The penitent pardoned, or, A discourse of the nature of sin, and the efficacy of repentance under the parable of the prodigal son / by J. Goodman ...
         Goodman, John, 1625 or 6-1690.
      
       
         
           1679
        
      
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         A41445
         Wing G1115
         ESTC R1956
         12369305
         ocm 12369305
         60521
         
           
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         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 60521)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 917:7)
      
       
         
           
             The penitent pardoned, or, A discourse of the nature of sin, and the efficacy of repentance under the parable of the prodigal son / by J. Goodman ...
             Goodman, John, 1625 or 6-1690.
          
           [24], 381, [3] p., [8] p. of plates : ill.
           
             Printed by E. Flesher, for R. Royston ...,
             London :
             1679.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library.
             Added title page.
             Table of contents: p. [16]-[23]
             Errata: p. [1] at end.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Prodigal son (Parable) -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
           Sin -- Early works to 1800.
           Repentance.
        
      
    
     
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               THE
               PENITENT
               PARDON'D
               
                 S
                 
                 t.
                 PETER
                 .
                 Cor
                 contritum
                 .
              
               S
               
               t.
               MARY
               MAGDALENE
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           Penitent
           Pardoned
           :
           OR
           A
           Discourse
           of
           the
           NATURE
           of
           SIN
           ,
           AND
           THE
           EFFICACY
           of
           REPENTANCE
           ,
           Under
           the
           PARABLE
           OF
           THE
           PRODIGAL
           SON
           .
        
         
           By
           
             J.
             GOODMAN
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Rectour
           of
           Hadham
           .
        
         
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             S.
             Chrysost
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             E.
             Flesher
          
           ,
           for
           
             R.
             Royston
          
           ,
           Bookseller
           to
           His
           most
           Sacred
           MAJESTY
           ,
           
             An.
             Dom.
          
           MDCLXXIX
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           Imprimatur
           hic
           Liber
           cui
           Titulus
           ,
           
             The
             Parable
             of
             the
             Prodigal
             Son.
             
          
        
         
           
             
               Maii
               14.
               1678.
               
            
          
           
             
               Guil.
               Sill
            
             ,
             R.
             P.
             D.
             Henr.
             Episc
             .
             Lond.
             à
             Sacris
             Domesticis
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           ARTHUR
           ,
           Earl
           of
           Essex
           ,
           VICOUNT
           Malden
           ,
           BARON
           of
           Hadham
           ,
           LORD
           LIEUTENANT
           of
           the
           County
           of
           Hartford
           ,
           One
           of
           the
           LORDS
           of
           his
           MAJESTIE's
           Most
           Honourable
           Privy
           Council
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           so
           deep
           a
           sense
           of
           those
           manifold
           and
           great
           Favours
           which
           through
           the
           course
           of
           many
           years
           without
           interruption
           it
           hath
           pleased
           your
           Lordship
           to
           confer
           upon
           me
           ,
           That
           though
           I
           know
           it
           is
           impossible
           for
           me
           to
           make
           any
           proportionable
           return
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           equally
           impossible
           for
           me
           to
           omit
           any
           opportunity
           of
           making
           my
           just
           acknowledgments
           .
           And
           forasmuch
           as
           my
           obligations
           to
           your
           Lordship
           are
           as
           well
           known
           to
           the
           World
           as
           great
           in
           themselves
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           
           becomes
           me
           ,
           and
           am
           persuaded
           all
           men
           (
           but
           your
           Lord
           shp
           )
           expect
           it
           from
           me
           ,
           that
           I
           should
           make
           some
           publick
           expression
           of
           my
           gratitude
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           therefore
           do
           that
           right
           to
           my self
           to
           acknowledge
           ,
           that
           when
           I
           first
           deliberated
           about
           the
           adventuring
           these
           Papers
           to
           the
           Press
           ,
           it
           was
           a
           principal
           argument
           to
           determine
           me
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           because
           by
           the
           Dedication
           of
           this
           part
           of
           my
           Studies
           to
           your
           Lordship's
           Name
           ,
           I
           should
           have
           opportunity
           of
           performing
           so
           just
           a
           duty
           ,
           and
           of
           doing
           honour
           to
           so
           great
           Vertue
           and
           Goodness
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           I
           must
           needs
           confess
           ,
           that
           when
           I
           came
           to
           make
           reflection
           upon
           the
           Subject
           ,
           and
           the
           tenour
           of
           the
           present
           Discourse
           ,
           I
           was
           quickly
           sensible
           how
           great
           an
           errour
           my
           zeal
           was
           likely
           to
           betray
           me
           into
           ,
           in
           Intitling
           a
           work
           almost
           wholly
           levelled
           against
           debauchery
           ,
           to
           a
           Personage
           of
           so
           severe
           Vertue
           and
           Sanctity
           ;
           for
           I
           considered
           your
           Lordship's
           early
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           eminent
           and
           habitual
           Piety
           ,
           and
           what
           need
           (
           thought
           I
           )
           is
           there
           of
           Physick
           to
           those
           that
           are
           in
           
           perfect
           health
           ?
           and
           if
           as
           S.
           Paul
           asserts
           ,
           
             The
             Law
             is
             not
             made
             for
             a
             Righteous
             man
             ,
          
           because
           such
           are
           able
           to
           be
           a
           Law
           to
           themselves
           ;
           much
           less
           is
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Repentance
           suitably
           Preached
           to
           those
           that
           (
           in
           the
           words
           of
           our
           Saviour
           )
           
             need
             no
             Repentance
          
           :
           Thus
           I
           felt
           a
           conflict
           within
           my self
           ,
           my
           discretion
           opposing
           the
           designs
           of
           my
           gratitude
           ,
           and
           my
           present
           reason
           staggering
           my
           former
           resolution
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           I
           considered
           also
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           that
           seeing
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           himself
           is
           well
           pleased
           with
           those
           Oblations
           that
           are
           beneficial
           to
           the
           World
           though
           they
           are
           not
           usefull
           to
           himself
           ,
           nor
           make
           any
           addition
           to
           his
           own
           glory
           and
           happiness
           ;
           I
           could
           not
           doubt
           but
           your
           Lordship
           who
           hath
           so
           great
           a
           zeal
           to
           the
           common
           good
           of
           mankind
           ,
           would
           permit
           your
           Name
           to
           be
           made
           use
           of
           to
           countenance
           a
           design
           of
           bringing
           men
           home
           to
           God
           ,
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           their
           own
           happiness
           ;
           and
           of
           recovering
           the
           Age
           from
           the
           mischiefs
           of
           extravagancy
           and
           debauchery
           ,
           which
           it
           too
           lamentably
           groans
           under
           .
        
         
         
           And
           this
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           re-fixed
           my
           resolutions
           to
           Intitle
           your
           Lordship
           to
           this
           plain
           Piece
           of
           Practical
           Divinity
           ;
           and
           so
           much
           the
           rather
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           reasonable
           to
           hope
           ,
           that
           the
           directing
           men's
           eyes
           and
           thoughts
           to
           so
           great
           and
           rare
           an
           Example
           of
           clear
           and
           unspotted
           Vertue
           ,
           amidst
           all
           the
           disturbances
           of
           business
           ,
           and
           the
           temptations
           of
           a
           plentifull
           fortune
           ,
           will
           be
           able
           to
           confute
           all
           their
           objections
           against
           the
           possibility
           of
           heroick
           goodness
           ;
           and
           may
           have
           as
           much
           efficacy
           to
           convince
           and
           shame
           them
           out
           of
           their
           follies
           ,
           as
           the
           very
           reason
           of
           this
           Discourse
           to
           incourage
           their
           amendment
           .
        
         
           And
           should
           I
           now
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           pursuance
           of
           the
           design
           of
           my
           Book
           ,
           as
           of
           my
           gratitude
           ,
           make
           a
           draught
           of
           your
           Lordship
           in
           your
           full
           proportions
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           endeavour
           to
           represent
           you
           as
           great
           as
           your
           own
           Vertues
           added
           to
           the
           Nobility
           of
           your
           Bloud
           have
           made
           you
           ,
           I
           might
           (
           if
           my
           skill
           failed
           me
           not
           )
           exhibit
           to
           the
           World
           a
           piece
           of
           that
           Masculine
           perfection
           wherein
           the
           most
           curious
           would
           not
           
           know
           what
           to
           desire
           ,
           nor
           the
           most
           envious
           what
           to
           suspect
           .
           Forasmuch
           as
           not
           only
           this
           whole
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           Ireland
           ,
           but
           several
           of
           the
           Neighbour
           States
           and
           Kingdoms
           also
           ,
           can
           bear
           witness
           to
           your
           Lordship's
           steadiness
           in
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ;
           your
           Loyalty
           to
           your
           Prince
           ,
           your
           Piety
           ,
           Humanity
           ,
           Justice
           ,
           Temperance
           ,
           Prudence
           ,
           Courage
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           great
           and
           Illustrious
           Ornaments
           .
        
         
           Nor
           do
           I
           fear
           by
           such
           a
           Character
           to
           derive
           any
           envy
           upon
           your
           Lordship
           ,
           since
           very
           few
           of
           your
           Lawrels
           were
           the
           meer
           Favours
           of
           Fortune
           ,
           but
           tht
           Rewards
           of
           Vertue
           ,
           the
           Acquests
           of
           Prudence
           and
           Conduct
           ,
           and
           won
           by
           Wise
           Counsels
           ,
           by
           Generous
           Resolutions
           ,
           and
           Noble
           Employments
           ;
           and
           in
           such
           a
           case
           it
           is
           to
           be
           hoped
           that
           Men
           will
           not
           have
           the
           Impudence
           to
           Envy
           the
           Effects
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           not
           the
           Bravery
           to
           Imitate
           the
           Causes
           .
        
         
           Thus
           my
           Lord
           ,
           I
           could
           satisfy
           my
           own
           Conscience
           and
           do
           right
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           
           setting
           before
           them
           such
           a
           Pattern
           as
           would
           at
           once
           inflame
           the
           Generous
           ,
           and
           shame
           the
           Slothfull
           and
           Vicious
           .
           But
           I
           know
           your
           Lordship's
           Temper
           ,
           and
           the
           Greatness
           of
           your
           Mind
           too
           well
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           hereby
           I
           should
           do
           an
           Acceptable
           Service
           to
           your
           Lordship
           ;
           wherefore
           I
           add
           no
           more
           but
           my
           Hearty
           Prayers
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           please
           Almighty
           God
           to
           Bless
           your
           Lordship
           ,
           and
           your
           most
           Noble
           and
           Pious
           Countess
           with
           long
           Life
           and
           Prosperity
           ,
           to
           succeed
           your
           Lordship's
           Studies
           and
           Endeavours
           ,
           to
           the
           benefit
           of
           Religion
           ,
           your
           Prince
           and
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           to
           preserve
           your
           hopefull
           Off-spring
           that
           they
           may
           Uphold
           your
           Family
           ,
           Name
           and
           HOnour
           to
           after
           Generations
           .
           This
           my
           Lord
           ,
           is
           the
           Constant
           Duty
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           the
           Incessant
           Desire
           of
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
           
             Your
             Lordship
             's
             Most
             Humble
             Servant
             ,
             
               JO.
               GOODMAN
            
             .
          
           
             Octob.
             1.
             1678.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Preface
           to
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           IT
           is
           not
           unlikely
           that
           these
           Papers
           may
           a
           little
           surprize
           some
           of
           those
           into
           whose
           hands
           they
           may
           fall
           .
           Not
           so
           much
           in
           regard
           that
           this
           Subject
           hath
           been
           handled
           by
           others
           ,
           for
           I
           modestly
           hope
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           any
           thing
           I
           have
           seen
           or
           heard
           of
           from
           other
           Pens
           ,
           this
           Discourse
           may
           have
           its
           place
           and
           use
           ;
           but
           because
           I
           am
           aware
           that
           some
           of
           my
           Friends
           who
           have
           been
           privy
           to
           my
           Intentions
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           course
           of
           my
           Studies
           ,
           have
           made
           me
           a
           debtor
           to
           the
           Publick
           of
           a
           Work
           of
           a
           different
           nature
           from
           this
           which
           I
           now
           present
           .
           And
           I
           am
           not
           unwilling
           so
           far
           to
           own
           the
           Obligation
           ,
           as
           to
           acknowledge
           that
           I
           have
           now
           for
           a
           good
           time
           applied
           my
           thoughts
           to
           the
           Discovery
           and
           Explication
           of
           the
           Nature
           and
           Reason
           of
           Religion
           in
           general
           ;
           and
           I
           do
           hope
           ,
           if
           it
           please
           God
           to
           continue
           me
           life
           and
           health
           ,
           that
           in
           due
           time
           I
           shall
           in
           some
           good
           measure
           acquit
           the
           credit
           of
           my
           Friends
           in
           that
           point
           ,
           and
           satisfy
           the
           expectation
           of
           sober
           men
           .
        
         
           But
           because
           a
           Work
           of
           that
           nature
           and
           importance
           requires
           the
           most
           mature
           deliberation
           ,
           and
           exactest
           discussion
           ;
           And
           because
           I
           willingly
           confess
           my self
           to
           be
           none
           of
           those
           who
           are
           as
           wise
           at
           the
           first
           prospect
           of
           a
           business
           ,
           as
           ever
           they
           intend
           to
           be
           ;
           and
           who
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           an
           intuitive
           knowledge
           ,
           presently
           jump
           into
           an
           Infallibility
           
           of
           Opinion
           ,
           which
           they
           can
           never
           after
           find
           in
           their
           hearts
           to
           retract
           or
           outgrow
           :
           I
           therefore
           think
           it
           both
           fittest
           and
           safest
           that
           a
           Work
           of
           that
           nature
           should
           be
           digested
           by
           several
           reflections
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           ripened
           by
           time
           ,
           
             which
             certainly
             is
             the
             best
             Counseller
             in
             the
             World.
          
           Vpon
           this
           account
           kind
           Reader
           ,
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           instead
           of
           a
           more
           close
           and
           speculative
           ,
           this
           plain
           and
           practical
           Discourse
           is
           now
           put
           into
           thy
           hand
           ,
           and
           recommended
           to
           thy
           candour
           ;
           which
           notwithstanding
           ,
           if
           all
           things
           be
           duely
           considered
           ,
           is
           not
           altogether
           so
           remote
           from
           the
           design
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           as
           may
           at
           first
           glimpse
           be
           imagined
           .
        
         
           For
           it
           is
           very
           considerable
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostle
           S.
           
             Paul
             ,
             Gal.
          
           5.
           20.
           reckons
           heresies
           ,
           amongst
           the
           
             works
             of
             the
             flesh
          
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           exorbitancy
           of
           men's
           Opinions
           were
           occasioned
           by
           the
           irregularity
           and
           violence
           of
           their
           passions
           ,
           and
           the
           sentiments
           of
           men's
           mind
           depraved
           and
           byassed
           by
           the
           corrupt
           inclinations
           of
           the
           animal
           powers
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           we
           observe
           the
           World
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           not
           only
           very
           witty
           men
           to
           be
           oftentimes
           most
           absurdly
           and
           barbarously
           vicious
           ,
           but
           which
           is
           more
           strange
           ,
           we
           shall
           see
           very
           bad
           men
           of
           very
           good
           Opinions
           ;
           and
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           very
           good
           and
           vertuous
           persons
           under
           most
           silly
           and
           despicable
           persuasions
           .
           By
           which
           it
           plainly
           appears
           ,
           that
           reason
           and
           the
           right
           notion
           of
           things
           do
           not
           so
           much
           govern
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           either
           natural
           probity
           ,
           or
           a
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           in
           the
           last
           mentioned
           case
           ;
           or
           else
           interest
           and
           humour
           in
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           
             From
             whence
             it
             comes
             to
             pass
             ,
             that
             as
             the
          
           Platonist
           
           said
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           One
           may
           calculate
           what
           religious
           pretensions
           most
           men
           will
           be
           of
           ,
           from
           the
           contemplation
           of
           their
           temper
           or
           interests
           .
        
         
           For
           so
           we
           shall
           see
           a
           swaggering
           Hector
           become
           an
           easy
           Proselyte
           to
           the
           Hobbian
           Philosophy
           ;
           a
           licentious
           Voluptuary
           presently
           commences
           an
           Epicurean
           Atheist
           ;
           and
           an
           undevout
           temper
           sets
           up
           for
           a
           Theist
           ;
           or
           something
           worse
           .
        
         
           Vpon
           consideration
           of
           all
           which
           ,
           I
           am
           of
           Opinion
           that
           the
           most
           successfull
           way
           of
           recovering
           the
           generality
           of
           men
           to
           right
           notions
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           putting
           them
           under
           the
           power
           of
           them
           ,
           is
           to
           imitate
           Physicians
           ,
           who
           when
           the
           Head
           is
           ill
           affected
           ,
           apply
           not
           immediately
           to
           that
           (
           which
           though
           it
           be
           the
           principal
           part
           ,
           is
           seldom
           primarily
           affected
           )
           but
           to
           the
           Stomach
           ,
           or
           Hypochondria
           ,
           or
           some
           other
           inferiour
           faculty
           which
           influence
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           bear
           a
           share
           of
           the
           consequences
           of
           their
           respective
           disorders
           .
        
         
           Agreeably
           whereunto
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           in
           this
           Treatise
           to
           strike
           at
           Debauchery
           ,
           as
           at
           the
           Root
           of
           most
           of
           the
           calamities
           of
           Religion
           ;
           and
           which
           doth
           not
           more
           deform
           men's
           lives
           ,
           then
           distort
           their
           reason
           ;
           and
           either
           stifle
           or
           pervert
           the
           very
           principles
           of
           their
           Mind
           and
           Conscience
           .
           And
           though
           I
           will
           not
           be
           guilty
           of
           Libelling
           the
           Age
           we
           live
           in
           ,
           by
           ripping
           up
           the
           disorders
           thereof
           ,
           thereby
           to
           raise
           the
           value
           of
           this
           small
           performance
           ;
           yet
           I
           am
           certain
           of
           these
           two
           things
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           both
           designed
           publick
           good
           in
           this
           undertaking
           ,
           and
           not
           varied
           from
           
           the
           substance
           of
           that
           which
           I
           have
           told
           thee
           was
           my
           first
           projection
           .
        
         
           But
           dismissing
           all
           further
           considerations
           of
           that
           kind
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           present
           discourse
           ,
           I
           have
           neither
           such
           a
           fondness
           to
           my
           own
           production
           ,
           nor
           am
           so
           much
           a
           stranger
           either
           to
           the
           humours
           of
           men
           ,
           or
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           Times
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           think
           it
           had
           been
           much
           easier
           to
           have
           gratified
           the
           curiosity
           of
           both
           some
           other
           way
           :
           Notwithstanding
           ,
           since
           it
           is
           apparent
           that
           there
           is
           now
           a
           daies
           more
           light
           then
           heat
           ,
           and
           less
           seriousness
           then
           either
           ;
           and
           consequently
           more
           need
           that
           the
           principles
           of
           Conscience
           should
           be
           stirred
           up
           ,
           then
           any
           notion
           started
           ,
           or
           controversy
           moved
           :
           I
           am
           therefore
           apt
           to
           hope
           this
           Labour
           will
           not
           seem
           unseasonable
           ;
           or
           however
           ,
           I
           am
           well
           content
           to
           be
           one
           of
           those
           that
           had
           rather
           save
           one
           Soul
           then
           please
           ten
           thousand
           .
        
         
           I
           know
           there
           is
           nothing
           so
           serious
           but
           may
           be
           exposed
           to
           Drollery
           by
           Atheistical
           Wits
           ,
           who
           have
           had
           the
           impudence
           not
           to
           spare
           the
           sacred
           Scripture
           it self
           :
           and
           I
           know
           the
           World
           is
           never
           free
           from
           a
           sort
           of
           idle
           invidious
           persons
           ,
           who
           finding
           it
           a
           far
           easier
           matter
           to
           find
           faults
           then
           to
           mend
           ,
           carp
           at
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           made
           publick
           under
           this
           only
           security
           ,
           that
           by
           reason
           of
           their
           own
           unprofitableness
           and
           sloth
           ,
           no
           body
           can
           find
           any
           thing
           of
           theirs
           wherein
           to
           pay
           them
           in
           their
           own
           coin
           .
        
         
           Neither
           of
           these
           sorts
           of
           men
           will
           I
           trouble
           my self
           about
           ,
           and
           as
           for
           wise
           men
           I
           know
           they
           will
           see
           many
           imperfections
           in
           this
           Book
           ,
           but
           they
           will
           also
           pardon
           them
           ;
           
           especially
           considering
           that
           no
           man
           can
           think
           or
           write
           in
           all
           things
           just
           to
           the
           gust
           of
           another
           ,
           but
           only
           those
           that
           have
           mercenary
           Pens
           ,
           and
           parasytical
           prostituted
           Consciences
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           some
           of
           those
           whom
           I
           design
           to
           profit
           by
           this
           Discourse
           will
           think
           they
           observe
           some
           very
           necessary
           things
           omitted
           ,
           or
           but
           slightly
           touched
           upon
           ;
           such
           as
           especially
           concerning
           Faith
           in
           
             Christ
             Jesus
             ,
             &c.
          
           
           To
           which
           my
           answer
           is
           ,
           that
           I
           would
           as
           gladly
           ,
           and
           as
           copiously
           have
           discoursed
           on
           that
           Point
           as
           any
           other
           ,
           had
           either
           the
           nature
           of
           my
           Design
           ,
           or
           indeed
           the
           series
           of
           the
           Parable
           lead
           me
           thereto
           .
        
         
           Vpon
           the
           whole
           matter
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           do
           good
           to
           as
           many
           as
           I
           could
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           offence
           to
           none
           ;
           neither
           to
           the
           Jew
           nor
           to
           the
           Greek
           ,
           nor
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           :
           If
           any
           thing
           seem
           obscure
           in
           any
           one
           part
           of
           this
           Book
           ,
           I
           am
           persuaded
           that
           he
           that
           reads
           on
           shall
           find
           it
           cleared
           up
           in
           some
           other
           place
           .
           But
           if
           any
           thing
           be
           unadvisedly
           delivered
           (
           which
           God
           forbid
           )
           that
           is
           ,
           either
           not
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           sense
           of
           wise
           and
           good
           Men
           ,
           I
           wish
           it
           unsaid
           ,
           and
           hereby
           retract
           it
           under
           my
           Hand
           .
        
         
           The
           Bookseller
           was
           not
           unwilling
           to
           be
           at
           the
           charge
           to
           represent
           the
           principal
           parts
           of
           the
           Parable
           in
           Sculpture
           ,
           which
           if
           it
           serve
           either
           to
           illustrate
           the
           matter
           ,
           or
           to
           invite
           thy
           attention
           ,
           the
           cost
           is
           well
           bestowed
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Contents
           of
           the
           several
           Parts
           and
           Chapters
           of
           this
           Work.
           
        
         
           
             PART
             I.
             
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               I.
               
            
             
               THE
               Curious
               and
               admirable
               Structure
               of
               the
               Parable
               of
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               briefly
               represented
               .
               Page
               1
               ,
               2.
               
            
             
               The
               special
               design
               and
               meaning
               of
               it
               ;
               the
               usefullness
               of
               explaining
               it
               ,
               and
               the
               intention
               of
               the
               Author
               in
               the
               present
               explication
               .
               p.
               3
               ,
               4
               ,
               5.
               
            
             
               Of
               Parables
               in
               general
               .
               Of
               the
               obscurity
               of
               the
               Gentile
               Oracles
               ,
               Old
               Philosophers
               ,
               &c.
               and
               of
               the
               figurative
               way
               of
               the
               Holy
               Scriptures
               both
               of
               the
               Old
               and
               of
               the
               New
               Testament
               .
               p.
               5
               ,
               6.
               
            
             
               Some
               reasons
               of
               the
               affected
               obscurity
               of
               Pagan
               Writers
               .
               p.
               7.
               
            
             
               Reasons
               of
               the
               Allegorical
               way
               of
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               p.
               8
               ,
               9.
               
            
             
               Of
               the
               Figures
               and
               Parables
               of
               our
               Saviour
               .
               p.
               10
               ,
               11
               ,
               12.
               
            
             
               Of
               the
               danger
               and
               mischief
               of
               Allegorical
               interpretations
               .
               p.
               13.
               
            
             
               And
               the
               caution
               of
               the
               Author
               in
               this
               particular
               .
               p.
               15.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               II.
               
            
             
               The
               self-contradiction
               amongst
               the
               Adversaries
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               both
               Jews
               and
               Gentiles
               ,
               some
               accusing
               it
               as
               too
               difficult
               an
               institution
               ,
               others
               as
               a
               doctrine
               of
               looseness
               .
               p.
               17
               ,
               18.
               
            
             
               A
               famous
               but
               feigned
               Story
               of
               
                 Constantine
                 M.
              
               to
               that
               purpose
               .
               p.
               19.
               
            
             
               The
               special
               occasion
               of
               the
               
               Jew's
               mistake
               of
               our
               Saviour's
               designs
               .
               p.
               20.
               
            
             
               Three
               ranks
               of
               the
               Jewish
               Religionists
               ;
               a
               mistake
               of
               theirs
               built
               upon
               that
               distinction
               .
               p.
               23.
               
            
             
               Their
               misunderstanding
               the
               design
               of
               God
               in
               the
               covenant
               made
               with
               them
               on
               
                 Mount
                 Sinai
              
               ,
               and
               consequently
               of
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               Prophets
               .
               p.
               25.
               
            
             
               Vpon
               account
               of
               both
               which
               it
               is
               no
               wonder
               that
               they
               mistake
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               who
               therefore
               vindicates
               himself
               by
               this
               Parable
               .
               p.
               27.
               
            
             
               A
               literal
               Paraphrase
               of
               this
               Parable
               .
               p.
               28.
               
            
             
               Particularly
               who
               is
               meant
               by
               the
               Elder
               ,
               and
               who
               by
               the
               Younger
               Son.
               p.
               35.
               
            
             
               The
               division
               and
               parts
               of
               the
               Parable
               .
               p.
               43.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               III.
               
            
             
               The
               three
               sorts
               of
               Laws
               mankind
               is
               under
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               Natural
               ,
               Divine
               ,
               and
               Humane
               ;
               and
               that
               all
               sin
               is
               a
               violation
               of
               some
               of
               these
               :
               the
               mischief
               of
               mistake
               herein
               .
               p.
               45.
               
            
             
               Sin
               is
               a
               violation
               of
               a
               known
               Law
               ,
               and
               that
               God
               hath
               some
               way
               or
               other
               sufficiently
               promulged
               his
               Laws
               .
               p.
               51.
               
            
             
               The
               danger
               of
               mistake
               herein
               .
               p.
               54.
               
            
             
               All
               sin
               is
               voluntary
               .
               Cautions
               in
               that
               point
               .
               p.
               56.
               
            
             
               
               A
               remarkable
               passage
               in
               S.
               James
               paraphrased
               .
               p.
               61.
               
            
             
               The
               difference
               between
               sins
               of
               infirmity
               and
               presumption
               .
               p.
               65.
               
            
             
               Instances
               of
               sins
               of
               infirmity
               .
               p.
               66.
               
            
             
               Instances
               of
               presumptuous
               sins
               .
               p.
               68.
               
            
             
               S.
               John
               1
               Ep.
               3.
               
               Chap.
               4.
               
               Vers
               .
               opened
               .
               p.
               69.
               
            
             
               About
               reluctancy
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               whether
               that
               abates
               of
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               .
               p.
               71.
               
            
             
               Of
               the
               several
               stations
               of
               Vertue
               ,
               and
               divers
               ranks
               of
               Sinners
               .
               p.
               74.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               IV.
               The
               Sinner's
               Progress
               .
            
             
               Pride
               is
               ordinarily
               the
               first
               beginning
               of
               a
               sinfull
               course
               ,
               As
               appears
               in
               the
               Apostasy
               of
               Angels
               ,
               the
               Fall
               of
               Man
               ,
               the
               Temptations
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               the
               Method
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               p.
               83.
               
            
             
               Neglect
               of
               God's
               Worship
               ,
               &c.
               the
               second
               step
               towards
               a
               wicked
               life
               :
               the
               dependence
               between
               Piety
               and
               Morality
               .
               p.
               92.
               
            
             
               Riot
               and
               Intemperance
               the
               third
               step
               towards
               Hell
               ;
               an
               account
               of
               the
               Talents
               God
               ordinarily
               vouchsafes
               men
               ,
               and
               how
               vice
               imbezils
               them
               .
               p.
               96.
               
            
             
               When
               men
               have
               abused
               their
               faculties
               ,
               and
               mis-spent
               their
               talents
               ,
               they
               become
               slaves
               to
               Sathan
               .
               p.
               106.
               
            
             
               The
               drudgery
               he
               puts
               them
               to
               .
               p.
               109.
               
            
             
               The
               desolate
               condition
               of
               an
               habitual
               sinner
               when
               the
               pleasures
               of
               sin
               fail
               him
               .
               p.
               116.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               V.
               The
               import
               of
               the
               phrase
               [
               when
               he
               came
               to
               himself
               .
               ]
            
             
               That
               sin
               is
               a
               kind
               of
               madness
               .
               p.
               121.
               
            
             
               
               Proved
               by
               the
               description
               of
               madness
               ,
               and
               the
               usual
               symptoms
               of
               it
               .
               p.
               123.
               
            
             
               An
               objection
               against
               this
               assertion
               answered
               .
               p.
               129.
               
            
             
               The
               application
               and
               conclusion
               of
               the
               First
               Part.
               p.
               130.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             PART
             II.
             
          
           
             Of
             Repentance
             .
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               I.
               
            
             
               THE
               general
               importance
               of
               Repentance
               ;
               and
               why
               notwithstanding
               ,
               little
               notice
               is
               taken
               of
               it
               in
               the
               Law
               of
               
                 Moses
                 .
                 p.
              
               135.
               
            
             
               Three
               parts
               of
               Repentance
               .
               1.
               
               Consideration
               .
               What
               is
               meant
               thereby
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               necessity
               thereof
               .
               p.
               140.
               
            
             
               It
               is
               usually
               affliction
               which
               brings
               vicious
               men
               to
               consideration
               ;
               prosperity
               rendring
               them
               light
               and
               vain
               .
               p.
               149.
               
            
             
               The
               special
               considerations
               and
               thoughts
               of
               a
               Penitent
               .
               p.
               153.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               II.
               
            
             
               Of
               Resolution
               ,
               the
               second
               step
               towards
               Repentance
               .
               What
               is
               meant
               thereby
               ,
               and
               the
               force
               and
               efficacy
               thereof
               ,
               against
               the
               Devil
               ,
               Sense
               ,
               Custom
               ,
               Example
               ,
               and
               Reason
               it self
               .
               p.
               162.
               
            
             
               The
               properties
               of
               a
               penitent
               resolution
               .
               p.
               167.
               
            
             
               First
               ,
               It
               is
               serious
               and
               deliberate
               ,
               not
               rash
               and
               sudden
               .
               Secondly
               ,
               It
               is
               peremptory
               .
               p.
               171.
               
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               It
               must
               be
               present
               ,
               not
               dilatory
               .
               p.
               173.
               
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               It
               is
               uniform
               and
               universal
               .
               p.
               176.
               
            
             
               
               The
               principal
               motives
               that
               bring
               the
               Sinner
               (
               when
               he
               considers
               )
               to
               a
               resolution
               of
               Repentance
               .
               1.
               
               That
               it
               will
               be
               acceptable
               to
               God
               ,
               even
               yet
               .
               p.
               179.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Not
               impossible
               to
               reform
               .
               p.
               187.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               it
               is
               easy
               .
               p.
               191.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               Absolutely
               necessary
               .
               p.
               194.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               III.
               Of
               Confession
               and
               Contrition
               .
            
             
               The
               nature
               and
               instances
               of
               hearty
               contrition
               .
               p.
               199.
               
            
             
               The
               efficacy
               and
               availableness
               thereof
               ,
               as
               doing
               right
               to
               the
               Divine
               Sovereignty
               ;
               to
               his
               Wisedom
               ,
               Justice
               and
               Goodness
               ;
               to
               his
               Omniscience
               ,
               to
               the
               holiness
               and
               pity
               of
               his
               Nature
               .
               p.
               205.
               
            
             
               It
               gives
               security
               against
               relapses
               into
               sin
               .
               p.
               208.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               IV.
               Of
               Actual
               Reformation
               .
            
             
               It
               consists
               in
               ,
               1.
               
               A
               singular
               care
               of
               God's
               Worship
               in
               all
               the
               parts
               thereof
               .
               p.
               212.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Conscientious
               obedience
               to
               his
               commands
               .
               p.
               216.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               Submission
               to
               his
               providence
               .
               p.
               221.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               V.
               
            
             
               A
               recital
               of
               several
               opinions
               which
               debauch
               men's
               minds
               in
               this
               great
               affair
               of
               Repentance
               .
               p.
               226.
               
            
             
               Several
               arguments
               demonstrating
               the
               absurdity
               of
               all
               those
               opinions
               jointly
               ,
               and
               the
               necessity
               of
               such
               reformation
               as
               is
               before
               described
               .
               p.
               229.
               
            
             
               Exceptions
               removed
               .
               p.
               238.
               
            
          
        
         
           
           
             PART
             III.
             
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               I.
               Of
               Reconciliation
               .
            
             
               THE
               passionate
               Story
               of
               Jacob
               and
               Joseph
               parallel
               to
               this
               of
               the
               Prodigal
               Son.
               p.
               242.
               
            
             
               The
               notice
               God
               takes
               of
               the
               beginnings
               of
               goodness
               ,
               and
               the
               use
               of
               that
               consideration
               .
               p.
               247.
               
            
             
               God's
               Spirit
               assists
               all
               beginnings
               of
               good
               .
               p.
               250.
               
            
             
               A
               memorable
               Story
               out
               of
               Eusebius
               ,
               and
               reflections
               thereupon
               .
               p.
               254.
               
            
             
               God
               fully
               and
               freely
               pardons
               all
               sin
               upon
               Repentance
               .
               p.
               257.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               Great
               and
               many
               sins
               .
               p.
               259.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Relapsed
               sinners
               .
               p.
               261.
               
            
          
           
             
               The
               Novatian
               Doctrine
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Without
               Reservation
               .
               p.
               263.
               
            
             
               Applications
               of
               the
               former
               Doctrine
               .
               1.
               
               The
               comfortableness
               of
               a
               state
               of
               pardon
               .
               p.
               265.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               great
               obligation
               to
               love
               God.
               p.
               267.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               we
               imitate
               the
               Divine
               Goodness
               in
               our
               dealing
               with
               our
               Brethren
               .
               p.
               268.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               It
               should
               lead
               us
               to
               repentance
               .
               p.
               269.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               II.
               Of
               Sanctification
               .
            
             
               What
               is
               meant
               by
               the
               Best
               Robe
               .
               p.
               273.
               
            
             
               In
               what
               sense
               Sanctification
               goes
               before
               Justification
               ,
               and
               in
               what
               sense
               it
               follows
               after
               it
               .
               p.
               275.
               
            
             
               
               Three
               remarkable
               differences
               in
               the
               measures
               of
               Sanctification
               in
               a
               beginner
               ,
               and
               in
               a
               grown
               Christian
               .
               p.
               277.
               
            
             
               By
               what
               means
               those
               fuller
               measures
               of
               Sanctification
               are
               attained
               .
               p.
               284.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               III.
               
            
             
               Of
               the
               gift
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               and
               that
               by
               the
               Ring
               this
               is
               intimated
               .
               p.
               290.
               
            
             
               The
               difference
               between
               the
               motions
               of
               God's
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               the
               gift
               or
               residence
               of
               it
               .
               p.
               291.
               
            
             
               The
               great
               advantages
               of
               the
               residence
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               in
               several
               respects
               .
               p.
               293.
               
            
             
               A
               passage
               of
               the
               Revel
               .
               2.
               17.
               opened
               .
               p.
               297.
               
            
             
               Whence
               it
               comes
               to
               pass
               that
               some
               good
               men
               have
               no
               experience
               of
               the
               residence
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               .
               p.
               300.
               
            
             
               How
               to
               distinguish
               the
               motions
               of
               God's
               Spirit
               from
               our
               own
               fancies
               ,
               or
               the
               illusions
               of
               Sathan
               .
               p.
               303.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               IV.
               
            
             
               The
               great
               trust
               God
               reposes
               in
               those
               he
               pardons
               ,
               and
               their
               obligations
               to
               faithfullness
               and
               activity
               in
               his
               service
               .
               p.
               306.
               
            
             
               Several
               ways
               wherein
               a
               pious
               man
               may
               be
               serviceable
               to
               the
               Souls
               of
               men
               without
               invading
               the
               Ministerial
               Office.
               p.
               312.
               
            
             
               The
               peculiar
               fitness
               of
               those
               that
               have
               been
               converted
               from
               an
               evil
               course
               ,
               for
               this
               purpose
               in
               many
               respects
               .
               p.
               314.
               
            
             
               A
               brief
               description
               of
               a
               perfect
               Christian
               .
               p.
               319.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               V.
               The
               splendid
               entertainment
               ,
               or
               the
               joys
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             
               That
               by
               the
               Feast
               upon
               the
               
                 Fatted
                 Calf
              
               those
               are
               intended
               .
               p.
               324.
               
            
             
               
               Several
               figurative
               expressions
               of
               that
               state
               in
               Holy
               Scripture
               :
               (
               viz.
               )
               Paradise
               ,
               Rest
               ,
               a
               City
               ,
               a
               Kingdom
               ,
               a
               Feast
               .
               p.
               329.
               
            
             
               An
               essay
               of
               describing
               the
               felicities
               of
               the
               World
               to
               come
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Scriptures
               ;
               especially
               in
               four
               particulars
               :
               1.
               
               The
               Resurrection
               of
               the
               Body
               ;
               the
               wonderfullness
               and
               comfortableness
               whereof
               ,
               although
               it
               be
               not
               doubted
               but
               Souls
               are
               happy
               before
               .
               p.
               331.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               perfection
               of
               all
               the
               powers
               of
               Soul
               and
               Body
               ,
               and
               suitable
               objects
               to
               all
               those
               powers
               .
               p.
               336.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               eternity
               of
               that
               State.
               p.
               345.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               blessed
               and
               glorious
               Society
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               Holy
               Jesus
               ,
               Angels
               ,
               and
               Spirits
               of
               just
               men
               made
               perfect
               .
               p.
               349.
               
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               Last
               .
            
             
               A
               Vindication
               of
               the
               Divine
               Goodness
               in
               all
               the
               aforesaid
               dispensation
               ,
               or
               in
               his
               thus
               treating
               penitent
               sinners
               .
               p.
               357.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           PARABLE
           .
        
         
           
             S.
             Luke
             ,
             Chap.
             XV.
             
          
        
         
           
             Vers
             .
             11.
             
             A
          
           Certain
           man
           had
           two
           Sons
           :
        
         
           12.
           
           And
           the
           Younger
           of
           them
           said
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           Father
           ,
           give
           me
           the
           portion
           of
           goods
           that
           falleth
           to
           me
           .
           And
           he
           divided
           unto
           them
           his
           living
           .
        
         
           13.
           
           And
           not
           many
           daies
           after
           ,
           the
           Younger
           Son
           gathered
           all
           together
           and
           took
           his
           journey
           into
           a
           far
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           there
           wasted
           his
           substance
           with
           riotous
           living
           .
        
         
           14.
           
           And
           when
           he
           had
           spent
           all
           ,
           there
           arose
           a
           mighty
           famine
           in
           that
           land
           ;
           and
           he
           began
           to
           be
           in
           want
           .
        
         
           15.
           
           And
           he
           went
           and
           joined
           himself
           to
           a
           Citizen
           of
           that
           Countrey
           ;
           and
           he
           sent
           him
           into
           his
           fields
           to
           feed
           Swine
           .
        
         
           16.
           
           And
           he
           would
           fain
           have
           filled
           his
           belly
           with
           the
           husks
           that
           the
           Swine
           did
           eat
           :
           and
           no
           man
           gave
           unto
           him
           .
        
         
           17.
           
           And
           when
           he
           came
           to
           himself
           ,
           he
           said
           ,
           How
           many
           hired
           servants
           of
           my
           Father
           have
           Bread
           enough
           and
           to
           spare
           ,
           and
           I
           perish
           with
           hunger
           ?
        
         
           18.
           
           I
           will
           arise
           ,
           and
           go
           to
           my
           Father
           ,
           &
           will
           say
           unto
           him
           ,
           Father
           ,
           I
           have
           sinned
           against
           heaven
           and
           before
           thee
           ,
        
         
           19.
           
           And
           am
           no
           more
           worthy
           to
           be
           called
           thy
           Son
           :
           make
           me
           as
           one
           of
           thy
           hired
           servants
           .
        
         
           20.
           
           And
           he
           arose
           ,
           and
           came
           to
           his
           Father
           .
           But
           when
           he
           was
           yet
           a
           great
           way
           off
           ,
           his
           Father
           saw
           him
           ,
           and
           had
           compassion
           ,
           and
           ran
           ,
           and
           fell
           on
           his
           neck
           ,
           and
           kissed
           him
           .
        
         
           21.
           
           And
           the
           Son
           said
           unto
           him
           ,
           Father
           ,
           I
           have
           sinned
           against
           Heaven
           and
           in
           thy
           sight
           ,
           and
           am
           no
           more
           worthy
           to
           be
           called
           thy
           Son.
           
        
         
           22.
           
           But
           the
           Father
           said
           to
           his
           servants
           ,
           Bring
           forth
           the
           best
           Robe
           ,
           and
           put
           it
           on
           him
           ,
           and
           put
           a
           Ring
           on
           his
           hand
           ,
           and
           Shoes
           on
           his
           feet
           .
        
         
           23.
           
           And
           being
           hither
           the
           fatted
           Calf
           ,
           and
           kill
           it
           ;
           and
           let
           us
           eat
           and
           be
           merry
           .
        
         
           24.
           
           For
           this
           my
           Son
           was
           dead
           ,
           and
           is
           alive
           again
           ;
           he
           was
           lost
           ,
           and
           is
           found
           .
           And
           they
           began
           to
           be
           merry
           .
        
         
           25.
           
           Now
           his
           Elder
           Son
           was
           in
           the
           field
           :
           and
           as
           he
           came
           ,
           and
           drew
           nigh
           to
           the
           house
           ,
           he
           heard
           musick
           and
           dancing
           .
        
         
           26.
           
           And
           he
           called
           one
           of
           the
           servants
           ,
           and
           asked
           what
           these
           things
           meant
           .
        
         
           27.
           
           And
           he
           said
           unto
           him
           ,
           Thy
           Brother
           is
           come
           ;
           and
           thy
           Father
           hath
           killed
           the
           fatted
           Calf
           ,
           because
           he
           hath
           received
           him
           safe
           and
           sound
           .
        
         
           28.
           
           And
           he
           was
           angry
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           go
           in
           :
           therefore
           came
           his
           Father
           out
           ,
           and
           intreated
           him
           .
        
         
           29.
           
           And
           he
           answering
           ,
           said
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           Lo
           ,
           these
           many
           years
           do
           I
           serve
           thee
           ,
           neither
           transgressed
           I
           at
           any
           time
           thy
           commandment
           ,
           and
           yet
           thou
           never
           gavest
           me
           a
           Kid
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           make
           merry
           with
           my
           friends
           :
        
         
           30.
           
           But
           as
           soon
           as
           this
           thy
           Son
           was
           come
           ,
           which
           hath
           devoured
           thy
           living
           with
           harlots
           ,
           thou
           hast
           killed
           for
           him
           the
           fatted
           Calf
           .
        
         
           31.
           
           And
           he
           said
           unto
           him
           ,
           Son
           ,
           thou
           art
           ever
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           I
           have
           is
           thine
           .
        
         
           32.
           
           It
           was
           meet
           that
           we
           should
           make
           merry
           ,
           and
           be
           glad
           :
           for
           this
           thy
           Brother
           was
           dead
           ,
           and
           is
           alive
           again
           ;
           and
           was
           lost
           ,
           and
           is
           found
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           PARABLE
           OF
           THE
           Prodigal
           Son.
           
        
         
           
             PART
             I.
             
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               I.
               
            
             
               The
               peculiar
               Excellency
               of
               this
               Parable
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ;
               and
               touching
               Parables
               in
               General
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     The
                     curious
                     Scheme
                     and
                     admirable
                     structure
                     of
                     this
                     Parable
                     ,
                     the
                     special
                     Design
                     of
                     it
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     intention
                     of
                     the
                     Authour
                     of
                     this
                     Discourse
                     in
                     handling
                     it
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     The
                     Obscurity
                     of
                     the
                     Gentile
                     Oracles
                     ,
                     Old
                     Philosophers
                     ,
                     and
                     Ancient
                     Writers
                     of
                     all
                     kinds
                     .
                     Of
                     the
                     Allegories
                     of
                     the
                     Old
                     Testament
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Figurative
                     way
                     of
                     our
                     Saviour
                     in
                     the
                     New.
                     
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     The
                     reasons
                     of
                     the
                     Pagan
                     obscurity
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     the
                     Figures
                     of
                     the
                     Old
                     Testament
                     ;
                     especially
                     of
                     our
                     Saviour's
                     so
                     much
                     use
                     of
                     Parables
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     Of
                     the
                     danger
                     of
                     Allegorical
                     Interpretations
                     :
                     the
                     peculiar
                     advantage
                     and
                     security
                     of
                     doing
                     it
                     in
                     this
                     Parable
                     :
                     the
                     caution
                     of
                     the
                     Authour
                     therein
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               §
               I.
               I
               Verily
               persuade
               my self
               that
               there
               is
               no
               intelligent
               person
               who
               shall
               happen
               to
               reade
               the
               passage
               of
               Holy
               Scripture
               now
               before
               us
               ,
               but
               will
               presently
               ,
               and
               at
               the
               first
               prospect
               of
               it
               ,
               
               take
               notice
               of
               a
               very
               beautifull
               and
               affecting
               scene
               of
               things
               represented
               to
               him
               :
               wherein
               it
               will
               be
               very
               hard
               for
               him
               to
               determine
               ,
               whether
               the
               variety
               of
               matter
               ,
               just
               proportions
               of
               the
               particulars
               ,
               or
               decent
               and
               natural
               order
               of
               things
               ,
               do
               more
               vie
               with
               each
               other
               ,
               or
               more
               equally
               conspire
               to
               fill
               his
               imagination
               ,
               and
               affect
               his
               heart
               .
               For
               in
               the
               very
               letter
               of
               this
               Parable
               he
               will
               see
               described
               ,
               first
               ,
               the
               Benignity
               ,
               indulgence
               and
               condescension
               of
               a
               Father
               to
               his
               Son
               ,
               together
               with
               the
               Folly
               and
               licentiousness
               of
               youth
               ;
               then
               the
               Gradual
               progress
               and
               sad
               catastrophe
               of
               a
               course
               of
               debauchery
               ;
               after
               this
               the
               usual
               misgivings
               of
               heart
               and
               change
               of
               mind
               upon
               such
               change
               of
               affairs
               ,
               the
               serious
               reflexions
               upon
               ,
               and
               late
               repentance
               of
               such
               follies
               :
               Then
               again
               a
               description
               of
               Parental
               affections
               ;
               the
               exorableness
               of
               a
               Father
               upon
               his
               Son's
               submission
               ;
               the
               profuseness
               of
               his
               kindness
               upon
               his
               reformation
               ;
               and
               ,
               lastly
               ,
               the
               transports
               of
               his
               joy
               upon
               his
               plenary
               recovery
               .
               And
               indeed
               the
               most
               powerfull
               passions
               of
               humane
               nature
               are
               here
               drawn
               with
               that
               admirable
               skill
               as
               to
               equal
               the
               very
               life
               it self
               .
            
             
               It
               was
               not
               therefore
               pronounced
               at
               adventure
               by
               the
               Learned
               
                 Hugo
                 Grotius
              
               ,
               but
               agreeably
               to
               his
               usual
               sagacity
               ,
               
               when
               he
               said
               ,
               
                 This
                 Parable
                 of
                 the
                 Prodigal
                 Son
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 remarkable
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 which
                 were
                 delivered
                 by
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 the
                 most
                 passionate
                 and
                 affecting
                 ,
                 set
                 out
                 and
                 adorned
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 lively
                 colours
                 ,
                 and
                 beautifull
                 similitudes
                 .
              
               All
               which
               is
               discernible
               upon
               the
               most
               transient
               glance
               upon
               it
               .
               But
               he
               that
               ,
               
               not
               contenting
               himself
               with
               so
               superficial
               a
               view
               ,
               shall
               defix
               his
               thoughts
               ,
               and
               maturely
               consider
               the
               intendment
               of
               our
               Saviour
               in
               this
               Figure
               ,
               will
               partly
               by
               the
               Occasion
               upon
               which
               it
               was
               delivered
               ,
               and
               partly
               by
               the
               thread
               of
               the
               Parable
               it self
               ,
               most
               assuredly
               be
               led
               into
               an
               apprehension
               of
               some
               greater
               
               mystery
               therein
               contained
               .
               For
               taking
               his
               view
               from
               such
               station
               ,
               and
               thence
               attentively
               surveying
               the
               whole
               scope
               and
               design
               of
               this
               Scripture
               ,
               he
               will
               find
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               that
               herein
               is
               traced
               out
               the
               journey
               from
               Aegypt
               (
               a
               state
               of
               servitude
               )
               to
               the
               Land
               of
               Promise
               ,
               through
               a
               troublesome
               and
               disconsolate
               wilderness
               ;
               or
               the
               passage
               from
               the
               brink
               of
               Hell
               to
               the
               gates
               of
               Heaven
               .
               More
               particularly
               he
               will
               observe
               the
               unhappy
               onset
               and
               beginnings
               ,
               the
               crooked
               and
               anfractuous
               proceedings
               ,
               the
               dangerous
               precipices
               ,
               and
               the
               horrid
               and
               fatall
               mischiefs
               of
               a
               sinfull
               course
               ,
               graphically
               described
               :
               He
               will
               also
               descry
               the
               direct
               ,
               but
               laborious
               ,
               the
               sorrowfull
               ,
               but
               certain
               way
               of
               recovery
               :
               And
               lastly
               ,
               the
               glorious
               triumph
               ,
               the
               comfortable
               condition
               ,
               and
               the
               sure
               station
               of
               him
               that
               hath
               happily
               conquered
               the
               aforesaid
               difficulties
               ,
               and
               is
               arrived
               at
               the
               serene
               top
               of
               Vertue
               ;
               together
               with
               the
               general
               applause
               ,
               and
               universal
               Jubilee
               of
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               upon
               such
               an
               atchievement
               .
            
             
               And
               in
               confidence
               that
               all
               these
               things
               are
               pointed
               at
               ,
               and
               intended
               in
               the
               scene
               before
               us
               ,
               (
               as
               I
               do
               not
               doubt
               but
               will
               be
               evident
               by
               and
               by
               ,
               )
               I
               do
               design
               to
               take
               occasion
               from
               hence
               to
               discourse
               somewhat
               fully
               and
               practically
               of
               these
               three
               very
               important
               particulars
               .
               (
               viz.
               )
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 Of
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 mischiefs
                 of
                 a
                 wicked
                 course
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Of
                 the
                 nature
                 and
                 admirable
                 efficacy
                 of
                 Repentance
                 .
              
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               Of
               the
               exorableness
               of
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               and
               the
               unexpressible
               benignity
               and
               graciousness
               with
               which
               he
               entertains
               returning
               sinners
               .
            
             
               And
               ,
               provided
               the
               management
               prove
               answerable
               to
               the
               design
               ,
               I
               cannot
               in
               the
               least
               mistrust
               the
               acceptableness
               of
               a
               work
               of
               this
               nature
               to
               any
               sort
               of
               men
               ,
               
               who
               have
               so
               much
               seriousness
               and
               manly
               sense
               in
               them
               ,
               as
               to
               value
               things
               in
               proportion
               to
               their
               real
               usefulness
               ;
               forasmuch
               as
               there
               is
               not
               that
               subject
               to
               be
               treated
               of
               ,
               which
               comes
               more
               close
               and
               home
               to
               the
               greatest
               concerns
               of
               all
               mankind
               .
               For
               ,
            
             
               In
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               There
               are
               scarcely
               any
               so
               prodigiously
               vain
               ,
               as
               not
               to
               acknowledge
               themselves
               to
               be
               sinners
               :
               and
               what
               can
               be
               of
               more
               use
               to
               him
               that
               makes
               that
               acknowledgement
               ,
               then
               to
               understand
               what
               it
               is
               which
               makes
               Sin
               to
               be
               sinfull
               ,
               what
               gives
               it
               its
               malignity
               ,
               and
               makes
               guilt
               inseparably
               to
               adhere
               to
               it
               ,
               what
               are
               the
               several
               states
               of
               sin
               and
               sinners
               ,
               and
               especially
               what
               is
               the
               natural
               course
               and
               tendency
               ,
               the
               sudden
               growth
               and
               unhappy
               progress
               of
               sin
               ?
               since
               hereby
               his
               conscience
               being
               inlightned
               ,
               will
               be
               both
               better
               able
               to
               make
               just
               reflexions
               upon
               what
               is
               past
               ,
               and
               also
               be
               made
               more
               cautious
               and
               diligent
               for
               the
               time
               to
               come
               .
            
             
               And
               although
               it
               be
               true
               that
               every
               man
               hath
               not
               run
               the
               same
               mad
               risk
               of
               sin
               which
               is
               here
               decyphered
               in
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               :
               yet
               as
               that
               is
               owing
               to
               the
               especial
               providence
               and
               preventing
               grace
               of
               God
               ,
               where-ever
               the
               case
               is
               such
               ;
               so
               that
               happy
               person
               will
               ,
               by
               observing
               the
               wild
               extravagancies
               ,
               the
               extreme
               follies
               and
               horrid
               mischiefs
               ,
               which
               others
               incurr
               before
               conversion
               ,
               be
               the
               more
               provoked
               to
               adore
               the
               Divine
               Goodness
               in
               his
               own
               preservation
               .
            
             
               Again
               ,
               What
               can
               be
               of
               more
               moment
               to
               those
               that
               are
               apprehensive
               of
               the
               Majesty
               and
               Purity
               of
               God
               ,
               of
               the
               holiness
               of
               his
               Laws
               ,
               of
               the
               certainty
               of
               a
               Judgement
               to
               come
               ,
               and
               withall
               are
               sensible
               of
               the
               frailty
               of
               humane
               nature
               ,
               and
               conscious
               of
               their
               own
               many
               and
               great
               miscarriages
               ,
               then
               to
               behold
               the
               nature
               of
               Repentance
               plainly
               described
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               instructed
               in
               the
               methods
               of
               making
               good
               their
               retreat
               ,
               
               of
               redintegrating
               themselves
               ,
               and
               successfully
               recommending
               their
               deplorable
               estate
               and
               condition
               to
               the
               Divine
               Philanthropy
               and
               mercy
               ?
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               What
               can
               be
               more
               ravishingly
               comfortable
               to
               a
               contrite
               sinner
               ,
               then
               to
               understand
               the
               efficacy
               of
               true
               Repentance
               ,
               to
               see
               a
               door
               of
               hope
               open
               to
               the
               worst
               of
               sinners
               upon
               their
               coming
               to
               themselves
               ,
               and
               returning
               to
               their
               duty
               ,
               to
               be
               assured
               of
               the
               hearty
               compassions
               of
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               to
               see
               the
               arms
               of
               the
               Almighty
               open
               to
               receive
               and
               embrace
               returning
               Children
               ;
               and
               all
               this
               as
               it
               were
               in
               perspective
               ,
               lively
               represented
               ?
            
             
               §
               II.
               But
               in
               regard
               it
               is
               a
               Parable
               which
               we
               have
               in
               hand
               ,
               I
               think
               my self
               obliged
               (
               in
               order
               to
               the
               laying
               a
               good
               foundation
               of
               what
               we
               shall
               afterwards
               build
               upon
               it
               )
               here
               in
               our
               entrance
               to
               premise
               something
               briefly
               ,
               first
               ,
               touching
               the
               ancient
               use
               of
               this
               Schematical
               and
               Figurative
               way
               of
               expression
               ,
               and
               the
               Reason
               of
               such
               usage
               ;
               secondly
               ,
               touching
               the
               Explication
               and
               Application
               of
               such
               kind
               of
               discourses
               .
            
             
               And
               for
               the
               first
               of
               these
               ,
               I
               cannot
               reasonably
               imagine
               ,
               that
               any
               man
               who
               shall
               peruse
               these
               papers
               ,
               should
               be
               so
               great
               a
               stranger
               to
               all
               that
               hath
               past
               in
               former
               times
               ,
               as
               not
               to
               be
               aware
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               the
               general
               custome
               of
               Wise
               men
               of
               old
               ,
               to
               deliver
               their
               Sentiments
               after
               this
               manner
               and
               in
               such
               a
               style
               ;
               and
               this
               not
               onely
               in
               meer
               humane
               and
               common
               Writings
               ,
               but
               even
               in
               Sacred
               Writ
               it self
               .
            
             
               To
               say
               nothing
               of
               the
               famous
               Oracles
               of
               the
               Gentiles
               ,
               which
               in
               other
               circumstances
               as
               well
               as
               in
               this
               of
               Mysteriousness
               ,
               have
               been
               observed
               to
               Ape
               and
               imitate
               those
               of
               the
               true
               God
               :
               And
               to
               pass
               by
               the
               ancient
               Poets
               ,
               who
               were
               reputed
               as
               both
               the
               Divines
               and
               the
               Philosophers
               of
               the
               Ages
               in
               which
               they
               lived
               ,
               
               and
               who
               were
               well
               known
               to
               have
               affected
               an
               Oracular
               obscurity
               ,
               as
               much
               as
               the
               Oracles
               affected
               their
               way
               of
               versifying
               :
               If
               we
               take
               notice
               of
               the
               ancient
               Proverbs
               of
               Nations
               ,
               which
               are
               supposed
               to
               carry
               the
               marks
               of
               the
               wisedom
               of
               their
               respective
               times
               and
               people
               ,
               these
               we
               find
               for
               the
               most
               part
               obscure
               and
               Aenigmatical
               .
               And
               for
               the
               ancient
               Philosophers
               ,
               and
               men
               of
               renown
               ,
               such
               as
               the
               Wise
               men
               of
               Greece
               ,
               distinctively
               so
               called
               ,
               or
               such
               as
               
                 Pythagoras
                 ,
                 Socrates
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               who
               were
               no
               whit
               inferiour
               to
               the
               former
               ,
               he
               knows
               nothing
               of
               them
               that
               is
               not
               sensible
               ,
               not
               onely
               of
               accidental
               ,
               but
               also
               of
               designed
               obscurity
               in
               their
               writings
               and
               sayings
               .
            
             
               As
               for
               the
               Sacred
               Writings
               of
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               though
               with
               all
               good
               men
               I
               worthily
               adore
               that
               Divine
               Spirit
               which
               made
               choice
               of
               and
               directed
               the
               Pen-men
               of
               Holy
               Scripture
               ;
               and
               readily
               acknowledge
               both
               the
               plainness
               and
               perspicuity
               thereof
               in
               the
               necessary
               rules
               of
               life
               ,
               without
               which
               it
               could
               not
               have
               answered
               the
               ends
               of
               the
               Divine
               Wisedom
               in
               the
               enditing
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               also
               that
               wheresoever
               it
               is
               abstruse
               ,
               it
               is
               as
               far
               from
               phantastry
               and
               affected
               obscurity
               ,
               as
               the
               Pagan
               Oracles
               were
               notoriously
               guilty
               thereof
               :
               notwithstanding
               it
               cannot
               be
               denied
               ,
               but
               that
               as
               well
               the
               Prophets
               as
               other
               holy
               Pen-men
               ,
               do
               frequently
               make
               use
               of
               Metaphors
               ,
               Allegories
               ,
               and
               other
               Schematical
               forms
               ,
               which
               must
               needs
               be
               attended
               with
               competent
               obscurity
               ,
               these
               being
               as
               it
               were
               a
               veil
               drawn
               over
               the
               face
               of
               Divine
               Truth
               .
               Hence
               it
               is
               that
               Solomon
               makes
               
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 wise
              
               ,
               
               and
               
                 their
                 dark
                 sayings
              
               ,
               to
               be
               two
               expressions
               denoting
               the
               same
               thing
               :
               for
               ,
               as
               he
               in
               another
               place
               speaks
               ,
               their
               discourses
               
                 are
                 like
                 Apples
                 of
                 Gold
                 in
                 Pictures
                 of
                 Silver
              
               ;
               
               that
               is
               ,
               besides
               a
               truth
               and
               beauty
               in
               the
               outside
               or
               case
               of
               the
               letter
               ,
               they
               had
               a
               more
               rich
               and
               precious
               
               meaning
               within
               .
               And
               accordingly
               we
               may
               observe
               the
               Apostles
               of
               our
               Lord
               ,
               in
               the
               New
               Testament
               ,
               frequently
               to
               fix
               upon
               and
               pursue
               a
               mystical
               sense
               of
               some
               of
               those
               passages
               in
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               which
               would
               to
               an
               ordinary
               Reader
               have
               seemed
               most
               strictly
               and
               literally
               to
               be
               understood
               .
            
             
               Yet
               I
               do
               not
               think
               this
               will
               prove
               a
               sufficient
               warrant
               for
               Philo
               ,
               or
               some
               other
               Jewish
               Writers
               ,
               to
               turn
               all
               those
               sacred
               records
               into
               Allegory
               :
               nor
               that
               it
               will
               altogether
               excuse
               those
               ancient
               Learned
               Christians
               from
               all
               mistake
               ,
               who
               thought
               there
               was
               no
               way
               of
               reaching
               the
               full
               sense
               of
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               but
               by
               tracing
               a
               perpetual
               Metaphor
               ,
               and
               looking
               every-where
               beyond
               the
               letter
               .
            
             
               However
               their
               practice
               makes
               it
               sufficiently
               evident
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               the
               common
               sense
               of
               Antiquity
               ,
               that
               the
               style
               of
               those
               Writings
               was
               mysterious
               and
               figurative
               ,
               which
               is
               enough
               for
               my
               present
               purpose
               .
            
             
               §
               III.
               If
               now
               we
               proceed
               to
               enquire
               into
               the
               Reasons
               of
               this
               usage
               ;
               so
               far
               as
               concerns
               the
               Pagan
               Mysteries
               ,
               we
               may
               say
               with
               justice
               enough
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               their
               interest
               to
               hide
               those
               things
               from
               the
               light
               ,
               that
               could
               not
               endure
               the
               trial
               of
               it
               :
               and
               for
               a
               great
               many
               of
               their
               Philosophers
               ,
               they
               designed
               more
               to
               procure
               a
               veneration
               to
               their
               own
               persons
               ,
               then
               to
               benefit
               the
               world
               ;
               and
               chose
               rather
               to
               seem
               wise
               themselves
               ,
               then
               endeavoured
               to
               make
               others
               to
               be
               so
               .
               
               Or
               at
               least
               the
               not
               improbable
               account
               which
               S.
               Clement
               of
               Alexandria
               gives
               of
               this
               matter
               may
               satisfie
               us
               ;
               whose
               words
               are
               these
               ,
               
                 The
                 manner
                 and
                 style
                 in
                 which
                 the
              
               Greek
               
                 Philosophers
                 handled
                 their
                 Philosophy
                 was
                 like
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 the
              
               Hebrews
               ,
               
                 dark
                 and
                 aenigmatical
              
               :
               for
               from
               them
               ,
               whom
               they
               esteemed
               and
               called
               Barbarians
               ,
               did
               those
               admired
               Sages
               (
               as
               that
               Learned
               
               Authour
               shews
               at
               large
               )
               borrow
               or
               steal
               most
               of
               that
               which
               was
               remarkable
               amongst
               them
               :
               and
               then
               no
               wonder
               if
               they
               took
               the
               Casket
               with
               the
               Jewel
               ;
               the
               manner
               of
               delivery
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               matter
               they
               delivered
               .
            
             
               But
               now
               if
               our
               curiosity
               lead
               us
               farther
               ,
               to
               consider
               ,
               what
               should
               be
               the
               reasons
               why
               the
               Sacred
               Writers
               themselves
               observed
               this
               style
               ,
               there
               are
               several
               things
               may
               be
               noted
               as
               of
               great
               moment
               in
               the
               case
               .
               Namely
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               Forasmuch
               as
               the
               Divine
               Wisedom
               saw
               it
               fit
               in
               the
               infancy
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               to
               exhibit
               a
               discovery
               of
               his
               mind
               and
               will
               ,
               suitable
               to
               the
               capacity
               of
               the
               men
               and
               the
               Age
               ,
               reserving
               the
               more
               full
               and
               adequate
               delivery
               of
               himself
               to
               the
               fulness
               of
               time
               ,
               when
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               ,
               having
               been
               opened
               and
               inlarged
               by
               degrees
               ,
               should
               by
               those
               previous
               applications
               be
               prepared
               and
               made
               capable
               of
               those
               brighter
               beams
               of
               Divine
               Truth
               ,
               which
               he
               ultimately
               intended
               to
               display
               :
               Hereupon
               it
               was
               necessary
               ,
               that
               the
               Prophets
               and
               holy
               Pen-men
               should
               be
               directed
               in
               such
               sort
               ,
               as
               that
               on
               the
               one
               hand
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               letter
               ,
               their
               discourses
               should
               condescend
               to
               the
               present
               dispensation
               ;
               but
               yet
               withall
               should
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               reflect
               and
               glance
               upon
               ,
               and
               give
               some
               hints
               of
               ,
               that
               which
               was
               principally
               intended
               ,
               and
               hereafter
               to
               be
               clearly
               revealed
               .
               From
               whence
               it
               must
               needs
               come
               to
               passe
               ,
               (
               both
               the
               aforesaid
               purposes
               being
               jointly
               to
               be
               pursued
               )
               that
               there
               must
               be
               a
               frequent
               use
               of
               Figures
               and
               Allegories
               ,
               and
               consequently
               some
               Obscurity
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               But
               then
               ,
               secondly
               ,
               Because
               it
               was
               not
               the
               mind
               of
               God
               ,
               wholly
               to
               cloud
               and
               obscure
               the
               glories
               that
               were
               afterwards
               to
               appear
               ,
               he
               ordered
               it
               so
               ,
               that
               such
               a
               thin
               veil
               drawn
               over
               the
               matter
               should
               
               not
               more
               set
               off
               the
               beauty
               ,
               then
               stir
               up
               the
               attention
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               and
               allure
               men
               to
               a
               very
               diligent
               inquisition
               .
               For
               ,
               as
               much
               as
               utter
               obscurity
               of
               the
               matter
               ,
               or
               absolute
               impossibility
               of
               accomplishing
               what
               is
               designed
               ,
               do
               discourage
               and
               blast
               both
               enquiry
               and
               endeavour
               :
               so
               much
               doth
               moderate
               and
               not
               insuperable
               ,
               either
               difficulty
               or
               obscurity
               ,
               inflame
               a
               generous
               mind
               to
               comprehend
               and
               conquer
               ;
               and
               as
               none
               but
               fools
               reach
               at
               plain
               impossibilities
               ,
               so
               none
               but
               ignoble
               and
               little
               spirits
               are
               beaten
               off
               by
               meer
               difficulty
               .
               Thus
               in
               effect
               this
               way
               of
               writing
               became
               a
               
                 Lapis
                 Lydius
              
               ,
               or
               Touchstone
               of
               minds
               ,
               fit
               for
               and
               capable
               of
               excellent
               improvements
               .
               And
               this
               is
               the
               very
               account
               which
               S.
               Justin
               the
               Philosopher
               and
               Martyr
               gives
               of
               this
               matter
               .
               
               
                 The
                 Prophets
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 did
                 cover
                 the
                 things
                 they
                 delivered
                 under
                 Types
                 and
                 Parables
                 ,
              
               
               
                 insomuch
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 easie
                 for
                 every
                 one
                 to
                 understand
                 many
                 of
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 they
                 spoke
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 rather
                 because
                 they
                 would
                 exercise
                 the
                 diligence
                 and
                 study
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 applied
                 themselves
                 to
                 their
                 instructions
                 .
              
            
             
               Again
               thirdly
               ,
               this
               way
               of
               expression
               recommended
               it self
               upon
               this
               account
               ,
               that
               whatsoever
               was
               represented
               in
               this
               Parabolical
               way
               ,
               was
               apt
               to
               insinuate
               more
               closely
               ,
               and
               work
               more
               powerfully
               upon
               the
               affections
               .
               Forasmuch
               as
               in
               this
               case
               the
               mind
               was
               not
               onely
               addressed
               to
               ,
               by
               the
               meer
               dint
               of
               reason
               ,
               but
               truth
               was
               in
               a
               manner
               made
               visible
               ,
               and
               set
               off
               in
               such
               lively
               colours
               ,
               that
               the
               imagination
               being
               impregnated
               ,
               the
               passions
               were
               easily
               carried
               along
               too
               .
               To
               which
               adde
               ,
               that
               hereby
               also
               the
               memory
               was
               exceedingly
               fortified
               ;
               for
               such
               things
               as
               we
               feel
               
               and
               see
               ,
               or
               which
               our
               imaginations
               have
               an
               expresse
               image
               of
               ,
               and
               our
               affections
               relish
               ,
               those
               things
               always
               stick
               by
               us
               .
               All
               which
               considerations
               laid
               together
               ,
               will
               amount
               to
               a
               satisfaction
               of
               the
               reasonableness
               of
               that
               figurative
               obscurity
               ,
               which
               we
               observe
               in
               the
               writings
               of
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               and
               may
               in
               part
               also
               extend
               to
               whatever
               is
               of
               that
               kind
               in
               the
               New.
               But
               yet
               perhaps
               there
               may
               remain
               some
               difficulty
               ,
               why
               our
               Saviour
               who
               came
               to
               make
               a
               full
               ,
               clear
               and
               ultimate
               discovery
               of
               the
               mind
               of
               God
               to
               the
               sons
               of
               men
               ,
               should
               think
               fit
               to
               use
               this
               figurative
               way
               of
               expression
               at
               so
               great
               a
               rate
               ,
               as
               that
               the
               Evangelist
               saith
               ,
               
                 without
                 a
                 parable
                 spake
                 he
                 not
                 unto
                 them
                 .
              
               Touching
               which
               I
               have
               these
               things
               further
               to
               say
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               by
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               already
               it
               appears
               ,
               the
               people
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               amongst
               whom
               our
               Saviour
               came
               ,
               had
               been
               always
               trained
               up
               in
               an
               Allegorical
               way
               ,
               and
               had
               it
               in
               such
               esteem
               ,
               that
               they
               thought
               no
               man
               fit
               to
               teach
               that
               could
               not
               handsomely
               conceal
               and
               shade
               his
               sense
               ,
               
                 si
                 quis
                 noverit
                 uti
                 perplexiloquio
                 ,
                 loquatur
                 ,
                 sin
                 minùs
                 taceat
                 .
              
               And
               therefore
               by
               an
               admirable
               dexterity
               in
               the
               use
               of
               Parables
               ,
               he
               marvellously
               recommended
               his
               discourses
               to
               the
               gust
               of
               that
               people
               ;
               and
               had
               it
               not
               been
               that
               they
               were
               filled
               with
               intolerable
               prejudices
               against
               him
               for
               the
               meanness
               of
               his
               outward
               appearance
               ,
               and
               upon
               other
               such
               like
               accounts
               ,
               they
               must
               of
               necessity
               have
               had
               his
               wisedom
               in
               great
               veneration
               .
            
             
               But
               besides
               this
               general
               account
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               himself
               gives
               us
               a
               peculiar
               reason
               of
               this
               his
               practice
               ,
               especially
               upon
               that
               kind
               of
               people
               ,
               in
               these
               words
               ,
               
                 Mat.
                 13.
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 To
                 you
                 it
                 is
                 given
              
               (
               speaking
               to
               his
               Disciples
               )
               
                 to
                 understand
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 them
              
               (
               meaning
               the
               generality
               of
               the
               
                 Jews
                 )
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 given
                 ;
                 for
                 whosoever
                 hath
                 ,
                 
                 to
                 him
                 shall
                 be
                 given
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 have
                 more
                 abundance
                 ;
                 but
                 from
                 him
                 that
                 hath
                 not
                 shall
                 be
                 taken
                 away
                 even
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 .
                 Therefore
                 speak
                 I
                 to
                 them
                 in
                 Parables
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 seeing
                 see
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 hearing
                 they
                 hear
                 not
                 ,
                 neither
                 do
                 they
                 understand
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 them
                 is
                 fulfilled
                 the
                 Prophecie
                 of
              
               Isaiah
               ,
               
                 saying
                 ,
                 hearing
                 ye
                 shall
                 hear
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               As
               if
               our
               Saviour
               had
               said
               ,
               
                 You
                 my
                 Disciples
                 who
                 are
                 of
                 an
                 humble
                 and
                 docible
                 temper
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 content
                 to
                 use
                 means
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 resort
                 to
                 me
                 for
                 the
                 understanding
                 of
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 I
                 deliver
                 ;
                 to
                 you
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 no
                 disadvantage
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 cloathed
                 in
                 Parables
                 :
                 for
                 besides
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 ready
                 to
                 interpret
                 every
                 thing
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 my
                 discourses
                 are
                 so
                 ordered
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 become
                 plain
                 and
                 intelligible
                 to
                 such
                 unprejudicate
                 minds
                 ;
                 the
                 truth
                 will
                 shine
                 through
                 the
                 veil
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 shadow
                 shall
                 guide
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 body
                 and
                 substance
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 these
                 proud
                 and
                 conceited
                 Pharisees
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 transported
                 with
                 their
                 own
                 prejudices
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 neither
                 understand
                 nor
                 practise
                 things
                 plainly
                 delivered
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 just
                 hardning
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 I
                 deliver
                 my self
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 manner
                 as
                 will
                 not
                 readily
                 be
                 apprehended
                 by
                 men
                 of
                 their
                 temper
                 .
                 They
                 shall
                 choak
                 themselves
                 with
                 the
                 husks
                 whilest
                 you
                 feed
                 upon
                 the
                 kernel
                 .
                 Much
                 like
                 to
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 account
                 which
                 Iamblicus
                 gives
                 of
                 the
                 obscurity
                 of
                 Pythagoras
                 ;
              
               
               saith
               he
               ,
               Pythagoras
               
                 studied
                 some
                 obscurity
                 in
                 his
                 dictates
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 intent
                 that
                 those
                 onely
                 who
                 were
                 vertuously
                 disposed
                 and
                 so
                 prepared
                 for
                 his
                 notions
                 ,
                 might
                 be
                 benefited
                 by
                 his
                 discourses
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 for
                 others
                 ,
                 they
                 as
              
               (
               Homer
               
                 saith
                 of
              
               Tantalus
               )
               
                 should
                 be
                 surrounded
                 with
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 were
                 in
                 themselves
                 very
                 desirable
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 touch
                 or
                 taste
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
             
               To
               which
               I
               adde
               in
               the
               last
               place
               ,
               this
               way
               of
               Parables
               ,
               which
               our
               Saviour
               made
               such
               use
               of
               ,
               in
               many
               cases
               came
               more
               home
               to
               men's
               consciences
               ,
               and
               carried
               more
               conviction
               with
               it
               ,
               then
               any
               other
               more
               expresse
               and
               direct
               way
               of
               speaking
               .
               For
               the
               Parables
               were
               commonly
               taken
               ,
               
                 è
                 medio
              
               ,
               from
               the
               common
               affairs
               of
               life
               ,
               and
               grounded
               upon
               experience
               or
               acknowledged
               maximes
               :
               and
               now
               whilest
               men
               readily
               acknowledged
               that
               in
               the
               Protasis
               or
               former
               part
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               not
               knowing
               whither
               it
               tended
               ,
               or
               what
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               would
               be
               ,
               they
               were
               utterly
               surprized
               and
               confounded
               afterwards
               by
               the
               patness
               of
               the
               application
               .
               For
               though
               they
               could
               have
               been
               willing
               to
               have
               disallowed
               what
               they
               saw
               touched
               their
               concern
               ;
               yet
               having
               already
               unawares
               granted
               that
               from
               which
               it
               would
               unavoidably
               follow
               ,
               they
               were
               intangled
               in
               a
               net
               and
               could
               neither
               go
               backward
               nor
               forward
               :
               for
               if
               they
               went
               forward
               ,
               they
               came
               over
               to
               him
               and
               quitted
               their
               principles
               ;
               and
               to
               go
               backward
               ,
               was
               basely
               to
               deny
               their
               own
               concessions
               .
               Thus
               it
               fared
               with
               David
               in
               the
               famous
               Parable
               of
               Nathan
               ,
               upon
               occasion
               of
               the
               Adultery
               with
               Bathsheba
               and
               Murther
               of
               her
               husband
               Vriah
               ,
               the
               King
               presently
               condemns
               the
               fact
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               he
               knew
               not
               the
               Malefactour
               ,
               and
               therefore
               when
               the
               Prophet
               came
               over
               him
               saying
               ,
               
               
                 thou
                 art
                 the
                 man
              
               ,
               he
               was
               left
               without
               all
               evasion
               or
               apology
               ,
               and
               so
               brought
               to
               repentance
               .
               And
               in
               like
               manner
               the
               same
               David
               was
               intrapped
               by
               a
               like
               Parable
               which
               Joah
               put
               into
               the
               mouth
               of
               the
               woman
               of
               Tekoah
               ,
               for
               the
               re-calling
               of
               Absolom
               .
               And
               after
               this
               rate
               our
               Saviour
               several
               times
               circumvents
               the
               Pharisees
               ,
               and
               especially
               in
               this
               present
               Parable
               ,
               as
               will
               evidently
               appear
               anon
               when
               we
               come
               to
               open
               the
               occasion
               of
               it
               ,
               but
               so
               much
               for
               the
               first
               point
               .
            
             
             
               §
               IV.
               2.
               
               Touching
               the
               Second
               ,
               viz.
               the
               application
               of
               this
               kind
               of
               discourses
               ,
               I
               am
               well
               aware
               that
               sundry
               Judicious
               Divines
               both
               of
               former
               and
               later
               times
               ,
               have
               complained
               of
               great
               mistakes
               in
               doctrine
               ,
               and
               many
               mischiefs
               done
               to
               religion
               by
               the
               too
               curious
               and
               particular
               Interpretations
               of
               Parabolicall
               passages
               of
               Scripture
               :
               and
               not
               without
               cause
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               too
               easie
               to
               observe
               those
               that
               having
               taken
               their
               rise
               from
               the
               letter
               of
               a
               Text
               ,
               have
               soared
               so
               aloft
               in
               a
               strain
               of
               allegory
               ,
               that
               they
               have
               gone
               a
               pitch
               beyond
               all
               sober
               sense
               ,
               at
               least
               out
               of
               the
               ken
               of
               all
               ordinary
               understandings
               ,
               and
               strained
               a
               metaphor
               so
               far
               that
               they
               have
               broken
               all
               in
               pieces
               .
               Others
               have
               forced
               similitudes
               to
               run
               of
               all
               four
               ,
               and
               upon
               some
               obscure
               and
               far
               fetched
               resemblance
               have
               given
               countenance
               to
               their
               own
               dreams
               and
               phansies
               ,
               and
               represented
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               of
               God
               as
               intimating
               what
               he
               never
               intended
               .
               I
               remember
               also
               what
               an
               acute
               person
               of
               the
               last
               Age
               pronounced
               ,
               
               that
               it
               was
               not
               to
               be
               called
               an
               exposition
               ,
               but
               a
               divination
               ,
               which
               departed
               from
               the
               letter
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               used
               such
               liberty
               was
               rather
               a
               law-maker
               then
               an
               interpreter
               of
               laws
               ,
               and
               might
               dictate
               whatsoever
               he
               pleased
               at
               this
               rate
               .
               All
               this
               is
               well
               said
               .
               But
               then
               on
               the
               other
               side
               it
               must
               be
               acknowledged
               too
               ,
               that
               at
               least
               the
               general
               design
               and
               greater
               lines
               of
               a
               sacred
               Parable
               are
               argumentative
               ,
               otherwise
               our
               Saviour
               would
               not
               have
               made
               such
               use
               of
               them
               as
               he
               did
               ,
               nor
               would
               they
               have
               had
               that
               effect
               they
               had
               frequently
               upon
               the
               hearers
               :
               and
               if
               this
               were
               not
               true
               ,
               a
               great
               part
               of
               the
               Gospels
               would
               be
               onely
               Romance
               to
               amuse
               us
               ,
               and
               not
               Doctrine
               to
               instruct
               us
               .
               And
               although
               it
               be
               true
               that
               such
               proof
               will
               not
               be
               convictive
               upon
               some
               kind
               of
               men
               ,
               yet
               that
               is
               no
               objection
               in
               the
               case
               ,
               forasmuch
               as
               no
               other
               ,
               the
               most
               
               direct
               proofs
               ,
               will
               serve
               the
               turn
               with
               some
               persons
               :
               nor
               was
               it
               the
               design
               of
               God
               as
               I
               have
               intimated
               already
               to
               put
               a
               flat
               necessity
               upon
               men
               ,
               and
               to
               render
               it
               impossible
               for
               them
               not
               to
               believe
               ;
               it
               is
               sufficient
               to
               the
               intention
               of
               the
               Holy
               Scripture
               that
               an
               honest
               mind
               ,
               may
               by
               considering
               the
               occasion
               ,
               and
               comparing
               therewith
               the
               make
               and
               fabrick
               of
               a
               Parable
               ,
               discern
               what
               is
               drove
               at
               through
               the
               whole
               .
            
