
             do
          
           
           
             whatsoever
             thing
             goeth
             forth
             out
             of
             our
             mouth
             .
          
           And
           yet
           every
           thing
           which
           proceeded
           out
           of
           it
           was
           far
           from
           being
           Oracle
           .
        
         
           Hitherto
           I
           have
           consider'd
           the
           
             Nature
          
           of
           
             Resolution
             ;
          
           and
           those
           Distempers
           in
           the
           Faculties
           ,
           Passions
           ,
           and
           Tempers
           of
           men
           ,
           which
           are
           Enemies
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           time
           ,
           in
           the
        
         
           
             Second
             Place
             ,
          
           To
           bring
           under
           our
           Consideration
           ,
           the
           Usefulness
           and
           the
           Necessity
           of
           such
           
             Purposes
          
           as
           are
           both
           Wise
           and
           Holy
           ,
           Firm
           and
           Stedfast
           ,
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           our
           Lives
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           obtaining
           the
           
             End
             of
             our
             Hopes
             ,
          
           the
           
             Salvation
             of
             our
             Souls
             .
          
        
         
           Here
           then
           I
           lay
           down
           these
           
             Two
             Things
             .
          
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           There
           is
           great
           Power
           and
           Strength
           in
           Resolution
           .
        
         
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           We
           have
           need
           of
           all
           the
           Assistance
           that
           it
           can
           possibly
           give
           us
           ,
           towards
           the
           performing
           of
           
             our
             Duty
             .
          
        
         
           In
           order
           to
           
             That
             ,
          
           there
           is
           great
           Force
           in
           the
           Resolution
           which
           is
           
             Natural
             ,
          
           and
           much
           more
           in
           that
           which
           is
           
             Moral
             and
             Religious
             .
          
        
         
           
             1st
             .
          
           There
           is
           great
           Force
           in
           that
           kind
           of
           
             Resolution
          
           which
           is
           but
           
             Natural
             .
          
        
         
           This
           appears
           from
           
             Experience
             ,
          
           which
           shews
           us
           daily
           ,
           That
           the
           Resolute
           discourage
           all
           others
           ;
           and
           are
           by
           nothing
           discouraged
           themselves
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           also
           shew'd
           by
           the
           very
           
             Nature
          
           of
           
             Resolution
          
           before
           explain'd
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           the
           Fortitude
           of
           the
           Mind
           in
           executing
           its
           Designs
           ;
           it
           knitteth
           those
           Powers
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           which
           ,
           before
           ,
           there
           was
           a
           luxation
           .
           It
           is
           certain
           that
           there
           is
           great
           Difficulty
           oftentimes
           in
           resolving
           ,
           but
           when
           we
           are
           once
           resolved
           ,
           our
           Trouble
           is
           well-nigh
           over
           .
           
           The
           main
           Point
           is
           gained
           when
           we
           have
           gained
           the
           Will.
           The
           Wall
           of
           
             Jerusalem
          
           
           (
           saith
           the
           Book
           of
           
             Nehemiah
             )
          
           went
           forward
           ,
           because
           the
           People
           
             had
             a
             mind
             to
             the
             work
             .
          
           We
           are
           at
           first
           like
           Children
           who
           stand
           trembling
           upon
           the
           brink
           of
           a
           River
           ;
           they
           desire
           to
           step
           in
           ,
           but
           they
           fear
           to
           do
           so
           ;
           and
           no
           sooner
           have
           they
           done
           it
           ,
           but
           the
           Fear
           vanishes
           ,
           and
           Refreshment
           and
           Pleasure
           succeed
           .
        
         
           
             Likewise
             ,
          
           The
           Power
           of
           
             Natural
             Resolution
          
           is
           manifest
           ,
           from
           that
           
             Reverence
          
           which
           every
           man
           has
           naturally
           for
           his
           own
           Mind
           ;
           I
           mean
           every
           man
           who
           is
           not
           become
           brutish
           by
           evil
           custom
           ,
           and
           in
           whom
           the
           very
           Ruins
           of
           Understanding
           are
           not
           perished
           .
           An
           uneasiness
           arises
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           those
           who
           deliberately
           break
           their
           own
           measures
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           a
           war
           with
           their
           own
           Judgments
           and
           Purposes
           .
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           complaineth
           of
           the
           wretchedness
           of
           his
           estate
           ,
           whilst
           his
           Affections
           and
           Appetites
           
           
           did
           in
           such
           sort
           overrule
           the
           Purposes
           of
           his
           Mind
           ,
           that
           
             the
             good
             which
             he
             would
             do
             ,
             that
             he
             did
             not
             ,
             and
             the
             evil
             which
             he
             would
             not
             do
             ,
             that
             he
             did
             .
          