             
               But
               besides
               ,
               I
               think
               this
               Parable
               before
               us
               hath
               peculiar
               advantages
               of
               all
               other
               ,
               and
               that
               it
               was
               designed
               by
               the
               wisedom
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               not
               onely
               to
               fit
               the
               occasion
               in
               general
               ,
               but
               also
               to
               carry
               a
               resemblance
               in
               particular
               ,
               and
               graphically
               to
               describe
               the
               very
               nature
               and
               manner
               of
               the
               thing
               he
               was
               discoursing
               of
               .
               And
               that
               which
               confirms
               me
               in
               this
               persuasion
               (
               besides
               the
               natural
               accord
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               wonderfull
               easiness
               of
               application
               without
               force
               or
               straining
               )
               is
               ,
               that
               I
               observe
               men
               of
               the
               greatest
               learning
               and
               judgement
               both
               ancient
               and
               modern
               ,
               and
               who
               are
               apparently
               the
               most
               free
               and
               untainted
               with
               the
               aforesaid
               humour
               of
               Allegorizing
               ,
               to
               follow
               the
               traces
               of
               the
               figure
               with
               a
               moral
               application
               quite
               through
               this
               Parable
               .
               Out
               of
               the
               great
               number
               of
               which
               I
               will
               select
               onely
               two
               for
               instances
               ,
               St.
               Jerome
               amongst
               the
               ancients
               ,
               and
               
                 Hugo
                 Grotius
              
               for
               the
               modern
               .
               The
               former
               of
               which
               at
               the
               intreaty
               of
               no
               less
               a
               man
               then
               Pope
               Damasus
               ,
               makes
               a
               particular
               interpretation
               of
               this
               Parable
               in
               all
               the
               branches
               of
               it
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               substance
               of
               his
               146.
               
               
               Epistle
               ,
               whose
               exposition
               I
               have
               for
               the
               most
               part
               followed
               in
               this
               present
               discourse
               .
               The
               other
               ,
               I
               mean
               the
               Judicious
               
                 Hugo
                 Grotius
              
               ,
               to
               the
               words
               I
               lately
               cited
               from
               him
               ,
               for
               the
               excellency
               of
               this
               parable
               subjoins
               these
               following
               ,
               (
               
                 in
                 ver
              
               .
               22.
               )
               
                 Besides
                 a
                 general
                 resemblance
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 ,
                 it
                 seems
                 to
                 carry
                 on
                 the
                 allegory
                 through
                 the
                 particular
                 parts
                 also
                 .
              
               And
               again
               a
               while
               
               after
               ,
               
               Though
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 sollicitously
                 to
                 inquire
                 for
                 a
                 moral
                 meaning
                 of
                 every
                 passage
                 in
                 these
                 allusive
                 discourses
                 ;
                 yet
                 in
                 this
                 Parable
                 where
                 the
                 phrases
                 made
                 use
                 of
                 are
                 by
                 other
                 Scriptures
                 interpreted
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 particular
                 sense
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 unreasonable
                 to
                 neglect
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               These
               reasons
               and
               authorities
               together
               ,
               will
               (
               I
               doubt
               not
               )
               justifie
               a
               particular
               application
               of
               this
               Parable
               :
               Notwithstanding
               ,
               that
               there
               may
               be
               the
               fullest
               security
               against
               the
               mischiefs
               specified
               in
               the
               entrance
               of
               this
               point
               ,
               I
               will
               take
               care
               that
               in
               the
               following
               discourse
               ,
               no
               doctrine
               shall
               be
               obtruded
               upon
               the
               bare
               warrant
               of
               similitude
               or
               figurative
               resemblance
               ,
               but
               whatsoever
               shall
               be
               delivered
               ,
               shall
               be
               both
               grounded
               upon
               some
               express
               and
               literal
               Texts
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               attested
               by
               the
               consent
               of
               the
               Ancient
               Fathers
               .
            
             
               And
               now
               (
               these
               things
               premised
               )
               I
               proceed
               more
               closely
               to
               pursue
               my
               purpose
               in
               the
               particular
               handling
               of
               the
               Parable
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               II.
               
            
             
               The
               occasion
               and
               exposition
               of
               this
               Parable
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     The
                     adversaries
                     of
                     our
                     Saviour's
                     Doctrine
                     contradict
                     each
                     other
                     ,
                     some
                     accusing
                     it
                     of
                     too
                     great
                     difficulty
                     ,
                     others
                     as
                     a
                     Doctrine
                     of
                     licentiousness
                     ,
                     the
                     occasion
                     of
                     this
                     latter
                     misprision
                     of
                     it
                     amongst
                     the
                     Gentiles
                     ,
                     a
                     fabulous
                     story
                     of
                     
                     Constantine's
                     conversion
                     ,
                     the
                     occasion
                     of
                     the
                     
                     Jew's
                     misapprehension
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     Three
                     ranks
                     of
                     Jews
                     ,
                     a
                     maxime
                     of
                     theirs
                     built
                     upon
                     that
                     distinction
                     ,
                     the
                     crasse
                     sense
                     they
                     had
                     of
                     the
                     Mosaick
                     Covenant
                     ,
                     which
                     things
                     in
                     special
                     gave
                     rise
                     to
                     their
                     calumnies
                     against
                     his
                     doctrine
                     and
                     practice
                     ,
                     from
                     which
                     he
                     vindicates
                     himself
                     by
                     this
                     Parable
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     A
                     literal
                     paraphrase
                     upon
                     the
                     Parable
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     The
                     true
                     interpretation
                     of
                     the
                     Parable
                     ,
                     who
                     is
                     meant
                     by
                     the
                     elder
                     ,
                     and
                     who
                     by
                     the
                     younger
                     brother
                     ,
                     the
                     parts
                     of
                     the
                     Parable
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     the
                     ensuing
                     discourse
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               IT
               is
               a
               necessary
               rule
               amongst
               all
               Expositors
               to
               look
               attentively
               on
               the
               occasion
               ,
               and
               from
               the
               rise
               to
               judge
               of
               the
               scope
               and
               tendency
               of
               the
               discourse
               :
               and
               this
               is
               most
               especially
               requisite
               to
               be
               done
               in
               the
               interpretation
               of
               figurative
               passages
               ,
               in
               regard
               there
               is
               nothing
               so
               like
               but
               it
               is
               also
               unlike
               ,
               nor
               so
               resembles
               any
               one
               thing
               but
               in
               some
               respects
               it
               may
               resemble
               another
               ,
               
               and
               therefore
               here
               like
               those
               that
               sail
               in
               a
               narrow
               channel
               ,
               where
               the
               Stars
               or
               the
               Card
               are
               too
               general
               directors
               ,
               they
               are
               forced
               to
               sail
               by
               coasting
               as
               they
               call
               it
               ,
               so
               must
               we
               in
               the
               explication
               of
               a
               Parable
               (
               where
               there
               is
               not
               alwaies
               to
               be
               expected
               a
               determinate
               and
               necessary
               sense
               of
               every
               phrase
               as
               in
               more
               direct
               discourses
               ,
               )
               govern
               our selves
               by
               the
               general
               aim
               ,
               and
               be
               sure
               to
               set
               out
               right
               at
               first
               from
               the
               design
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               Now
               in
               order
               to
               the
               discovery
               of
               the
               true
               occasion
               of
               this
               Parable
               it
               is
               of
               use
               to
               note
               ,
               That
               as
               it
               was
               the
               lot
               of
               our
               Saviour
               himself
               when
               he
               was
               arraigned
               by
               the
               Jews
               ,
               to
               be
               accused
               by
               such
               as
               agreed
               no
               better
               amongst
               themselves
               then
               with
               the
               truth
               ;
               and
               whose
               several
               testimonies
               more
               impeached
               the
               credit
               of
               each
               other
               then
               pressed
               him
               against
               whom
               they
               were
               suborned
               :
               so
               it
               hath
               often
               fared
               with
               his
               Doctrine
               and
               Religion
               ,
               to
               be
               accused
               of
               things
               inconsistent
               with
               each
               other
               ;
               insomuch
               that
               commonly
               the
               several
               imputations
               mutually
               confuting
               each
               other
               ,
               have
               jointly
               vindicated
               (
               instead
               of
               aspersing
               )
               Christianity
               .
            
             
               The
               special
               instance
               which
               I
               am
               now
               concerned
               to
               assign
               of
               this
               matter
               ,
               is
               ,
               that
               the
               same
               institution
               hath
               by
               different
               persons
               been
               accused
               of
               difficulty
               and
               facility
               ;
               as
               an
               intolerable
               burthen
               by
               some
               ,
               as
               a
               doctrine
               of
               looseness
               and
               licentiousness
               by
               others
               .
               The
               former
               of
               these
               accusers
               have
               commonly
               been
               a
               sort
               of
               loose
               pretenders
               to
               Christianity
               ,
               who
               because
               the
               Gospell
               requires
               that
               we
               love
               the
               Lord
               our
               God
               with
               all
               our
               hearts
               ,
               and
               soul
               ,
               and
               strength
               ,
               that
               we
               live
               in
               all
               good
               conscience
               both
               towards
               God
               and
               man
               ,
               that
               we
               restrain
               not
               onely
               the
               outward
               acts
               of
               sin
               ,
               but
               subdue
               the
               very
               passion
               and
               inclination
               thereto
               ,
               and
               upon
               such
               like
               accounts
               cry
               out
               
                 durus
                 sermo
              
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               a
               strict
               and
               severe
               Law
               ,
               and
               if
               this
               be
               Evangelical
               obedience
               ,
               
               it
               is
               impossible
               ,
               and
               who
               then
               can
               be
               saved
               ?
               And
               to
               help
               themselves
               out
               of
               these
               difficulties
               they
               run
               into
               wild
               persuasions
               ,
               that
               either
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               himself
               (
               who
               delivered
               this
               institution
               )
               must
               in
               his
               own
               person
               so
               perform
               it
               instead
               of
               all
               that
               are
               to
               be
               saved
               ,
               as
               to
               excuse
               them
               the
               doing
               it
               ,
               or
               else
               God
               must
               be
               pleased
               by
               miracle
               to
               overbear
               them
               into
               the
               performance
               of
               it
               .
               But
               since
               these
               men
               profess
               Christianity
               ,
               I
               leave
               them
               to
               be
               silenced
               by
               the
               express
               declaration
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 10.
                 
                 My
                 yoke
                 is
                 easie
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 burthen
                 is
                 light
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               contrary
               sort
               are
               those
               I
               am
               more
               concerned
               in
               at
               present
               ,
               namely
               such
               as
               reproach
               Christianity
               as
               a
               doctrine
               of
               ease
               and
               looseness
               .
               Touching
               whom
               it
               is
               plain
               by
               the
               former
               objections
               ,
               that
               this
               second
               sort
               of
               men
               must
               be
               absolute
               strangers
               to
               the
               tenour
               of
               the
               Religion
               they
               thus
               accuse
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               they
               must
               be
               either
               Jews
               or
               Gentiles
               .
            
             
               For
               the
               Pagans
               ,
               they
               either
               hearing
               that
               Faith
               was
               insisted
               upon
               as
               the
               prime
               qualification
               of
               a
               Christian
               ,
               looked
               therefore
               upon
               the
               whole
               Religion
               as
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               a
               bare
               credulity
               ,
               a
               meer
               facility
               of
               mind
               ,
               or
               a
               supine
               abandoning
               ones
               self
               to
               the
               dictates
               and
               suggestions
               of
               others
               ;
               or
               else
               considering
               that
               this
               Religion
               neither
               required
               nor
               practised
               the
               troublesome
               and
               costly
               sacrifices
               then
               in
               use
               amongst
               other
               people
               ,
               nor
               so
               much
               as
               made
               any
               account
               of
               those
               nice
               observances
               ,
               and
               very
               austere
               rites
               ,
               that
               were
               in
               great
               reputation
               with
               all
               the
               world
               besides
               ,
               judged
               it
               therefore
               to
               be
               a
               very
               cheap
               and
               easie
               thing
               to
               be
               a
               Christian
               :
               or
               lastly
               observing
               that
               many
               who
               were
               conscious
               of
               having
               lived
               wickedly
               heretofore
               ,
               betook
               themselves
               to
               ,
               and
               found
               both
               cure
               and
               comfort
               in
               this
               institution
               ,
               they
               thereupon
               concluded
               it
               to
               be
               an
               Asylum
               and
               Sanctuary
               to
               looseness
               and
               debauchery
               .
            
             
             
               Upon
               some
               or
               all
               of
               these
               accounts
               ,
               the
               Pagans
               were
               generally
               abused
               into
               the
               aforesaid
               misprision
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               touching
               the
               third
               and
               last
               of
               which
               stumbling
               blocks
               I
               think
               it
               will
               not
               be
               unacceptable
               to
               the
               Reader
               that
               I
               rehearse
               a
               famous
               story
               from
               the
               Ecclesiastical
               Historians
               to
               this
               effect
               .
            
             
               When
               the
               great
               Constantine
               to
               his
               own
               immortal
               glory
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               advantage
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               espoused
               that
               Religion
               ;
               the
               Pagans
               to
               slurr
               him
               and
               Religion
               together
               ,
               devised
               this
               tale
               of
               him
               .
               That
               he
               having
               basely
               murthered
               his
               brother
               Crispus
               ,
               and
               others
               of
               his
               near
               kindred
               ,
               and
               feeling
               some
               remorse
               in
               his
               conscience
               for
               so
               great
               Barbarities
               ,
               applied
               himself
               to
               Sopater
               the
               Philosopher
               and
               Successor
               of
               Plotinus
               ,
               to
               be
               directed
               by
               him
               to
               some
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               or
               expiation
               ,
               But
               Sopater
               tells
               him
               ,
               that
               Philosophy
               afforded
               no
               remedy
               in
               so
               desperate
               a
               case
               .
               He
               then
               (
               saith
               the
               Story
               )
               goes
               to
               the
               Christian
               Bishops
               to
               get
               ease
               to
               his
               guilty
               and
               affrighted
               conscience
               ;
               and
               they
               readily
               receiving
               and
               incouraging
               him
               that
               a
               little
               Baptismal
               water
               would
               wash
               out
               all
               that
               stain
               ,
               and
               ease
               the
               smart
               ;
               he
               hereupon
               finding
               this
               a
               Religion
               wherein
               a
               man
               might
               reconcile
               the
               gratification
               of
               the
               most
               exorbitant
               passions
               with
               a
               quiet
               mind
               ,
               became
               a
               Christian
               .
            
             
               Theodoret
               who
               relates
               this
               fable
               ,
               thinks
               (
               as
               well
               he
               might
               )
               that
               it
               concerned
               his
               profession
               of
               Christianity
               to
               shew
               the
               falshood
               of
               it
               .
               And
               therefore
               after
               he
               had
               first
               retorted
               it
               upon
               the
               Pagans
               themselves
               ,
               shewing
               that
               if
               it
               had
               been
               true
               ,
               it
               was
               no
               more
               then
               had
               been
               allowed
               amongst
               them
               in
               the
               case
               of
               their
               famous
               Hercules
               ;
               he
               afterwards
               demonstrates
               the
               utter
               absurdity
               and
               impossibility
               of
               the
               fiction
               ,
               in
               regard
               it
               might
               appear
               by
               Authentick
               records
               ,
               that
               Crispus
               was
               alive
               long
               after
               Constantine
               became
               Christian
               ,
               
               surviving
               to
               the
               twentieth
               year
               of
               his
               reign
               ,
               and
               subscribing
               laws
               with
               him
               .
               Notwithstanding
               the
               Story
               sufficiently
               evidences
               ,
               that
               the
               Pagans
               had
               entertained
               such
               a
               sinister
               conceit
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               as
               that
               it
               favoured
               vice
               and
               licentiousness
               ,
               and
               thereupon
               were
               prejudiced
               against
               it
               .
            
             
               But
               to
               pass
               over
               their
               crasse
               misapprehensions
               ,
               and
               come
               to
               the
               Jews
               ,
               they
               also
               had
               alike
               dishonourable
               opinions
               of
               the
               Christian
               institution
               as
               a
               doctrine
               of
               looseness
               .
               And
               these
               they
               seem
               to
               have
               taken
               up
               ,
               partly
               upon
               occasion
               that
               they
               observed
               our
               Saviour
               to
               lay
               no
               great
               stress
               upon
               their
               idle
               traditions
               ,
               which
               they
               were
               infinitely
               scrupulous
               about
               ;
               partly
               also
               because
               though
               they
               could
               not
               but
               observe
               that
               he
               was
               a
               most
               holy
               and
               diligent
               observer
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               yet
               in
               some
               cases
               ,
               as
               that
               of
               the
               Sabbath
               ,
               and
               such
               like
               ,
               he
               interpreted
               it
               
                 ex
                 aequo
                 &
                 bono
              
               ,
               and
               made
               the
               letter
               submit
               to
               the
               reason
               and
               sense
               of
               it
               ,
               whereupon
               they
               cried
               out
               he
               dissolved
               the
               law
               .
               Neither
               was
               it
               a
               small
               accession
               to
               their
               suspicions
               ,
               that
               upon
               all
               occasions
               he
               exposed
               the
               sanctimoniousness
               of
               their
               admired
               Pharisees
               ,
               whose
               reputation
               was
               so
               great
               with
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               were
               ready
               to
               think
               all
               Religion
               was
               struck
               at
               ,
               when
               the
               inward
               rottenness
               of
               those
               painted
               sepulchres
               was
               discovered
               .
               But
               above
               all
               they
               seem
               to
               have
               been
               confirmed
               in
               this
               ill
               opinion
               of
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               and
               his
               doctrine
               ,
               when
               they
               noted
               that
               whereas
               the
               grave
               and
               demure
               Pharisees
               ,
               the
               learned
               Scribes
               ,
               the
               chief
               Priests
               and
               Rulers
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               zealots
               of
               their
               Religion
               stood
               at
               a
               distance
               ,
               and
               defied
               this
               new
               doctrine
               ,
               those
               that
               resorted
               to
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               became
               his
               disciples
               ,
               were
               generally
               persons
               not
               only
               of
               mean
               quality
               ,
               but
               had
               been
               many
               of
               them
               formerly
               infamous
               for
               their
               life
               and
               conversation
               ,
               for
               so
               we
               find
               in
               the
               first
               and
               second
               verses
               of
               this
               Chapter
               ,
               
               
                 Then
                 drew
                 near
                 unto
                 him
                 all
                 the
                 Publicans
                 and
                 sinners
                 for
                 to
                 hear
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Scribes
                 and
                 Pharisees
                 murmured
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 This
                 man
                 receiveth
                 sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 eateth
                 with
                 them
                 ,
              
               whereupon
               our
               Saviour
               takes
               up
               this
               and
               other
               Parables
               in
               this
               Chapter
               .
            
             
               For
               the
               more
               clear
               understanding
               of
               which
               occasion
               ,
               and
               consequently
               of
               the
               scope
               of
               the
               whole
               Parable
               ,
               these
               things
               following
               are
               to
               be
               considered
               .
            
             
               §
               II.
               
               1.
               
               That
               the
               Jews
               (
               as
               to
               the
               affair
               of
               Religion
               )
               were
               wont
               to
               distinguish
               themselves
               into
               three
               ranks
               or
               classes
               ,
               the
               first
               and
               most
               eminent
               amongst
               them
               were
               the
               Pharises
               or
               Separatists
               ,
               (
               as
               their
               name
               from
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               properly
               imports
               )
               called
               also
               frequently
               in
               their
               own
               writings
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               we
               may
               appositely
               render
               Frieries
               or
               Fraternities
               :
               a
               very
               precise
               and
               strict
               sort
               of
               men
               in
               their
               way
               ,
               as
               who
               obliged
               themselves
               to
               the
               most
               strict
               measures
               of
               ritual
               observance
               ,
               fasting
               twice
               a
               week
               ,
               frequent
               and
               curious
               in
               their
               washings
               ,
               long
               in
               their
               prayers
               ,
               broad
               in
               their
               phylacteries
               ,
               demure
               in
               their
               behaviour
               ,
               stately
               in
               their
               meine
               ,
               starched
               and
               stiff
               in
               every
               thing
               .
               They
               had
               a
               custome
               of
               disfiguring
               their
               faces
               to
               seem
               pale
               and
               mortified
               :
               and
               as
               they
               had
               artificial
               faces
               ,
               so
               they
               had
               consciences
               too
               ,
               wondrous
               tender
               and
               sensible
               of
               little
               punctilio's
               ,
               and
               the
               veriest
               trifle
               that
               was
               out
               of
               the
               road
               of
               their
               sect
               ,
               but
               brawny
               and
               insensible
               of
               the
               highest
               violations
               of
               the
               laws
               of
               God.
               Their
               Religion
               was
               a
               kind
               of
               clock-work
               drawn
               up
               by
               the
               hand
               ,
               and
               moving
               in
               a
               certain
               order
               ,
               but
               without
               life
               or
               sense
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               they
               had
               all
               the
               outward
               shews
               of
               admirable
               men
               ,
               but
               nothing
               else
               ;
               their
               devotions
               being
               calculated
               to
               take
               men
               ,
               not
               to
               please
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               better
               their
               interest
               and
               reputation
               with
               the
               people
               ,
               not
               to
               benefit
               the
               world
               ,
               or
               improve
               their
               ▪
               
               own
               tempers
               .
               However
               what
               by
               their
               own
               confident
               pretensions
               ,
               and
               what
               by
               the
               credulity
               of
               those
               that
               take
               all
               for
               gold
               that
               glisters
               ,
               these
               men
               obtained
               the
               reputation
               of
               the
               first
               rate
               of
               Religionists
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               second
               rank
               were
               those
               which
               were
               called
               
                 Sapientum
                 discipuli
              
               ,
               the
               disciples
               of
               the
               wise
               men
               ;
               these
               did
               not
               constitute
               a
               peculiar
               sect
               as
               the
               former
               ,
               neither
               did
               they
               oblige
               themselves
               to
               all
               the
               punctuality
               and
               phantastry
               which
               the
               other
               did
               ,
               but
               they
               were
               such
               as
               applied
               themselves
               diligently
               to
               the
               study
               of
               the
               law
               ,
               and
               governed
               themselves
               by
               the
               traditions
               of
               the
               great
               Rabbins
               ,
               and
               by
               such
               interpretations
               as
               they
               had
               been
               pleased
               to
               make
               upon
               the
               Text.
               These
               I
               take
               it
               are
               those
               who
               are
               commonly
               called
               by
               the
               name
               of
               Scribes
               in
               the
               New
               Testament
               ,
               and
               sometimes
               Lawyers
               also
               ,
               for
               that
               those
               two
               names
               were
               of
               the
               same
               signification
               ,
               seems
               to
               be
               evident
               by
               S.
               Luk.
               11.
               44
               ,
               45.
               
               When
               our
               Saviour
               had
               a
               great
               while
               inveighed
               against
               the
               Pharisees
               ,
               and
               at
               last
               had
               joined
               the
               Scribes
               with
               them
               ,
               
                 Then
                 answered
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 Lawyers
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 Master
                 ,
              
               now
               thou
               
                 reproachest
                 us
                 also
              
               .
               And
               these
               men
               whether
               called
               Lawyers
               ,
               or
               Scribes
               ,
               or
               Wise
               men
               ,
               though
               they
               distinguished
               themselves
               by
               no
               peculiar
               garb
               and
               cognizance
               as
               the
               former
               ,
               nor
               made
               a
               sect
               in
               Religion
               ,
               yet
               because
               they
               devoted
               themselves
               to
               the
               study
               of
               their
               religious
               writings
               ,
               were
               looked
               upon
               as
               conservators
               of
               their
               Religion
               ,
               and
               arrived
               at
               a
               great
               opinion
               of
               sanctity
               .
               Insomuch
               that
               there
               is
               a
               well
               known
               saying
               amongst
               the
               Jews
               ,
               that
               if
               but
               two
               men
               were
               to
               be
               saved
               ,
               or
               have
               a
               part
               in
               the
               other
               world
               ,
               the
               one
               would
               certainly
               be
               a
               Pharisee
               and
               the
               other
               a
               Scribe
               .
               And
               in
               relation
               to
               this
               opinion
               of
               theirs
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               saith
               to
               his
               disciples
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 5.
                 20.
                 
                 Except
                 your
                 righteousness
                 exceed
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 the
                 Scribes
                 and
                 Pharisees
                 ye
                 shall
                 not
                 
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               if
               you
               be
               my
               disciples
               indeed
               ,
               you
               must
               outstrip
               those
               two
               admired
               sorts
               of
               men
               ,
               as
               much
               as
               they
               are
               supposed
               to
               outgoe
               all
               others
               .
            
             
               The
               third
               rank
               were
               ordinary
               Jews
               ,
               called
               in
               contempt
               
                 populus
                 terrae
              
               ,
               the
               people
               of
               the
               land
               ,
               who
               lived
               a
               common
               life
               without
               any
               nicety
               of
               observation
               ,
               or
               peculiar
               note
               of
               distinction
               .
               These
               men
               might
               perhaps
               live
               honestly
               ,
               and
               it
               may
               be
               also
               exceed
               both
               the
               former
               in
               real
               vertues
               of
               the
               soul
               ;
               but
               forasmuch
               as
               they
               exacted
               of
               themselves
               nothing
               singular
               ,
               nor
               affected
               any
               curiosity
               ,
               they
               had
               no
               remark
               upon
               them
               ,
               but
               were
               valued
               much
               after
               the
               rate
               that
               we
               commonly
               signify
               when
               we
               say
               a
               good
               honest
               moral
               well-meaning
               man.
               
            
             
               But
               now
               for
               such
               as
               were
               found
               guilty
               of
               living
               in
               any
               open
               and
               scandalous
               sins
               ,
               such
               as
               fornication
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               ;
               these
               were
               held
               (
               and
               that
               deservedly
               enough
               )
               in
               no
               rank
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               amongst
               these
               they
               reckoned
               Publicans
               also
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               such
               as
               being
               native
               Jews
               ,
               became
               instruments
               of
               the
               Roman
               power
               ,
               collecting
               tribute
               for
               them
               of
               their
               own
               Nation
               ,
               and
               both
               the
               one
               and
               the
               other
               of
               these
               were
               in
               no
               other
               estimation
               then
               Heathens
               ,
               for
               so
               we
               find
               Publicans
               and
               Sinners
               ,
               Heathens
               and
               Publicans
               ,
               commonly
               joined
               together
               under
               the
               same
               brand
               of
               reproach
               and
               contempt
               in
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               is
               to
               be
               observed
               in
               consequence
               of
               the
               former
               distinction
               ,
               that
               whereas
               for
               the
               third
               sort
               of
               men
               of
               whom
               they
               had
               no
               great
               esteem
               ,
               it
               was
               accounted
               no
               wonder
               that
               they
               being
               
                 filii
                 terrae
              
               ,
               men
               of
               a
               meer
               secular
               character
               ,
               did
               hold
               correspondence
               ,
               and
               had
               intercourse
               with
               Publicans
               and
               Sinners
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               such
               as
               were
               proscribed
               the
               Cense
               of
               Religion
               ;
               
               Nevertheless
               for
               any
               person
               of
               the
               two
               first
               ranks
               so
               to
               have
               
               done
               ,
               namely
               ,
               to
               be
               found
               maintaining
               any
               kind
               of
               society
               or
               friendly
               conversation
               with
               such
               infamous
               persons
               ,
               was
               held
               not
               only
               dishonourable
               and
               unbecoming
               ,
               but
               flatly
               unlawfull
               .
               For
               according
               to
               a
               tradition
               yet
               extant
               in
               their
               writings
               ,
               it
               is
               reckoned
               as
               one
               of
               the
               six
               scandals
               that
               those
               higher
               Orders
               of
               Religionists
               are
               charged
               by
               all
               means
               to
               avoid
               ,
               namely
               ,
               to
               dine
               ,
               eat
               or
               drink
               with
               such
               .
               Now
               this
               seems
               to
               be
               the
               first
               occasion
               of
               quarrel
               against
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               that
               he
               pretending
               to
               be
               some
               extraordinary
               person
               ,
               at
               least
               a
               student
               of
               the
               law
               ,
               did
               not
               use
               such
               branded
               persons
               with
               the
               same
               supercile
               and
               disdain
               that
               their
               great
               men
               were
               wont
               to
               do
               ,
               but
               familiarly
               discoursed
               ,
               eat
               and
               drank
               with
               them
               .
               For
               so
               we
               read
               ,
               Matth.
               9.
               10
               ,
               11.
               
               
                 And
                 it
                 came
                 to
                 pass
                 as
                 Jesus
                 sate
                 at
                 meat
                 ,
                 many
                 Publicans
                 and
                 Sinners
                 came
                 and
                 sate
                 down
                 with
                 him
                 and
                 his
                 disciples
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 saw
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 said
                 unto
                 his
                 disciples
                 ,
                 Why
                 eateth
                 your
                 Master
                 with
                 Publicans
                 and
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               Let
               it
               be
               farther
               noted
               in
               the
               third
               place
               ,
            
             
               That
               the
               covenant
               which
               God
               made
               with
               this
               people
               on
               Mount
               Sinai
               ,
               admitted
               of
               propitiation
               by
               sacrifice
               ,
               and
               thereby
               gave
               hopes
               of
               pardon
               onely
               to
               some
               smaller
               offences
               ,
               but
               seemed
               to
               exclude
               all
               great
               and
               notorious
               transgressors
               ,
               shutting
               them
               up
               under
               wrath
               ,
               and
               appointing
               them
               to
               be
               cut
               off
               from
               amongst
               their
               people
               .
               And
               the
               minds
               of
               the
               Jews
               not
               being
               elevated
               above
               this
               literal
               dispensation
               ,
               nor
               being
               able
               to
               distinguish
               betwixt
               this
               political
               transaction
               ,
               and
               the
               eternal
               standard
               of
               justice
               and
               mercy
               in
               the
               divine
               mind
               ,
               they
               were
               induced
               to
               believe
               ,
               that
               God
               would
               exercise
               mercy
               upon
               no
               other
               terms
               then
               what
               he
               therein
               proclaimed
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               was
               inexorable
               and
               implacable
               in
               all
               other
               cases
               beyond
               the
               tenour
               of
               that
               indulgence
               :
               whence
               it
               came
               to
               pass
               that
               they
               
               themselves
               in
               proportion
               (
               as
               they
               thought
               )
               to
               the
               divine
               proceedings
               ,
               abandoned
               all
               the
               aforesaid
               kinds
               of
               notorious
               sinners
               as
               castaways
               ,
               conceiving
               neither
               hopes
               of
               their
               pardon
               ,
               nor
               usefulness
               of
               indeavouring
               to
               bring
               them
               to
               repentance
               .
            
             
               And
               although
               the
               excellent
               discourses
               of
               the
               Prophets
               might
               have
               instructed
               them
               with
               better
               and
               more
               worthy
               notions
               of
               God
               ,
               yet
               they
               superstitiously
               contracting
               those
               Evangelical
               expressions
               in
               the
               Prophets
               to
               the
               narrow
               sense
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               rather
               then
               improving
               the
               text
               of
               the
               Law
               by
               the
               divine
               Commentaries
               of
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               continued
               still
               under
               the
               same
               mean
               and
               narrow
               apprehensions
               of
               divine
               mercy
               ,
               and
               consequently
               thereof
               must
               needs
               pronounce
               very
               sad
               and
               dismal
               dooms
               upon
               all
               great
               sinners
               .
            
             
               But
               forasmuch
               as
               they
               could
               not
               but
               remember
               the
               very
               great
               and
               foul
               miscarriages
               of
               some
               (
               otherwise
               )
               very
               holy
               men
               in
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               and
               particularly
               of
               David
               in
               his
               Adultery
               with
               Bathshebah
               ,
               
               and
               the
               Murther
               of
               Vriah
               ,
               for
               neither
               of
               which
               sins
               any
               sacrifice
               or
               propitiation
               was
               appointed
               in
               the
               Law
               ,
               but
               the
               offender
               in
               such
               cases
               was
               to
               be
               cut
               off
               without
               mercy
               :
               therefore
               that
               they
               might
               not
               be
               constrained
               in
               consequence
               of
               the
               aforesaid
               persuasion
               ,
               to
               exclude
               such
               men
               from
               all
               hopes
               of
               pardon
               too
               ,
               they
               had
               artifices
               of
               extenuating
               such
               mens
               sins
               ,
               (
               as
               no
               doubt
               they
               had
               of
               their
               own
               )
               and
               rather
               then
               forgoe
               their
               hide-bound
               notion
               of
               God
               ,
               chose
               against
               all
               sense
               to
               make
               those
               black
               crimes
               ,
               meer
               peccadillo's
               ,
               lest
               by
               the
               example
               of
               such
               great
               men
               (
               as
               
                 David
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               )
               other
               sinners
               should
               be
               incouraged
               to
               hope
               for
               mercy
               ,
               beyond
               the
               tenour
               of
               their
               Law.
               
            
             
               Now
               our
               Saviour
               preaching
               repentance
               ,
               and
               giving
               hopes
               of
               pardon
               to
               the
               greatest
               of
               sinners
               ,
               upon
               condition
               of
               their
               present
               ,
               hearty
               ,
               and
               thorough
               reformation
               ;
               
               several
               poor
               souls
               who
               had
               been
               reprobated
               and
               damned
               by
               these
               severe
               Interpreters
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               were
               marvellously
               transported
               at
               so
               comfortable
               a
               doctrine
               ,
               and
               with
               great
               affection
               and
               frequency
               resort
               to
               it
               .
               Hereupon
               these
               demure
               but
               dogged
               Leguleians
               are
               offended
               ,
               and
               insinuate
               a
               suspicion
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               a
               friend
               and
               favourer
               of
               lewd
               and
               vicious
               persons
               .
               This
               (
               I
               take
               it
               )
               is
               the
               true
               state
               of
               the
               case
               ,
               and
               the
               rise
               of
               the
               excellent
               discourses
               in
               this
               Chapter
               .
            
             
               For
               in
               answer
               to
               their
               unjust
               imputation
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               who
               could
               (
               if
               he
               had
               pleased
               )
               have
               shewed
               the
               sandy
               foundation
               of
               all
               their
               aforesaid
               Hypothesis
               ,
               by
               discovering
               the
               designs
               of
               the
               divine
               wisedom
               in
               that
               manner
               of
               transaction
               with
               that
               people
               in
               that
               covenant
               ,
               or
               by
               large
               deductions
               from
               the
               Prophets
               have
               demonstrated
               the
               uncircumscribedness
               of
               the
               divine
               goodness
               ,
               or
               with
               admirable
               wisedom
               silenced
               them
               by
               a
               Philosophick
               discourse
               of
               the
               divine
               Philanthropy
               ;
               He
               I
               say
               that
               could
               have
               vindicated
               his
               own
               doctrine
               and
               practice
               ,
               and
               both
               baffled
               their
               arrogance
               ,
               and
               shamed
               their
               ignorance
               ,
               any
               of
               these
               or
               other
               ways
               ,
               waves
               all
               this
               ,
               and
               takes
               a
               more
               plain
               and
               popular
               argument
               ,
               confounding
               them
               by
               an
               appeal
               to
               the
               common
               sense
               of
               mankind
               ,
               much
               after
               the
               manner
               that
               God
               silences
               the
               petulant
               disgusts
               of
               the
               Prophet
               
                 Jonah
                 .
                 Jonah
              
               was
               angry
               with
               God
               for
               being
               more
               exorable
               towards
               the
               Ninevites
               then
               he
               expected
               ,
               and
               would
               needs
               have
               had
               a
               vast
               and
               populous
               City
               destroyed
               ,
               meerly
               to
               make
               good
               his
               own
               prediction
               .
               But
               God
               convinces
               him
               of
               his
               unreasonableness
               by
               a
               lively
               Emblem
               .
               There
               was
               a
               Gourd
               suddenly
               sprung
               up
               which
               refreshed
               the
               Prophet
               with
               its
               verdure
               ,
               and
               covered
               him
               with
               its
               shadow
               .
               God
               who
               had
               caused
               the
               Gourd
               to
               grow
               ,
               quickly
               smites
               it
               ;
               hereupon
               Jonah
               
               is
               angry
               again
               ,
               and
               expostulates
               the
               matter
               with
               his
               Maker
               .
               
               
                 Thou
                 hadst
                 pity
                 on
                 a
                 contemptible
                 Gourd
                 for
                 which
                 thou
                 didst
                 not
                 labour
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 came
                 up
                 in
                 a
                 night
                 and
                 perished
                 in
                 a
                 night
                 ,
                 And
                 should
                 not
                 I
                 spare
              
               Nineveh
               
                 that
                 great
                 City
              
               ,
               (
               upon
               their
               repentance
               )
               
                 wherein
                 are
                 more
                 then
                 one
                 hundred
                 and
                 twenty
                 thousand
                 persons
                 that
                 cannot
                 discern
                 between
                 their
                 right
                 hand
                 and
                 their
                 left
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               In
               like
               manner
               our
               Saviour
               here
               silences
               the
               murmurings
               of
               these
               hard-hearted
               Jews
               ,
               by
               three
               Parables
               :
               The
               first
               concerning
               a
               Lost
               Sheep
               ,
               vers
               .
               4.
               
               The
               second
               concerning
               a
               Lost
               Groat
               ,
               vers
               .
               8.
               
               And
               the
               third
               of
               a
               Lost
               Son
               ,
               vers
               .
               11.
               
               In
               all
               which
               he
               appeals
               to
               common
               experience
               and
               the
               sense
               of
               humanity
               ,
               for
               evidence
               of
               the
               fitness
               of
               his
               proceedings
               ,
               and
               the
               absurdity
               of
               their
               complaints
               ;
               shewing
               that
               it
               is
               the
               common
               course
               of
               men
               ,
               to
               express
               most
               solicitude
               for
               that
               which
               is
               lost
               ,
               and
               most
               joy
               upon
               the
               recovery
               of
               that
               which
               was
               given
               up
               as
               desperate
               .
               And
               forasmuch
               as
               the
               souls
               of
               men
               must
               needs
               be
               more
               valuable
               with
               a
               wise
               God
               ,
               and
               a
               gracious
               Creatour
               ,
               then
               those
               other
               things
               can
               be
               with
               men
               ,
               he
               leaves
               it
               to
               them
               to
               infer
               how
               reasonable
               it
               is
               to
               think
               that
               the
               divine
               goodness
               is
               both
               highly
               pleased
               with
               the
               recovery
               of
               lost
               sinners
               ,
               and
               with
               the
               means
               thereunto
               subservient
               .
               The
               consequence
               of
               which
               would
               be
               ,
               that
               they
               must
               certainly
               see
               great
               reason
               to
               admire
               our
               Saviour's
               compassion
               ,
               and
               condescension
               to
               the
               needs
               and
               sad
               condition
               of
               such
               men
               ,
               as
               hugely
               agreeable
               and
               conducent
               to
               the
               ends
               of
               divine
               goodness
               ,
               and
               none
               at
               all
               of
               traducing
               either
               his
               doctrine
               or
               carriage
               ,
               as
               guilty
               of
               giving
               incouragement
               to
               looseness
               and
               extravagancy
               .
            
             
               Thus
               we
               see
               the
               occasion
               which
               led
               our
               Saviour
               to
               make
               use
               of
               this
               Parable
               ,
               and
               thereby
               we
               are
               directed
               to
               the
               main
               scope
               and
               drift
               of
               it
               ,
               by
               advantage
               whereof
               
               of
               we
               will
               in
               the
               next
               place
               make
               the
               following
               paraphrastical
               exposition
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               §
               III.
               
                 As
                 if
                 our
                 Saviour
                 had
                 exprest
                 himself
                 more
                 at
                 large
                 to
                 this
                 effect
                 :
                 A
                 certain
                 man
                 had
                 two
                 sons
                 ,
                 one
                 whereof
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 the
                 eldest
                 ,
                 continued
                 always
                 in
                 his
                 family
                 ,
                 content
                 with
                 his
                 provision
                 ,
                 subject
                 to
                 his
                 government
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 diligent
                 obedience
                 to
                 all
                 his
                 commands
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 (
                 viz.
                 )
                 the
                 younger
                 ,
                 full
                 of
                 juvenile
                 heat
                 and
                 confidence
                 ,
                 considers
                 himself
                 at
                 the
                 age
                 of
                 discretion
                 ,
                 grows
                 impatient
                 of
                 restraint
                 ,
                 and
                 desirous
                 of
                 liberty
                 ,
                 especially
                 fancying
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 live
                 better
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 content
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 whit
                 as
                 well
                 provide
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 disposal
                 .
                 Therefore
                 he
                 desires
                 his
                 Father
                 to
                 set
                 him
                 out
                 his
                 share
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 put
                 his
                 portion
                 into
                 his
                 own
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 him
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 conduct
                 .
                 The
                 Father
                 gratifies
                 him
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 desires
                 ,
                 gives
                 him
                 his
                 portion
                 and
                 his
                 liberty
                 .
                 Which
                 done
                 ,
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 his
                 Father's
                 presence
                 or
                 vicinage
                 would
                 put
                 too
                 great
                 a
                 restraint
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 check
                 to
                 his
                 freedom
                 ,
                 betakes
                 himself
                 to
                 another
                 Country
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 Fathers
                 eye
                 ,
                 reach
                 ,
                 and
                 controll
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 indulges
                 himself
                 the
                 highest
                 surfeit
                 of
                 licentiousness
                 .
                 By
                 which
                 means
                 in
                 a
                 short
                 time
                 (
                 whilest
                 he
                 injoying
                 the
                 present
                 took
                 no
                 care
                 for
                 the
                 future
                 )
                 the
                 stock
                 his
                 Father
                 allotted
                 him
                 was
                 utterly
                 exhausted
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 that
                 his
                 pleasures
                 also
                 fail
                 ,
                 the
                 roots
                 that
                 ministred
                 to
                 them
                 being
                 thus
                 dryed
                 up
                 .
                 And
                 where
                 his
                 pleasures
                 end
                 ,
                 his
                 cares
                 begin
                 ;
                 for
                 now
                 he
                 hath
                 leisure
                 to
                 look
                 a
                 little
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 finds
                 himself
                 in
                 a
                 bad
                 case
                 ,
                 having
                 no
                 course
                 left
                 ,
                 but
                 either
                 to
                 return
                 to
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 confessing
                 his
                 folly
                 implore
                 his
                 compassion
                 ;
                 or
                 to
                 put
                 himself
                 a
                 servant
                 to
                 a
                 stranger
                 ,
                 thereby
                 to
                 get
                 a
                 mean
                 livelihood
                 .
                 
                 
                   
                   
                     The
                     younger
                     son
                     gathers
                     all
                     together
                     and
                     took
                     his
                     journey
                     into
                     a
                     far
                     Country
                     .
                     S
                     
                     t.
                     LVKE
                     .
                     15.
                     13.
                     
                  
                   
                     Non
                     mulla
                     posi
                     institutionem
                     humani
                     aeneris
                     ,
                     placuit
                     animae
                     per
                     liberum
                     arbitrium
                     serre
                     secum
                     quandam
                     velut
                     potentiam
                     naturae
                     〈…〉
                     .
                  
                
                 
                 
                 The
                 former
                 of
                 these
                 he
                 was
                 yet
                 loth
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 ,
                 having
                 not
                 as
                 he
                 thought
                 tryed
                 sufficiently
                 the
                 folly
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 counsels
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 to
                 himself
                 the
                 shame
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 ill
                 conduct
                 by
                 so
                 plain
                 a
                 retreat
                 ,
                 was
                 thought
                 a
                 sharper
                 calamity
                 then
                 any
                 he
                 yet
                 felt
                 :
                 therefore
                 he
                 resolves
                 upon
                 the
                 latter
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 severities
                 of
                 a
                 stranger
                 were
                 more
                 tolerable
                 then
                 the
                 reproaches
                 of
                 a
                 Father
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 concluded
                 a
                 man
                 was
                 not
                 perfectly
                 miserable
                 that
                 had
                 no
                 body
                 to
                 upbraid
                 his
                 folly
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 being
                 in
                 a
                 strange
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 he
                 comforted
                 himself
                 with
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 find
                 none
                 to
                 pity
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 sure
                 there
                 would
                 be
                 none
                 could
                 torture
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 grating
                 remembrance
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 was
                 and
                 might
                 have
                 been
                 .
                 Well
                 ,
                 he
                 becomes
                 a
                 servant
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 could
                 not
                 brook
                 the
                 grave
                 restraint
                 of
                 paternal
                 authority
                 ,
                 now
                 feels
                 the
                 heavy
                 yoke
                 of
                 servile
                 obedience
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 put
                 to
                 the
                 base
                 drudgery
                 of
                 feeding
                 Swine
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 the
                 coursest
                 fare
                 for
                 his
                 maintenance
                 ,
                 the
                 swine
                 and
                 the
                 servant
                 seed
                 alike
                 ,
                 upon
                 husks
                 ,
                 onely
                 with
                 this
                 difference
                 ,
                 some
                 body
                 cares
                 for
                 the
                 hoggs
                 but
                 no
                 body
                 for
                 the
                 slave
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 former
                 have
                 enough
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 agrees
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 latter
                 is
                 pinched
                 with
                 hunger
                 ,
                 having
                 not
                 allowance
                 of
                 that
                 sordid
                 dyet
                 answerable
                 to
                 the
                 importunity
                 of
                 his
                 needs
                 .
                 Being
                 sorely
                 afflicted
                 with
                 this
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 formerly
                 dreamed
                 of
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 sweets
                 of
                 liberty
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 surfeits
                 of
                 voluptuousness
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 once
                 thought
                 of
                 that
                 hungry
                 wolf
                 ,
                 want
                 and
                 necessity
                 ,
                 which
                 now
                 stands
                 at
                 his
                 door
                 ,
                 after
                 many
                 a
                 sad
                 sigh
                 ,
                 discourses
                 thus
                 with
                 himself
                 :
                 Ah
                 fool
                 that
                 I
                 was
                 who
                 knew
                 not
                 when
                 I
                 was
                 well
                 ,
                 that
                 understood
                 not
                 contentment
                 without
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 nor
                 could
                 take
                 up
                 with
                 the
                 substance
                 but
                 must
                 grasp
                 at
                 shadows
                 till
                 I
                 lost
                 both
                 ;
                 that
                 knew
                 not
                 what
                 it
                 was
                 
                 to
                 be
                 happy
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 sad
                 experiment
                 of
                 becoming
                 miserable
                 ;
                 that
                 could
                 not
                 distinguish
                 between
                 the
                 chastisements
                 of
                 a
                 Father
                 and
                 the
                 wounds
                 of
                 an
                 enemy
                 ,
                 nor
                 believe
                 but
                 all
                 yokes
                 were
                 equal
                 ,
                 untill
                 I
                 was
                 convinc'd
                 by
                 trial
                 ;
                 that
                 could
                 not
                 brook
                 the
                 government
                 and
                 restraints
                 of
                 my
                 Father's
                 family
                 ,
                 though
                 indeared
                 by
                 the
                 reverence
                 of
                 my
                 relation
                 ,
                 and
                 sweetned
                 by
                 the
                 benignity
                 of
                 his
                 countenance
                 and
                 liberal
                 provision
                 for
                 all
                 necessity
                 and
                 delight
                 ;
                 nor
                 be
                 satisfied
                 of
                 my
                 Father's
                 wisedom
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 my
                 own
                 rashness
                 and
                 folly
                 .
                 Time
                 was
                 when
                 I
                 had
                 the
                 respect
                 and
                 dignity
                 of
                 a
                 Son
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 who
                 now
                 find
                 the
                 contempt
                 of
                 a
                 servant
                 abroad
                 .
                 I
                 was
                 then
                 put
                 to
                 no
                 drudgery
                 ,
                 nor
                 had
                 other
                 task
                 then
                 to
                 serve
                 the
                 honour
                 and
                 interest
                 of
                 my
                 Father
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 so
                 doing
                 I
                 consulted
                 also
                 mine
                 own
                 ;
                 for
                 my
                 duty
                 and
                 my
                 happiness
                 were
                 then
                 united
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 put
                 to
                 the
                 basest
                 office
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 vilest
                 employment
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 my
                 drudgery
                 were
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 imposed
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 my
                 Master's
                 profit
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 my
                 own
                 contumely
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 which
                 comes
                 nearer
                 to
                 me
                 yet
                 ,
                 and
                 pinches
                 me
                 very
                 sore
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 whereas
                 in
                 my
                 Father's
                 house
                 I
                 could
                 neither
                 feel
                 nor
                 fear
                 want
                 ,
                 I
                 can
                 now
                 hope
                 for
                 nothing
                 else
                 :
                 There
                 the
                 meanest
                 servant
                 had
                 bread
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 superfluity
                 ;
                 much
                 less
                 was
                 any
                 thing
                 wanting
                 to
                 me
                 then
                 a
                 Son.
                 Now
                 the
                 case
                 is
                 sadly
                 alter'd
                 ,
                 I
                 that
                 seldome
                 had
                 so
                 much
                 hunger
                 as
                 might
                 serve
                 for
                 sawce
                 to
                 the
                 plenty
                 of
                 my
                 Father's
                 table
                 ,
                 feel
                 now
                 the
                 difference
                 between
                 the
                 liberal
                 hand
                 of
                 a
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 evil
                 and
                 niggardly
                 eye
                 of
                 a
                 hard
                 Master
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 difference
                 between
                 the
                 sweet
                 sumes
                 of
                 plenty
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 gnawing
                 pains
                 of
                 wind
                 and
                 emptiness
                 !
                 what
                 would
                 I
                 give
                 now
                 for
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 formerly
                 wasted
                 or
                 despised
                 !
                 Then
                 I
                 loathed
                 wholsome
                 food
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 now
                 feed
                 upon
                 husks
                 .
                 How
                 do
                 I
                 now
                 envy
                 the
                 meanest
                 servant
                 in
                 my
                 Father's
                 house
                 ;
                 they
                 have
                 enough
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ;
                 they
                 surfeit
                 and
                 I
                 starve
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 But
                 alas
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 to
                 complain
                 here
                 ,
                 the
                 swine
                 I
                 feed
                 cannot
                 pity
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Master
                 I
                 serve
                 will
                 not
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 other
                 choice
                 left
                 me
                 now
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 must
                 return
                 to
                 my
                 Father
                 or
                 perish
                 ;
                 little
                 did
                 I
                 think
                 what
                 would
                 come
                 of
                 it
                 when
                 I
                 forsook
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 perhaps
                 as
                 little
                 doth
                 he
                 think
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 suffered
                 since
                 .
                 If
                 my
                 sufferings
                 have
                 brought
                 down
                 my
                 proud
                 heart
                 and
                 taught
                 me
                 submission
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 my
                 deplorable
                 condition
                 may
                 move
                 his
                 bowels
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 he
                 cast
                 me
                 not
                 out
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 forsook
                 and
                 abandoned
                 him
                 ;
                 my
                 youthfull
                 heat
                 and
                 folly
                 precipitated
                 me
                 upon
                 my
                 own
                 ruine
                 :
                 but
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 more
                 wisedom
                 then
                 I
                 ,
                 so
                 perhaps
                 the
                 affections
                 of
                 a
                 Father
                 are
                 more
                 strong
                 then
                 those
                 of
                 a
                 child
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 he
                 sees
                 my
                 foolishness
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 arguments
                 will
                 he
                 find
                 to
                 shew
                 me
                 mercy
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 At
                 least
                 I
                 will
                 make
                 trial
                 of
                 his
                 clemency
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 humbly
                 prostrate
                 my self
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 I
                 'le
                 embrace
                 those
                 knees
                 that
                 educated
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 'le
                 lick
                 the
                 dust
                 of
                 that
                 threshold
                 which
                 I
                 contemptuously
                 forsook
                 ,
                 I
                 'le
                 own
                 my
                 fault
                 and
                 take
                 shame
                 to
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 both
                 magnify
                 his
                 mercy
                 if
                 he
                 receive
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 justify
                 his
                 proceedings
                 if
                 he
                 reject
                 me
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 I
                 know
                 my
                 Father
                 is
                 subject
                 or
                 obnoxious
                 to
                 no
                 body
                 ;
                 who
                 shall
                 blame
                 him
                 for
                 pardoning
                 ,
                 or
                 set
                 limits
                 to
                 his
                 mercy
                 ?
                 nay
                 who
                 can
                 tell
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 a
                 Father's
                 bowels
                 ?
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 too
                 there
                 is
                 irresistible
                 eloquence
                 in
                 misery
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 spectacle
                 of
                 a
                 sons
                 adversity
                 may
                 have
                 rhetorick
                 enough
                 in
                 it
                 to
                 carry
                 the
                 cause
                 where
                 a
                 Father
                 is
                 Judge
                 .
                 Or
                 if
                 he
                 provoked
                 by
                 my
                 folly
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 extravagancy
                 since
                 ,
                 will
                 
                 no
                 more
                 own
                 me
                 as
                 a
                 son
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 he
                 may
                 receive
                 me
                 as
                 a
                 servant
                 ;
                 for
                 if
                 my
                 rebellion
                 hath
                 extinguished
                 in
                 him
                 the
                 peculiar
                 affections
                 of
                 a
                 Father
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 hath
                 not
                 destroyed
                 the
                 common
                 passions
                 of
                 humanity
                 ,
                 mercy
                 and
                 pity
                 .
                 If
                 he
                 will
                 receive
                 me
                 in
                 that
                 lower
                 quality
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 broken
                 to
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 a
                 servant
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 think
                 his
                 yoke
                 easy
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 having
                 been
                 inured
                 to
                 so
                 sharp
                 and
                 heavy
                 an
                 one
                 ;
                 I
                 will
                 chearfully
                 submit
                 my
                 ear
                 to
                 be
                 bored
                 to
                 his
                 door-post
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 his
                 servant
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Or
                 lastly
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 trust
                 a
                 runnagate
                 ,
                 nor
                 believe
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 ever
                 prove
                 a
                 constant
                 and
                 perpetual
                 servant
                 that
                 hath
                 once
                 deserted
                 his
                 station
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 take
                 me
                 as
                 an
                 hired
                 servant
                 whom
                 he
                 may
                 turn
                 off
                 at
                 pleasure
                 ;
                 make
                 trial
                 of
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 admit
                 me
                 only
                 upon
                 good
                 behaviour
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 all
                 fail
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 should
                 utterly
                 cast
                 me
                 off
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 yet
                 I
                 hope
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 )
                 I
                 can
                 but
                 perish
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 I
                 doe
                 however
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Well
                 ,
                 this
                 being
                 resolved
                 ,
                 he
                 casts
                 a
                 longing
                 look
                 towards
                 his
                 Fathers
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 puts
                 himself
                 on
                 his
                 way
                 thither
                 .
                 But
                 no
                 sooner
                 was
                 he
                 on
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 (
                 though
                 yet
                 a
                 great
                 way
                 off
                 )
                 but
                 his
                 Father
                 spies
                 him
                 :
                 those
                 lean
                 and
                 wan
                 cheeks
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 hollow
                 sunken
                 eyes
                 his
                 extremity
                 had
                 reduced
                 him
                 to
                 ,
                 had
                 not
                 so
                 disfigured
                 him
                 ,
                 nor
                 those
                 rags
                 unable
                 to
                 cover
                 his
                 nakedness
                 so
                 disguised
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 Father
                 knew
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 his
                 former
                 disobedience
                 had
                 not
                 so
                 cancelled
                 the
                 interests
                 of
                 a
                 son
                 ,
                 or
                 shut
                 up
                 the
                 bowels
                 of
                 a
                 Father
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 his
                 present
                 misery
                 kindled
                 his
                 compassion
                 .
                 And
                 whilest
                 the
                 son
                 ,
                 partly
                 through
                 that
                 weakness
                 which
                 his
                 vices
                 and
                 his
                 sufferings
                 had
                 conspired
                 to
                 bring
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 partly
                 through
                 a
                 combination
                 of
                 shame
                 and
                 just
                 fear
                 of
                 his
                 Fathers
                 indignation
                 ,
                 
                 with
                 difficulty
                 makes
                 towards
                 him
                 ;
                 the
                 Father
                 prompted
                 by
                 paternal
                 affection
                 ,
                 and
                 transported
                 between
                 joy
                 and
                 pity
                 ,
                 runs
                 to
                 meet
                 him
                 ,
                 falls
                 on
                 his
                 neck
                 and
                 kisses
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 Son
                 ,
                 though
                 astonished
                 at
                 this
                 condescension
                 ,
                 and
                 surprized
                 with
                 the
                 unexpected
                 benignity
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 reception
                 ,
                 yet
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 remember
                 what
                 his
                 Fathers
                 joy
                 made
                 him
                 forget
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 his
                 former
                 disingenuity
                 and
                 rebellion
                 :
                 And
                 therefore
                 humbly
                 falls
                 on
                 his
                 knees
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 shame
                 and
                 remorse
                 makes
                 his
                 contrite
                 acknowledgement
                 after
                 this
                 manner
                 .
                 Father
                 (
                 for
                 so
                 this
                 admirable
                 goodness
                 of
                 yours
                 gives
                 me
                 incouragement
                 to
                 call
                 you
                 ,
                 more
                 then
                 the
                 bloud
                 and
                 life
                 which
                 I
                 derived
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 )
                 I
                 have
                 I
                 confess
                 forfeited
                 all
                 the
                 interest
                 the
                 priviledges
                 of
                 my
                 birth
                 might
                 have
                 afforded
                 me
                 in
                 your
                 affection
                 ,
                 having
                 become
                 a
                 rebel
                 both
                 towards
                 God
                 and
                 you
                 ;
                 had
                 I
                 not
                 first
                 neglected
                 him
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 I
                 had
                 never
                 grieved
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 having
                 forsaken
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 onely
                 violated
                 the
                 greatest
                 obligation
                 I
                 had
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 (
                 save
                 that
                 to
                 his
                 divine
                 Majesty
                 )
                 but
                 also
                 despised
                 and
                 affronted
                 a
                 goodness
                 like
                 to
                 his
                 :
                 whatsoever
                 therefore
                 I
                 have
                 suffered
                 was
                 but
                 the
                 just
                 demerit
                 of
                 my
                 folly
                 and
                 contumacy
                 ,
                 and
                 whatsoever
                 sentence
                 you
                 shall
                 pass
                 upon
                 me
                 further
                 I
                 submit
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 here
                 expect
                 my
                 doom
                 from
                 you
                 :
                 I
                 condemn
                 my self
                 as
                 no
                 more
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 your
                 Son
                 ,
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 admit
                 me
                 but
                 into
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 your
                 meanest
                 servant
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 have
                 more
                 then
                 my
                 miscarriages
                 give
                 me
                 reason
                 to
                 hope
                 for
                 .
              
            
             
               Whilest
               the
               Son
               was
               going
               on
               at
               this
               rate
               ,
               the
               Fathers
               bowels
               yearned
               too
               earnestly
               to
               admit
               of
               the
               delay
               of
               long
               Apologies
               ,
               and
               therefore
               chooses
               rather
               to
               interrupt
               him
               in
               his
               discourse
               ,
               then
               to
               adjourn
               his
               
               own
               joys
               or
               the
               others
               comfort
               :
               And
               because
               he
               thought
               words
               not
               sufficient
               in
               the
               case
               ,
               he
               makes
               deeds
               the
               interpreters
               of
               his
               mind
               ,
               commanding
               his
               servants
               forthwith
               
                 to
                 bring
                 out
                 the
                 best
                 robe
                 and
                 to
                 put
                 it
                 upon
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 a
                 ring
                 on
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 shoes
                 on
                 his
                 feet
                 ;
              
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               in
               all
               points
               to
               habit
               him
               as
               his
               Son
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               Son
               of
               such
               a
               Father
               ,
               by
               all
               which
               he
               maketh
               the
               full
               demonstration
               of
               a
               perfect
               reconciliation
               :
               And
               not
               content
               herewith
               to
               give
               vent
               to
               his
               own
               joy
               ,
               that
               it
               might
               not
               overpower
               him
               whilest
               he
               confined
               it
               to
               his
               own
               bosom
               ,
               and
               perhaps
               also
               that
               those
               who
               had
               shared
               with
               him
               in
               his
               sorrows
               for
               the
               loss
               of
               a
               beloved
               Son
               ,
               might
               participate
               also
               in
               the
               joy
               of
               his
               recovery
               ,
               he
               goes
               on
               ,
               
                 Bring
                 out
                 also
                 the
                 fatted
                 calf
                 and
                 kill
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 eat
                 and
                 be
                 merry
                 ;
                 for
                 this
                 my
                 Son
                 was
                 dead
                 and
                 is
                 alive
                 again
                 ,
                 was
                 lost
                 and
                 is
                 found
                 :
                 and
                 they
                 began
                 to
                 be
                 merry
                 .
              
            
             
               In
               the
               midst
               of
               this
               extraordinary
               jollity
               ,
               it
               happens
               the
               Elder
               Son
               ,
               who
               (
               as
               we
               said
               before
               )
               had
               always
               continued
               in
               his
               duty
               towards
               his
               Father
               ,
               comes
               out
               of
               the
               fields
               where
               he
               had
               been
               negotiating
               his
               Fathers
               affairs
               ,
               and
               wonders
               at
               the
               unusual
               Jubilee
               :
               And
               when
               (
               demanding
               the
               occasion
               )
               they
               of
               the
               family
               had
               made
               him
               acquainted
               with
               the
               whole
               matter
               ,
               he
               takes
               it
               ill
               ,
               and
               interpreting
               this
               marvellous
               transport
               of
               joy
               at
               his
               Brothers
               return
               to
               be
               in
               derogation
               from
               himself
               ;
               as
               if
               his
               Father
               was
               too
               easy
               and
               inclinable
               towards
               him
               ,
               but
               severe
               to
               himself
               ,
               and
               unmindfull
               of
               the
               long
               and
               faithfull
               service
               he
               had
               done
               him
               ,
               begins
               to
               expostulate
               the
               matter
               somewhat
               warmly
               with
               his
               Father
               .
               But
               the
               good
               old
               man
               mildly
               replies
               ,
               
                 Son
                 I
                 am
                 very
                 sensible
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 a
                 just
                 value
                 upon
                 the
                 long
                 course
                 of
                 your
                 obedience
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 have
                 it
                 both
                 in
                 my
                 power
                 and
                 in
                 my
                 will
                 to
                 reward
                 you
                 :
                 
                 't
                 is
                 true
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 hitherto
                 made
                 such
                 solemn
                 expressions
                 of
                 my
                 love
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 now
                 done
                 upon
                 this
                 occasion
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 case
                 did
                 not
                 require
                 it
                 ;
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 been
                 always
                 dutifull
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 have
                 had
                 my
                 house
                 and
                 all
                 I
                 have
                 constantly
                 to
                 accommodate
                 you
                 ;
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 never
                 rebelled
                 against
                 me
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 have
                 never
                 felt
                 the
                 hardships
                 your
                 poor
                 Brother
                 hath
                 undergone
                 by
                 his
                 foolishness
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 you
                 that
                 have
                 never
                 offended
                 me
                 never
                 could
                 distrust
                 my
                 favour
                 ,
                 nor
                 need
                 such
                 demonstrations
                 of
                 my
                 reconciliation
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 former
                 guilt
                 and
                 extravagancies
                 of
                 your
                 now
                 penitent
                 Brother
                 renders
                 necessary
                 in
                 his
                 case
                 ;
                 so
                 also
                 was
                 I
                 never
                 overwhelmed
                 with
                 grief
                 for
                 you
                 who
                 were
                 never
                 lost
                 .
                 But
                 forasmuch
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 beyond
                 all
                 expectation
                 received
                 your
                 Brother
                 again
                 ,
                 whom
                 we
                 long
                 since
                 despaired
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 given
                 up
                 for
                 lost
                 ,
                 you
                 cannot
                 wonder
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 must
                 allow
                 me
                 this
                 unusual
                 transport
                 ;
                 for
                 I
                 say
                 again
                 this
                 your
                 Brother
                 was
                 lost
                 and
                 is
                 found
                 ,
                 was
                 dead
                 and
                 is
                 alive
                 again
                 .
              
            
             
               Thus
               far
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               or
               letter
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               wherein
               all
               things
               are
               so
               lively
               and
               natural
               ,
               and
               the
               divine
               wisedom
               of
               our
               Saviour
               hath
               so
               accurately
               described
               the
               workings
               of
               humane
               minds
               ,
               the
               natural
               motions
               of
               all
               the
               passions
               ;
               as
               that
               if
               the
               Parable
               became
               matter
               of
               history
               ,
               it
               could
               not
               be
               otherwise
               acted
               .
               But
               now
               for
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               or
               application
               of
               the
               Parable
               to
               the
               matter
               in
               hand
               .
            
             
               §IV
               .
               In
               the
               first
               place
               it
               is
               certain
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               Father
               of
               the
               two
               Sons
               in
               the
               mystical
               sense
               is
               meant
               God
               Almighty
               ;
               
                 of
                 whom
                 the
                 whole
                 family
                 of
                 heaven
                 and
                 earth
                 is
                 called
                 .
              
               But
               who
               should
               be
               the
               two
               Sons
               is
               not
               so
               universally
               agreed
               .
               
               Some
               of
               the
               Ancients
               have
               been
               of
               opinion
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               Elder
               Son
               ,
               was
               
               meant
               that
               higher
               order
               of
               intellectual
               Beings
               which
               never
               forfeited
               their
               Station
               ,
               nor
               revolted
               from
               their
               Allegeance
               :
               and
               by
               the
               Younger
               Son
               ,
               the
               whole
               race
               of
               mankind
               under
               Adam
               their
               head
               ;
               on
               whom
               (
               being
               fallen
               )
               God
               had
               such
               compassion
               ,
               as
               he
               did
               not
               shew
               to
               the
               Rebel
               Angels
               ;
               for
               which
               cause
               amongst
               other
               they
               are
               supposed
               to
               conceive
               hatred
               against
               God
               ,
               and
               envy
               against
               men
               .
               But
               this
               interpretation
               is
               rejected
               by
               others
               ,
               and
               not
               without
               great
               cause
               ;
               for
               in
               this
               same
               Chapter
               ,
               vers
               .
               10.
               our
               Saviour
               tells
               us
               
                 the
                 holy
                 Angels
                 rejoyce
                 at
                 the
                 conversion
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 :
              
               and
               therefore
               they
               cannot
               be
               represented
               ,
               as
               expostulating
               and
               murmuring
               at
               the
               favour
               extended
               towards
               such
               ,
               which
               is
               said
               here
               of
               the
               Elder
               Brother
               .
            
             
               Again
               ,
               
               others
               have
               imagined
               that
               by
               the
               two
               Brethren
               were
               meant
               the
               Jews
               and
               Gentiles
               ;
               the
               Jews
               representing
               the
               Elder
               Brother
               ,
               as
               having
               been
               God's
               ancient
               people
               ;
               and
               the
               Gentiles
               the
               Younger
               ,
               as
               who
               ran
               on
               in
               a
               long
               course
               of
               Idolatry
               ,
               and
               estrangedness
               from
               God
               ,
               till
               they
               were
               by
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               admitted
               into
               the
               birthright
               and
               priviledges
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               to
               their
               great
               regret
               and
               indignation
               .
               And
               indeed
               besides
               the
               opinion
               of
               the
               Ancients
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               improbale
               in
               it self
               ,
               but
               that
               our
               Saviour
               foreseeing
               the
               emulation
               which
               would
               afterwards
               happen
               between
               those
               two
               ranks
               of
               mankind
               ,
               might
               have
               respect
               to
               it
               ,
               and
               deliver
               himself
               suitably
               thereto
               in
               this
               Parable
               ;
               notwithstanding
               that
               cannot
               be
               supposed
               to
               be
               the
               primary
               meaning
               ,
               which
               is
               utterly
               besides
               the
               occasion
               of
               the
               discourse
               :
               for
               as
               St.
               Jerome
               well
               observes
               ,
               the
               controversy
               was
               not
               yet
               risen
               between
               Jew
               and
               Gentile
               about
               priviledges
               ,
               the
               latter
               being
               not
               yet
               called
               nor
               admitted
               to
               the
               grace
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               but
               the
               question
               was
               only
               ,
               whether
               great
               and
               notorious
               sinners
               (
               though
               Jews
               )
               should
               be
               admitted
               
               to
               hopes
               of
               pardon
               upon
               repentance
               :
               and
               the
               Publicans
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               though
               they
               were
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Roman
               Power
               ,
               and
               reputed
               Instruments
               of
               the
               Jewish
               servitude
               ,
               and
               therefore
               hated
               by
               them
               ;
               yet
               were
               not
               Gentiles
               but
               a
               looser
               sort
               of
               Jews
               ,
               as
               the
               same
               St.
               Jerome
               fully
               makes
               appear
               .
            
             
               Therefore
               by
               the
               two
               sons
               here
               must
               be
               understood
               any
               two
               men
               ,
               or
               any
               two
               sorts
               of
               men
               ,
               (
               whether
               Jews
               or
               Pagans
               it
               matters
               not
               )
               who
               as
               to
               piety
               and
               vertue
               have
               for
               a
               great
               while
               run
               a
               quite
               contrary
               course
               ,
               but
               at
               last
               happen
               to
               meet
               at
               the
               same
               point
               of
               sincere
               goodness
               .
               Namely
               ,
               by
               the
               Elder
               Son
               are
               described
               those
               ,
               who
               from
               their
               younger
               years
               and
               minority
               ,
               have
               been
               by
               the
               preventing
               grace
               of
               God
               ,
               preserved
               from
               the
               common
               extravagancies
               and
               corruptions
               of
               the
               world
               ;
               and
               by
               the
               blessing
               of
               God
               upon
               pious
               education
               or
               otherwise
               ,
               have
               been
               by
               degrees
               trained
               up
               ,
               and
               insensibly
               led
               on
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               Religion
               .
               As
               our
               Saviour
               elsewhere
               saith
               of
               the
               Corn
               ,
               that
               it
               
                 grows
                 whilest
                 men
                 sleep
                 and
                 wake
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               we
               can
               see
               it
               doth
               grow
               ,
               but
               cannot
               discern
               the
               gradual
               progress
               it
               maketh
               :
               so
               such
               persons
               become
               sincerely
               good
               and
               run
               a
               race
               of
               vertue
               ,
               though
               we
               cannot
               see
               where
               and
               when
               they
               set
               out
               ,
               nor
               assign
               any
               date
               of
               their
               conversion
               ,
               by
               reason
               the
               change
               was
               not
               so
               palpably
               great
               ,
               nor
               so
               sudden
               as
               in
               the
               conversion
               of
               notorious
               sinners
               .
            
             
               Such
               a
               person
               as
               we
               are
               now
               speaking
               of
               seems
               to
               have
               been
               
                 Obadiah
                 ,
                 1
                 Kings
              
               18.
               12.
               who
               sticks
               not
               to
               say
               of
               himself
               ,
               
                 I
                 thy
                 servant
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 from
                 my
                 youth
                 .
              
               And
               such
               another
               was
               Timothy
               ,
               concerning
               whom
               we
               have
               the
               testimony
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               2
               Tim.
               1.
               5.
               that
               by
               the
               carefull
               instructions
               of
               his
               Grandmother
               Lois
               ,
               and
               his
               Mother
               Eunice
               ,
               he
               had
               been
               from
               his
               youth
               principled
               with
               a
               sense
               of
               piety
               and
               religion
               .
            
             
             
               To
               these
               instances
               I
               will
               adde
               for
               the
               nearness
               of
               matter
               what
               
                 Pontius
                 Diaconus
              
               saith
               of
               St.
               Cyprian
               ,
               
               
                 He
                 so
                 early
                 and
                 presently
                 conceived
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 piety
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 proficiency
                 almost
                 prevented
                 all
                 instruction
                 .
              
               Nor
               can
               I
               forget
               what
               *
               St.
               
                 Greg.
                 Nazianzen
              
               hath
               left
               upon
               record
               touching
               his
               own
               Father
               ,
               
                 He
                 was
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 a
                 Sheep
                 of
                 Christ's
                 flock
                 before
                 he
                 came
                 into
                 his
                 fold
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Christian
                 before
                 he
                 came
                 within
                 the
                 Church
              
               ;
               
               
                 the
                 probity
                 of
                 his
                 temper
                 ,
                 and
                 singular
                 vertues
                 of
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 made
                 him
                 a
                 Christian
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 by
                 anticipation
                 .
              
               But
               perhaps
               these
               last
               expressions
               are
               somewhat
               too
               florid
               and
               rhetorical
               ,
               that
               which
               I
               am
               saying
               is
               plain
               and
               easy
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               some
               persons
               of
               whom
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               takes
               early
               hold
               ,
               and
               the
               good
               Spirit
               of
               God
               inhabiting
               them
               ,
               
               not
               onely
               prevents
               the
               enterprizes
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               but
               carries
               them
               on
               in
               an
               even
               and
               constant
               course
               of
               holiness
               :
               their
               Christianity
               bearing
               equal
               date
               with
               their
               manhood
               ,
               and
               reason
               and
               religion
               ,
               like
               warp
               and
               woof
               running
               together
               ,
               make
               up
               one
               web
               of
               a
               wife
               and
               vertuous
               life
               .
            
             
               This
               is
               a
               most
               happy
               case
               wherever
               it
               happens
               ,
               for
               besides
               that
               there
               is
               no
               more
               sweet
               nor
               beautifull
               thing
               in
               the
               whole
               world
               then
               the
               early
               buds
               of
               piety
               ,
               upon
               which
               account
               it
               is
               probably
               supposed
               ,
               that
               our
               Saviour
               (
               who
               was
               far
               from
               a
               soft
               fondness
               of
               youth
               or
               admiration
               of
               external
               beauty
               )
               gave
               such
               signal
               tokens
               of
               affection
               to
               St.
               John
               ,
               that
               he
               was
               called
               the
               beloved
               Disciple
               .
               Besides
               this
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               it
               is
               so
               much
               a
               more
               comfortable
               thing
               
                 to
                 escape
                 the
                 pollutions
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 through
                 lust
                 ,
              
               by
               an
               early
               ingagement
               in
               a
               holy
               course
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               more
               desirable
               to
               escape
               shipwreck
               ,
               then
               to
               be
               saved
               by
               a
               plank
               ;
               or
               to
               have
               no
               wound
               ,
               then
               to
               experiment
               the
               most
               sovereign
               balsom
               ;
               which
               if
               it
               work
               a
               cure
               ,
               yet
               usually
               leaves
               a
               sear
               behind
               .
               Moreover
               he
               that
               begins
               his
               race
               betimes
               
               hath
               all
               along
               the
               comfort
               of
               his
               progress
               and
               proficiency
               ,
               and
               feels
               himself
               daily
               approaching
               towards
               his
               desired
               end
               :
               whereas
               he
               that
               sets
               out
               wrong
               hath
               the
               hard
               and
               uncomfortable
               part
               of
               going
               quite
               back
               again
               ,
               and
               undoing
               all
               he
               hath
               done
               ,
               besides
               the
               agonies
               of
               conscience
               ,
               and
               the
               strong
               convulsions
               which
               he
               must
               suffer
               ,
               that
               casts
               off
               a
               long
               settled
               and
               habitual
               course
               of
               sin
               .
               To
               which
               adde
               ,
               that
               whatever
               diligence
               or
               zeal
               of
               God's
               glory
               a
               late
               Convert
               that
               comes
               into
               the
               vineyard
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               at
               the
               eleventh
               hour
               ,
               may
               express
               at
               last
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               certain
               he
               hath
               done
               God
               a
               great
               dishonour
               heretofore
               :
               whereas
               he
               we
               now
               speak
               of
               ,
               is
               one
               that
               coming
               in
               at
               the
               first
               hour
               ,
               labours
               all
               day
               in
               God's
               work
               ,
               and
               equally
               carries
               on
               the
               affair
               of
               God's
               glory
               and
               his
               own
               comfort
               here
               ,
               and
               salvation
               hereafter
               .
               Now
               all
               these
               things
               considered
               ,
               if
               there
               shall
               be
               any
               man
               so
               rash
               and
               injudicious
               ,
               as
               notwithstanding
               to
               press
               all
               men
               without
               distinction
               in
               order
               to
               their
               title
               to
               the
               mercies
               of
               God
               and
               hopes
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               to
               make
               the
               same
               severe
               reflexions
               upon
               themselves
               ,
               or
               to
               shew
               the
               like
               sensible
               and
               discernible
               change
               in
               their
               lives
               ,
               let
               them
               know
               by
               this
               unskilfulness
               of
               theirs
               ,
               they
               unreasonably
               minister
               trouble
               to
               the
               best
               and
               happiest
               of
               men
               ;
               and
               have
               a
               design
               quite
               contrary
               to
               that
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               who
               professed
               he
               
                 came
                 not
                 to
                 call
                 the
                 righteous
                 but
                 sinners
                 to
                 repentance
                 .
              
               And
               in
               the
               seventh
               verse
               of
               this
               Chapter
               he
               speaks
               of
               
                 just
                 men
                 which
                 need
                 no
                 repentance
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               have
               no
               need
               to
               make
               a
               change
               of
               their
               whole
               course
               and
               begin
               a
               new
               ,
               as
               notorious
               sinners
               ought
               to
               doe
               .
               Both
               which
               places
               ,
               I
               take
               ,
               to
               be
               clearly
               interpreted
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               sense
               we
               are
               assigning
               to
               them
               ,
               by
               that
               other
               passage
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               Jo.
               13.
               10.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 washed
                 ,
                 needeth
                 not
                 ,
                 save
                 to
                 wash
                 his
                 feet
                 onely
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               he
               that
               is
               already
               ingaged
               in
               a
               holy
               
               course
               ,
               and
               habituate
               to
               the
               ways
               of
               piety
               ,
               hath
               only
               need
               to
               be
               duely
               cleansed
               from
               those
               occasional
               soils
               and
               defilements
               ,
               which
               the
               infirmity
               of
               humane
               nature
               and
               conversation
               in
               the
               world
               suffer
               no
               man
               wholly
               to
               escape
               ,
               but
               not
               to
               enter
               upon
               a
               new
               state
               ,
               or
               begin
               a
               whole
               course
               of
               repentance
               .
               To
               which
               effect
               I
               understand
               those
               words
               of
               Origen
               in
               his
               Books
               against
               Celsus
               ,
               
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 was
                 sent
                 indeed
                 a
                 Physician
                 to
                 cure
                 and
                 recover
                 sinners
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 improve
                 and
                 instruct
                 those
                 further
                 in
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 already
                 vertuous
                 .
              
               I
               'le
               conclude
               and
               confirm
               all
               I
               have
               said
               of
               this
               kind
               with
               the
               sense
               of
               Manasses
               ,
               which
               he
               expresses
               in
               his
               famous
               penitential
               prayer
               .
               
                 Thou
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 art
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 the
                 just
                 ,
                 hast
                 not
                 appointed
                 repentance
                 to
                 the
                 just
                 ,
                 as
                 to
              
               Abraham
               and
               Isaac
               and
               Jacob
               ,
               
                 &c.
                 but
                 thou
                 hast
                 appointed
                 repentance
                 unto
                 me
                 who
                 am
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
             
               This
               I
               take
               to
               be
               sufficient
               for
               the
               determination
               who
               is
               meant
               by
               the
               Elder
               Brother
               ,
               and
               then
               we
               cannot
               be
               much
               to
               seek
               who
               is
               denoted
               by
               the
               Younger
               ;
               for
               what
               we
               have
               now
               said
               being
               granted
               ,
               it
               necessarily
               follow
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               Younger
               Son
               ,
               are
               described
               all
               such
               persons
               as
               have
               run
               a
               dangerous
               risk
               of
               sin
               and
               impiety
               ,
               that
               have
               committed
               gross
               and
               hainous
               transgressions
               ,
               and
               continued
               in
               a
               state
               of
               disobedience
               and
               impenitency
               ,
               after
               such
               manner
               as
               the
               Publicans
               and
               Sinners
               in
               the
               text
               are
               supposed
               to
               have
               done
               :
               These
               are
               said
               to
               forsake
               their
               Father's
               house
               and
               presence
               ,
               to
               mispend
               their
               portion
               in
               riotous
               living
               ,
               who
               yet
               at
               last
               being
               reduced
               to
               extremity
               ,
               come
               to
               themselves
               ,
               turn
               serious
               penitents
               ,
               bewail
               their
               folly
               ,
               resolve
               upon
               amendment
               ,
               implore
               pardon
               ,
               double
               their
               diligence
               and
               care
               for
               the
               time
               to
               come
               ,
               and
               of
               old
               sinners
               become
               young
               Saints
               ,
               whereupon
               they
               are
               by
               a
               gracious
               God
               admitted
               to
               pardon
               and
               reconciliation
               ,
               
               and
               adoption
               ;
               for
               these
               the
               best
               robe
               is
               fetched
               out
               ,
               the
               fatted
               calf
               slain
               ,
               and
               upon
               their
               conversion
               as
               a
               thing
               utterly
               despaired
               of
               and
               unexpected
               ,
               there
               is
               joy
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               amongst
               the
               holy
               Angels
               .
               These
               were
               dead
               in
               trespasses
               and
               sins
               ,
               but
               are
               now
               quickned
               and
               revived
               by
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               ;
               they
               were
               Strangers
               and
               Aliens
               from
               the
               covenant
               of
               Grace
               ,
               but
               now
               become
               of
               the
               houshold
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               heirs
               of
               eternal
               life
               .
            
             
               And
               now
               these
               two
               points
               being
               resolved
               of
               ,
               we
               have
               a
               key
               by
               which
               we
               may
               easily
               open
               all
               the
               circumstances
               of
               the
               whole
               Parable
               ,
               so
               that
               it
               will
               not
               be
               necessary
               that
               I
               insist
               longer
               upon
               a
               general
               interpretation
               .
               Neverthelesse
               lest
               there
               should
               seem
               one
               difficulty
               not
               sufficiently
               provided
               against
               ,
               or
               any
               man
               should
               yet
               be
               at
               a
               losse
               ,
               how
               if
               the
               Elder
               Brother
               denote
               sincerely
               good
               men
               ,
               it
               can
               stand
               with
               their
               character
               to
               grumble
               at
               the
               mercifull
               reception
               of
               poor
               penitents
               ,
               as
               here
               he
               is
               represented
               to
               doe
               .
               And
               moreover
               it
               may
               raise
               another
               doubt
               ,
               if
               the
               Elder
               Brother
               be
               set
               to
               describe
               men
               of
               constant
               and
               unblemished
               Sanctity
               ,
               how
               such
               a
               person
               should
               be
               fit
               to
               denote
               the
               Scribes
               and
               Pharisees
               ,
               who
               were
               certainly
               very
               evil
               and
               corrupt
               men
               .
               Unlesse
               a
               plain
               account
               can
               be
               given
               of
               these
               ,
               it
               must
               follow
               ,
               that
               either
               we
               have
               not
               hit
               the
               occasion
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               or
               the
               Parable
               did
               not
               answer
               to
               the
               occasion
               .
               Wherefore
               to
               these
               I
               answer
               joyntly
               ,
               That
               our
               Saviour
               the
               more
               effectually
               to
               convince
               these
               Jews
               that
               reproached
               and
               censured
               him
               ,
               proceeds
               with
               them
               upon
               their
               own
               Hypothesis
               ;
               namely
               ,
               taking
               it
               for
               granted
               that
               they
               were
               as
               eminently
               good
               and
               holy
               men
               ,
               as
               they
               either
               took
               themselves
               ,
               or
               pretended
               to
               be
               ;
               and
               that
               the
               Publicans
               and
               Sinners
               were
               indeed
               as
               bad
               as
               they
               esteemed
               them
               :
               I
               mean
               he
               doth
               not
               intend
               to
               signifie
               
               that
               these
               censorious
               persons
               were
               indeed
               good
               men
               ,
               for
               upon
               all
               occasions
               (
               we
               see
               )
               he
               upbraids
               their
               rottennesse
               and
               hypocrisie
               ;
               but
               because
               they
               out
               of
               opinion
               of
               their
               own
               sanctity
               and
               contempt
               of
               others
               ,
               reproached
               his
               carriage
               in
               this
               matter
               ,
               therefore
               the
               designs
               to
               shew
               them
               ,
               that
               if
               that
               was
               true
               which
               is
               utterly
               false
               ,
               and
               they
               as
               good
               men
               as
               they
               were
               extremely
               bad
               ,
               yet
               upon
               due
               consideration
               they
               ought
               not
               to
               blame
               his
               management
               of
               himself
               ,
               and
               gracious
               condescension
               to
               sinners
               .
               As
               if
               he
               had
               said
               :
               
                 You
                 Scribes
                 and
                 Pharisees
                 wonder
                 that
                 instead
                 of
                 applying
                 my self
                 to
                 your
                 conversation
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 men
                 of
                 great
                 note
                 for
                 sanctity
                 and
                 devotion
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 blemished
                 with
                 any
                 great
                 disorder
                 ;
                 I
                 rather
                 chuse
                 to
                 lay
                 out
                 my self
                 upon
                 the
                 recovery
                 of
                 flagitious
                 and
                 desperate
                 sinners
                 :
                 now
                 see
                 your
                 own
                 unreasonablenesse
                 in
                 this
                 instance
                 ;
                 You
                 will
                 allow
                 a
                 Father
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 passionately
                 concerned
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 expresse
                 a
                 greater
                 joy
                 upon
                 the
                 recovery
                 of
                 a
                 Lost
                 Son
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 usually
                 doth
                 about
                 him
                 that
                 was
                 always
                 with
                 him
                 and
                 out
                 of
                 danger
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 that
                 Son
                 who
                 had
                 never
                 departed
                 from
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 never
                 given
                 him
                 occasion
                 for
                 those
                 change
                 of
                 passions
                 ,
                 should
                 expostulate
                 with
                 his
                 Father
                 for
                 his
                 affectionateness
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 case
                 ,
                 you
                 would
                 in
                 your
                 own
                 thoughts
                 blame
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 envious
                 and
                 undutifull
                 .
                 Now
                 apply
                 this
                 to
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 you
                 can
                 of
                 your selves
                 ,
                 yet
                 upon
                 the
                 premisses
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 see
                 no
                 reason
                 to
                 calumniate
                 my
                 endeavours
                 of
                 reclaiming
                 sinners
                 ,
                 or
                 my
                 kindnesse
                 and
                 benignity
                 towards
                 them
                 upon
                 their
                 repentance
                 .
              
            
             
               By
               this
               time
               I
               doubt
               not
               but
               the
               whole
               drift
               of
               the
               Parable
               is
               made
               plain
               and
               perspicuous
               to
               an
               ordinary
               capacity
               .
               Wherefore
               now
               I
               proceed
               to
               handle
               the
               
               particular
               branches
               of
               it
               :
               of
               which
               there
               are
               these
               three
               most
               remarkable
               in
               the
               Parable
               ,
               and
               which
               as
               I
               have
               already
               intimated
               ,
               are
               the
               designed
               subject
               of
               the
               subsequent
               discourse
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               we
               have
               here
               a
               graphical
               description
               of
               the
               state
               and
               condition
               of
               an
               habitual
               sinner
               before
               repentance
               ,
               from
               vers
               .
               11.
               to
               vers
               .
               17.
               
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               a
               type
               or
               portraicture
               of
               true
               repentance
               and
               turning
               to
               God
               ,
               from
               vers
               .
               17.
               to
               vers
               .
               20.
               
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               an
               Emblematical
               representation
               of
               God's
               unspeakable
               mercy
               in
               the
               gracious
               reception
               of
               such
               penitents
               ,
               from
               vers
               .
               20.
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
               Chapter
               ,
               but
               especially
               to
               vers
               .
               24.
               
            
             
               Of
               these
               three
               points
               I
               will
               treat
               in
               order
               according
               as
               the
               series
               of
               the
               Parable
               leads
               me
               .
               But
               yet
               because
               I
               apprehend
               it
               will
               be
               not
               onely
               profitable
               in
               it self
               ,
               but
               also
               peculiarly
               subservient
               to
               the
               present
               design
               ,
               that
               before
               I
               apply
               my self
               to
               a
               direct
               prosecution
               of
               the
               traces
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               I
               give
               a
               strict
               and
               Philosophical
               account
               of
               the
               Nature
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               the
               several
               Stations
               of
               Sinners
               ,
               as
               which
               will
               give
               both
               light
               and
               weight
               ,
               especially
               to
               the
               first
               of
               the
               mentioned
               particulars
               ,
               and
               in
               good
               measure
               to
               all
               the
               rest
               ;
               This
               therefore
               I
               will
               endeavour
               in
               the
               next
               immediate
               Chapter
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               III.
               
            
             
               Of
               the
               Nature
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               divers
               States
               of
               Sinners
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     A
                     definition
                     of
                     sin
                     :
                     the
                     three
                     sorts
                     of
                     Laws
                     mankind
                     is
                     under
                     ;
                     (
                     viz.
                     )
                     Natural
                     ,
                     Divine
                     ,
                     and
                     Humane
                     .
                     All
                     sin
                     is
                     a
                     violation
                     of
                     some
                     or
                     other
                     of
                     them
                     .
                     The
                     mischief
                     of
                     mistake
                     herein
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     A
                     law
                     that
                     obliges
                     must
                     be
                     known
                     or
                     knowable
                     .
                     Several
                     ways
                     of
                     promulging
                     the
                     Divine
                     Laws
                     .
                     The
                     guilt
                     of
                     sin
                     rises
                     in
                     proportion
                     to
                     the
                     clearnesse
                     of
                     the
                     promulgation
                     of
                     that
                     law
                     whereof
                     it
                     is
                     a
                     violation
                     .
                     The
                     mischiefs
                     of
                     mistake
                     herein
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     remedy
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     All
                     sin
                     is
                     voluntary
                     .
                     Cautions
                     for
                     the
                     right
                     understanding
                     of
                     that
                     assertion
                     :
                     the
                     proofs
                     of
                     the
                     truth
                     of
                     it
                     ,
                     and
                     absurd
                     consequences
                     of
                     the
                     contrary
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     A
                     passage
                     of
                     
                       S.
                       James
                       ,
                       Chap.
                       I.
                       vers
                       .
                       13.
                       &c.
                    
                     explained
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     nativity
                     of
                     sin
                     thereby
                     discovered
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     V.
                     The
                     usefulnesse
                     of
                     the
                     foregoing
                     definition
                     ,
                     and
                     explication
                     .
                     The
                     distinction
                     between
                     presumptuous
                     sins
                     ,
                     and
                     sins
                     of
                     infirmity
                     ,
                     and
                     their
                     different
                     effects
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     VI.
                     Of
                     reluctancy
                     of
                     Conscience
                     ,
                     and
                     whether
                     that
                     extenuates
                     or
                     increases
                     the
                     guilt
                     of
                     sin
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     VII
                     .
                     Of
                     the
                     several
                     states
                     and
                     mansions
                     of
                     sinners
                     ,
                     upon
                     the
                     consideration
                     of
                     which
                     return
                     is
                     made
                     to
                     the
                     Parable
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
             
               §
               I.
               IF
               we
               take
               just
               measures
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               sin
               (
               at
               least
               so
               far
               as
               it
               falls
               under
               our
               present
               consideration
               ,
               for
               it
               is
               not
               within
               the
               compass
               of
               my
               subject
               to
               treat
               of
               Original
               sin
               ,
               )
               it
               is
               thus
               to
               be
               Defined
               ,
               namely
               ,
               Sin
               is
               a
               voluntary
               breach
               of
               a
               known
               Law.
               Or
               to
               speak
               more
               fully
               and
               distinctly
               ,
               there
               are
               these
               three
               things
               concurrent
               to
               make
               man
               guilty
               ,
               or
               to
               denominate
               any
               action
               of
               his
               sinfull
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               by
               some
               act
               or
               omission
               of
               his
               ,
               there
               be
               a
               going
               contrary
               to
               ,
               and
               violation
               of
               some
               Law
               in
               being
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               the
               Law
               so
               violated
               ,
               be
               such
               as
               is
               ,
               or
               might
               have
               been
               known
               to
               the
               Offender
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               the
               Action
               or
               Omission
               by
               which
               such
               Law
               is
               violated
               ,
               be
               consented
               to
               ,
               and
               the
               breach
               voluntary
               .
            
             
               All
               these
               three
               things
               together
               in
               conjunction
               are
               the
               ingredients
               which
               make
               up
               the
               deadly
               poyson
               of
               sin
               .
               And
               for
               defect
               of
               due
               consideration
               of
               the
               necessary
               concurrence
               of
               all
               of
               them
               to
               that
               unhappy
               production
               ,
               It
               is
               hard
               to
               say
               whether
               greater
               Errours
               have
               ensued
               in
               Doctrine
               ,
               or
               more
               Vices
               in
               practice
               ;
               whether
               more
               perplexities
               have
               infested
               mens
               Consciences
               ,
               or
               more
               uncharitableness
               hath
               imbittered
               their
               Spirits
               .
               For
               if
               the
               first
               ingredient
               be
               left
               out
               ,
               Sin
               is
               thereby
               rendred
               either
               nothing
               at
               all
               or
               of
               so
               indefinite
               and
               uncertain
               a
               nature
               ,
               as
               that
               loose
               and
               profane
               men
               will
               laugh
               at
               it
               :
               and
               on
               the
               contrary
               good
               and
               devout
               persons
               will
               never
               be
               free
               from
               suspicions
               of
               it
               .
               If
               the
               second
               be
               omitted
               ,
               the
               consequence
               will
               be
               ,
               that
               severe
               and
               sad
               judgments
               will
               be
               passed
               upon
               the
               finall
               estate
               of
               the
               greatest
               part
               of
               mankind
               ,
               and
               therewith
               very
               unworthy
               reflections
               be
               made
               upon
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ;
               And
               if
               the
               
               third
               branch
               be
               omitted
               ,
               the
               number
               of
               sins
               will
               be
               vastly
               multiplied
               ,
               but
               the
               nature
               and
               guilt
               thereof
               so
               extenuated
               ,
               as
               that
               men
               will
               be
               tempted
               to
               be
               more
               afraid
               of
               God
               then
               of
               sinning
               against
               him
               .
               But
               all
               this
               and
               a
               great
               deale
               more
               will
               better
               appear
               upon
               a
               breif
               explication
               of
               the
               particulars
               .
            
             
               First
               then
               ,
               wherever
               there
               is
               sin
               there
               is
               a
               breach
               of
               some
               Law
               in
               being
               :
               this
               though
               it
               be
               not
               the
               full
               and
               adequate
               notion
               ,
               yet
               is
               the
               first
               reason
               of
               sin
               .
               And
               accordingly
               we
               may
               easily
               observe
               that
               in
               most
               if
               not
               in
               all
               Languages
               ,
               the
               very
               words
               that
               are
               made
               use
               of
               to
               express
               moral
               evil
               or
               sin
               ,
               do
               all
               import
               the
               breach
               of
               some
               Law
               or
               rule
               of
               action
               .
               Especially
               the
               Hebrew
               Tongue
               (
               which
               is
               most
               significant
               in
               this
               kind
               )
               hath
               three
               words
               most
               usuall
               in
               the
               case
               which
               we
               find
               all
               together
               ,
               Psal
               .
               32.
               v.
               1
               ,
               2.
               and
               all
               leading
               us
               directly
               to
               this
               notion
               of
               sin
               .
               
                 Blessed
                 is
                 be
                 whose
                 Transgression
                 is
                 forgiven
                 ,
                 whose
                 sin
                 is
                 covered
                 :
                 blessed
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 Lord
                 imputeth
                 not
                 Iniquity
                 .
              
               The
               first
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               which
               we
               render
               transgression
               ,
               properly
               signifying
               to
               pass
               set
               Bounds
               or
               transgress
               prefixed
               Limits
               .
               The
               second
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               which
               we
               translate
               sin
               ,
               denoteth
               a
               missing
               of
               the
               aim
               or
               mark
               we
               were
               to
               have
               directed
               our selves
               towards
               .
               And
               the
               last
               of
               the
               three
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               iniquity
               ,
               implies
               the
               making
               of
               a
               crooked
               and
               wandring
               path
               .
               So
               that
               we
               see
               whatever
               kind
               ,
               condition
               or
               degree
               of
               sin
               it
               be
               that
               is
               spoken
               of
               ,
               it
               is
               still
               expressed
               by
               respect
               to
               some
               Law
               or
               Rule
               ,
               in
               deviation
               from
               which
               it
               consists
               .
               The
               like
               may
               be
               observed
               in
               the
               Greek
               Tongue
               ,
               in
               the
               words
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               &c.
               and
               generally
               in
               other
               Languages
               .
            
             
               But
               we
               need
               not
               insist
               upon
               niceties
               ,
               when
               that
               which
               we
               are
               saying
               is
               the
               express
               assertion
               of
               two
               Apostles
               St.
               Paul
               and
               St.
               John
               ,
               the
               former
               telling
               us
               ,
               
               
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 15.
                 
                 Where
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Law
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Transgression
                 .
              
               The
               other
               ,
               Ep.
               1.
               chap.
               3.
               vers
               ,
               4.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 sinneth
                 transgresseth
                 also
                 the
                 Law
                 :
                 for
                 sin
                 is
                 a
                 transgression
                 of
                 the
                 Law.
                 
              
            
             
               Now
               for
               that
               Law
               which
               sin
               is
               a
               violation
               of
               ,
               it
               is
               threefold
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               Either
               first
               
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 nature
              
               and
               reason
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               those
               differences
               of
               good
               and
               evill
               which
               the
               mind
               of
               man
               is
               of
               it self
               able
               to
               collect
               by
               attentive
               consideration
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               our
               relation
               to
               him
               ,
               the
               state
               of
               the
               whole
               Creation
               ,
               and
               the
               mutuall
               aspects
               of
               the
               severall
               parts
               thereof
               upon
               each
               other
               ,
               and
               upon
               our selves
               ;
               (
               of
               which
               we
               shall
               have
               occasion
               to
               speak
               more
               hereafter
               .
               )
               Or
               secondly
               the
               express
               and
               positive
               declarations
               of
               the
               Divine
               will
               concerning
               things
               to
               be
               done
               or
               avoided
               by
               us
               ,
               which
               is
               commonly
               called
               
                 Revelation
                 or
                 Divine
                 Law.
              
               Or
               thirdly
               ,
               the
               institutions
               ,
               commands
               and
               prohibitions
               of
               such
               men
               as
               it
               hath
               pleased
               God
               to
               invest
               with
               Authority
               (
               under
               himself
               )
               of
               obliging
               others
               ,
               which
               we
               call
               
                 Humane
                 Law.
              
               
            
             
               To
               these
               some
               would
               adde
               Custome
               as
               a
               fourth
               rule
               of
               action
               ,
               because
               they
               observe
               there
               are
               many
               cases
               wherein
               (
               all
               the
               former
               ceasing
               )
               wise
               and
               good
               men
               are
               wont
               to
               govern
               themselves
               by
               laudable
               and
               prevailing
               customs
               ;
               but
               this
               so
               far
               as
               it
               is
               obliging
               ,
               may
               be
               reduced
               to
               Humane
               Law.
               Others
               also
               would
               adde
               the
               
                 Law
                 of
                 Charity
              
               ,
               or
               of
               avoiding
               scandall
               as
               a
               fifth
               ,
               but
               this
               is
               both
               provided
               for
               by
               the
               positive
               Law
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               also
               deducible
               from
               naturall
               principles
               .
               Therefore
               the
               three
               aforesaid
               measures
               comprize
               all
               that
               which
               can
               fall
               under
               the
               notion
               of
               Law
               ,
               and
               consequently
               every
               such
               thing
               as
               is
               to
               be
               esteemed
               a
               sin
               must
               consist
               in
               a
               deviation
               from
               or
               going
               cross
               to
               either
               all
               or
               some
               one
               or
               other
               of
               them
               .
            
             
             
               For
               it
               is
               evident
               of
               it self
               that
               every
               thing
               is
               free
               till
               something
               restrain
               and
               circumscribe
               it
               ,
               and
               it
               cannot
               be
               evill
               but
               good
               to
               make
               use
               of
               that
               liberty
               ,
               which
               derogates
               from
               no
               other
               ,
               which
               infringes
               no
               Authority
               ,
               being
               retrenched
               by
               none
               .
               And
               it
               is
               as
               evident
               that
               we
               owe
               account
               of
               our selves
               and
               carriage
               only
               to
               God
               ultimately
               ,
               forasmuch
               as
               we
               derive
               our
               being
               and
               we
               have
               and
               are
               from
               him
               and
               him
               only
               :
               he
               therefore
               who
               gave
               us
               our
               being
               and
               all
               our
               powers
               and
               faculties
               and
               their
               respective
               accommodations
               ,
               and
               who
               continually
               supports
               us
               in
               the
               exercise
               of
               them
               ,
               may
               justly
               prescribe
               to
               us
               and
               set
               us
               what
               boundaries
               shall
               seem
               fit
               to
               his
               infinite
               Wisedome
               .
            
             
               Now
               there
               are
               but
               three
               ways
               wherein
               he
               hath
               imposed
               any
               obligation
               or
               restraint
               upon
               us
               .
               viz.
               Either
               by
               such
               footsteps
               of
               his
               Will
               ,
               as
               the
               mind
               of
               man
               may
               trace
               in
               the
               order
               of
               the
               Creation
               ,
               those
               intimations
               of
               good
               and
               evill
               which
               are
               interwoven
               in
               the
               very
               nature
               and
               order
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               observed
               by
               naturall
               reason
               .
               Or
               secondly
               by
               extraordinary
               interposition
               ,
               expresly
               dictating
               his
               mind
               and
               will
               to
               the
               sons
               of
               men
               .
               Or
               lastly
               ,
               delegating
               Authority
               to
               those
               whom
               his
               Providence
               hath
               constituted
               in
               Superiority
               ,
               to
               prescribe
               to
               us
               in
               all
               such
               things
               as
               were
               not
               foreprized
               by
               the
               two
               former
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               that
               in
               all
               cases
               where
               neither
               the
               Laws
               of
               nature
               nor
               the
               Divine
               Law
               were
               infringed
               ,
               there
               it
               was
               his
               will
               we
               should
               govern
               our selves
               by
               the
               Laws
               of
               men
               .
            
             
               These
               I
               say
               are
               all
               the
               ways
               God
               hath
               thought
               fit
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               are
               imaginable
               of
               laying
               any
               obligation
               upon
               us
               .
               Therefore
               wherever
               there
               is
               sin
               ,
               either
               some
               plain
               dictate
               of
               Reason
               is
               contradicted
               ,
               or
               some
               positive
               Law
               of
               God
               violated
               ,
               or
               the
               Sanction
               of
               human
               
               authority
               opposed
               ;
               and
               where
               neither
               of
               these
               is
               done
               ,
               there
               can
               be
               no
               sin
               upon
               the
               forecited
               reason
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 law
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 transgression
                 .
              
            
             
               WHICH
               plain
               truth
               we
               have
               thus
               carefully
               deduced
               principally
               for
               the
               prevention
               or
               remedy
               of
               two
               mistakes
               very
               rife
               in
               this
               matter
               .
               The
               former
               is
               of
               certain
               honest
               and
               well-meaning
               ,
               but
               timorous
               and
               superstitious
               persons
               ,
               who
               not
               content
               to
               approve
               themselves
               to
               the
               aforesaid
               measures
               ,
               nor
               thinking
               it
               sufficient
               for
               their
               security
               ,
               that
               neither
               the
               Law
               of
               Nature
               ,
               nor
               any
               expresse
               either
               divine
               or
               humane
               Law
               disallow
               their
               actions
               ,
               are
               afraid
               of
               their
               own
               shadows
               ,
               and
               suspect
               sin
               and
               danger
               they
               know
               not
               why
               nor
               whence
               ;
               their
               heart
               misgives
               them
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               nothing
               in
               the
               case
               ,
               but
               either
               that
               the
               thing
               they
               are
               about
               is
               contrary
               to
               the
               course
               of
               their
               education
               ,
               or
               forbidden
               by
               the
               imperious
               dictate
               of
               some
               person
               ,
               to
               whose
               usurped
               authority
               they
               have
               prostituted
               their
               judgments
               .
               Now
               would
               such
               persons
               be
               induced
               to
               consider
               ,
               that
               lawfull
               and
               unlawfull
               are
               relative
               terms
               ,
               and
               respect
               some
               definite
               rule
               or
               other
               ,
               which
               must
               determine
               any
               action
               to
               be
               this
               or
               that
               ;
               that
               God
               is
               well
               pleased
               that
               his
               laws
               be
               observed
               ,
               and
               is
               not
               so
               severe
               and
               rigid
               as
               to
               oblige
               us
               negatively
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               we
               shall
               doe
               nothing
               but
               what
               he
               commands
               ;
               that
               there
               is
               a
               great
               field
               of
               liberty
               interjacent
               between
               expresse
               sin
               and
               expresse
               duty
               ,
               and
               in
               that
               we
               may
               expatiate
               without
               offence
               ;
               that
               all
               actions
               are
               good
               within
               that
               scope
               ,
               and
               though
               they
               admit
               of
               such
               different
               degrees
               as
               that
               some
               may
               be
               much
               better
               then
               others
               ,
               yet
               none
               are
               evil
               that
               touch
               not
               upon
               the
               bounds
               and
               limits
               of
               Law
               :
               If
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               these
               things
               were
               considered
               ,
               which
               are
               no
               more
               then
               the
               effect
               of
               what
               I
               said
               before
               ,
               then
               would
               those
               honest
               minds
               
               be
               undeceived
               and
               enfranchised
               ,
               who
               for
               want
               of
               such
               consideration
               are
               put
               to
               the
               unhappy
               choice
               ,
               either
               to
               be
               dispoiled
               of
               all
               liberty
               ,
               or
               deprived
               of
               all
               peace
               ;
               besides
               that
               by
               such
               jealousies
               they
               tempt
               both
               themselves
               and
               others
               to
               think
               hardly
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               consequently
               of
               that
               ,
               provoke
               all
               such
               men
               as
               are
               strangers
               to
               Religion
               to
               nauseate
               and
               abhorr
               it
               .
            
             
               THE
               other
               mistake
               which
               we
               here
               seek
               to
               prevent
               ,
               is
               of
               those
               that
               quite
               contrary
               to
               the
               former
               ,
               are
               so
               far
               from
               thinking
               the
               three
               Rules
               of
               Action
               we
               laid
               down
               to
               be
               insufficient
               ,
               that
               they
               persuade
               themselves
               it
               is
               no
               great
               matter
               for
               Law
               or
               Rule
               .
               The
               persuasion
               of
               a
               man
               's
               own
               conscience
               ,
               an
               honest
               intention
               and
               a
               zeal
               of
               God
               are
               able
               to
               bear
               out
               and
               justifie
               an
               undertaking
               ,
               though
               against
               the
               expresse
               and
               literal
               direction
               of
               some
               Law
               in
               being
               .
               This
               conceit
               ,
               (
               strange
               as
               it
               is
               ,
               )
               hath
               neverthelesse
               had
               its
               Patrons
               and
               Proselytes
               both
               amongst
               Jews
               and
               Christians
               ,
               and
               been
               the
               cause
               of
               mischief
               enough
               to
               both
               .
               Now
               it
               is
               true
               that
               it
               is
               within
               the
               power
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               to
               make
               that
               which
               was
               before
               indifferent
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               to
               become
               good
               and
               laudable
               in
               particular
               ;
               or
               contrariwise
               by
               its
               dissent
               to
               render
               it
               evil
               and
               vicious
               ,
               because
               God
               having
               given
               it
               a
               judicature
               ,
               its
               consent
               is
               to
               be
               had
               in
               what
               we
               doe
               ;
               in
               which
               sense
               ,
               I
               take
               it
               ,
               that
               of
               the
               Apostle
               is
               to
               be
               understood
               ,
               
                 Whatsoever
                 is
                 not
                 of
                 faith
                 is
                 sin
              
               ;
               and
               for
               that
               reason
               an
               erring
               conscience
               (
               as
               I
               shall
               shew
               by
               and
               by
               )
               is
               also
               some
               mitigation
               of
               a
               miscarriage
               in
               practice
               .
               But
               it
               is
               far
               from
               that
               prerogative
               of
               being
               able
               to
               legitimate
               any
               action
               prohibited
               by
               any
               of
               the
               aforesaid
               rules
               ,
               for
               it
               is
               but
               a
               Judge
               not
               a
               Law
               ,
               and
               must
               be
               governed
               by
               the
               measures
               forelaid
               .
               Or
               if
               we
               allow
               too
               ,
               that
               the
               light
               of
               conscience
               is
               one
               of
               those
               measures
               ,
               (
               as
               we
               doe
               )
               yet
               must
               it
               not
               bear
               down
               both
               the
               other
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               it
               is
               
               onely
               a
               Law
               ,
               and
               justifies
               an
               action
               when
               neither
               divine
               nor
               humane
               Laws
               have
               restrained
               it
               ,
               and
               not
               else
               .
               Wherefore
               upon
               the
               whole
               matter
               it
               is
               apparent
               ,
               that
               the
               three
               Rules
               aforesaid
               in
               conjunction
               make
               up
               the
               standard
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ;
               every
               thing
               is
               a
               sin
               that
               goes
               contrary
               to
               any
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               nothing
               is
               so
               ,
               that
               doth
               not
               .
            
             
               §
               II.
               2.
               
               BUT
               Secondly
               ,
               to
               render
               any
               action
               of
               ours
               culpable
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               sufficient
               that
               some
               Law
               in
               being
               be
               broken
               ,
               unlesse
               that
               Law
               be
               also
               promulged
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               such
               as
               is
               or
               may
               be
               known
               ,
               for
               otherwise
               in
               effect
               it
               is
               no
               Law.
               And
               that
               government
               would
               justly
               be
               accounted
               arbitrary
               and
               tyrannical
               ,
               and
               the
               Sovereign
               rather
               thought
               to
               lie
               at
               catch
               for
               the
               penalty
               then
               to
               desire
               just
               obedience
               ,
               who
               shall
               impute
               that
               for
               a
               fault
               ,
               which
               he
               had
               not
               given
               sufficient
               caution
               against
               by
               a
               plain
               declaration
               of
               his
               will
               and
               pleasure
               .
               For
               
                 non
                 esse
                 &
                 non
                 apparere
                 aequiparantur
                 in
                 Jure
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 cannot
                 appear
                 is
                 in
                 Laws
                 all
                 one
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 not
                 at
                 all
              
               ;
               because
               an
               unknown
               Law
               can
               have
               no
               influence
               upon
               those
               it
               should
               concern
               ,
               neither
               directing
               them
               what
               to
               do
               ,
               nor
               forewarning
               what
               to
               avoid
               ;
               neither
               giving
               notice
               of
               their
               duty
               ,
               nor
               their
               danger
               ;
               and
               consequently
               works
               neither
               upon
               their
               reason
               ,
               nor
               their
               passion
               ,
               and
               therefore
               not
               at
               all
               .
            
             
               IT
               is
               true
               that
               all
               Laws
               have
               not
               the
               same
               way
               and
               manner
               of
               publication
               ,
               for
               even
               amongst
               men
               several
               Nations
               have
               their
               several
               and
               peculiar
               forms
               of
               doing
               it
               .
               The
               old
               Romans
               by
               Tables
               hung
               up
               in
               the
               Market
               ,
               and
               places
               of
               publick
               congresse
               ;
               some
               have
               done
               the
               same
               thing
               by
               the
               voice
               of
               a
               publick
               Herald
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               sound
               of
               Trumpet
               ,
               &c.
               but
               however
               they
               differed
               in
               the
               circumstance
               ,
               they
               all
               agreed
               
               in
               the
               thing
               ,
               that
               Laws
               were
               not
               perfect
               and
               obliging
               till
               they
               were
               promulged
               .
               And
               so
               it
               is
               with
               the
               Laws
               of
               God
               Almighty
               ,
               he
               never
               expects
               that
               men
               should
               govern
               themselves
               by
               the
               secret
               decrees
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               nor
               leaves
               them
               to
               guesse
               at
               the
               transactions
               in
               his
               Cabinet-Counsel
               ,
               but
               first
               publishes
               his
               Law
               ,
               and
               then
               requires
               conformity
               to
               it
               ;
               though
               that
               in
               divers
               manners
               ,
               as
               it
               seemed
               best
               to
               his
               divine
               wisedom
               .
               Sometimes
               he
               exprest
               himself
               by
               an
               audible
               voice
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               wherein
               the
               Angels
               were
               employed
               as
               his
               Ministers
               ,
               namely
               ,
               when
               he
               gave
               his
               Laws
               upon
               Mount
               Sinai
               :
               other
               times
               by
               inspiration
               of
               Prophets
               and
               Holy
               Men
               ,
               and
               making
               them
               the
               Interpreters
               of
               his
               mind
               to
               the
               world
               .
               When
               to
               give
               the
               more
               full
               assurance
               that
               it
               was
               he
               that
               sent
               and
               instructed
               them
               ,
               he
               was
               wont
               also
               to
               send
               along
               with
               them
               some
               miraculous
               power
               or
               other
               ,
               as
               his
               Credential
               Letters
               under
               his
               privy
               Signet
               .
               But
               most
               gloriously
               of
               all
               did
               he
               proclaim
               his
               mind
               ,
               when
               he
               sent
               his
               Son
               into
               the
               world
               ,
               whose
               every
               circumstance
               from
               the
               miracles
               of
               his
               Birth
               to
               the
               glories
               of
               his
               Resurrection
               and
               Ascension
               ,
               sufficiently
               proclaimed
               him
               the
               Messias
               ,
               the
               Messenger
               of
               the
               Covenant
               .
            
             
               AND
               for
               the
               Laws
               of
               Nature
               ,
               these
               ,
               though
               by
               some
               perverse
               men
               they
               have
               been
               denied
               to
               have
               the
               nature
               of
               Laws
               obligatory
               ,
               because
               they
               have
               not
               had
               the
               like
               solemnity
               of
               publication
               ,
               as
               others
               have
               had
               ,
               yet
               *
               forasmuch
               as
               these
               have
               either
               been
               written
               upon
               the
               fleshly
               tables
               of
               men's
               hearts
               ,
               where
               all
               that
               will
               look
               inward
               may
               read
               them
               ,
               or
               rather
               ,
               (
               as
               I
               have
               intimated
               already
               )
               are
               ingraven
               and
               inserted
               into
               the
               very
               nature
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               texture
               of
               the
               universe
               ,
               where
               whosoever
               hath
               not
               unmanned
               himself
               ,
               and
               debauched
               his
               reason
               ,
               may
               be
               able
               to
               discover
               them
               .
               And
               besides
               they
               have
               
               manifestly
               the
               sanction
               of
               rewards
               and
               punishments
               ,
               in
               the
               constant
               experience
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               attending
               the
               observation
               and
               contempt
               of
               them
               respectively
               ,
               upon
               which
               accounts
               they
               must
               needs
               seem
               to
               all
               honest
               and
               unprejudiced
               minds
               ,
               sufficiently
               promulged
               .
            
             
               SO
               that
               constantly
               some
               way
               or
               other
               according
               as
               it
               seemed
               best
               to
               him
               ,
               God
               hath
               always
               been
               pleased
               to
               make
               his
               mind
               sufficiently
               and
               certainly
               known
               to
               all
               those
               upon
               whom
               he
               intended
               it
               should
               have
               the
               force
               and
               obligation
               of
               a
               Law
               ,
               and
               he
               never
               required
               obedience
               otherwise
               then
               in
               proportion
               to
               such
               manifestation
               .
               Accordingly
               we
               observe
               ,
               that
               when
               he
               had
               given
               Laws
               to
               the
               people
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               and
               proclaimed
               them
               very
               gloriously
               and
               solemnly
               as
               aforesaid
               ;
               yet
               in
               regard
               such
               proclamation
               could
               not
               certainly
               reach
               to
               all
               other
               Nations
               ,
               (
               for
               that
               as
               well
               as
               for
               other
               reasons
               ,
               )
               he
               did
               not
               exact
               of
               any
               other
               people
               conformity
               to
               those
               institutions
               ,
               nor
               judged
               them
               thereby
               .
               So
               the
               Apostle
               assures
               us
               ,
               Rom.
               2.
               12.
               
               
                 Such
                 as
                 have
                 sinned
                 without
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 shall
                 perish
                 without
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 many
                 as
                 have
                 sinned
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 judged
                 by
                 the
                 Law.
                 
              
            
             
               AND
               it
               is
               further
               very
               remarkable
               ,
               that
               even
               the
               Gospell
               it self
               ,
               which
               was
               (
               what
               the
               Religion
               of
               the
               Jews
               was
               not
               ,
               namely
               )
               an
               Institution
               fitted
               for
               all
               Countries
               ,
               Nations
               ,
               and
               Ages
               ;
               and
               which
               therefore
               our
               Lord
               Christ
               took
               care
               by
               his
               Apostles
               as
               his
               Heralds
               to
               proclaim
               all
               the
               world
               over
               :
               This
               Gospell
               I
               say
               ,
               till
               it
               was
               fully
               published
               ,
               and
               untill
               men
               had
               time
               given
               them
               to
               consider
               well
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               to
               overcome
               their
               prejudices
               against
               it
               ,
               made
               a
               favourable
               interpretation
               of
               men's
               unbelief
               .
               This
               I
               take
               to
               be
               the
               import
               of
               those
               words
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               Joh.
               9.
               39.
               41.
               
               
                 For
                 judgment
                 am
                 I
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 that
                 see
                 not
                 might
                 see
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 that
                 see
                 ,
                 
                 might
                 be
                 made
                 blind
                 .
                 If
                 ye
                 were
                 blind
                 ,
                 ye
                 should
                 have
                 no
                 sin
                 :
                 but
                 now
                 ye
                 say
                 ,
                 we
                 see
                 ,
                 therefore
                 your
                 sin
                 remaineth
                 .
              
               And
               to
               the
               same
               purpose
               ,
               Joh.
               15.
               22.
               
               
                 If
                 I
                 had
                 not
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 spoken
                 amongst
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 had
                 not
                 had
                 sin
                 :
                 but
                 now
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 cloak
                 for
                 their
                 sin
                 .
              
               And
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               this
               ,
               S.
               Paul
               himself
               was
               a
               great
               instance
               ,
               for
               so
               he
               tells
               us
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               13.
               
               
                 I
                 obtained
                 mercy
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 did
                 it
                 ignorantly
                 in
                 unbelief
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               I
               lay
               under
               mighty
               prejudices
               by
               reason
               of
               my
               education
               in
               the
               stiff
               way
               of
               a
               Pharisee
               ;
               and
               it
               required
               a
               great
               sincerity
               to
               be
               willing
               to
               listen
               to
               new
               proposals
               ,
               a
               huge
               sagacity
               to
               be
               able
               to
               see
               through
               those
               mists
               that
               were
               cast
               before
               my
               eyes
               ,
               and
               a
               most
               generous
               resolution
               to
               break
               through
               these
               and
               all
               other
               difficulties
               ;
               in
               consideration
               whereof
               ,
               God
               was
               pleased
               to
               make
               abatements
               of
               the
               guilt
               of
               my
               unbelief
               in
               proportion
               to
               the
               temptations
               I
               had
               thereto
               .
               It
               is
               indeed
               both
               a
               well
               known
               ,
               and
               as
               well
               received
               a
               Maxime
               ,
               
                 Ignorantia
                 Juris
                 non
                 excusat
              
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               no
               excuse
               of
               a
               fault
               to
               say
               
                 non
                 putâram
              
               ,
               I
               did
               not
               know
               the
               Law
               ;
               because
               when
               a
               Law
               is
               once
               promulged
               ,
               every
               man
               is
               bound
               to
               take
               notice
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               it
               can
               be
               imputed
               to
               nothing
               else
               but
               supine
               and
               affected
               ignorance
               ,
               if
               he
               shall
               then
               continue
               ignorant
               .
               Notwithstanding
               upon
               the
               self
               same
               supposition
               it
               seems
               to
               be
               granted
               ,
               that
               where
               the
               case
               is
               otherwise
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               where
               the
               Law
               not
               being
               sufficiently
               published
               ,
               cannot
               be
               known
               ,
               by
               an
               honest
               diligence
               ,
               there
               ignorance
               is
               no
               fault
               ,
               because
               indeed
               (
               as
               I
               said
               )
               there
               the
               Law
               is
               no
               Law.
               
            
             
               THOSE
               who
               consider
               not
               this
               point
               ,
               must
               needs
               be
               tempted
               to
               passe
               very
               dismal
               and
               damnatory
               sentences
               against
               the
               greatest
               part
               of
               mankind
               ,
               and
               consequently
               cannot
               avoid
               very
               hard
               thoughts
               of
               God
               :
               for
               the
               prevention
               of
               both
               which
               great
               evils
               ,
               as
               also
               to
               confirm
               what
               hath
               been
               now
               said
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               
               more
               usefull
               then
               to
               study
               well
               the
               Parable
               of
               our
               Saviour
               concerning
               the
               Talents
               ,
               Matt.
               25.
               14.
               by
               the
               due
               consideration
               whereof
               ,
               we
               shall
               amongst
               other
               instructions
               be
               led
               into
               the
               apprehension
               ,
               that
               God
               proceeds
               not
               with
               men
               Arithmetically
               ,
               but
               Geometrically
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               vertue
               or
               vice
               which
               God
               rewards
               or
               punishes
               consists
               not
               in
               puncto
               ,
               but
               is
               estimated
               according
               to
               men's
               diligence
               or
               neglect
               of
               improving
               those
               means
               and
               advantages
               which
               have
               been
               afforded
               them
               .
               For
               as
               there
               is
               the
               same
               proportion
               between
               1.
               and
               2.
               as
               between
               5.
               and
               10.
               so
               he
               that
               having
               but
               half
               (
               suppose
               )
               of
               the
               advantages
               which
               another
               man
               enjoyed
               ,
               proves
               to
               be
               as
               good
               as
               that
               other
               ,
               is
               really
               much
               better
               .
               Whereas
               he
               that
               having
               double
               the
               advantages
               ,
               is
               not
               better
               then
               he
               whom
               he
               this
               way
               so
               much
               excells
               ,
               is
               not
               good
               at
               all
               ,
               nor
               will
               be
               acceptable
               to
               God
               when
               he
               shall
               be
               weighed
               in
               the
               balance
               of
               the
               Sanctuary
               .
               Because
               whosoever
               had
               been
               furnished
               with
               true
               internal
               probity
               of
               mind
               ,
               and
               was
               of
               an
               obedient
               temper
               ,
               and
               had
               a
               sincere
               love
               of
               godnesse
               ,
               would
               most
               certainly
               have
               advanced
               in
               the
               measures
               of
               vertue
               proportionably
               to
               the
               opportunities
               he
               had
               of
               so
               doing
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               in
               the
               words
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 He
                 that
                 was
                 faithfull
                 in
                 little
                 ,
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 in
                 much
                 .
              
               And
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               he
               that
               under
               great
               advantages
               hath
               not
               been
               proportionable
               in
               the
               improvements
               of
               his
               temper
               and
               life
               ,
               it
               may
               truely
               be
               said
               of
               such
               a
               man
               ,
               God
               hath
               been
               very
               good
               to
               him
               ,
               but
               he
               for
               his
               part
               is
               not
               good
               at
               all
               .
               Which
               consideration
               will
               be
               of
               use
               ,
               both
               to
               make
               us
               more
               wary
               in
               pronouncing
               concerning
               the
               final
               estate
               of
               other
               men
               ,
               and
               also
               enable
               us
               to
               passe
               a
               better
               judgment
               of
               our
               own
               actions
               and
               state
               ;
               forasmuch
               as
               it
               hereby
               appears
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               not
               the
               bare
               conformity
               or
               inconformity
               of
               our
               actions
               to
               a
               Law
               or
               Rule
               
               from
               whence
               their
               value
               or
               their
               guilt
               arises
               ,
               but
               respect
               is
               had
               to
               the
               knowledge
               or
               knowablenesse
               of
               that
               Rule
               .
               And
               so
               we
               have
               the
               second
               ingredient
               of
               sin
               .
            
             
               §
               III.
               3.
               
               LASTLY
               ,
               to
               render
               sin
               compleat
               and
               perfectly
               criminal
               ,
               it
               is
               neither
               enough
               that
               for
               the
               matter
               of
               it
               ,
               it
               be
               against
               some
               Law
               ,
               nor
               that
               such
               Law
               be
               known
               ,
               but
               the
               act
               or
               omission
               must
               be
               voluntary
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               not
               what
               a
               man
               was
               overborn
               into
               by
               some
               fatal
               necessity
               ,
               or
               compelled
               to
               by
               the
               force
               of
               some
               violent
               impression
               ,
               not
               what
               he
               could
               neither
               help
               nor
               hinder
               ;
               but
               what
               was
               so
               far
               subject
               to
               his
               own
               free
               choice
               ,
               that
               he
               willingly
               did
               what
               he
               did
               ,
               and
               could
               have
               done
               otherwise
               ,
               or
               omitted
               doing
               if
               he
               had
               been
               so
               pleased
               .
               For
               whatsoever
               is
               not
               of
               this
               nature
               is
               not
               properly
               an
               humane
               act
               ,
               and
               therefore
               cannot
               involve
               him
               in
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               ,
               no
               more
               then
               the
               effects
               and
               productions
               of
               natural
               causes
               can
               be
               esteemed
               vicious
               .
               And
               though
               men
               have
               understanding
               which
               those
               other
               causes
               are
               destitute
               of
               ,
               yet
               that
               being
               onely
               the
               Criterion
               or
               Test
               of
               truth
               and
               falshood
               ,
               not
               of
               moral
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               therefore
               vertue
               and
               vice
               are
               not
               imputable
               to
               the
               understanding
               but
               to
               the
               will
               ,
               which
               being
               the
               Helm
               of
               the
               soul
               determines
               all
               its
               motions
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               is
               accountable
               for
               them
               .
               For
               the
               more
               clear
               understanding
               of
               which
               ,
               and
               of
               whatsoever
               I
               may
               have
               occasion
               to
               say
               hereafter
               touching
               this
               matter
               ,
               I
               think
               it
               usefull
               to
               precaution
               these
               three
               things
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               THAT
               it
               is
               not
               to
               be
               doubted
               ,
               but
               that
               notwithstanding
               the
               liberty
               which
               the
               will
               of
               man
               hath
               to
               chuse
               evil
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               not
               so
               uncontrollable
               in
               its
               elections
               ,
               but
               that
               it
               is
               subject
               to
               the
               power
               of
               God's
               grace
               to
               be
               checked
               and
               controlled
               by
               him
               at
               
               his
               pleasure
               ;
               for
               the
               divine
               wisedom
               may
               well
               be
               supposed
               to
               have
               a
               thousand
               ways
               of
               diverting
               man
               from
               his
               course
               without
               offering
               any
               direct
               violence
               to
               his
               faculties
               ,
               some
               of
               which
               might
               easily
               be
               instanced
               if
               it
               were
               needfull
               ;
               nay
               there
               is
               no
               reason
               to
               question
               ,
               but
               divine
               omnipotence
               may
               (
               if
               it
               so
               please
               )
               irresistibly
               incline
               ,
               move
               ,
               and
               determine
               it
               to
               that
               which
               is
               good
               ,
               of
               which
               some
               instances
               also
               may
               be
               assigned
               ,
               though
               these
               last
               must
               be
               expected
               to
               be
               very
               rare
               ,
               partly
               because
               that
               ordinarily
               to
               invert
               the
               nature
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               put
               his
               creation
               out
               of
               course
               ,
               makes
               not
               so
               much
               for
               his
               wisedom
               as
               it
               may
               seem
               to
               doe
               for
               the
               demonstration
               of
               his
               power
               ,
               and
               partly
               also
               because
               thus
               taking
               away
               the
               natural
               and
               evident
               reason
               of
               rewards
               and
               punishments
               ,
               would
               obscure
               that
               justice
               which
               he
               designs
               to
               glorifie
               .
               But
               this
               is
               all
               that
               is
               asserted
               at
               present
               ,
               that
               whatsoever
               God
               may
               please
               to
               doe
               ,
               either
               for
               the
               hindring
               of
               evil
               ,
               or
               the
               effecting
               of
               good
               ,
               he
               doth
               not
               necessarily
               determine
               or
               over-rule
               the
               wills
               of
               men
               to
               that
               which
               is
               evil
               ,
               but
               therein
               they
               are
               left
               to
               themselves
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               AS
               some
               excellently
               good
               men
               may
               arrive
               at
               such
               a
               perfection
               ,
               such
               a
               new
               nature
               ,
               and
               such
               habits
               of
               goodnesse
               ,
               as
               that
               it
               shall
               be
               morally
               impossible
               they
               should
               chuse
               evil
               ;
               (
               of
               which
               I
               shall
               treat
               more
               at
               large
               hereafter
               )
               so
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               it
               is
               neither
               impossible
               nor
               unusual
               for
               evil
               men
               to
               forfeit
               the
               freedom
               of
               their
               wills
               ,
               so
               far
               as
               to
               bring
               not
               onely
               a
               biass
               upon
               their
               spirits
               ,
               but
               a
               kind
               of
               fatal
               propension
               to
               evil
               ,
               and
               render
               it
               in
               a
               manner
               necessary
               that
               they
               sin
               .
               Namely
               ,
               by
               long
               custome
               and
               inveterate
               habits
               of
               sin
               ,
               they
               lose
               the
               aequilibrium
               and
               balance
               of
               their
               souls
               ,
               and
               thenceforth
               wholly
               incline
               to
               evil
               .
               But
               forasmuch
               as
               this
               (
               wherever
               it
               comes
               to
               passe
               )
               is
               onely
               the
               effect
               of
               their
               own
               choice
               ,
               it
               contradicts
               not
               
               what
               we
               are
               asserting
               ;
               for
               whereas
               the
               habits
               were
               voluntarily
               contracted
               ,
               the
               effects
               are
               interpretably
               so
               too
               .
               And
               therefore
               as
               we
               noted
               before
               under
               the
               former
               Head
               ,
               that
               the
               reason
               why
               ignorance
               of
               the
               Law
               did
               not
               excuse
               a
               default
               ,
               was
               because
               the
               Law
               being
               once
               sufficiently
               promulged
               ,
               such
               ignorance
               must
               needs
               be
               supine
               and
               affected
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               voluntary
               ;
               for
               the
               same
               reason
               such
               men
               as
               we
               now
               speak
               of
               ,
               cannot
               excuse
               their
               miscarriages
               ,
               by
               laying
               the
               blame
               upon
               their
               present
               necessity
               or
               impotency
               ;
               because
               having
               first
               crippled
               themselves
               voluntarily
               ,
               their
               actual
               halting
               afterwards
               is
               so
               too
               ,
               in
               as
               much
               as
               it
               was
               free
               in
               its
               causes
               ,
               though
               not
               in
               the
               special
               instances
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               BUT
               that
               which
               is
               principally
               to
               be
               considered
               ,
               is
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               a
               vast
               difference
               betwixt
               the
               power
               or
               capacity
               of
               doing
               good
               ,
               or
               of
               avoiding
               evil
               ;
               or
               willing
               so
               to
               doe
               on
               the
               one
               side
               ,
               and
               of
               doing
               or
               willing
               that
               which
               is
               evil
               on
               the
               other
               .
               For
               to
               the
               former
               of
               these
               there
               is
               a
               necessity
               of
               the
               concurrence
               of
               divine
               grace
               and
               assistance
               ,
               which
               no
               man
               can
               deny
               without
               falling
               in
               with
               the
               Pelagians
               ;
               and
               therefore
               when
               a
               man
               is
               said
               to
               have
               it
               in
               his
               power
               to
               doe
               good
               ,
               that
               which
               is
               true
               is
               no
               more
               but
               this
               ,
               that
               such
               grace
               and
               assistance
               which
               is
               necessary
               ,
               is
               always
               ready
               and
               at
               hand
               ;
               which
               jointly
               concludes
               for
               God's
               goodness
               and
               man's
               liberty
               ,
               making
               the
               actions
               of
               man
               punishable
               when
               he
               doth
               evil
               ,
               because
               grace
               was
               ready
               to
               have
               assissed
               him
               otherwise
               if
               he
               had
               not
               refused
               it
               ;
               and
               rewardable
               when
               he
               doth
               well
               ,
               because
               when
               he
               might
               have
               refused
               God's
               help
               he
               did
               not
               ;
               and
               in
               short
               gives
               God
               the
               glory
               of
               what-ever
               is
               good
               ,
               because
               it
               could
               not
               be
               done
               without
               him
               ;
               and
               leaves
               no
               man
               without
               incouragement
               of
               his
               diligence
               and
               industry
               ,
               because
               God
               will
               not
               be
               wanting
               to
               him
               .
               
               But
               for
               the
               latter
               ,
               namely
               ,
               the
               doing
               or
               willing
               that
               which
               is
               evil
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               more
               requisite
               ,
               but
               the
               will
               it self
               (
               provided
               God
               extraordinarily
               interpose
               not
               to
               hinder
               it
               .
               )
            
             
               THESE
               things
               premised
               ,
               I
               am
               not
               aware
               of
               the
               least
               suspicion
               that
               can
               lie
               against
               what
               we
               are
               asserting
               ;
               namely
               ,
               that
               a
               necessary
               and
               principal
               ingredient
               of
               sin
               ,
               is
               the
               voluntarinesse
               thereof
               ;
               and
               of
               the
               truth
               hereof
               ,
               the
               proofs
               are
               as
               many
               and
               pregnant
               ,
               as
               the
               absurdities
               of
               the
               contrary
               are
               manifest
               .
               For
               what
               ground
               can
               there
               be
               imaginable
               ,
               why
               God
               should
               use
               exhortations
               and
               persuasions
               ,
               reproofs
               and
               expostulations
               with
               men
               for
               sin
               ,
               if
               it
               were
               not
               in
               their
               power
               to
               withstand
               it
               ?
               wherefore
               should
               he
               upbraid
               them
               for
               their
               wilfullnesse
               ,
               condemn
               them
               for
               stubbornnesse
               ,
               and
               after
               all
               severely
               punish
               them
               for
               what
               they
               could
               not
               help
               ?
               If
               the
               insupportable
               weight
               of
               necessity
               lies
               upon
               them
               ,
               or
               some
               latent
               and
               irresistible
               cause
               overpower
               them
               ,
               they
               are
               patients
               rather
               then
               agents
               ,
               and
               deserve
               pity
               rather
               then
               blame
               or
               punishment
               .
               It
               was
               a
               discreet
               saying
               of
               Porphyry
               ,
               
               
                 A
                 man
                 that
                 is
                 moved
                 by
                 force
                 onely
                 ,
                 is
                 properly
                 enough
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 where
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 moved
                 at
                 all
                 .
              
               For
               whatsoever
               seeming
               alteration
               necessity
               and
               violence
               may
               make
               for
               the
               present
               ,
               when
               once
               the
               force
               is
               over
               ,
               
               every
               thing
               returns
               to
               its
               own
               nature
               again
               ,
               and
               is
               what
               it
               was
               before
               ;
               but
               without
               doubt
               in
               all
               moral
               consideration
               ,
               man
               is
               reasonably
               to
               be
               interpreted
               to
               be
               in
               that
               state
               all
               the
               while
               ,
               where
               he
               was
               by
               his
               own
               choice
               ,
               
               and
               would
               have
               continued
               had
               not
               force
               expulsed
               him
               .
               And
               Seneca
               said
               very
               well
               ,
               
                 Necessity
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 sanctuary
                 of
                 humane
                 infirmity
                 ;
                 which
                 whosoever
                 can
                 lay
                 claim
                 to
                 ,
                 obtains
                 protection
                 .
                 for
                 it
                 perfectly
                 excuses
                 all
                 the
                 faults
                 it
                 commits
                 .
              
               Whatever
               can
               justly
               be
               pretended
               to
               be
               necessary
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               
               evil
               ,
               is
               a
               natural
               one
               and
               not
               a
               moral
               ,
               and
               an
               unhappinesse
               or
               punishment
               rather
               then
               a
               sin
               .
               
               So
               the
               Romans
               judged
               also
               in
               a
               well
               known
               case
               ,
               
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 free
                 mind
                 which
                 onely
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 guilt
                 ,
                 dull
                 matter
                 and
                 body
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 is
                 passive
                 cannot
                 be
                 blamed
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 cannot
                 chuse
                 .
              
            
             
               NEITHER
               is
               it
               possible
               any
               man
               should
               repent
               of
               doing
               what
               he
               could
               not
               but
               doe
               ,
               or
               of
               omitting
               to
               doe
               what
               was
               never
               in
               his
               power
               to
               effect
               ;
               no
               more
               then
               that
               he
               cannot
               fly
               like
               a
               Bird
               ,
               or
               move
               like
               an
               Angel.
               What
               remorse
               ,
               or
               shame
               ,
               or
               trouble
               of
               conscience
               can
               there
               be
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               is
               not
               another
               kind
               of
               creature
               then
               he
               was
               made
               ,
               that
               he
               did
               what
               was
               natural
               and
               necessary
               for
               him
               to
               doe
               ,
               or
               for
               such
               things
               as
               may
               indeed
               be
               said
               to
               be
               done
               by
               him
               ,
               and
               yet
               not
               be
               his
               act
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               act
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               because
               he
               could
               not
               doe
               otherwise
               ?
               God
               hath
               set
               up
               Conscience
               as
               his
               Vicegerent
               ,
               and
               a
               judge
               within
               us
               ;
               but
               as
               we
               said
               before
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               so
               absolute
               as
               to
               judge
               without
               a
               Law
               ,
               so
               neither
               can
               it
               be
               so
               unjust
               and
               absurd
               ,
               as
               to
               condemn
               and
               torture
               without
               conviction
               of
               guilt
               .
               And
               though
               there
               is
               no
               doubt
               of
               the
               prerogative
               of
               God
               to
               impose
               what
               Laws
               he
               pleases
               ;
               yet
               we
               have
               the
               manifold
               security
               of
               his
               goodnesse
               ,
               wisedom
               and
               justice
               ,
               besides
               his
               truth
               and
               faithfullnesse
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               not
               oppresse
               us
               with
               his
               sovereignty
               ,
               but
               in
               all
               his
               dispensations
               will
               consider
               our
               frame
               and
               circumstances
               ,
               and
               remember
               that
               we
               are
               
                 but
                 dust
                 and
                 ashes
              
               .
            
             
               IN
               short
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               any
               so
               absurd
               ,
               as
               to
               affirm
               sin
               to
               be
               any
               way
               necessary
               ,
               to
               all
               other
               absurdities
               they
               bring
               in
               the
               surly
               paradox
               of
               the
               Stoicks
               ,
               and
               make
               all
               sins
               equal
               ,
               representing
               the
               most
               pitiable
               infirmities
               of
               humane
               nature
               ,
               equal
               to
               the
               most
               dissolute
               enormities
               :
               they
               infinitely
               increase
               the
               number
               
               of
               sins
               ,
               but
               take
               off
               the
               weight
               and
               guilt
               ,
               render
               it
               little
               more
               then
               a
               notion
               ,
               and
               teach
               men
               to
               have
               no
               horrid
               apprehensions
               of
               it
               .
               They
               excuse
               man
               ,
               and
               lay
               the
               fault
               (
               if
               there
               be
               any
               )
               somewhere
               else
               ;
               but
               wherever
               that
               is
               ,
               it
               will
               revolve
               at
               last
               upon
               God
               blessed
               for
               ever
               .
            
             
               §
               4.
               
               BUT
               I
               persuade
               my self
               I
               need
               not
               proceed
               further
               in
               exaggerating
               this
               matter
               ;
               wherefore
               both
               to
               close
               and
               to
               confirm
               what
               I
               have
               said
               ,
               I
               will
               only
               subjoin
               the
               Authority
               of
               the
               Apostle
               S.
               James
               ,
               in
               that
               remarkeable
               passage
               of
               his
               Epistle
               ,
               Chap.
               1.
               vers
               .
               13
               ,
               14
               ,
               15.
               wherein
               he
               describes
               the
               conception
               ,
               formation
               ,
               growth
               ,
               perfection
               and
               nativity
               of
               sin
               .
               The
               words
               are
               these
               ;
               
                 Let
                 not
                 any
                 man
                 say
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 tempted
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 tempted
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 for
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 tempted
                 of
                 evil
                 ,
                 neither
                 tempteth
                 he
                 any
                 man.
                 But
                 every
                 man
                 is
                 tempted
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 drawn
                 away
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 lust
                 ,
                 and
                 inticed
                 .
                 Then
                 when
                 lust
                 hath
                 conceived
                 ,
                 it
                 bringeth
                 forth
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 sin
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 finished
                 ,
                 bringeth
                 forth
                 death
                 .
              
               Upon
               which
               ,
               let
               me
               crave
               leave
               to
               use
               the
               liberty
               of
               this
               lesse
               strict
               Paraphrase
               .
               As
               if
               he
               had
               said
               ,
               
                 Let
                 no
                 man
                 imagine
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 by
                 any
                 act
                 of
                 his
                 providence
                 ,
                 provokes
                 or
                 prompts
                 ,
                 or
                 much
                 lesse
                 puts
                 any
                 necessity
                 upon
                 men
                 to
                 sin
                 ;
                 for
                 as
                 he
                 by
                 the
                 perfection
                 of
                 his
                 divine
                 nature
                 is
                 infinitely
                 above
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 any
                 temptation
                 to
                 act
                 it
                 himself
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 contrary
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 he
                 abhorrs
                 it
                 wherever
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 can
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 contribute
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 nor
                 have
                 any
                 hand
                 in
                 the
                 production
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 several
                 of
                 his
                 designs
                 suppose
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 providence
                 be
                 exercised
                 about
                 the
                 regulation
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 yet
                 this
                 is
                 no
                 argument
                 that
                 he
                 either
                 ordained
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 effects
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 wisedom
                 is
                 sufficient
                 to
                 inable
                 him
                 to
                 see
                 through
                 all
                 the
                 series
                 
                 of
                 causes
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 foreknow
                 what
                 they
                 are
                 pregnant
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 they
                 will
                 in
                 their
                 respective
                 times
                 be
                 delivered
                 of
                 ,
                 without
                 peremptory
                 determination
                 of
                 them
                 thereunto
                 .
                 And
                 again
                 ,
                 although
                 it
                 be
                 true
                 ,
                 that
                 sin
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 been
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 unlesse
                 he
                 had
                 thought
                 fit
                 to
                 permit
                 it
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 never
                 the
                 more
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 since
                 it
                 takes
                 its
                 rise
                 from
                 nothing
                 else
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 unhappy
                 use
                 of
                 that
                 great
                 blessing
                 and
                 priviledge
                 of
                 liberty
                 which
                 he
                 endowed
                 rational
                 creatures
                 withal
                 .
                 Would
                 you
                 then
                 understand
                 more
                 particularly
                 the
                 generation
                 of
                 this
                 sponte-nascent
                 ?
                 take
                 it
                 thus
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 FIRST
                 then
                 you
                 are
                 to
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 great
                 and
                 wise
                 Creatour
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 for
                 weighty
                 reasons
                 thought
                 fit
                 to
                 create
                 mankind
                 of
                 a
                 middle
                 nature
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 betwixt
                 purely
                 spirituall
                 beings
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 inferiour
                 world
                 of
                 meer
                 animal
                 and
                 natural
                 ,
                 making
                 him
                 participate
                 of
                 both
                 ;
                 and
                 agreeably
                 hereunto
                 ,
                 endowed
                 him
                 both
                 with
                 intellectual
                 and
                 sensitive
                 powers
                 .
                 The
                 former
                 whereof
                 ,
                 namely
                 the
                 intellectual
                 ,
                 were
                 to
                 enable
                 him
                 to
                 serve
                 his
                 Creatour
                 ,
                 to
                 render
                 him
                 capable
                 of
                 noble
                 and
                 excellent
                 delights
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 by
                 them
                 order
                 and
                 govern
                 the
                 inferiour
                 and
                 sensitive
                 faculties
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 latter
                 were
                 given
                 him
                 ,
                 partly
                 to
                 relax
                 his
                 mind
                 by
                 a
                 moderate
                 and
                 seasonable
                 condescension
                 to
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 the
                 senses
                 ,
                 but
                 principally
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 field
                 and
                 exercise
                 for
                 those
                 active
                 ,
                 vigorous
                 and
                 noble
                 capacities
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 AGAIN
                 ,
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 to
                 consider
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 that
                 wise
                 and
                 benign
                 Majesty
                 never
                 made
                 any
                 thing
                 but
                 what
                 was
                 good
                 in
                 its
                 kind
                 ,
                 and
                 happy
                 according
                 to
                 its
                 proportion
                 ;
                 so
                 especially
                 in
                 this
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 workmanship
                 ,
                 he
                 prepared
                 and
                 apportioned
                 objects
                 suitable
                 to
                 the
                 aforesaid
                 different
                 capacities
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 allowed
                 the
                 use
                 and
                 exercise
                 of
                 both
                 ,
                 onely
                 with
                 this
                 remarkable
                 difference
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 objects
                 and
                 entertainments
                 of
                 sense
                 were
                 little
                 and
                 narrow
                 ,
                 but
                 present
                 at
                 hand
                 ;
                 those
                 of
                 the
                 intellectual
                 powers
                 great
                 ,
                 but
                 out
                 of
                 view
                 and
                 at
                 distance
                 ;
                 by
                 which
                 means
                 it
                 became
                 somewhat
                 difficult
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 impossible
                 ,
                 for
                 those
                 higher
                 faculties
                 to
                 maintain
                 that
                 authority
                 over
                 the
                 inferiour
                 which
                 he
                 designed
                 them
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 expected
                 from
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 3.
                 
                 THEN
                 further
                 to
                 afford
                 those
                 higher
                 powers
                 opportunity
                 to
                 shew
                 themselves
                 ,
                 he
                 retrenches
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 the
                 liberty
                 of
                 the
                 sensitive
                 faculties
                 ,
                 forbidding
                 some
                 kinds
                 of
                 enjoyments
                 of
                 their
                 proper
                 objects
                 ;
                 in
                 which
                 case
                 those
                 strong
                 ,
                 but
                 unjudging
                 faculties
                 ,
                 being
                 restrained
                 in
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 were
                 natural
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 they
                 found
                 a
                 quick
                 relish
                 and
                 delight
                 ,
                 have
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 expected
                 but
                 they
                 should
                 )
                 a
                 pronenesse
                 and
                 inclination
                 to
                 such
                 things
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 divine
                 prohibition
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 calls
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 Lust
                 ;
                 and
                 which
                 I
                 think
                 the
                 Schoolmen
                 mean
                 by
                 
                   motus
                   primo-primi
                
                 ;
                 and
                 although
                 sin
                 takes
                 its
                 rise
                 hence
                 ,
                 yet
                 hitherto
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 sin
                 ;
                 for
                 did
                 the
                 higher
                 faculties
                 now
                 quit
                 themselves
                 as
                 they
                 might
                 and
                 ought
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 reverence
                 due
                 to
                 the
                 divine
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 boundaries
                 he
                 hath
                 set
                 ,
                 give
                 check
                 to
                 these
                 inclinations
                 ,
                 all
                 were
                 well
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 BUT
                 now
                 begins
                 the
                 mischief
                 ;
                 For
                 whilest
                 those
                 objects
                 of
                 sense
                 continually
                 present
                 themselves
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 court
                 their
                 proper
                 powers
                 and
                 reason
                 ,
                 not
                 stepping
                 in
                 to
                 disturb
                 and
                 forbid
                 the
                 parly
                 ,
                 that
                 pronenesse
                 or
                 connaturalnesse
                 (
                 of
                 which
                 we
                 spake
                 )
                 quickly
                 starts
                 up
                 into
                 the
                 desire
                 of
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 God
                 hath
                 forbidden
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 consists
                 the
                 
                 first
                 conception
                 of
                 sin
                 :
                 and
                 hitherto
                 the
                 higher
                 faculties
                 are
                 guilty
                 as
                 accessories
                 only
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 did
                 not
                 interpose
                 to
                 hinder
                 these
                 beginnings
                 .
                 But
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 ,
                 phansie
                 and
                 imagination
                 being
                 employed
                 about
                 the
                 object
                 so
                 desired
                 ,
                 do
                 in
                 that
                 manner
                 paint
                 and
                 set
                 it
                 out
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 Chymistry
                 so
                 wonderfully
                 sublime
                 and
                 heighten
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 value
                 is
                 mightily
                 raised
                 ,
                 the
                 desire
                 inflamed
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 despight
                 of
                 all
                 danger
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 denied
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 Embryo
                 is
                 cherished
                 in
                 the
                 womb
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 gathers
                 strength
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 it
                 was
                 high
                 time
                 for
                 the
                 higher
                 powers
                 to
                 correct
                 their
                 first
                 error
                 ,
                 to
                 rally
                 their
                 forces
                 ,
                 to
                 call
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 aids
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 in
                 vigorously
                 ,
                 and
                 stop
                 the
                 further
                 progresse
                 of
                 the
                 mischief
                 .
                 But
                 reason
                 either
                 laid
                 asleep
                 by
                 the
                 fumes
                 of
                 sense
                 forgets
                 the
                 danger
                 ,
                 and
                 le
                 ts
                 fall
                 its
                 scepter
                 ;
                 or
                 those
                 higher
                 powers
                 ,
                 either
                 prevented
                 in
                 their
                 preparations
                 ,
                 or
                 corrupted
                 by
                 the
                 charms
                 of
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 connive
                 at
                 the
                 disorder
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 but
                 a
                 faint
                 and
                 superficial
                 resistance
                 ,
                 the
                 second
                 errour
                 becomes
                 worse
                 then
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 sin
                 goes
                 on
                 and
                 grows
                 ripe
                 for
                 the
                 birth
                 :
                 till
                 at
                 last
                 passion
                 still
                 swelling
                 ,
                 and
                 reason
                 yielding
                 ,
                 consents
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 to
                 its
                 own
                 deposition
                 ,
                 and
                 lust
                 getting
                 the
                 consent
                 of
                 the
                 will
                 ,
                 hath
                 the
                 reins
                 put
                 into
                 its
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 all
                 the
                 members
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 are
                 subject
                 to
                 its
                 command
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 is
                 sin
                 brought
                 forth
                 perfect
                 and
                 consummate
                 .
              
            
             
               §
               5.
               
               THUS
               I
               have
               as
               briefly
               and
               plainly
               as
               I
               could
               ,
               opened
               the
               nature
               of
               sin
               ;
               by
               the
               tenour
               of
               which
               discourse
               we
               may
               gain
               this
               double
               advantage
               :
               first
               ,
               to
               understand
               what
               it
               is
               which
               fills
               sin
               with
               that
               malignity
               ,
               as
               to
               make
               it
               the
               just
               hate
               of
               God
               and
               man
               ;
               and
               secondly
               ,
               to
               be
               able
               to
               distinguish
               the
               several
               degrees
               of
               guilt
               ,
               or
               principal
               aggravations
               of
               
               sin
               .
               For
               touching
               the
               former
               of
               these
               ,
               we
               may
               easily
               perceive
               by
               what
               has
               been
               said
               ,
               that
               guilt
               is
               not
               a
               meer
               arbitrary
               stamp
               that
               God
               sets
               upon
               actions
               ,
               nor
               punishment
               an
               effect
               of
               harshnesse
               or
               severity
               ,
               forasmuch
               as
               all
               that
               which
               God
               puts
               under
               that
               character
               ,
               and
               punishes
               as
               such
               ,
               is
               in
               the
               first
               place
               a
               contradiction
               to
               the
               divine
               will
               ,
               and
               to
               that
               law
               and
               order
               of
               things
               he
               hath
               constituted
               in
               the
               world
               ;
               and
               secondly
               ,
               is
               a
               contempt
               also
               of
               the
               divine
               wisedom
               ,
               in
               that
               the
               sinner
               either
               turns
               his
               back
               upon
               the
               proclaimed
               Laws
               of
               Heaven
               by
               affected
               ignorance
               ,
               or
               takes
               himself
               to
               be
               lawless
               ,
               and
               confronts
               God
               Almighty
               ;
               and
               lastly
               ,
               there
               is
               wilfullness
               and
               contumacy
               in
               it
               too
               ;
               for
               whereas
               it
               pleased
               God
               out
               of
               special
               favour
               ,
               to
               endow
               men
               with
               freedom
               ,
               to
               the
               intent
               they
               might
               serve
               him
               both
               more
               honourably
               and
               more
               chearfully
               ,
               they
               in
               sinning
               perversely
               turn
               this
               priviledge
               against
               their
               Maker
               .
            
             
               AND
               for
               the
               second
               of
               these
               ,
               though
               sin
               admits
               of
               many
               heads
               of
               abatement
               or
               aggravation
               ;
               as
               namely
               ,
               either
               from
               the
               matter
               of
               it
               ,
               or
               the
               Law
               it
               violates
               ,
               whether
               natural
               ,
               divine
               or
               humane
               ;
               or
               from
               the
               clearness
               or
               dimness
               of
               the
               light
               ,
               under
               which
               men
               sin
               ,
               the
               greatness
               or
               littleness
               of
               the
               temptation
               which
               they
               have
               to
               offend
               ,
               and
               several
               other
               considerations
               of
               that
               kind
               which
               it
               is
               not
               uneasie
               to
               specifie
               :
               yet
               the
               most
               general
               and
               the
               most
               usefull
               distinction
               is
               taken
               from
               that
               which
               I
               reckoned
               ,
               as
               the
               third
               and
               last
               ingredient
               of
               sin
               ;
               namely
               ,
               from
               the
               consent
               of
               the
               will
               in
               the
               commission
               of
               it
               ;
               for
               so
               if
               we
               observe
               we
               shall
               find
               ,
               that
               both
               in
               the
               esteem
               of
               Scripture
               and
               Conscience
               ,
               the
               degrees
               of
               guilt
               are
               principally
               reckoned
               in
               proportion
               to
               the
               imperfectness
               or
               fullness
               of
               its
               consent
               and
               concurrence
               to
               any
               vicious
               action
               .
               Insomuch
               that
               herein
               that
               great
               distinction
               
               of
               sin
               into
               infirmity
               and
               presumption
               hath
               its
               foundation
               ;
               namely
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               but
               an
               imperfect
               compliance
               of
               the
               will
               ,
               the
               miscarriage
               is
               of
               the
               former
               kind
               ;
               but
               when
               it
               fully
               yields
               and
               consents
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               sin
               with
               a
               high
               hand
               .
               Which
               being
               a
               matter
               wherein
               the
               peace
               of
               men's
               Consciences
               here
               ,
               and
               their
               eternal
               welfare
               hereafter
               is
               concerned
               ,
               I
               shall
               not
               suspect
               it
               will
               be
               unacceptable
               to
               the
               Reader
               ,
               that
               I
               speak
               a
               little
               more
               fully
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               AND
               first
               ,
               to
               reckon
               up
               the
               most
               common
               instances
               of
               sins
               of
               infirmity
               ,
               I
               take
               them
               to
               be
               properly
               such
               as
               these
               following
               .
               (
               viz.
               )
               The
               first
               beginnings
               of
               sin
               not
               pursued
               ,
               when
               a
               man
               unadvisedly
               enters
               the
               confines
               of
               evil
               ,
               but
               recovers
               and
               withdraws
               himself
               as
               soon
               as
               he
               considers
               the
               consequents
               ,
               and
               apprehends
               the
               mischief
               and
               danger
               .
               Or
               when
               by
               the
               nearness
               of
               the
               allurements
               of
               sense
               ,
               and
               the
               quick
               motion
               of
               bodily
               passions
               ,
               he
               begins
               to
               take
               fire
               ;
               or
               when
               the
               extraordinariness
               of
               the
               temptation
               surprized
               him
               ,
               or
               the
               mighty
               prevalence
               of
               example
               overbore
               him
               beyond
               his
               course
               and
               intention
               ,
               before
               he
               well
               understood
               where
               he
               was
               ;
               and
               he
               had
               no
               time
               to
               recollect
               himself
               ,
               and
               to
               call
               in
               the
               aids
               of
               Reason
               and
               Religion
               .
               Perhaps
               a
               mighty
               fear
               may
               hurry
               a
               man
               to
               some
               degree
               of
               indecency
               ,
               or
               an
               huge
               advantage
               may
               sway
               him
               a
               little
               aside
               ,
               till
               he
               can
               so
               far
               recover
               himself
               ,
               as
               maturely
               to
               consider
               ;
               and
               then
               to
               set
               himself
               upright
               ,
               he
               bends
               himself
               quite
               the
               other
               way
               .
               Now
               in
               all
               these
               cases
               ,
               where
               there
               was
               no
               room
               for
               deliberation
               ,
               there
               could
               be
               no
               perfect
               judgment
               ;
               and
               consequently
               but
               an
               imperfect
               consent
               .
            
             
               AGAIN
               ,
               whilest
               a
               man
               is
               bending
               himself
               with
               all
               his
               might
               against
               some
               one
               extreme
               which
               he
               knows
               to
               be
               evil
               ,
               and
               therefore
               carefully
               declines
               ;
               
               he
               may
               perhaps
               in
               detestation
               of
               that
               ,
               incline
               too
               much
               to
               the
               other
               :
               or
               whilest
               a
               man
               endeavours
               diligently
               to
               carry
               on
               both
               the
               affairs
               of
               this
               life
               ,
               and
               the
               concerns
               of
               Religion
               too
               ;
               it
               may
               happen
               that
               the
               solicitude
               and
               cares
               of
               the
               former
               ,
               may
               sometimes
               unseasonably
               crowd
               in
               ,
               and
               disturb
               him
               in
               the
               latter
               .
               Nay
               once
               more
               ,
               through
               the
               infirmity
               of
               memory
               ,
               compared
               with
               the
               multiplicity
               of
               affairs
               ,
               which
               a
               wise
               and
               good
               man's
               care
               extends
               to
               ,
               it
               may
               not
               infrequently
               fall
               out
               ,
               that
               such
               a
               person
               for
               the
               present
               forgets
               ,
               or
               omits
               some
               duty
               of
               Religion
               .
               Now
               it
               cannot
               be
               said
               that
               any
               of
               these
               cases
               are
               perfectly
               involuntary
               ,
               because
               it
               was
               not
               impossible
               ,
               but
               that
               extraordinary
               diligence
               and
               watchfullness
               might
               have
               provided
               against
               them
               ,
               nevertheless
               they
               are
               not
               deliberate
               sins
               ,
               nor
               was
               there
               any
               full
               consent
               of
               the
               will
               to
               them
               ;
               as
               is
               evident
               both
               by
               what
               we
               have
               said
               already
               ,
               and
               also
               by
               this
               ,
               that
               such
               persons
               we
               speak
               of
               very
               quickly
               feel
               remorse
               for
               them
               ,
               their
               hearts
               smite
               them
               upon
               the
               first
               reflexion
               upon
               what
               hath
               past
               ,
               and
               they
               presently
               recover
               themselves
               ,
               and
               double
               their
               watch
               and
               guard
               ,
               where
               they
               have
               thus
               found
               themselves
               overtaken
               .
               These
               therefore
               and
               all
               other
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               these
               ,
               are
               properly
               called
               sins
               of
               infirmity
               .
            
             
               BUT
               now
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               when
               the
               matter
               of
               fact
               is
               notorious
               and
               palpable
               ,
               that
               it
               can
               admit
               of
               no
               dispute
               whether
               it
               be
               evil
               or
               no
               ;
               when
               a
               man
               is
               not
               surprized
               ,
               but
               makes
               his
               election
               ;
               doth
               not
               insensibly
               slip
               awry
               whilest
               he
               was
               in
               his
               right
               way
               ,
               but
               takes
               a
               wrong
               course
               ;
               is
               not
               overborn
               by
               an
               huge
               fear
               ,
               but
               is
               allured
               by
               the
               pleasures
               of
               sense
               ;
               when
               he
               hath
               time
               to
               consider
               ,
               and
               yet
               resolves
               upon
               that
               which
               is
               forbidden
               him
               ;
               here
               is
               little
               or
               nothing
               to
               extenuate
               the
               fact
               ,
               or
               mitigate
               his
               guilt
               ;
               it
               is
               a
               voluntary
               ,
               
               and
               therefore
               a
               presumptuous
               sin
               .
               Such
               a
               distinction
               as
               this
               David
               seems
               to
               make
               ,
               Psal
               .
               19.
               12
               ,
               13.
               when
               he
               prays
               that
               he
               
                 may
                 understand
                 his
                 errours
              
               ,
               to
               the
               intent
               that
               with
               holy
               Joh
               ,
               where
               
                 he
                 had
                 done
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 doe
                 so
                 no
                 more
                 ,
              
               but
               earnestly
               begs
               that
               he
               may
               
                 be
                 kept
                 from
                 presumptuous
                 sins
                 ;
                 i.
                 e.
              
               from
               such
               voluntary
               and
               wilfull
               miscarriages
               as
               we
               have
               but
               now
               spoken
               of
               :
               so
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               
                 shall
                 I
                 be
                 innocent
                 and
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 great
                 transgression
                 .
              
               For
               though
               sins
               of
               infirmity
               in
               the
               most
               proper
               sense
               are
               not
               without
               guilt
               ,
               at
               least
               if
               God
               should
               proceed
               in
               rigour
               with
               men
               ,
               yet
               in
               consideration
               of
               the
               goodness
               of
               God
               ,
               together
               with
               the
               evident
               pitiableness
               of
               their
               own
               circumstances
               ,
               they
               leave
               no
               horrour
               upon
               the
               mind
               ,
               no
               stain
               or
               ill
               mark
               upon
               the
               person
               ,
               much
               less
               a
               scar
               or
               a
               maim
               ;
               but
               the
               other
               besides
               their
               great
               guilt
               ,
               either
               terribly
               afflict
               ,
               or
               lay
               waste
               and
               stupify
               the
               Conscience
               ;
               they
               harden
               the
               heart
               ,
               break
               the
               powers
               of
               the
               soul
               ,
               and
               quench
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ;
               as
               we
               shall
               have
               occasion
               to
               speak
               more
               at
               large
               hereafter
               .
            
             
               AT
               present
               I
               think
               it
               may
               be
               very
               pertinent
               to
               observe
               ,
               that
               whereas
               S.
               
                 John
                 ,
                 Ep.
                 1.
                 
                 Chap.
                 3.
                 vers
                 .
              