           There
           is
           naturally
           more
           Greatness
           in
           the
           Mind
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           willing
           solemnly
           to
           give
           it self
           the
           Lye
           ;
           to
           make
           Promises
           to
           it self
           ,
           and
           then
           presently
           to
           break
           them
           .
           Stedfastness
           therefore
           is
           many
           times
           the
           effect
           of
           Holy
           Vows
           and
           Purposes
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           Pain
           and
           Grief
           to
           the
           Mind
           to
           be
           a
           daily
           witness
           of
           its
           own
           Instability
           ;
           to
           blush
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           before
           it self
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           condemned
           by
           its
           own
           Evidence
           ,
           in
           its
           own
           Tribunal
           .
        
         
           
             Again
             ,
          
           The
           Strength
           of
           
             Natural
             Resolution
          
           does
           in
           some
           sort
           appear
           from
           the
           tender
           sense
           men
           have
           of
           their
           
             Reputation
             .
          
           Their
           Good
           Name
           is
           dear
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           a
           Point
           of
           Honour
           is
           that
           on
           which
           they
           naturally
           insist
           :
           Now
           all
           Weakness
           is
           dishonourable
           ;
           and
           to
           vow
           and
           resolve
           ,
           
           and
           by
           and
           by
           to
           violate
           such
           Vows
           ,
           argues
           either
           a
           Weakness
           in
           the
           Judgment
           in
           resolving
           without
           good
           ground
           ,
           or
           a
           Weakness
           in
           the
           Will
           and
           Temper
           ,
           in
           not
           prosecuting
           that
           which
           was
           ,
           on
           good
           ground
           ,
           stedfastly
           purposed
           .
           Where
           this
           Infirmity
           (
           if
           I
           may
           call
           it
           by
           so
           soft
           a
           name
           )
           is
           understood
           ,
           it
           brings
           a
           man
           presently
           to
           shame
           and
           contempt
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           so
           much
           force
           in
           the
           
             Resolution
             which
             is
             natural
             ,
          
           there
           may
           be
           much
           more
           in
           that
           which
           is
           
             moral
             and
             religious
             .
          
           Even
           where
           the
           Conscience
           is
           deprav'd
           in
           some
           degree
           ,
           but
           not
           wholly
           wasted
           ;
           such
           as
           have
           made
           holy
           Vows
           ,
           and
           are
           willing
           to
           break
           them
           ,
           would
           ,
           notwithstanding
           ,
           not
           seem
           to
           break
           them
           ,
           either
           to
           themselves
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           World
           ;
           they
           would
           not
           directly
           cut
           the
           knot
           in
           sunder
           ,
           but
           chuse
           to
           untie
           it
           ,
           by
           putting
           a
           new
           sense
           upon
           the
           words
           ,
           by
           using
           some
           subtile
           distinction
           ,
           by
           having
           recourse
           to
           Equivocation
           ,
           mental
           Reservation
           ,
           or
           some
           other
           Evasion
           suggested
           
           by
           the
           Sophistry
           of
           a
           deceitful
           Heart
           ;
           not
           being
           able
           to
           endure
           the
           sting
           of
           a
           downright
           Reflection
           .
        
         
           Where
           the
           Conscience
           remains
           pure
           and
           undefiled
           ,
           Holy
           Men
           are
           still
           ,
           with
           more
           true
           strength
           ,
           assisted
           in
           their
           Duty
           by
           their
           Religious
           Purposes
           .
        