               4.
               seems
               to
               give
               a
               brief
               and
               compendious
               description
               of
               sin
               in
               these
               words
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               we
               render
               ,
               
                 Sin
                 is
                 a
                 transgression
                 of
                 the
                 Law
              
               ;
               it
               is
               not
               altogether
               improbable
               ,
               but
               that
               the
               Apostle
               intended
               to
               express
               something
               more
               then
               is
               commonly
               understood
               by
               those
               words
               in
               English
               ;
               for
               besides
               that
               it
               seems
               a
               flat
               saying
               ,
               
                 he
                 that
                 sinneth
                 transgresseth
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 for
                 sin
                 is
                 a
                 transgression
                 of
                 the
                 Law
              
               ;
               it
               is
               noted
               moreover
               by
               Learned
               men
               ,
               that
               the
               Apostle
               calls
               not
               sin
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               had
               been
               the
               most
               proper
               word
               to
               denote
               a
               meer
               breach
               or
               transgression
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               but
               uses
               the
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               signifies
               a
               great
               deal
               more
               ;
               namely
               ,
               lawlesness
               and
               dissoluteness
               ,
               the
               living
               
               without
               ,
               or
               casting
               off
               the
               yoke
               of
               the
               Law
               :
               for
               so
               we
               find
               it
               elsewhere
               used
               in
               Scripture
               ,
               particularly
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               9.
               where
               we
               have
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 lawless
                 and
                 disobedient
              
               ,
               or
               ungovernable
               joyned
               together
               .
               And
               thus
               the
               phrase
               of
               the
               Apostle
               before
               us
               will
               import
               ,
               not
               so
               much
               the
               meer
               matter
               of
               sin
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               the
               violation
               of
               a
               Law
               ,
               but
               the
               aggravation
               of
               it
               as
               a
               presumptuous
               sin
               ;
               namely
               ,
               the
               wilfullness
               and
               stubbornness
               of
               the
               sinner
               .
               And
               if
               this
               gloss
               may
               be
               allowed
               we
               shall
               with
               much
               ease
               be
               able
               to
               understand
               a
               following
               passage
               in
               this
               Apostle
               which
               hath
               not
               a
               little
               exercised
               the
               heads
               of
               Divines
               ,
               nor
               less
               perplexed
               the
               Consciences
               of
               many
               serious
               persons
               .
               (
               
                 Viz.
                 )
                 vers
              
               .
               9.
               of
               this
               Chapter
               he
               writes
               thus
               ,
               
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 born
                 of
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 commit
                 sin
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 seed
                 remaineth
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 cannot
                 sin
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 born
                 of
                 God.
              
               Now
               if
               we
               take
               sin
               strictly
               and
               rigorously
               here
               ,
               for
               every
               thing
               that
               is
               contrary
               to
               the
               perfection
               of
               the
               Divine
               Law
               ,
               then
               it
               will
               be
               absolutely
               necessary
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               phrase
               ,
               
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 born
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               we
               can
               understand
               none
               but
               our
               Saviour
               himself
               ;
               (
               which
               is
               altogether
               besides
               the
               business
               )
               forasmuch
               as
               he
               only
               was
               without
               sin
               in
               that
               sense
               :
               but
               if
               we
               take
               the
               phrase
               in
               the
               latitude
               before
               intimated
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               for
               voluntary
               ,
               wilfull
               ,
               and
               deliberate
               sins
               ;
               then
               the
               sense
               is
               both
               easie
               and
               comfortable
               ;
               namely
               ,
               that
               the
               man
               who
               is
               truely
               a
               Christian
               ,
               having
               not
               only
               the
               profession
               ,
               but
               the
               new
               nature
               ,
               temper
               and
               spirit
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               though
               being
               a
               man
               ,
               and
               so
               incompassed
               with
               temptations
               and
               difficulties
               ,
               as
               every
               one
               is
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               he
               cannot
               avoid
               all
               surreptions
               ;
               yet
               the
               powerfull
               principles
               of
               Christianity
               setled
               in
               his
               heart
               ,
               will
               not
               fail
               to
               preserve
               him
               (
               at
               least
               ordinarily
               )
               from
               rebellion
               and
               wilfull
               disobedience
               .
            
             
             
               AND
               this
               way
               of
               interpreting
               these
               and
               the
               like
               passages
               of
               the
               New
               Testament
               ,
               is
               strongly
               countenanced
               by
               what
               we
               find
               Luk.
               1.
               6.
               where
               it
               is
               said
               of
               Zachary
               and
               Elizabeth
               ,
               that
               they
               were
               
                 both
                 of
                 them
                 righteous
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 walking
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 commandments
                 and
                 ordinances
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 blameless
                 .
              
               That
               is
               ,
               they
               were
               sincerely
               good
               and
               vertuous
               persons
               ,
               their
               hearts
               were
               principled
               with
               the
               fear
               and
               love
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               though
               they
               were
               not
               without
               the
               errours
               and
               failings
               incident
               to
               humanity
               ,
               yet
               they
               strictly
               made
               Conscience
               of
               their
               duty
               ,
               and
               did
               not
               deliberately
               depart
               from
               the
               way
               of
               God's
               commandments
               .
               And
               that
               passage
               concerning
               
                 David
                 ,
                 1
                 King.
              
               15.
               5.
               seems
               sufficient
               to
               put
               the
               matter
               out
               of
               doubt
               ,
               where
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 David
                 did
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 right
                 in
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 turned
                 not
                 aside
                 from
                 any
                 thing
                 he
                 commanded
                 him
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 save
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 Vriah
                 the
                 Hittite
                 .
              
               Notwithstanding
               the
               Scripture
               reckons
               up
               several
               failings
               of
               David
               ;
               his
               passion
               for
               Absalom
               ,
               his
               numbring
               the
               People
               ,
               his
               approaching
               too
               near
               the
               Lord
               's
               Annointed
               when
               he
               cut
               off
               the
               skirt
               of
               
               Saul's
               Garment
               ,
               (
               for
               which
               his
               heart
               smote
               him
               )
               his
               despondency
               of
               mind
               and
               mistrusts
               that
               he
               should
               one
               day
               fall
               by
               the
               hand
               of
               Saul
               ,
               his
               rage
               against
               Nabal
               ,
               &c.
               
               But
               in
               regard
               these
               were
               but
               imperfectly
               voluntary
               ,
               therefore
               they
               make
               no
               blot
               in
               his
               Character
               .
               But
               in
               the
               matter
               of
               Vriah
               the
               fact
               was
               horrible
               ,
               there
               was
               time
               for
               deliberation
               ,
               the
               use
               of
               cunning
               and
               contrivance
               ,
               and
               therefore
               full
               consent
               .
               Wherefore
               this
               was
               quite
               of
               another
               consideration
               from
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               and
               left
               such
               a
               stain
               upon
               him
               ,
               as
               required
               many
               tears
               and
               prayers
               ,
               and
               a
               very
               serious
               and
               signal
               repentance
               to
               cleanse
               him
               from
               .
            
             
             
               §
               VI.
               THUS
               much
               I
               had
               thought
               sufficient
               for
               the
               clearing
               the
               distinction
               between
               sins
               of
               infirmity
               and
               presumption
               ;
               but
               I
               cannot
               but
               take
               notice
               of
               a
               mistake
               equally
               common
               and
               dangerous
               ,
               which
               where-ever
               it
               takes
               place
               ,
               doth
               not
               only
               render
               all
               we
               have
               hitherto
               said
               useless
               ,
               but
               is
               of
               fatal
               consequence
               to
               the
               souls
               of
               men
               .
               It
               is
               to
               this
               effect
               :
               When
               men
               are
               about
               the
               commission
               of
               some
               great
               and
               enormous
               sin
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               unusual
               for
               them
               to
               find
               some
               reluctancy
               and
               abhorrence
               within
               themselves
               .
               Now
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               this
               they
               think
               ,
               that
               although
               they
               yield
               to
               the
               temptation
               ,
               and
               commit
               the
               sin
               ;
               yet
               it
               will
               not
               be
               esteemed
               altogether
               a
               voluntary
               transgression
               ,
               but
               will
               admit
               of
               great
               abatements
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               such
               combate
               and
               conflict
               which
               they
               found
               in
               themselves
               .
               And
               to
               this
               purpose
               they
               apply
               that
               passage
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               Rom.
               7.
               15.
               
               
                 That
                 which
                 I
                 doe
                 I
                 allow
                 not
                 ,
                 for
                 what
                 I
                 would
                 that
                 doe
                 I
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 I
                 would
                 not
                 that
                 I
                 doe
                 .
              
               And
               that
               which
               follows
               also
               ,
               
                 vers
                 .
                 17.
                 
                 So
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 I
                 that
                 doe
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 sin
                 that
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 me
                 .
              
               But
               to
               remove
               so
               dangerous
               a
               mistake
               ,
               it
               would
               be
               well
               considered
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               that
               however
               some
               have
               learned
               to
               call
               such
               a
               reluctancy
               as
               aforesaid
               ,
               by
               the
               specious
               name
               of
               the
               combat
               between
               the
               flesh
               and
               spirit
               ,
               or
               the
               regenerate
               and
               unregenerate
               part
               ,
               as
               the
               same
               men
               love
               to
               speak
               ;
               it
               is
               certainly
               nothing
               else
               ,
               but
               meerly
               some
               remains
               of
               natural
               Conscience
               in
               men
               ,
               and
               is
               to
               be
               found
               in
               some
               measure
               in
               the
               very
               worst
               of
               men
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               all
               but
               those
               whose
               Consciences
               are
               seared
               ,
               and
               utterly
               insensible
               .
               It
               is
               the
               very
               nature
               of
               Conscience
               it self
               ,
               which
               is
               nothing
               else
               but
               a
               kind
               of
               internal
               sense
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               implanted
               by
               God
               in
               the
               nature
               of
               man
               ;
               and
               a
               man
               may
               more
               easily
               destroy
               any
               of
               his
               outward
               senses
               ,
               then
               quite
               extinguish
               this
               .
               The
               Apostle
               takes
               notice
               of
               it
               
               in
               the
               
                 Romans
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 2.
                 vers
              
               .
               15.
               whose
               vices
               were
               yet
               so
               notorious
               ,
               as
               that
               they
               were
               utterly
               out
               of
               capacity
               of
               being
               accounted
               regenerate
               men
               .
               Indeed
               ,
               if
               a
               man
               found
               in
               himself
               so
               quick
               a
               sense
               of
               his
               duty
               ,
               and
               were
               so
               tender
               of
               all
               degrees
               of
               evil
               ,
               that
               his
               Conscience
               not
               only
               checkt
               ,
               but
               called
               him
               off
               ,
               and
               restrained
               him
               upon
               the
               first
               appearance
               or
               approaches
               of
               sin
               ;
               this
               (
               as
               I
               have
               intimated
               before
               )
               would
               be
               a
               good
               sign
               of
               regeneration
               ;
               and
               such
               beginnings
               of
               evil
               so
               resisted
               ,
               will
               not
               be
               imputed
               as
               wilfull
               transgressions
               .
            
             
               BUT
               when
               a
               man's
               Conscience
               only
               checks
               him
               ,
               but
               he
               goes
               on
               and
               commits
               the
               sin
               ,
               the
               best
               that
               can
               be
               made
               of
               it
               ,
               is
               only
               that
               it
               is
               not
               a
               seared
               Conscience
               ;
               and
               yet
               such
               a
               man
               is
               in
               a
               fair
               way
               to
               that
               also
               ;
               for
               as
               a
               part
               of
               the
               body
               by
               being
               often
               rubbed
               and
               hurt
               ,
               grows
               at
               last
               callous
               and
               insensible
               ,
               so
               the
               Conscience
               being
               often
               resisted
               in
               its
               intimations
               ,
               and
               stifled
               and
               over-born
               by
               the
               fury
               of
               lust
               and
               passion
               ,
               grows
               at
               last
               stupid
               and
               dead
               .
               So
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               Rom.
               1.
               28.
               because
               they
               liked
               not
               to
               retain
               God
               in
               their
               minds
               he
               gave
               them
               up
               to
               vain
               imaginations
               ,
               and
               because
               they
               gave
               themselves
               to
               sensuality
               ,
               he
               gave
               them
               up
               to
               unnatural
               lusts
               ;
               and
               so
               by
               degrees
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 to
                 a
                 reprobate
                 mind
              
               ;
               to
               a
               state
               of
               stupidity
               ,
               a
               spirit
               of
               injudiciousness
               to
               lose
               the
               feeling
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               .
               And
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               it
               is
               so
               far
               from
               extenuating
               the
               guilt
               of
               a
               man's
               sin
               ,
               that
               his
               heart
               smote
               him
               for
               it
               ;
               that
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               great
               aggravation
               of
               his
               presumption
               ,
               that
               he
               went
               on
               to
               the
               commission
               of
               it
               notwithstanding
               .
               If
               a
               man
               could
               say
               he
               did
               not
               so
               well
               know
               his
               duty
               as
               he
               should
               ,
               and
               therefore
               his
               Conscience
               not
               being
               rightly
               informed
               ,
               did
               not
               give
               him
               warning
               of
               it
               ;
               or
               that
               he
               was
               in
               a
               hurry
               ,
               and
               could
               not
               consider
               ;
               or
               confesses
               his
               rashness
               and
               precipitancy
               ;
               
               these
               are
               some
               mitigations
               ,
               for
               (
               as
               S.
               Clemens
               well
               pronounces
               ,
               
               )
               
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 involuntary
                 is
                 sudden
              
               ;
               and
               where
               a
               man
               cannot
               deliberate
               ,
               
               he
               scarcely
               consents
               .
               But
               when
               the
               case
               is
               such
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               must
               acknowledge
               he
               knew
               what
               he
               did
               ,
               he
               thought
               of
               it
               and
               condemned
               it
               ,
               and
               yet
               did
               it
               ;
               this
               surely
               is
               an
               aggravation
               ,
               if
               any
               thing
               in
               the
               world
               be
               so
               .
               
                 It
                 is
              
               (
               saith
               a
               generous
               Heathen
               ,
               
               Plutarch
               by
               name
               ,
               )
               
                 a
                 most
                 unmanly
                 and
                 brutish
                 thing
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 knows
                 what
                 he
                 should
                 doe
                 ,
                 softly
                 and
                 effeminately
                 to
                 give
                 himself
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 swing
                 of
                 intemperate
                 passions
                 .
              
               In
               short
               ,
               if
               when
               a
               man
               (
               confessing
               the
               truth
               )
               must
               say
               ,
               he
               had
               reason
               against
               what
               he
               did
               ,
               but
               confronted
               it
               ;
               his
               conscience
               shamed
               him
               ,
               but
               he
               resolved
               to
               be
               shameless
               ;
               he
               had
               weapons
               in
               his
               hand
               to
               resist
               temptation
               ,
               but
               he
               cast
               them
               down
               and
               yielded
               :
               (
               all
               which
               is
               implied
               ,
               when
               a
               man
               saith
               his
               Conscience
               smote
               him
               when
               he
               went
               about
               a
               sin
               ,
               but
               nevertheless
               he
               persisted
               and
               committed
               it
               ;
               )
               I
               say
               ,
               if
               this
               be
               not
               a
               voluntary
               sin
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               such
               thing
               incident
               to
               mankind
               .
            
             
               §
               VII
               .
               THUS
               much
               concerning
               the
               guilt
               or
               malignity
               of
               sin
               in
               the
               general
               :
               Now
               briefly
               for
               the
               various
               states
               and
               mansions
               of
               sinners
               :
               Which
               we
               shall
               the
               more
               easily
               understand
               ,
               if
               we
               first
               consider
               the
               several
               degrees
               of
               vertue
               ;
               or
               so
               many
               higher
               and
               lower
               capacities
               as
               there
               are
               of
               being
               good
               and
               holy
               .
               And
               I
               know
               not
               where
               to
               find
               these
               more
               exactly
               reckoned
               up
               and
               described
               ,
               then
               by
               S.
               Clement
               of
               Alexandria
               ,
               who
               makes
               four
               stations
               of
               perfection
               .
               
               1.
               
               
                 Not
                 to
                 sin
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 Which
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 is
                 the
                 felicity
                 of
                 the
                 divine
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 sure
                 not
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 any
                 meer
                 man
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Not
                 to
                 commit
                 any
                 wilfull
                 or
                 voluntary
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 attainment
                 of
                 the
                 perfect
                 man
              
               
               or
               true
               Gnostick
               ,
               
               as
               he
               uses
               to
               speak
               .
               3.
               
               
                 Rarely
                 to
                 be
                 guilty
                 of
                 inadvertency
                 ,
                 or
                 involuntary
                 Lapses
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 proficient
                 in
                 religion
                 .
              
               4.
               and
               Lastly
               ,
               
                 When
                 a
                 man
                 hath
                 sinned
                 ,
                 to
                 recover
                 himself
                 early
                 by
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 lie
                 under
                 the
                 guilt
                 ,
                 nor
                 much
                 less
                 grow
                 into
                 a
                 habit
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
               Which
               lowest
               degree
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               vastly
               different
               from
               every
               of
               the
               former
               ;
               yet
               it
               is
               tolerable
               ,
               and
               acceptable
               ,
               through
               the
               mercy
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               we
               shall
               see
               anon
               .
            
             
               NOW
               in
               some
               proportion
               to
               this
               discourse
               ,
               we
               will
               suppose
               4
               stations
               or
               degrees
               of
               wickedness
               :
               1.
               
               Such
               as
               do
               nothing
               but
               sin
               ,
               which
               we
               only
               mention
               for
               method-sake
               ,
               for
               as
               we
               are
               certain
               
                 non
                 datur
                 summum
                 malum
              
               ,
               or
               that
               there
               is
               no
               being
               absolutely
               evil
               ,
               (
               as
               the
               Manichees
               imagined
               )
               so
               it
               is
               very
               questionable
               whether
               the
               very
               Devil
               himself
               do
               nothing
               but
               what
               is
               evil
               ;
               but
               it
               is
               out
               of
               all
               question
               with
               me
               ,
               that
               the
               worst
               and
               most
               viciously
               inclined
               men
               do
               some
               good
               .
               And
               for
               those
               that
               can
               assert
               the
               most
               vertuous
               actions
               of
               unregenerate
               men
               to
               be
               express
               sins
               ,
               they
               may
               pretend
               what
               Patrons
               they
               will
               of
               their
               opinion
               ;
               but
               I
               am
               sure
               neither
               Scripture
               nor
               reason
               will
               countenance
               it
               :
               for
               though
               it
               be
               true
               that
               the
               best
               actions
               of
               such
               men
               are
               not
               acceptable
               as
               the
               conditions
               of
               eternal
               life
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               disjoined
               from
               habitual
               sanctification
               and
               true
               holiness
               ;
               yet
               that
               they
               are
               not
               therefore
               sins
               will
               sufficiently
               appear
               by
               what
               we
               have
               said
               not
               long
               since
               in
               the
               description
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               sin
               .
               Neither
               because
               they
               are
               defective
               in
               some
               circumstances
               do
               they
               cease
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               or
               become
               sins
               ;
               for
               then
               the
               best
               performances
               of
               the
               best
               men
               in
               this
               world
               would
               be
               sins
               too
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               also
               defective
               in
               circumstances
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               THE
               second
               (
               or
               rather
               first
               )
               rank
               of
               sinners
               ,
               consists
               of
               such
               as
               live
               in
               the
               habitual
               practice
               of
               great
               and
               enormous
               sins
               ,
               whether
               of
               one
               kind
               or
               of
               many
               ;
               I
               confess
               at
               the
               first
               sight
               ,
               one
               would
               think
               these
               should
               be
               divided
               into
               two
               classes
               ,
               whereof
               the
               first
               should
               be
               those
               profligate
               wretches
               and
               sons
               of
               Belial
               ,
               who
               perfectly
               abandon
               themselves
               to
               the
               temptation
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               and
               the
               fury
               of
               their
               own
               lusts
               ;
               and
               
                 adde
                 drunkenness
                 to
                 thirst
              
               ,
               as
               the
               Scripture
               expresseth
               it
               ;
               or
               run
               from
               one
               kind
               of
               sin
               to
               another
               with
               a
               kind
               of
               greediness
               ,
               as
               if
               (
               were
               it
               possible
               )
               they
               loved
               evil
               for
               its
               own
               sake
               ,
               or
               had
               a
               spite
               both
               at
               God
               and
               their
               own
               souls
               .
               And
               the
               second
               should
               be
               those
               more
               reserved
               and
               cautious
               sinners
               ,
               who
               perhaps
               may
               carry
               it
               very
               demurely
               in
               many
               respects
               ,
               but
               maintain
               some
               bosome
               sin
               which
               is
               as
               dear
               to
               them
               as
               their
               right
               eye
               ,
               and
               as
               necessary
               as
               their
               right
               hand
               ;
               and
               this
               they
               hope
               God
               will
               indulge
               them
               ,
               
                 Oh
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 little
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 souls
                 shall
                 live
                 .
              
               I
               say
               I
               should
               in
               civility
               have
               provided
               these
               a
               form
               by
               themselves
               ,
               and
               not
               set
               them
               with
               the
               open
               and
               scandalous
               sinners
               ,
               but
               that
               I
               observe
               God
               makes
               no
               difference
               between
               them
               :
               
                 His
                 servants
                 ye
                 are
              
               (
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               )
               
                 to
                 whom
                 ye
                 obey
              
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               no
               matter
               whether
               a
               man
               have
               many
               Masters
               or
               one
               ,
               he
               is
               equally
               a
               slave
               that
               is
               led
               captive
               either
               way
               .
               And
               so
               8.
               
               James
               in
               that
               most
               remarkable
               passage
               ,
               Chap.
               2.
               vers
               .
               10.
               
               
                 Whosoever
                 shall
                 keep
                 the
                 whole
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 offend
                 in
                 one
                 point
                 ,
                 is
                 guilty
                 of
                 all
                 .
              
               Of
               which
               seeming
               Paradox
               he
               gives
               account
               in
               the
               next
               Verse
               ;
               
                 For
                 he
                 that
                 said
                 ,
                 Do
                 not
                 commit
                 adultery
                 ,
                 said
                 also
                 ,
                 Do
                 not
                 kill
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               The
               reverence
               of
               every
               branch
               of
               God's
               Law
               ,
               is
               built
               upon
               the
               consideration
               of
               his
               sovereignty
               and
               right
               to
               prescribe
               to
               us
               ;
               which
               he
               impeaches
               whosoever
               dispenses
               with
               himself
               in
               the
               habitual
               breach
               of
               any
               one
               of
               his
               commands
               .
               
               For
               whatever
               particular
               he
               chooses
               to
               transgress
               in
               ,
               he
               derogates
               from
               the
               authority
               of
               the
               whole
               .
               Besides
               ,
               it
               is
               to
               be
               considered
               ,
               that
               all
               sins
               cannot
               stand
               together
               ;
               some
               sins
               are
               as
               repugnant
               and
               contradictory
               to
               each
               other
               ,
               as
               all
               are
               to
               vertue
               ;
               and
               moreover
               ,
               
                 non
                 omnis
                 fert
                 omnia
                 tellus
              
               ,
               it
               may
               be
               not
               the
               humour
               ,
               or
               interest
               ,
               or
               not
               sutable
               to
               the
               constitution
               of
               some
               man
               to
               act
               some
               sin
               ;
               when
               yet
               it
               is
               neither
               love
               of
               vertue
               ,
               nor
               the
               fear
               of
               God
               which
               makes
               him
               abstain
               from
               it
               .
               These
               therefore
               are
               justly
               joyned
               together
               ;
               namely
               ,
               all
               such
               as
               live
               in
               the
               habitual
               practice
               of
               one
               or
               more
               notorious
               sins
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               A
               THIRD
               rank
               are
               such
               as
               ,
               though
               they
               live
               not
               in
               the
               habit
               ,
               yet
               are
               guilty
               of
               the
               act
               of
               some
               very
               great
               and
               flagitious
               crime
               :
               for
               there
               are
               some
               sins
               very
               deadly
               ,
               even
               in
               single
               acts
               ;
               as
               either
               containing
               a
               complication
               of
               many
               wickednesses
               together
               ,
               as
               sacriledge
               ,
               adultery
               ,
               sedition
               ;
               or
               such
               as
               can
               never
               be
               revoked
               ,
               nor
               amends
               be
               made
               for
               them
               ,
               as
               taking
               away
               a
               man's
               life
               ;
               or
               never
               repeated
               nor
               repented
               of
               ,
               as
               to
               murther
               a
               man's
               self
               ,
               and
               several
               others
               .
               Now
               these
               being
               of
               so
               deadly
               a
               nature
               ,
               every
               man
               that
               hath
               any
               sense
               of
               vertue
               or
               care
               of
               his
               own
               soul
               ,
               ought
               ever
               to
               be
               sufficiently
               guarded
               against
               them
               ,
               and
               at
               utter
               defiance
               of
               them
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               can
               be
               so
               careless
               as
               to
               be
               found
               guilty
               of
               any
               such
               ,
               betrays
               the
               great
               Atheism
               and
               security
               of
               his
               heart
               .
               And
               for
               this
               reason
               the
               miscarriage
               of
               David
               ,
               in
               the
               business
               of
               Bathshebah
               and
               Vriah
               ,
               lays
               such
               an
               horrible
               blot
               upon
               him
               ;
               and
               needed
               all
               that
               repentance
               whereof
               we
               have
               the
               footsteps
               in
               the
               51.
               
               Psalm
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               THE
               fourth
               and
               last
               rank
               are
               they
               that
               avoid
               both
               the
               habit
               and
               the
               act
               of
               greater
               sins
               ,
               yet
               allow
               themselves
               in
               the
               frequent
               commission
               of
               lesser
               ,
               and
               persevere
               in
               them
               without
               repentance
               .
               By
               lesser
               sins
               I
               
               mean
               ,
               both
               such
               as
               I
               reckoned
               up
               before
               under
               the
               name
               of
               infirmities
               ,
               and
               more
               particularly
               such
               as
               these
               following
               .
               When
               a
               man
               dares
               not
               give
               himself
               up
               to
               beastly
               sensuality
               ,
               yet
               will
               too
               much
               humour
               and
               caress
               his
               body
               in
               meats
               and
               drinks
               ,
               and
               pleasures
               ;
               or
               will
               not
               steal
               and
               couzen
               ,
               but
               will
               be
               covetous
               ,
               and
               have
               his
               heart
               too
               much
               upon
               the
               world
               ;
               that
               dares
               not
               cast
               off
               the
               duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               but
               will
               indulge
               himself
               to
               be
               remiss
               and
               flat
               in
               them
               ;
               and
               several
               of
               this
               nature
               too
               easie
               to
               be
               observed
               .
               Now
               these
               kinds
               of
               sins
               are
               the
               more
               dangerous
               ,
               in
               that
               partly
               our
               Consciences
               not
               being
               presently
               startled
               at
               them
               as
               at
               greater
               crimes
               ,
               we
               more
               easily
               admit
               them
               ,
               or
               they
               insensibly
               steal
               upon
               us
               :
               from
               whence
               it
               comes
               to
               pass
               that
               they
               become
               frequent
               ,
               and
               so
               arise
               to
               a
               great
               number
               ,
               and
               seem
               to
               equal
               that
               way
               what
               they
               have
               not
               in
               weight
               .
               These
               therefore
               if
               they
               be
               suffered
               to
               pass
               unregarded
               ,
               grow
               to
               a
               great
               danger
               ,
               since
               no
               danger
               is
               little
               when
               once
               it
               is
               esteemed
               so
               :
               and
               besides
               ,
               though
               these
               may
               pass
               for
               inadvertencies
               when
               they
               are
               once
               or
               rarely
               committed
               ;
               yet
               it
               must
               be
               a
               vicious
               neglect
               of
               our selves
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               frequent
               and
               ordinary
               ,
               forasmuch
               as
               all
               sincere
               vertue
               is
               awakened
               to
               greater
               diligence
               by
               every
               sensible
               declension
               :
               to
               which
               adde
               especially
               ,
               that
               whatsoever
               sin
               ,
               and
               how
               little
               soever
               it
               be
               ,
               is
               not
               repented
               of
               when
               it
               is
               come
               to
               our
               knowledge
               ,
               is
               by
               that
               means
               become
               a
               voluntary
               transgression
               ,
               increasing
               its
               guilt
               
                 ex
                 post
                 pacto
              
               .
               These
               are
               the
               principal
               stations
               of
               sin
               ,
               or
               the
               several
               ways
               upon
               which
               a
               man
               is
               denominated
               a
               sinner
               in
               the
               language
               of
               Scripture
               ,
               and
               of
               wise
               men
               .
            
             
               BUT
               to
               the
               end
               we
               may
               render
               this
               important
               point
               as
               clear
               as
               we
               can
               ,
               and
               now
               also
               come
               more
               directly
               to
               the
               Parable
               before
               us
               ;
               we
               will
               take
               notice
               
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               
               David's
               distribution
               of
               sinners
               into
               a
               three-fold
               Classis
               ;
               Psal
               .
               1.
               vers
               .
               1.
               
               
                 Blessed
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 walketh
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 the
                 ungodly
                 ,
                 nor
                 standeth
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 nor
                 sitteth
                 in
                 the
                 seat
                 of
                 the
                 scornfull
                 .
              
            
             
               First
               ,
               some
               he
               calls
               ungodly
               ,
               (
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               the
               LXXII
               render
               it
               ,
               )
               such
               as
               having
               not
               a
               true
               sense
               of
               piety
               in
               them
               ,
               stand
               fair
               for
               any
               temptation
               .
               The
               Hebrew
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               properly
               signifies
               turbulent
               ,
               male-content
               ,
               and
               seditious
               persons
               ,
               fit
               for
               any
               mischief
               .
               And
               such
               is
               the
               case
               of
               those
               that
               have
               not
               God
               before
               their
               eyes
               ,
               nor
               the
               principles
               of
               Religion
               in
               their
               hearts
               ;
               they
               are
               ready
               to
               list
               themselves
               for
               the
               Devil's
               service
               ;
               therefore
               the
               Psalmist
               describeth
               them
               as
               
                 standing
                 in
                 counsel
              
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               deliberating
               a
               defection
               .
            
             
               The
               second
               rank
               he
               calls
               by
               the
               name
               of
               Sinners
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               actual
               transgressors
               ;
               such
               as
               are
               not
               only
               disposed
               for
               the
               Devil's
               service
               ,
               by
               the
               looseness
               of
               their
               principles
               ,
               and
               the
               turbulency
               of
               their
               spirits
               ,
               their
               vicious
               inclination
               ,
               but
               have
               actually
               entred
               into
               it
               ,
               have
               ingaged
               themselves
               in
               a
               way
               and
               course
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               therefore
               are
               said
               to
               
                 stand
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 :
                 i.
                 e.
              
               not
               only
               resolved
               upon
               their
               course
               ,
               but
               proceeding
               and
               making
               progress
               from
               sin
               to
               sin
               towards
               destruction
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               third
               sort
               he
               call
               Scornerss
               ,
               those
               that
               have
               not
               onely
               debauched
               the
               light
               of
               their
               own
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               all
               other
               principles
               of
               vertue
               ,
               but
               have
               extinguished
               them
               too
               ;
               and
               therefore
               being
               now
               arrived
               at
               the
               pinnacle
               of
               prophaneness
               ,
               laugh
               at
               that
               which
               they
               formerly
               feared
               ,
               and
               endeavour
               to
               make
               the
               reasons
               of
               Religion
               as
               ridiculous
               and
               contemptible
               to
               others
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               insignificant
               with
               themselves
               .
               These
               are
               in
               the
               highest
               form
               of
               wickedness
               ,
               and
               therefore
               are
               said
               to
               
                 sit
                 in
                 the
                 seat
                 of
                 
                 Scorners
                 ,
              
               as
               being
               setled
               in
               their
               way
               ,
               and
               very
               seldome
               or
               never
               reclaimed
               .
            
             
               And
               this
               brings
               me
               to
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               him
               described
               in
               the
               Parable
               :
               He
               is
               gone
               beyond
               the
               first
               form
               ,
               being
               not
               in
               the
               deliberative
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               actual
               pursuit
               of
               a
               sinfull
               course
               ;
               and
               yet
               he
               is
               not
               arrived
               at
               
                 the
                 seat
                 of
                 the
                 Scorner
              
               ,
               but
               he
               is
               
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Sinners
              
               .
               And
               we
               are
               now
               to
               discover
               and
               trace
               him
               in
               that
               his
               way
               and
               course
               of
               sin
               ;
               which
               we
               shall
               endeavour
               to
               doe
               ,
               guiding
               our selves
               by
               the
               thread
               of
               the
               Parable
               .
            
             
             
             
               
                 
                   S.
                   Luk.
                   15.
                   vers
                   .
                   12
                   ,
                   13
                   ,
                   14
                   ,
                   15
                   ,
                   16.
                   
                
                 
                   12.
                   
                   The
                   younger
                   Son
                   said
                   to
                   his
                   Father
                   ,
                   Father
                   ,
                   give
                   me
                   the
                   portion
                   of
                   goods
                   that
                   falleth
                   to
                   me
                   .
                   And
                   he
                   divided
                   to
                   them
                   his
                   living
                   .
                
                 
                   13.
                   
                   And
                   not
                   many
                   days
                   after
                   ,
                   the
                   younger
                   Son
                   gathered
                   all
                   together
                   ,
                   and
                   took
                   his
                   journey
                   into
                   a
                   far
                   countrey
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   wasted
                   his
                   substance
                   with
                   riotous
                   living
                   .
                
                 
                   15.
                   
                   And
                   when
                   he
                   had
                   spent
                   all
                   ,
                   there
                   arose
                   a
                   mighty
                   famine
                   in
                   that
                   land
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   began
                   to
                   be
                   in
                   want
                   .
                
                 
                   15.
                   
                   And
                   he
                   went
                   and
                   joyned
                   himself
                   to
                   a
                   Citizen
                   of
                   that
                   Countrey
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   sent
                   him
                   into
                   his
                   fields
                   to
                   feed
                   swine
                   .
                
                 
                   16.
                   
                   And
                   he
                   would
                   fain
                   have
                   filled
                   his
                   belly
                   with
                   the
                   husks
                   that
                   the
                   swine
                   did
                   eat
                   :
                   and
                   no
                   man
                   gave
                   unto
                   him
                   .
                
              
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               IV.
               
            
             
               The
               Prodigal
               's
               Risk
               ;
               or
               Sin
               's
               Progress
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     Pride
                     is
                     ordinarily
                     the
                     first
                     beginning
                     of
                     a
                     sinfull
                     course
                     ,
                     proved
                     by
                     the
                     fall
                     of
                     Angels
                     ,
                     of
                     Men
                     ,
                     the
                     temptation
                     of
                     our
                     Saviour
                     and
                     his
                     first
                     doctrine
                     ,
                     in
                     order
                     to
                     the
                     recovery
                     of
                     men
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     The
                     second
                     instance
                     of
                     defection
                     ,
                     is
                     ,
                     casting
                     off
                     the
                     sense
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     a
                     Providence
                     ,
                     and
                     laying
                     aside
                     the
                     duties
                     of
                     worship
                     ;
                     the
                     intimate
                     conjunction
                     and
                     dependence
                     
                     of
                     piety
                     and
                     morality
                     upon
                     each
                     other
                     mutually
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     Habitual
                     sin
                     not
                     onely
                     brings
                     a
                     guilt
                     ,
                     but
                     destroys
                     the
                     powers
                     of
                     the
                     soul
                     :
                     what
                     talents
                     God
                     bestows
                     upon
                     the
                     generality
                     of
                     mankind
                     :
                     of
                     free
                     will
                     ,
                     natural
                     reason
                     ,
                     conscience
                     ,
                     providence
                     ,
                     and
                     divine
                     illumination
                     ;
                     and
                     how
                     vice
                     imbezils
                     them
                     all
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     When
                     men
                     have
                     abused
                     their
                     powers
                     and
                     talents
                     ,
                     they
                     become
                     slaves
                     of
                     the
                     Devil
                     ;
                     how
                     such
                     a
                     condition
                     lays
                     them
                     both
                     open
                     to
                     him
                     ,
                     and
                     fits
                     them
                     for
                     his
                     service
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     V.
                     Sin
                     is
                     extreme
                     drudgery
                     in
                     all
                     the
                     instances
                     thereof
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     VI.
                     And
                     makes
                     very
                     had
                     returns
                     ,
                     not
                     affording
                     any
                     tolerable
                     satisfaction
                     when
                     a
                     man
                     hath
                     yielded
                     to
                     it
                     ;
                     particularly
                     the
                     unsatisfactoriness
                     of
                     bodily
                     pleasure
                     ,
                     worldly
                     riches
                     ,
                     and
                     applause
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     VII
                     .
                     The
                     sad
                     and
                     desolate
                     condition
                     of
                     an
                     habitual
                     sinner
                     at
                     last
                     ,
                     when
                     the
                     pleasures
                     and
                     profits
                     of
                     sin
                     fail
                     and
                     desert
                     him
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               IN
               the
               words
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               now
               recited
               ,
               we
               may
               plainly
               observe
               this
               to
               be
               the
               method
               of
               the
               Prodigal's
               ruine
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 He
                 is
                 impatient
                 of
                 the
                 restraints
                 of
                 his
                 Father's
                 Family
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 being
                 content
                 with
                 his
                 provision
                 ,
                 he
                 therefore
                 desires
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 disposal
                 ;
                 which
                 having
                 obtain'd
                 ,
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Then
                 he
                 departs
                 from
                 his
                 Father's
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 goes
                 into
                 a
                 far
                 Countrey
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Being
                 there
                 ,
                 he
                 mis-spends
                 his
                 stock
                 in
                 riotous
                 living
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Having
                 mis-spent
                 his
                 own
                 stock
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 thereby
                 reduced
                 to
                 want
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 constrained
                 to
                 become
                 a
                 slave
                 or
                 servant
                 .
              
               
                 
                 5.
                 
                 In
                 his
                 service
                 he
                 is
                 put
                 to
                 extreme
                 drudgery
                 ,
                 being
                 appointed
                 to
                 keep
                 swine
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 Besides
                 the
                 baseness
                 of
                 his
                 employment
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 used
                 with
                 great
                 severity
                 and
                 hardship
                 ,
                 forced
                 to
                 feed
                 on
                 husks
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 So
                 deplorably
                 dealt
                 with
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 husks
                 enough
                 to
                 supply
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 perish
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               these
               Seven
               steps
               are
               as
               plainly
               discernable
               in
               the
               course
               of
               the
               mystical
               Prodigal
               ,
               as
               of
               the
               literal
               ;
               I
               mean
               ,
               in
               him
               that
               goes
               on
               in
               a
               way
               of
               sin
               against
               God
               ,
               as
               in
               him
               that
               rebells
               against
               an
               earthly
               Parent
               :
               as
               shall
               be
               now
               made
               appear
               in
               particular
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               the
               praeludium
               to
               the
               Son's
               defection
               ,
               is
               his
               impatience
               of
               the
               restraint
               of
               his
               Father's
               family
               and
               government
               ;
               together
               with
               an
               opinion
               of
               his
               own
               sufficiency
               to
               dispose
               of
               and
               shift
               for
               himself
               .
               Thereupon
               he
               comes
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               
                 Father
                 give
                 me
                 the
                 portion
              
               ,
               &c.
               as
               if
               he
               had
               said
               ,
               
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 come
                 to
                 years
                 of
                 discretion
                 ,
                 and
                 doubt
                 not
                 but
                 I
                 am
                 able
                 to
                 govern
                 my self
                 and
                 manage
                 my
                 own
                 affairs
                 ;
                 set
                 me
                 out
                 therefore
                 my
                 share
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 but
                 have
                 whereupon
                 to
                 employ
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 grant
                 me
                 my
                 liberty
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 shall
                 give
                 you
                 no
                 further
                 trouble
                 .
                 Under
                 the
                 notion
                 of
                 a
                 Son
                 ,
                 make
                 me
                 not
                 always
                 a
                 boy
                 ;
                 give
                 me
                 but
                 leave
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 man
                 once
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 fear
                 not
                 to
                 acquit
                 my self
                 as
                 such
                 .
              
               And
               thus
               it
               is
               with
               the
               sinner
               ;
               pride
               ,
               elation
               of
               mind
               ,
               and
               self-confidence
               make
               the
               first
               step
               to
               his
               ruine
               .
               
                 Pride
                 goes
                 before
                 a
                 fall
              
               ,
               (
               saith
               
                 Solomon
                 )
                 and
                 a
                 high
                 mind
                 before
                 destruction
                 .
              
               It
               intoxicates
               the
               understanding
               ,
               and
               makes
               the
               mind
               giddy
               and
               inconsiderate
               ;
               it
               suffers
               a
               man
               to
               take
               no
               sober
               counsel
               ,
               to
               hearken
               to
               nothing
               but
               what
               sooths
               and
               flatters
               him
               ;
               and
               thence
               he
               becomes
               rash
               ,
               precipitant
               ,
               and
               adventurous
               ;
               it
               permits
               him
               
               not
               to
               take
               true
               measure
               of
               himself
               ,
               but
               overrates
               his
               deserts
               ,
               and
               overvalues
               his
               capacity
               .
            
             
               AND
               thus
               being
               blown
               up
               with
               a
               conceit
               of
               himself
               ,
               he
               presently
               grows
               malecontent
               with
               his
               condition
               ;
               and
               finding
               himself
               restrained
               ,
               the
               proud
               waves
               of
               his
               passion
               rage
               and
               swell
               against
               all
               that
               bounds
               and
               checks
               them
               ,
               and
               this
               rage
               casts
               up
               mire
               and
               dirt
               ,
               wherewith
               divine
               providence
               it self
               is
               bespattered
               :
               as
               if
               either
               God
               knew
               not
               what
               was
               good
               for
               such
               a
               man
               ,
               or
               envied
               his
               felicity
               ,
               or
               grudged
               his
               satisfaction
               ;
               or
               at
               least
               pleased
               himself
               in
               putting
               unnecessary
               restraints
               upon
               him
               .
               He
               finds
               his
               condition
               not
               to
               his
               mind
               ,
               and
               not
               being
               willing
               to
               bring
               his
               mind
               to
               that
               ,
               he
               is
               tempted
               to
               run
               upon
               adventures
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               experiments
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               give
               his
               mind
               full
               scope
               and
               contentment
               .
               Hence
               it
               is
               (
               as
               I
               observed
               before
               )
               that
               the
               wicked
               in
               the
               Sacred
               Language
               are
               called
               Reshagnim
               ,
               unquiet
               ,
               seditious
               and
               turbulent
               :
               pride
               and
               discontent
               prompting
               them
               to
               unruly
               attempts
               against
               God
               ,
               disputing
               his
               prerogative
               ,
               and
               breaking
               down
               the
               laws
               and
               boundaries
               he
               hath
               settled
               .
               Either
               such
               men
               conceit
               God
               hath
               not
               been
               benign
               enough
               ,
               in
               the
               provisions
               of
               his
               care
               and
               providence
               ;
               or
               the
               instances
               of
               duty
               are
               too
               many
               and
               too
               hard
               ,
               and
               too
               great
               intrenchments
               made
               upon
               humane
               liberty
               thereby
               ;
               that
               God
               consulted
               his
               own
               prerogative
               in
               the
               constitution
               of
               his
               Laws
               rather
               then
               his
               wisedom
               ,
               and
               the
               reason
               of
               things
               ,
               and
               good
               of
               his
               Creatures
               ;
               that
               man
               might
               be
               more
               happy
               if
               he
               were
               left
               to
               his
               own
               counsels
               .
               Would
               God
               permit
               them
               ,
               they
               think
               nothing
               so
               sweet
               ,
               as
               
                 meram
                 haurire
                 libertatem
                 ,
                 pure
                 and
                 unconfined
                 liberty
              
               ;
               that
               all
               restraint
               is
               intolerable
               slavery
               to
               a
               generous
               mind
               ;
               and
               imagining
               there
               must
               needs
               be
               some
               admirable
               delights
               in
               those
               things
               God
               forbids
               ,
               have
               thereupon
               a
               mighty
               
               mind
               and
               huge
               impetus
               upon
               them
               ,
               to
               try
               those
               things
               above
               all
               other
               ,
               whatever
               come
               of
               it
               .
               Such
               kind
               of
               mutinous
               thoughts
               ,
               such
               jealousies
               and
               suspicions
               are
               the
               immediate
               issue
               of
               pride
               ,
               and
               the
               seminalities
               of
               all
               rebellion
               against
               God.
               
            
             
               IT
               is
               the
               current
               opinion
               of
               Divines
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               only
               this
               height
               of
               pride
               which
               ruined
               the
               Apostate
               Angels
               :
               for
               indeed
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               easily
               imaginable
               what
               else
               should
               doe
               it
               ,
               in
               regard
               they
               being
               (
               before
               their
               Fall
               )
               bright
               intellectual
               Beings
               ,
               no
               cloud
               of
               ignorance
               could
               probably
               so
               overwhelm
               them
               ,
               as
               to
               betray
               them
               to
               that
               fatal
               miscarriage
               :
               And
               being
               also
               pure
               spiritual
               Substances
               ,
               they
               lay
               under
               no
               corporeal
               allurements
               .
               It
               seems
               therefore
               necessary
               to
               conclude
               ,
               that
               an
               overweening
               reflexion
               upon
               their
               own
               height
               ,
               fooled
               them
               into
               that
               presumption
               to
               forget
               themselves
               ,
               and
               to
               vie
               with
               the
               Almighty
               .
               And
               this
               seems
               to
               be
               plainly
               enough
               glanced
               at
               by
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               when
               he
               describes
               the
               fall
               of
               proud
               Sennacherib
               ;
               Isa
               .
               14.
               12
               ,
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               
                 How
                 art
                 thou
                 faln
                 from
                 heaven
                 ,
                 O
                 Lucifer
                 ,
                 son
                 of
                 the
                 morning
                 ?
                 —
                 For
                 thou
                 hast
                 said
                 in
                 thy
                 heart
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 ascend
                 into
                 heaven
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 exalt
                 my
                 throne
                 above
                 the
                 stars
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 —
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 like
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
            
             
               AND
               undoubtedly
               this
               was
               the
               ruine
               of
               our
               first
               Parents
               ,
               when
               mankind
               first
               turned
               Prodigal
               .
               God
               had
               dealt
               most
               liberally
               &
               benignly
               with
               them
               ,
               as
               a
               gracious
               Father
               ;
               he
               brought
               not
               them
               into
               the
               world
               ,
               till
               he
               had
               furnished
               it
               like
               a
               large
               house
               ,
               with
               all
               things
               necessary
               for
               their
               accommodation
               and
               delight
               ;
               night
               and
               day
               were
               distinguished
               ,
               sea
               and
               land
               separated
               ,
               the
               earth
               blessed
               ,
               a
               paradise
               planted
               with
               all
               delicacies
               ;
               and
               then
               he
               brings
               this
               his
               younger
               Son
               ,
               Man
               ,
               as
               to
               a
               plentifull
               Table
               of
               most
               delightfull
               entertainments
               .
               Besides
               this
               ,
               he
               put
               all
               inferiour
               Creatures
               in
               subjection
               to
               
               him
               ,
               as
               to
               their
               young
               Lord
               and
               Master
               ;
               nay
               ,
               makes
               that
               higher
               order
               of
               glorious
               Spirits
               ,
               the
               Angels
               ,
               to
               minister
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               keep
               watch
               about
               him
               ;
               and
               above
               all
               placed
               him
               in
               his
               own
               eye
               ,
               under
               the
               light
               of
               his
               countenance
               ,
               designed
               him
               for
               yet
               greater
               and
               unspeakable
               felicities
               ,
               as
               his
               favourite
               and
               darling
               .
            
             
               NOW
               if
               after
               all
               this
               ,
               it
               had
               pleased
               God
               to
               have
               put
               somewhat
               a
               severe
               restraint
               upon
               him
               ,
               it
               ought
               justly
               to
               have
               seemed
               easie
               and
               reasonable
               ,
               being
               sweetened
               by
               so
               great
               obligations
               .
               But
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               to
               shew
               that
               in
               this
               also
               he
               remembred
               the
               kindness
               of
               a
               Father
               ,
               makes
               his
               Laws
               and
               Government
               as
               gentle
               as
               his
               favours
               were
               great
               :
               for
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               an
               huge
               indulgence
               ,
               and
               that
               large
               scope
               of
               all
               the
               Trees
               in
               the
               Garden
               ,
               he
               laid
               an
               interdict
               but
               upon
               one
               ,
               saying
               ,
               
                 Of
                 all
                 the
                 Trees
                 in
                 the
                 Garden
                 you
                 may
                 freely
                 eat
                 ;
                 save
                 onely
                 the
                 tree
                 of
                 knowledge
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 evil
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 Garden
                 ;
                 of
                 that
                 ye
                 shall
                 not
                 eat
                 lest
                 ye
                 die
                 .
              
               Who
               could
               now
               think
               any
               thing
               should
               become
               a
               temptation
               strong
               enough
               in
               this
               case
               to
               debauch
               mankind
               ?
               Notwithstanding
               ,
               here
               the
               Serpent
               finds
               occasion
               to
               set
               pride
               on
               work
               ,
               and
               to
               raise
               a
               discontent
               ;
               and
               first
               he
               begins
               thus
               ,
               Gen.
               3.
               1.
               
               
                 Hath
                 God
                 said
              
               ,
               &c.
               
                 q.
                 d.
              
               
               
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 a
                 mistake
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 forbidden
                 that
                 Fruit
                 ?
                 was
                 that
                 the
                 meaning
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ?
                 possibly
                 your
                 gracious
                 Creatour
                 had
                 no
                 such
                 intention
                 ;
                 for
                 why
                 should
                 you
                 be
                 restrained
                 in
                 this
                 ?
                 why
                 not
                 left
                 perfectly
                 to
                 your
                 own
                 election
                 ?
                 have
                 not
                 you
                 faculties
                 to
                 choose
                 ,
                 and
                 desires
                 to
                 gratifie
                 ?
                 why
                 should
                 they
                 be
                 curbed
                 or
                 denied
                 ?
                 sure
                 he
                 never
                 made
                 a
                 power
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 to
                 come
                 into
                 act
                 ,
                 nor
                 a
                 capacity
                 that
                 was
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 satisfied
                 :
                 nay
                 ,
                 this
                 one
                 abridgment
                 despoils
                 you
                 perfectly
                 of
                 your
                 liberty
                 ;
                 law
                 and
                 freedom
                 are
                 incompetible
                 ;
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 used
                 like
                 
                 Sons
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 be
                 thus
                 chained
                 up
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 necessity
                 is
                 there
                 to
                 set
                 such
                 a
                 fence
                 about
                 that
                 one
                 Tree
                 above
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 ?
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 exercise
                 authority
                 arbitrarily
                 over
                 you
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 tempt
                 your
                 patience
                 ?
                 or
                 rather
                 ,
                 is
                 there
                 not
                 some
                 great
                 good
                 which
                 he
                 knows
                 in
                 that
                 Fruit
                 ,
                 and
                 envies
                 you
                 the
                 participation
                 of
                 ?
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 you
                 that
                 were
                 made
                 in
                 his
                 image
                 ,
                 be
                 like
                 Gods
                 in
                 this
                 also
                 ,
                 knowing
                 good
                 and
                 evil
                 ?
              
               After
               this
               manner
               the
               old
               enemy
               of
               God
               and
               man
               tempers
               his
               poisons
               ;
               partly
               seeming
               to
               doubt
               of
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               command
               ,
               partly
               insinuating
               suspicions
               of
               God's
               goodness
               ,
               but
               principally
               blowing
               them
               up
               with
               pride
               and
               self-conceit
               ;
               which
               whilest
               they
               swell
               withall
               ,
               they
               break
               to
               pieces
               ,
               and
               thus
               fell
               our
               first
               Parents
               .
            
             
               And
               the
               same
               Tempter
               ,
               both
               knowing
               now
               the
               nature
               of
               man
               ,
               and
               encouraged
               also
               with
               this
               success
               ,
               attempts
               the
               Second
               
                 Adam
                 ,
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               ,
               after
               the
               same
               manner
               ,
               Matt.
               4.
               for
               though
               it
               be
               true
               ,
               (
               which
               is
               commonly
               observed
               )
               that
               the
               Devil
               was
               put
               to
               it
               ,
               to
               try
               all
               his
               artifices
               upon
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               to
               assail
               him
               both
               by
               the
               lusts
               of
               the
               flesh
               ,
               the
               lust
               of
               the
               eye
               ,
               and
               the
               pride
               of
               life
               ;
               yet
               if
               we
               carefully
               consider
               we
               shall
               find
               ,
               that
               the
               effort
               of
               ruining
               him
               by
               pride
               and
               vain-glory
               ,
               was
               that
               which
               he
               principally
               trusted
               to
               ,
               and
               aimed
               at
               in
               all
               the
               temptations
               ;
               but
               more
               conspicuously
               in
               the
               two
               former
               of
               them
               ;
               for
               so
               vers
               .
               3.
               when
               finding
               him
               an
               hungred
               ,
               he
               begins
               thus
               :
               
                 If
                 thou
                 be
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 command
                 that
                 these
                 stones
                 be
                 made
                 bread
                 .
              
               Our
               Saviour
               came
               not
               long
               since
               from
               his
               Baptism
               ,
               and
               then
               as
               we
               reade
               in
               the
               last
               verse
               of
               the
               foregoing
               Chapter
               ,
               a
               voice
               came
               to
               him
               from
               Heaven
               ,
               saying
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 my
                 beloved
                 Son
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 I
                 am
                 well
                 pleased
                 .
              
               Of
               which
               the
               Devil
               endeavouring
               to
               make
               his
               advantage
               ,
               addresses
               himself
               to
               him
               .
               
                 q.
                 d.
              
               
               
                 If
                 
                 God
                 own
                 thee
                 as
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 he
                 pretends
                 to
                 doe
                 )
                 let
                 him
                 do
                 something
                 prodigious
                 and
                 pompous
                 that
                 may
                 give
                 remarkable
                 testimony
                 to
                 it
                 :
                 use
                 thy
                 interest
                 in
                 him
                 for
                 some
                 signal
                 miracle
                 ,
                 especially
                 to
                 supply
                 thy
                 necessity
                 now
                 thou
                 art
                 hungry
                 ;
                 for
                 certainly
                 he
                 will
                 rather
                 do
                 that
                 ,
                 then
                 suffer
                 his
                 beloved
                 Son
                 to
                 famish
                 .
                 Ordinary
                 men
                 must
                 depend
                 upon
                 common
                 providence
                 ,
                 but
                 sure
                 you
                 may
                 expect
                 something
                 more
                 signal
                 and
                 worthy
                 of
                 that
                 relation
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 true
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 are
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God.
                 No
                 (
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 )
                 
                   Man
                   lives
                   not
                   by
                   bread
                   only
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 If
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 assured
                 I
                 am
                 ;
                 I
                 must
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 more
                 be
                 at
                 my
                 Father's
                 disposal
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 prescribe
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 hath
                 several
                 ways
                 to
                 supply
                 my
                 necessity
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 leave
                 the
                 particular
                 manner
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 his
                 election
                 .
              
               Then
               the
               Devil
               taketh
               him
               ,
               and
               sets
               him
               upon
               a
               pinacle
               of
               the
               Temple
               ,
               and
               urges
               him
               ,
               
                 If
                 thou
                 be
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 east
                 thy self
                 down
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 written
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 give
                 his
                 Angels
                 charge
                 over
                 thee
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
                 q.
                 d.
              
               
               
                 To
                 be
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 it
                 set
                 off
                 with
                 no
                 pomp
                 nor
                 illustrious
                 circumstance
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 very
                 mean
                 thing
                 ,
                 unworthy
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 useless
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 Assure
                 your self
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 own
                 you
                 in
                 that
                 quality
                 and
                 relation
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 interpose
                 between
                 you
                 and
                 the
                 greatest
                 danger
                 you
                 can
                 incurr
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 some
                 such
                 experiment
                 you
                 shall
                 draw
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 upon
                 you
                 .
              
               Both
               this
               and
               the
               former
               attack
               are
               like
               to
               that
               of
               his
               Brethren
               ,
               Jo.
               7.
               4.
               
               
                 If
                 thou
                 do
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 shew
                 thy self
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               Consult
               thy
               same
               and
               reputation
               ,
               aggrandize
               thy self
               by
               some
               magnificent
               circumstance
               or
               other
               .
               But
               (
               saith
               our
               Saviour
               )
               
                 it
                 is
                 written
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 tempt
                 the
                 Lord
                 thy
                 God.
                 i.
                 e.
                 
              
               
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 to
                 require
                 other
                 proofs
                 of
                 God's
                 power
                 or
                 providence
                 over
                 me
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 thinks
                 fit
                 to
                 give
                 ;
                 I
                 must
                 not
                 thrust
                 my
                 
                 self
                 upon
                 danger
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 he
                 casts
                 me
                 upon
                 it
                 then
                 I
                 may
                 assure
                 my self
                 of
                 his
                 interposition
                 for
                 my
                 ,
                 safety
                 .
              
            
             
               NOW
               since
               this
               temptation
               to
               pride
               was
               the
               engine
               with
               which
               the
               first
               Adam
               was
               ruined
               ,
               and
               the
               second
               Adam
               assaulted
               ;
               there
               can
               be
               little
               reason
               to
               doubt
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               so
               also
               with
               the
               generality
               of
               men
               .
               And
               albeit
               the
               more
               visible
               and
               immediate
               motives
               to
               some
               sins
               may
               be
               profit
               or
               pleasure
               ,
               yet
               that
               which
               is
               the
               first
               wheel
               ,
               and
               sets
               all
               on
               work
               ,
               is
               (
               as
               I
               have
               hinted
               )
               an
               arrogant
               opinion
               of
               our
               own
               worth
               or
               wisedom
               ,
               and
               derogation
               from
               the
               Divine
               Wisedom
               or
               justice
               in
               the
               frame
               of
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               methods
               of
               his
               providence
               :
               as
               if
               he
               had
               not
               consulted
               so
               well
               the
               conveniency
               of
               our
               natures
               ,
               but
               that
               we
               could
               provide
               better
               for
               our selves
               then
               he
               hath
               done
               ,
               if
               we
               were
               permitted
               to
               be
               our
               own
               carvers
               ;
               from
               whence
               proceeds
               an
               impatience
               of
               his
               government
               ,
               and
               an
               inclination
               to
               rebell
               ,
               and
               cast
               off
               his
               yoke
               ;
               as
               it
               were
               easie
               to
               make
               appear
               in
               all
               the
               instances
               of
               sin
               ,
               whether
               intemperance
               ,
               fornication
               ,
               injustice
               ,
               or
               any
               the
               like
               ;
               but
               that
               I
               think
               it
               needless
               in
               so
               plain
               a
               case
               .
            
             
               BUT
               there
               is
               one
               thing
               I
               cannot
               omit
               to
               observe
               in
               further
               confirmation
               of
               this
               point
               ;
               namely
               ,
               that
               our
               Saviour
               when
               he
               came
               into
               the
               world
               to
               restore
               mankind
               ,
               knowing
               well
               their
               disease
               ,
               (
               like
               a
               wise
               Physician
               of
               Souls
               )
               finds
               it
               necessary
               to
               cure
               them
               by
               the
               contrary
               :
               therefore
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               he
               prescribes
               to
               them
               a
               profound
               humility
               ,
               as
               the
               most
               sovereign
               Antidote
               against
               sin
               ,
               and
               the
               onely
               principle
               of
               stability
               in
               vertue
               ;
               he
               I
               say
               ,
               considering
               they
               had
               fallen
               by
               pride
               ,
               lays
               the
               foundation
               of
               their
               recovery
               in
               lowliness
               of
               spirit
               ;
               injoyning
               that
               men
               submit
               their
               own
               reasonings
               to
               the
               wisedom
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               by
               faith
               depend
               upon
               him
               .
               And
               declaring
               that
               those
               who
               will
               
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               or
               receive
               his
               religion
               ,
               must
               do
               it
               as
               little
               children
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               must
               come
               to
               it
               without
               pride
               or
               prejudice
               ,
               and
               be
               ready
               to
               believe
               what
               he
               dictates
               to
               them
               ,
               without
               dispute
               or
               diffidence
               :
               and
               in
               short
               ,
               must
               deny
               themselves
               and
               follow
               him
               .
               Which
               one
               lesson
               if
               we
               thoroughly
               learn
               ,
               we
               cut
               off
               all
               the
               Avenues
               of
               Satan
               ,
               and
               everlastingly
               secure
               our selves
               against
               all
               temptation
               to
               Apostasy
               from
               Religion
               and
               rebelling
               against
               God.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               THE
               second
               instance
               of
               the
               Son's
               defection
               ,
               is
               his
               departure
               from
               his
               Father
               .
               
                 He
                 gathers
                 all
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 takes
                 his
                 journey
                 into
                 a
                 far
                 Countrey
                 .
              
               Whereas
               the
               Elder
               Son
               always
               abides
               with
               his
               Father
               ,
               this
               Youngster
               ,
               as
               he
               desired
               not
               to
               be
               at
               his
               Father's
               provision
               ,
               so
               he
               was
               equally
               unwilling
               to
               be
               under
               his
               eye
               ,
               and
               the
               awe
               of
               his
               presence
               :
               the
               inspection
               of
               a
               Father
               would
               check
               his
               freedom
               ,
               and
               restrain
               him
               in
               the
               full
               swing
               of
               pleasure
               he
               designed
               to
               take
               .
               Home
               was
               an
               homely
               thing
               ,
               dull
               and
               tedious
               to
               him
               ;
               but
               a
               foreign
               Countrey
               would
               gratify
               his
               curiosity
               ,
               and
               minister
               some
               new
               delights
               to
               him
               .
               Besides
               ,
               there
               he
               should
               be
               without
               controll
               ,
               accountable
               to
               no
               body
               ,
               which
               was
               the
               very
               thing
               his
               pride
               had
               made
               most
               valuable
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               NOW
               that
               he
               had
               obtained
               what
               he
               desired
               ,
               his
               portion
               and
               his
               liberty
               ,
               he
               valued
               not
               the
               comfort
               of
               his
               Father's
               countenance
               ;
               nor
               needed
               his
               counsel
               ,
               nor
               set
               by
               his
               blessing
               :
               
               for
               indeed
               ,
               he
               intended
               so
               to
               live
               ,
               as
               that
               he
               could
               not
               hope
               for
               it
               .
            
             
               THUS
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               ,
               and
               every
               habitual
               sinner
               treads
               in
               his
               steps
               ,
               
                 Longinqua
                 Regio
              
               ,
               (
               saith
               S.
               
                 Austin
                 ,
                 Q.
                 Evan.
                 l.
                 2.
                 c.
              
               33.
               )
               is
               
                 oblivio
                 Dei
              
               :
               by
               the
               far
               Country
               is
               meant
               forgetfulness
               of
               God.
               And
               saith
               S.
               
                 Jerome
                 ,
                 To
                 depart
                 from
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 local
                 ,
              
               
               (
               for
               God
               is
               every-where
               present
               )
               
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 alienated
                 in
                 our
                 minds
                 and
                 affections
                 
                 from
                 him
                 .
              
               Agreeably
               to
               which
               in
               the
               73.
               
               Psal
               .
               v.
               26.
               where
               we
               reade
               ,
               
                 They
                 that
                 forsake
                 the
                 Lord
                 shall
                 perish
                 ,
              
               the
               vulgar
               Latine
               strictly
               following
               the
               Hebrew
               ,
               hath
               it
               ,
               
                 qui
                 elongant
                 se
                 à
                 Deo
                 ,
                 those
                 that
                 put
                 themselves
                 as
                 far
                 off
                 from
                 God
                 as
                 they
                 can
                 .
              
               And
               so
               Holy
               Job
               ,
               chap.
               21.
               14.
               notes
               it
               to
               be
               the
               humour
               of
               profane
               and
               profligate
               persons
               ,
               to
               
                 say
                 to
                 the
                 Almighty
                 depart
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 desire
                 not
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 thy
                 way
                 .
              
               For
               it
               is
               manifest
               ,
               that
               as
               the
               sense
               of
               God
               is
               the
               great
               support
               and
               comfort
               of
               all
               good
               men
               in
               trouble
               ,
               their
               great
               animation
               and
               encouragement
               in
               all
               good
               duties
               ,
               and
               of
               mighty
               efficacy
               upon
               them
               to
               preserve
               them
               from
               all
               temptation
               to
               evil
               ;
               so
               it
               is
               equally
               the
               dread
               and
               torture
               of
               all
               wicked
               men
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               if
               it
               doth
               not
               check
               and
               restrain
               their
               wickedness
               ,
               will
               be
               sure
               to
               deprive
               them
               of
               the
               pleasure
               of
               it
               .
               Wherefore
               when
               they
               cannot
               hinder
               that
               observant
               Majesty
               from
               overlooking
               them
               ,
               they
               are
               forced
               for
               their
               own
               quiet
               to
               be
               so
               absurd
               ,
               as
               to
               put
               the
               grossest
               gullery
               upon
               themselves
               ,
               and
               content
               themselves
               with
               the
               sottish
               security
               ,
               of
               turning
               away
               their
               eyes
               from
               beholding
               him
               .
            
             
               THUS
               Adam
               when
               he
               had
               sinned
               hid
               himself
               in
               the
               Garden
               from
               the
               presence
               of
               the
               Lord
               ;
               for
               not
               only
               the
               Majesty
               ,
               Power
               and
               Justice
               of
               God
               ,
               strike
               a
               terrour
               to
               a
               guilty
               Conscience
               ,
               but
               the
               very
               contemplation
               of
               such
               purity
               and
               perfection
               ,
               shames
               and
               reproaches
               it
               .
               Nor
               is
               the
               apprehension
               of
               God
               only
               troublesome
               to
               the
               offender
               after
               he
               hath
               committed
               sin
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               able
               to
               blast
               the
               very
               Embryo
               ;
               to
               nip
               it
               in
               the
               bud
               ,
               to
               disturb
               the
               deliberations
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               sure
               defeats
               much
               of
               the
               pleasure
               of
               conception
               .
               For
               if
               the
               presence
               of
               a
               grave
               and
               vertuous
               man
               carries
               that
               awe
               ,
               as
               that
               the
               sinner
               is
               rendered
               impotent
               to
               his
               purposes
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               were
               under
               a
               charm
               ,
               (
               the
               truth
               of
               which
               we
               see
               confirmed
               by
               
               frequent
               experience
               )
               how
               much
               more
               must
               needs
               the
               thoughts
               of
               an
               omni-present
               Majesty
               ,
               an
               all-seeing
               eye
               ,
               a
               holy
               and
               righteous
               Judge
               ,
               cool
               the
               heats
               ,
               abate
               the
               courage
               ,
               and
               stop
               the
               carreer
               of
               a
               sinner
               ?
               To
               which
               purpose
               it
               is
               the
               observation
               of
               several
               Learned
               men
               upon
               that
               passage
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               Psal
               .
               14.
               1.
               
               
                 The
                 fool
                 hath
                 said
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 God.
              
               They
               conceive
               ,
               That
               it
               might
               as
               well
               ,
               and
               as
               consistently
               with
               the
               Original
               be
               rendered
               ,
               
                 The
                 fool
                 hath
                 said
                 to
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               Wicked
               men
               (
               to
               the
               intent
               that
               they
               might
               go
               on
               the
               more
               comfortably
               ,
               and
               uncontrolledly
               in
               their
               sins
               ,
               )
               would
               fain
               persuade
               themselves
               there
               is
               no
               God.
               
            
             
               BUT
               to
               speak
               a
               little
               more
               closely
               and
               particularly
               to
               this
               matter
               ;
               forasmuch
               as
               I
               noted
               even
               now
               from
               S.
               Jerome
               ,
               that
               God
               being
               an
               Infinite
               Majesty
               ,
               we
               can
               neither
               approach
               him
               ,
               nor
               depart
               from
               him
               strictly
               and
               locally
               :
               there
               are
               therefore
               these
               three
               ways
               ,
               by
               which
               (
               according
               to
               the
               language
               of
               the
               Holy
               Scripture
               )
               we
               can
               come
               near
               to
               God
               ;
               (
               viz.
               )
               either
               1.
               by
               acts
               of
               immediate
               worship
               ,
               as
               prayer
               and
               praises
               ,
               and
               the
               like
               ;
               or
               2.
               by
               living
               under
               a
               quick
               sense
               of
               his
               providence
               ;
               or
               3.
               by
               yielding
               obedience
               to
               his
               commands
               :
               which
               three
               things
               in
               conjunction
               make
               up
               the
               whole
               nature
               of
               true
               Piety
               and
               Religion
               .
               And
               in
               respect
               to
               these
               the
               Holy
               men
               of
               old
               ,
               such
               as
               
                 Enoch
                 ,
                 Noah
                 ,
                 Abraham
              
               ,
               &c.
               are
               said
               to
               have
               
                 walked
                 with
                 God.
              
               That
               is
               ,
               they
               framed
               themselves
               to
               obedience
               to
               all
               his
               commands
               ;
               they
               composed
               themselves
               to
               a
               submission
               unto
               ,
               and
               compliance
               with
               ,
               his
               providential
               dispensations
               ;
               and
               (
               to
               the
               intent
               that
               they
               might
               be
               assisted
               and
               animated
               in
               both
               those
               )
               they
               constantly
               addressed
               themselves
               to
               him
               ,
               by
               acts
               of
               worship
               for
               his
               influence
               and
               blessing
               .
               And
               again
               ,
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               those
               evil
               men
               who
               are
               said
               to
               depart
               
               from
               God
               ,
               were
               such
               as
               either
               cast
               off
               the
               yoke
               of
               his
               obedience
               ,
               or
               lived
               without
               a
               sense
               of
               his
               superintendence
               ,
               or
               laid
               aside
               the
               care
               of
               his
               worship
               .
               And
               which
               is
               further
               observable
               ,
               these
               three
               are
               hardly
               to
               be
               found
               separate
               from
               one
               another
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               reciprocal
               influence
               they
               have
               upon
               each
               other
               .
            
             
               FOR
               as
               in
               the
               former
               Triad
               or
               instances
               of
               piety
               ,
               whosoever
               lives
               under
               a
               sense
               of
               a
               providence
               ,
               will
               endeavour
               to
               propitiate
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               to
               himself
               ,
               by
               all
               worshipfull
               dutifull
               observance
               ,
               and
               he
               that
               makes
               Conscience
               of
               that
               ,
               cannot
               ordinarily
               be
               so
               absurd
               ,
               as
               to
               hope
               for
               the
               favour
               of
               a
               Wise
               and
               Holy
               Majesty
               ,
               by
               the
               meer
               importunity
               of
               his
               devotions
               ,
               without
               Conscience
               of
               obeying
               his
               commands
               ;
               with
               respect
               to
               which
               it
               was
               well
               said
               by
               a
               pious
               man
               in
               way
               of
               advice
               ,
               
                 Leave
                 not
                 off
                 praying
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 either
                 praying
                 will
                 make
                 thee
                 leave
                 sinning
                 ,
                 or
                 continuing
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 will
                 make
                 thee
                 desist
                 praying
                 .
              
               Again
               ,
               he
               that
               worships
               and
               obeys
               a
               God
               ,
               most
               certainly
               lives
               under
               a
               sense
               of
               him
               ;
               for
               otherwise
               he
               could
               give
               no
               account
               to
               himself
               ,
               why
               he
               should
               put
               himself
               to
               the
               trouble
               of
               worship
               ,
               and
               the
               care
               of
               obedience
               .
            
             
               AND
               then
               for
               the
               other
               Triad
               ,
               or
               the
               three
               instances
               of
               impiety
               ,
               he
               that
               lives
               wickedly
               ,
               will
               in
               time
               lose
               all
               sense
               of
               a
               providence
               ,
               and
               consequently
               all
               Conscience
               of
               the
               duties
               of
               worship
               :
               and
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               he
               that
               extinguishes
               either
               the
               belief
               of
               a
               providence
               ,
               or
               (
               in
               a
               fair
               way
               to
               it
               )
               casts
               off
               all
               care
               of
               religious
               worship
               ,
               will
               not
               fail
               to
               run
               riot
               in
               his
               life
               ,
               when
               he
               hath
               rid
               himself
               of
               those
               awfull
               principles
               that
               did
               curb
               and
               restrain
               him
               :
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               all
               which
               we
               have
               a
               memorable
               example
               ,
               Gen.
               4.
               
               Cain
               had
               betrayed
               a
               great
               remisseness
               in
               Religion
               ,
               by
               the
               carelesness
               of
               his
               Sacrifice
               ;
               whereas
               Abel
               ,
               who
               
               believed
               firmly
               in
               God
               ,
               thinking
               nothing
               too
               good
               for
               his
               service
               ,
               brought
               of
               the
               fattest
               and
               best
               of
               his
               flock
               to
               God
               ;
               Cain
               thought
               any
               thing
               would
               serve
               turn
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               carried
               away
               the
               tokens
               of
               God's
               displeasure
               and
               disdain
               ;
               but
               vers
               .
               8.
               he
               invites
               his
               Brother
               Abel
               into
               the
               field
               ;
               where
               ,
               as
               the
               Samaritan
               version
               intimates
               ,
               some
               discourse
               passed
               between
               them
               :
               and
               the
               
                 Jerusalem
                 Targum
              
               tells
               us
               particularly
               ,
               that
               Cain
               stiffly
               denied
               a
               providence
               which
               Abel
               as
               strenuously
               asserted
               ;
               and
               this
               doctrine
               of
               Cain
               was
               very
               agreeable
               to
               his
               negligent
               worship
               before
               ,
               and
               his
               exsecrable
               practice
               after
               :
               for
               from
               this
               denial
               of
               a
               providence
               ,
               he
               presently
               proceeds
               to
               the
               murder
               of
               his
               Brother
               ;
               and
               not
               long
               after
               that
               ,
               vers
               .
               16.
               we
               read
               
                 Cain
                 went
                 out
                 from
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
              
               he
               now
               agreeably
               to
               those
               principles
               ,
               and
               consequently
               of
               such
               villanous
               practices
               ,
               cast
               off
               ,
               renounced
               ,
               and
               defied
               Religion
               .
               And
               the
               text
               further
               adds
               ,
               he
               went
               
                 and
                 sojourned
                 in
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 Nod
                 ,
              
               which
               ,
               who
               so
               listed
               to
               interpret
               allegorically
               ,
               would
               very
               agreeably
               to
               the
               series
               of
               my
               present
               discourse
               say
               ,
               meant
               that
               he
               vagrant-like
               ,
               wandered
               on
               in
               a
               course
               of
               dissoluteness
               ,
               having
               now
               lost
               all
               card
               and
               compass
               to
               direct
               him
               .
            
             
               BUT
               what
               need
               we
               farther
               evidence
               in
               so
               plain
               a
               case
               ,
               to
               which
               our
               own
               experience
               ,
               and
               the
               observation
               of
               all
               the
               world
               gives
               testimony
               :
               for
               what
               is
               it
               that
               encourages
               any
               man
               in
               a
               generous
               undertaking
               where
               the
               exercise
               of
               vertue
               is
               attended
               with
               hazzard
               and
               difficulty
               ,
               with
               labour
               and
               trouble
               ,
               with
               patience
               and
               self-denyal
               ,
               but
               the
               belief
               of
               a
               providence
               ?
               what
               bears
               him
               up
               ,
               that
               the
               privacy
               of
               the
               fact
               abates
               not
               his
               edge
               ,
               nor
               the
               tediousness
               of
               accomplishment
               wearies
               out
               his
               endeavours
               ,
               nor
               the
               opposition
               quails
               his
               spirit
               ,
               but
               only
               this
               ,
               that
               he
               sees
               him
               that
               is
               invisible
               ,
               
               and
               having
               God
               before
               him
               ,
               thinks
               himself
               upon
               the
               most
               ample
               Theatre
               ,
               and
               is
               sure
               of
               success
               and
               reward
               .
               And
               what
               is
               there
               that
               keeps
               alive
               this
               sense
               of
               God
               and
               Providence
               ,
               that
               neither
               Atheistical
               suggestions
               debauch
               his
               Principles
               ,
               nor
               multitude
               of
               ill
               examples
               cool
               his
               heat
               ,
               and
               corrupt
               his
               resolution
               ,
               but
               his
               approaches
               to
               God
               by
               exercises
               of
               devotion
               ,
               whereby
               he
               refreshes
               the
               worthy
               notions
               of
               his
               mind
               ,
               and
               hath
               them
               as
               it
               were
               new
               engraven
               ,
               and
               made
               more
               legible
               upon
               the
               tables
               of
               his
               heart
               ?
               He
               goes
               by
               the
               duties
               of
               Religion
               like
               Moses
               into
               the
               Mount
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               returns
               with
               the
               Tables
               of
               God's
               Law
               written
               a
               fresh
               by
               the
               finger
               of
               God.
               Such
               a
               man
               is
               ashamed
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               disdains
               every
               ungenerous
               action
               ,
               coming
               newly
               from
               the
               presence
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               approaches
               of
               such
               a
               glory
               diffuse
               some
               rays
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               his
               face
               shines
               as
               the
               same
               
               Moses's
               did
               upon
               the
               like
               occasion
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               he
               cannot
               without
               great
               violence
               to
               himself
               ,
               condescend
               to
               entertain
               the
               Devil
               into
               his
               bosome
               ,
               which
               is
               yet
               warm
               with
               that
               divine
               Guest
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
               Contrariwise
               ,
               take
               a
               man
               that
               lives
               without
               a
               sense
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               he
               hath
               no
               care
               of
               ,
               nor
               value
               for
               himself
               ;
               he
               hath
               not
               a
               mind
               large
               enough
               for
               any
               generous
               design
               ,
               he
               is
               poor
               spirited
               ,
               hurried
               by
               every
               fear
               ,
               baffled
               by
               every
               danger
               ,
               surprized
               and
               carried
               away
               by
               every
               temptation
               .
               The
               vigorous
               notions
               of
               God
               are
               either
               extinct
               by
               the
               profaneness
               of
               his
               life
               ,
               or
               languish
               by
               the
               neglect
               of
               religious
               duties
               :
               there
               is
               no
               Angel
               Guardian
               about
               his
               Soul
               ,
               no
               generous
               disdain
               of
               sin
               in
               his
               heart
               ,
               he
               hath
               neither
               the
               help
               of
               God
               ,
               nor
               the
               strength
               of
               a
               man.
               Upon
               all
               which
               it
               is
               apparent
               ,
               that
               departing
               from
               our
               Father's
               House
               ,
               living
               beside
               the
               notions
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               without
               the
               exercises
               of
               devotion
               to
               actuate
               those
               notions
               ,
               is
               the
               ready
               way
               to
               all
               sin
               and
               folly
               .
               Wherefore
               
               as
               pride
               and
               self-conceit
               begin
               the
               mutiny
               in
               our
               Souls
               against
               God
               ,
               so
               neglecting
               his
               presence
               ,
               suffers
               it
               to
               grow
               to
               a
               dangerous
               head
               ;
               and
               as
               that
               was
               the
               first
               step
               towards
               a
               wicked
               course
               ,
               this
               is
               the
               second
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               THIRDLY
               ,
               the
               Prodigal
               having
               now
               gotten
               from
               under
               the
               eye
               of
               his
               Father
               ,
               gives
               himself
               a
               full
               swinge
               of
               liberty
               ,
               lives
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               sottishly
               ,
               and
               viciously
               ;
               and
               by
               that
               means
               quickly
               exhausts
               the
               stock
               his
               Father
               had
               given
               him
               .
               Wherever
               there
               is
               temperance
               and
               prudent
               management
               a
               little
               will
               suffice
               ,
               and
               will
               quickly
               grow
               to
               great
               riches
               :
               by
               frugality
               and
               industry
               most
               of
               the
               great
               States
               and
               Kingdoms
               in
               the
               world
               have
               been
               raised
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               private
               fortunes
               ;
               but
               luxury
               and
               riot
               have
               dilapidated
               and
               destroyed
               both
               the
               one
               and
               the
               other
               .
               For
               these
               making
               continual
               abstractions
               ,
               without
               addition
               ,
               quickly
               reduce
               the
               greatest
               summe
               to
               a
               Cypher
               ,
               and
               bring
               him
               to
               want
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               who
               before
               had
               need
               of
               nothing
               ,
               but
               grace
               and
               wisedom
               to
               use
               that
               which
               he
               had
               .
               This
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               finds
               true
               by
               sad
               experience
               .
               And
               so
               it
               fares
               also
               with
               the
               sinner
               ,
               or
               mystical
               Prodigal
               ;
               when
               once
               he
               hath
               withdrawn
               himself
               from
               God's
               presence
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               hath
               cast
               off
               the
               sense
               of
               God
               and
               Religion
               ,
               and
               broken
               those
               reins
               that
               restrained
               his
               extravagancy
               ,
               he
               presently
               rushes
               into
               all
               kind
               of
               debauchery
               ;
               and
               in
               so
               doing
               ,
               besides
               the
               black
               guilt
               he
               derives
               upon
               his
               Conscience
               ,
               he
               wastes
               and
               imbezils
               the
               very
               talents
               and
               abilities
               God
               had
               endowed
               him
               with
               .
               For
               the
               more
               clear
               understanding
               of
               which
               ,
               we
               will
               briefly
               ,
               but
               distinctly
               consider
               these
               two
               things
               .
               1.
               
               What
               is
               that
               portion
               or
               stock
               which
               God
               sets
               mankind
               up
               withall
               .
               2.
               
               How
               and
               in
               what
               manner
               vice
               and
               dissolution
               of
               manners
               mispend
               and
               exhaust
               it
               .
            