         
           For
           
             first
             ,
          
           Such
           have
           a
           mighty
           veneration
           for
           the
           Great
           God
           ,
           and
           fear
           to
           trifle
           with
           so
           Sacred
           a
           Majesty
           ,
           by
           taking
           up
           his
           Name
           in
           vain
           ,
           by
           a
           frequent
           change
           of
           
             yea
          
           into
           
             nay
             ,
          
           by
           vowing
           and
           resolving
           and
           then
           disanulling
           .
           Insomuch
           that
           the
           weaker
           sort
           of
           sincere
           Christians
           do
           dread
           to
           break
           a
           Vow
           ,
           even
           because
           it
           is
           a
           Vow
           ,
           though
           hastily
           made
           ,
           and
           with
           inadvertence
           ,
           chusing
           rather
           to
           be
           Martyrs
           to
           their
           own
           Indiscretion
           ,
           than
           to
           depart
           from
           that
           Promise
           which
           they
           made
           ,
           in
           the
           heat
           of
           their
           Zeal
           ,
           in
           the
           name
           of
           him
           before
           whom
           they
           tremble
           ,
           the
           Everlasting
           God
           ,
           Faithful
           and
           Just
           ,
           
             the
             same
             to
             day
             ,
             yesterday
             ,
             and
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           Religion
           is
           the
           
             highest
             Principle
          
           by
           which
           men
           can
           act
           ;
           there
           is
           therefore
           in
           holy
           Resolution
           the
           greatest
           strength
           .
           The
           Religious
           have
           for
           their
           scope
           the
           best
           and
           highest
           
             Ends
          
           and
           
             Interests
             ,
          
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Chief
           Good
           ,
           the
           benefit
           of
           all
           Reasonable
           Creatures
           ,
           the
           present
           and
           Everlasting
           Happiness
           of
           their
           Persons
           ;
           and
           True
           Religion
           is
           a
           certain
           way
           to
           these
           blessed
           Ends.
           Now
           ,
           if
           
             they
          
           
           
             that
             will
             be
             rich
          
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           decline
           no
           Labours
           ,
           run
           all
           manner
           of
           Hazards
           ,
           are
           not
           discourag'd
           by
           Rocks
           and
           Shelves
           ,
           by
           Waves
           and
           Tempests
           ,
           or
           Pirates
           in
           effect
           as
           dangerous
           as
           they
           ;
           whilst
           they
           aim
           only
           at
           things
           Temporal
           ,
           which
           perish
           in
           the
           using
           ;
           shall
           not
           those
           have
           greater
           Courage
           and
           firmer
           Resolution
           ,
           who
           propose
           to
           themselves
           the
           obtaining
           
             Treasures
          
           which
           fade
           not
           away
           ,
           and
           may
           fully
           depend
           upon
           the
           Promises
           of
           God
           in
           well-doing
           ,
           and
           on
           the
           Grace
           of
           his
           blessed
           Spirit
           for
           the
           enabling
           them
           to
           do
           
           well
           ,
           if
           they
           are
           not
           wanting
           to
           the
           Power
           already
           given
           them
           ?
        
         
           
             Obj.
          
           But
           I
           expect
           that
           it
           should
           be
           objected
           ,
           That
           all
           this
           sort
           of
           Reasoning
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           admitted
           to
           be
           specious
           ,
           is
           notwithstanding
           false
           .
           For
           (
           as
           they
           may
           continue
           to
           speak
           )
           the
           Purposes
           of
           Mankind
           are
           vain
           and
           uncertain
           .
           They
           vanish
           as
           the
           morning
           dew
           upon
           the
           glittering
           of
           a
           new
           Temptation
           .
           Is
           it
           not
           daily
           observed
           ,
           that
           divers
           who
           are
           in
           danger
           of
           death
           ,
           and
           dread
           to
           go
           forth
           into
           a
           vast
           Eternity
           ,
           after
           having
           lead
           immoral
           Lives
           ,
           do
           weep
           and
           pray
           ,
           and
           make
           many
           Protestations
           of
           becoming
           new
           men
           ,
           if
           God
           shall
           be
           pleased
           to
           spare
           and
           restore
           them
           ?
           And
           when
           God
           has
           restor'd
           them
           ,
           the
           World
           has
           been
           convinc'd
           ,
           that
           all
           their
           Tears
           ,
           and
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           Promises
           ,
           were
           the
           effects
           of
           Fear
           ;
           and
           they
           have
           return'd
           at
           once
           to
           their
           Health
           ,
           and
           to
           their
           Vices
           .
        