             
               
                 The
                 younger
                 son
                 wasted
                 his
                 substance
                 with
                 riotous
                 living
                 .
                 S
                 t
                 LUKE
                 .
                 XV
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 .
                 Theogn
                 :
              
            
             
             
             
               And
               for
               the
               former
               of
               these
               though
               it
               is
               not
               to
               be
               doubted
               ,
               but
               that
               God
               according
               to
               his
               paternal
               prerogative
               and
               wisedom
               ,
               may
               and
               doth
               variously
               dispense
               his
               gifts
               to
               his
               Children
               ;
               yet
               it
               is
               certain
               he
               sends
               none
               of
               them
               out
               into
               the
               world
               without
               some
               talents
               to
               employ
               themselves
               upon
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               a
               vertuous
               improvement
               of
               .
               And
               amongst
               all
               of
               that
               kind
               these
               four
               following
               are
               both
               the
               most
               rich
               and
               valuable
               in
               themselves
               ,
               and
               also
               (
               such
               is
               the
               divine
               bounty
               )
               most
               generally
               bestowed
               .
               (
               viz.
               )
               1.
               
               Freedome
               of
               choice
               .
               2.
               
               Understanding
               ,
               Mind
               ,
               or
               Conscience
               .
               3.
               
               Experience
               of
               a
               wise
               and
               gracious
               intertexture
               of
               favours
               and
               chastisements
               in
               the
               course
               of
               Providence
               .
               4.
               
               Special
               intimations
               of
               his
               own
               mind
               and
               will.
               
            
             
               
                 IN
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 I
                 recount
                 freedom
                 of
                 chusing
                 for
                 our selves
                 as
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 common
                 portion
                 of
                 mankind
                 in
                 general
                 :
                 which
                 I
                 do
                 the
                 rather
                 because
                 I
                 observe
                 the
                 Fathers
                 generally
                 to
                 understand
                 this
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 special
                 intendment
                 of
                 this
                 passage
                 of
                 the
                 Parable
                 .
              
               Divisit
               iis
               substantiam
               ,
               He
               divided
               unto
               them
               his
               living
               :
               
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 (
                 saith
                 S.
              
               *
               Jerome
               )
               He
               bound
               not
               man
               under
               the
               rigid
               bonds
               of
               necessity
               ,
               whereby
               he
               should
               be
               forcibly
               overruled
               and
               determined
               to
               one
               thing
               ,
               but
               put
               him
               in
               a
               capacity
               of
               making
               his
               own
               choice
               ,
               to
               the
               end
               that
               being
               hereby
               distinguished
               from
               beasts
               ,
               and
               more
               like
               his
               Maker
               ,
               he
               might
               be
               capable
               of
               vertue
               and
               reward
               :
               and
               that
               as
               nothing
               should
               make
               him
               miserable
               without
               his
               own
               act
               and
               consent
               ,
               so
               he
               might
               have
               the
               comfort
               and
               delight
               of
               co-operating
               freely
               towards
               his
               own
               good
               and
               felicity
               .
            
             
               THAT
               this
               accomplishment
               of
               humane
               nature
               is
               a
               great
               and
               inestimable
               talent
               no
               man
               can
               doubt
               ,
               forasmuch
               as
               hereby
               man
               is
               made
               to
               be
               what
               he
               is
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               be
               master
               of
               himself
               and
               his
               own
               actions
               ,
               and
               
               obnoxious
               to
               none
               but
               God
               himself
               ;
               being
               neither
               drawn
               by
               invisible
               wires
               ,
               but
               moved
               voluntarily
               ,
               and
               from
               an
               inward
               principle
               ,
               nor
               hurried
               by
               external
               accidents
               ,
               but
               steers
               his
               own
               course
               ,
               is
               not
               at
               the
               mercy
               of
               every
               temptation
               ,
               but
               can
               make
               his
               own
               choice
               in
               spite
               of
               the
               Devil
               .
            
             
               AND
               that
               God
               set
               out
               man
               into
               the
               world
               thus
               endowed
               ,
               there
               is
               as
               little
               reason
               to
               question
               .
               For
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               we
               are
               sure
               God
               made
               all
               things
               good
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               designed
               for
               good
               ends
               ,
               and
               also
               capable
               of
               attaining
               them
               .
               And
               he
               that
               sitted
               all
               the
               inferiour
               Creation
               for
               their
               proper
               ends
               ,
               most
               certainly
               did
               not
               leave
               that
               excellent
               piece
               of
               his
               workmanship
               so
               defective
               ,
               as
               not
               to
               be
               endowed
               with
               powers
               sufficient
               for
               the
               pursuit
               and
               attainment
               of
               his
               peculiar
               happiness
               .
               At
               least
               ,
               it
               cannot
               be
               imagined
               ,
               that
               infinite
               wisedom
               should
               contrive
               such
               a
               Creature
               as
               should
               be
               only
               able
               to
               cross
               and
               act
               contrary
               to
               himself
               ,
               but
               not
               to
               comply
               with
               him
               ;
               which
               must
               be
               true
               if
               man
               had
               not
               originally
               a
               power
               of
               chusing
               good
               as
               well
               as
               evil
               .
               Again
               ,
               were
               it
               not
               for
               this
               ,
               there
               would
               be
               an
               absolute
               impossibility
               of
               giving
               account
               how
               sin
               came
               into
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               of
               vindicating
               the
               providence
               of
               God
               in
               tying
               that
               clog
               of
               an
               earthly
               Body
               to
               an
               immortal
               Soul
               ,
               but
               that
               by
               this
               concession
               the
               latter
               is
               made
               capable
               of
               governing
               the
               former
               ;
               and
               abundance
               other
               great
               Phaenomena
               of
               providence
               (
               which
               it
               is
               no
               time
               now
               to
               insist
               upon
               )
               are
               plainly
               insoluble
               otherwise
               then
               upon
               this
               supposition
               .
               But
               we
               need
               not
               insist
               upon
               the
               proof
               of
               fact
               that
               this
               was
               the
               condition
               of
               man
               in
               his
               first
               Greation
               ,
               when
               he
               came
               out
               of
               the
               hands
               of
               God
               ,
               for
               it
               is
               acknowledged
               by
               all
               Divines
               ;
               and
               if
               it
               be
               otherwise
               with
               him
               since
               ,
               
               we
               have
               intimated
               already
               where
               the
               fault
               lies
               ,
               
               and
               shall
               shew
               it
               more
               particularly
               by
               and
               by
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               THE
               second
               Talent
               of
               mankind
               is
               Mind
               or
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               I
               make
               use
               of
               both
               those
               terms
               ,
               because
               I
               intend
               to
               join
               together
               both
               that
               which
               is
               called
               Synteresis
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               is
               called
               properly
               Syneidesis
               ,
               or
               Conscience
               .
               By
               the
               former
               of
               which
               ,
               man
               having
               as
               it
               were
               a
               Standard
               within
               himself
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               he
               may
               guide
               himself
               in
               the
               choice
               of
               his
               actions
               ;
               and
               by
               the
               latter
               he
               is
               able
               to
               reflect
               upon
               himself
               ,
               and
               comparing
               his
               actions
               and
               carriage
               with
               the
               Standard
               or
               Law
               of
               reason
               in
               his
               own
               mind
               ,
               pass
               a
               judgment
               upon
               himself
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               either
               blame
               and
               condemn
               ,
               or
               acquit
               and
               comfort
               himself
               accordingly
               .
               
               This
               Talent
               the
               old
               Saint
               Justin
               calls
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               and
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               
                 A
                 particle
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 and
                 Original
                 Wisedom
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 scien
                 of
                 the
                 true
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 or
                 eternal
                 word
                 ingrafted
                 upon
                 the
                 Soul
                 of
                 every
                 man.
              
               
               And
               it
               is
               that
               which
               Theophylact
               takes
               to
               be
               especially
               meant
               in
               this
               text
               .
               
                 The
                 substance
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 which
                 the
                 Father
                 divided
                 amongst
                 his
                 Sons
                 was
                 Reason
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 gave
                 in
                 common
                 to
                 all
                 mankind
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 conjunction
                 with
                 freedom
                 of
                 mind
                 ;
                 for
                 every
                 being
                 that
                 hath
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 reason
                 ,
                 hath
                 also
                 liberty
                 of
                 election
                 ;
                 the
                 latter
                 affording
                 a
                 Field
                 or
                 Theatre
                 for
                 the
                 former
                 to
                 act
                 upon
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 former
                 enabling
                 him
                 to
                 use
                 the
                 latter
                 well
                 .
              
               And
               indeed
               ,
               it
               was
               wondrous
               expedient
               that
               since
               God
               had
               given
               mankind
               the
               Talent
               of
               liberty
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               therewith
               bestow
               upon
               him
               a
               principle
               of
               reason
               to
               restrain
               and
               govern
               that
               liberty
               ;
               that
               so
               having
               not
               only
               Sails
               to
               move
               him
               ,
               but
               a
               Compass
               to
               direct
               him
               ,
               he
               might
               shape
               his
               course
               agreeably
               to
               those
               ends
               God
               designed
               him
               for
               ;
               or
               more
               plainly
               ,
               having
               a
               copy
               of
               the
               divine
               mind
               implanted
               in
               his
               Soul
               ,
               he
               might
               make
               the
               elections
               of
               his
               will
               conformable
               to
               those
               of
               his
               Maker
               .
               For
               since
               (
               as
               I
               said
               before
               )
               Men
               and
               
               Angels
               are
               not
               naturally
               and
               necessarily
               carried
               to
               their
               ends
               as
               other
               beings
               are
               ,
               but
               may
               either
               move
               regularly
               towards
               them
               ,
               or
               decline
               from
               them
               at
               their
               own
               choice
               ;
               had
               not
               God
               put
               upon
               them
               this
               bias
               of
               reason
               to
               incline
               them
               the
               right
               way
               ,
               they
               would
               have
               been
               in
               danger
               to
               have
               made
               such
               an
               exorbitant
               use
               of
               their
               freedom
               ,
               as
               to
               have
               given
               the
               whole
               Creation
               much
               greater
               disturbance
               then
               yet
               they
               have
               done
               .
               And
               as
               well
               the
               truth
               of
               this
               assertion
               ,
               as
               the
               value
               of
               this
               Talent
               ,
               will
               appear
               most
               remarkably
               if
               we
               do
               but
               consider
               what
               great
               improvements
               some
               have
               attained
               to
               by
               the
               alone
               use
               of
               Reason
               ,
               having
               never
               any
               other
               Talent
               of
               supernatural
               revelation
               afforded
               them
               that
               we
               know
               of
               .
               
               In
               contemplation
               of
               which
               Tully
               recounts
               it
               a
               prime
               favour
               of
               the
               divine
               Majesty
               to
               humane
               nature
               ,
               
                 That
                 he
                 had
                 endowed
                 their
                 minds
                 with
                 natural
                 notions
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 to
                 them
                 the
                 seeds
                 and
                 principles
                 of
                 knowledge
                 and
                 vertue
                 .
              
               *
               And
               he
               further
               adds
               ,
               
                 Were
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 thus
                 furnished
                 the
                 mind
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 stock
                 of
                 proleptick
                 principles
                 of
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 we
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 ever
                 come
                 to
                 understand
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
              
               and
               all
               industry
               ,
               study
               and
               inquity
               had
               been
               utterly
               lost
               and
               fruitless
               ;
               but
               by
               the
               means
               of
               these
               natural
               notions
               we
               have
               a
               kind
               of
               anticipation
               ,
               an
               intellectual
               taste
               and
               relish
               of
               truth
               and
               falshood
               ,
               
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               and
               so
               a
               measure
               to
               govern
               our selves
               by
               in
               our
               elections
               and
               prosecutions
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               third
               Talent
               given
               to
               all
               mankind
               for
               their
               improvement
               is
               the
               observable
               wise
               order
               and
               method
               of
               Divine
               Providence
               ,
               wherein
               there
               is
               such
               an
               admirable
               intertexture
               of
               mercies
               and
               afflictions
               ,
               as
               that
               neither
               a
               constant
               series
               of
               adversities
               and
               cros
               accidents
               shall
               break
               their
               spirit
               ,
               or
               ingulph
               men
               in
               despair
               ;
               nor
               yet
               such
               a
               constant
               course
               of
               perpetual
               prosperity
               as
               to
               render
               them
               too
               light
               and
               airy
               ,
               but
               a
               
               moderate
               interchange
               of
               both
               ,
               to
               make
               them
               grave
               and
               serious
               .
               And
               besides
               ,
               both
               these
               dispensed
               not
               fortuitously
               ,
               but
               with
               such
               discrimination
               ,
               as
               that
               ordinarily
               men
               may
               not
               only
               be
               assured
               of
               a
               Providence
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               but
               be
               able
               to
               observe
               the
               divine
               displeasure
               against
               sin
               and
               wickedness
               by
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               his
               approbation
               of
               honesty
               and
               goodness
               by
               the
               other
               ;
               and
               so
               consequently
               be
               both
               directed
               in
               their
               choice
               ,
               and
               provoked
               to
               an
               answerable
               prosecution
               .
            
             
               AND
               although
               it
               be
               very
               true
               that
               such
               exact
               course
               of
               providence
               be
               not
               now
               ordinarily
               observable
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               because
               God
               having
               now
               made
               a
               full
               and
               clear
               discovery
               of
               his
               whole
               mind
               to
               the
               Sons
               of
               Men
               by
               extraordinary
               revelation
               ;
               as
               there
               is
               no
               need
               of
               this
               lesser
               light
               when
               a
               far
               greater
               shines
               clearly
               ,
               so
               also
               it
               seems
               good
               to
               his
               divine
               wisedom
               to
               make
               the
               course
               of
               his
               providence
               more
               involved
               and
               intricate
               in
               many
               cases
               ,
               both
               for
               the
               tryal
               of
               good
               men
               ,
               and
               the
               just
               hardening
               of
               the
               wicked
               and
               unbelieving
               ,
               Nevertheless
               it
               is
               not
               credible
               that
               such
               a
               cryptick
               method
               should
               be
               the
               common
               course
               of
               his
               providence
               where
               those
               reasons
               cease
               ,
               and
               where
               he
               hath
               afforded
               no
               better
               light
               .
            
             
               AND
               besides
               ,
               we
               are
               sure
               
                 de
                 facto
              
               ,
               that
               there
               was
               such
               a
               legible
               providence
               as
               we
               speak
               of
               in
               the
               most
               ancient
               and
               Patriarchal
               times
               ;
               when
               it
               was
               common
               to
               observe
               the
               finger
               of
               God
               by
               some
               calamity
               or
               other
               ,
               pointing
               out
               and
               branding
               the
               offender
               ,
               and
               his
               blessing
               visibly
               descending
               upon
               and
               crowning
               worthy
               and
               vertuous
               persons
               .
            
             
               THUS
               God
               (
               whilst
               as
               yet
               there
               was
               no
               revealed
               Law
               )
               did
               confirm
               and
               bear
               testimony
               to
               the
               laws
               of
               reason
               ,
               and
               provide
               against
               the
               staggering
               and
               fluctuation
               of
               men's
               minds
               ,
               in
               deducing
               those
               natural
               conclusions
               by
               which
               they
               were
               then
               to
               govern
               themselves
               ,
               
               by
               the
               suffrage
               of
               his
               own
               providence
               .
               Consonantly
               to
               which
               it
               was
               ,
               that
               the
               Scripture
               or
               Holy
               Writ
               concerning
               those
               times
               ,
               is
               little
               more
               then
               an
               history
               of
               providence
               ,
               or
               remarks
               of
               the
               good
               and
               evil
               that
               befell
               men
               according
               to
               the
               demerits
               of
               their
               either
               vertuous
               or
               vicious
               behaviour
               ;
               as
               whosoever
               considers
               the
               Books
               of
               Moses
               must
               acknowledge
               .
            
             
               AND
               for
               the
               people
               of
               the
               Jews
               it
               is
               notorious
               ,
               that
               the
               course
               of
               divine
               providence
               ran
               all
               along
               above
               ground
               amongst
               them
               ,
               (
               although
               they
               were
               not
               without
               written
               laws
               and
               the
               lively
               Oracles
               of
               God
               ,
               )
               of
               which
               without
               prying
               into
               the
               counsels
               of
               the
               Almighty
               ,
               we
               may
               easily
               satisfie
               our selves
               by
               a
               double
               account
               :
               namely
               ,
               partly
               to
               afford
               the
               more
               full
               testimony
               to
               those
               sanctions
               of
               his
               amongst
               a
               hard
               hearted
               People
               ,
               partly
               also
               to
               supply
               the
               visible
               defect
               of
               those
               Laws
               in
               the
               most
               material
               rules
               of
               vertue
               ;
               it
               pleased
               God
               to
               give
               intimation
               of
               his
               mind
               ,
               and
               confirmation
               to
               the
               dictates
               of
               nature
               by
               such
               extraordinary
               attestations
               of
               his
               providence
               .
            
             
               BUT
               as
               for
               the
               Gentiles
               who
               were
               destitute
               of
               the
               aforesaid
               advantage
               ,
               having
               not
               
                 the
                 more
                 sure
                 word
                 of
                 Prophecie
              
               (
               as
               the
               Apostle
               calls
               it
               )
               there
               is
               no
               doubt
               to
               be
               made
               but
               the
               divine
               goodness
               did
               supply
               that
               defect
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               greater
               lines
               of
               vertue
               and
               vice
               ,
               by
               the
               plain
               legibility
               of
               his
               providence
               ;
               at
               least
               ordinarily
               and
               far
               beyond
               what
               he
               doth
               amongst
               those
               that
               live
               under
               the
               full
               light
               of
               the
               Gospel
               :
               which
               whoso
               will
               not
               be
               induced
               to
               believe
               ,
               must
               justifie
               his
               incredulity
               by
               perverseness
               ,
               and
               call
               in
               question
               the
               faith
               of
               all
               the
               Histories
               of
               those
               times
               and
               Countreys
               .
               And
               although
               we
               cannot
               deny
               ,
               that
               it
               pleased
               God
               sometimes
               ,
               even
               amongst
               those
               people
               ,
               to
               walk
               in
               the
               dark
               ,
               suffering
               the
               good
               and
               evil
               things
               that
               befell
               men
               to
               be
               no
               sure
               indications
               of
               his
               favour
               
               or
               displeasure
               ,
               yet
               the
               rarity
               of
               the
               case
               appears
               by
               the
               salvo
               they
               found
               out
               for
               this
               Phaenomenon
               :
               namely
               ,
               they
               imagined
               that
               when
               rewards
               and
               punishments
               ,
               or
               rather
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               were
               mismatched
               ,
               and
               did
               not
               apply
               themselves
               to
               vertue
               and
               vice
               respectively
               ;
               
               that
               it
               proceeded
               from
               some
               fatal
               necessity
               ,
               which
               was
               superiour
               to
               the
               Gods
               ,
               and
               not
               to
               be
               withstood
               or
               hindred
               by
               them
               .
               By
               which
               it
               appears
               ,
               that
               for
               the
               most
               part
               they
               observed
               a
               just
               Nemesis
               ,
               and
               righteous
               distribution
               of
               rewards
               and
               punishments
               in
               the
               course
               of
               the
               world
               .
               Which
               direction
               of
               providence
               added
               to
               the
               two
               former
               talents
               might
               be
               of
               great
               advantage
               to
               them
               ,
               if
               not
               to
               make
               them
               truely
               good
               ,
               yet
               certainly
               to
               make
               them
               less
               evil
               .
               And
               being
               thus
               general
               as
               I
               have
               shewed
               ,
               may
               be
               well
               called
               a
               third
               Talent
               of
               mankind
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               BUT
               I
               add
               in
               the
               fourth
               and
               last
               place
               ,
               God
               hath
               so
               far
               consulted
               the
               good
               of
               mankind
               ,
               and
               is
               so
               open
               handed
               to
               his
               Children
               ,
               that
               besides
               all
               the
               aforesaid
               ,
               he
               frequently
               vouchsafes
               them
               some
               intimations
               or
               other
               of
               his
               mind
               ,
               to
               enable
               them
               the
               better
               to
               understand
               their
               duty
               ,
               and
               pursue
               their
               happiness
               .
            
             
               AS
               for
               such
               as
               are
               placed
               in
               his
               Church
               under
               the
               full
               and
               certain
               light
               of
               revelation
               ,
               that
               are
               pressed
               upon
               by
               the
               mighty
               motives
               of
               unspeakable
               rewards
               and
               punishments
               in
               another
               world
               ;
               and
               these
               inculcated
               upon
               them
               by
               a
               publick
               ministry
               maintained
               by
               God
               for
               that
               purpose
               ,
               and
               above
               all
               are
               under
               the
               vital
               operations
               of
               his
               Holy
               Spirit
               ;
               exciting
               their
               minds
               ,
               fortifying
               their
               apprehensions
               ,
               fixing
               their
               attentions
               ,
               and
               giving
               them
               as
               it
               were
               a
               view
               of
               the
               transactions
               in
               the
               other
               world
               :
               This
               must
               be
               acknowledged
               a
               peculiar
               favour
               ,
               and
               not
               common
               to
               all
               ,
               as
               the
               other
               were
               ;
               yet
               if
               we
               consider
               well
               ,
               we
               shall
               find
               that
               the
               advantages
               of
               God's
               Church
               do
               in
               some
               respects
               extend
               
               beyond
               the
               pale
               of
               it
               :
               for
               as
               we
               see
               the
               Sun
               affords
               some
               light
               to
               those
               upon
               whose
               Horizon
               he
               doth
               not
               appear
               ,
               so
               we
               find
               that
               Pythagoras
               and
               several
               of
               the
               industrious
               and
               vertuously
               disposed
               Pagans
               reaped
               great
               benefit
               by
               those
               Oracles
               that
               were
               not
               given
               to
               them
               ,
               but
               to
               the
               Nation
               of
               the
               Jews
               .
               And
               we
               may
               easily
               discover
               a
               great
               improvement
               in
               the
               moral
               discourses
               of
               Pagans
               ,
               since
               our
               Saviour
               came
               into
               the
               World
               ;
               divine
               light
               reflecting
               as
               it
               were
               from
               the
               Church
               ,
               (
               upon
               which
               the
               direct
               beams
               thereof
               fell
               )
               to
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               World.
               Besides
               which
               it
               is
               no
               way
               probable
               ,
               that
               a
               good
               God
               should
               so
               far
               neglect
               so
               great
               a
               part
               of
               mankind
               as
               was
               called
               Pagan
               ,
               as
               to
               afford
               them
               no
               intimations
               of
               his
               mind
               ,
               towards
               the
               bettering
               of
               their
               reasonings
               in
               those
               matters
               of
               importance
               which
               he
               principally
               created
               them
               for
               .
               In
               respect
               to
               which
               Tully
               spake
               admirably
               ,
               
               
                 Nemo
                 unquam
                 vir
                 magnus
                 sine
                 afflatu
                 divino
                 ,
                 That
                 there
                 was
                 never
                 a
                 great
                 and
                 brave
                 man
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 had
                 some
                 impulses
                 and
                 inspirations
                 from
                 the
                 Almighty
                 .
              
               And
               indeed
               ,
               when
               I
               seriously
               consider
               either
               the
               divine
               Attributes
               ,
               or
               the
               experience
               of
               men
               ,
               I
               see
               great
               reason
               to
               doubt
               whether
               ever
               there
               was
               that
               man
               that
               had
               not
               more
               or
               less
               some
               such
               kind
               of
               assistances
               from
               his
               Maker
               ,
               till
               he
               himself
               rendered
               himself
               unworthy
               thereof
               .
               Which
               brings
               me
               to
               the
               second
               thing
               I
               promised
               to
               speak
               to
               ;
               (
               Viz.
               )
            
             
               2.
               
               SECONDLY
               ,
               how
               vice
               and
               dissolution
               of
               manners
               spend
               and
               exhaust
               this
               stock
               God
               hath
               set
               mankind
               up
               withall
               :
               and
               of
               this
               the
               account
               is
               very
               easy
               .
               For
               in
               the
               first
               place
               it
               is
               plain
               ,
               that
               habits
               and
               facility
               of
               doing
               any
               thing
               ,
               are
               procured
               by
               frequent
               and
               repeated
               acts
               :
               and
               as
               the
               more
               vertuous
               actions
               of
               any
               kind
               a
               man
               doth
               ,
               the
               more
               prone
               he
               is
               to
               doe
               so
               again
               ;
               so
               every
               vicious
               action
               which
               a
               man
               commits
               
               begets
               a
               propension
               and
               inclination
               to
               others
               of
               the
               same
               kind
               .
               When
               a
               man
               hath
               used
               to
               subdue
               his
               passions
               to
               his
               reason
               ,
               they
               easily
               submit
               and
               bear
               the
               yoke
               ;
               but
               he
               that
               hath
               accustomed
               them
               to
               their
               full
               scope
               ,
               they
               swell
               and
               rage
               ,
               and
               will
               not
               easily
               be
               brought
               into
               order
               ;
               and
               this
               will
               be
               true
               although
               those
               two
               men
               were
               supposed
               to
               have
               equally
               violent
               passions
               naturally
               ,
               be
               it
               of
               what
               kind
               soever
               .
               Custome
               we
               call
               a
               second
               nature
               ,
               but
               it
               hath
               the
               power
               to
               supplant
               the
               first
               and
               original
               nature
               ,
               putting
               new
               propensions
               as
               another
               bias
               upon
               the
               Spirit
               .
               
               By
               which
               we
               see
               clearly
               how
               vice
               destroys
               the
               first
               talent
               of
               mankind
               ,
               that
               freedom
               which
               God
               set
               them
               up
               withall
               .
               Which
               point
               gained
               ,
               affords
               us
               resolution
               of
               another
               question
               (
               though
               not
               of
               this
               place
               )
               namely
               ,
               hereby
               we
               see
               how
               it
               comes
               to
               pass
               ,
               that
               good
               and
               vertuous
               men
               rejoyce
               in
               the
               easiness
               and
               delights
               of
               a
               vertuous
               course
               ,
               when
               contrariwise
               evil
               and
               vicious
               men
               complain
               of
               impotency
               ,
               and
               pretend
               the
               horrible
               difficulties
               thereof
               ;
               for
               these
               contrary
               effects
               proceed
               from
               the
               same
               cause
               ,
               and
               shew
               the
               mighty
               power
               of
               custome
               on
               both
               sides
               .
            
             
               AND
               then
               for
               the
               second
               talent
               of
               natural
               reason
               or
               understanding
               ,
               nothing
               is
               more
               plain
               then
               that
               vicious
               practices
               blind
               the
               eyes
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               partly
               as
               the
               steams
               of
               lust
               and
               passion
               send
               up
               a
               cloud
               which
               dulls
               the
               higher
               regions
               of
               the
               Soul
               ;
               partly
               also
               as
               luxury
               commonly
               brings
               a
               stupid
               slothfullness
               upon
               the
               Spirits
               of
               men
               ,
               that
               they
               chuse
               rather
               to
               bury
               that
               talent
               ,
               then
               be
               at
               the
               trouble
               to
               employ
               it
               ;
               but
               principally
               as
               all
               wickedness
               prejudices
               men
               ,
               making
               it
               become
               their
               seeming
               interest
               to
               shut
               their
               eyes
               lest
               they
               should
               behold
               their
               shame
               ,
               or
               make
               the
               prosecution
               of
               that
               more
               uneasie
               and
               uncomfortable
               to
               them
               ,
               from
               which
               they
               are
               resolved
               not
               to
               desist
               .
               And
               
               for
               that
               faculty
               which
               is
               properly
               called
               Conscience
               ,
               we
               have
               intimated
               already
               ,
               that
               the
               frequent
               injuries
               done
               to
               it
               render
               it
               callous
               and
               insensible
               .
            
             
               AS
               for
               that
               which
               we
               called
               a
               third
               Talent
               ,
               namely
               ,
               the
               testimony
               which
               God
               in
               his
               providence
               usually
               gives
               to
               vertue
               ,
               and
               the
               discountenance
               to
               vice
               :
               these
               the
               vicious
               man
               either
               Atheistically
               imputes
               to
               blind
               chance
               ,
               because
               he
               observes
               some
               exceptions
               and
               irregularities
               in
               the
               method
               of
               their
               dispensation
               ;
               or
               else
               turns
               the
               arguments
               God
               affords
               him
               of
               gratitude
               into
               grounds
               of
               security
               ,
               or
               his
               fatherly
               chastisements
               into
               occasion
               of
               fullenness
               and
               desperation
               ,
               or
               one
               way
               or
               other
               renders
               this
               talent
               unusefull
               .
            
             
               BUT
               if
               it
               please
               God
               to
               do
               something
               extraordinary
               ,
               and
               awaken
               him
               by
               a
               peculiar
               address
               to
               him
               ;
               
               he
               doth
               as
               the
               Romans
               when
               Petilius
               fortunately
               digged
               up
               and
               brought
               to
               light
               the
               sacred
               Writings
               of
               
                 Numa
                 Pompilius
              
               ,
               which
               probably
               would
               have
               put
               them
               upon
               a
               better
               devotion
               then
               they
               were
               willing
               to
               comply
               with
               .
               The
               Consul
               swore
               the
               Books
               were
               
                 Dissolvendarum
                 Religionum
                 ;
                 q.
                 d.
              
               not
               calculated
               for
               the
               present
               Age
               ,
               whereupon
               they
               commanded
               them
               to
               be
               burnt
               .
               So
               the
               sinner
               stubbornly
               opposes
               the
               light
               which
               would
               reproach
               his
               practice
               ,
               and
               disturb
               his
               security
               .
               And
               thus
               we
               have
               seen
               what
               stock
               God
               sets
               men
               up
               with
               ,
               and
               how
               they
               mis-spend
               it
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               
               BUT
               to
               go
               on
               with
               the
               Parable
               ,
               the
               next
               news
               we
               hear
               of
               the
               Prodigal
               ,
               is
               ,
               that
               having
               spent
               all
               his
               patrimony
               in
               careless
               and
               riotous
               living
               ,
               and
               a
               famine
               succeeding
               his
               profusion
               ,
               he
               is
               now
               reduced
               to
               extremity
               ,
               and
               knows
               not
               whither
               to
               betake
               himself
               ;
               wherefore
               having
               no
               other
               choice
               ,
               he
               is
               constrained
               to
               join
               himself
               to
               a
               Citizen
               of
               that
               Country
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               become
               a
               slave
               .
               It
               was
               wisely
               and
               truely
               said
               by
               one
               of
               the
               Ancients
               ,
               that
               frugality
               and
               temperance
               
               were
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 homebred
                 Philosophy
              
               ;
               or
               the
               most
               cheap
               and
               compendious
               way
               of
               attaining
               all
               moral
               wisedom
               and
               happiness
               :
               for
               they
               make
               life
               easie
               ,
               and
               temptation
               little
               ;
               they
               prevent
               care
               ,
               and
               shut
               out
               fear
               ;
               they
               raise
               the
               spirit
               of
               a
               man
               by
               bestowing
               on
               him
               a
               kind
               of
               self-sufficiency
               ;
               such
               a
               man
               doth
               not
               maliciously
               despise
               the
               world
               ,
               because
               he
               cannot
               attain
               it
               ,
               for
               he
               finds
               it
               in
               his
               power
               to
               arrive
               at
               much
               ,
               and
               in
               his
               temper
               to
               need
               but
               little
               ,
               and
               so
               is
               truely
               above
               it
               .
            
             
               THESE
               with
               their
               inseparable
               companion
               Industry
               ,
               are
               as
               it
               were
               the
               roots
               of
               a
               Patrimony
               ,
               which
               not
               only
               keep
               it
               alive
               and
               flourishing
               ,
               but
               also
               make
               it
               fruitfull
               and
               multiply
               ;
               but
               the
               contrary
               vices
               are
               such
               sottish
               sins
               that
               they
               destroy
               the
               very
               stock
               they
               grow
               upon
               ,
               and
               undermine
               their
               own
               foundation
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               they
               eat
               out
               themselves
               and
               that
               which
               raised
               them
               ,
               and
               should
               have
               maintained
               them
               .
               And
               which
               is
               yet
               worse
               ,
               they
               do
               not
               only
               starve
               themselves
               ,
               but
               cut
               off
               a
               man's
               retreat
               ,
               and
               cast
               him
               into
               a
               condition
               that
               he
               could
               not
               live
               comfortably
               if
               he
               should
               return
               to
               sobriety
               .
               For
               it
               is
               in
               this
               case
               as
               Cicero
               said
               of
               Dionysius
               of
               Syracuse
               ,
               
               
                 He
                 had
                 lived
                 so
                 wickedly
                 ,
                 and
                 exercised
                 so
                 much
                 tyranny
                 and
                 cruelty
                 ,
                 that
                 having
                 procured
                 the
                 common
                 hatred
                 of
                 mankind
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 too
                 late
                 to
                 think
                 of
                 redintegrating
                 himself
                 by
                 taking
                 up
                 and
                 changing
                 his
                 course
                 .
              
               His
               wickedness
               had
               been
               too
               great
               to
               let
               his
               conversion
               be
               believed
               real
               ,
               and
               his
               injuries
               too
               many
               to
               hope
               for
               security
               in
               a
               way
               of
               mildness
               .
               
                 Scelus
                 scelere
                 protegendum
                 est
              
               ,
               he
               must
               now
               go
               on
               and
               justify
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               protect
               his
               former
               villanies
               by
               more
               and
               greater
               .
            
             
               SO
               it
               is
               with
               voluptuous
               persons
               ,
               by
               a
               long
               habit
               they
               have
               made
               excesses
               almost
               necessary
               to
               their
               bodies
               ,
               and
               such
               excesses
               do
               so
               harrass
               men's
               fortunes
               ,
               
               that
               they
               cannot
               long
               correspond
               with
               such
               unreasonable
               occasions
               ;
               together
               herewith
               ease
               and
               sloth
               the
               concommitants
               of
               luxury
               do
               so
               relax
               men's
               nerves
               and
               infeeble
               their
               constitution
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               rendered
               incapable
               of
               supplying
               the
               defects
               of
               their
               fortune
               by
               their
               own
               industry
               ;
               so
               that
               between
               the
               necessity
               of
               expending
               much
               ,
               and
               the
               impossibility
               of
               gaining
               any
               thing
               ,
               the
               difficulties
               of
               returning
               to
               sobriety
               become
               as
               great
               and
               discouraging
               ,
               as
               the
               pleasures
               of
               riots
               are
               charming
               and
               bewitching
               .
            
             
               HENCE
               it
               comes
               to
               pass
               ,
               that
               such
               men
               usually
               reason
               with
               themselves
               ,
               as
               the
               unjust
               Steward
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               
                 Dig
                 I
                 cannot
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 beg
                 I
                 am
                 ashamed
              
               ;
               wherefore
               they
               must
               apply
               themselves
               to
               some
               remedy
               as
               desperate
               as
               the
               disease
               ;
               some
               bold
               and
               daring
               course
               ,
               some
               great
               and
               horrible
               sin
               must
               relieve
               them
               out
               of
               the
               straits
               former
               wickedness
               hath
               cast
               them
               into
               .
               And
               thus
               the
               Prodigal
               having
               spent
               all
               ,
               
                 joins
                 himself
                 to
                 a
                 Citizen
              
               .
               Who
               this
               Citizen
               is
               S.
               Jerone
               tells
               us
               ,
               it
               is
               the
               Devil
               ,
               he
               is
               the
               busy
               Negotiatour
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               
                 that
                 goes
                 about
                 seeking
                 whom
                 he
                 may
                 devour
                 ,
              
               and
               is
               ready
               to
               list
               those
               into
               his
               service
               ,
               who
               (
               having
               mispent
               their
               Talents
               )
               are
               by
               a
               vicious
               necessity
               disposed
               for
               his
               purposes
               .
               For
               such
               as
               have
               forfeited
               their
               own
               liberty
               are
               fit
               to
               be
               his
               slaves
               ;
               such
               as
               have
               driven
               away
               the
               good
               Spirit
               ,
               shall
               be
               sure
               to
               be
               haunted
               with
               this
               evil
               spirit
               .
               And
               they
               that
               have
               put
               out
               their
               own
               eyes
               ,
               and
               blinded
               their
               minds
               ,
               are
               fit
               subjects
               of
               the
               kingdom
               of
               darkness
               .
            
             
               NONE
               but
               such
               as
               have
               been
               accustomed
               to
               debauch
               their
               own
               faculties
               and
               stifle
               their
               Consciences
               ,
               can
               yield
               him
               ready
               obedience
               .
               But
               those
               that
               have
               sotted
               themselves
               with
               sensuality
               ,
               are
               swollen
               with
               pride
               or
               malice
               ,
               or
               by
               some
               vicious
               habit
               or
               other
               have
               lost
               the
               command
               of
               themselves
               ,
               and
               the
               protection
               
               of
               the
               Almighty
               ;
               these
               fall
               readily
               into
               his
               snare
               ,
               
               and
               according
               to
               the
               phrase
               of
               the
               Apostle
               
                 are
                 taken
                 captive
                 by
                 him
                 at
                 his
                 will.
              
               And
               the
               use
               he
               puts
               them
               to
               we
               shall
               see
               in
               the
               next
               particular
               .
               For
               ,
            
             
               5.
               
               THE
               Prodigal
               
                 is
                 put
                 to
                 feed
                 Swine
              
               .
               It
               is
               amongst
               the
               great
               calamities
               of
               a
               riotous
               life
               that
               first
               it
               effeminates
               men
               by
               soft
               indulgencies
               whilst
               their
               fortunes
               hold
               out
               ,
               and
               then
               afterwards
               breaks
               their
               spirits
               when
               adversity
               befalls
               them
               ,
               by
               a
               shamefull
               reflexion
               upon
               their
               beastly
               folly
               .
               And
               between
               these
               two
               such
               men
               are
               seldome
               or
               never
               after
               capable
               of
               any
               generous
               and
               manly
               employment
               ;
               from
               whence
               it
               comes
               to
               pass
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               ordinarily
               by
               the
               just
               judgment
               of
               God
               condemned
               either
               to
               the
               most
               ridiculous
               and
               contemptible
               ,
               or
               to
               the
               most
               sordid
               and
               vile
               offices
               .
               And
               such
               we
               may
               be
               sure
               will
               be
               the
               case
               of
               the
               Mystical
               Prodigal
               being
               now
               become
               a
               slave
               to
               Satan
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               a
               sad
               instance
               of
               the
               tyranny
               and
               insolence
               of
               the
               Devil
               over
               apostate
               mankind
               ,
               that
               he
               fooled
               them
               to
               such
               a
               base
               abjection
               of
               mind
               ,
               as
               to
               give
               him
               a
               kind
               of
               religious
               worship
               ,
               appearing
               to
               them
               under
               the
               form
               of
               a
               Goat
               ,
               or
               some
               other
               the
               most
               infamous
               of
               brute
               Creatures
               .
               This
               is
               too
               well
               known
               to
               have
               been
               commonly
               done
               amongst
               the
               Pagans
               ;
               and
               it
               seems
               probable
               that
               this
               vile
               Idolatry
               was
               invented
               and
               required
               by
               that
               malicious
               spirit
               ,
               not
               more
               to
               affront
               the
               Almighty
               by
               intercepting
               his
               worship
               ,
               then
               to
               scorn
               and
               insult
               over
               humane
               nature
               by
               such
               a
               sordid
               prostitution
               .
               But
               it
               is
               not
               onely
               Idolatry
               ,
               but
               all
               kind
               
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 the
                 Devil's
                 work
                 .
              
               
               And
               whosoever
               renders
               himself
               up
               to
               the
               power
               of
               any
               sin
               ,
               doth
               his
               drudgery
               as
               truely
               as
               those
               poor
               abused
               Heathens
               ;
               for
               though
               he
               doth
               not
               with
               the
               same
               formalities
               ridiculously
               bow
               himself
               to
               a
               beast
               ,
               he
               doth
               the
               same
               
               thing
               in
               effect
               when
               he
               prostitutes
               himself
               to
               brutality
               .
               What
               more
               ignoble
               thing
               then
               for
               him
               that
               hath
               an
               immortal
               Soul
               ,
               an
               understanding
               Mind
               and
               free
               faculties
               ,
               by
               which
               he
               is
               fit
               for
               the
               conversation
               of
               God
               and
               Angels
               ,
               to
               forget
               all
               this
               ,
               and
               humble
               himself
               to
               serve
               a
               beast
               ?
               Nor
               is
               it
               any
               matter
               of
               difference
               whether
               a
               man
               serve
               his
               own
               beast
               or
               another
               man's
               ,
               I
               mean
               the
               beast
               within
               him
               or
               without
               him
               ;
               some
               beast
               or
               other
               every
               vicious
               man
               serves
               .
            
             
               HE
               that
               indulges
               rage
               and
               passion
               ministers
               to
               a
               Tiger
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               addicts
               himself
               to
               sordid
               craft
               and
               subtlety
               worships
               a
               Fox
               .
               He
               that
               basely
               plays
               the
               Hypocrite
               serves
               the
               Dog
               ,
               or
               the
               Hyaena
               .
               He
               that
               gives
               himself
               up
               to
               lasciviousness
               ,
               worships
               a
               Goat
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               is
               a
               servant
               of
               meat
               and
               drink
               ,
               makes
               a
               God
               of
               his
               Belly
               ,
               and
               very
               properly
               may
               be
               said
               to
               serve
               Swine
               .
            
             
               IT
               is
               a
               well
               known
               passage
               in
               Plato
               ,
               where
               he
               supposes
               ,
               that
               when
               men's
               Souls
               are
               departed
               from
               their
               present
               Bodies
               ,
               they
               are
               adjudged
               to
               actuate
               and
               inform
               some
               such
               Creatures
               as
               they
               had
               most
               resembled
               in
               their
               humour
               and
               practice
               whilst
               they
               were
               alive
               ;
               but
               without
               such
               a
               transmigration
               after
               death
               ,
               which
               we
               are
               sure
               is
               both
               false
               and
               ridiculous
               ,
               all
               vicious
               men
               may
               be
               said
               to
               be
               transformed
               in
               this
               life
               as
               aforesaid
               :
               for
               though
               they
               retain
               the
               outward
               shape
               ,
               they
               have
               the
               inside
               and
               temper
               of
               Brutes
               .
               But
               it
               is
               not
               the
               onely
               calamity
               of
               serving
               the
               Devil
               that
               a
               man
               must
               debase
               his
               nature
               to
               the
               vilest
               condition
               ,
               in
               compliance
               with
               his
               commands
               ;
               for
               there
               is
               this
               farther
               instance
               of
               the
               severity
               of
               that
               Aegyptian
               Taskmaster
               ,
               that
               he
               puts
               those
               that
               are
               under
               his
               power
               ,
               to
               
                 make
                 brick
                 without
                 straw
              
               ,
               I
               mean
               ,
               (
               God
               in
               just
               judgment
               permitting
               it
               so
               to
               be
               )
               the
               Devil
               drives
               so
               furiously
               towards
               man's
               destruction
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               
               ordinarily
               prompt
               and
               hurry
               them
               on
               in
               sin
               beyond
               their
               interests
               ;
               nay
               their
               very
               vicious
               inclmation
               ,
               and
               even
               the
               capacity
               of
               their
               circumstances
               and
               constitution
               .
               As
               if
               he
               designed
               that
               they
               should
               not
               onely
               
                 treasure
                 up
                 wrath
                 against
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 wrath
                 ,
              
               but
               be
               miserably
               rackt
               and
               tortured
               here
               ,
               and
               
                 tormented
                 before
                 their
                 time
              
               .
            
             
               WE
               count
               the
               water
               rack
               a
               very
               severe
               torture
               ,
               to
               have
               that
               Element
               forced
               down
               a
               man's
               throat
               ,
               till
               all
               the
               vessels
               of
               his
               Body
               are
               stretched
               and
               Tympanized
               ;
               so
               that
               in
               stead
               of
               Air
               he
               draws
               in
               Water
               with
               his
               breath
               ,
               ready
               to
               stifle
               him
               .
               And
               yet
               this
               torture
               we
               see
               the
               drunkard
               submit
               himself
               to
               at
               the
               Devil's
               command
               .
            
             
               IT
               is
               very
               dreadfull
               to
               have
               our
               limbs
               and
               nerves
               distended
               by
               pullies
               and
               such
               other
               engines
               .
               And
               the
               lascivious
               man
               is
               sensible
               of
               something
               like
               this
               ,
               when
               he
               forces
               nature
               to
               comply
               with
               his
               vicious
               phancy
               ,
               and
               a
               prevalent
               temptation
               .
               When
               in
               some
               kind
               of
               executions
               they
               poured
               scalding
               lead
               down
               the
               throat
               of
               the
               malefactour
               ,
               which
               the
               Jews
               called
               the
               burning
               of
               the
               Soul
               ;
               it
               was
               doubtless
               very
               terrible
               :
               but
               he
               that
               suffers
               revenge
               to
               fry
               in
               his
               bosome
               and
               eat
               out
               his
               very
               heart
               and
               bowels
               ,
               undergoes
               something
               not
               very
               much
               inferiour
               .
            
             
               TO
               say
               no
               more
               ,
               what
               more
               horried
               torments
               can
               any
               Tyrant
               invent
               or
               inflict
               ,
               or
               what
               more
               abominable
               ignominy
               can
               his
               malice
               expose
               any
               man
               to
               ,
               then
               the
               usual
               effects
               of
               sensuality
               do
               either
               execute
               upon
               a
               man's
               person
               ,
               or
               stigmatize
               his
               name
               withall
               ?
               We
               see
               in
               the
               course
               of
               nature
               the
               several
               parts
               of
               the
               Universe
               give
               place
               to
               the
               interest
               of
               the
               whole
               ;
               or
               as
               we
               commonly
               speak
               ,
               private
               nature
               gives
               place
               to
               publick
               ,
               as
               the
               water
               ascends
               to
               prevent
               vacuity
               ,
               &c.
               
               But
               in
               this
               little
               world
               ,
               man
               ,
               when
               the
               Devil
               hath
               
               got
               interest
               in
               him
               ,
               publick
               nature
               ,
               humanity
               it self
               is
               violenced
               for
               the
               lust
               of
               a
               private
               person
               ,
               of
               which
               the
               Apostle
               gives
               us
               too
               sad
               an
               instance
               in
               the
               debauched
               Heathen
               ,
               Rom.
               1.
               26
               ,
               27.
               which
               passage
               I
               have
               no
               mind
               to
               explain
               .
            
             
               THIS
               is
               the
               condition
               of
               the
               Devil's
               service
               ,
               in
               respect
               of
               which
               ,
               the
               difficultest
               parts
               of
               God's
               service
               are
               easy
               and
               voluptuous
               .
               I
               'll
               conclude
               this
               particular
               ,
               
               and
               summe
               up
               what
               hath
               been
               hitherto
               said
               in
               the
               words
               of
               
                 Chrysologus
                 :
                 Behold
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 the
                 sad
                 Catastrophe
                 of
                 rash
                 and
                 incogitant
                 voluptuousness
                 ,
                 it
                 turns
                 him
                 out
                 into
                 a
                 strange
                 Countrey
                 that
                 might
                 have
                 lived
                 happy
                 in
                 his
                 Father's
                 house
                 ;
                 makes
                 a
                 beggar
                 of
                 one
                 that
                 was
                 rich
                 ,
                 changes
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 a
                 Son
                 into
                 that
                 of
                 a
                 Slave
                 ,
                 compells
                 him
                 to
                 feed
                 nasty
                 Swine
                 ,
                 who
                 declined
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 a
                 gracious
                 Father
                 .
              
               But
               this
               is
               not
               the
               full
               end
               of
               the
               sinner's
               Tragedy
               .
               For
               ,
            
             
               6.
               
               THE
               Prodigal's
               fare
               is
               as
               course
               as
               his
               employment
               was
               sordid
               ,
               
                 he
                 is
                 forced
                 to
                 feed
                 upon
                 husks
                 :
              
               some
               take
               the
               word
               in
               the
               Original
               to
               signify
               Bran
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               of
               the
               Poet
               ,
               
               —
               
                 vivis
                 siliquis
                 &
                 pane
                 secundo
              
               .
               But
               the
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               properly
               signifies
               the
               seed
               of
               the
               tree
               Ceronia
               or
               Charob
               ,
               which
               afforded
               a
               course
               fare
               ,
               which
               extream
               necessity
               sometimes
               drove
               men
               to
               be
               content
               withall
               .
               But
               let
               us
               see
               the
               moral
               of
               it
               ;
               Origen
               understands
               by
               Husks
               the
               delights
               of
               wanton
               Poetry
               ,
               with
               which
               the
               Devil
               usually
               feeds
               and
               entertains
               loose
               persons
               ,
               making
               them
               both
               fit
               and
               willing
               to
               his
               service
               .
               I
               remember
               somewhere
               to
               have
               read
               ,
               (
               and
               I
               think
               it
               is
               in
               Clemens
               of
               Alexandria
               )
               that
               it
               was
               his
               opinion
               ,
               that
               Pagan
               Philosophy
               was
               hereby
               meant
               ,
               which
               being
               but
               the
               
                 exterior
                 
                 Cortex
              
               or
               Husk
               of
               true
               knowledge
               ,
               served
               notwithstanding
               to
               amuse
               and
               busy
               the
               Gentile
               World.
               But
               I
               think
               our
               Saviour
               meant
               nothing
               else
               hereby
               ,
               then
               to
               represent
               to
               us
               the
               pitifull
               entertainment
               ,
               the
               emptiness
               and
               unsatisfactoriness
               of
               all
               the
               Incomes
               of
               sin
               .
               That
               all
               the
               gratifications
               by
               which
               the
               Devil
               allures
               men
               into
               the
               basest
               drudgery
               ,
               prove
               upon
               trial
               the
               Appels
               of
               Sodom
               ,
               perform
               nothing
               of
               what
               they
               promise
               .
               Solomon
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               that
               an
               
                 whorish
                 woman
                 will
                 bring
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 a
                 morsel
                 of
                 bread
              
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               true
               ,
               in
               proportion
               ,
               of
               all
               the
               instances
               of
               riot
               and
               luxury
               ,
               which
               is
               so
               much
               the
               more
               severe
               calamity
               to
               such
               kind
               of
               persons
               ,
               because
               they
               usually
               in
               their
               prosperity
               caressing
               themselves
               at
               the
               highest
               rate
               imaginable
               ,
               pampering
               themselves
               and
               their
               lusts
               together
               ,
               must
               needs
               feel
               the
               change
               from
               one
               extream
               to
               the
               other
               to
               be
               exceeding
               sharp
               and
               painfull
               .
               But
               let
               us
               see
               this
               a
               little
               more
               particularly
               ,
               in
               order
               to
               which
               the
               Apostle
               Saint
               John
               hath
               summed
               up
               all
               the
               returns
               of
               sin
               in
               these
               words
               ,
               1
               Jo.
               2.
               16.
               
               
                 The
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 are
                 the
                 lusts
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 the
                 lust
                 of
                 the
                 eye
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 pride
                 of
                 life
              
               ;
               or
               in
               other
               words
               ,
               bodily
               pleasure
               ,
               worldly
               profit
               ,
               and
               vain
               glory
               .
               And
               all
               these
               when
               duly
               considered
               ,
               will
               prove
               but
               Husks
               ,
               such
               as
               our
               voluptuous
               Prodigal
               ,
               now
               the
               Devils
               vassal
               ,
               is
               constrained
               to
               feed
               upon
               .
            
             
               FIRST
               ,
               for
               bodily
               pleasure
               ,
               that
               is
               notoriously
               the
               entertainment
               of
               beasts
               rather
               then
               of
               men
               .
               For
               it
               is
               they
               that
               have
               the
               quickest
               sense
               and
               relish
               of
               it
               ;
               man
               is
               ashamed
               of
               himself
               when
               he
               yields
               to
               it
               ,
               and
               therefore
               seeks
               recesses
               and
               the
               dark
               ,
               as
               being
               aware
               that
               he
               condescends
               below
               himself
               when
               he
               stoops
               to
               it
               ;
               therefore
               certainly
               God
               intended
               it
               as
               fodder
               for
               beasts
               ,
               not
               food
               for
               men
               .
               Sawce
               is
               the
               most
               that
               it
               can
               be
               allowed
               to
               be
               ,
               and
               he
               is
               not
               to
               be
               
               reckoned
               a
               man
               that
               can
               content
               himself
               with
               it
               ,
               or
               live
               as
               if
               he
               were
               made
               for
               it
               .
               For
               besides
               that
               all
               wise
               men
               who
               have
               tried
               it
               pronounce
               it
               to
               be
               but
               chaff
               and
               vanity
               ,
               even
               those
               who
               are
               so
               silly
               as
               to
               pursue
               it
               with
               the
               greatest
               eagerness
               and
               appetite
               ,
               finding
               themselves
               empty
               and
               disappointed
               ,
               are
               constrained
               to
               hunt
               after
               variety
               ,
               and
               to
               weary
               themselves
               in
               going
               from
               one
               pleasure
               to
               another
               ,
               in
               hopes
               to
               find
               that
               satisfaction
               which
               is
               never
               there
               to
               be
               had
               .
               Bodily
               pleasure
               is
               fitly
               represented
               by
               the
               Stories
               we
               have
               of
               the
               Feasts
               and
               Junkettings
               of
               Witches
               and
               Fiends
               ;
               in
               which
               ,
               after
               great
               appearance
               of
               delicacies
               ,
               wherewithall
               the
               Guests
               seem
               to
               satiate
               themselves
               ,
               they
               notwithstanding
               find
               themselves
               as
               empty
               as
               before
               the
               Banquet
               .
               The
               mind
               of
               man
               is
               of
               another
               make
               ,
               and
               of
               a
               greater
               capacity
               then
               to
               be
               filled
               with
               such
               trash
               .
               It
               is
               onely
               intellectual
               pleasure
               ,
               the
               contents
               of
               wisedome
               ,
               the
               peace
               of
               a
               good
               Conscience
               ,
               the
               reflections
               upon
               having
               done
               some
               good
               ,
               which
               are
               the
               repast
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               and
               these
               are
               solid
               and
               lasting
               ;
               there
               is
               more
               true
               and
               manly
               delight
               in
               any
               one
               such
               instance
               then
               in
               all
               the
               caresses
               of
               the
               Epicure
               .
            
             
               AND
               then
               for
               Profit
               ,
               it
               is
               very
               inconsiderable
               gain
               that
               is
               brought
               in
               by
               sin
               ,
               if
               accounts
               be
               justly
               cast
               up
               .
               For
               all
               those
               sins
               which
               have
               either
               any
               gusto
               of
               pleasure
               ,
               or
               air
               of
               credit
               attending
               them
               ,
               are
               usually
               costly
               and
               expensive
               ;
               and
               for
               those
               profitable
               sins
               of
               injustice
               ,
               covetousness
               ,
               oppression
               ,
               &c.
               they
               are
               usually
               incumbred
               with
               so
               much
               anxiety
               ,
               followed
               with
               such
               guilt
               ,
               branded
               with
               so
               much
               reproach
               ,
               that
               there
               needs
               a
               new
               Arithmetick
               to
               be
               devised
               to
               make
               out
               the
               profit
               of
               them
               .
               Above
               all
               ,
               if
               we
               consider
               that
               thus
               to
               
                 gain
                 a
                 whole
                 world
                 and
                 to
                 lose
                 a
                 man's
                 Soul
                 ,
              
               is
               the
               most
               sad
               and
               unfortunate
               bargain
               .
               For
               it
               is
               to
               possess
               a
               great
               deal
               for
               the
               short
               lease
               of
               life
               ,
               and
               then
               
               to
               be
               turned
               out
               of
               all
               to
               all
               eternity
               ;
               and
               whilst
               he
               doth
               possess
               it
               ,
               it
               is
               so
               far
               from
               satisfying
               his
               mind
               ,
               or
               appeasing
               his
               conscience
               ,
               as
               that
               it
               cannot
               allay
               the
               Gout
               ,
               asswage
               the
               Tooth-ach
               ,
               nor
               cure
               any
               disease
               of
               the
               Body
               .
               In
               summe
               ,
               what
               is
               that
               gain
               which
               neither
               makes
               the
               wiser
               ,
               nor
               the
               better
               ,
               nor
               the
               more
               comfortable
               man
               ?
            
             
               BUT
               then
               for
               glory
               and
               fame
               ,
               these
               are
               not
               usually
               the
               attendants
               of
               sin
               ,
               but
               of
               some
               kind
               of
               vertues
               :
               the
               portion
               of
               sin
               is
               shame
               and
               infamy
               ,
               forasmuch
               as
               it
               is
               an
               irregularity
               ,
               a
               deformity
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               mildest
               sense
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               confession
               of
               folly
               ,
               weakness
               and
               impotency
               .
               Notwithstanding
               it
               is
               too
               true
               ,
               some
               sins
               carry
               applause
               with
               them
               ,
               but
               amongst
               whom
               ?
               competent
               Judges
               of
               honour
               ,
               wise
               and
               good
               men
               ?
               No
               ,
               but
               the
               silly
               Vulgar
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               such
               as
               have
               a
               feeling
               in
               the
               cause
               ,
               and
               are
               partakers
               in
               the
               guilt
               .
               But
               let
               us
               see
               the
               instances
               :
               Some
               man
               glories
               ,
               that
               in
               his
               pot
               valour
               he
               can
               drink
               down
               whom
               he
               pleases
               ,
               no
               man
               can
               stand
               before
               him
               ,
               and
               upon
               this
               he
               swaggers
               as
               a
               mighty
               Champion
               ,
               whereas
               in
               truth
               he
               is
               but
               a
               great
               Hogshead
               or
               a
               nasty
               Sink
               through
               which
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               good
               liquor
               runs
               ,
               and
               his
               only
               ability
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               changes
               and
               corrupts
               it
               in
               the
               passage
               .
               Another
               vaunts
               his
               courage
               and
               daring
               ,
               hee
               'l
               lay
               down
               his
               life
               upon
               the
               least
               provocation
               .
               But
               shall
               we
               think
               that
               man
               is
               conscious
               to
               himself
               of
               any
               worth
               ,
               that
               will
               stake
               his
               life
               down
               for
               every
               trifle
               ?
               is
               he
               worthy
               of
               his
               life
               that
               despises
               it
               ?
               is
               he
               either
               wise
               or
               just
               that
               will
               cast
               that
               away
               in
               a
               frolick
               or
               a
               rage
               ,
               which
               is
               owing
               to
               the
               service
               of
               his
               Prince
               and
               Countrey
               ?
               O
               but
               the
               great
               Heroes
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               that
               ransack
               kingdoms
               ,
               and
               set
               up
               the
               monuments
               of
               their
               victories
               in
               every
               place
               !
               These
               are
               they
               that
               fools
               indeed
               flatter
               ,
               because
               they
               fear
               them
               .
               Nevertheless
               whilst
               
               these
               live
               in
               all
               their
               greatness
               ,
               they
               cannot
               avoid
               the
               horrible
               curses
               and
               imprecations
               of
               those
               they
               have
               made
               fatherless
               or
               childless
               :
               and
               these
               usually
               have
               that
               effect
               upon
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               seldom
               descend
               without
               bloud
               to
               their
               Graves
               .
            
             
               
                 Ad
                 generum
                 Cereris
                 sinè
                 caede
                 &
                 sanguine
                 pauci
              
               
                 Descendunt
                 Reges
                 &
                 siccâ
                 morte
                 Tyranni
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               when
               they
               are
               gone
               ,
               their
               memory
               is
               blasted
               in
               the
               Annals
               of
               time
               ,
               and
               their
               great
               atchievements
               reputed
               
                 magna
                 latrocinia
              
               .
               But
               take
               worldly
               honour
               at
               the
               best
               that
               can
               be
               made
               of
               it
               ,
               it
               is
               but
               a
               blast
               ,
               a
               bubble
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               of
               solidity
               in
               it
               ,
               nothing
               that
               can
               really
               satisfy
               the
               mind
               of
               a
               man
               ;
               this
               is
               the
               thin
               and
               pitifull
               diet
               the
               Devil
               feeds
               his
               slaves
               with
               ;
               all
               those
               therefore
               that
               dote
               upon
               pleasure
               ,
               or
               riches
               ,
               or
               glory
               ,
               feed
               upon
               husks
               with
               the
               Prodigal
               .
            
             
               7.
               
               BUT
               that
               's
               not
               the
               worst
               of
               his
               condition
               yet
               ,
               if
               the
               Prodigal
               could
               have
               had
               husks
               enough
               ,
               he
               would
               have
               thought
               his
               condition
               not
               intolerable
               as
               the
               case
               stood
               ,
               but
               saith
               the
               Text
               ,
               
                 he
                 desired
                 to
                 fill
                 his
                 belly
                 with
                 husks
                 ,
                 but
                 no
                 man
                 gave
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               And
               now
               his
               condition
               is
               sad
               indeed
               .
               He
               that
               formerly
               loathed
               delicates
               ,
               now
               to
               come
               to
               want
               necessaries
               ;
               he
               that
               surfeited
               upon
               viands
               ,
               now
               to
               starve
               for
               want
               of
               husks
               ;
               this
               breaks
               his
               heart
               .
               And
               in
               this
               the
               Emblem
               of
               a
               sinner
               is
               still
               carried
               on
               :
               all
               those
               husks
               of
               pleasure
               ,
               and
               gain
               ,
               and
               applause
               ,
               are
               a
               course
               fare
               for
               a
               man
               that
               hath
               an
               immortal
               Soul.
               But
               some
               could
               so
               far
               forget
               the
               dignity
               of
               their
               nature
               ,
               and
               contract
               themselves
               ,
               that
               they
               could
               be
               content
               if
               they
               might
               but
               have
               enough
               of
               these
               .
               If
               I
               say
               men
               could
               always
               swim
               in
               pleasure
               ,
               flow
               with
               riches
               ,
               and
               mount
               aloft
               in
               glory
               ,
               they
               would
               think
               the
               wages
               of
               sin
               
               well
               paid
               ;
               but
               the
               time
               will
               come
               when
               these
               will
               be
               denied
               them
               too
               .
               As
               for
               bodily
               pleasure
               ,
               that
               quickly
               growes
               out
               of
               date
               ,
               and
               we
               soon
               lose
               the
               relish
               of
               such
               things
               as
               were
               formerly
               most
               gratefull
               in
               this
               kind
               ;
               the
               most
               delicious
               viands
               are
               nothing
               to
               him
               that
               hath
               no
               palate
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               ravishing
               musick
               to
               him
               that
               hath
               no
               ear
               ;
               and
               what
               do
               all
               the
               charms
               of
               beauty
               signify
               to
               a
               languid
               Body
               and
               effete
               Nature
               ?
               The
               time
               comes
               on
               apace
               upon
               every
               man
               when
               he
               shall
               say
               with
               old
               Barzillai
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               19.
               35.
               
               
                 Can
                 I
                 tast
                 what
                 I
                 eat
                 or
                 drink
                 ?
                 or
                 can
                 I
                 hear
                 any
                 more
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 singing
                 men
                 or
                 singing
                 women
                 ?
              
               Or
               as
               Solomon
               elegantly
               describes
               the
               case
               ,
               Eccles
               .
               12.
               2
               ,
               3
               ,
               4
               ,
               5.
               
                 &c.
                 When
                 the
                 keepers
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 tremble
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 strong
                 men
                 shall
                 bow
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 grinders
                 cease
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 few
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 that
                 look
                 out
                 at
                 the
                 windows
                 be
                 darkened
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               When
               a
               man
               shall
               have
               his
               winding-sheet
               in
               his
               eye
               ,
               and
               his
               last
               knell
               in
               his
               ear
               ;
               when
               with
               great
               difficulty
               and
               continual
               labour
               at
               the
               pump
               of
               life
               ,
               he
               hardly
               keeps
               his
               Leaky
               Vessel
               from
               sinking
               ;
               what
               then
               do
               all
               the
               objects
               of
               the
               Senses
               gratify
               him
               ,
               when
               the
               Senses
               themselves
               are
               now
               shutting
               in
               their
               windows
               ,
               and
               bidding
               everlasting
               good
               night
               ?
               Then
               those
               entertainments
               become
               not
               only
               dull
               and
               flat
               ,
               but
               irksome
               and
               tormenting
               ,
               and
               only
               serve
               to
               upbraid
               his
               impotency
               .
               For
               when
               a
               man
               shall
               say
               with
               Sampson
               ,
               I
               will
               rouze
               my self
               as
               at
               other
               times
               ,
               alas
               Dalilah
               hath
               shaven
               his
               locks
               ,
               betrayed
               his
               strength
               ,
               and
               bound
               him
               down
               to
               a
               state
               of
               inactivity
               .
               And
               which
               is
               further
               considerable
               ,
               the
               more
               a
               man
               hath
               indulged
               himself
               the
               full
               enjoyment
               of
               these
               things
               in
               his
               youth
               ,
               the
               more
               he
               accelerates
               these
               infirmities
               and
               loathings
               of
               age
               ,
               and
               far
               the
               sooner
               loses
               all
               gust
               of
               them
               .
               And
               then
               like
               Tantalus
               ,
               he
               is
               tormented
               with
               the
               sight
               of
               what
               he
               cannot
               
               reach
               ,
               for
               he
               feels
               himself
               sinking
               and
               perishing
               .
            
             
               THEN
               for
               the
               Riches
               and
               gain
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               though
               it
               be
               commonly
               observed
               that
               men
               are
               so
               ridiculous
               as
               to
               be
               most
               earnest
               in
               making
               provision
               for
               their
               voyage
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               almost
               at
               their
               journeys
               end
               ,
               most
               carking
               and
               reaching
               after
               the
               World
               ,
               when
               they
               have
               least
               concern
               in
               it
               ;
               yet
               
                 this
                 their
                 way
                 is
                 their
                 folly
                 ,
              
               and
               in
               a
               little
               time
               it
               will
               be
               said
               ,
               
                 Thou
                 fool
                 this
                 night
                 shall
                 thy
                 soul
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 thee
                 :
              
               His
               beloved
               bags
               must
               be
               left
               behind
               to
               he
               knows
               not
               who
               ;
               his
               possessions
               have
               a
               new
               owner
               ,
               his
               beautifull
               habitation
               another
               inhabitant
               ,
               whilst
               he
               that
               gathered
               all
               these
               is
               close
               prisoner
               in
               the
               grave
               ,
               and
               hath
               not
               so
               much
               as
               the
               beholding
               them
               with
               his
               eyes
               .
               But
               besides
               ,
               what
               do
               these
               things
               advantage
               him
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               ?
               can
               they
               prolong
               the
               term
               of
               life
               ,
               or
               bribe
               and
               stave
               off
               death
               ?
               can
               they
               support
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               or
               comfort
               his
               mind
               ?
               nay
               they
               are
               so
               far
               from
               that
               ,
               that
               it
               's
               well
               if
               they
               call
               not
               to
               his
               remembrance
               the
               unjust
               ways
               by
               which
               he
               heaped
               them
               together
               ;
               or
               if
               that
               sad
               circumstance
               be
               escaped
               ,
               they
               are
               but
               monuments
               of
               his
               folly
               ,
               that
               set
               his
               heart
               on
               those
               things
               that
               will
               be
               sure
               to
               desert
               him
               in
               his
               need
               :
               and
               in
               fine
               ,
               which
               serve
               onely
               to
               make
               him
               do
               that
               unwillingly
               which
               must
               be
               done
               in
               spight
               of
               him
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               instead
               of
               securing
               him
               from
               death
               ,
               or
               preparing
               him
               for
               it
               ,
               or
               fortifying
               him
               under
               it
               ,
               they
               do
               in
               every
               respect
               the
               quite
               contrary
               ;
               his
               riches
               perish
               ,
               and
               he
               perishes
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               it
               may
               be
               by
               them
               .
            
             
               LASTLY
               ,
               for
               that
               gawd
               of
               fame
               and
               worldly
               glory
               ,
               it
               is
               of
               so
               thin
               a
               contexture
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               disputable
               whether
               it
               have
               any
               substance
               at
               all
               or
               no
               ;
               or
               any
               being
               otherwise
               then
               in
               phancy
               and
               conceit
               .
               But
               to
               be
               sure
               it
               is
               far
               too
               slight
               to
               last
               long
               ,
               and
               too
               airy
               to
               
               give
               any
               satisfaction
               to
               a
               languishing
               Spirit
               or
               a
               dying
               man.
               When
               a
               man's
               mind
               comes
               to
               be
               serious
               ,
               to
               retreat
               into
               it self
               ,
               to
               feel
               remorse
               for
               former
               follies
               ,
               what
               will
               it
               avail
               him
               that
               he
               hath
               a
               name
               amongst
               men
               ,
               that
               he
               hath
               carried
               it
               fairly
               ,
               and
               raised
               a
               reputation
               with
               those
               that
               see
               not
               into
               the
               inside
               of
               things
               ?
               that
               he
               hath
               appeared
               bravely
               upon
               the
               Stage
               ,
               but
               is
               stripped
               of
               all
               behind
               the
               Curtain
               ;
               is
               taunted
               and
               condemned
               by
               his
               own
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               by
               God
               who
               is
               greater
               then
               his
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               knows
               all
               things
               .
               It
               is
               not
               all
               the
               plumes
               of
               Fame
               ,
               together
               with
               popular
               breath
               ,
               can
               lift
               a
               man
               up
               when
               his
               own
               weight
               sinks
               him
               ,
               and
               his
               guilt
               casts
               him
               down
               .
               Especially
               when
               death
               approaches
               ,
               how
               ridiculous
               will
               it
               be
               to
               goe
               about
               to
               comfort
               a
               man's
               self
               with
               report
               when
               he
               is
               going
               into
               the
               land
               of
               forgetfullness
               ?
               A
               good
               name
               indeed
               for
               brave
               and
               vertuous
               actions
               ,
               embalms
               a
               man's
               memory
               to
               all
               ages
               ;
               but
               
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 shall
                 rot
                 ,
              
               in
               despight
               of
               all
               the
               spicery
               of
               flatterers
               and
               Parasites
               .
               What
               is
               there
               in
               being
               talked
               of
               ,
               when
               I
               shall
               be
               no
               more
               seen
               ?
               what
               to
               be
               mentioned
               in
               History
               ,
               unless
               my
               name
               be
               written
               in
               the
               Book
               of
               Life
               ?
               Tully
               somewhere
               disputes
               with
               himself
               ,
               
                 Longam
                 an
                 latam
                 famam
                 mallet
                 ,
                 Whether
                 was
                 most
                 desirable
                 ,
                 a
                 spreading
                 or
                 a
                 lasting
                 name
                 ?
              
               whether
               to
               be
               talked
               of
               in
               many
               Countries
               ,
               or
               to
               be
               remembred
               to
               many
               Ages
               ?
               But
               the
               matter
               is
               not
               great
               which
               of
               the
               two
               ,
               nor
               will
               both
               of
               them
               joyned
               together
               be
               of
               any
               moment
               ,
               if
               a
               man
               either
               cease
               to
               be
               ,
               or
               be
               in
               such
               a
               condition
               that
               it
               had
               been
               good
               for
               him
               never
               to
               have
               been
               .
               For
               
                 Notus
                 nimium
                 omnibus
                 qui
                 ignotus
                 moritur
                 sibi
                 ,
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 not
                 made
                 it
                 his
                 care
                 so
                 to
                 know
                 himself
                 as
                 to
                 secure
                 himself
                 of
                 a
                 blessed
                 immortality
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 little
                 comfort
                 or
                 antidote
                 against
                 death
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 talked
                 of
                 far
                 and
                 near
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 
                 gone
                 .
              
               So
               that
               upon
               the
               whole
               matter
               in
               these
               things
               consisting
               all
               the
               maintenance
               and
               incouragement
               the
               Devil
               can
               give
               his
               Servants
               ,
               and
               these
               being
               so
               mean
               and
               slight
               in
               themselves
               ,
               and
               failing
               men
               too
               at
               last
               ,
               they
               have
               a
               most
               uncomfortable
               bondage
               that
               give
               up
               themselves
               to
               his
               service
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               V.
               
            
             
               The
               Habitual
               Sinner's
               case
               stated
               ,
               or
               a
               reflection
               upon
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               in
               the
               foregoing
               Chapter
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     The
                     import
                     of
                     the
                     phrase
                     
                       [
                       when
                       he
                       came
                       to
                       himself
                       ]
                    
                     shews
                     ,
                     that
                     the
                     Prodigal
                     was
                     all
                     this
                     while
                     hitherto
                     not
                     well
                     in
                     his
                     wits
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     the
                     habitual
                     sinner
                     is
                     in
                     a
                     like
                     condition
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     The
                     truth
                     of
                     which
                     appears
                     by
                     considering
                     either
                     the
                     most
                     usual
                     causes
                     ,
                     or
                     effects
                     of
                     distraction
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     Objections
                     against
                     this
                     inference
                     answered
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     The
                     application
                     and
                     conclusion
                     of
                     this
                     First
                     Part
                     of
                     the
                     Parable
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vers
                   .
                   17.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   when
                   he
                   came
                   to
                   himself
                   he
                   said
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
              
            
             
               WE
               have
               in
               the
               foregoing
               Chapter
               traced
               the
               Prodigal
               from
               the
               freedome
               and
               felicities
               of
               his
               Father's
               house
               ,
               to
               the
               extremity
               of
               misery
               and
               servitude
               which
               his
               extravagant
               humour
               cast
               him
               into
               :
               and
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               the
               issues
               of
               his
               way
               ,
               we
               have
               seen
               the
               beginnings
               ,
               the
               progress
               ,
               and
               the
               result
               of
               a
               sinfull
               course
               lively
               represented
               .
               Now
               summing
               up
               all
               together
               ,
               and
               reflecting
               upon
               what
               hath
               been
               said
               ,
               it
               is
               evident
               that
               the
               person
               here
               described
               ,
               especially
               
               if
               he
               resolve
               to
               continue
               in
               this
               condition
               ,
               cannot
               be
               in
               his
               right
               wits
               .
               The
               truth
               of
               which
               all
               men
               that
               seriously
               consider
               the
               premises
               cannot
               but
               bear
               witness
               to
               .
               And
               besides
               ,
               it
               is
               plainly
               suggested
               by
               our
               Saviour
               himself
               in
               these
               words
               ,
               vers
               .
               17.
               
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 himself
              
               ,
               &c.
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               phrase
               either
               signifies
               a
               man
               dead
               ,
               (
               or
               in
               a
               swound
               at
               least
               )
               and
               coming
               to
               life
               again
               ;
               or
               a
               man
               drunk
               ,
               dispelling
               at
               last
               the
               cloud
               of
               his
               fumes
               ,
               and
               recovering
               the
               use
               of
               his
               limbs
               and
               senses
               ;
               or
               a
               man
               distracted
               ,
               and
               returning
               to
               his
               wits
               and
               understanding
               again
               .
            
             
               AND
               indeed
               ,
               all
               these
               are
               applicable
               enough
               to
               an
               habitual
               sinner
               ,
               he
               is
               morally
               or
               spiritually
               dead
               ,
               Eph.
               2.
               1.
               
               
                 You
                 hath
                 he
                 quickened
                 who
                 were
                 dead
                 in
                 trespasses
                 and
                 sins
                 .
              
               The
               disease
               of
               willfull
               sin
               doth
               so
               deprave
               men's
               natures
               and
               disable
               their
               powers
               ,
               that
               there
               appears
               no
               hope
               of
               recovery
               to
               a
               sense
               of
               God
               and
               goodness
               ,
               no
               more
               then
               of
               a
               man
               naturally
               dead
               ,
               unless
               God
               be
               pleased
               to
               breathe
               into
               him
               the
               breath
               of
               life
               .
               He
               is
               drunk
               ,
               the
               steams
               of
               lust
               have
               clouded
               and
               besotted
               his
               understanding
               ,
               and
               oppressed
               all
               his
               vital
               powers
               ,
               that
               for
               the
               present
               he
               is
               not
               able
               to
               guide
               ,
               nor
               fit
               to
               govern
               himself
               ;
               he
               hath
               rather
               the
               shape
               then
               the
               sense
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               no
               man
               takes
               his
               judgment
               ,
               nor
               regards
               what
               he
               saith
               or
               doth
               ,
               but
               every
               man
               looks
               upon
               him
               as
               a
               beast
               ;
               and
               were
               it
               not
               that
               there
               is
               hope
               of
               his
               recovery
               ,
               would
               think
               him
               fit
               with
               Nebuchadnezar
               to
               be
               turned
               out
               to
               grass
               .
               But
               because
               this
               disturbance
               is
               usually
               short
               ,
               it
               doth
               not
               therefore
               come
               so
               home
               to
               the
               condition
               of
               the
               sinner
               ;
               for
               sin
               is
               a
               
                 lasting
                 phrenzy
              
               or
               distraction
               ,
               and
               agrees
               thereto
               both
               in
               the
               causes
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               symptomes
               .
            
             
               THE
               true
               account
               of
               the
               cause
               of
               Distraction
               (
               as
               I
               take
               it
               )
               is
               this
               ,
               when
               the
               Animal
               Spirits
               ,
               by
               some
               
               accident
               or
               other
               ,
               are
               so
               over-heated
               ,
               that
               they
               become
               unserviceable
               to
               cool
               and
               sedate
               reasoning
               .
               And
               then
               reason
               being
               thus
               laid
               aside
               ,
               phansy
               gets
               the
               ascendent
               ,
               and
               Phaeton
               like
               ,
               drives
               on
               furiously
               and
               inconsistently
               .
               This
               combustion
               of
               the
               spirits
               happens
               sometimes
               by
               over
               great
               intention
               of
               the
               mind
               in
               long
               and
               constant
               study
               ,
               sometimes
               by
               a
               feaver
               which
               inflaming
               the
               bloud
               ,
               that
               communicates
               the
               incendium
               to
               the
               spirits
               which
               take
               their
               original
               from
               it
               .
               But
               most
               usually
               by
               the
               rage
               and
               violence
               of
               some
               of
               the
               passions
               ,
               (
               whether
               irascible
               or
               concupiscible
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               wont
               to
               be
               distinguished
               )
               a
               man
               setting
               his
               heart
               vehemently
               upon
               some
               object
               or
               other
               ,
               the
               spirits
               are
               set
               on
               fire
               by
               the
               violence
               of
               their
               own
               motion
               ;
               and
               in
               that
               rage
               are
               not
               to
               be
               governed
               by
               reason
               .
               This
               we
               have
               sad
               examples
               of
               ,
               in
               Love
               ,
               in
               Grief
               ,
               in
               Jealousie
               ,
               in
               Wrath
               and
               Vexation
               ;
               and
               indeed
               ,
               Bethlehem
               is
               filled
               with
               the
               instances
               .
               And
               this
               account
               fits
               but
               too
               well
               the
               case
               we
               have
               in
               hand
               ,
               namely
               ,
               of
               the
               willfull
               and
               habitual
               sinner
               .
               He
               having
               passionately
               addicted
               himself
               to
               some
               one
               or
               other
               of
               those
               worldly
               objects
               we
               lately
               spoke
               of
               all
               his
               spirits
               are
               ingaged
               in
               the
               pursuit
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               with
               that
               heat
               and
               vehemency
               that
               nothing
               can
               stop
               their
               carrier
               ,
               nor
               bring
               them
               under
               the
               reins
               of
               reason
               .
               No
               considerations
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               a
               World
               to
               come
               ,
               can
               come
               into
               play
               ,
               no
               checks
               of
               Conscience
               are
               attended
               to
               ,
               whatsoever
               comes
               on
               't
               the
               passion
               must
               be
               obeyed
               ,
               lust
               must
               have
               its
               full
               swing
               ,
               be
               the
               danger
               or
               consequence
               of
               it
               what
               it
               will.
               