         
         
           To
           this
           it
           may
           be
           answer'd
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           That
           if
           Men
           will
           not
           be
           altogether
           
           Christians
           by
           the
           help
           of
           Holy
           Purposes
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           much
           less
           such
           without
           them
           .
           If
           there
           is
           not
           force
           enough
           in
           them
           perfectly
           to
           amend
           the
           Lives
           of
           Men
           ,
           yet
           ,
           however
           ,
           they
           are
           some
           check
           and
           restraint
           to
           them
           .
           And
           he
           who
           says
           a
           Cord
           is
           strong
           ,
           does
           not
           pretend
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           impossible
           to
           be
           broken
           .
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           Those
           Men
           who
           are
           so
           false
           to
           their
           Vows
           ,
           and
           so
           unstable
           in
           their
           Ways
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           thought
           not
           to
           have
           built
           their
           
             Purposes
          
           upon
           a
           right
           
             Foundation
             .
          
           Perhaps
           the
           
             Foundation
          
           wanted
           
             Breadth
             .
          
           It
           may
           be
           ,
           they
           resolved
           against
           many
           Sins
           ,
           but
           not
           against
           that
           which
           did
           most
           
             easily
             beset
             them
             ,
          
           and
           was
           most
           agreeable
           to
           Flesh
           and
           Blood.
           And
           this
           One
           evil
           Spirit
           left
           in
           possession
           ,
           may
           have
           brought
           back
           all
           the
           rest
           .
        
         
         
           Perhaps
           the
           
             Foundation
          
           wanted
           
             Firmness
             .
          
           They
           might
           take
           up
           their
           Resolutions
           in
           the
           heat
           of
           their
           Affection
           ,
           which
           is
           suddenly
           kindled
           ,
           and
           suddenly
           dies
           away
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           for
           such
           as
           have
           hated
           every
           Evil
           way
           ,
           and
           ,
           upon
           the
           most
           mature
           Deliberation
           ,
           dedicated
           themselves
           ,
           Souls
           and
           Bodies
           ,
           to
           Christ
           without
           any
           reserve
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           likely
           that
           they
           should
           be
           so
           unsteddy
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           given
           to
           change
           for
           the
           worse
           .
           Among
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           there
           were
           Armies
           of
           Martyrs
           who
           were
           faithful
           to
           the
           Death
           .
           
             Pliny
          
           *
           reproach'd
           them
           as
           
             Obstinate
             ,
          
           but
           their
           Perseverance
           arose
           from
           the
           Strength
           of
           their
           Faith
           ,
           the
           Heartiness
           of
           their
           Love
           ,
           their
           Sincere
           Resolution
           to
           keep
           their
           Baptismal
           Vow
           ,
           in
           despight
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           the
           Devil
           ;
           and
           (
           that
           which
           made
           all
           these
           effectual
           )
           the
           extraordinary
           Grace
           of
           God.
           
        
         
         
           Now
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           any
           Strength
           in
           natural
           Resolution
           ,
           and
           more
           in
           that
           which
           is
           Moral
           and
           Religious
           (
           and
           more
           still
           there
           must
           be
           when
           one
           is
           added
           to
           the
           other
           )
           certainly
           it
           is
           our
           Wisdom
           to
           bind
           our selves
           with
           this
           double
           Cord
           ;
           for
           we
           have
           need
           of
           all
           the
           Assistance
           we
           can
           possibly
           get
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           a
           
             Second
             Consideration
             .
          
        
         
           We
           come
           into
           the
           World
           with
           sensual
           Inclinations
           .
           Our
           natural
           Passions
           are
           apt
           to
           move
           with
           intemperate
           Violence
           .
           Our
           Lusts
           and
           Appetites
           ,
           till
           Reason
           and
           Grace
           subdue
           them
           ,
           are
           strong
           and
           impetuous
           .
           Our
           Mind
           is
           ,
           generally
           speaking
           ,
           overgrown
           very
           early
           with
           the
           Prejudices
           and
           Indiscretions
           of
           Youth
           ;
           we
           are
           first
           accustomed
           to
           Folly
           and
           Vanity
           ,
           before
           we
           are
           acquainted
           with
           Christian
           Piety
           ,
           and
           solid
           Vertue
           ;
           and
           to
           many
           ill
           Customs
           we
           are
           united
           ,
           as
           the
           Soul
           is
           to
           the
           