            
             
               THEN
               for
               the
               usual
               symptoms
               of
               distraction
               ,
               if
               we
               see
               a
               man
               that
               hath
               unspeakable
               danger
               over
               his
               head
               ,
               insomuch
               that
               every
               man
               that
               sees
               him
               bewails
               and
               pities
               him
               ,
               but
               he
               pities
               not
               himself
               ;
               if
               we
               see
               him
               disporting
               upon
               the
               brink
               of
               a
               precipice
               ,
               and
               the
               
               ground
               breaking
               away
               under
               him
               ;
               nay
               ,
               if
               we
               shall
               see
               him
               court
               danger
               ,
               tear
               his
               own
               flesh
               ,
               and
               delight
               in
               his
               own
               mischief
               :
               or
               again
               ,
               suppose
               we
               observe
               a
               man
               to
               have
               rich
               offers
               made
               him
               ,
               but
               he
               despises
               them
               ,
               and
               prefers
               trifles
               before
               them
               ;
               or
               to
               be
               most
               fierce
               and
               injurious
               to
               those
               who
               are
               most
               earnest
               to
               do
               him
               good
               ,
               do
               we
               not
               account
               these
               the
               tokens
               of
               distraction
               ?
               And
               is
               not
               the
               case
               the
               very
               same
               ,
               when
               a
               man
               shall
               be
               found
               to
               go
               on
               in
               a
               course
               of
               sin
               that
               God
               and
               his
               own
               Conscience
               have
               denounced
               damnation
               to
               ,
               and
               be
               secure
               when
               there
               is
               nothing
               between
               him
               and
               utter
               destruction
               but
               the
               frail
               thred
               of
               life
               ,
               the
               most
               uncertain
               thing
               in
               the
               world
               ;
               when
               a
               man
               shall
               in
               fondness
               to
               some
               sin
               or
               other
               ,
               despise
               the
               counsels
               of
               God's
               word
               ,
               slight
               his
               promises
               ,
               laugh
               at
               his
               threatnings
               ,
               and
               even
               defy
               the
               Almighty
               ;
               when
               he
               shall
               express
               so
               much
               hate
               and
               indignation
               against
               none
               as
               those
               that
               reprove
               his
               folly
               ,
               advise
               him
               for
               his
               good
               ,
               and
               forewarn
               him
               of
               his
               danger
               ;
               in
               short
               ,
               that
               is
               every
               moment
               ready
               to
               drop
               into
               hell
               ,
               and
               yet
               goes
               on
               carelesly
               and
               jollily
               ,
               is
               not
               this
               laughter
               of
               his
               
                 Risus
                 Sardonius
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               plainly
               and
               notoriously
               phrenetical
               in
               the
               highest
               degree
               ?
               We
               reade
               ,
               Acts
               26.
               25.
               that
               Festus
               was
               of
               opinion
               that
               much
               study
               had
               made
               St.
               Paul
               mad
               ,
               when
               he
               took
               notice
               of
               such
               a
               wonderfull
               zeal
               in
               him
               for
               Christianity
               ,
               that
               no
               difficulties
               would
               abate
               his
               edge
               ,
               no
               allurements
               or
               flatteries
               withdraw
               him
               ,
               no
               menaces
               affright
               him
               ,
               nor
               no
               sufferings
               prevail
               at
               all
               upon
               him
               .
               But
               St.
               Paul
               sufficiently
               clears
               himself
               of
               that
               suspicion
               ,
               giving
               a
               just
               and
               manly
               account
               of
               his
               persuasion
               ,
               and
               the
               reasons
               of
               his
               resolution
               .
               And
               withall
               ,
               vers
               .
               11.
               he
               confesses
               time
               was
               when
               he
               was
               mad
               indeed
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               hurried
               by
               his
               own
               passions
               and
               prejudices
               to
               make
               all
               the
               opposition
               he
               was
               able
               against
               Christianity
               ,
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               I
               was
               exceedingly
               mad
               and
               outragious
               against
               it
               .
               But
               there
               were
               a
               great
               many
               allowances
               to
               be
               made
               in
               his
               case
               ,
               he
               had
               been
               bread
               a
               Pharisee
               ,
               the
               education
               in
               which
               Sect
               had
               put
               him
               under
               the
               greatest
               prejudices
               against
               Christianity
               that
               could
               be
               possibly
               ;
               the
               Gospel
               was
               a
               new
               thing
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               which
               Character
               was
               enough
               to
               condemn
               it
               ;
               but
               besides
               ,
               it
               lay
               open
               to
               a
               great
               many
               disadvantages
               which
               it
               is
               unseasonable
               here
               to
               mention
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               all
               which
               he
               thought
               he
               should
               do
               God
               good
               service
               to
               oppose
               it
               :
               he
               therefore
               only
               obeyed
               his
               erring
               Conscience
               ,
               followed
               the
               best
               reason
               he
               then
               had
               ,
               and
               what
               he
               did
               amiss
               he
               did
               it
               ignorantly
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               God
               had
               mercy
               on
               him
               .
               But
               what
               can
               be
               pretended
               on
               the
               behalf
               of
               the
               habitual
               sinner
               against
               the
               common
               law
               of
               reason
               and
               morality
               ?
               can
               he
               plead
               ignorance
               ,
               or
               pretend
               Conscience
               ?
               is
               morality
               a
               new
               opinion
               ,
               or
               was
               debauchery
               ever
               espoused
               for
               the
               Dogma
               of
               any
               famous
               Sect
               ?
               was
               it
               ever
               a
               disputable
               point
               whether
               injustice
               ,
               adultery
               ,
               and
               other
               sensuality
               ,
               were
               vices
               or
               vertues
               ?
               did
               ever
               any
               man
               think
               he
               should
               do
               God
               good
               service
               by
               complying
               with
               these
               ?
               nay
               ,
               is
               it
               not
               evident
               ,
               that
               the
               men
               we
               speak
               of
               contradict
               the
               very
               principles
               of
               reason
               ,
               the
               intimations
               of
               their
               own
               Consciences
               ?
               they
               violate
               all
               the
               laws
               of
               wisedome
               ,
               goe
               cross
               to
               all
               rules
               of
               prudence
               ;
               nay
               their
               very
               interests
               ,
               and
               the
               principles
               of
               self-preservation
               .
               May
               we
               not
               therefore
               direct
               our
               discourse
               to
               such
               men
               ,
               as
               Herod
               is
               said
               to
               have
               done
               a
               Letter
               to
               Cassius
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               in
               short
               ,
               
                 Cassius
                 thou
                 art
                 mad
              
               ?
            
             
               BUT
               let
               us
               come
               to
               particulars
               ,
               and
               we
               will
               begin
               with
               Injustice
               :
               hath
               not
               God
               said
               ,
               
                 that
                 the
                 unnighteous
                 shall
                 have
                 no
                 inheritance
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Christ
                 or
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
               and
               have
               we
               not
               seen
               the
               experiment
               
               of
               those
               that
               have
               raked
               and
               torn
               for
               riches
               as
               if
               that
               were
               the
               onely
               thing
               valuable
               and
               desirable
               ,
               and
               counted
               all
               clear
               gain
               that
               could
               be
               gotten
               ,
               who
               yet
               when
               death
               hath
               summoned
               them
               to
               the
               righteous
               Tribunal
               of
               God
               ,
               would
               gladly
               have
               refunded
               all
               again
               ,
               and
               have
               chosen
               to
               have
               lived
               the
               poorest
               life
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               so
               they
               might
               have
               gone
               out
               of
               it
               with
               a
               good
               Conscience
               ?
               Is
               there
               not
               just
               reason
               to
               expect
               that
               all
               unjust
               acquisitions
               will
               one
               day
               prove
               like
               a
               barbed
               Arrow
               in
               a
               man's
               flesh
               ,
               that
               must
               either
               be
               pluckt
               back
               again
               ,
               (
               and
               that
               not
               to
               be
               done
               without
               horrible
               pain
               and
               anguish
               ,
               )
               or
               else
               will
               destroy
               him
               eternally
               ?
               Are
               not
               these
               courses
               condemned
               by
               Heathens
               ,
               and
               by
               all
               the
               reason
               of
               mankind
               ?
               doth
               not
               such
               a
               man
               make
               himself
               the
               hate
               and
               scorn
               of
               others
               ,
               and
               a
               shame
               to
               himself
               ?
               What
               is
               there
               then
               prevails
               with
               any
               man
               to
               continue
               such
               a
               practice
               ?
               is
               there
               any
               necessity
               presses
               him
               to
               it
               ?
               must
               a
               man
               be
               starved
               else
               ?
               is
               there
               any
               such
               unspeakable
               felicity
               in
               being
               rich
               ,
               that
               the
               temptations
               thereof
               are
               irresistible
               ?
               doth
               any
               man
               live
               more
               comfortably
               by
               his
               ill-gotten
               goods
               ?
               nay
               in
               truth
               ,
               these
               imbitter
               the
               delights
               of
               all
               the
               rest
               .
               Doth
               riches
               afford
               a
               man
               such
               security
               ,
               quiet
               and
               repose
               ,
               that
               no
               man
               can
               be
               at
               ease
               till
               he
               have
               attained
               it
               ;
               or
               is
               it
               not
               certain
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               that
               the
               solicitude
               of
               acquiring
               it
               macerates
               a
               man
               with
               cares
               and
               projects
               night
               and
               day
               ;
               and
               when
               he
               hath
               attained
               his
               ends
               ,
               he
               lies
               at
               once
               under
               the
               joint
               inconveniences
               of
               abundance
               and
               of
               poverty
               ;
               the
               cares
               of
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               the
               burden
               of
               the
               other
               ?
               Wherefore
               upon
               the
               whole
               matter
               there
               is
               nothing
               in
               the
               case
               but
               the
               impetuousness
               of
               a
               greedy
               grasping
               humour
               ,
               that
               bears
               down
               his
               reason
               ,
               fools
               him
               and
               destroys
               him
               .
               And
               if
               a
               milder
               name
               then
               madness
               be
               due
               to
               this
               condition
               ,
               let
               sobermen
               judge
               .
            
             
             
               NOW
               take
               the
               Voluptuous
               man
               to
               whom
               no
               fruit
               is
               pleasant
               but
               that
               which
               is
               forbidden
               ,
               and
               who
               knows
               no
               measure
               of
               pleasure
               but
               a
               surfeit
               ;
               in
               the
               first
               place
               it
               is
               very
               doubtfull
               whether
               the
               quest
               of
               pleasures
               be
               not
               as
               troublesome
               as
               the
               enjoyments
               of
               them
               are
               sweet
               ;
               at
               least
               if
               we
               lay
               together
               the
               tedious
               expectations
               ,
               the
               frequent
               frustrations
               ,
               the
               certain
               expence
               of
               time
               ,
               fortune
               and
               health
               ,
               the
               secret
               guilt
               ,
               the
               constant
               fear
               of
               detection
               ,
               the
               shame
               and
               reproach
               upon
               discovery
               ,
               the
               pressing
               importunities
               of
               passion
               before
               enjoyment
               ,
               the
               follies
               and
               dangers
               in
               the
               midst
               ,
               and
               the
               irksomness
               and
               loathing
               after
               their
               gratification
               :
               the
               little
               time
               of
               pleasure
               ,
               and
               the
               long
               hours
               of
               shame
               and
               repentance
               ,
               the
               dull
               relish
               of
               the
               bodily
               Senses
               ,
               to
               the
               quick
               and
               pungent
               sense
               of
               the
               Mind
               and
               Conscience
               ;
               we
               shall
               be
               put
               out
               of
               doubt
               and
               assured
               of
               the
               unreasonableness
               of
               such
               a
               course
               .
               But
               if
               we
               consider
               withall
               the
               severe
               denunciations
               of
               the
               Almighty
               ,
               the
               inconsistency
               of
               such
               a
               course
               with
               any
               interest
               in
               the
               joys
               of
               another
               life
               ,
               the
               no
               compare
               between
               a
               fools
               paradise
               of
               sesuality
               and
               the
               felicities
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               we
               cannot
               pronounce
               of
               such
               a
               man
               as
               (
               notwitstanding
               all
               these
               considerations
               )
               shall
               give
               himself
               up
               to
               these
               bruitish
               passions
               ,
               otherwise
               then
               that
               he
               hath
               forfeited
               his
               reason
               ,
               forgoing
               his
               greatest
               interests
               for
               the
               veriest
               trifle
               ,
               and
               selling
               his
               birthright
               for
               a
               mess
               of
               pottage
               .
            
             
               THE
               like
               may
               be
               said
               of
               Drunkenness
               ;
               To
               see
               a
               man
               tunn
               up
               himself
               like
               a
               barrel
               ,
               and
               fill
               his
               head
               with
               froth
               ,
               which
               his
               tongue
               discharges
               again
               ;
               to
               see
               a
               mans
               face
               deformed
               ,
               his
               eyes
               staring
               ,
               his
               feet
               faultering
               ,
               his
               motions
               antick
               his
               thoughts
               open
               and
               undecent
               ,
               his
               speech
               much
               ,
               and
               reason
               little
               :
               And
               herewith
               to
               observe
               his
               estate
               poured
               down
               a
               common
               
               sewer
               ,
               and
               his
               credit
               and
               reputation
               utterly
               ruined
               ;
               but
               above
               all
               ,
               his
               Soul
               indangered
               to
               come
               into
               everlasting
               burnings
               ,
               and
               all
               this
               for
               the
               love
               of
               drink
               :
               who
               can
               chuse
               but
               in
               his
               thoughts
               score
               up
               such
               a
               man
               as
               fit
               for
               Bethlehem
               ?
            
             
               LET
               us
               take
               only
               one
               instance
               more
               ,
               and
               that
               shall
               be
               in
               that
               passion
               which
               hath
               gotten
               the
               name
               from
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               I
               mean
               Anger
               .
               Every
               man
               knoweth
               that
               health
               is
               best
               preserved
               by
               calmness
               and
               evenness
               of
               mind
               ,
               that
               mens
               interest
               is
               best
               secured
               by
               gentleness
               and
               an
               obliging
               temper
               ,
               their
               safety
               by
               cession
               and
               placableness
               ,
               that
               reason
               is
               highest
               when
               rage
               is
               down
               ;
               that
               business
               is
               best
               carried
               on
               by
               the
               most
               sedate
               prosecution
               ;
               insomuch
               that
               no
               men
               count
               him
               wise
               whom
               they
               observe
               to
               be
               violent
               ,
               nor
               do
               they
               think
               those
               to
               be
               valiant
               that
               they
               see
               huff
               and
               swagger
               .
               Besides
               ,
               passion
               disguises
               a
               man's
               very
               countenance
               ,
               dries
               up
               his
               body
               ,
               brings
               wrinkles
               upon
               his
               face
               ,
               gray
               hairs
               upon
               his
               head
               ,
               hollowness
               of
               eyes
               ,
               withers
               and
               destroys
               him
               :
               It
               puts
               him
               upon
               the
               most
               foolish
               ,
               shamefull
               ,
               and
               dangerous
               adventures
               ,
               which
               at
               the
               same
               time
               it
               usually
               renders
               him
               impotent
               to
               effect
               ,
               or
               if
               he
               effect
               them
               ,
               he
               only
               makes
               matter
               for
               his
               own
               repentance
               as
               long
               as
               he
               lives
               ;
               or
               it
               may
               be
               work
               for
               the
               Executioner
               to
               shorten
               his
               unhappy
               days
               .
               Above
               all
               ,
               it
               is
               contrary
               to
               the
               nature
               of
               God
               who
               is
               a
               God
               of
               peace
               ,
               to
               the
               temper
               of
               the
               blessed
               Jesus
               ,
               who
               was
               an
               example
               of
               meeknesse
               and
               patience
               ;
               it
               utterly
               unfits
               a
               man
               for
               the
               peacefull
               and
               amicable
               society
               of
               Saints
               and
               Angels
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               disposes
               him
               for
               the
               horrid
               fellowship
               of
               fell
               and
               desperate
               Fiends
               in
               the
               regions
               below
               .
               All
               which
               things
               considered
               ,
               when
               we
               see
               a
               man
               boil
               with
               choler
               ,
               foam
               with
               rage
               ,
               pale
               with
               envy
               ,
               and
               indulging
               himself
               in
               this
               humour
               ;
               what
               can
               we
               say
               or
               think
               
               of
               this
               man
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               hath
               lost
               the
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               the
               very
               principles
               of
               manhood
               ?
            
             
               BUT
               perhaps
               it
               may
               be
               said
               ,
               that
               all
               this
               while
               we
               have
               but
               maintained
               a
               Stoical
               Paradox
               ;
               and
               for
               all
               this
               that
               hath
               been
               said
               ,
               vicious
               men
               cannot
               be
               reputed
               mad
               ,
               because
               upon
               other
               occasions
               we
               see
               many
               of
               them
               give
               proof
               of
               wit
               and
               parts
               .
               To
               which
               I
               answer
               ,
               that
               neither
               do
               I
               in
               all
               this
               intend
               to
               intimate
               that
               they
               are
               in
               all
               respects
               mad
               ,
               (
               though
               it
               were
               well
               for
               many
               of
               them
               that
               it
               were
               strictly
               true
               .
               )
               But
               when
               men
               shall
               betray
               the
               most
               egregious
               folly
               ,
               and
               act
               the
               most
               extravagantly
               in
               the
               matters
               of
               greatest
               moment
               ,
               I
               may
               leave
               it
               to
               themselves
               in
               their
               sober
               moods
               to
               judge
               what
               name
               they
               ought
               to
               be
               called
               by
               ,
               whatever
               ingenie
               they
               may
               discover
               in
               lesser
               occasions
               .
               Besides
               ,
               neither
               is
               it
               the
               condition
               of
               all
               those
               that
               are
               acknowledged
               mad
               ,
               to
               do
               nothing
               soberly
               or
               ingeniously
               ;
               all
               or
               most
               have
               their
               Lucid
               intervals
               ,
               and
               there
               are
               some
               in
               whom
               the
               humour
               betrays
               it self
               in
               some
               peculiar
               instances
               onely
               .
               
                 Melancholici
                 quoad
                 hoc
              
               ,
               (
               as
               they
               say
               .
               )
               Talk
               with
               them
               in
               the
               general
               and
               they
               are
               like
               other
               men
               ,
               but
               touch
               upon
               some
               peculiar
               point
               and
               they
               rave
               presently
               .
               So
               it
               is
               with
               these
               men
               we
               speak
               of
               :
               As
               to
               common
               conversation
               and
               the
               affairs
               of
               the
               world
               they
               may
               be
               ingenious
               ,
               and
               perhaps
               in
               some
               repartee
               ,
               or
               other
               trifle
               ,
               (
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               heat
               of
               their
               Spirits
               aforesaid
               )
               beyond
               other
               men
               ;
               but
               as
               to
               the
               businesse
               of
               their
               Souls
               and
               Eternity
               ,
               they
               have
               no
               manly
               sense
               at
               all
               .
               And
               indeed
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               can
               be
               more
               pat
               to
               verify
               what
               I
               have
               been
               saying
               then
               this
               very
               circumstances
               ;
               for
               when
               men
               that
               otherwise
               have
               sense
               and
               understanding
               in
               lesser
               matters
               shall
               be
               so
               extreamly
               absurd
               in
               that
               which
               especially
               requires
               the
               most
               manly
               proceedings
               ,
               it
               is
               the
               very
               
               Symptom
               that
               we
               have
               been
               all
               this
               while
               describing
               .
            
             
               WHICH
               being
               so
               ,
               the
               consequence
               is
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               first
               place
               it
               is
               an
               absurdity
               next
               to
               theirs
               to
               follow
               the
               counsell
               or
               example
               of
               such
               men
               .
               The
               Psalmist
               makes
               it
               the
               first
               step
               to
               felicity
               ,
               not
               to
               
                 stand
                 in
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 the
                 ungodly
                 .
              
               Will
               any
               man
               think
               it
               reasonable
               to
               imitate
               the
               mad
               freaks
               of
               a
               Bedlam
               ,
               because
               he
               sees
               him
               jolly
               and
               brisk
               when
               he
               plays
               them
               ?
               no
               more
               let
               any
               man
               incourage
               himself
               in
               wickednesse
               because
               he
               sees
               the
               high
               rants
               of
               sinners
               :
               rather
               let
               him
               say
               in
               the
               words
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 Father
                 forgive
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 know
                 not
                 what
                 they
                 doe
                 .
              
               Fools
               they
               are
               with
               a
               witnesse
               that
               make
               a
               mock
               of
               sin
               ;
               little
               do
               they
               think
               how
               ill
               this
               jollity
               becomes
               them
               ,
               and
               lesse
               do
               they
               forethink
               what
               will
               be
               the
               end
               of
               such
               courses
               .
            
             
               NOR
               let
               the
               authority
               of
               the
               number
               or
               quality
               of
               such
               persons
               bear
               us
               down
               ,
               for
               folly
               is
               folly
               ,
               let
               who
               will
               be
               the
               Patron
               of
               it
               .
               Can
               precedent
               change
               the
               nature
               of
               things
               ?
               is
               there
               any
               prescription
               against
               reason
               ?
               will
               publick
               vogue
               justify
               Conscience
               ,
               or
               multitude
               of
               voices
               carry
               it
               against
               God
               ?
               Unlesse
               wicked
               men
               could
               not
               only
               efface
               the
               principles
               of
               their
               own
               minds
               and
               Consciences
               ,
               but
               also
               remove
               the
               Pillars
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               change
               the
               course
               of
               nature
               ,
               and
               by
               a
               Gigantick
               enterprize
               wage
               war
               against
               and
               conquer
               Heaven
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               force
               the
               Almighty
               to
               alter
               his
               opinion
               ,
               repeal
               his
               laws
               ,
               and
               revoke
               his
               threatnings
               :
               sin
               will
               everlastingly
               be
               folly
               ,
               and
               perseverance
               therein
               madnesse
               ,
               in
               spight
               of
               multitude
               ,
               fashion
               ,
               custome
               and
               example
               .
               Shall
               I
               therefore
               follow
               their
               examples
               that
               thwart
               God
               ,
               that
               contradict
               their
               own
               Consciences
               ,
               whom
               all
               men
               at
               least
               tacitly
               condemn
               ,
               even
               those
               that
               bruitishly
               and
               sillily
               are
               lead
               by
               them
               ?
               Shall
               I
               make
               those
               my
               guide
               who
               
               have
               so
               little
               foresight
               as
               not
               to
               see
               beyond
               the
               short
               stage
               of
               life
               ?
               Shall
               I
               make
               them
               my
               Counsellors
               that
               make
               so
               foolish
               a
               bargain
               ,
               as
               to
               give
               eternal
               life
               in
               exchange
               for
               momentany
               pleasure
               ?
               that
               have
               so
               bad
               memories
               as
               to
               forget
               they
               have
               immortal
               Souls
               ,
               or
               so
               little
               reason
               as
               to
               think
               there
               is
               no
               God
               ?
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               shall
               I
               take
               them
               for
               wise
               men
               that
               have
               so
               little
               of
               man
               in
               them
               as
               to
               live
               like
               beasts
               ,
               and
               to
               wish
               they
               might
               die
               so
               too
               ?
               Or
               (
               which
               equals
               any
               of
               the
               former
               )
               that
               can
               be
               so
               sottish
               as
               to
               imagine
               they
               can
               goe
               on
               in
               a
               course
               of
               rebellion
               against
               God
               ,
               and
               escape
               eternal
               destruction
               ?
            
             
               AGAIN
               Secondly
               ,
               upon
               the
               premises
               it
               is
               mighty
               reasonable
               ,
               that
               every
               man
               in
               this
               condition
               should
               in
               his
               Lucid
               intervals
               apply
               himself
               most
               effectually
               to
               the
               means
               of
               recovery
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               the
               custome
               of
               Physicians
               to
               administer
               remedies
               in
               a
               Paroxysm
               ,
               (
               but
               such
               as
               may
               abate
               the
               symptoms
               only
               )
               because
               nature
               is
               then
               perverted
               and
               out
               of
               order
               to
               comply
               with
               the
               help
               offered
               to
               it
               ;
               and
               it
               were
               madnesse
               little
               inferiour
               to
               that
               of
               these
               Spiritual
               Lunaticks
               we
               speak
               of
               ,
               to
               deal
               with
               them
               in
               the
               heat
               and
               rage
               of
               their
               passion
               ,
               as
               to
               reprove
               a
               man
               when
               he
               is
               drunk
               ,
               to
               preach
               meeknesse
               to
               a
               man
               in
               a
               fury
               ,
               &c.
               all
               we
               can
               doe
               then
               is
               to
               pity
               and
               pray
               for
               them
               .
               But
               when
               the
               fit
               is
               over
               and
               the
               patient
               in
               a
               sedate
               temper
               ,
               then
               is
               the
               time
               for
               application
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               the
               greatest
               uncharitablenesse
               in
               the
               world
               not
               to
               help
               them
               what
               we
               can
               ,
               or
               to
               forbear
               to
               admonish
               them
               as
               the
               Angel
               did
               Lot
               when
               he
               had
               drawn
               him
               out
               of
               
                 Sodom
                 ,
                 Escape
                 for
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 look
                 not
                 back
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               But
               especially
               when
               the
               sinner
               is
               in
               his
               right
               mind
               ,
               apprehensive
               of
               his
               former
               folly
               ,
               sees
               the
               emptinesse
               of
               what
               he
               so
               eagerly
               pursued
               ,
               nauseates
               his
               own
               choice
               ,
               and
               either
               feels
               or
               foresees
               the
               consequence
               of
               it
               ;
               Then
               is
               the
               
               only
               time
               for
               him
               to
               call
               in
               his
               thoughts
               ,
               to
               deplore
               his
               unreasonablenesse
               ,
               to
               shame
               himself
               and
               feel
               remorse
               for
               his
               wickednesse
               ,
               to
               take
               a
               just
               measure
               of
               things
               ,
               to
               renew
               his
               vows
               ,
               to
               fortify
               his
               resolutions
               ,
               to
               beg
               God's
               grace
               ,
               and
               to
               lay
               all
               the
               obligations
               possible
               upon
               himself
               ,
               to
               withstand
               all
               the
               occasions
               of
               relapsing
               .
               To
               which
               purpose
               let
               him
               consider
               with
               himself
               ,
               
                 It
                 was
                 God's
                 unspeakable
                 patience
                 and
                 mercy
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 was
                 not
                 snatcht
                 away
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 my
                 riot
                 and
                 debauch
                 .
                 I
                 that
                 abused
                 so
                 much
                 goodnesse
                 ,
                 broke
                 so
                 righteous
                 a
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 affronted
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 just
                 with
                 God
                 to
                 have
                 cut
                 off
                 the
                 thred
                 of
                 my
                 life
                 and
                 let
                 me
                 drop
                 into
                 Hell.
                 Oh
                 what
                 absurd
                 folly
                 possessed
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 dust
                 and
                 ashes
                 should
                 oppose
                 my
                 Maker
                 !
                 I
                 that
                 could
                 not
                 assure
                 my self
                 of
                 one
                 moments
                 life
                 ,
                 should
                 yet
                 live
                 so
                 as
                 I
                 durst
                 not
                 die
                 ,
                 or
                 if
                 I
                 did
                 must
                 expect
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 damned
                 eternally
                 !
                 Or
                 what
                 if
                 God
                 sparing
                 my
                 life
                 had
                 given
                 me
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 reprobate
                 mind
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 profane
                 spirit
                 ,
                 had
                 never
                 solicited
                 me
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 nor
                 awakened
                 my
                 Conscience
                 more
                 ,
                 but
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   unjust
                   be
                   unjust
                   still
                   ,
                   and
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   filthy
                   be
                   filthy
                   still
                   ,
                   &c.
                
                 and
                 so
                 I
                 had
                 gone
                 blind-fold
                 to
                 destruction
                 ?
                 Blessed
                 be
                 his
                 holy
                 name
                 ,
                 and
                 happy
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 my
                 poor
                 Soul
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 lived
                 to
                 see
                 my
                 shame
                 ,
                 feel
                 my
                 disease
                 ,
                 and
                 bewail
                 my
                 folly
                 .
                 O
                 my
                 Soul
                 
                   sin
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   lest
                   a
                   worse
                   thing
                   happen
                   to
                   thee
                   .
                
              
            
             
               And
               this
               brings
               me
               to
               the
               Second
               Part
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               The
               Prodigal's
               return
               .
            
             
               
                 And
                 he
                 would
                 faine
                 have
                 filled
                 his
                 belly
                 with
                 the
                 husks
                 that
                 y
                 e
                 swine
                 did
                 eat
                 :
                 S
                 
                 t.
                 LVKE
                 .
                 XV.
                 ●●
              
               
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                   〈◊〉
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                   Maxim.
                   Tyr.
                
                 differ
                 .
                 31.
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
           
             THE
             PARABLE
             OF
             THE
             Prodigal
             Son.
             
          
           
             PART
             II.
             
          
           
             The
             Penitent
             ,
             or
             the
             Prodigal
             returning
             .
          
           
             
               
                 S.
                 Luke
                 15.
                 
                 Vers
                 .
                 17
                 ,
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 hired
                 Servants
                 of
                 my
                 Father's
                 have
                 bread
                 enough
                 and
                 to
                 spare
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 perish
                 with
                 hunger
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 will
                 arise
                 and
                 goe
                 to
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 say
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 Father
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 sinned
                 against
                 Heaven
                 and
                 before
                 thee
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 am
                 no
                 more
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 thy
                 Son
                 :
                 make
                 me
                 as
                 one
                 of
                 thy
                 hired
                 Servants
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 he
                 arose
                 ,
                 and
                 came
                 to
                 his
                 Father
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 yet
                 a
                 great
                 way
                 off
                 ,
                 his
                 Father
                 saw
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 compassion
                 ,
                 and
                 ran
                 and
                 fell
                 on
                 his
                 neck
                 ,
                 and
                 kissed
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 the
                 Son
                 said
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 Father
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 sinned
                 against
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 thy
                 sight
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 no
                 more
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 thy
                 Son.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               I.
               
            
             
               Of
               Consideration
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     The
                     general
                     concern
                     of
                     Repentance
                     .
                     The
                     reason
                     why
                     ,
                     notwithstanding
                     ,
                     there
                     is
                     little
                     mention
                     made
                     of
                     it
                     in
                     the
                     Law
                     of
                     Moses
                     .
                     The
                     peculiar
                     necessity
                     of
                     it
                     to
                     those
                     who
                     have
                     been
                     great
                     sinners
                     :
                     the
                     parts
                     thereof
                     as
                     they
                     are
                     alluded
                     to
                     in
                     this
                     Parable
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     Of
                     the
                     nature
                     of
                     Consideration
                     ;
                     and
                     that
                     it
                     usually
                     begins
                     conversion
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     Affliction
                     usually
                     brings
                     men
                     to
                     Consideration
                     ,
                     prosperity
                     commonly
                     rendring
                     them
                     either
                     light
                     and
                     incogitant
                     ,
                     or
                     confident
                     and
                     presumptuous
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     The
                     peculiar
                     meditations
                     of
                     a
                     returning
                     sinner
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               HITHERTO
               in
               the
               former
               part
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               in
               the
               person
               of
               a
               light
               incogitant
               young-man
               ,
               we
               have
               seen
               the
               deplorable
               effects
               of
               rashnesse
               and
               folly
               ,
               pride
               and
               curiosity
               ,
               insolence
               and
               disobedience
               ,
               how
               they
               work
               jointly
               and
               severally
               together
               and
               by
               turns
               ,
               till
               by
               degrees
               they
               have
               trained
               him
               on
               to
               his
               utter
               ruine
               .
               His
               pride
               raises
               him
               so
               high
               that
               he
               must
               fall
               ,
               his
               licentiousnesse
               betrays
               him
               to
               slavery
               ,
               and
               his
               luxury
               to
               extream
               necessity
               .
               And
               under
               this
               Type
               we
               have
               seen
               lively
               pourtrayed
               the
               beginnings
               ,
               the
               progresse
               ,
               the
               upshot
               ,
               the
               causes
               and
               the
               effects
               of
               a
               sinfull
               course
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               high
               time
               for
               the
               Prodigal
               to
               think
               of
               returning
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               perishing
               by
               his
               
               disobedience
               ,
               and
               had
               no
               other
               refuge
               but
               in
               his
               Father's
               clemency
               ;
               and
               sure
               it
               is
               time
               for
               the
               sinner
               to
               repent
               and
               return
               to
               God
               ,
               when
               (
               if
               he
               be
               sensible
               of
               any
               thing
               )
               he
               cannot
               but
               be
               apprehensive
               that
               in
               the
               course
               he
               is
               in
               ,
               the
               danger
               of
               his
               eternal
               ruine
               is
               as
               certainly
               impendent
               as
               it
               is
               more
               intolerable
               .
            
             
               AND
               thus
               far
               we
               have
               sadly
               observed
               the
               steps
               of
               descent
               towards
               Hell
               :
               we
               come
               now
               in
               this
               Second
               Part
               to
               descry
               the
               way
               of
               recovery
               ,
               to
               trace
               out
               a
               plain
               path
               towards
               Heaven
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               to
               lay
               open
               the
               beginnings
               ,
               the
               motives
               ,
               the
               whole
               nature
               and
               processe
               of
               repentance
               .
               And
               the
               divine
               wisedom
               of
               our
               Saviour
               hath
               so
               contrived
               this
               Parable
               ,
               that
               all
               the
               lines
               of
               this
               great
               work
               are
               as
               plainly
               discernible
               in
               the
               narrative
               of
               the
               Prodigal's
               return
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               already
               seen
               the
               progresse
               of
               sin
               delineated
               in
               his
               former
               extravagancy
               .
               Wherefore
               as
               I
               cannot
               but
               hope
               that
               the
               genuine
               efficacy
               of
               plain
               truth
               ,
               especially
               invigorated
               by
               so
               curious
               a
               scheme
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               former
               part
               ,
               must
               needs
               have
               put
               every
               man
               into
               some
               concern
               ,
               who
               hath
               stained
               his
               Conscience
               with
               guilt
               ,
               but
               not
               quite
               extinguished
               it
               :
               So
               I
               see
               lesse
               cause
               to
               doubt
               but
               that
               this
               Second
               Part
               will
               be
               very
               acceptable
               and
               usefull
               to
               all
               those
               upon
               whom
               the
               former
               made
               any
               impression
               .
               For
               if
               he
               that
               could
               pretend
               to
               be
               able
               to
               direct
               those
               who
               have
               bankrupt
               their
               fortunes
               ,
               how
               they
               might
               certainly
               repair
               their
               losses
               ,
               and
               redintegrate
               their
               estates
               ,
               shall
               be
               sure
               to
               have
               a
               great
               many
               attentive
               Auditors
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               should
               undertake
               the
               cure
               of
               those
               that
               have
               received
               a
               sentence
               of
               death
               within
               themselves
               ,
               and
               have
               been
               given
               up
               as
               no
               longer
               men
               of
               this
               world
               ,
               would
               be
               sure
               to
               have
               good
               store
               of
               Patients
               :
               There
               is
               far
               greater
               reason
               to
               expect
               it
               ,
               that
               such
               a
               discourse
               as
               pretends
               to
               give
               relief
               to
               guilty
               Consciences
               ,
               to
               open
               a
               sure
               port
               
               for
               all
               troubled
               Souls
               ,
               should
               find
               acceptance
               with
               all
               such
               as
               are
               not
               in
               the
               very
               extremity
               of
               one
               of
               those
               fits
               of
               madnesse
               we
               lately
               spoke
               of
               .
            
             
               TERTVLLIAN
               
                 writing
                 a
                 discourse
                 of
                 the
                 nature
                 and
                 efficacy
                 of
                 repentance
                 ,
              
               
               
                 gives
                 this
                 serious
                 account
                 of
                 so
                 doing
                 in
                 the
                 latter
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 Treatise
                 ,
              
               Being
               conscious
               (
               
                 saith
                 he
              
               )
               to
               my self
               that
               I
               am
               a
               great
               sinner
               ,
               I
               cannot
               easily
               be
               silent
               concerning
               repentance
               ,
               especially
               since
               it
               is
               preached
               and
               recommended
               to
               all
               posterity
               by
               our
               first
               Parent
               Adam
               ,
               as
               that
               which
               he
               found
               by
               experience
               to
               have
               been
               the
               onely
               expedient
               of
               restoring
               him
               again
               to
               Paradise
               ,
               after
               he
               had
               sinned
               against
               God.
               
                 And
                 not
                 onely
                 our
                 first
                 Parents
                 but
                 all
                 their
                 Off-spring
                 have
                 been
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 repentance
                 ,
              
               forasmuch
               as
               all
               have
               sinned
               ,
               and
               come
               short
               of
               the
               glory
               of
               God
               ,
               And
               if
               God
               should
               be
               extreme
               to
               mark
               what
               is
               done
               amiss
               ,
               no
               man
               living
               could
               be
               justified
               .
            
             
               REPENTANCE
               is
               (
               as
               the
               same
               Authour
               calls
               it
               ,
               )
               the
               Pharos
               or
               Watch-tower
               ,
               which
               gives
               light
               by
               night
               to
               those
               who
               are
               bewildered
               by
               their
               own
               vanity
               and
               the
               illusion
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               and
               are
               ready
               to
               sink
               of
               their
               own
               leaks
               .
               'T
               is
               the
               great
               Asylum
               and
               Sanctuary
               of
               humane
               infirmity
               ,
               the
               Port
               of
               a
               troubled
               Soul
               ,
               a
               Plank
               to
               a
               ship-wreckt
               Conscience
               ,
               a
               Sovereign
               Plaister
               to
               the
               Sore
               and
               Wounded
               ,
               Physick
               to
               the
               Sick
               ,
               nay
               ,
               life
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               and
               resurrection
               from
               the
               Grave
               .
               Repentance
               is
               the
               miracle
               of
               divine
               goodnesse
               ,
               the
               reconciler
               of
               the
               divine
               Attributes
               ,
               Justice
               and
               Mercy
               ,
               the
               relief
               and
               succour
               of
               humane
               frailty
               ,
               the
               envy
               of
               Devils
               as
               that
               which
               they
               cannot
               attain
               to
               ,
               and
               the
               peculiar
               and
               inestimable
               priviledge
               of
               mankind
               ,
               that
               which
               their
               amendment
               ,
               comfort
               and
               eternal
               salvation
               depends
               upon
               .
            
             
               THEREFORE
               it
               may
               justly
               seem
               a
               wonder
               that
               the
               Law
               of
               Moses
               takes
               little
               or
               no
               notice
               of
               it
               ,
               
               but
               the
               reason
               is
               ,
               because
               the
               Mosaical
               institution
               was
               never
               intended
               as
               the
               method
               of
               attaining
               eternal
               life
               ,
               but
               principally
               as
               a
               Political
               Law
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               it
               takes
               notice
               only
               of
               matter
               of
               fact
               ,
               allows
               no
               retrieval
               ,
               but
               saith
               ,
               
                 Cursed
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 continues
                 not
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 written
                 in
                 the
                 book
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 to
                 doe
                 them
                 .
              
               But
               the
               Prophets
               all
               along
               earnestly
               recommend
               repentance
               ;
               with
               this
               both
               our
               Saviour
               and
               S.
               Jo.
               Baptist
               began
               their
               Preaching
               ,
               and
               indeed
               ,
               this
               is
               the
               summe
               of
               the
               whole
               Gospel
               .
               That
               God
               will
               
                 wink
                 at
                 the
                 times
                 of
                 former
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 commands
                 all
                 men
                 every
                 where
                 to
                 repent
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 appointed
                 a
                 day
                 wherein
                 he
                 will
                 judge
                 the
                 world
                 in
                 righteousness
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Act.
               17.
               30
               ,
               31.
               
            
             
               IT
               is
               true
               ,
               (
               as
               we
               have
               intimated
               already
               )
               all
               have
               not
               the
               same
               necessity
               of
               repentance
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               not
               of
               the
               same
               measures
               and
               circumstances
               ,
               because
               all
               have
               not
               run
               the
               same
               risk
               of
               folly
               ,
               nor
               blackened
               their
               Souls
               with
               the
               same
               enormous
               commissions
               that
               some
               others
               have
               ,
               and
               therefore
               cannot
               have
               such
               bitter
               reflections
               ,
               for
               which
               they
               have
               given
               no
               cause
               ,
               nor
               can
               find
               such
               difficulty
               of
               recovering
               themselves
               ,
               having
               never
               been
               habituated
               to
               a
               course
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               therefore
               as
               our
               Saviour
               said
               ,
               
                 He
                 came
                 not
                 to
                 call
                 the
                 righteous
                 but
                 sinners
                 to
                 repentance
                 :
              
               so
               we
               intend
               not
               this
               discourse
               principally
               for
               such
               persons
               :
               but
               for
               those
               that
               have
               run
               a
               long
               course
               of
               notorious
               sin
               ,
               that
               have
               provoked
               God
               ,
               offended
               their
               Conscience
               ,
               deformed
               their
               natures
               ,
               and
               put
               themselves
               under
               just
               and
               dreadfull
               apprehensions
               of
               a
               sad
               account
               hereafter
               ;
               it
               is
               the
               infinite
               concern
               of
               such
               men
               ,
               if
               they
               do
               not
               desperately
               abandon
               themselves
               to
               eternal
               misery
               ,
               to
               attend
               to
               this
               happy
               expedient
               which
               now
               I
               am
               to
               explain
               .
            
             
               TO
               come
               therefore
               to
               the
               businesse
               .
               Our
               Saviour
               in
               the
               part
               of
               the
               Parable
               before
               us
               ,
               represents
               
               the
               Prodigal
               making
               his
               retreat
               in
               this
               order
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               He
               becomes
               a
               thinking
               and
               considerative
               person
               ,
               and
               debates
               his
               own
               case
               with
               himself
               .
               
                 When
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 himself
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 How
                 many
                 hired
                 Servants
                 of
                 my
                 Father's
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Before
               he
               drove
               on
               furiously
               ,
               considering
               nothing
               present
               ,
               reflecting
               on
               nothing
               past
               ,
               nor
               regarding
               any
               thing
               that
               might
               come
               after
               :
               now
               he
               grows
               cool
               ,
               reasons
               the
               case
               ,
               and
               deliberates
               what
               is
               like
               to
               be
               the
               issue
               of
               his
               present
               state
               ,
               and
               what
               is
               fittest
               to
               be
               done
               for
               the
               future
               .
               And
               thus
               the
               penitent
               sinner
               ;
               the
               first
               essay
               of
               repentance
               is
               a
               relenting
               thoughtfullnesse
               ,
               a
               serious
               and
               pensive
               consideratenesse
               .
               As
               soon
               as
               he
               is
               gotten
               out
               of
               the
               noise
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               the
               charms
               of
               pleasure
               ,
               and
               the
               hurry
               of
               his
               own
               passions
               ,
               he
               sits
               down
               and
               considers
               ,
               he
               practises
               to
               see
               with
               his
               own
               eyes
               ,
               and
               not
               be
               led
               by
               rumour
               and
               example
               ;
               he
               exercises
               his
               reason
               ,
               and
               resolves
               to
               judge
               impartially
               of
               things
               :
               and
               from
               this
               point
               of
               time
               the
               first
               conceptions
               of
               good
               in
               him
               bear
               date
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               From
               the
               aforesaid
               deliberation
               he
               proceeds
               to
               resolution
               .
               
                 I
                 will
                 arise
                 and
                 goe
                 to
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
                 q.
                 d.
              
               
               
                 I
                 foolishly
                 hurried
                 on
                 hitherto
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 upon
                 the
                 brink
                 of
                 destruction
                 before
                 I
                 apprehended
                 my
                 danger
                 ;
                 I
                 dreamed
                 of
                 new
                 discoveries
                 ,
                 of
                 fresh
                 pleasures
                 in
                 my
                 bold
                 adventures
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 now
                 perceive
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 one
                 way
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 try
                 my
                 Father's
                 clemency
                 or
                 perish
                 .
                 Whether
                 he
                 will
                 receive
                 me
                 or
                 no
                 I
                 cannot
                 tell
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 I
                 find
                 must
                 be
                 the
                 way
                 or
                 none
                 ,
                 therefore
                 I
                 will
                 make
                 the
                 experiment
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 better
                 to
                 retract
                 my
                 folly
                 and
                 live
                 ,
                 then
                 obstinately
                 to
                 maintain
                 my
                 post
                 and
                 die
                 miserably
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 some
                 hope
                 this
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 none
                 at
                 all
                 the
                 other
                 :
                 therefore
                 
                   jacta
                   est
                   alea
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   return
                   .
                
                 Thus
                 also
                 the
                 penitent
                 sinner
                 :
                 Now
                 
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 mine
                 eyes
                 are
                 opened
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 very
                 late
                 ,
                 yet
                 now
                 at
                 last
                 I
                 see
                 my
                 danger
                 ,
                 and
                 blessed
                 be
                 God
                 that
                 I
                 see
                 whither
                 I
                 was
                 going
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 case
                 be
                 utterly
                 desperate
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 damn'd
                 if
                 I
                 continue
                 my
                 course
                 ,
                 what-ever
                 come
                 on
                 't
                 therefore
                 I
                 'll
                 return
                 .
                 Whatsoever
                 discouragements
                 for
                 my
                 acceptance
                 ,
                 my
                 former
                 rebellions
                 set
                 before
                 me
                 ;
                 or
                 whatsoever
                 difficulty
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 for
                 an
                 old
                 habituate
                 sinner
                 to
                 change
                 his
                 bias
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 resolved
                 however
                 not
                 to
                 perish
                 foolishly
                 with
                 my
                 hands
                 folded
                 up
                 in
                 my
                 bosome
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 arise
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 try
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               THIS
               resolution
               is
               followed
               by
               execution
               and
               actual
               returning
               .
               
                 So
                 he
                 arose
                 and
                 went
                 to
                 his
                 Father
                 .
              
               He
               that
               considers
               and
               comes
               to
               no
               resolution
               ,
               is
               like
               the
               man
               that
               ploughs
               his
               ground
               but
               sows
               nothing
               upon
               it
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               resolves
               ,
               but
               executes
               not
               ,
               is
               yet
               more
               sottish
               ,
               for
               he
               is
               at
               all
               the
               cost
               ,
               and
               takes
               all
               the
               pains
               ,
               but
               reaps
               no
               fruit
               of
               his
               labours
               .
               There
               is
               such
               a
               near
               connexion
               between
               consideration
               ,
               resolution
               and
               execution
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               so
               naturally
               consequent
               upon
               one
               another
               ;
               that
               as
               on
               the
               one
               side
               ,
               consideration
               brings
               on
               resolution
               ,
               and
               that
               practice
               ;
               so
               much
               more
               on
               the
               other
               ,
               from
               a
               man's
               practice
               we
               may
               ordinarily
               pronounce
               of
               his
               resolutions
               ,
               and
               from
               that
               certainly
               calculate
               his
               meditations
               .
               But
               to
               the
               point
               in
               hand
               :
               
                 I
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 Prodigal
                 )
                 have
                 delayed
                 too
                 long
                 already
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 consider
                 and
                 make
                 resolutions
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 sit
                 and
                 starve
                 ;
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 doing
                 must
                 rescue
                 me
                 from
                 my
                 misery
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 he
                 arose
              
               ,
               and
               so
               doth
               the
               true
               Penitent
               .
            
             
               BUT
               these
               things
               are
               not
               to
               be
               passed
               over
               thus
               superficially
               ,
               therefore
               we
               will
               handle
               them
               particularly
               .
               And
               accordingly
            
             
               §
               II.
               I
               Begin
               with
               the
               first
               ,
               viz.
               Consideration
               or
               Deliberation
               .
               
               By
               which
               I
               mean
               not
               a
               mopish
               and
               ineffective
               dozinesse
               ,
               when
               men
               seem
               to
               think
               profoundly
               ,
               but
               apprehend
               nothing
               at
               all
               distinctly
               ;
               their
               understandings
               being
               amused
               and
               baffled
               with
               a
               new
               and
               strange
               prospect
               ,
               as
               if
               looking
               back
               upon
               their
               former
               miscarriages
               had
               (
               with
               
               Lot's
               Wife
               )
               transformed
               them
               into
               a
               Pillar
               of
               Salt.
               Much
               lesse
               do
               I
               mean
               a
               solemn
               austerity
               of
               temper
               ,
               and
               rigid
               fixation
               of
               spirits
               ;
               as
               if
               men
               had
               forgone
               all
               touches
               of
               humanity
               ,
               and
               were
               become
               a
               kind
               of
               walking
               Ghosts
               .
               Both
               these
               are
               passions
               of
               the
               body
               ,
               not
               motions
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               and
               if
               they
               are
               not
               counterfeit
               ,
               tend
               more
               to
               desperation
               then
               conversion
               ;
               and
               there
               is
               danger
               lest
               such
               men
               are
               falling
               from
               a
               vicious
               phrenzy
               (
               as
               we
               not
               long
               since
               called
               it
               )
               to
               a
               strictly
               literal
               ,
               and
               more
               incurable
               madnesse
               .
            
             
               BUT
               by
               Consideration
               ,
               so
               far
               as
               concerns
               the
               business
               in
               hand
               ,
               I
               understand
               nothing
               more
               nor
               less
               ,
               but
               a
               manly
               and
               a
               serious
               application
               of
               our
               minds
               to
               take
               a
               just
               and
               impartial
               view
               of
               our selves
               ,
               and
               of
               all
               such
               things
               as
               most
               concern
               us
               ,
               to
               the
               end
               that
               we
               may
               govern
               our
               determinations
               and
               carriage
               accordingly
               .
               For
               the
               fuller
               apprehension
               of
               this
               ,
               we
               are
               to
               remember
               (
               what
               I
               have
               in
               part
               intimated
               before
               )
               that
               the
               mind
               of
               man
               hath
               these
               four
               priviledges
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               IT
               hath
               not
               only
               a
               perceptive
               power
               of
               such
               things
               as
               are
               present
               ,
               which
               is
               common
               to
               the
               inferiour
               and
               animal
               faculties
               ,
               but
               hath
               a
               large
               sphere
               of
               cognizance
               ,
               recalling
               things
               past
               ,
               and
               having
               a
               solicitude
               and
               forethought
               of
               things
               to
               come
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               THE
               rational
               powers
               of
               the
               Soul
               are
               not
               meerly
               passive
               as
               the
               inferiour
               are
               ,
               which
               only
               take
               notice
               of
               such
               images
               of
               things
               in
               transitu
               and
               glance
               ,
               as
               are
               reflected
               upon
               them
               from
               the
               Senses
               ,
               but
               these
               can
               fix
               themselves
               ,
               and
               their
               objects
               can
               hold
               the
               
               images
               of
               things
               steddy
               ,
               and
               stay
               and
               arrest
               their
               own
               motions
               towards
               them
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               THE
               mind
               of
               man
               doth
               not
               take
               so
               superficial
               a
               view
               of
               things
               ,
               as
               to
               discern
               only
               the
               pleasantness
               or
               unpleasantness
               of
               them
               ,
               wherein
               natural
               good
               and
               evil
               consists
               ,
               but
               is
               able
               to
               discern
               and
               pronounce
               of
               an
               higher
               and
               more
               exquisite
               beauty
               or
               deformity
               ,
               excellency
               or
               turpitude
               from
               the
               relation
               to
               God
               ,
               to
               the
               community
               ,
               to
               the
               nature
               of
               our
               own
               Souls
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               time
               to
               come
               ;
               wherein
               consists
               that
               which
               we
               call
               moral
               good
               and
               evil
               .
               And
               this
               is
               that
               rational
               sense
               or
               relish
               ,
               the
               Criterion
               or
               standard
               of
               the
               Soul
               I
               formerly
               spoke
               of
               .
            
             
               LASTLY
               ,
               the
               Soul
               is
               able
               also
               to
               reflect
               upon
               it self
               ,
               to
               measure
               its
               own
               motions
               ,
               and
               its
               own
               state
               ,
               by
               the
               standard
               aforesaid
               ;
               and
               so
               becomes
               aware
               of
               ,
               and
               corrects
               its
               own
               errours
               for
               the
               time
               past
               ,
               and
               takes
               better
               aim
               for
               the
               time
               to
               come
               .
            
             
               NOW
               the
               exercising
               of
               these
               several
               capacities
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               is
               that
               which
               we
               mean
               by
               Consideration
               .
               Namely
               ,
               then
               a
               man
               considers
               when
               in
               the
               first
               place
               he
               suffers
               not
               himself
               to
               be
               carried
               away
               with
               the
               prejudice
               of
               Sense
               ,
               nor
               confines
               his
               thoughts
               to
               such
               things
               as
               are
               thereby
               presented
               to
               him
               ;
               but
               inlarges
               his
               prospect
               ,
               looks
               round
               about
               him
               ,
               takes
               one
               thing
               with
               another
               ,
               and
               embraces
               in
               his
               mind
               the
               whole
               nature
               ,
               tendency
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               circumstances
               of
               things
               .
               This
               is
               well
               intimated
               by
               the
               Latines
               in
               either
               of
               these
               words
               ,
               Contemplari
               and
               Considerare
               ,
               which
               seem
               to
               allude
               to
               Astronomical
               Calculations
               ,
               wherein
               men
               ought
               not
               
                 ad
                 pauca
                 respicere
              
               ,
               to
               confine
               their
               observations
               to
               some
               one
               appearance
               ,
               but
               to
               look
               round
               about
               them
               ,
               to
               survey
               the
               whole
               Orb
               ,
               and
               salve
               all
               the
               Phaenomena
               .
               Thus
               a
               man
               considers
               morally
               that
               observes
               his
               own
               actions
               ,
               that
               recollects
               
               what
               hath
               befallen
               himself
               ,
               or
               other
               men
               upon
               so
               doing
               ,
               and
               forecasts
               what
               may
               befall
               him
               or
               them
               hereafter
               .
            
             
               AGAIN
               ,
               when
               a
               man
               lives
               not
               extempore
               ,
               but
               premeditates
               ,
               nor
               suffers
               himself
               to
               be
               overborn
               ,
               either
               by
               the
               presence
               and
               importunity
               of
               sensual
               objects
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               solicitation
               and
               hurry
               of
               passions
               ,
               but
               checks
               his
               own
               carrier
               ,
               and
               gives
               himself
               leisure
               calmly
               and
               maturely
               to
               understand
               the
               just
               nature
               of
               things
               ,
               defixes
               his
               thoughts
               ,
               and
               suspends
               his
               determination
               till
               he
               see
               plain
               reason
               to
               incline
               him
               this
               way
               ,
               or
               that
               this
               is
               a
               considerative
               man.
               Especially
               when
               a
               man
               takes
               not
               things
               in
               the
               gross
               ,
               as
               if
               all
               were
               alike
               trivial
               ,
               or
               alike
               momentous
               ,
               nor
               suffers
               himself
               to
               be
               led
               along
               by
               common
               custome
               ,
               opinion
               and
               example
               ;
               that
               takes
               not
               the
               price
               of
               things
               from
               publick
               fame
               ,
               but
               appeals
               to
               and
               estimates
               all
               things
               by
               the
               just
               standard
               of
               reason
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               governs
               his
               desires
               and
               prosecutions
               :
               the
               man
               I
               say
               ,
               that
               distinguishes
               and
               makes
               a
               discrimination
               betwixt
               one
               thing
               and
               another
               ,
               that
               goes
               not
               by
               tale
               and
               number
               ,
               but
               by
               weight
               and
               proof
               ;
               is
               justly
               esteemed
               a
               thinking
               and
               serious
               person
               .
               For
               so
               the
               Greek
               words
               used
               in
               this
               case
               import
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               signifying
               
                 to
                 confer
                 ,
                 compare
              
               ,
               and
               distinguish
               :
               as
               also
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 to
                 state
                 the
                 matter
                 ,
                 to
                 cast
                 up
                 accounts
              
               ;
               and
               so
               also
               the
               Latine
               word
               deliberare
               ,
               which
               Festus
               derives
               from
               libra
               ,
               as
               ,
               
                 deciding
                 the
                 matter
                 by
                 the
                 scale
              
               ;
               in
               like
               manner
               ,
               
                 examinare
                 ,
                 to
                 observe
                 ,
                 quà
                 lanx
                 exeat
                 ,
                 which
                 way
                 the
                 scale
                 turns
                 .
              
            
             
               LASTLY
               ,
               when
               a
               man
               turns
               his
               eyes
               inward
               ,
               studies
               himself
               ,
               makes
               himself
               his
               theam
               ,
               and
               comments
               upon
               himself
               and
               his
               own
               actions
               ,
               hath
               his
               eyes
               in
               his
               head
               ,
               minding
               his
               own
               way
               ,
               having
               propounded
               a
               destined
               mark
               and
               aim
               of
               his
               actions
               ;
               keeps
               it
               constantly
               
               in
               his
               eye
               ,
               and
               shapes
               his
               course
               accordingly
               ;
               not
               like
               the
               fool
               in
               the
               Proverbs
               of
               Solomon
               ,
               that
               hath
               his
               eyes
               roving
               ,
               and
               
                 in
                 the
                 ends
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
              
               This
               is
               that
               the
               Hebrews
               express
               by
               the
               phrase
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 to
                 lay
                 to
                 heart
              
               ;
               or
               in
               the
               other
               phrase
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               Psal
               .
               4.
               4.
               
               
                 To
                 commune
                 with
                 ones
                 own
                 heart
                 .
              
               This
               is
               that
               which
               we
               mean
               by
               considerativeness
               ,
               or
               in
               other
               words
               ,
               the
               working
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               the
               discharge
               of
               both
               its
               offices
               .
            
             
               AND
               by
               such
               kind
               of
               consideration
               as
               this
               doth
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               and
               his
               holy
               Spirit
               begin
               the
               work
               of
               conversion
               ;
               and
               herein
               do
               the
               first
               strictures
               and
               essays
               of
               piety
               discover
               themselves
               .
            
             
               It
               was
               wont
               to
               be
               said
               by
               the
               Platonists
               ,
               that
               knowledge
               is
               nothing
               but
               remembrance
               ,
               and
               that
               all
               the
               discovery
               of
               truth
               ,
               which
               we
               in
               this
               state
               are
               able
               with
               all
               our
               labour
               and
               diligence
               to
               make
               ,
               is
               but
               a
               revival
               and
               recovery
               of
               those
               Idea's
               of
               things
               we
               had
               in
               a
               former
               state
               ,
               and
               which
               now
               became
               obscure
               and
               confused
               by
               our
               being
               immersed
               in
               matter
               and
               body
               .
               But
               let
               that
               be
               as
               it
               may
               ,
               it
               is
               true
               in
               the
               present
               case
               ,
               that
               the
               first
               point
               of
               true
               practical
               wisedom
               is
               gained
               by
               studying
               a
               man's
               self
               ,
               and
               by
               making
               himself
               the
               subject
               of
               his
               meditations
               .
               For
               as
               there
               is
               nothing
               wherein
               we
               betray
               more
               folly
               ,
               nothing
               by
               which
               we
               shipwreck
               our
               Consciences
               ,
               and
               lose
               our selves
               so
               fatally
               ,
               as
               by
               permitting
               our selves
               to
               run
               adrift
               without
               Card
               or
               Compass
               ,
               Port
               or
               Pilot
               ;
               so
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               gives
               greater
               hopes
               of
               recovery
               ,
               then
               being
               able
               and
               disposed
               to
               collect
               our selves
               ,
               to
               call
               in
               our
               thoughts
               by
               serious
               consideration
               and
               reflection
               .
               
               To
               which
               purpose
               it
               was
               worthily
               said
               by
               
                 Philo
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 source
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 danger
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 first
                 reason
                 of
                 our
                 miscarriages
                 ,
                 lay
                 in
                 our
                 running
                 on
                 with
                 the
                 boisterous
                 tide
                 of
                 passion
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 first
                 hopes
                 of
                 
                 safety
                 was
                 in
                 being
                 able
                 to
                 stay
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 soberly
                 to
                 reason
                 the
                 matter
                 .
              
               But
               we
               have
               greater
               authority
               for
               it
               then
               
               Philo's
               .
               For
               upon
               defect
               of
               this
               ,
               God
               himself
               lays
               the
               blame
               of
               men's
               ruine
               ;
               and
               in
               this
               he
               places
               the
               first
               signs
               of
               recovery
               .
               So
               we
               find
               him
               complaining
               of
               his
               people
               Israel
               as
               in
               a
               very
               desperate
               condition
               ,
               Isa
               .
               1.
               3.
               
               
                 My
                 people
                 will
                 not
                 consider
              
               :
               and
               therefore
               often
               calls
               upon
               them
               by
               the
               Prophets
               in
               these
               words
               ,
               
                 Thus
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 hosts
                 ,
                 Consider
                 your
                 ways
                 .
              
               But
               most
               emphatically
               doth
               he
               express
               himself
               ,
               Isa
               .
               46.
               8.
               
               
                 Remember
                 and
                 shew
                 your selves
                 men
                 :
                 bring
                 it
                 again
                 to
                 mind
                 O
                 ye
                 transgressours
                 .
              
               And
               it
               is
               very
               observable
               ,
               that
               in
               that
               famous
               Chapter
               ,
               Ezek.
               18.
               where
               above
               any
               other
               passage
               in
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               God
               most
               solemnly
               proclaims
               and
               ratifies
               the
               efficacy
               of
               repentance
               ,
               he
               describes
               the
               first
               lines
               at
               least
               of
               it
               to
               consist
               in
               consideration
               ,
               vers
               .
               14.
               
               
                 A
                 Son
                 that
                 considereth
              
               ,
               &c.
               Again
               ,
               vers
               .
               28.
               
               
                 Because
                 he
                 considereth
                 and
                 turneth
              
               ,
               &c.
               
               To
               all
               these
               adde
               the
               advice
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               Psal
               .
               4.
               4.
               
               
                 Stand
                 in
                 awe
                 and
                 sin
                 not
                 ;
                 commune
                 with
                 your
                 own
                 hearts
                 upon
                 your
                 bed
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 still
                 .
              
               As
               if
               the
               serious
               treating
               with
               our selves
               was
               the
               onely
               way
               ,
               both
               to
               stifle
               the
               temptation
               to
               ,
               and
               to
               extinguish
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               .
               The
               Septuagint
               render
               the
               last
               phrase
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 q.
                 d.
              
               consider
               so
               seriously
               with
               your selves
               at
               your
               best
               retirements
               ,
               the
               evil
               of
               your
               ways
               ,
               and
               the
               danger
               of
               your
               course
               ,
               that
               you
               may
               feel
               remorse
               and
               compunction
               .
               The
               
                 Chaldee
                 Targum
              
               paraphraseth
               thus
               ,
               
                 Let
                 your
                 hearts
                 concur
                 with
                 your
                 mouths
                 in
                 saying
                 your
                 prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 death
                 :
                 q.
                 d.
              
               Affect
               your
               hearts
               seriously
               in
               secret
               with
               a
               deep
               apprehension
               of
               the
               danger
               of
               sin
               .
            
             
               AND
               if
               we
               look
               into
               the
               N.
               Testament
               ,
               nothing
               can
               more
               illustriously
               set
               forth
               this
               which
               we
               are
               asserting
               ,
               then
               those
               two
               Parables
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               Luk.
               14.
               28.
               
               &c.
               
               of
               the
               man
               that
               intends
               to
               build
               a
               Tower
               ,
               and
               a
               King
               going
               to
               war.
               In
               both
               which
               ,
               the
               design
               of
               our
               Saviour
               is
               to
               shew
               ,
               that
               serious
               debating
               ,
               and
               prudent
               forecasting
               all
               the
               difficulties
               of
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               is
               no
               less
               necessary
               to
               him
               that
               intends
               successfully
               to
               undertake
               it
               ,
               then
               those
               grave
               deliberations
               of
               Princes
               ,
               or
               projections
               of
               private
               persons
               ,
               when
               the
               one
               intends
               to
               enter
               into
               a
               dangerous
               war
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               a
               costly
               building
               .
            
             
               IF
               indeed
               conversion
               to
               God
               were
               nothing
               else
               but
               a
               meer
               melancholy
               qualm
               ,
               or
               a
               fright
               :
               if
               I
               say
               repentance
               were
               only
               a
               Paroxysm
               of
               devotion
               ,
               and
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               so
               soft
               and
               easy
               as
               to
               be
               taken
               with
               an
               agony
               of
               mind
               ,
               or
               a
               kind
               of
               love-fit
               :
               then
               an
               inconsiderate
               man
               might
               be
               esteemed
               a
               penitent
               .
               But
               repentance
               being
               nothing
               less
               then
               the
               change
               of
               a
               man's
               whole
               temper
               and
               life
               ,
               the
               entring
               into
               a
               whole
               course
               of
               severe
               and
               constant
               vertue
               ,
               the
               subduing
               our
               most
               potent
               passions
               ,
               the
               denying
               our selves
               some
               of
               the
               most
               pleasant
               gratifications
               of
               flesh
               and
               bloud
               ,
               the
               breaking
               off
               old
               and
               radicated
               customs
               and
               habits
               :
               it
               must
               be
               absolutely
               necessary
               ,
               that
               whosoever
               goes
               through
               with
               it
               ,
               do
               maturely
               consider
               the
               enterprize
               ,
               and
               call
               in
               all
               his
               force
               for
               the
               atchievement
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               OR
               again
               ,
               if
               a
               man
               could
               be
               so
               vain
               and
               unreasonable
               ,
               as
               to
               hope
               that
               God
               would
               save
               men
               by
               force
               ,
               
               doe
               violence
               to
               their
               natures
               ,
               over-bear
               or
               supersede
               their
               faculties
               ,
               and
               plant
               grace
               in
               their
               hearts
               by
               a
               meer
               act
               of
               his
               omnipotency
               ,
               
               and
               new
               make
               them
               after
               the
               manner
               he
               created
               them
               at
               first
               without
               their
               own
               concurrence
               ,
               then
               indeed
               there
               would
               be
               no
               use
               of
               consideration
               ;
               and
               it
               would
               be
               as
               fruitless
               and
               unnecessary
               to
               contribute
               any
               endeavour
               ,
               as
               impossible
               to
               make
               any
               opposition
               .
               But
               those
               that
               dream
               at
               
               this
               rate
               ,
               neither
               understand
               God
               nor
               themselves
               ;
               neither
               what
               is
               fit
               for
               him
               to
               confer
               ,
               nor
               for
               them
               to
               expect
               .
               They
               know
               not
               what
               vertue
               means
               ,
               nor
               apprehend
               whence
               comfort
               arises
               ;
               they
               consider
               not
               what
               a
               righteous
               judgment
               to
               come
               supposes
               ,
               nor
               what
               the
               very
               notion
               of
               reward
               and
               punishment
               speaks
               ;
               they
               make
               no
               difference
               between
               free
               and
               natural
               Agents
               ,
               and
               condomn
               themselves
               to
               senseless
               and
               stupid
               Machines
               ,
               in
               hopes
               to
               be
               made
               Saints
               
                 per
                 saltum
              
               ,
               and
               to
               come
               at
               Heaven
               such
               a
               way
               as
               never
               any
               man
               did
               or
               can
               doe
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               without
               their
               own
               endeavour
               .
            
             
               OR
               lastly
               ,
               if
               a
               man
               could
               perswade
               himself
               ,
               that
               themeans
               of
               grace
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               the
               Word
               and
               Sacraments
               did
               use
               to
               work
               physically
               upon
               men
               ,
               and
               made
               them
               good
               
                 ex
                 opere
                 operato
              
               ,
               (
               as
               some
               speak
               )
               after
               the
               manner
               of
               food
               and
               medicine
               to
               the
               Body
               ,
               which
               take
               place
               whether
               men
               consider
               it
               or
               no
               ,
               and
               oftentimes
               work
               the
               better
               the
               less
               the
               mind
               is
               employed
               in
               thinking
               of
               that
               or
               any
               thing
               else
               :
               upon
               such
               a
               supposition
               there
               were
               no
               reason
               why
               any
               man
               should
               put
               himself
               to
               the
               trouble
               of
               that
               we
               have
               been
               speaking
               of
               .
               But
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               it
               is
               most
               certain
               that
               all
               the
               means
               of
               grace
               have
               effect
               upon
               men's
               Souls
               ,
               no
               otherwise
               then
               by
               awakening
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               and
               making
               men
               considerative
               ,
               and
               then
               men's
               hard
               hearts
               are
               made
               contrine
               by
               operating
               upon
               themselves
               ,
               as
               the
               Diamond
               is
               known
               to
               be
               cut
               by
               its
               own
               dust
               .
               For
               it
               is
               as
               impossible
               that
               Sermons
               ,
               Counsels
               ,
               or
               any
               other
               discourses
               ,
               should
               edify
               the
               mind
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               unless
               his
               understanding
               bring
               them
               close
               ,
               and
               make
               application
               of
               them
               to
               his
               Conscience
               ,
               by
               the
               way
               of
               consideration
               ;
               as
               it
               is
               for
               a
               man's
               Body
               to
               be
               nourished
               by
               meats
               who
               hath
               no
               digestive
               faculty
               ,
               to
               be
               or
               cured
               by
               medicine
               ,
               where
               all
               the
               powers
               of
               nature
               are
               extinguished
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               to
               
               think
               otherwise
               ,
               is
               to
               turn
               devotion
               into
               conjuring
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               divine
               institutions
               into
               charms
               and
               amulets
               .
            
             
               AND
               all
               this
               is
               so
               true
               that
               nothing
               can
               be
               objected
               to
               it
               but
               what
               will
               convince
               the
               objector
               of
               utter
               strangeness
               and
               unacquaintedness
               with
               converting
               grace
               ;
               for
               we
               may
               safely
               appeal
               either
               to
               the
               experience
               of
               every
               such
               convert
               as
               we
               are
               speaking
               of
               ,
               or
               to
               the
               observation
               of
               all
               those
               who
               have
               taken
               notice
               of
               others
               in
               that
               condition
               ,
               whether
               any
               thing
               hath
               been
               more
               remarkably
               visible
               in
               such
               a
               Crists
               ,
               then
               a
               pensive
               ,
               serious
               ,
               and
               considerative
               temper
               .
               And
               it
               were
               easy
               to
               bring
               abundance
               of
               egregious
               instances
               hereof
               ;
               such
               as
               
                 Justin
                 Martyr
              
               ,
               St.
               Austin
               ,
               and
               others
               :
               but
               to
               what
               I
               have
               said
               already
               ,
               I
               will
               only
               subjoin
               two
               or
               three
               Scriptural
               observations
               .
               And
               the
               first
               shall
               be
               what
               David
               saith
               of
               himself
               ,
               Psal
               .
               119.
               vers
               .
               59.
               
               
                 I
                 thought
                 upon
                 my
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 turned
                 my
                 feet
                 to
                 thy
                 precepts
                 .
              
               In
               the
               next
               place
               I
               cannot
               but
               take
               notice
               in
               the
               story
               of
               
                 Isaac
                 ,
                 Gen.
              
               24.
               63.
               the
               Scripture
               saith
               of
               him
               ,
               
                 He
                 went
                 out
                 into
                 the
                 fields
                 to
                 meditate
                 in
                 the
                 evening
                 .
              
               The
               LXX
               render
               it
               ,
               he
               went
               out
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               to
               talk
               with
               himself
               ,
               to
               entertain
               discourse
               with
               his
               own
               heart
               ;
               and
               for
               the
               convenience
               of
               doing
               this
               ,
               he
               chose
               the
               solitude
               of
               the
               Fields
               ,
               and
               the
               cool
               and
               quiet
               of
               the
               Evening
               .
               And
               by
               this
               practice
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               characterizes
               him
               ,
               as
               (
               though
               a
               young
               man
               yet
               )
               beginning
               to
               be
               both
               a
               wise
               and
               a
               pious
               person
               .
               Nor
               is
               it
               to
               be
               omitted
               which
               is
               recorded
               of
               
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 King.
              
               21.
               27.
               
               That
               when
               God
               threatned
               him
               with
               the
               utter
               extirpation
               of
               his
               family
               for
               his
               wickedness
               ,
               he
               put
               on
               Sackcloth
               ,
               sprinkled
               himself
               with
               Ashes
               ,
               and
               especially
               amongst
               the
               rest
               he
               walked
               softly
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               although
               he
               did
               not
               heartily
               repent
               ,
               yet
               he
               knew
               well
               how
               to
               dissemble
               the
               doing
               it
               ,
               and
               acted
               the
               part
               of
               a
               penitent
               in
               that
               serious
               
               and
               considerative
               posture
               .
               I
               will
               conclude
               this
               point
               with
               a
               passage
               of
               the
               Prophet
               Jeremiah
               ,
               Chap.
               31.
               
               Vers
               .
               18
               ,
               19.
               the
               words
               are
               these
               :
               
                 I
                 have
                 surely
                 heard
                 Ephraim
                 bemoaning
                 himself
                 thus
                 ,
                 Thou
                 hast
                 chastised
                 me
                 and
                 I
                 was
                 chastised
                 ;
                 as
                 a
                 bullock
                 unaccustomed
                 to
                 the
                 yoke
                 .
                 Turn
                 thou
                 me
                 and
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 turned
                 ,
                 for
                 thou
                 art
                 the
                 Lord
                 my
                 God.
                 Surely
                 after
                 I
                 was
                 turned
                 I
                 repented
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 I
                 was
                 instructed
                 I
                 smote
                 upon
                 my
                 thigh
                 ;
                 I
                 was
                 ashamed
                 ,
                 yea
                 even
                 confounded
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 did
                 bear
                 the
                 reproach
                 of
                 my
                 youth
                 .
              
               A
               memorable
               Scripture
               very
               full
               and
               apposite
               to
               my
               present
               purpose
               ,
               and
               withall
               so
               pathetick
               as
               that
               it
               is
               almost
               match
               for
               this
               Parable
               of
               our
               Saviour
               we
               have
               before
               us
               .
               The
               reflection
               upon
               both
               which
               together
               lead
               me
               .
            
             
               IN
               the
               second
               place
               to
               observe
               the
               occasion
               ,
               or
               what
               it
               was
               which
               put
               the
               Prodigal
               into
               a
               considerative
               temper
               ;
               and
               that
               was
               the
               pressure
               of
               his
               wants
               :
               whilest
               wind
               and
               tide
               favoured
               him
               ,
               and
               his
               affaris
               were
               prosperous
               ,
               he
               made
               no
               reflections
               ,
               nor
               struck
               sail
               to
               any
               thing
               ;
               but
               now
               the
               tide
               forsaking
               him
               he
               is
               becalmed
               ,
               and
               then
               considers
               .
               In
               like
               manner
               ,
            
             
               §
               III.
               IT
               is
               usually
               some
               affliction
               or
               other
               which
               first
               awakens
               habitual
               sinners
               into
               consideration
               ,
               and
               the
               rudiments
               of
               piety
               and
               religion
               .
               Or
               as
               serious
               considerativeness
               begins
               conversion
               ,
               so
               commonly
               some
               sharp
               affliction
               or
               other
               begins
               that
               seriousness
               .
               It
               cannot
               be
               doubted
               but
               that
               the
               most
               easy
               and
               most
               frequently
               successfull
               way
               of
               begetting
               a
               sense
               of
               God
               and
               of
               piety
               in
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               is
               by
               holy
               education
               in
               their
               youth
               ,
               whilest
               their
               hearts
               are
               tender
               and
               tractable
               ,
               not
               prejudiced
               by
               actual
               ingagements
               ,
               not
               confirmed
               by
               example
               ,
               nor
               hardened
               by
               long
               custome
               and
               practice
               ;
               and
               when
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               anticipates
               the
               Devil
               ,
               and
               prevents
               all
               his
               enterprises
               :
               
               and
               perhaps
               if
               we
               look
               over
               the
               state
               of
               mankind
               ,
               we
               shall
               find
               amongst
               those
               that
               are
               sincerely
               good
               ,
               the
               number
               of
               those
               that
               have
               become
               so
               after
               a
               long
               course
               of
               sin
               ,
               to
               be
               very
               small
               in
               comparison
               .
               We
               may
               also
               allow
               it
               for
               truth
               which
               is
               made
               a
               common
               maxime
               ,
               that
               
                 ingenuous
                 minds
              
               are
               most
               wrought
               upon
               by
               obligation
               and
               favour
               ,
               that
               the
               strongest
               efforts
               are
               those
               which
               are
               made
               by
               kindness
               and
               goodness
               ,
               that
               this
               latter
               method
               will
               melt
               and
               dissolve
               such
               as
               would
               be
               broken
               in
               pieces
               by
               violence
               .
               But
               this
               prejudices
               not
               the
               business
               in
               hand
               ,
               for
               we
               speak
               of
               such
               as
               have
               lost
               their
               ingenuity
               ;
               old
               hardened
               sinners
               ,
               who
               must
               first
               be
               broken
               by
               the
               hammer
               of
               affliction
               before
               they
               will
               dissolve
               by
               the
               benign
               warmth
               of
               mercy
               and
               kindness
               .
               These
               last
               indeed
               carry
               on
               the
               work
               and
               make
               a
               perfect
               change
               ,
               but
               fear
               and
               pain
               usually
               begins
               it
               .
               But
               I
               will
               not
               stick
               to
               grant
               that
               perhaps
               it
               may
               fall
               out
               ,
               that
               some
               old
               sinner
               may
               have
               been
               reclaimed
               by
               the
               reading
               of
               a
               good
               book
               ,
               hearing
               a
               serious
               Sermon
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               grave
               admonition
               of
               a
               faithfull
               Friend
               ,
               without
               any
               pressing
               affliction
               to
               prepare
               him
               for
               it
               ,
               or
               as
               it
               were
               extort
               it
               from
               him
               .
               Notwithstanding
               I
               verily
               believe
               ,
               if
               an
               estimate
               could
               be
               taken
               ,
               the
               instances
               of
               this
               kind
               would
               be
               found
               to
               be
               exceeding
               rare
               .
               We
               find
               Pharaoh
               and
               Nebuchadnezzar
               humbled
               by
               adversity
               ,
               and
               their
               stiff
               Necks
               submitted
               to
               those
               acknowledgements
               of
               God's
               power
               and
               sovereignty
               ,
               which
               no
               kindness
               or
               mercy
               would
               bring
               them
               to
               .
               And
               Manasses
               comes
               out
               a
               true
               convert
               ,
               a
               new
               man
               out
               of
               the
               furnace
               of
               affliction
               .
               And
               David
               himself
               confesses
               of
               himself
               ,
               
                 That
                 before
                 he
                 was
                 afflicted
                 he
                 went
                 astray
                 ,
                 but
                 thereby
                 he
                 had
                 learnt
                 to
                 keep
                 God's
                 Commandments
                 ,
              
               Psal
               .
               119.
               vers
               .
               67.
               
               But
               the
               whole
               Scripture
               affords
               no
               one
               instance
               that
               I
               know
               of
               ,
               of
               such
               a
               person
               as
               we
               speak
               
               of
               ,
               cured
               by
               any
               other
               method
               then
               this
               .
               And
               for
               the
               whole
               Nation
               of
               the
               Jews
               God
               himself
               saith
               thus
               ,
               Hos
               .
               5.
               15.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 go
                 and
                 return
                 to
                 my
                 place
                 till
                 they
                 acknowledge
                 their
                 transgression
                 and
                 seek
                 my
                 face
                 .
                 In
                 their
                 affliction
                 they
                 will
                 seek
                 me
                 early
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               I
               will
               not
               only
               afflict
               my
               people
               ,
               but
               I
               will
               leave
               them
               under
               the
               
                 pressure
                 thereof
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 this
                 rack
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 extort
                 from
                 them
                 a
                 confession
                 of
                 my
                 sovereignty
                 and
                 their
                 own
                 guilt
                 :
                 for
                 I
                 have
                 found
                 by
                 long
                 trial
                 that
                 nothing
                 else
                 will
                 work
                 upon
                 a
                 stiff-necked
                 generation
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 their
                 affliction
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 they
                 will
                 earnestly
                 and
                 instantly
                 seek
                 after
                 me
                 .
              
            
             
               IT
               was
               not
               the
               peculiar
               jealousy
               of
               Fabius
               concerning
               the
               Romane
               State
               which
               made
               him
               say
               ,
               
                 Se
                 secunda
                 magìs
                 quàm
                 adversa
                 timere
                 ,
                 That
                 their
                 danger
                 was
                 greater
                 lest
                 they
                 should
                 become
                 rash
                 and
                 confident
                 by
                 some
                 slight
                 successes
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 their
                 spirits
                 should
                 be
                 broken
                 by
                 a
                 disaster
                 .
              
               For
               all
               men
               that
               understand
               themselves
               ,
               and
               value
               their
               safety
               above
               their
               pleasure
               ,
               find
               they
               have
               reason
               more
               to
               suspect
               the
               soft
               charm
               of
               ease
               ,
               peace
               and
               plenty
               ,
               then
               the
               rough
               attacks
               of
               adversity
               .
               Because
               (
               amongst
               other
               things
               )
               a
               constant
               and
               stiff
               gale
               of
               prosperity
               carries
               men
               with
               too
               full
               sail
               to
               be
               checkt
               or
               controuled
               by
               counsel
               :
               it
               presents
               them
               with
               too
               many
               and
               great
               temptations
               to
               be
               easily
               resisted
               ,
               ministers
               to
               their
               confident
               presumption
               ,
               that
               either
               they
               are
               good
               enough
               already
               because
               they
               have
               so
               many
               arguments
               of
               the
               divine
               favour
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               that
               he
               overlooks
               their
               miscarriages
               .
               And
               Conscience
               is
               either
               out-faced
               ,
               or
               hath
               been
               so
               often
               silenced
               and
               baffled
               ,
               that
               it
               dares
               scarce
               mutter
               till
               the
               apprehension
               of
               some
               great
               danger
               or
               misery
               authorize
               and
               provoke
               it
               :
               but
               then
               it
               recovers
               its
               speech
               and
               tells
               its
               errand
               .
            
             
               TO
               this
               purpose
               we
               have
               a
               famous
               instance
               in
               the
               
               Brethren
               of
               
                 Joseph
                 ,
                 Gen.
              
               37.
               
               They
               ,
               prompted
               by
               envy
               ,
               had
               maliciously
               plotted
               the
               death
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               the
               perpetual
               servitude
               of
               their
               Brother
               ;
               and
               proceeded
               so
               far
               in
               it
               ,
               that
               to
               their
               thinking
               it
               had
               taken
               effect
               .
               Then
               they
               unworthily
               contrive
               to
               abuse
               the
               affections
               of
               their
               good
               old
               Father
               ,
               with
               feigned
               probabilities
               that
               his
               beloved
               Son
               was
               devoured
               by
               wild
               Beasts
               .
               And
               now
               they
               thought
               all
               was
               well
               ,
               they
               had
               reaked
               their
               malice
               ,
               and
               concealed
               their
               guilt
               ,
               they
               kept
               their
               countenances
               ,
               fed
               upon
               the
               sweets
               of
               revenge
               ,
               and
               all
               this
               while
               their
               Conscience
               felt
               no
               regret
               .
               Till
               at
               last
               ,
               as
               God
               would
               have
               it
               ,
               they
               themselves
               fall
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               him
               they
               thought
               they
               had
               made
               away
               ;
               their
               necessities
               compell
               them
               to
               goe
               down
               to
               Aegypt
               ,
               and
               there
               the
               man
               ,
               the
               Governour
               of
               the
               Land
               lookt
               sternly
               upon
               them
               ,
               pretends
               to
               take
               them
               for
               Spies
               ,
               and
               threatens
               to
               deal
               severely
               with
               them
               .
               Then
               courage
               fails
               them
               ,
               and
               Conscience
               recovers
               :
               
                 We
                 are
                 verily
                 guilty
              
               (
               say
               they
               )
               
                 of
                 the
                 bloud
                 of
                 our
                 Brother
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 saw
                 the
                 anguish
                 of
                 his
                 Soul
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               What
               is
               the
               matter
               now
               ,
               what
               alters
               the
               case
               ,
               how
               comes
               Joseph
               to
               their
               minds
               now
               ,
               who
               had
               been
               so
               long
               forgotten
               ?
               Now
               they
               find
               they
               stand
               in
               need
               of
               mercy
               ,
               and
               therefore
               sadly
               remember
               how
               merciless
               they
               had
               been
               before
               ;
               now
               they
               pity
               poor
               Joseph
               ,
               for
               whom
               before
               they
               had
               no
               compassion
               ;
               now
               they
               have
               bowels
               ,
               when
               their
               own
               case
               was
               sad
               ,
               and
               their
               punishment
               leads
               them
               to
               a
               remembrance
               of
               their
               guilt
               .
            