           Body
           ,
           with
           a
           very
           intimate
           Union
           ,
           though
           we
           know
           not
           how
           .
           Our
           Senses
           and
           Fancy
           treasure
           up
           many
           idle
           ,
           extravagant
           ,
           and
           deceitful
           Images
           .
           This
           World
           ,
           being
           present
           ,
           hath
           great
           Influence
           upon
           our
           Sense
           and
           Imagination
           ,
           whilst
           
             Faith
             is
             the
             Evidence
             of
             Things
             not
             seen
             .
          
           All
           places
           abound
           with
           evil
           Men
           ,
           who
           live
           
             without
             God
             in
             the
             World
             ,
          
           and
           who
           by
           hurtful
           Persuasions
           ,
           and
           bad
           Examples
           ,
           entice
           the
           Unwary
           into
           a
           wicked
           Confederacy
           with
           themselves
           ;
           and
           there
           are
           Legions
           of
           
             spiritual
             Enemies
             ,
          
           who
           envy
           God
           the
           Glory
           ,
           and
           Man
           the
           Happiness
           of
           a
           
             sober
             ,
             righteous
             ,
             and
             godly
             Life
             .
          
        
         
           Wherefore
           ,
           in
           so
           many
           and
           so
           great
           Perils
           ,
           amidst
           which
           the
           Frailty
           of
           our
           Nature
           is
           apt
           to
           supplant
           our
           Faith
           ,
           it
           behoves
           us
           to
           use
           all
           manner
           of
           good
           means
           (
           and
           therefore
           ,
           amongst
           others
           that
           of
           holy
           Resolution
           )
           that
           ,
           by
           God's
           Blessing
           upon
           such
           Instruments
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           supported
           in
           all
           Dangers
           ,
           and
           carried
           safe
           through
           all
           
           Temptations
           .
           To
           the
           speedy
           Use
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           of
           a
           
             holy
             Purpose
             ,
          
           I
           proceed
           ,
           in
           the
        
         
           
             Third
             Place
             ,
          
           to
           exhort
           you
           ,
           beseeching
           you
           ,
           as
           
             Barnabas
          
           did
           those
           of
           
             Antioch
             ,
          
           that
           ,
           
           
             with
             full
             purpose
             of
             heart
             you
             would
             cleave
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ;
          
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ.
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           general
           
             End
             of
             Man
             ,
          
           which
           is
           his
           Personal
           Happiness
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           need
           of
           any
           vehement
           Persuasive
           to
           it
           ;
           no
           great
           need
           of
           Deliberation
           and
           Resolution
           of
           Mind
           .
           Nature
           it self
           hath
           fix'd
           and
           determined
           this
           Point
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           as
           necessary
           to
           be
           happy
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           to
           be
           at
           all
           a
           But
           Mankind
           is
           not
           so
           stedfastly
           resolved
           upon
           the
           Means
           as
           the
           End
           :
           Divers
           would
           be
           happy
           hereafter
           as
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           ,
           and
           yet
           live
           here
           as
           Beasts
           .
           But
           ,
           without
           a
           
             holy
             Purpose
             ,
          
           and
           a
           sutable
           Performance
           ,
           
             no
             Man
             shall
             see
             the
             Lord.
          
           Take
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           to
           you
           Words
           ,
           and
           say
           with
           
           
             Joshua
             ,
             as
             for
             Me
             and
             my
             House
             ,
             we
             WILL
             serve
             the
             Lord.
          
           Use
           the
           Language
           of
           
             Balaam
             ;
          
           
           but
           let
           it
           proceed
           out
           of
           a
           more
           righteous
           Heart
           :
           
             If
             any
             one
             would
             give
             
             me
             his
             House
             full
             of
             Silver
             and
             Gold
             ,
             I
             cannot
             go
             beyond
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             my
             God
             ,
             to
             do
             less
             or
             more
             .
          
           With
           
             Caleb
          
           and
           
             Joshua
          
           follow
           the
           Lord
           ,
           
             wholly
          
           and
           you
           will
           enter
           into
           a
           better
           
             Land
             of
             Promise
          
           than
           they
           at
           first
           did
           .
           
             Engage
             your
             Hearts
             to
             approach
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           and
           he
           will
           draw
           nigh
           unto
           you
           ,
           and
           make
           what
           you
           do
           to
           prosper
           .
        
         
           In
           purposing
           on
           this
           manner
           ,
           be
           pleased
           to
           observe
           these
           few
           Directions
           :
        
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           When
           
             Difficulties
          
           in
           Religion
           discourage
           you
           ,
           oppose
           
             Necessity
          
           to
           them
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
           Let
           come
           on
           it
           what
           will
           ,
           we
           
             must
          
           serve
           God
           ,
           we
           
             must
          
           save
           our
           Souls
           .
           It
           must
           be
           confessed
           ,
           that
           when
           those
           who
           have
           been
           enchanted
           with
           sinful
           Pleasures
           ,
           begin
           to
           think
           of
           reforming
           themselves
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           great
           strife
           betwixt
           the
           Flesh
           and
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           ready
           to
           think
           they
           cannot
           
           by
           any
           means
           get
           the
           Victory
           ,
           and
           they
           cry
           out
           with
           Anxiety
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Men
             and
             Brethren
             ,
             what
             shall
             we
             do
             ?
          
           What
           should
           they
           do
           ?
           Doubtless
           they
           should
           encourage
           themselves
           in
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           greater
           than
           those
           who
           are
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           will
           come
           in
           to
           their
           Aid
           ,
           if
           they
           pray
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           repeat
           their
           Holy
           Vows
           in
           sincerity
           of
           Heart
           .
           It
           cannot
           be
           denied
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           first
           Steps
           in
           our
           Ascent
           towards
           Christian
           Perfection
           are
           very
           laborious
           ;
           but
           in
           due
           time
           we
           shall
           make
           good
           Progress
           if
           we
           faint
           not
           .
           S.
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           when
           at
           first
           he
           found
           his
           Mind
           strugling
           betwixt
           Grace
           and
           Nature
           ,
           cried
           out
           as
           a
           Man
           in
           great
           distress
           ,
           who
           shall
           
             deliver
             me
          
           
           
             from
             the
             body
             of
             this
             Death
             ?
          
           Yet
           at
           length
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           did
           carry
           his
           Resolution
           to
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Power
           ,
           that
           he
           chang'd
           his
           Complaint
           into
           the
           Triumph
           of
           these
           Words
           ,
           
             I
             can
             do
             all
             things
             through
             Christ
             ,
             who
          
           
           
             strengthens
             me
             .
          
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           In
           all
           
             Temptations
          
           maintain
           such
           a
           Presence
           of
           Mind
           as
           may
           enable
           you
           to
           
           reflect
           upon
           the
           Resolutions
           which
           you
           have
           formerly
           taken
           up
           against
           them
           .
           Commune
           with
           your
           own
           Hearts
           after
           this
           manner
           .
           Is
           not
           this
           the
           very
           Evil
           which
           ,
           upon
           due
           Consideration
           ,
           we
           have
           so
           often
           vow'd
           to
           forsake
           ?
           How
           can
           we
           thus
           contradict
           our selves
           ?
           How
           shall
           we
           do
           this
           great
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           sin
           against
           our
           Conscience
           ,
           our
           Baptismal
           Engagement
           ,
           our
           Righteous
           Purposes
           ,
           and
           our
           Holy
           ,
           Just
           God
           ,
           who
           keepeth
           his
           Promise
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
          
           When
           you
           have
           taken
           a
           Resolution
           to
           lead
           a
           more
           Christian
           Life
           ,
           abstain
           ,
           at
           least
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           from
           the
           familiar
           
             Conversation
          
           of
           such
           who
           account
           it
           a
           Crime
           not
           to
           be
           dissolute
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           ,
           by
           mockery
           ,
           to
           discourage
           all
           Seriousness
           in
           Religion
           .
           The
           prophane
           and
           scurrilous
           Breath
           of
           such
           Men
           ,
           who
           are
           of
           a
           Party
           for
           Vice
           ,
           may
           drive
           back
           again
           that
           Disease
           ,
           which
           was
           coming
           forth
           by
           Confession
           and
           Repentance
           .
        