             
               THUS
               we
               see
               affliction
               if
               it
               doth
               not
               make
               men
               good
               ,
               yet
               at
               least
               it
               will
               not
               suffer
               them
               to
               be
               at
               ease
               in
               their
               sin
               ,
               and
               so
               disposes
               them
               towards
               repentance
               .
               But
               contrariwise
               ,
               prosperity
               raises
               the
               passions
               and
               depresses
               Conscience
               :
               it
               hath
               made
               many
               from
               hopefull
               and
               tolerable
               become
               bad
               and
               intolerable
               ,
               but
               scarcely
               
               ever
               improved
               any
               from
               bad
               to
               good
               .
               It
               is
               a
               well
               known
               story
               of
               Zeno
               ,
               who
               was
               as
               intent
               as
               any
               other
               man
               upon
               the
               amassing
               of
               wealth
               ,
               and
               as
               much
               taken
               with
               the
               gaiety
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               his
               Merchandize
               succeeded
               :
               but
               when
               he
               shipwrackt
               his
               Fortunes
               he
               recovered
               his
               reason
               ,
               and
               applied
               himself
               to
               the
               study
               of
               Philosophy
               and
               the
               inriching
               of
               his
               mind
               .
               
                 Naufragio
                 tutus
                 &
                 foelix
                 infortunio
              
               ,
               his
               undoeing
               was
               his
               making
               ,
               and
               his
               misfortune
               proved
               his
               recovery
               .
               And
               this
               the
               Holy
               Psalmist
               observes
               to
               be
               a
               common
               case
               ,
               for
               Psal
               .
               55.
               19.
               he
               gives
               this
               account
               of
               mens
               obstinate
               impiety
               ,
               because
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 changes
                 ,
                 therefore
                 they
                 fear
                 not
                 God.
              
               And
               Saint
               Peter
               also
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               3.
               4.
               represents
               it
               as
               the
               common
               argument
               upon
               which
               such
               men
               incourage
               themselves
               in
               the
               contempt
               of
               all
               Religion
               ,
               where
               (
               say
               they
               )
               
                 is
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 his
                 coming
                 ?
                 for
                 since
                 the
                 Fathers
                 fell
                 asleep
                 ,
                 all
                 things
                 continue
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               as
               if
               he
               had
               said
               ,
               whilest
               there
               were
               visible
               interpositions
               of
               the
               Divine
               Providence
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               that
               God
               was
               wont
               presently
               by
               some
               remarkable
               judgment
               or
               other
               to
               revenge
               himself
               upon
               those
               that
               violated
               his
               Laws
               and
               affronted
               his
               Majesty
               ,
               so
               long
               the
               world
               was
               kept
               in
               some
               awe
               and
               Religion
               reverenced
               ;
               but
               from
               such
               time
               as
               there
               hath
               been
               a
               constant
               calme
               and
               no
               interruption
               of
               the
               course
               of
               common
               causes
               ,
               men
               have
               called
               in
               question
               ,
               whether
               there
               be
               any
               Providence
               at
               all
               in
               this
               World
               ?
               and
               if
               once
               they
               can
               perswade
               themselves
               God
               hath
               left
               off
               to
               mind
               the
               affairs
               of
               the
               present
               world
               ,
               they
               will
               confidently
               and
               with
               some
               colour
               of
               reason
               infer
               ,
               that
               then
               he
               will
               not
               call
               things
               to
               account
               hereafter
               .
               Wherefore
               it
               is
               the
               usuall
               method
               of
               the
               Divine
               Wisdome
               to
               make
               way
               for
               the
               reasons
               and
               motives
               of
               Religion
               by
               affliction
               :
               first
               softning
               the
               obdurate
               heart
               by
               some
               sharp
               cross
               ,
               taking
               down
               
               the
               pride
               ,
               confuting
               the
               Atheism
               ,
               curing
               the
               wantonness
               and
               delicacy
               of
               men's
               tempers
               ,
               and
               so
               bringing
               them
               to
               a
               cool
               and
               thoughtfull
               condition
               ;
               and
               to
               reason
               with
               themselves
               as
               the
               Prodigal
               in
               the
               Text.
               
            
             
               FROM
               all
               which
               we
               learn
               both
               the
               hardness
               of
               a
               vicious
               heart
               ,
               in
               that
               nothing
               can
               pierce
               it
               but
               affliction
               ,
               and
               also
               the
               blindness
               and
               folly
               of
               men
               who
               so
               passionately
               desire
               prosperity
               ,
               together
               with
               the
               great
               usefullness
               of
               affliction
               :
               and
               from
               all
               these
               ,
               that
               it
               proceeds
               not
               from
               harshness
               and
               severity
               in
               God
               that
               he
               sends
               calamities
               upon
               the
               sons
               of
               men
               ,
               but
               there
               is
               an
               illustrious
               instance
               of
               his
               wisedom
               ,
               and
               of
               his
               goodness
               ,
               in
               those
               providential
               dispensations
               ,
               since
               this
               is
               the
               only
               way
               of
               recovering
               and
               making
               men
               good
               and
               happy
               .
            
             
               §
               IV.
               LET
               us
               now
               see
               in
               the
               last
               place
               somewhat
               particularly
               what
               are
               the
               considerations
               the
               Prodigal
               entertains
               his
               thoughts
               upon
               in
               this
               his
               afflicted
               condition
               .
               And
               consulting
               the
               Text
               ,
               and
               carrying
               along
               with
               us
               a
               just
               notion
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               the
               case
               ,
               we
               shall
               find
               those
               reducible
               to
               these
               four
               points
               .
            
             
               I.
               HE
               considers
               what
               the
               condition
               was
               he
               is
               faln
               from
               ,
               and
               how
               happy
               he
               might
               have
               been
               ,
               had
               it
               not
               been
               for
               his
               own
               folly
               .
               
                 How
                 many
                 hired
                 Servants
                 ,
                 &c.
                 q.
                 d.
                 
              
               
                 I
                 that
                 am
                 pinched
                 with
                 want
                 now
                 ,
                 felt
                 none
                 in
                 my
                 Father's
                 house
                 ;
                 I
                 was
                 liberally
                 maintained
                 ,
                 honourably
                 treated
                 ,
                 wanted
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 wisedom
                 to
                 understand
                 my
                 own
                 felicity
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 this
                 condition
                 I
                 might
                 have
                 continued
                 :
                 for
                 neither
                 did
                 my
                 Father's
                 estate
                 complain
                 of
                 the
                 burden
                 of
                 my
                 accommodations
                 ,
                 nor
                 was
                 he
                 strait
                 handed
                 ,
                 or
                 abated
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 his
                 Fatherly
                 affections
                 towards
                 me
                 ;
                 it
                 was
                 nothing
                 but
                 my
                 own
                 folly
                 ruined
                 me
                 .
              
               And
               then
               
               2.
               
               HE
               proceeds
               to
               deplore
               the
               sad
               estate
               he
               is
               fallen
               into
               :
               
                 When
                 I
                 set
                 out
                 from
                 my
                 Father's
                 house
                 in
                 quest
                 of
                 liberty
                 ,
                 did
                 I
                 ever
                 dream
                 of
                 becoming
                 a
                 Slave
                 ?
                 when
                 I
                 despised
                 the
                 liberal
                 provisions
                 of
                 his
                 Family
                 ,
                 did
                 I
                 or
                 cou'd
                 I
                 have
                 thought
                 I
                 should
                 come
                 to
                 want
                 bread
                 ,
                 to
                 feed
                 upon
                 husks
                 ?
                 How
                 sad
                 is
                 the
                 change
                 ,
                 how
                 severe
                 is
                 my
                 fate
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 know
                 no
                 more
                 how
                 to
                 bear
                 then
                 how
                 to
                 avoid
                 !
              
               But
               that
               's
               not
               the
               worst
               yet
               .
               For
            
             
               3.
               
               HE
               forethinks
               what
               is
               like
               to
               be
               the
               issue
               of
               this
               .
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 feeding
                 upon
                 husks
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   I
                   perish
                   for
                   hunger
                
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 a
                 prospect
                 of
                 nothing
                 but
                 death
                 before
                 me
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 lost
                 ,
                 undone
                 ,
                 undone
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 dreadfull
                 circumstances
                 ;
                 for
                 I
                 perish
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 hunger
                 ;
                 death
                 makes
                 its
                 sure
                 approaches
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 ghastly
                 shape
                 :
                 
                   vivens
                   vidénsque
                   pereo
                   ,
                   I
                   see
                   and
                   feel
                   my self
                   dying
                   .
                
              
            
             
               4.
               
               But
               yet
               in
               the
               last
               place
               ,
               he
               looks
               about
               him
               to
               see
               if
               there
               be
               not
               some
               escape
               .
               
                 I
                 am
                 dying
                 ,
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 but
                 not
                 quite
                 dead
                 .
                 Whilest
                 there
                 is
                 life
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 ;
                 Who
                 will
                 not
                 catch
                 hold
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 rather
                 then
                 perish
                 ?
                 And
                 it
                 agrees
                 not
                 with
                 my
                 condition
                 to
                 stick
                 at
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 can
                 minister
                 the
                 least
                 probability
                 of
                 safety
                 .
                 Am
                 not
                 I
                 a
                 Son
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 am
                 here
                 a
                 Slave
                 ?
                 have
                 I
                 not
                 a
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 not
                 he
                 pity
                 ?
                 why
                 then
                 do
                 I
                 stand
                 still
                 and
                 die
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 rather
                 make
                 the
                 utmost
                 experiment
                 ?
              
            
             
               AFTER
               this
               manner
               we
               may
               feel
               the
               pulse
               of
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               to
               beat
               ,
               and
               the
               thoughts
               of
               a
               sinner
               ,
               whom
               God
               hath
               awakened
               by
               affliction
               ,
               move
               much
               after
               the
               same
               rate
               .
               For
               first
               ,
               as
               soon
               as
               his
               eyes
               are
               opened
               ,
               he
               cannot
               choose
               but
               call
               to
               mind
               the
               blessedness
               of
               a
               state
               of
               innocency
               ,
               and
               reason
               
               with
               himself
               on
               this
               wise
               .
               
                 What-ever
                 my
                 case
                 is
                 now
                 ,
                 sure
                 I
                 was
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 image
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 placed
                 under
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 of
                 his
                 Family
                 and
                 Table
                 ,
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ministred
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 was
                 Lord
                 of
                 the
                 lower
                 ,
                 and
                 Favourite
                 of
                 the
                 upper
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 one
                 was
                 made
                 on
                 purpose
                 to
                 exercise
                 and
                 divert
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 to
                 receive
                 and
                 reward
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 a
                 nature
                 capable
                 of
                 immortality
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 eternal
                 life
                 designed
                 for
                 me
                 as
                 the
                 inheritance
                 of
                 a
                 Son
                 :
                 and
                 my
                 task
                 of
                 obedience
                 was
                 as
                 easie
                 and
                 honourable
                 as
                 my
                 hopes
                 were
                 glorious
                 .
                 For
                 I
                 had
                 no
                 hard
                 burthen
                 laid
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 nothing
                 required
                 of
                 me
                 but
                 what
                 was
                 proportionable
                 to
                 my
                 powers
                 ,
                 and
                 agreeable
                 to
                 the
                 reason
                 of
                 my
                 mind
                 ;
                 no
                 restraint
                 was
                 laid
                 upon
                 my
                 passions
                 ,
                 but
                 such
                 as
                 was
                 evidently
                 both
                 necessary
                 for
                 the
                 World
                 and
                 good
                 for
                 my self
                 ;
                 that
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 drawn
                 into
                 an
                 argument
                 of
                 harshness
                 and
                 severity
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 make
                 apology
                 for
                 my
                 transgression
                 .
                 All
                 my
                 faculties
                 were
                 whole
                 and
                 intire
                 ,
                 I
                 was
                 neither
                 tempted
                 by
                 necessity
                 ,
                 nor
                 oppressed
                 by
                 any
                 fate
                 ;
                 I
                 was
                 therefore
                 happy
                 enough
                 ,
                 and
                 why
                 am
                 I
                 not
                 so
                 still
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 that
                 humane
                 nature
                 hath
                 miscarried
                 since
                 it
                 came
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 carry
                 the
                 Skar
                 of
                 that
                 common
                 Wound
                 ;
                 yet
                 is
                 the
                 dammage
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 Adam
                 so
                 repaired
                 by
                 the
                 second
                 ,
                 that
                 mankind
                 is
                 left
                 inexcusable
                 in
                 all
                 its
                 actual
                 transgressions
                 ;
                 but
                 especially
                 in
                 a
                 dissolute
                 and
                 impenitent
                 course
                 of
                 rebellion
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 others
                 whose
                 circumstances
                 were
                 in
                 all
                 points
                 the
                 same
                 with
                 mine
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 difficulties
                 and
                 temptations
                 no
                 less
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 holily
                 and
                 comfortably
                 ,
                 having
                 either
                 escaped
                 the
                 too
                 common
                 pollutions
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 by
                 an
                 early
                 compliance
                 with
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 ,
                 quickly
                 recovered
                 themselves
                 by
                 repentance
                 .
                 I
                 
                 find
                 therefore
                 that
                 I
                 might
                 have
                 lived
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 God's
                 countenance
                 ,
                 in
                 serenity
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 quiet
                 of
                 conscience
                 ,
                 sense
                 of
                 my
                 own
                 integrity
                 ,
                 and
                 comfortable
                 hopes
                 of
                 unspeakable
                 glory
                 ;
                 in
                 contemplation
                 of
                 which
                 I
                 might
                 have
                 defied
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 lived
                 in
                 Heaven
                 upon
                 Earth
                 :
                 but
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 meerly
                 fooled
                 by
                 my
                 own
                 incogitancy
                 ,
                 and
                 undone
                 by
                 my
                 own
                 choice
                 .
                 For
                 proceeds
                 he
              
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 I
                 have
                 forfeited
                 all
                 this
                 by
                 sinning
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 been
                 so
                 sottish
                 as
                 to
                 prefer
                 the
                 satisfaction
                 of
                 my
                 own
                 humour
                 before
                 all
                 the
                 aforesaid
                 felicities
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 ingratefull
                 towards
                 my
                 great
                 benefactour
                 ,
                 broken
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 my
                 Creation
                 ,
                 confronted
                 the
                 wisedom
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 ,
                 been
                 insolent
                 towards
                 a
                 mighty
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 violated
                 just
                 and
                 righteous
                 commandments
                 ,
                 sinned
                 against
                 light
                 ,
                 knowledge
                 and
                 conscience
                 ,
                 added
                 presumption
                 to
                 folly
                 ,
                 wilfullness
                 to
                 weakness
                 ,
                 despised
                 counsels
                 ,
                 exhortations
                 ,
                 promises
                 ,
                 assistances
                 ;
                 my
                 sins
                 are
                 many
                 in
                 number
                 ,
                 horrible
                 in
                 their
                 aggravations
                 ,
                 deadly
                 in
                 their
                 continuance
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 perseverance
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 By
                 this
                 means
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 onely
                 wrought
                 disorder
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 but
                 disordered
                 my
                 own
                 Soul
                 ,
                 spoiled
                 my
                 own
                 powers
                 ,
                 suffered
                 passion
                 to
                 get
                 head
                 of
                 my
                 reason
                 ,
                 clouded
                 my
                 understanding
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 by
                 former
                 sins
                 rendered
                 it
                 in
                 a
                 manner
                 necessary
                 that
                 I
                 sin
                 still
                 .
                 
                   For
                   when
                   I
                   would
                   doe
                   good
                   ,
                   evil
                   is
                   present
                   with
                   me
                   ;
                   I
                   find
                   a
                   law
                   in
                   my
                   members
                   rebelling
                   against
                   the
                   law
                   of
                   my
                   mind
                   ,
                   and
                   carrying
                   me
                   into
                   captivity
                   to
                   the
                   law
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                   O
                   wretched
                   man
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   ,
                   who
                   shall
                   deliver
                   me
                   from
                   this
                   body
                   of
                   death
                   ?
                
                 I
                 have
                 driven
                 away
                 the
                 good
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 my self
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 become
                 his
                 slave
                 and
                 drudge
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 nothing
                 now
                 of
                 the
                 comforts
                 of
                 innocence
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 
                 mine
                 is
                 a
                 continual
                 torture
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 lost
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 God's
                 countenance
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 very
                 thoughts
                 of
                 him
                 are
                 dreadfull
                 to
                 me
                 ;
                 by
                 all
                 which
                 together
                 life
                 is
                 a
                 burden
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 death
                 are
                 intolerable
                 .
              
               Such
               reflections
               and
               considerations
               as
               these
               break
               the
               very
               heart
               of
               a
               sinner
               ,
               and
               resolve
               him
               into
               sighs
               and
               tears
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               BUT
               this
               is
               not
               the
               worst
               of
               the
               case
               ,
               for
               in
               the
               third
               place
               he
               considers
               what
               is
               like
               to
               be
               the
               issue
               of
               this
               .
               
                 This
                 miserable
                 life
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 sinner
                 )
                 cannot
                 last
                 always
                 ,
                 death
                 will
                 arrest
                 me
                 shortly
                 ,
                 and
                 present
                 me
                 before
                 a
                 just
                 Tribunal
                 ,
                 the
                 grave
                 will
                 e're
                 ong
                 cover
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 conceal
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 must
                 come
                 to
                 Judgment
                 .
                 Methinks
                 I
                 hear
                 already
                 the
                 sound
                 of
                 the
                 last
                 Trump
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   dead
                   arise
                   ,
                   let
                   them
                   come
                   to
                   judgment
                   .
                
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 Angels
                 as
                 Apparitors
                 gathering
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 presenting
                 them
                 before
                 that
                 dreadfull
                 Tribunal
                 .
                 How
                 shall
                 I
                 be
                 able
                 with
                 my
                 guilty
                 Conscience
                 to
                 appear
                 upon
                 that
                 huge
                 Theatre
                 ,
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 Angels
                 and
                 Men
                 ?
                 Methinks
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 Devil
                 standing
                 at
                 my
                 right
                 hand
                 to
                 aggravate
                 those
                 faults
                 which
                 he
                 prompted
                 me
                 to
                 the
                 commission
                 of
                 .
                 I
                 behold
                 the
                 Books
                 opened
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 debaucheries
                 ,
                 extravagancies
                 and
                 follies
                 of
                 my
                 whole
                 life
                 laid
                 open
                 ,
                 Christ
                 the
                 Judge
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 coming
                 in
                 flaming
                 fire
                 to
                 take
                 vengeance
                 upon
                 them
                 that
                 have
                 not
                 known
                 him
                 ,
                 nor
                 obeyed
                 his
                 Gospel
                 .
                 How
                 shall
                 I
                 endure
                 his
                 presence
                 ?
                 how
                 shall
                 I
                 escape
                 his
                 eye
                 ?
                 I
                 cannot
                 elude
                 his
                 judgment
                 ,
                 nor
                 evade
                 his
                 sentence
                 ;
                 come
                 then
                 ye
                 Rocks
                 and
                 fall
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 ye
                 Mountains
                 cover
                 me
                 from
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 Lamb
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 him
                 that
                 sitteth
                 upon
                 the
                 Throne
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 Rocks
                 rend
                 in
                 sunder
                 ,
                 the
                 Sea
                 and
                 the
                 Earth
                 disclose
                 their
                 dead
                 ,
                 the
                 Earth
                 dissolves
                 ,
                 
                 the
                 Heavens
                 vanish
                 as
                 a
                 Scroll
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 hear
                 the
                 dreadfull
                 Sentence
                 ,
                 
                   Depart
                   ye
                   cursed
                   into
                   everlasting
                   fire
                   ,
                   prepared
                   for
                   the
                   Devil
                   and
                   his
                   Angels
                   .
                
                 Methinks
                 I
                 hear
                 
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                
                 thus
                 upbraiding
                 me
                 :
                 You
                 have
                 listened
                 to
                 the
                 Devil
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 saved
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 ruled
                 by
                 me
                 ;
                 you
                 have
                 chosen
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 now
                 therefore
                 you
                 shall
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 your
                 own
                 ways
                 :
                 I
                 forewarned
                 you
                 what
                 would
                 be
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 your
                 courses
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 would
                 have
                 your
                 full
                 swing
                 of
                 pleasure
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 ,
                 whatever
                 came
                 of
                 it
                 hereafter
                 ;
                 you
                 laughed
                 at
                 judgment
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 come
                 in
                 earnest
                 ;
                 you
                 have
                 had
                 your
                 time
                 of
                 jollity
                 and
                 sensual
                 transports
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 your
                 portion
                 is
                 
                   weeping
                   ,
                   and
                   wailing
                   ,
                   and
                   gnashing
                   of
                   teeth
                   .
                
                 O
                 therefore
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 sinner
                 )
                 that
                 I
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 born
                 ,
                 cursed
                 be
                 the
                 day
                 that
                 brought
                 me
                 forth
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Sun
                 that
                 shone
                 upon
                 me
                 ;
                 would
                 the
                 womb
                 had
                 been
                 my
                 grave
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 had
                 never
                 seen
                 the
                 light
                 .
                 Thus
                 my
                 guilty
                 Conscience
                 anticipates
                 its
                 own
                 punishment
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 tormented
                 before
                 my
                 time
                 .
              
            
             
               4.
               
               
                 BUT
                 is
                 there
                 no
                 hope
                 left
                 ?
                 must
                 I
                 lie
                 down
                 thus
                 in
                 sorrow
                 and
                 despair
                 ?
                 These
                 things
                 I
                 may
                 justly
                 expect
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 yet
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 me
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 yet
                 alive
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 say
                 there
                 is
                 hopes
                 in
                 the
                 land
                 of
                 the
                 living
                 ;
                 the
                 door
                 is
                 not
                 yet
                 shut
                 against
                 me
                 ,
                 Hell
                 hath
                 not
                 yet
                 closed
                 her
                 mouth
                 upon
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 heard
                 God
                 is
                 a
                 mercifull
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 thereupon
                 I
                 presumed
                 hitherto
                 ,
                 and
                 abused
                 his
                 goodness
                 ;
                 but
                 sure
                 his
                 mercies
                 are
                 above
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 ;
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 infinite
                 like
                 himself
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 more
                 goodness
                 then
                 I
                 have
                 ingratitude
                 .
                 Possibly
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 some
                 hope
                 left
                 in
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 this
                 
                 Pandora's
                 Box
                 of
                 calamities
                 ;
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 none
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 vain
                 to
                 repent
                 ,
                 fruitless
                 to
                 weep
                 ,
                 endless
                 to
                 
                 bewail
                 ,
                 madness
                 to
                 adde
                 to
                 my
                 own
                 infelicities
                 .
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 a
                 rigid
                 fate
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 
                   curse
                   God
                   and
                   die
                
                 .
                 But
                 sure
                 whilest
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 goodness
                 ,
                 his
                 Name
                 speaks
                 his
                 Nature
                 ;
                 will
                 he
                 
                   break
                   a
                   bruised
                   reed
                
                 ?
                 will
                 he
                 contend
                 with
                 dust
                 and
                 ashes
                 ?
                 Can
                 infinite
                 perfection
                 be
                 implacable
                 and
                 inexorable
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 he
                 hath
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 reason
                 he
                 cannot
                 delight
                 in
                 my
                 misery
                 .
                 He
                 cannot
                 repent
                 and
                 change
                 his
                 mind
                 ,
                 because
                 his
                 wisedom
                 foresaw
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 all
                 possible
                 contingencies
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 I
                 repent
                 and
                 change
                 my
                 mind
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 inchangeableness
                 of
                 his
                 will
                 oblige
                 him
                 as
                 well
                 then
                 to
                 save
                 me
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 to
                 destroy
                 me
                 .
                 How
                 far
                 he
                 will
                 extend
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 instances
                 he
                 will
                 make
                 of
                 it
                 I
                 cannot
                 define
                 ;
                 but
                 who
                 knows
                 but
                 he
                 may
                 yet
                 admit
                 of
                 my
                 submission
                 ?
                 however
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 be
                 worse
                 then
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 possible
                 my
                 condition
                 may
                 be
                 better
                 ;
                 here
                 I
                 perish
                 certainly
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 cast
                 my self
                 upon
                 his
                 goodness
                 I
                 can
                 but
                 perish
                 ,
                 therefore
                 I
                 will
                 try
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   arise
                   and
                   go
                   to
                   my
                   Father
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
              
               And
               thus
               his
               deliberation
               brings
               him
               to
               resolution
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               second
               Stage
               of
               Repentance
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               II.
               
            
             
               Of
               Resolution
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     That
                     Consideration
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     those
                     other
                     previous
                     acts
                     of
                     the
                     mind
                     mentioned
                     in
                     the
                     former
                     Chapter
                     frequently
                     miscarry
                     ,
                     and
                     are
                     nothing
                     till
                     they
                     are
                     fixed
                     by
                     Resolution
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     The
                     nature
                     of
                     Resolution
                     of
                     the
                     will
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     force
                     and
                     efficacy
                     thereof
                     ;
                     which
                     is
                     shewed
                     to
                     be
                     such
                     ,
                     as
                     that
                     the
                     Devil
                     ,
                     nor
                     any
                     other
                     being
                     under
                     God
                     can
                     force
                     it
                     .
                     The
                     importance
                     of
                     that
                     truth
                     briefly
                     shewed
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     proof
                     of
                     it
                     from
                     experience
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     The
                     properties
                     of
                     a
                     true
                     Penitent
                     Resolution
                     .
                     1.
                     
                     That
                     it
                     be
                     not
                     rash
                     but
                     deliberate
                     .
                     2.
                     
                     That
                     it
                     be
                     peremptory
                     .
                     3.
                     
                     Present
                     .
                     And
                     4.
                     uniform
                     and
                     universal
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     The
                     Inducements
                     of
                     a
                     Penitent
                     Resolution
                     .
                     1.
                     
                     It
                     s
                     availableness
                     with
                     God
                     by
                     the
                     exorableness
                     of
                     his
                     Nature
                     .
                     2.
                     
                     The
                     possibility
                     of
                     performing
                     it
                     .
                     And
                     3.
                     
                     The
                     easiness
                     of
                     it
                     by
                     the
                     power
                     of
                     his
                     grace
                     .
                     4.
                     
                     The
                     flat
                     necessity
                     of
                     coming
                     to
                     it
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               §
               I.
               WE
               have
               seen
               in
               the
               foregoing
               Chapter
               the
               motions
               of
               an
               awakened
               Conscience
               ,
               the
               working
               of
               a
               troubled
               minde
               ,
               and
               therein
               the
               first
               glimpses
               of
               hope
               ,
               and
               signs
               of
               recovery
               .
               But
               let
               not
               any
               man
               think
               that
               when
               he
               is
               arrived
               at
               this
               condition
               ,
               his
               work
               is
               done
               ,
               his
               peace
               made
               with
               God
               ,
               and
               he
               become
               a
               true
               Convert
               .
               For
               if
               
               he
               stay
               here
               he
               perishes
               as
               certainly
               as
               if
               he
               had
               never
               made
               any
               reflection
               ,
               or
               considered
               at
               all
               .
               It
               is
               one
               thing
               to
               be
               apprehensive
               of
               ones
               danger
               ,
               and
               a
               far
               greater
               to
               have
               escaped
               it
               .
               The
               discovery
               of
               a
               disease
               is
               necessary
               in
               order
               to
               the
               cure
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               far
               from
               the
               cure
               it self
               .
               It
               is
               an
               unhappy
               but
               not
               an
               unusual
               sight
               ,
               to
               see
               men
               upon
               whom
               either
               the
               pain
               of
               some
               present
               affliction
               ,
               or
               the
               fearfull
               prospect
               of
               divine
               vengeance
               hereafter
               ,
               may
               have
               so
               far
               prevailed
               ,
               as
               to
               make
               them
               with
               great
               shame
               and
               abhorrence
               reflect
               upon
               their
               former
               disorders
               ,
               and
               cast
               up
               their
               pleasant
               morsels
               ,
               who
               yet
               shall
               quickly
               return
               again
               to
               their
               own
               vomit
               ,
               and
               resume
               their
               usual
               extravagancies
               .
               A
               Rock
               it self
               may
               be
               observed
               to
               drop
               upon
               change
               of
               weather
               ,
               which
               nevertheless
               relents
               not
               ,
               but
               is
               as
               hard
               ,
               and
               as
               much
               a
               Rock
               as
               ever
               .
               And
               some
               extraordinary
               accident
               may
               rouze
               the
               most
               careless
               sinner
               ,
               and
               put
               him
               upon
               an
               effort
               of
               purging
               off
               his
               impurities
               ,
               who
               yet
               when
               the
               storm
               is
               over
               ,
               shall
               settle
               again
               upon
               his
               Lees.
               It
               is
               no
               very
               rare
               thing
               to
               observe
               men
               dissolve
               into
               tears
               ,
               and
               weep
               as
               heartily
               over
               their
               old
               sins
               ,
               as
               ancient
               friends
               doe
               when
               there
               is
               a
               necessity
               of
               parting
               ;
               and
               yet
               (
               like
               them
               )
               wish
               and
               hope
               to
               meet
               and
               enjoy
               each
               other
               again
               .
            
             
               THEREFORE
               as
               we
               see
               the
               formerly
               dissolute
               ,
               but
               now
               relenting
               Son
               in
               the
               Text
               ,
               contents
               not
               himself
               with
               passionate
               expressions
               ,
               or
               ineffective
               wishes
               ,
               but
               resolves
               upon
               action
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 arise
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 and
                 goe
                 to
                 my
                 Father
              
               :
               So
               the
               true
               penitent
               sinner
               that
               is
               in
               earnest
               to
               save
               his
               Soul
               ,
               sits
               not
               down
               under
               a
               dozing
               melancholy
               ,
               pleases
               not
               himself
               with
               wishing
               and
               complaining
               ,
               spends
               not
               his
               time
               in
               doubting
               and
               disputing
               ,
               but
               puts
               himself
               forward
               upon
               the
               business
               :
               
                 For
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 whilest
                 I
                 sit
                 still
                 ,
                 time
                 
                 passes
                 away
                 ,
                 life
                 flies
                 away
                 apace
                 ,
                 and
                 death
                 and
                 judgment
                 are
                 coming
                 on
                 ,
                 wherefore
                 some
                 speedy
                 course
                 must
                 be
                 taken
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 one
                 way
                 what
                 affords
                 any
                 hope
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 that
                 of
                 real
                 reformation
                 ;
                 in
                 which
                 case
                 no
                 deliberations
                 shall
                 hold
                 me
                 longer
                 in
                 suspence
                 ,
                 no
                 floth
                 shall
                 benumb
                 me
                 ,
                 nothing
                 shall
                 tempt
                 me
                 to
                 delay
                 any
                 longer
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 resolved
                 I
                 will
                 make
                 the
                 experiment
                 of
                 becoming
                 a
                 new
                 man
                 from
                 an
                 old
                 sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 these
                 terms
                 I
                 will
                 cast
                 my self
                 upon
                 God's
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 I
                 perish
                 I
                 perish
                 .
              
            
             
               §
               II.
               THIS
               is
               the
               second
               Stage
               of
               Repentance
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               Resolution
               ,
               which
               I
               am
               now
               further
               to
               treat
               of
               .
               But
               it
               is
               evident
               by
               what
               we
               have
               said
               already
               ,
               that
               the
               Resolution
               we
               are
               to
               speak
               of
               ,
               is
               not
               a
               meer
               logical
               conclusion
               by
               way
               of
               inference
               from
               premises
               ,
               that
               such
               or
               such
               a
               thing
               is
               best
               and
               fit
               to
               be
               done
               ,
               for
               every
               man
               that
               uses
               his
               reason
               cannot
               choose
               but
               speculatively
               assent
               to
               this
               as
               his
               duty
               and
               his
               interest
               ,
               the
               proceedings
               of
               reason
               being
               as
               natural
               and
               necessary
               as
               those
               of
               sense
               .
               Insomuch
               that
               it
               is
               not
               in
               a
               man's
               power
               to
               deny
               a
               plain
               consequence
               ,
               or
               disbelieve
               what
               there
               is
               evident
               reason
               for
               .
               There
               is
               therefore
               no
               moral
               vertue
               in
               such
               a
               conclusion
               ,
               and
               so
               a
               man
               may
               perish
               notwitstanding
               :
               as
               it
               is
               too
               notorious
               that
               many
               dōe
               ,
               who
               act
               contrary
               to
               such
               conclusions
               of
               their
               reason
               .
               But
               the
               Resolution
               we
               here
               intend
               ,
               and
               which
               we
               make
               the
               second
               step
               of
               Repentance
               is
               practical
               ,
               and
               the
               act
               of
               the
               will
               ;
               namely
               ,
               its
               decretory
               and
               definitive
               sentence
               for
               the
               actual
               prosecution
               of
               such
               a
               course
               ,
               as
               by
               Consideration
               and
               the
               former
               process
               of
               reason
               is
               discovered
               to
               be
               fit
               and
               necessary
               .
               Or
               rather
               ,
               it
               is
               the
               wills
               actual
               application
               of
               it self
               to
               the
               business
               ,
               in
               conformity
               to
               which
               ,
               all
               
               the
               inferiour
               powers
               are
               put
               into
               action
               also
               ,
               as
               being
               subject
               to
               its
               authority
               ,
               influenced
               upon
               by
               its
               power
               ,
               and
               carried
               about
               with
               the
               swinge
               of
               this
               
                 primum
                 mobile
              
               ,
               this
               first
               and
               great
               Orb
               of
               the
               Soul.
               
            
             
               FOR
               the
               more
               clear
               understanding
               of
               this
               power
               of
               the
               will
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               Resolution
               ,
               let
               us
               suppose
               Reason
               and
               Sense
               as
               two
               parties
               pleading
               their
               respective
               causes
               and
               interests
               ;
               in
               which
               case
               ,
               if
               we
               should
               suppose
               a
               kind
               of
               drawn
               battel
               between
               them
               ,
               and
               the
               matter
               left
               
                 in
                 aequilibrio
              
               ;
               notwithstanding
               ,
               it
               is
               within
               the
               power
               of
               the
               will
               to
               give
               the
               cause
               which
               way
               it
               pleases
               ;
               or
               suppose
               also
               ,
               that
               Reason
               acquitts
               it self
               never
               so
               well
               ,
               and
               baffles
               its
               adversary
               ,
               yet
               all
               will
               be
               but
               a
               speculation
               ,
               and
               no
               effects
               follow
               till
               the
               will
               interposes
               its
               sovereignty
               ,
               and
               decrees
               peremptorily
               what
               shall
               be
               done
               .
               And
               then
               whatever
               the
               merits
               of
               the
               cause
               be
               ,
               the
               inferiour
               powers
               without
               dispute
               apply
               themselves
               to
               the
               execution
               .
               For
               (
               to
               use
               another
               allusion
               )
               Reason
               is
               as
               the
               Card
               which
               directs
               the
               course
               ,
               and
               shews
               what
               is
               fittest
               to
               be
               done
               :
               but
               the
               Will
               is
               as
               the
               Helm
               and
               Rudder
               that
               turns
               about
               the
               whole
               Fabrick
               .
               This
               is
               that
               which
               is
               called
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               not
               a
               lawlesness
               or
               authority
               to
               do
               what
               we
               will
               ,
               nor
               yet
               an
               ability
               to
               effect
               whatever
               we
               please
               ;
               but
               a
               capacity
               within
               our selves
               of
               determining
               our selves
               ,
               and
               making
               our
               own
               choice
               .
            
             
               NOW
               that
               we
               have
               indeed
               such
               a
               capacity
               is
               matter
               of
               daily
               experience
               ;
               for
               we
               cannot
               but
               have
               observed
               ,
               that
               oftentimes
               when
               Reason
               and
               Religion
               have
               recommended
               such
               things
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               convinced
               us
               of
               the
               importance
               of
               them
               ,
               yet
               we
               have
               followed
               our
               passions
               notwithstanding
               ,
               and
               done
               quite
               contrary
               to
               the
               clearest
               dictates
               of
               our
               mind
               ,
               in
               the
               words
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               Rom.
               7.
               23.
               
               
                 We
                 have
                 found
                 a
                 law
                 in
                 
                 our
                 members
                 rebelling
                 against
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 our
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 leading
                 us
                 captive
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
               And
               contrariwise
               ,
               sometimes
               we
               have
               checked
               and
               subdued
               the
               importunities
               of
               our
               passions
               ,
               and
               cast
               the
               Scale
               on
               the
               side
               of
               Conscience
               and
               Religion
               ,
               and
               both
               these
               out
               of
               the
               freedom
               of
               our
               own
               Souls
               .
               It
               is
               true
               ,
               that
               very
               ordinarily
               in
               the
               former
               of
               these
               cases
               ,
               the
               Devil
               may
               promote
               the
               business
               by
               his
               temptations
               ;
               and
               in
               the
               latter
               it
               is
               certain
               (
               as
               we
               heretofore
               have
               given
               caution
               )
               that
               there
               is
               the
               concurrence
               of
               the
               Divine
               Grace
               ,
               and
               influence
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ;
               but
               both
               in
               the
               one
               and
               the
               other
               man
               acts
               freely
               nevertheless
               ,
               suffering
               no
               violence
               nor
               compulsion
               .
               For
               though
               there
               can
               be
               no
               doubt
               ,
               but
               that
               God
               (
               who
               made
               man
               ,
               and
               can
               dissolve
               him
               when
               he
               pleases
               )
               by
               the
               exercise
               of
               his
               Omnipotence
               may
               controul
               the
               elections
               of
               men
               ,
               or
               overrule
               them
               to
               whatsoever
               he
               will
               ;
               yet
               it
               is
               not
               reasonable
               to
               think
               he
               will
               ,
               or
               doth
               ordinarily
               doe
               so
               .
               Determine
               them
               to
               evil
               he
               cannot
               ,
               upon
               the
               account
               either
               of
               his
               own
               purity
               ,
               justice
               ,
               or
               wisedom
               ;
               and
               for
               his
               over-bearing
               them
               to
               the
               doing
               of
               that
               which
               is
               good
               ,
               besides
               that
               we
               cannot
               understand
               how
               it
               leaves
               any
               room
               for
               reward
               in
               such
               a
               case
               ;
               it
               seems
               as
               much
               to
               reproach
               his
               wisedom
               in
               the
               first
               creation
               of
               such
               beings
               ,
               as
               to
               display
               his
               power
               in
               controuling
               their
               actions
               and
               elections
               ,
               and
               would
               be
               as
               unseemly
               a
               Phaenomenon
               ,
               as
               for
               him
               to
               cross
               and
               pervert
               the
               common
               course
               of
               naturall
               causes
               .
            
             
               AND
               for
               the
               Devil
               ,
               though
               he
               by
               the
               order
               of
               his
               Creation
               be
               of
               an
               higher
               rank
               ,
               and
               of
               greater
               power
               then
               we
               ;
               yet
               he
               is
               by
               no
               means
               able
               to
               force
               our
               wills
               ,
               or
               to
               rescind
               the
               decrees
               of
               a
               free
               mind
               .
               God
               permits
               him
               to
               use
               his
               cunning
               ,
               and
               to
               shew
               his
               malice
               ,
               in
               contriving
               baits
               to
               allure
               and
               catch
               us
               ,
               
               and
               several
               ways
               to
               give
               us
               disturbance
               ;
               but
               if
               he
               should
               allow
               him
               to
               force
               us
               ,
               we
               may
               be
               sure
               there
               should
               never
               have
               been
               any
               one
               good
               man
               in
               the
               world
               .
            
             
               THE
               objects
               that
               present
               themselves
               to
               us
               from
               without
               ,
               can
               but
               court
               our
               acceptance
               ,
               not
               obtrude
               themselves
               upon
               us
               :
               they
               knock
               at
               our
               door
               but
               cannot
               break
               in
               upon
               us
               ;
               or
               they
               present
               us
               motives
               to
               alter
               our
               resolutions
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               in
               our
               power
               still
               ,
               whether
               we
               will
               revoke
               them
               .
            
             
               FOR
               Example
               ,
               and
               the
               common
               usage
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               the
               power
               of
               which
               is
               so
               much
               magnified
               by
               some
               men
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               thought
               it
               sufficient
               to
               make
               an
               apology
               for
               all
               our
               follies
               ;
               It
               is
               so
               inconsiderable
               in
               this
               case
               ,
               that
               if
               we
               duely
               consider
               its
               efficacy
               ,
               we
               must
               pronounce
               of
               it
               ,
               that
               it
               works
               only
               metaphorically
               not
               physically
               ,
               and
               is
               at
               most
               but
               an
               Ideal
               cause
               ,
               (
               if
               we
               will
               call
               it
               so
               )
               sufficient
               to
               abuse
               men
               of
               soft
               and
               easie
               minds
               ,
               but
               not
               the
               manly
               and
               generous
               .
               As
               for
               the
               lower
               and
               meerly
               animal
               powers
               in
               us
               ,
               they
               (
               as
               we
               noted
               before
               )
               may
               corrupt
               the
               imagination
               ,
               and
               begin
               to
               form
               a
               seditious
               party
               within
               us
               ;
               but
               it
               is
               still
               in
               the
               power
               of
               the
               will
               (
               till
               it
               dethrones
               it self
               )
               so
               to
               suppress
               them
               that
               they
               shall
               never
               be
               successfull
               in
               their
               rebellion
               .
            
             
               BUT
               then
               in
               the
               last
               place
               ,
               for
               Reason
               it self
               ,
               which
               some
               men
               governing
               themselves
               by
               an
               old
               maxime
               ,
               (
               
                 voluntas
                 semper
                 sequitur
                 dictamen
                 intellect
                 ûs
              
               )
               suppose
               to
               prescribe
               so
               authoritatively
               to
               the
               will
               ,
               as
               that
               the
               priviledge
               of
               freedom
               belongs
               rather
               to
               the
               former
               then
               the
               latter
               ;
               if
               that
               were
               true
               ,
               (
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               if
               the
               will
               must
               proceed
               upon
               the
               dictates
               of
               reason
               )
               there
               would
               be
               no
               such
               thing
               as
               liberty
               at
               all
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               not
               in
               our
               power
               what
               light
               our
               understandings
               shall
               have
               ,
               and
               as
               I
               have
               noted
               before
               ,
               we
               cannot
               believe
               what
               we
               will
               ,
               nor
               understand
               things
               otherwise
               
               then
               they
               are
               represented
               to
               us
               ;
               therefore
               if
               the
               will
               have
               not
               a
               power
               of
               acting
               contrary
               to
               our
               understanding
               ,
               as
               perfect
               a
               fatality
               is
               introduced
               ,
               as
               is
               to
               be
               found
               amongst
               natural
               agents
               .
               Besides
               ,
               we
               find
               by
               constant
               observation
               of
               our selves
               and
               the
               world
               ,
               that
               in
               passion
               ,
               in
               love
               ,
               in
               the
               pursuit
               of
               riches
               ,
               and
               honour
               ,
               and
               most
               of
               our
               prosecutions
               ,
               we
               sometimes
               follow
               our
               reason
               ,
               sometimes
               go
               before
               it
               ,
               and
               sometimes
               quite
               cross
               it
               .
               It
               is
               true
               indeed
               ,
               we
               ordinarily
               have
               some
               (
               either
               reason
               or
               pretence
               of
               reason
               )
               or
               other
               ,
               to
               countenance
               our
               elections
               ,
               because
               otherwise
               it
               could
               not
               be
               called
               choice
               where
               there
               is
               no
               end
               propounded
               ,
               or
               design
               aimed
               at
               ,
               (
               which
               I
               think
               is
               all
               that
               the
               aforesaid
               obsolete
               maxime
               intends
               .
               )
               Nevertheless
               since
               it
               is
               manifest
               we
               oftentimes
               follow
               that
               which
               we
               know
               ,
               not
               to
               be
               the
               best
               reason
               ,
               even
               then
               when
               we
               follow
               it
               ,
               we
               may
               thereby
               be
               sufficiently
               convinced
               of
               the
               arbitrary
               power
               of
               our
               own
               wills
               .
            
             
               THIS
               which
               we
               have
               been
               asserting
               is
               a
               truth
               of
               that
               importance
               ,
               that
               the
               denial
               thereof
               cuts
               the
               very
               sinews
               of
               all
               industry
               ,
               destroys
               the
               differences
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               takes
               away
               all
               principles
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               all
               arguments
               of
               Repentance
               ,
               (
               as
               we
               have
               shewed
               before
               )
               and
               herewith
               makes
               that
               natural
               passion
               of
               ingenuous
               shame
               ,
               which
               mankind
               is
               peculiarly
               endowed
               with
               ,
               utterly
               senseless
               and
               unaccountable
               .
               But
               the
               truth
               of
               this
               supposed
               ,
               we
               easily
               understand
               both
               the
               nature
               and
               force
               of
               Resolution
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               only
               thing
               we
               have
               aimed
               at
               .
            
             
               TO
               proceed
               therefore
               ;
               The
               Son
               in
               the
               Text
               conscious
               of
               this
               truth
               ,
               and
               as
               well
               sensible
               of
               his
               own
               liberty
               ,
               as
               certain
               of
               the
               necessity
               of
               taking
               some
               course
               or
               other
               to
               relieve
               himself
               ,
               saith
               in
               the
               words
               before
               recited
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 arise
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 go
                 to
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 
                 I
                 will
                 say
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               And
               the
               Resolutions
               of
               every
               Penitent
               are
               to
               the
               same
               effect
               ;
               (
               viz.
               )
               
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 fit
                 with
                 my
                 hands
                 folded
                 up
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 infatuated
                 and
                 fitted
                 for
                 destruction
                 ;
                 I
                 will
                 spend
                 no
                 more
                 time
                 doubting
                 and
                 disputing
                 ,
                 nor
                 abandon
                 my self
                 to
                 desperation
                 ;
                 I
                 'le
                 endeavour
                 both
                 to
                 cease
                 to
                 do
                 evil
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 learn
                 to
                 do
                 well
                 ;
                 I
                 will
                 take
                 shame
                 to
                 my self
                 ,
                 acknowledge
                 my
                 folly
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   accept
                   the
                   punishment
                   of
                   my
                   iniquity
                   .
                
                 I
                 will
                 earnestly
                 deprecate
                 the
                 divine
                 displeasure
                 ,
                 and
                 implore
                 his
                 mercy
                 and
                 pardon
                 .
                 In
                 short
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 difficulty
                 appear
                 in
                 the
                 business
                 ,
                 or
                 whatsoever
                 temptations
                 may
                 assault
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 desist
                 my
                 former
                 course
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 it
                 my
                 care
                 to
                 undoe
                 all
                 that
                 was
                 amiss
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 amends
                 for
                 my
                 former
                 follies
                 by
                 my
                 future
                 zeal
                 and
                 diligence
                 .
              
            
             
               §
               III.
               BUT
               that
               these
               things
               may
               be
               the
               more
               evident
               ,
               let
               us
               now
               in
               the
               next
               place
               see
               the
               properties
               and
               essential
               requisites
               of
               a
               true
               Penitent
               Resolution
               .
               And
               they
               are
               these
               four
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 deliberate
                 ,
                 and
                 taken
                 up
                 upon
                 mature
                 consideration
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 peremptory
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 resolution
                 
                   de
                   praesenti
                
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 universal
                 .
              
            
             
               FIRST
               ,
               a
               true
               Resolution
               is
               serious
               and
               deliberate
               ,
               not
               like
               those
               rash
               vows
               which
               men
               make
               in
               a
               fit
               or
               an
               agony
               ;
               and
               which
               last
               no
               longer
               then
               the
               heat
               ,
               or
               the
               distress
               .
               Many
               men
               there
               are
               that
               now
               and
               then
               take
               a
               pet
               at
               their
               old
               sins
               ,
               when
               they
               have
               found
               themselves
               disappointed
               of
               either
               the
               pleasure
               or
               the
               security
               which
               they
               promised
               themselves
               in
               
               
               
               
               
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               them
               ;
               or
               that
               for
               their
               sake
               they
               are
               surprized
               with
               some
               calamity
               they
               did
               not
               expect
               ;
               and
               whilest
               that
               disgust
               lasts
               ,
               they
               seem
               mightily
               resolved
               for
               ever
               to
               break
               with
               them
               ;
               but
               as
               soon
               as
               that
               mood
               is
               over
               ,
               like
               old
               friends
               ,
               they
               are
               quickly
               reconciled
               ,
               and
               return
               to
               their
               former
               graciousness
               .
               It
               is
               not
               to
               be
               doubted
               but
               that
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               had
               many
               a
               Lucid
               interval
               before
               this
               ;
               and
               as
               often
               as
               he
               met
               with
               any
               sharp
               cross
               or
               vexation
               in
               his
               way
               ,
               had
               relenting
               thoughts
               ,
               and
               wished
               himself
               again
               at
               his
               Father's
               house
               ;
               but
               it
               was
               but
               a
               flash
               ,
               an
               extempore
               motion
               ,
               a
               passion
               ,
               not
               a
               cool
               rational
               choice
               ;
               there
               was
               no
               deliberation
               ,
               and
               therefore
               no
               Resolution
               ,
               and
               so
               nothing
               came
               of
               it
               .
               
               That
               (
               saith
               
                 Seneca
                 )
                 which
                 amounts
                 to
                 a
                 Resolution
                 must
                 be
                 settled
                 in
                 the
                 mind
                 ,
                 founded
                 in
                 reason
                 ,
                 rooted
                 in
                 the
                 judgment
                 ,
                 not
                 loose
                 ,
                 occasional
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 emergency
                 .
              
               When
               a
               man
               having
               considered
               all
               the
               pleasures
               and
               advantages
               of
               sin
               on
               the
               one
               hand
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               difficulties
               and
               self-denial
               of
               vertue
               on
               the
               other
               ,
               hath
               measured
               the
               hopes
               and
               the
               fears
               ,
               compared
               the
               present
               with
               the
               future
               ,
               and
               represented
               the
               whole
               Series
               of
               things
               to
               his
               own
               mind
               ;
               and
               then
               comes
               to
               a
               conclusion
               ,
               this
               is
               Resolution
               .
               
               Such
               a
               determination
               as
               this
               Joshua
               puts
               the
               people
               of
               Israel
               upon
               ;
               on
               the
               one
               hand
               he
               represents
               to
               them
               the
               great
               reasons
               they
               had
               to
               adhere
               to
               ,
               and
               serve
               the
               true
               God
               of
               Israel
               ;
               and
               on
               the
               other
               ,
               the
               difficulties
               of
               so
               doing
               ;
               the
               sincerity
               and
               accuracy
               which
               his
               Worship
               and
               Service
               required
               ,
               and
               the
               danger
               of
               his
               severity
               if
               they
               neglected
               it
               :
               and
               then
               he
               exhorts
               them
               to
               lay
               their
               hand
               upon
               their
               heart
               ,
               to
               consider
               all
               things
               with
               themselves
               ,
               to
               resolve
               of
               nothing
               rashly
               ,
               but
               upon
               the
               fullest
               satisfaction
               :
               vers
               .
               15.
               
               
                 If
                 it
                 seem
                 evil
                 unto
                 you
                 to
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 choose
                 you
                 this
                 day
                 whom
                 you
                 will
                 serve
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               and
               vers
               .
               16.
               the
               people
               answered
               and
               said
               ,
               
                 God
                 forbid
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 forsake
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 serve
                 other
                 Gods
                 ,
              
               &c.
               and
               then
               lastly
               ,
               vers
               .
               26.
               
               
                 He
                 writes
                 all
                 these
                 passages
                 in
                 a
                 Book
                 ,
              
               makes
               an
               authentick
               record
               thereof
               &
               withal
               sets
               up
               a
               stone
               of
               memorial
               to
               make
               the
               greater
               impression
               ,
               and
               to
               give
               the
               more
               solemnity
               to
               the
               whole
               business
               .
            
             
               AND
               this
               same
               thing
               is
               that
               which
               our
               Saviour
               himself
               intends
               in
               those
               two
               famous
               Parables
               ,
               concerning
               the
               man
               about
               to
               build
               a
               Tower
               ,
               
               and
               the
               Prince
               going
               to
               War
               ;
               which
               we
               have
               taken
               notice
               of
               before
               .
               Our
               Saviour
               would
               have
               men
               that
               come
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               pretend
               to
               imbrace
               his
               Religion
               ,
               to
               count
               the
               cost
               of
               it
               ,
               to
               know
               the
               worst
               of
               things
               ,
               to
               reckon
               upon
               all
               that
               may
               happen
               :
               and
               so
               also
               Jesus
               the
               Son
               of
               Syrach
               advises
               ,
               Eccles
               .
               2.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
               
                 My
                 Son
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 come
                 to
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 prepare
                 thy
                 Soul
                 for
                 temptation
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               If
               thou
               designest
               to
               enter
               upon
               a
               course
               of
               vertue
               ,
               thou
               must
               forethink
               the
               impediments
               as
               well
               as
               the
               incouragements
               ,
               the
               conflict
               as
               well
               as
               the
               crown
               ,
               and
               arm
               thy self
               with
               resolution
               accordingly
               .
            
             
               IT
               is
               the
               artifice
               of
               the
               Devil
               to
               represent
               only
               the
               fair
               side
               of
               things
               to
               men
               ,
               to
               hide
               the
               hook
               with
               the
               bait
               .
               It
               's
               noted
               by
               the
               Evangelist
               ,
               that
               he
               shewed
               our
               Saviour
               
                 the
                 Kingdoms
                 of
                 the
                 world
              
               ,
               
               
                 and
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 them
              
               ;
               he
               set
               forth
               no
               Scene
               of
               the
               troubles
               ,
               vexations
               ,
               vanities
               and
               disappointments
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               but
               all
               was
               beauty
               and
               glory
               .
               For
               he
               designs
               to
               surprize
               and
               lies
               at
               catch
               for
               men
               ,
               and
               knows
               it
               is
               his
               interest
               they
               should
               not
               consider
               ,
               nor
               curiously
               inquire
               into
               the
               just
               state
               of
               things
               ,
               but
               take
               a
               transient
               glance
               only
               ,
               and
               do
               all
               in
               a
               hurry
               .
            
             
               BUT
               it
               is
               not
               God's
               way
               to
               surprize
               men
               ,
               and
               make
               advantage
               of
               their
               inadvertency
               ,
               for
               he
               is
               not
               pleased
               with
               the
               sacrifice
               of
               fools
               ;
               it
               is
               
                 a
                 reasonable
                 
                 service
              
               he
               requires
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               that
               men
               consider
               what
               they
               do
               ,
               and
               chuse
               him
               wisely
               and
               seriously
               .
               NOR
               is
               it
               the
               condition
               of
               vertue
               to
               have
               an
               alluring
               outside
               ,
               to
               tempt
               men's
               passions
               ,
               or
               impose
               upon
               their
               imaginations
               ;
               it
               hath
               a
               matronal
               beauty
               ,
               no
               meretricious
               paint
               ;
               it
               consists
               in
               a
               real
               and
               substantial
               excellency
               ,
               which
               only
               can
               work
               upon
               him
               that
               considers
               :
               so
               that
               no
               man
               falls
               in
               love
               with
               it
               upon
               a
               glance
               ,
               nor
               espouses
               it
               suddenly
               ,
               but
               upon
               clam
               debate
               of
               its
               real
               and
               inward
               perfections
               .
               And
               his
               love
               is
               founded
               in
               reason
               ,
               matured
               by
               time
               ,
               and
               confirmed
               by
               experience
               .
               Or
               if
               there
               be
               any
               man
               that
               pretends
               to
               vertue
               upon
               other
               terms
               ,
               it
               is
               no
               uncharitableness
               to
               prophesie
               ,
               that
               whatever
               his
               present
               heats
               and
               transports
               may
               be
               ,
               they
               will
               quickly
               cool
               and
               come
               to
               nothing
               .
               
               Such
               cases
               being
               fitly
               resembled
               by
               our
               Saviour
               to
               the
               
                 stony
                 ground
              
               ,
               which
               received
               the
               Seed
               with
               joy
               at
               first
               ,
               and
               promised
               fair
               for
               a
               mighty
               harvest
               ;
               but
               having
               not
               depth
               of
               earth
               brought
               nothing
               to
               perfection
               :
               Psal
               .
               129.
               7.
               
               
                 The
                 Mower
                 filled
                 not
                 his
                 hand
                 therewith
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 Reaper
                 his
                 bosome
                 .
              
            
             
               AND
               indeed
               herein
               seems
               to
               lie
               the
               true
               and
               immediate
               reason
               of
               most
               or
               all
               of
               those
               shamefull
               apostasies
               ,
               by
               which
               the
               name
               of
               God
               and
               Religion
               are
               so
               much
               dishonoured
               :
               (
               viz.
               )
               that
               men
               fall
               off
               from
               hopefull
               beginnings
               ,
               and
               
                 end
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 after
                 they
                 had
                 begun
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
              
               as
               the
               Apostle's
               phrase
               is
               ,
               namely
               ,
               there
               was
               not
               depth
               of
               earth
               ,
               no
               sufficient
               serious
               consideration
               of
               what
               they
               undertook
               .
               For
               it
               is
               certain
               ,
               there
               are
               no
               insuperable
               difficulties
               in
               Religion
               ,
               no
               irresistible
               temptations
               to
               the
               contrary
               ;
               God
               is
               not
               worse
               then
               his
               word
               ,
               nor
               doth
               change
               his
               terms
               ,
               nor
               can
               any
               man
               see
               any
               reason
               to
               alter
               his
               mind
               if
               he
               calculated
               as
               he
               might
               have
               done
               at
               first
               ;
               but
               they
               considered
               not
               ,
               counted
               not
               the
               cost
               ,
               and
               
               so
               are
               surprized
               and
               beaten
               off
               .
               And
               the
               holy
               Gospel
               gives
               us
               no
               less
               a
               man
               then
               St.
               Peter
               himself
               ,
               for
               instance
               hereof
               :
               He
               in
               a
               great
               pang
               of
               devotion
               to
               his
               Master
               goes
               out
               before
               the
               Camp
               of
               Israel
               ,
               defies
               Goliah
               and
               all
               the
               uncircumcised
               Philistins
               ,
               dares
               and
               challenges
               danger
               it self
               ;
               and
               Lord
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 If
                 all
                 men
                 should
                 forsake
                 thee
                 ,
                 yet
                 will
                 not
                 I
                 :
                 If
                 I
                 must
                 die
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 forsake
                 thee
                 .
              
               But
               it
               was
               only
               an
               heat
               ,
               and
               a
               bravery
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ;
               he
               had
               not
               seriously
               considered
               the
               business
               ,
               nor
               forecasted
               what
               might
               ensue
               ;
               there
               was
               no
               mature
               deliberation
               ,
               no
               preparations
               for
               a
               real
               encounter
               ,
               and
               therefore
               it
               sped
               accordingly
               ,
               and
               he
               came
               off
               shamefully
               :
               and
               in
               him
               we
               have
               a
               standing
               example
               of
               the
               frailty
               of
               the
               greatest
               passion
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               necessity
               that
               counsel
               and
               deliberation
               ground
               our
               Resolutions
               .
               By
               which
               means
               also
               they
               will
               become
            
             
               2.
               
               DECRETORY
               and
               Peremptory
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               second
               property
               of
               vertuous
               Resolution
               .
               There
               are
               some
               men
               whom
               an
               affectionate
               discourse
               ,
               a
               serious
               Sermon
               ,
               or
               any
               notable
               accident
               ,
               will
               put
               into
               a
               fit
               of
               devotion
               ,
               which
               shall
               last
               only
               untill
               something
               else
               come
               in
               the
               way
               ,
               and
               then
               theformer
               impressions
               give
               way
               to
               the
               latter
               .
               These
               we
               commonly
               call
               good
               natured
               men
               ,
               whose
               facility
               of
               temper
               puts
               them
               at
               the
               mercy
               of
               every
               contingency
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               good
               and
               bad
               as
               occasion
               serves
               :
               
                 Clouds
                 they
                 are
                 without
                 water
                 ,
                 carried
                 about
                 of
                 every
                 wind
                 ,
              
               (
               as
               St.
               Jude
               expresses
               it
               ,
               vers
               .
               12.
               )
               or
               as
               St.
               
                 James
                 ,
                 Double
                 minded
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 unstable
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 ways
              
               ;
               Jam.
               1.
               8.
               that
               have
               no
               settled
               principle
               ,
               nothing
               fixed
               and
               constant
               to
               govern
               themselves
               by
               .
               To
               these
               the
               Prophecie
               of
               Jacob
               concerning
               his
               Son
               Reuben
               ,
               may
               fitly
               be
               applied
               ,
               Gen.
               49.
               4.
               
               
                 Vnstable
                 as
                 water
                 ,
                 therefore
                 thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 excell
                 :
              
               such
               irresolute
               tempers
               
               can
               never
               arrive
               at
               any
               excellency
               of
               vertue
               .
               THE
               people
               of
               the
               Jews
               had
               no
               doubt
               a
               good
               mind
               to
               be
               in
               possession
               of
               the
               land
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               notwithstanding
               when-ever
               they
               met
               with
               any
               difficulty
               ,
               then
               
                 would
                 to
                 God
                 we
                 were
                 again
                 by
                 the
                 flesh-pots
                 of
              
               Aegypt
               ;
               and
               none
               of
               these
               light
               and
               mutable
               persons
               ever
               came
               to
               the
               good
               Land.
               There
               were
               Anakims
               and
               Giants
               ,
               and
               a
               thousand
               difficulties
               ran
               in
               their
               heads
               which
               enfeebled
               them
               for
               the
               enterprize
               ;
               only
               Joshua
               and
               Caleb
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               were
               animated
               by
               their
               brave
               example
               ,
               and
               said
               ,
               
                 Come
                 let
                 us
                 go
                 up
                 ,
                 for
                 we
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 conquer
                 :
              
               only
               such
               I
               say
               came
               to
               the
               possession
               of
               it
               .
               1
               Kings
               18.
               21.
               
               
                 How
                 long
                 halt
                 ye
                 between
                 two
                 opinions
                 ?
              
               (
               said
               the
               Prophet
               to
               the
               men
               of
               
                 Israel
                 )
                 If
                 Baal
                 be
                 God
                 serve
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 if
                 Jehovah
                 be
                 God
                 then
                 serve
                 him
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               Whether
               you
               serve
               the
               true
               God
               or
               the
               false
               ,
               irresolution
               spoils
               all
               devotion
               either
               way
               ;
               for
               whilst
               you
               doubt
               and
               dispute
               your
               way
               ,
               you
               do
               but
               halt
               towards
               your
               end
               and
               design
               .
               Accordingly
               Moses
               indeavours
               to
               raise
               a
               generosity
               of
               mind
               in
               the
               men
               of
               Israel
               ,
               by
               those
               words
               ,
               Deut.
               26.
               17.
               
               
                 Thou
                 hast
                 vouched
                 the
                 Lord
                 this
                 day
                 to
                 be
                 thy
                 God.
                 q.
                 d.
              
               It
               now
               becomes
               you
               to
               be
               religious
               in
               earnest
               ,
               to
               serve
               God
               with
               a
               perfect
               heart
               and
               a
               willing
               mind
               ,
               for
               you
               have
               now
               put
               it
               past
               all
               dispute
               ,
               you
               have
               chosen
               and
               resolved
               the
               Lord
               to
               be
               your
               God
               ,
               and
               therefore
               be
               consistent
               with
               your selves
               .
            
             
               THERE
               is
               no
               vertue
               in
               a
               faint
               velleity
               ,
               when
               men
               shall
               speak
               as
               Agrippa
               in
               the
               
                 Acts
                 ,
                 Almost
                 thou
                 persuadest
                 me
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Christian
                 .
              
               It
               is
               no
               wisedome
               to
               put
               in
               Cautions
               now
               ,
               't
               is
               only
               the
               language
               of
               the
               sluggard
               ,
               to
               say
               
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 Lion
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 .
                 Postquam
                 consulueris
                 maturè
                 facto
                 opus
                 est
                 .
              
               All
               gallantry
               of
               mind
               is
               now
               (
               after
               deliberation
               )
               to
               take
               up
               an
               immoveable
               resolution
               ;
               for
               Vertue
               is
               neither
               a
               wary
               diffidence
               
               nor
               a
               hot
               fit
               of
               zeal
               ,
               but
               a
               constant
               vital
               heat
               ,
               and
               a
               settled
               temper
               of
               mind
               .
               The
               young
               man
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               St.
               Mark
               10.
               22.
               comes
               to
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 Good
                 Master
                 what
                 good
                 thing
                 shall
                 I
                 doe
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 inherit
                 eternal
                 life
                 ?
              
               He
               thought
               it
               a
               fine
               thing
               to
               be
               a
               candidate
               of
               the
               other
               World
               :
               eternal
               life
               which
               our
               Saviour
               preached
               and
               promised
               ,
               was
               a
               glorious
               and
               very
               desirable
               thing
               ;
               and
               he
               could
               be
               well
               content
               to
               become
               a
               Disciple
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               to
               do
               some
               very
               good
               thing
               that
               he
               might
               attain
               it
               .
               For
               indeed
               ,
               eternal
               life
               is
               that
               which
               no
               man
               can
               chuse
               but
               desire
               ;
               to
               have
               a
               mind
               to
               be
               saved
               is
               no
               sign
               of
               grace
               ;
               for
               a
               man
               must
               expresly
               hate
               himself
               should
               he
               do
               otherwise
               .
               Thus
               far
               therefore
               he
               was
               right
               ;
               but
               after
               all
               this
               he
               went
               away
               sorrowfull
               without
               his
               errand
               ;
               he
               had
               not
               throughly
               resolved
               with
               himself
               to
               go
               through
               with
               it
               ,
               he
               could
               not
               find
               in
               his
               heart
               (
               like
               the
               wise
               Merchant
               )
               to
               
                 sell
                 and
                 part
                 with
                 all
                 he
                 had
                 to
                 purchase
                 this
                 pearl
                 of
                 inestimable
                 price
                 .
              
               But
               the
               true
               Penitent
               sets
               down
               an
               immoveable
               resolution
               to
               go
               through
               what-ever
               it
               cost
               him
               .
               
                 I
                 have
                 faultered
                 too
                 long
                 already
                 (
                 faith
                 he
                 )
                 now
                 
                   stat
                   sententia
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 the
                 Medes
                 and
                 Persians
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 nothing
                 shall
                 dispense
                 with
                 my
                 purpose
                 ,
                 or
                 assoil
                 my
                 resolutions
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 
                   now
                   return
                
                 .
              
               And
               that
               brings
               me
               to
               the
            
             
               3.
               
               THIRD
               property
               of
               a
               vertuous
               resolution
               :
               It
               is
               
                 de
                 praesenti
              
               ,
               a
               present
               Resolution
               ;
               like
               that
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               Psal
               .
               119.
               vers
               .
               59
               ,
               60.
               
               
                 I
                 thought
                 upon
                 my
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 turned
                 my
                 feet
                 to
                 thy
                 precepts
                 .
                 I
                 made
                 haste
                 ,
                 and
                 delayed
                 not
                 to
                 keep
                 thy
                 righteous
                 judgments
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
                 
              
               
                 My
                 consideration
                 lead
                 me
                 to
                 resolution
                 of
                 amendment
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 found
                 the
                 nature
                 and
                 consequence
                 of
                 that
                 was
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 admit
                 of
                 no
                 delay
                 ;
                 I
                 therefore
                 set
                 presently
                 about
                 it
                 .
              
               A
               resolution
               of
               amendment
               
               which
               commences
               not
               presently
               ,
               but
               intends
               to
               do
               it
               hereafter
               ,
               is
               no
               repentance
               nor
               any
               good
               sign
               of
               grace
               ;
               forasmuch
               as
               it
               is
               probable
               that
               there
               is
               no
               man
               in
               the
               whole
               world
               ,
               at
               least
               under
               the
               light
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               who
               hath
               ever
               reflected
               upon
               himself
               ,
               or
               thought
               of
               God
               and
               another
               life
               ,
               but
               hath
               some
               time
               or
               other
               resolved
               to
               become
               a
               new
               man.
               And
               indeed
               ,
               this
               is
               the
               most
               fatal
               cheat
               men
               put
               upon
               themselves
               ,
               and
               I
               fear
               now
               there
               are
               multitudes
               entered
               into
               the
               chambers
               of
               darkness
               ,
               and
               an
               irreversible
               estate
               ,
               that
               for
               a
               great
               part
               of
               their
               lives
               carried
               along
               with
               them
               both
               convictions
               of
               the
               necessity
               of
               reformation
               ,
               and
               resolutions
               one
               time
               or
               other
               to
               set
               about
               it
               .
               
               For
               as
               I
               said
               before
               ,
               it
               is
               but
               self-love
               to
               desire
               eternal
               life
               ;
               and
               no
               man
               that
               considers
               at
               all
               ,
               can
               think
               but
               something
               must
               be
               done
               for
               the
               attainment
               of
               it
               ;
               or
               (
               so
               thinking
               )
               can
               so
               desperately
               abandon
               himself
               as
               not
               to
               intend
               to
               do
               it
               .
               But
               he
               understands
               not
               sufficiently
               either
               the
               evil
               or
               the
               danger
               of
               sin
               ,
               much
               less
               hath
               any
               true
               sense
               of
               vertue
               ,
               
               that
               can
               find
               in
               his
               heart
               to
               procrastinate
               and
               adjourn
               the
               resolution
               of
               casting
               off
               the
               former
               and
               applying
               himself
               to
               the
               latter
               :
               
               For
               where
               the
               mischief
               is
               intolerable
               on
               the
               one
               hand
               ,
               
               and
               the
               good
               and
               happiness
               the
               most
               unspeakable
               and
               highest
               that
               can
               be
               ,
               on
               the
               other
               ;
               there
               can
               be
               neither
               wisedom
               nor
               safety
               in
               any
               other
               course
               then
               that
               which
               Solomon
               directs
               ,
               Eccles
               .
               9.
               10.
               
               
                 Whatever
                 thy
                 hand
                 finds
                 to
                 doe
                 ,
                 doe
                 it
                 with
                 all
                 thy
                 might
                 ;
                 for
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 work
                 ,
                 nor
                 device
                 ,
                 nor
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 nor
                 wisedom
                 in
                 the
                 grave
                 whither
                 thou
                 goest
                 .
              
               When
               once
               death
               hath
               closed
               our
               eyes
               ,
               the
               time
               of
               probation
               is
               over
               ,
               the
               day
               of
               grace
               certainly
               shuts
               in
               ,
               and
               
                 the
                 night
                 cometh
                 when
                 no
                 man
                 can
                 work
                 :
              
               And
               who
               that
               either
               understands
               the
               frail
               contexture
               of
               his
               body
               ,
               or
               the
               many
               
               thousand
               accidents
               it
               is
               subject
               to
               ,
               can
               be
               warrantie
               for
               his
               own
               life
               one
               moment
               beyond
               the
               present
               ?
               or
               if
               that
               should
               be
               continued
               ,
               who
               shall
               secure
               us
               that
               a
               day
               of
               grace
               shall
               last
               as
               long
               as
               we
               live
               ?
               Who
               shall
               prescribe
               to
               the
               Almighty
               that
               he
               shall
               wait
               our
               leisure
               ,
               and
               accept
               us
               at
               last
               ?
               All
               which
               things
               considered
               ,
               he
               that
               only
               resolves
               to
               amend
               hereafter
               ,
               is
               certainly
               resolved
               not
               to
               amend
               now
               ;
               and
               therefore
               is
               in
               no
               state
               of
               repentance
               ,
               nor
               in
               the
               way
               of
               mercy
               .
            
             
               WHEREFORE
               the
               true
               Penitent
               resolves
               presently
               to
               arise
               ,
               
                 I
                 have
                 trifled
                 too
                 long
                 already
                 (
                 faith
                 he
                 )
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 dallying
                 any
                 longer
                 in
                 a
                 business
                 of
                 this
                 nature
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 couzened
                 by
                 my
                 own
                 heart
                 oft
                 enough
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 trust
                 my self
                 for
                 day
                 no
                 longer
                 .
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 find
                 my
                 heart
                 either
                 more
                 willing
                 or
                 more
                 able
                 to
                 perform
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 time
                 I
                 have
                 given
                 it
                 :
                 but
                 quite
                 contrary
                 ,
                 my
                 ability
                 is
                 less
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 debt
                 greater
                 ;
                 my
                 heart
                 harder
                 ,
                 my
                 affections
                 more
                 ingaged
                 ,
                 and
                 lesse
                 willing
                 to
                 come
                 off
                 .
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 find
                 that
                 the
                 longer
                 I
                 serve
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 ever
                 the
                 likelier
                 to
                 manumit
                 me
                 ;
                 nay
                 I
                 feel
                 the
                 longer
                 I
                 serve
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 heavier
                 chains
                 he
                 lays
                 upon
                 me
                 .
                 If
                 he
                 can
                 persuade
                 me
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 yet
                 too
                 soon
                 to
                 return
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 by
                 the
                 same
                 Logick
                 persuade
                 me
                 hereafter
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 too
                 late
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 find
                 by
                 experience
                 that
                 if
                 my
                 heart
                 be
                 bad
                 to
                 day
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 likely
                 to
                 be
                 worse
                 to
                 morrow
                 :
                 I
                 cannot
                 think
                 it
                 reasonable
                 to
                 expect
                 that
                 God's
                 Spirit
                 will
                 strive
                 with
                 me
                 the
                 more
                 I
                 resist
                 him
                 ;
                 nor
                 dare
                 I
                 trust
                 
                   that
                   grace
                   should
                   abound
                   the
                   more
                   my
                   sin
                   abounds
                   .
                
                 A
                 day
                 neglected
                 now
                 ,
                 for
                 ought
                 I
                 know
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 my
                 Soul
                 is
                 worth
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 cost
                 me
                 eternity
                 :
                 now
                 by
                 God's
                 grace
                 I
                 find
                 it
                 in
                 my
                 heart
                 to
                 return
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 I
                 'll
                 put
                 it
                 in
                 execution
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 no
                 more
                 venture
                 
                 upon
                 uncertainties
                 ,
                 nor
                 forgo
                 what
                 is
                 in
                 my
                 power
                 for
                 what
                 is
                 not
                 :
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 promise
                 to
                 pay
                 hereafter
                 what
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 willing
                 now
                 to
                 perform
                 .
                 No
                 more
                 therefore
                 of
                 the
                 sluggard
                 ,
                 
                   Yet
                   a
                   little
                   sleep
                   ,
                   a
                   little
                   slumber
                   ,
                   a
                   little
                   folding
                   of
                   the
                   hands
                   to
                   sleep
                   .
                
                 I
                 will
                 now
                 arise
                 and
                 return
                 to
                 my
                 Father
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 my
                 duty
                 ,
              
               which
               is
            
             
               4.
               
               The
               Fourth
               and
               last
               property
               of
               vertuous
               resolution
               :
               namely
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               through
               and
               uniform
               resolution
               which
               takes
               in
               the
               whole
               business
               and
               compass
               of
               Religion
               .
               The
               Historian
               observes
               of
               the
               Romans
               in
               the
               degenerate
               times
               of
               their
               Common-wealth
               ,
               that
               now
               all
               their
               disputes
               were
               not
               
                 an
                 servirent
                 sed
                 cui
                 ,
                 not
                 for
                 liberty
                 ,
                 but
                 who
                 should
                 be
                 their
                 Lord
                 :
              
               and
               they
               fought
               not
               to
               assert
               or
               recover
               their
               freedom
               ,
               but
               meerly
               to
               have
               the
               choice
               of
               their
               yoke
               ,
               and
               so
               whoever
               conquered
               they
               were
               certainly
               slaves
               .
               In
               like
               manner
               some
               men
               being
               under
               convictions
               of
               Conscience
               of
               the
               evil
               and
               danger
               of
               the
               way
               they
               are
               in
               ,
               resolve
               upon
               a
               change
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               not
               to
               change
               themselves
               but
               their
               sins
               ,
               one
               for
               another
               .
               The
               Drunkard
               becomes
               covetous
               ,
               the
               loose
               and
               licentious
               person
               exchanges
               his
               levity
               for
               morosity
               ,
               and
               from
               a
               common
               scandal
               becomes
               a
               busy
               body
               ,
               a
               judge
               ,
               and
               very
               censorious
               .
               And
               so
               the
               man
               is
               disguised
               rather
               then
               amended
               ;
               and
               hath
               a
               new
               master
               ,
               but
               is
               nevertheless
               a
               slave
               .
               Others
               perhaps
               there
               are
               who
               will
               go
               further
               ,
               and
               part
               with
               a
               sin
               without
               a
               succedaneum
               ,
               or
               entertaining
               any
               other
               in
               its
               room
               ,
               because
               it
               might
               happen
               that
               such
               a
               sin
               was
               grown
               less
               agreeable
               to
               their
               constitution
               ,
               too
               chargeable
               for
               their
               profit
               ,
               too
               dangerous
               to
               their
               reputation
               ,
               and
               peradventure
               also
               too
               uneasy
               for
               their
               Consciences
               ;
               but
               there
               are
               some
               other
               sins
               they
               can
               by
               no
               means
               think
               of
               forgoing
               .
               Thus
               the
               Scripture
               observes
               of
               some
               
               Kings
               of
               Israel
               that
               were
               great
               reformers
               ,
               and
               expressed
               a
               mighty
               zeal
               against
               the
               Idolatry
               of
               Ahab
               and
               other
               corruptions
               ;
               who
               yet
               all
               their
               days
               stuck
               close
               to
               the
               
                 sin
                 of
                 Jeroboam
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 Nebat
                 :
              
               that
               kind
               of
               Idolatry
               was
               bound
               up
               with
               their
               interest
               ,
               and
               therefore
               must
               not
               be
               laid
               aside
               .
            
             
               INDEED
               ,
               if
               we
               consider
               the
               matter
               well
               ,
               we
               shall
               find
               the
               power
               of
               an
               inlightned
               Conscience
               to
               be
               such
               ,
               as
               to
               prevail
               with
               any
               man
               to
               resolve
               either
               to
               forsake
               any
               one
               sin
               upon
               condition
               he
               might
               securely
               enjoy
               all
               the
               rest
               ;
               or
               at
               least
               not
               to
               stick
               at
               any
               one
               duty
               of
               Religion
               ,
               if
               thereby
               he
               might
               expiate
               his
               other
               commissions
               and
               omissions
               .
               And
               the
               Jews
               had
               a
               corrupt
               Doctrine
               amongst
               them
               very
               agreeable
               to
               this
               humour
               :
               namely
               ,
               that
               if
               a
               man
               observed
               some
               one
               remarkable
               precept
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               it
               was
               enough
               to
               excuse
               him
               upon
               the
               whole
               ;
               and
               that
               notion
               of
               theirs
               seems
               to
               have
               given
               occasion
               to
               that
               question
               so
               often
               put
               to
               our
               Saviour
               ;
               
               
                 Which
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 commandment
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ?
              
               For
               they
               disputed
               amongst
               themselves
               upon
               that
               supposition
               ,
               
               which
               was
               the
               one
               surest
               point
               to
               trust
               to
               ,
               
               whether
               to
               Sacrifice
               as
               some
               held
               ,
               or
               to
               Circumcision
               as
               others
               ,
               or
               to
               the
               observation
               of
               the
               Sabbath
               as
               a
               third
               ,
               &c.
               
               I
               say
               their
               intent
               was
               to
               ask
               his
               opinion
               what
               branch
               of
               the
               Law
               God
               most
               insisted
               upon
               ,
               that
               in
               compliance
               therewith
               they
               might
               compendiously
               secure
               their
               own
               interest
               without
               the
               trouble
               of
               universal
               obedience
               :
               but
               our
               Saviour
               being
               aware
               of
               the
               subtlety
               directs
               them
               in
               all
               the
               places
               forementioned
               to
               that
               Paragraph
               of
               the
               Law
               which
               was
               comprehensive
               of
               the
               whole
               :
               (
               
                 viz.
                 )
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 love
                 the
                 Lord
                 thy
                 God
                 with
                 all
                 thy
                 heart
                 and
                 with
                 all
                 thy
                 Soul
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
            
             
               THE
               Devil
               is
               so
               wary
               and
               frugal
               a
               Trader
               that
               he
               will
               comply
               with
               the
               Market
               ,
               and
               is
               content
               as
               I
               
               noted
               before
               ,
               to
               barter
               one
               sin
               for
               another
               ;
               or
               rather
               to
               compound
               for
               half
               then
               to
               lose
               all
               :
               and
               is
               also
               so
               good
               a
               Philosopher
               as
               to
               know
               
                 malum
                 oritur
                 ex
                 quolibet
                 defectu
                 &
                 bonum
                 constat
                 ex
                 integris
                 causis
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 volùntary
                 omission
                 of
                 any
                 one
                 part
                 of
                 our
                 duty
                 nulls
                 our
                 obedience
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 one
                 sin
                 will
                 damn
                 a
                 man
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 many
                 .
              