         
         
           
             Fourthly
             ;
          
           Think
           frequently
           of
           the
           solemn
           Vow
           ,
           Promise
           and
           Profession
           which
           you
           made
           in
           
             Baptism
             ,
          
           and
           renew
           it
           often
           in
           the
           Holy
           
             Communion
             .
          
           By
           it
           all
           worthy
           Partakers
           are
           
             strengthned
          
           and
           
             refresh'd
             .
          
        
         
           
             Lastly
             ;
          
           Say
           not
           ,
           All
           this
           we
           will
           do
           ,
           though
           not
           now
           ,
           yet
           in
           a
           
             convenient
             Season
             .
          
           It
           may
           be
           that
           convenient
           Season
           will
           never
           come
           ;
           for
           
             who
             knows
             what
             a
             Day
             may
             bring
             forth
             ?
          
           How
           foolish
           are
           such
           ,
           and
           ignorant
           ,
           who
           say
           in
           effect
           ,
           We
           
             resolve
          
           to
           be
           good
           ,
           but
           not
           till
           it
           be
           more
           difficult
           to
           be
           so
           ;
           not
           till
           Custom
           in
           Sin
           hath
           hardned
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           stiffned
           our
           Necks
           into
           Inflexibility
           ?
           
             O
             ye
             Sons
             of
             Men
             ,
             how
             long
             will
             ye
             love
             Vanity
             ,
             and
             seek
             after
             Leasing
             ?
          
           Imitate
           rather
           Holy
           
             David
             ,
          
           and
           attend
           to
           his
           Words
           in
           the
           
             119th
          
           Psalm
           ;
           
             I
             thought
             on
             my
             Ways
             ,
             and
             turned
             my
             Feet
             unto
          
           
           
             thy
             Testimonies
             .
             I
             made
             haste
             ,
             and
             delayed
             not
             to
             keep
             thy
             Commandments
             .
             I
             have
             said
             ,
          
           [
           or
           fully
           determined
           ]
           
             that
             I
             would
             keep
             thy
             Words
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Finally
             ;
          
           Let
           us
           pray
           unto
           Almighty
           God
           in
           some
           such
           Words
           as
           these
           ;
           
             Lord
             ,
             we
             believe
             ;
             Lord
             ,
             help
             our
             weak
             Belief
             .
             Lord
             ,
             we
             resolve
             ;
             Lord
             ,
             strengthen
             our
             Holy
             Resolutions
             .
             And
             ,
             as
             by
             thy
             Grace
             preventing
             us
             ,
             thou
             dost
             put
             into
             our
             Hearts
             good
             Desires
             and
             Purposes
             ;
             so
             ,
             by
             thy
             continual
             Help
             ,
             make
             us
             able
             to
             bring
             the
             same
             to
             good
             Effect
             ,
             through
             Jesus
             Christ
             our
             Lord
             ;
             to
             whom
             ,
             with
             the
             Father
             and
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             be
             all
             Honour
             and
             Glory
             now
             and
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           Amen
           .
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A64370-e160
           
             
               Deut.
            
             17.
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             
               Psal.
            
             132.
             1.
             
             &c.
             
          
           
             1
             S.
             Pet.
             4.
             
          
           
             Act.
             18.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Kings
             18.
             21.
             
          
           
             Jerem.
             2.
             11.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             7.
             7
             ,
             21
             ,
             22.
             
          
           
             Acts.
             26.
             28
             ,
             29.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             18.
             12.
             c.
             44.
             v.
             17.
             
          
           
             Nehem.
             4.
             6.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             7.
             19.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             9.
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             *
             Plin.
             lib.
             10.
             
             Ep.
             97.
             
             
               Pervieam
               certè
               &
               inflexibilem
               obstinationem
               debere
               puniri
               non
               dubitari
               .
            
          
           
             Acts
             11.
             25.
             
          
           
             a
             Andron
             .
             Rhod.
             1.
             6.
             c.
             2.
             p.
             151.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Josh.
             24.
             15.
             
          
           
             Numb
             .
             2.
             18.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             30.
             31.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             7.
             24.
             
          
           
             Phiiip
             .
             4.
             13.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             119.
             59
             ,
             60
             ,
             57.