               For
               he
               that
               retains
               a
               love
               to
               any
               one
               sin
               cannot
               be
               said
               to
               have
               a
               resolution
               against
               sin
               ,
               or
               to
               hate
               sin
               for
               it self
               ;
               and
               God
               is
               resolved
               to
               have
               us
               intirely
               his
               ,
               or
               not
               at
               all
               .
               For
               he
               that
               makes
               any
               exceptions
               or
               reservations
               ,
               that
               capitulates
               with
               God
               ,
               deals
               not
               with
               him
               as
               with
               a
               God.
               He
               therefore
               that
               takes
               up
               a
               penitent
               resolution
               is
               uniform
               and
               universal
               therein
               ,
               fully
               decrees
               with
               himself
               to
               omit
               nothing
               that
               he
               knows
               to
               be
               his
               duty
               ,
               nor
               to
               dispense
               with
               himself
               in
               the
               practice
               of
               any
               thing
               (
               how
               gratefull
               soever
               to
               him
               )
               that
               he
               knows
               to
               be
               a
               sin
               .
               
                 I
                 know
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 sovereignty
                 hath
                 a
                 just
                 title
                 to
                 my
                 whole
                 life
                 and
                 to
                 all
                 my
                 powers
                 ;
                 he
                 hath
                 obliged
                 me
                 beyond
                 all
                 that
                 ever
                 I
                 can
                 correspond
                 with
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 jealous
                 of
                 his
                 honour
                 ,
                 and
                 hates
                 to
                 be
                 served
                 deceitfully
                 and
                 by
                 halves
                 ;
                 he
                 will
                 admit
                 of
                 no
                 rival
                 ,
                 no
                 sharer
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 he
                 sees
                 all
                 my
                 wandrings
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 revenge
                 my
                 hypocrisy
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 and
                 ready
                 to
                 reward
                 sincerity
                 above
                 desert
                 ,
                 above
                 expectation
                 ,
                 beyond
                 all
                 thought
                 and
                 imagination
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 sensible
                 that
                 hitherto
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 only
                 loitered
                 in
                 his
                 service
                 ,
                 but
                 declined
                 it
                 ;
                 nay
                 opposed
                 ,
                 affronted
                 ,
                 rebelled
                 against
                 him
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 listed
                 my self
                 under
                 his
                 professed
                 enemy
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 that
                 banner
                 I
                 have
                 spent
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 my
                 time
                 .
                 Now
                 may
                 it
                 please
                 his
                 infinite
                 goodness
                 to
                 accept
                 me
                 at
                 last
                 ;
                 I
                 vow
                 to
                 be
                 intirely
                 his
                 ,
                 I
                 'll
                 dispute
                 no
                 commands
                 ,
                 I
                 'll
                 make
                 no
                 exceptions
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 'll
                 double
                 my
                 diligence
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 exemplary
                 
                 Convert
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   what
                   wilt
                   thou
                   have
                   me
                   to
                   doe
                   Lord
                   ?
                
              
            
             
               §
               IV.
               THUS
               we
               have
               seen
               the
               nature
               and
               properties
               of
               that
               which
               we
               called
               the
               hinge
               of
               conversion
               ;
               but
               let
               us
               now
               see
               what
               are
               the
               springs
               or
               plummets
               that
               set
               this
               great
               Engine
               on
               work
               ;
               or
               what
               are
               the
               considerations
               by
               way
               of
               motive
               ,
               that
               put
               men
               upon
               a
               resolution
               of
               repentance
               ;
               and
               they
               are
               principally
               these
               four
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 A
                 persuasion
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 unsuccessfull
                 and
                 unacceptable
                 to
                 God
                 if
                 we
                 truely
                 repent
                 at
                 last
                 though
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 great
                 sinners
                 before
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 An
                 apprehension
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 impossible
                 to
                 become
                 perfectly
                 new
                 men
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 our
                 pre-ingagements
                 in
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 onely
                 possible
                 but
                 easie
                 so
                 to
                 doe
                 if
                 we
                 set
                 about
                 it
                 in
                 earnest
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 A
                 clear
                 perception
                 ,
                 that
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 easie
                 or
                 difficult
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 plain
                 necessity
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 done
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               THE
               first
               motive
               to
               a
               resolution
               of
               repentance
               is
               a
               persuasion
               of
               mind
               that
               God
               is
               not
               inexorable
               ,
               but
               that
               repentance
               may
               find
               acceptance
               with
               him
               .
               It
               is
               a
               memorable
               story
               concerning
               the
               Tusculani
               ,
               a
               little
               people
               in
               Italy
               ,
               who
               had
               so
               highly
               provoked
               the
               Romans
               that
               Camillus
               was
               leading
               his
               Army
               towards
               them
               to
               take
               revenge
               :
               but
               they
               growing
               quickly
               apprehensive
               of
               their
               danger
               ,
               took
               an
               effectual
               course
               to
               appease
               a
               generous
               enemy
               ;
               for
               they
               made
               no
               shew
               of
               resistance
               ,
               but
               set
               open
               their
               Gates
               ,
               and
               were
               found
               every
               man
               hard
               at
               his
               ordinary
               affairs
               ,
               submitting
               all
               to
               the
               will
               of
               those
               they
               knew
               
               themselves
               unable
               to
               contend
               with
               .
               Whereupon
               the
               brave
               Camillus
               speaks
               to
               them
               to
               this
               purpose
               .
               You
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 amongst
                 all
                 people
                 have
                 only
                 found
                 out
                 the
                 true
                 way
                 of
                 abating
                 the
                 Romane
                 fury
                 ,
              
               
               
                 and
                 your
                 submission
                 hath
                 been
                 your
                 best
                 defence
                 ;
                 upon
                 these
                 terms
                 we
                 can
                 no
                 more
                 find
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 to
                 injure
                 you
                 ,
                 then
                 upon
                 other
                 terms
                 you
                 could
                 have
                 found
                 power
                 to
                 oppose
                 us
                 .
              
               To
               whom
               the
               chief
               Magistrate
               on
               the
               other
               side
               thus
               replies
               .
               *
               
                 We
                 have
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 so
                 in
                 good
                 earnest
                 repented
                 us
                 of
                 our
                 former
                 folly
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 confidence
                 of
                 that
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 a
                 generous
                 enemy
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 afraid
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 our
                 fault
                 .
              
            
             
               NOT
               much
               unlike
               to
               this
               is
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               relenting
               Son
               in
               the
               Text
               :
               
                 For
                 (
                 thinks
                 he
                 )
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 amiss
                 I
                 can
                 neither
                 answer
                 to
                 my self
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 my
                 Father
                 ;
                 I
                 can
                 neither
                 deny
                 the
                 fact
                 ,
                 nor
                 defend
                 it
                 ;
                 therefore
                 I
                 must
                 try
                 what
                 repentance
                 will
                 doe
                 ,
                 and
                 appeal
                 from
                 his
                 justice
                 to
                 his
                 mercy
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 I
                 forsook
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 Father
                 I
                 forsook
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 name
                 speaks
                 benignity
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 may
                 not
                 a
                 Son
                 hope
                 for
                 from
                 a
                 Father
                 ?
                 There
                 is
                 Rhetorick
                 in
                 confession
                 ,
                 and
                 contrite
                 submission
                 hath
                 mighty
                 prevalence
                 upon
                 all
                 ingenuous
                 natures
                 .
                 
                   Quem
                   poenitet
                   peccasse
                   paenè
                   est
                   innocens
                   .
                   Repentance
                   uses
                   to
                   have
                   the
                   success
                   even
                   of
                   innocency
                   it self
                   ,
                
                 and
                 I
                 that
                 have
                 failed
                 of
                 the
                 one
                 will
                 try
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 My
                 acknowledgment
                 will
                 prevent
                 my
                 accusation
                 .
                 If
                 I
                 condemn
                 my self
                 ,
                 I
                 save
                 my
                 Father
                 a
                 labour
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 I
                 abhor
                 my self
                 ,
                 I
                 move
                 his
                 pity
                 :
                 especially
                 if
                 I
                 become
                 another
                 man
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 see
                 the
                 same
                 reason
                 to
                 receive
                 me
                 then
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 to
                 reject
                 me
                 now
                 .
              
            
             
               AND
               so
               the
               penitent
               towards
               God.
               
                 I
                 have
                 offended
                 the
                 Divine
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 name
                 speaks
                 goodness
                 ;
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 not
                 as
                 good
                 
                 as
                 can
                 be
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 ,
                 nothing
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 good
                 can
                 proceed
                 from
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 nothing
                 that
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 but
                 may
                 be
                 expected
                 from
                 him
                 ;
                 therefore
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 pardon
                 .
              
            
             
               THE
               wisedome
               of
               all
               the
               world
               hath
               agreed
               to
               make
               it
               the
               constant
               stile
               of
               God
               ,
               
                 Optimus
                 Maximus
                 ,
                 the
                 greatest
                 Goodness
                 ,
              
               or
               the
               
                 best
                 Greatness
              
               :
               goodness
               and
               mercy
               are
               as
               essential
               to
               him
               as
               power
               and
               justice
               ;
               nay
               the
               very
               latter
               inferr
               the
               former
               .
               For
               what
               is
               there
               can
               tempt
               an
               infinitely
               perfect
               Being
               to
               be
               cruel
               and
               inexorable
               ?
               He
               that
               hath
               all
               fullness
               in
               himself
               ,
               can
               certainly
               envy
               nothing
               ;
               can
               hate
               nothing
               that
               he
               hath
               made
               ,
               but
               must
               needs
               pity
               those
               that
               are
               below
               him
               ,
               and
               delight
               to
               communicate
               himself
               to
               such
               as
               need
               him
               .
               Envy
               and
               cruelty
               are
               the
               issues
               of
               meer
               weakness
               ,
               fear
               ,
               want
               ,
               and
               impotency
               .
               The
               poor
               are
               apt
               to
               envy
               the
               rich
               because
               they
               enjoy
               what
               they
               want
               ;
               and
               we
               commonly
               observe
               ,
               that
               the
               weakest
               and
               most
               timorous
               Creatures
               are
               most
               revengefull
               and
               implacable
               :
               The
               Coward
               is
               deadly
               and
               sanguinary
               because
               he
               is
               not
               secure
               of
               his
               own
               strength
               ,
               and
               therefore
               dares
               not
               slip
               his
               opportunity
               ,
               but
               strikes
               home
               and
               mortally
               lest
               the
               danger
               should
               recoil
               upon
               himself
               .
               But
               what
               rich
               and
               great
               man
               envies
               the
               beggar
               ?
               or
               what
               valiant
               man
               was
               ever
               remorsless
               and
               sanguinary
               ?
               The
               former
               hath
               all
               the
               arguments
               to
               pity
               because
               he
               cannot
               want
               ,
               and
               the
               latter
               all
               the
               inducements
               to
               pardon
               because
               he
               cannot
               fear
               .
               God
               is
               above
               all
               danger
               ,
               can
               be
               hurt
               by
               nothing
               ,
               needs
               nothing
               ,
               hath
               nothing
               to
               receive
               ,
               but
               much
               to
               bestow
               ;
               he
               cannot
               therefore
               be
               prompted
               to
               take
               advantage
               against
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               or
               delight
               in
               their
               misery
               ,
               since
               the
               only
               ends
               he
               hath
               to
               serve
               upon
               them
               ,
               is
               the
               enjoying
               his
               own
               fullness
               by
               reflection
               ,
               the
               diffusing
               and
               communicating
               
               himself
               to
               them
               ,
               and
               thereby
               making
               them
               happy
               .
            
             
               WHEN
               God
               was
               highly
               provoked
               by
               the
               sin
               of
               David
               in
               numbring
               the
               people
               ,
               in
               which
               fact
               there
               was
               a
               complication
               of
               many
               evils
               ,
               there
               was
               disobedience
               to
               an
               express
               Law
               ,
               there
               was
               distrust
               of
               the
               divine
               providence
               ,
               and
               a
               vain
               confidence
               in
               the
               arm
               of
               flesh
               ;
               It
               pleased
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               to
               notify
               his
               displeasure
               by
               the
               Prophet
               Nathan
               ;
               and
               withall
               ,
               gives
               David
               his
               choice
               either
               of
               Pestilence
               ,
               
               Famine
               ,
               or
               Sword
               :
               the
               King
               refers
               it
               back
               again
               to
               God
               ,
               whether
               he
               would
               please
               to
               punish
               by
               the
               Famine
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               Pestilence
               ;
               for
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 Let
                 us
                 fall
                 into
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 mercies
                 are
                 great
                 ;
                 but
                 let
                 us
                 not
                 fall
                 into
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               He
               had
               rather
               trust
               the
               mercies
               of
               an
               incensed
               God
               ,
               then
               lie
               at
               the
               mercy
               of
               mortal
               men
               .
               He
               knew
               they
               were
               transported
               with
               rage
               and
               fury
               ,
               but
               God
               was
               pitifull
               ;
               they
               often
               forgot
               themselves
               ,
               but
               God
               remembred
               sinners
               were
               but
               men
               ,
               
               and
               dust
               and
               ashes
               .
               They
               would
               plague
               one
               another
               maliciously
               ,
               but
               God
               chastised
               in
               wisedom
               and
               measure
               .
               And
               that
               with
               him
               according
               to
               the
               phrase
               of
               St.
               James
               ,
               mercy
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               rejoiceth
               against
               ,
               glorieth
               and
               triumpheth
               over
               justice
               .
            
             
               
                 THE
                 Discourse
                 of
                 a
                 brave
                 Heathen
                 is
                 excellent
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 .
              
               
               We
               think
               it
               just
               (
               
                 saith
                 he
              
               )
               to
               give
               both
               thanks
               and
               reward
               to
               him
               that
               cures
               our
               bodily
               infirmities
               ,
               though
               he
               do
               it
               not
               without
               some
               pain
               and
               trouble
               to
               us
               ;
               and
               why
               should
               we
               not
               rather
               love
               God's
               methods
               as
               the
               Physician
               of
               Souls
               ?
               there
               is
               no
               passion
               ,
               nor
               much
               less
               revenge
               ,
               in
               his
               proceedings
               with
               us
               ;
               he
               neither
               cuts
               and
               lances
               us
               cruelly
               ,
               nor
               uses
               any
               other
               sharpness
               then
               the
               case
               necessarily
               requires
               ;
               he
               doth
               nothing
               with
               intention
               to
               hurt
               or
               grieve
               us
               ,
               but
               proceeds
               with
               art
               and
               care
               designing
               our
               greatest
               good
               :
               and
               in
               a
               
               word
               ,
               
               is
               in
               all
               his
               actions
               agreeable
               to
               the
               goodness
               and
               benignity
               of
               his
               own
               nature
               .
               
                 The
                 summe
                 of
                 all
                 which
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 what
                 we
                 intend
                 further
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
              
               God
               is
               good
               ,
               and
               the
               goodness
               of
               God
               leadeth
               to
               repentance
               ,
               
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 5.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 spring
                 of
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 motion
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 return
                 .
              
            
             
               THERE
               are
               indeed
               some
               men
               who
               having
               entertained
               very
               crude
               notions
               of
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               do
               sometimes
               assert
               on
               the
               one
               hand
               that
               vindictive
               justice
               is
               essential
               and
               natural
               to
               God
               ,
               so
               that
               he
               is
               bound
               up
               to
               require
               strict
               satisfaction
               ,
               and
               without
               it
               cannot
               properly
               pardon
               any
               transgression
               .
               And
               others
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               ,
               talk
               at
               the
               same
               wild
               rate
               of
               his
               mercy
               and
               goodness
               ,
               as
               if
               all
               the
               instances
               he
               makes
               thereof
               were
               also
               natural
               and
               necessary
               ,
               and
               that
               he
               could
               not
               insist
               upon
               his
               own
               right
               ,
               but
               must
               make
               all
               the
               expressions
               of
               kindness
               that
               are
               possible
               towards
               his
               Creatures
               .
               But
               both
               these
               notions
               are
               equally
               false
               and
               mischievous
               :
               the
               former
               of
               them
               representing
               God
               a
               rigid
               Majesty
               ,
               and
               tending
               to
               desperation
               ;
               the
               other
               an
               easy
               and
               soft
               Deity
               ,
               and
               tempting
               men
               to
               presume
               upon
               him
               :
               the
               one
               making
               him
               an
               object
               of
               horrour
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               of
               contempt
               ;
               for
               who
               can
               love
               him
               that
               cannot
               pity
               ,
               and
               who
               can
               reverence
               him
               who
               hath
               it
               not
               in
               his
               power
               to
               do
               otherwise
               ?
               The
               truth
               is
               therefore
               that
               all
               particular
               instances
               both
               of
               the
               one
               kind
               and
               of
               the
               other
               are
               subject
               to
               his
               wisedom
               ;
               that
               he
               can
               exercise
               either
               mercy
               or
               severity
               as
               he
               sees
               occasion
               ;
               for
               after
               this
               manner
               the
               Scripture
               speaks
               of
               him
               ,
               that
               sometime
               
                 he
                 hath
                 mercy
                 because
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 mercy
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 when
                 he
                 will
                 he
                 hardeneth
                 sinners
                 for
                 destruction
                 .
              
            
             
             
               AND
               to
               think
               otherwise
               of
               God
               ,
               especially
               in
               the
               case
               of
               mercy
               and
               pardon
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               could
               not
               dispense
               it
               as
               he
               pleases
               ,
               is
               to
               bring
               in
               a
               rigid
               fatality
               with
               the
               Stoicks
               instead
               of
               a
               God
               ;
               and
               is
               so
               far
               from
               aggrandizing
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               the
               greatest
               diminution
               of
               his
               power
               and
               glory
               ,
               and
               renders
               him
               less
               then
               a
               man
               :
               for
               we
               can
               
                 recedere
                 à
                 nostro
                 jure
                 ,
                 remit
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 rights
                 ,
              
               and
               give
               mercy
               a
               triumph
               over
               strict
               justice
               .
               And
               although
               the
               sinner
               when
               he
               offends
               against
               God
               ,
               forfeits
               himself
               into
               the
               divine
               hand
               ,
               and
               gives
               God
               just
               cause
               to
               punish
               him
               if
               he
               will
               ,
               yet
               certainly
               he
               cannot
               by
               any
               act
               of
               his
               put
               a
               Law
               upon
               God
               ,
               or
               oblige
               him
               to
               punish
               ,
               or
               if
               he
               think
               fit
               ,
               to
               shew
               mercy
               .
            
             
               AND
               then
               for
               the
               interest
               of
               God's
               Rectourship
               and
               government
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               a
               necessity
               of
               punishment
               that
               conserves
               that
               ,
               but
               the
               power
               or
               freedom
               of
               punishing
               or
               remitting
               accordingly
               as
               it
               shall
               seem
               good
               to
               his
               own
               wisedom
               .
               Whereby
               when
               men
               are
               both
               provoked
               to
               amendment
               by
               the
               hopes
               of
               pardon
               ,
               and
               restrained
               from
               disobedience
               by
               the
               fear
               of
               punishment
               .
               For
               the
               liberty
               of
               dispensing
               either
               of
               these
               at
               pleasure
               ,
               is
               that
               which
               produces
               a
               reverence
               towards
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               a
               complication
               of
               love
               and
               fear
               ,
               wherein
               the
               very
               notion
               of
               Religion
               consists
               .
            
             
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 an
                 impertinent
                 passage
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 in
                 the
                 Historian
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 young
                 Gentlemen
                 in
                 the
                 new
              
               Roman
               
                 Common-wealth
                 had
                 a
                 design
                 to
                 restore
                 the
                 Kingly
                 Government
                 in
                 the
                 Family
                 of
                 the
              
               Tarquins
               ,
               
                 they
                 had
                 Speeches
                 made
                 amongst
                 them
                 to
                 this
                 effect
                 .
              
               
               To
               be
               bound
               up
               by
               the
               rigour
               of
               Laws
               which
               had
               no
               compassion
               ,
               nor
               made
               allowance
               for
               contingency
               ,
               was
               very
               harsh
               and
               unsafe
               considering
               humane
               infirmity
               :
               But
               under
               Kingly
               Government
               there
               
               was
               power
               of
               dispensation
               ,
               possibility
               of
               indulgence
               ,
               liberty
               of
               interpretation
               ,
               room
               for
               mercy
               and
               pardon
               :
               a
               man
               that
               fell
               ,
               
               did
               not
               necessarily
               there
               miscarry
               .
               For
               there
               was
               place
               for
               intercession
               ,
               repentance
               might
               relieve
               him
               ;
               and
               the
               prerogative
               of
               the
               Prince
               was
               the
               security
               of
               the
               Subject
               .
            
             
               NOW
               that
               repentance
               is
               available
               with
               God
               we
               have
               all
               the
               assurance
               that
               can
               be
               desired
               ;
               for
               besides
               what
               we
               have
               said
               already
               from
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               perfections
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ,
               and
               the
               interest
               of
               his
               Government
               ,
               Repentance
               is
               the
               great
               and
               principal
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               which
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               himself
               came
               to
               proclaim
               by
               his
               Preaching
               ,
               to
               confirm
               by
               his
               Miracles
               ,
               to
               make
               way
               for
               ,
               and
               to
               procure
               acceptance
               to
               by
               his
               Death
               and
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               to
               render
               throughly
               effectual
               and
               successfull
               by
               his
               Intercession
               at
               God's
               right
               hand
               in
               Heaven
               .
               Wherefore
               as
               
               Manoah's
               wife
               reasoned
               when
               her
               Husband
               had
               dreadfull
               apprehensions
               of
               the
               Majesty
               of
               God
               ,
               
               who
               had
               appeared
               to
               them
               and
               concluded
               they
               should
               die
               ,
               
                 Because
                 they
                 had
                 seen
                 God
                 ,
                 No
              
               (
               saith
               she
               )
               
                 if
                 God
                 intended
                 to
                 destroy
                 us
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 appeared
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 much
                 less
                 have
                 accepted
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 at
                 our
                 hands
                 :
              
               So
               assuredly
               if
               God
               had
               not
               great
               compassion
               to
               mankind
               ,
               and
               did
               not
               design
               to
               accept
               them
               upon
               repentance
               ,
               he
               would
               never
               have
               given
               his
               own
               Son
               to
               be
               a
               Sacrifice
               for
               sin
               .
               Can
               any
               man
               suspect
               that
               God
               is
               indifferent
               whether
               men
               be
               saved
               or
               no
               ,
               when
               he
               hath
               sent
               his
               Son
               to
               save
               them
               ?
               Can
               any
               man
               imagine
               him
               implacable
               towards
               those
               whose
               nature
               he
               sent
               his
               Son
               to
               assume
               ,
               and
               thereby
               to
               make
               an
               union
               betwixt
               the
               divine
               and
               
               humane
               Natures
               ?
               Will
               any
               man
               think
               him
               inexorable
               to
               sinners
               who
               pitied
               them
               ,
               healed
               them
               ,
               conversed
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               died
               for
               them
               ?
               Let
               Devils
               despair
               who
               have
               not
               only
               no
               promise
               ,
               and
               no
               Saviour
               ,
               but
               nothing
               pitiable
               in
               their
               case
               ;
               having
               had
               no
               tempter
               to
               abuse
               them
               ;
               no
               flesh
               or
               body
               to
               clog
               them
               ,
               no
               infirmity
               to
               extenuate
               their
               presumption
               ,
               they
               are
               without
               hope
               ,
               and
               therefore
               incapable
               of
               repentance
               ,
               and
               so
               go
               on
               eternally
               to
               hate
               and
               blaspheme
               the
               God
               that
               will
               not
               pardon
               them
               .
               But
               there
               is
               no
               cause
               man
               should
               do
               so
               ,
               who
               as
               he
               hath
               all
               the
               arguments
               of
               pity
               in
               his
               case
               ,
               so
               hath
               all
               the
               assurances
               of
               pardon
               from
               God
               upon
               his
               repentance
               .
            
             
               TO
               say
               no
               more
               ,
               the
               very
               constant
               experience
               of
               all
               Ages
               ,
               and
               the
               common
               sense
               of
               all
               mankind
               ,
               leaves
               us
               without
               all
               doubt
               that
               this
               method
               of
               repentance
               pacifies
               the
               Almighty
               ;
               insomuch
               that
               when
               he
               hath
               most
               exprest
               his
               angry
               resentments
               ,
               and
               seems
               to
               have
               been
               most
               peremptory
               and
               decretal
               in
               his
               threatnings
               ,
               yet
               all
               but
               mad
               and
               desperate
               persons
               have
               incouraged
               themselves
               to
               hope
               for
               impunity
               upon
               repentance
               ,
               even
               then
               when
               there
               hath
               not
               been
               the
               least
               intimation
               of
               any
               such
               condition
               in
               his
               denunciations
               :
               for
               thus
               when
               the
               Prophet
               Jonas
               had
               from
               the
               mouth
               of
               God
               proclaimed
               expresly
               ,
               
                 Yet
                 forty
                 days
                 and
                 forty
                 nights
                 and
                 Nineveh
                 shall
                 be
                 destroyed
              
               ;
               Notwithstanding
               the
               absoluteness
               of
               the
               sentence
               ,
               and
               the
               nearness
               of
               the
               execution
               ,
               the
               Ninevites
               were
               not
               out
               of
               hope
               ,
               but
               that
               if
               repentance
               were
               interposed
               ,
               their
               ruine
               might
               yet
               be
               prevented
               ;
               and
               it
               succeeded
               accordingly
               with
               them
               ,
               for
               as
               they
               believing
               God's
               word
               by
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               expected
               nothing
               but
               sudden
               destruction
               if
               they
               had
               not
               repented
               ,
               so
               they
               trusting
               in
               the
               goodness
               and
               exorableness
               of
               
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               upon
               repentance
               ,
               applied
               themselves
               seriously
               thereto
               ,
               and
               were
               preserved
               .
            
             
               WHEREFORE
               saith
               the
               relenting
               sinner
               ,
               
                 Forasmuch
                 as
                 although
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 the
                 limits
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 yet
                 this
                 I
                 know
                 that
                 nothing
                 can
                 set
                 limits
                 thereto
                 but
                 his
                 own
                 wisedom
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 is
                 never
                 so
                 straitned
                 but
                 that
                 if
                 the
                 case
                 be
                 pitiable
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 see
                 reason
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 shew
                 it
                 ;
                 consistently
                 with
                 his
                 Justice
                 ;
                 here
                 I
                 will
                 cast
                 anchor
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 indeavour
                 to
                 render
                 my self
                 an
                 object
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 upon
                 his
                 goodness
                 ;
                 I
                 never
                 yet
                 heard
                 that
                 any
                 man
                 miscarried
                 in
                 this
                 bottome
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 a
                 Penitent
                 was
                 cast
                 away
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 often
                 heard
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 have
                 saved
                 men
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 ;
                 but
                 I
                 never
                 heard
                 of
                 any
                 that
                 resorted
                 penitently
                 to
                 his
                 mercy
                 and
                 were
                 rejected
                 ,
                 nor
                 do
                 I
                 think
                 that
                 Hell
                 it self
                 can
                 furnish
                 one
                 instance
                 of
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 can
                 upbraid
                 God's
                 goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 
                   I
                   would
                   but
                   God
                   would
                   not
                   .
                
              
               Thus
               the
               consideration
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               is
               everlastingly
               pregnant
               of
               incouragements
               to
               repentance
               ,
               and
               is
               the
               spring
               of
               all
               motion
               to
               Godward
               ;
               were
               it
               not
               for
               which
               ,
               never
               any
               had
               been
               reclaimed
               from
               a
               course
               of
               sin
               ,
               or
               begun
               a
               reformation
               .
               But
               so
               much
               of
               that
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               IN
               the
               Second
               place
               another
               incouragement
               to
               this
               penitent
               resolution
               (
               we
               are
               speaking
               of
               )
               is
               an
               apprehension
               that
               it
               is
               not
               impossible
               to
               become
               perfectly
               new
               men
               ,
               notwithstanding
               our
               pre-ingagements
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               sin
               .
               Opinion
               of
               absolute
               impossibility
               (
               as
               we
               have
               noted
               before
               )
               is
               equal
               to
               real
               impotency
               ,
               checks
               all
               motion
               ,
               nips
               all
               indeavour
               in
               the
               very
               bud
               ,
               stifles
               and
               lays
               asleep
               all
               the
               powers
               of
               the
               mind
               .
               But
               hope
               and
               apprehension
               of
               feasibleness
               spirits
               all
               industry
               ,
               actuates
               all
               faculties
               ,
               
               raises
               the
               spirits
               ,
               and
               is
               the
               spring
               of
               all
               the
               great
               actions
               in
               the
               world
               .
               Some
               daring
               men
               have
               effected
               things
               beyond
               their
               own
               expectations
               ,
               but
               no
               brave
               exploit
               was
               ever
               performed
               by
               such
               as
               despaired
               of
               accomplishing
               it
               ;
               nor
               was
               ever
               any
               force
               defeated
               that
               did
               
                 praelibare
                 victoriam
              
               ,
               and
               resolve
               to
               conquer
               .
               When
               once
               a
               conceit
               had
               possessed
               the
               Midianites
               that
               they
               should
               be
               conquered
               by
               
               Gideon's
               Army
               ,
               
               though
               grounded
               only
               upon
               an
               odde
               dream
               of
               a
               brown
               Loaf
               tumbling
               down
               upon
               their
               Tents
               ,
               their
               hearts
               presently
               melted
               in
               them
               ,
               their
               spirits
               were
               emasculated
               ,
               and
               a
               mighty
               Host
               became
               an
               easy
               prey
               to
               the
               inconsiderable
               numbers
               which
               Gideon
               led
               against
               them
               .
               And
               the
               Lord
               of
               hosts
               would
               never
               suffer
               Israel
               to
               be
               led
               on
               to
               the
               conquest
               of
               the
               Land
               of
               Canaan
               so
               long
               as
               the
               rumor
               of
               Giants
               and
               Anakims
               and
               walled
               Cities
               ran
               in
               the
               minds
               of
               the
               people
               ;
               nor
               untill
               they
               were
               brought
               to
               a
               confidence
               that
               they
               were
               able
               to
               conquer
               that
               good
               Land.
               In
               like
               manner
               if
               the
               sinner
               think
               either
               his
               sins
               too
               great
               to
               be
               forgiven
               ,
               or
               that
               it
               is
               too
               late
               to
               mend
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               either
               despair
               of
               God's
               grace
               or
               of
               his
               mercy
               ,
               he
               is
               utterly
               lost
               indeed
               ;
               that
               therefore
               which
               puts
               him
               forward
               upon
               resolution
               is
               an
               apprehension
               that
               
                 God's
                 grace
                 is
                 sufficient
                 for
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               THE
               returning
               Prodigal
               saith
               ,
               
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 I
                 find
                 I
                 have
                 gone
                 a
                 great
                 way
                 from
                 my
                 Father's
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 wearied
                 my self
                 with
                 my
                 own
                 wandrings
                 ,
                 yet
                 sure
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 impossible
                 but
                 I
                 may
                 reach
                 home
                 again
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 sinner
                 ,
                 have
                 gone
                 a
                 great
                 way
                 towards
                 my
                 own
                 undoing
                 ,
                 having
                 indulged
                 my
                 passions
                 ,
                 and
                 dethroned
                 my
                 reason
                 ,
                 inslaved
                 my
                 will
                 ,
                 weakned
                 all
                 my
                 powers
                 ,
                 and
                 hardened
                 my
                 own
                 Conscience
                 by
                 a
                 long
                 course
                 and
                 custome
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 yet
                 (
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Holy
                 
                   Job
                   )
                   There
                   is
                   
                   hope
                   of
                   a
                   tree
                   if
                   it
                   be
                   cut
                   down
                   that
                   it
                   will
                   sprout
                   again
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   the
                   tender
                   branch
                   thereof
                   will
                   not
                   cease
                   ;
                   though
                   the
                   root
                   thereof
                   wax
                   old
                   in
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   stock
                   thereof
                   die
                   in
                   the
                   ground
                   ,
                   yet
                   through
                   the
                   scent
                   of
                   water
                   it
                   will
                   bud
                   ,
                   and
                   bring
                   forth
                   boughs
                   like
                   a
                   plant
                   ,
                
                 Job
                 14.
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 Though
                 I
                 have
                 weakened
                 my
                 powers
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 man
                 still
                 ;
                 though
                 I
                 have
                 destroyed
                 my self
                 ,
                 yet
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 in
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 hand
                 is
                 not
                 shortened
                 that
                 he
                 cannot
                 save
                 .
              
            
             
               TVLLY
               is
               reported
               to
               have
               affirmed
               repentance
               to
               be
               impossible
               ;
               
               namely
               ,
               for
               a
               man
               to
               retrieve
               himself
               ,
               and
               take
               up
               a
               new
               course
               contrary
               to
               that
               to
               which
               he
               hath
               been
               long
               habituated
               :
               and
               no
               doubt
               it
               is
               very
               difficult
               so
               to
               do
               ,
               as
               may
               sufficiently
               appear
               ,
               both
               by
               what
               we
               have
               said
               already
               ,
               and
               also
               by
               that
               of
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               Jer.
               13.
               23.
               
               
                 Can
                 the
                 Aethiopian
                 change
                 his
                 skin
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Leopard
                 his
                 spots
                 ?
                 then
                 may
                 ye
                 also
                 do
                 good
                 that
                 are
                 accustomed
                 to
                 doe
                 evil
                 .
              
               Where
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               intimates
               inveterate
               custome
               to
               be
               equal
               to
               nature
               it self
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               we
               find
               by
               too
               sad
               experience
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               very
               few
               that
               doe
               
                 exuere
                 hominem
              
               ,
               shake
               off
               the
               yoke
               of
               custome
               ;
               
                 Facilis
                 descensus
                 Averni
                 ,
                 Sed
                 revocare
                 gradus
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               And
               upon
               this
               account
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               the
               conversion
               of
               old
               sinners
               is
               called
               a
               New
               Birth
               ,
               and
               a
               New
               Creation
               ,
               in
               the
               language
               of
               Holy
               Scripture
               .
               Notwithstanding
               ,
               as
               our
               Saviour
               said
               of
               rich
               men
               ,
               
                 That
                 it
                 was
                 harder
                 for
                 a
                 Camel
                 to
                 goe
                 through
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 a
                 needle
                 then
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
              
               ;
               yet
               to
               prevent
               mistakes
               ,
               adds
               ,
               
                 With
                 men
                 it
                 is
                 impossible
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 God
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 possible
                 :
              
               So
               it
               is
               in
               this
               case
               ,
               He
               can
               cause
               
                 dry
                 bones
                 to
                 live
              
               ;
               and
               of
               
                 Stones
                 raise
                 up
                 Children
                 to
                 Abraham
                 .
              
               The
               Holy
               Spirit
               can
               awaken
               those
               powers
               that
               were
               
               in
               a
               dead
               sleep
               ;
               Conscience
               is
               not
               so
               callous
               but
               it
               may
               be
               rendered
               soft
               and
               sensible
               again
               ;
               the
               will
               and
               other
               faculties
               of
               men
               ,
               though
               they
               are
               perverted
               ,
               yet
               are
               not
               extinct
               ;
               and
               being
               stirred
               up
               by
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               may
               exert
               themselves
               in
               a
               new
               strain
               ,
               oppose
               their
               old
               customs
               ,
               and
               introduce
               new
               habits
               .
            
             
               AS
               custome
               bore
               down
               and
               overgrew
               Nature
               formerly
               ,
               so
               new
               customes
               may
               supplant
               the
               old
               ones
               ,
               and
               make
               a
               new
               Nature
               .
               It
               is
               a
               well-known
               Story
               that
               when
               Zopyrus
               (
               a
               great
               pretender
               to
               the
               skill
               of
               reading
               men's
               temper
               and
               inclination
               in
               their
               countenances
               )
               had
               pronounced
               of
               Socrates
               that
               he
               was
               a
               lewd
               and
               intemperate
               man
               ;
               the
               Company
               who
               knew
               well
               the
               remarkable
               vertue
               of
               Socrates
               ,
               laughed
               the
               cunning
               man
               out
               of
               countenance
               till
               Socrates
               relieved
               him
               ,
               saying
               ,
               that
               indeed
               his
               inclination
               was
               naturally
               such
               as
               Zopyrus
               had
               pronounced
               ,
               but
               that
               Philosophy
               and
               the
               culture
               and
               care
               of
               himself
               had
               altered
               him
               to
               what
               he
               was
               .
            
             
               BUT
               the
               Holy
               Scriptures
               as
               they
               contain
               both
               more
               excellent
               institutions
               of
               vertue
               and
               holiness
               then
               all
               Philosophy
               ,
               and
               more
               effectual
               methods
               of
               reclaiming
               and
               recovering
               men
               from
               vice
               and
               debauchery
               ;
               so
               in
               the
               History
               thereof
               ,
               they
               afford
               us
               the
               most
               frequent
               and
               most
               remarkable
               instances
               of
               such
               conversions
               .
               In
               the
               Old
               Testament
               we
               have
               Manasses
               who
               was
               an
               Idolater
               ,
               
               a
               Witch
               ,
               
                 and
                 did
                 evil
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 above
                 all
                 the
                 abominations
                 of
                 the
                 Amorites
                 ,
              
               (
               who
               seem
               to
               have
               been
               the
               most
               profligate
               people
               in
               the
               world
               )
               and
               yet
               became
               at
               last
               a
               true
               penitent
               ,
               a
               holy
               and
               a
               vertuous
               person
               .
               In
               the
               New
               Testament
               ,
               to
               omit
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               who
               saith
               of
               himself
               ,
               that
               
                 from
                 a
                 blasphemer
                 ,
                 a
                 persecutour
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 chief
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 he
                 became
                 an
                 exemplary
                 Christian
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 zealous
                 Apostle
                 and
                 Preacher
                 of
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 which
                 
                 before
                 he
                 destroyed
              
               ;
               We
               have
               great
               numbers
               of
               the
               most
               obstinate
               and
               wicked
               Jews
               converted
               ,
               and
               no
               less
               of
               
                 Romans
                 ,
                 Corinthians
                 ,
                 Ephesians
              
               ,
               and
               of
               all
               other
               Cities
               and
               Countries
               who
               had
               grown
               old
               and
               hardened
               in
               a
               course
               of
               sin
               ,
               but
               became
               new
               and
               holy
               men
               .
               Particularly
               the
               Apostle
               assures
               us
               of
               the
               
                 Corinthians
                 ,
                 That
                 they
                 had
                 been
                 Fornicators
                 ,
                 Idolaters
                 ,
                 Adulterers
                 ,
                 Effeminate
                 ,
                 Thieves
                 ,
                 Covetous
                 ,
                 Drunkards
                 ,
                 And
                 yet
                 were
                 washed
                 ,
                 were
                 sanctified
                 ,
                 were
                 justified
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 ,
              
               1
               Cor.
               6.
               9
               ,
               10
               ,
               11.
               
            
             
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 therefore
                 impossible
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 sinner
                 )
                 but
                 I
                 may
                 also
                 recover
                 my self
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 snares
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 ;
                 I
                 found
                 it
                 in
                 my
                 power
                 to
                 chuse
                 evil
                 ,
                 why
                 may
                 I
                 not
                 hope
                 to
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 chuse
                 good
                 ?
                 nothing
                 determined
                 or
                 necessitated
                 me
                 heretofore
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 why
                 may
                 I
                 not
                 then
                 cast
                 off
                 the
                 yoke
                 of
                 custome
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 apply
                 my self
                 to
                 my
                 duty
                 ?
              
               This
               is
               a
               second
               consideration
               which
               inflames
               the
               Penitent
               to
               a
               resolution
               of
               amendment
               ;
               which
               when
               he
               hath
               in
               earnest
               entered
               upon
               ,
               he
               finds
            
             
               3.
               
               AS
               his
               third
               inducement
               ,
               not
               onely
               to
               be
               possible
               ,
               but
               also
               easy
               ;
               at
               least
               ,
               far
               beyond
               what
               he
               heretofore
               imagined
               .
               It
               was
               perhaps
               not
               an
               extenuating
               but
               a
               just
               reflection
               which
               the
               Historian
               makes
               upon
               all
               the
               famous
               exploits
               of
               Alexander
               the
               Great
               ,
               in
               Asia
               and
               in
               the
               Indies
               ,
               which
               had
               swelled
               his
               name
               to
               such
               a
               bulk
               ,
               
                 Primus
                 ausus
                 est
                 vana
                 contemnere
              
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               not
               so
               much
               his
               more
               then
               humane
               courage
               or
               conduct
               which
               gave
               him
               those
               successes
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               had
               the
               luck
               or
               the
               sagacity
               ,
               to
               see
               through
               and
               despise
               the
               pageantry
               and
               empty
               shew
               of
               force
               and
               formidableness
               which
               those
               soft
               and
               luxurious
               Nations
               were
               only
               furnished
               with
               .
               So
               it
               is
               in
               this
               case
               ,
               
               he
               that
               can
               but
               once
               despise
               those
               
                 Ludibria
                 oculorum
              
               ,
               those
               scare-crows
               and
               phantastical
               Ideas
               ,
               which
               men's
               own
               fear
               and
               cowardise
               represent
               to
               them
               ;
               he
               will
               presently
               find
               the
               business
               of
               Religion
               easy
               and
               expedite
               ,
               and
               that
               it
               is
               but
               resolving
               generously
               ,
               and
               the
               thing
               is
               done
               .
            
             
               The
               way
               of
               vertue
               ,
               though
               through
               the
               folly
               of
               men
               it
               be
               an
               unfrequented
               path
               ,
               yet
               is
               it
               no
               sad
               and
               uncomfortable
               way
               ;
               no
               man
               abridges
               himself
               the
               delight
               of
               life
               by
               becoming
               vertuous
               ,
               no
               just
               contentment
               is
               denied
               him
               ;
               no
               power
               ,
               or
               so
               much
               as
               passion
               he
               hath
               ,
               that
               is
               altogether
               denied
               its
               proper
               satisfaction
               :
               There
               is
               no
               inhumane
               austerity
               required
               of
               us
               ,
               no
               contradiction
               to
               our
               reason
               ,
               or
               violence
               to
               our
               nature
               imposed
               upon
               us
               .
               God
               is
               no
               hard
               Pharaoh
               that
               seeks
               to
               break
               us
               with
               
                 bitter
                 bondage
                 ,
                 requiring
                 the
                 tale
                 of
                 bricks
                 without
                 straw
                 .
              
               He
               doth
               not
               bid
               us
               continue
               in
               the
               fire
               and
               not
               burn
               ,
               or
               require
               us
               to
               converse
               with
               the
               occasions
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               escape
               the
               pollution
               ;
               but
               only
               to
               moderate
               our
               desires
               ,
               to
               mind
               our selves
               ,
               to
               set
               our
               intentions
               right
               ;
               and
               in
               a
               word
               ,
               to
               resolve
               to
               doe
               what
               we
               can
               both
               to
               avoid
               the
               occasion
               ,
               and
               to
               escape
               the
               infection
               .
            
             
               AND
               as
               for
               that
               great
               bug-bear
               Custome
               ,
               why
               may
               we
               not
               break
               the
               fetters
               of
               our
               own
               making
               ,
               and
               dissolve
               an
               habit
               of
               our
               own
               beginning
               ?
               Sin
               it self
               was
               weak
               ,
               and
               timorous
               ,
               and
               bashfull
               at
               first
               ;
               but
               it
               got
               strength
               by
               time
               ,
               and
               by
               degrees
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               same
               manner
               it
               is
               to
               be
               supplanted
               ;
               oppose
               beginnings
               of
               good
               to
               beginnings
               of
               evil
               ,
               and
               an
               habit
               will
               be
               obtained
               ,
               and
               we
               shall
               confront
               one
               custome
               with
               another
               ,
               
                 He
                 that
                 goeth
                 forth
                 weeping
                 ,
                 bearing
                 precious
                 seed
                 ,
                 shall
                 doubtless
                 come
                 again
                 rejoycing
                 ,
                 and
                 bringing
                 his
                 sheaves
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
             
               THE
               way
               of
               vertue
               is
               therefore
               easy
               because
               it
               is
               recommended
               by
               our
               own
               reason
               ;
               though
               sense
               oppose
               it
               for
               the
               present
               ,
               let
               us
               be
               true
               to
               the
               former
               ,
               and
               the
               latter
               must
               and
               will
               give
               way
               .
               A
               Law
               enacted
               by
               our
               own
               consent
               uses
               to
               find
               a
               ready
               and
               chearfull
               compliance
               ,
               that
               which
               is
               voted
               within
               us
               ,
               and
               carried
               by
               the
               free
               suffrage
               of
               our
               minds
               ,
               surely
               can
               never
               be
               accounted
               harsh
               and
               difficult
               :
               and
               such
               are
               all
               the
               laws
               of
               vertue
               ;
               the
               rules
               thereof
               are
               convenient
               for
               the
               community
               ,
               suitable
               to
               our
               own
               natures
               ,
               and
               as
               fit
               for
               us
               to
               consent
               to
               ,
               as
               for
               God
               to
               enact
               .
            
             
               ALL
               the
               opposition
               which
               the
               Devil
               or
               the
               flesh
               can
               make
               to
               the
               determination
               of
               our
               minds
               will
               quickly
               cease
               if
               we
               stand
               firm
               to
               our selves
               ;
               reason
               is
               as
               able
               to
               restrain
               sense
               ,
               as
               that
               is
               to
               bewitch
               and
               fascinate
               our
               minds
               ;
               or
               at
               least
               if
               we
               stop
               our
               ears
               we
               shall
               avoid
               all
               its
               charms
               ,
               
                 charm
                 it
                 never
                 so
                 cunningly
              
               .
               Besides
               ,
               all
               the
               importunities
               of
               the
               flesh
               will
               from
               such
               time
               as
               they
               begin
               to
               be
               denied
               ,
               grow
               sensibly
               weaker
               and
               weaker
               .
               And
               for
               the
               Devil
               there
               is
               nothing
               so
               much
               incourages
               his
               attempts
               as
               our
               irresolution
               and
               feeble
               opposition
               ;
               he
               is
               both
               a
               more
               proud
               and
               a
               more
               cunning
               enemy
               ,
               then
               to
               endure
               too
               many
               repulses
               without
               hopes
               of
               success
               .
               He
               knows
               well
               enough
               he
               cannot
               force
               us
               ,
               and
               if
               he
               cannot
               corrupt
               us
               ,
               will
               not
               long
               labour
               in
               vain
               .
               This
               the
               Apostle
               St.
               James
               assures
               us
               of
               ,
               
                 Resist
                 the
                 Devil
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 flee
                 from
                 you
                 ,
              
               St.
               James
               4.
               7.
               
            
             
               ABOVE
               all
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               of
               God
               will
               not
               fail
               to
               set
               in
               with
               us
               ,
               and
               make
               all
               easy
               to
               us
               ,
               if
               we
               cease
               to
               resist
               and
               quench
               his
               motions
               .
               How
               that
               worketh
               in
               and
               upon
               us
               is
               not
               easy
               to
               discover
               :
               for
               
                 As
                 the
                 wind
                 bloweth
                 where
                 it
                 listeth
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 hear
                 the
                 sound
                 thereof
                 ,
                 but
                 know
                 not
                 whence
                 it
                 cometh
                 ,
              
               
               
                 nor
                 whither
                 it
                 goeth
                 ;
                 
                 so
                 is
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 born
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 :
              
               
               notwithstanding
               we
               are
               assured
               that
               
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 his
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 ask
                 it
              
               ;
               
               and
               that
               that
               Spirit
               hath
               a
               mighty
               influence
               upon
               us
               without
               doing
               any
               violence
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               that
               its
               aids
               are
               incomparably
               greater
               then
               the
               Devils
               opposition
               ;
               
               
                 For
                 greater
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 :
              
               
               and
               this
               is
               our
               great
               incouragement
               to
               
                 work
                 out
                 our
                 own
                 salvation
                 with
                 fear
                 and
                 trembling
                 ,
                 because
                 God
                 worketh
                 in
                 us
                 to
                 will
                 and
                 to
                 doe
                 of
                 his
                 good
                 pleasure
                 .
              
            
             
               THE
               mischief
               of
               all
               is
               therefore
               our
               want
               of
               resolution
               ,
               that
               we
               do
               but
               dally
               and
               trifle
               in
               this
               great
               business
               :
               and
               hence
               all
               the
               difficulty
               arises
               .
               
                 Quo
                 minùs
                 timoris
                 eo
                 minùs
                 fermè
                 periculi
                 .
              
               Cowards
               run
               the
               greatest
               dangers
               in
               war
               ,
               and
               irresolute
               men
               find
               the
               most
               opposition
               ,
               and
               the
               greatest
               difficulty
               in
               a
               course
               of
               vertue
               .
               Did
               we
               but
               collect
               our selves
               ,
               we
               should
               quickly
               find
               the
               face
               of
               things
               altered
               ,
               and
               all
               discouragements
               vanish
               .
            
             
               
                 ALL
                 this
                 methinks
                 is
                 plain
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 Penitent
                 )
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 resolved
                 to
                 make
                 experiment
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 hopes
                 ,
                 considering
                 the
                 premises
                 ,
                 and
                 especially
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 my
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 shall
                 
                   find
                   his
                   yoke
                   easy
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   burden
                   light
                
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 doe
                 
                   his
                   commandments
                   and
                   not
                   find
                   them
                   grievous
                   .
                
              
            
             
               4.
               
               BUT
               the
               last
               and
               greatest
               inducement
               of
               resolution
               is
               yet
               behind
               ,
               and
               that
               is
               an
               apprehension
               of
               absolute
               necessity
               ;
               that
               whether
               it
               be
               easy
               or
               difficult
               ,
               it
               must
               be
               done
               .
               
               It
               is
               a
               well-known
               saying
               of
               Pythagoras
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
               
                 That
                 power
                 dwells
                 next
                 door
                 to
                 necessity
                 :
              
               
               For
               as
               Hierocles
               expounds
               it
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 When
                 necessity
                 lies
                 upon
                 a
                 man
                 it
                 makes
                 him
                 confess
                 an
                 ability
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 acknowledge
                 before
                 ;
                 it
                 
                 puts
                 his
                 powers
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 upon
                 the
                 rack
                 ,
                 and
                 extorts
                 those
                 secrets
                 of
                 nature
                 which
                 sloth
                 would
                 have
                 concealed
                 .
              
               Who
               knoweth
               not
               that
               we
               owe
               to
               necessity
               most
               of
               the
               rarest
               discoveries
               and
               greatest
               improvements
               in
               all
               arts
               and
               sciences
               ;
               and
               all
               Histories
               observe
               what
               great
               atchievements
               this
               hath
               been
               authour
               of
               .
               Pursuant
               whereof
               those
               who
               have
               the
               conduct
               of
               great
               affairs
               ,
               make
               it
               usually
               their
               care
               to
               put
               those
               which
               they
               make
               use
               of
               as
               instruments
               in
               their
               enterprizes
               ,
               under
               as
               quick
               apprehensions
               of
               necessity
               as
               they
               can
               possibly
               ,
               by
               that
               means
               to
               sharpen
               their
               resolution
               .
               And
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               endeavour
               to
               keep
               their
               enemies
               and
               those
               they
               conflict
               with
               ,
               from
               necessity
               ,
               as
               being
               loth
               to
               experiment
               the
               efficacy
               of
               it
               against
               themselves
               .
            
             
               SO
               it
               is
               in
               the
               present
               case
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               an
               old
               inveterate
               sinner
               can
               find
               any
               refuge
               ,
               he
               scarcely
               ever
               applies
               himself
               to
               repentance
               ;
               but
               when
               having
               considered
               ,
               he
               finds
               himself
               reduced
               to
               extremity
               ,
               that
               this
               must
               relieve
               him
               or
               nothing
               ;
               then
               and
               not
               till
               then
               he
               earnestly
               applies
               himself
               to
               it
               ,
               as
               
                 ad
                 sacram
                 Anchoram
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 last
                 and
                 only
                 remedy
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 sinner
                 )
                 I
                 cannot
                 stand
                 at
                 the
                 bar
                 of
                 God's
                 justice
                 ,
                 my
                 appeal
                 therefore
                 must
                 be
                 to
                 his
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 room
                 for
                 that
                 but
                 upon
                 terms
                 of
                 submission
                 and
                 repentance
                 ;
                 either
                 God
                 must
                 change
                 ,
                 or
                 I
                 must
                 resolve
                 either
                 to
                 change
                 or
                 perish
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 gone
                 astray
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 brink
                 of
                 Hell
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 unreasonable
                 to
                 expect
                 God
                 should
                 fetch
                 me
                 back
                 by
                 irresistible
                 power
                 since
                 he
                 hath
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 must
                 seek
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 in
                 vain
                 to
                 trust
                 to
                 his
                 absolute
                 and
                 secret
                 decrees
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 tenour
                 of
                 his
                 known
                 laws
                 ;
                 or
                 to
                 hope
                 that
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 my
                 former
                 miscarriages
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 present
                 impenitency
                 
                 added
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 my
                 name
                 may
                 be
                 written
                 in
                 the
                 book
                 of
                 Life
                 .
                 Since
                 
                   God
                   is
                   a
                   righteous
                   Judge
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   without
                   respect
                   of
                   persons
                   render
                   to
                   every
                   man
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   doings
                   .
                
                 What
                 shall
                 I
                 then
                 do
                 ?
                 If
                 I
                 persevere
                 in
                 my
                 old
                 course
                 ,
                 adding
                 sin
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 I
                 make
                 my
                 case
                 daily
                 worse
                 ,
                 
                   treasuring
                   up
                   wrath
                   against
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   wrath
                
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 I
                 sit
                 still
                 ,
                 my
                 neglect
                 will
                 as
                 certainly
                 ruine
                 me
                 as
                 my
                 sin
                 .
                 Whilest
                 I
                 delay
                 the
                 remedy
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 adjourn
                 my
                 own
                 destruction
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   the
                   judgment
                   slumbereth
                   not
                
                 .
                 Shall
                 I
                 hope
                 time
                 may
                 extricate
                 me
                 out
                 of
                 these
                 difficulties
                 ?
                 Alas
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 aggravate
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 whilest
                 I
                 delay
                 I
                 perish
                 .
                 It
                 cannot
                 be
                 now
                 too
                 soon
                 to
                 set
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 soon
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 :
                 Nor
                 will
                 I
                 be
                 fooled
                 with
                 that
                 suggestion
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 now
                 too
                 late
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 if
                 I
                 do
                 it
                 not
                 now
                 the
                 time
                 will
                 come
                 when
                 I
                 shall
                 wish
                 I
                 had
                 done
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 now
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 more
                 so
                 hereafter
                 .
                 Especially
                 this
                 would
                 be
                 the
                 highest
                 aggravation
                 of
                 my
                 misery
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 should
                 wholly
                 abandon
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 move
                 nothing
                 at
                 all
                 towards
                 my
                 own
                 recovery
                 .
                 All
                 other
                 ways
                 are
                 beset
                 with
                 insuperable
                 difficulties
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 one
                 way
                 of
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 it
                 ;
                 
                   Anceps
                   remedium
                   potiùs
                   quàm
                   nullum
                
                 ,
                 therefore
                 what-ever
                 the
                 success
                 be
                 ,
                 this
                 I
                 am
                 resolved
                 to
                 make
                 trial
                 of
                 .
              
            
             
               Thus
               the
               four
               Lepers
               who
               were
               without
               the
               Gates
               of
               Samaria
               ,
               
               when
               the
               famine
               was
               within
               ,
               and
               the
               enemy
               laying
               close
               siege
               round
               about
               it
               ,
               If
               (
               say
               they
               )
               
                 we
                 stay
                 here
                 we
                 die
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 we
                 go
                 into
                 the
                 City
                 the
                 famine
                 is
                 there
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 die
                 also
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 therefore
                 venture
                 upon
                 the
                 Camp
                 of
                 the
                 Syrians
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 kill
                 us
                 we
                 can
                 but
                 die
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 they
                 spare
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 live
                 .
              
               So
               the
               sinner
               ,
               
                 I
                 am
                 beset
                 with
                 difficulties
                 ,
                 within
                 are
                 fears
                 ,
                 without
                 is
                 despair
                 ;
                 Hell
                 and
                 damnation
                 
                 are
                 round
                 about
                 me
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 one
                 plank
                 of
                 escape
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 repentance
                 ;
                 whether
                 I
                 can
                 effect
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 God
                 will
                 accept
                 it
                 from
                 me
                 is
                 a
                 question
                 :
                 but
                 hope
                 is
                 as
                 cheap
                 as
                 despair
                 ;
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 lost
                 labour
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 but
                 labour
                 lost
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 doubtfull
                 experiment
                 is
                 better
                 then
                 certain
                 damnation
                 .
              
            
             
               THUS
               by
               all
               these
               powerfull
               inducements
               the
               sinner
               is
               brought
               at
               last
               to
               a
               resolution
               ,
               and
               that
               brings
               him
               to
               actual
               returning
               ,
               as
               we
               shall
               shew
               by
               and
               by
               .
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               III.
               
            
             
               Of
               Confession
               and
               Contrition
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     Contrition
                     consists
                     of
                     four
                     parts
                     .
                     1.
                     
                     Confession
                     of
                     Guilt
                     .
                     2.
                     
                     Aggravation
                     of
                     the
                     fault
                     .
                     3.
                     
                     Self-Condemnation
                     .
                     4.
                     
                     Deprecation
                     .
                     All
                     which
                     are
                     explained
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     The
                     efficacy
                     of
                     Contrition
                     demonstrated
                     .
                     1.
                     
                     As
                     doing
                     right
                     to
                     God's
                     Sovereignty
                     .
                     2.
                     
                     To
                     his
                     Wisedom
                     ,
                     Justice
                     ,
                     and
                     Goodness
                     .
                     3.
                     
                     To
                     his
                     Omniscience
                     .
                     4.
                     
                     To
                     his
                     Holiness
                     and
                     Purity
                     .
                     5.
                     
                     It
                     gives
                     the
                     best
                     security
                     against
                     relapses
                     into
                     sin
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               §
               I.
               IN
               the
               foregoing
               Chapter
               we
               left
               the
               Prodigal
               in
               a
               good
               mind
               ,
               and
               well
               resolved
               what
               course
               to
               take
               ;
               now
               therefore
               no
               doubt
               we
               shall
               find
               him
               putting
               in
               practice
               those
               ingenuous
               
               purposes
               .
               And
               taking
               the
               whole
               series
               of
               this
               part
               of
               the
               Parable
               together
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               represents
               him
               as
               wholly
               taken
               up
               with
               these
               two
               things
               .
               First
               ,
               in
               a
               contrite
               and
               remorsefull
               confession
               of
               his
               former
               offences
               .
               Secondly
               ,
               in
               the
               actual
               returning
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               and
               to
               his
               duty
               ;
               for
               as
               on
               the
               one
               hand
               (
               considering
               his
               former
               miscarriages
               )
               he
               could
               not
               take
               the
               confidence
               to
               appear
               before
               his
               injured
               Father
               without
               ingenuous
               shame
               and
               sorrow
               ;
               so
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               he
               could
               neither
               content
               his
               own
               mind
               ,
               nor
               hope
               for
               pardon
               from
               his
               Father
               without
               real
               amendment
               and
               actual
               reformation
               .
               Wherefore
               he
               joins
               both
               together
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               former
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               his
               Contrition
               ,
               he
               may
               appease
               his
               Father's
               just
               wrath
               and
               indignation
               ;
               and
               that
               by
               the
               latter
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               Reformation
               ,
               he
               may
               be
               re-instated
               in
               his
               favour
               .
               Now
               the
               first
               of
               these
               is
               answerable
               to
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               is
               most
               genuinely
               meant
               by
               the
               Greek
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               and
               the
               second
               ,
               that
               which
               they
               express
               by
               the
               other
               word
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               :
               both
               which
               together
               make
               up
               the
               intire
               nature
               of
               true
               Repentance
               ,
               and
               therefore
               must
               be
               handled
               by
               us
               particularly
               .
            
             
               TO
               begin
               with
               the
               former
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               Contrition
               .
               The
               Son
               expresses
               himself
               thus
               ,
               
                 Father
                 I
                 have
                 sinned
                 against
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 before
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 no
                 more
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 thy
                 Son.
                 Make
                 me
                 but
                 as
                 one
                 of
                 thy
                 hired
                 Servants
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               In
               which
               words
               there
               are
               these
               four
               things
               observable
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 His
                 confession
                 of
                 Guilt
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Aggravation
                   of
                   the
                   fact
                
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 sinned
                 against
                 Heaven
                 and
                 before
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 severe
                 judgment
                 he
                 passes
                 upon
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   no
                   more
                   worthy
                   to
                   be
                   called
                   thy
                   Son.
                   
                
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 His
                 deprecation
                 ,
                 
                   Yet
                   make
                   me
                   as
                   one
                   of
                   thy
                   hired
                   Servants
                   .
                
                 All
                 which
                 deserve
                 a
                 little
                 consideration
                 ,
                 
                 the
                 rather
                 because
                 we
                 shall
                 find
                 them
                 all
                 exactly
                 and
                 literally
                 exemplified
                 in
                 the
                 true
                 Penitent
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 Then
                 the
                 Son
                 assumes
                 to
                 himself
                 his
                 own
                 guilt
                 ,
                 and
                 takes
                 shame
                 to
                 himself
                 .
              
               I
               have
               sinned
               ,
               &c.
               
               Non
               in
               aetatem
               ,
               non
               in
               malos
               consiliarios
               culpam
               rejicit
               ,
               sed
               nudam
               parat
               sine
               excusatione
               Confessionem
               ,
               (
               
                 saith
                 the
                 excellent
              
               H.
               Grotius
               :
               )
               He
               excuses
               not
               himself
               by
               the
               injudiciousness
               of
               his
               youth
               ,
               nor
               casts
               the
               blame
               upon
               his
               evil
               Counsellors
               ;
               neither
               accuses
               God
               nor
               man
               ,
               but
               himself
               by
               a
               plain
               and
               ingenuous
               acknowledgement
               .
            
             
               IN
               like
               manner
               the
               true
               Penitent
               knows
               it
               is
               to
               no
               purpose
               to
               play
               the
               Hypocrite
               with
               God
               ,
               
                 Because
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 naked
                 and
                 open
                 to
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 him
                 with
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 to
                 doe
                 .
                 He
                 seeth
                 not
                 as
                 men
                 see
                 ,
                 beholding
                 the
                 outward
                 appearance
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 searches
                 the
                 hearts
                 and
                 tries
                 the
                 reins
                 of
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               He
               remembers
               that
               
                 he
                 that
                 hideth
                 his
                 sins
                 shall
                 not
                 prosper
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 that
                 confesseth
                 and
                 forsaketh
                 them
                 shall
                 find
                 mercy
                 .
              
               Therefore
               with
               blushing
               and
               confusion
               of
               face
               ,
               saith
               ,
               I
               have
               sinned
               and
               done
               very
               foolishly
               .
               Thus
               the
               poor
               Publican
               is
               represented
               by
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               S.
               Luk.
               18.
               13.
               whenas
               the
               Pharisee
               stood
               upon
               his
               own
               justification
               ,
               and
               with
               a
               brazen
               impudence
               out-faces
               Heaven
               ,
               
                 God
                 I
                 thank
                 thee
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 as
                 other
                 men
                 are
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               He
               
                 standing
                 afar
                 off
              
               (
               as
               not
               thinking
               himself
               worthy
               to
               approach
               so
               great
               a
               Majesty
               )
               
                 not
                 daring
                 to
                 lift
                 up
                 his
                 eyes
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
              
               (
               as
               dejected
               with
               the
               apprehension
               of
               his
               own
               demerits
               )
               
                 smites
                 upon
                 his
                 breast
              
               with
               indignation
               against
               himself
               ,
               and
               brings
               out
               onely
               this
               contrite
               sigh
               ,
               
                 God
                 be
                 mercifull
                 to
                 me
                 a
                 sinner
                 .
              
               And
               so
               the
               Psalmist
               David
               in
               that
               penitential
               Psalm
               of
               his
               ,
               Psal
               .
               51.
               vers
               .
               3.
               
               
                 I
                 acknowledge
                 my
                 transgression
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 sin
                 is
                 ever
                 before
                 me
                 .
                 Against
                 thee
                 ,
                 thee
                 onely
                 have
                 
                 I
                 sinned
                 ,
                 and
                 done
                 evil
                 in
                 thy
                 sight
                 .
                 Behold
                 ,
                 I
                 was
                 shapen
                 in
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 sin
                 did
                 my
                 Mother
                 conceive
                 me
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               And
               this
               is
               the
               course
               of
               every
               Penitent
               ,
               for
               though
               it
               be
               too
               true
               that
               Confession
               may
               be
               without
               true
               and
               compleat
               Repentance
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               impossible
               that
               Repentance
               should
               be
               true
               without
               Confession
               .
            
             
               I
               enter
               not
               into
               a
               discourse
               of
               Confession
               to
               men
               ,
               because
               my
               Text
               leads
               me
               not
               to
               it
               ,
               further
               then
               as
               it
               concerns
               the
               person
               injured
               ;
               in
               which
               case
               it
               is
               often
               necessary
               for
               the
               satisfaction
               of
               our
               Consciences
               ,
               and
               where-ever
               there
               is
               any
               ingenuity
               in
               the
               offended
               person
               ,
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               very
               prevalent
               towards
               his
               forgiveness
               .
               But
               as
               for
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               who
               is
               always
               injured
               in
               every
               transgression
               ,
               and
               can
               never
               have
               any
               reparation
               otherwise
               then
               by
               it
               ,
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               always
               reasonable
               and
               necessary
               ,
               as
               we
               shall
               shew
               more
               fully
               by
               and
               by
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               BUT
               the
               Son
               contents
               not
               himself
               with
               a
               bare
               acknowledgment
               of
               his
               fault
               in
               general
               ,
               but
               goes
               on
               to
               aggravate
               it
               .
               
                 I
                 have
                 sinned
                 against
                 Heaven
                 and
                 before
                 thee
                 .
              
               If
               we
               consider
               the
               letter
               of
               those
               words
               ,
               they
               import
               ,
               I
               have
               sinned
               both
               against
               God
               and
               thee
               my
               earthly
               Parent
               ,
               for
               so
               the
               Jews
               were
               wont
               to
               express
               themselves
               ,
               calling
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               by
               the
               name
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               as
               we
               may
               observe
               S.
               Luke
               20.
               4.
               
               
                 The
                 Baptism
                 of
                 John
                 ,
                 was
                 it
                 from
                 Heaven
                 or
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 i.
                 e.
              
               Was
               it
               it
               of
               God's
               institution
               ,
               or
               man's
               invention
               ?
               So
               also
               1
               Macc.
               3.
               18.
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 with
                 Heaven
                 to
                 save
                 with
                 few
                 or
                 with
                 many
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               with
               the
               God
               of
               Heaven
               .
               And
               we
               may
               easily
               take
               notice
               that
               in
               most
               of
               the
               Parables
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               that
               which
               is
               sometimes
               called
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
               is
               otherwhile
               expressed
               by
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ;
               and
               by
               both
               nothing
               else
               is
               meant
               but
               
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               that
               divine
               institution
               of
               Religion
               :
               but
               if
               we
               attend
               to
               the
               intent
               of
               this
               acknowledgement
               of
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               ,
               the
               words
               import
               an
               aggravation
               of
               his
               disobedience
               .
               
                 q.
                 d.
              
               
               
                 There
                 was
                 no
                 necessity
                 lay
                 upon
                 me
                 to
                 transgress
                 ;
                 thy
                 yoke
                 was
                 easy
                 and
                 reasonable
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 in
                 disobeying
                 thee
                 ,
                 I
                 disobeyed
                 God
                 too
                 :
                 Or
                 I
                 must
                 first
                 have
                 cast
                 off
                 all
                 reverence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 before
                 I
                 could
                 be
                 undutifull
                 towards
                 thee
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 the
                 harshness
                 and
                 severity
                 of
                 my
                 Father
                 that
                 drove
                 me
                 away
                 ,
                 but
                 my
                 own
                 levity
                 and
                 folly
                 that
                 betrayed
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 stubbornness
                 that
                 I
                 forsook
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               And
               the
               same
               consideration
               affects
               the
               heart
               of
               the
               Penitent
               :
               
                 For
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 only
                 offended
                 the
                 Divine
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 but
                 rebelled
                 both
                 against
                 a
                 rightfull
                 and
                 a
                 gracious
                 Sovereign
                 ;
                 have
                 broken
                 wise
                 ,
                 and
                 just
                 ,
                 and
                 equitable
                 Laws
                 ;
                 been
                 ingratefull
                 towards
                 him
                 that
                 had
                 obliged
                 me
                 by
                 infinite
                 favours
                 ;
                 have
                 slighted
                 the
                 most
                 glorious
                 propositions
                 ,
                 and
                 neglected
                 the
                 most
                 gracious
                 and
                 condescending
                 conditions
                 of
                 being
                 happy
                 .
                 There
                 was
                 no
                 invincible
                 temptation
                 upon
                 me
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 example
                 to
                 debauch
                 me
                 :
                 I
                 was
                 not
                 opprest
                 by
                 fate
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 chosen
                 my
                 own
                 destruction
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 Apostasy
                 of
                 Adam
                 that
                 can
                 excuse
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 was
                 my
                 own
                 act
                 :
                 I
                 cannot
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Fathers
                   have
                   eaten
                   sour
                   grapes
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Children's
                   teeth
                   are
                   set
                   on
                   edge
                   :
                
                 for
                 I
                 sinned
                 against
                 light
                 and
                 Conscience
                 with
                 full
                 consent
                 ,
                 and
                 against
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 God's
                 Spirit
                 to
                 the
                 contrary
                 .
              
            
             
               AFTER
               this
               manner
               the
               Penitent
               is
               apt
               to
               lay
               load
               upon
               himself
               ,
               no
               body
               can
               think
               or
               speak
               worse
               of
               him
               then
               he
               thinks
               and
               confesses
               of
               himself
               ;
               so
               far
               is
               he
               from
               extenuating
               his
               crimes
               ,
               that
               no
               malice
               can
               paint
               them
               worse
               ,
               then
               grief
               and
               indignation
               at
               
               himself
               doth
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               with
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               he
               esteems
               himself
               
                 the
                 chiefest
                 and
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 .
              
            
             
               THIS
               is
               a
               quite
               contrary
               course
               to
               that
               which
               men
               use
               to
               take
               when
               they
               plead
               at
               humane
               Tribunals
               ,
               either
               they
               deny
               the
               fact
               ,
               or
               extenuate
               ,
               or
               justify
               it
               ;
               either
               they
               plead
               ignorance
               ,
               or
               pretend
               necessity
               ,
               or
               prescribe
               for
               it
               from
               the
               custome
               and
               prevailing
               example
               of
               the
               world
               :
               but
               none
               of
               these
               ways
               are
               of
               use
               before
               God
               ,
               and
               therefore
               are
               not
               the
               pleas
               of
               the
               Penitent
               .
               The
               Argument
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               (
               though
               it
               may
               seem
               a
               very
               strange
               one
               )
               is
               frequent
               with
               such
               men
               ,
               Psal
               .
               25.
               10.
               
               
                 O
                 Lord
                 pardon
                 my
                 sin
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 great
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
                 
              
               
                 I
                 am
                 only
                 fit
                 to
                 magnify
                 thy
                 mercy
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 have
                 sinned
                 beyond
                 any
                 mercy
                 but
                 thine
                 ;
                 my
                 guilt
                 is
                 too
                 great
                 a
                 burden
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 bear
                 ,
                 if
                 thy
                 unspeakable
                 mercies
                 relieve
                 me
                 not
                 .
                 What
                 shall
                 I
                 do
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
              
               
                 O
                 thou
                 redeemer
                 of
                 men
              
               ?
               Such
               a
               Soul
               is
               not
               only
               ashamed
               ,
               but
               loaths
               and
               abhors
               himself
               ;
               his
               Spirit
               is
               broken
               ,
               his
               countenance
               dejected
               ,
               his
               confidence
               dismounted
               ,
               he
               feels
               pain
               and
               remorse
               ,
               he
               goes
               heavily
               ,
               he
               is
               pricked
               to
               the
               heart
               ,
               and
               cries
               out
               in
               the
               anguish
               of
               his
               Soul
               What
               shall
               I
               doe
               ?
               But
            
             
               3.
               
               HE
               goes
               on
               not
               only
               to
               accuse
               ,
               but
               to
               condemn
               himself
               also
               ;
               
                 
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   worthy
                   to
                   be
                   called
                   thy
                   Son.
                
                 I
                 deserve
                 to
                 be
                 utterly
                 abandoned
                 ,
                 excluded
                 your
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 cast
                 my self
                 out
                 of
                 your
                 family
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 the
                 Penitent
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 so
                 far
                 Lord
                 from
                 deserving
                 thy
                 favour
                 or
                 eternal
                 life
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 deserve
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 Crum
                 from
                 thy
                 Table
                 ;
                 
                   less
                   then
                   the
                   least
                   of
                   all
                   thy
                   mercies
                   .
                
                 Nay
                 I
                 acknowledge
                 I
                 have
                 deserved
                 to
                 goe
                 with
                 sorrow
                 to
                 my
                 grave
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 undergo
                 the
                 dreadfullest
                 viols
                 of
                 thy
                 wrath
                 .
              
            
             
             
               IT
               is
               very
               remarkable
               that
               the
               Prodigal
               doth
               not
               only
               thus
               condemn
               himself
               whilest
               he
               anxiously
               stands
               expecting
               his
               doom
               from
               his
               Father
               ,
               but
               even
               then
               when
               his
               Father
               had
               expressed
               compassion
               to
               him
               ,
               had
               ran
               to
               meet
               him
               ,
               and
               kissed
               him
               ,
               for
               so
               vers
               .
               21.
               we
               find
               him
               repeating
               his
               own
               condemnation
               in
               the
               same
               words
               as
               before
               :
               And
               in
               like
               manner
               we
               observe
               the
               Apostle
               St.
               Paul
               after
               he
               had
               obtained
               pardon
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               favour
               of
               Apostleship
               ,
               to
               be
               continually
               ripping
               up
               his
               former
               sins
               ,
               and
               condemning
               himself
               for
               them
               ;
               as
               if
               the
               wound
               bled
               afresh
               as
               often
               as
               it
               was
               touched
               .
            
             
               THUS
               the
               Penitent
               
                 always
                 judges
                 and
                 condemns
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 judged
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
              
               By
               severity
               towards
               himself
               he
               recommends
               himself
               to
               the
               Divine
               Mercy
               ;
               
               for
               as
               Tertullian
               expresses
               it
               ,
               
                 In
                 quantum
                 non
                 peperceris
                 tibi
                 ,
                 in
                 tantum
                 Deus
                 tibi
                 parcet
                 .
              
               If
               we
               like
               Phineas
               stand
               up
               and
               execute
               judgement
               ,
               the
               Plague
               will
               be
               stayed
               .
               He
               that
               anticipates
               the
               day
               of
               Judgment
               by
               erecting
               a
               private
               ,
               but
               impartial
               Tribunal
               ,
               prevents
               the
               dreadfullness
               of
               that
               day
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               if
               we
               be
               just
               ,
               God
               will
               be
               mercifull
               ;
               and
               therefore
               when
               the
               Penitent
               hath
               been
               accuser
               ,
               witness
               and
               judge
               against
               himself
               ,
               he
               may
               then
               with
               hopes
               of
               success
               become
            
             
               4.
               
               IN
               the
               fourth
               place
               Intercessour
               for
               himself
               also
               ,
               and
               deprecate
               the
               divine
               displeasure
               ,
               and
               implore
               his
               favour
               .
               So
               the
               Son
               doth
               here
               ,
               
                 make
                 me
                 as
                 one
                 of
                 thy
                 hired
                 servants
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
                 
              
               
                 Let
                 me
                 not
                 be
                 utterly
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 Family
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 at
                 least
                 this
                 instance
                 of
                 thy
                 favour
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 still
                 retain
                 some
                 relation
                 to
                 thee
                 .
              
               And
               so
               the
               Penitent
               now
               that
               he
               hath
               received
               his
               sentence
               of
               condemnation
               within
               himself
               ,
               sues
               out
               his
               pardon
               .
               
                 O
                 take
                 not
                 my
                 confession
                 meerly
                 as
                 an
                 argument
                 of
                 my
                 guilt
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 
                 an
                 evidence
                 of
                 my
                 contrition
                 ,
                 
                   Break
                   not
                   the
                   bruised
                   reed
                   ,
                   nor
                   quench
                   the
                   smoaking
                   flax
                   .
                
                 'T
                 is
                 thy
                 prerogative
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 to
                 pardon
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 pleasure
                 is
                 there
                 in
                 my
                 blood
                 ?
                 Will
                 the
                 Lord
                 be
                 angry
                 for
                 ever
                 ?
                 will
                 his
                 jealousy
                 burn
                 like
                 fire
                 ?
                 O
                 consider
                 my
                 frame
                 !
                 remember
                 I
                 am
                 but
                 dust
                 and
                 ashes
                 ,
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 thy
                 mercies
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 God
                 and
                 not
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 the
                 Heavens
                 are
                 higher
                 then
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 thy
                 mercies
                 above
                 the
                 mercies
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 :
              
               
                 Turn
                 thy
                 face
                 away
                 from
                 my
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 blot
                 out
                 all
                 my
                 transgressions
                 .
                 Make
                 me
                 a
                 clean
                 heart
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 renew
                 a
                 right
                 spirit
                 in
                 me
                 .
                 Cast
                 me
                 not
                 away
                 from
                 thy
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 not
                 thy
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 from
                 me
                 .
                 Give
                 me
                 the
                 comfort
                 of
                 thy
                 help
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 stablish
                 me
                 with
                 thy
                 free
                 Spirit
                 ,
              
               &c.
               Psal
               .
               51.
               9
               ,
               10
               ,
               11
               ,
               12.
               
            
             
               SAINT
               Cyprian
               reports
               it
               to
               have
               been
               the
               Custome
               of
               the
               Primitive
               Penitents
               out
               of
               their
               quick
               and
               pricking
               sense
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               the
               more
               effectually
               to
               recommend
               themselves
               to
               the
               mercies
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               favour
               of
               his
               Church
               ,
               earnestly
               to
               implore
               the
               Martyrs
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               their
               sufferings
               and
               sharpest
               agonies
               ,
               they
               would
               remember
               them
               in
               their
               prayers
               ,
               thinking
               such
               affectionate
               intercession
               of
               those
               that
               poured
               out
               their
               blood
               and
               requests
               together
               ,
               must
               needs
               be
               available
               both
               with
               God
               and
               man.
               But
               the
               Penitent
               addresses
               himself
               also
               to
               a
               higher
               and
               more
               prevalent
               Advocate
               ,
               who
               adds
               the
               incense
               of
               his
               own
               sacrifice
               to
               the
               prayers
               of
               men
               ,
               and
               makes
               them
               come
               up
               as
               sweet
               odours
               before
               the
               Almighty
               ;
               and
               who
               is
               exalted
               at
               God's
               right
               hand
               to
               this
               end
               that
               he
               may
               give
               success
               to
               the
               prayers
               of
               such
               contrite
               persons
               .
               To
               which
               adde
               ,
               that
               not
               only
               the
               deep
               apprehensions
               of
               guilt
               and
               of
               danger
               which
               such
               a
               person
               (
               we
               now
               speak
               of
               )
               is
               under
               ,
               must
               needs
               
               mkee
               him
               ardent
               and
               importunate
               ,
               and
               to
               cry
               mightily
               to
               God
               ;
               but
               also
               the
               Scripture
               assures
               us
               that
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               is
               wont
               to
               assist
               such
               
                 with
                 sighs
                 and
                 groans
                 which
                 are
                 unutterable
                 .
              
            
             
               §
               II.
               NOW
               for
               the
               acceptableness
               of
               this
               penitent
               confession
               of
               which
               we
               are
               speaking
               .
               Although
               it
               be
               certain
               that
               our
               heavenly
               Father
               takes
               no
               delight
               in
               the
               pityfull
               moans
               ,
               in
               the
               tears
               and
               lamentations
               of
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               and
               most
               true
               that
               he
               is
               not
               to
               be
               wrought
               upon
               by
               addresses
               and
               complemental
               forms
               ,
               by
               the
               accent
               of
               men's
               voice
               ,
               by
               the
               rhetorick
               of
               tears
               ,
               nor
               any
               thing
               of
               that
               nature
               ;
               because
               he
               is
               not
               subject
               to
               passions
               as
               men
               are
               :
               yet
               having
               demonstrated
               already
               in
               the
               former
               Chapter
               that
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               hath
               no
               restraint
               upon
               him
               but
               what
               himself
               pleases
               ,
               and
               that
               all
               his
               actions
               towards
               his
               Creatures
               are
               so
               subject
               to
               his
               wisedom
               ,
               that
               when-ever
               there
               is
               just
               cause
               for
               mercy
               he
               can
               shew
               it
               notwithstanding
               the
               unchangeableness
               of
               his
               Nature
               ,
               the
               rigour
               of
               his
               Laws
               ,
               or
               the
               demand
               of
               his
               Justice
               ;
               If
               now
               we
               also
               make
               it
               appear
               from
               his
               own
               mouth
               ,
               and
               from
               those
               discoveries
               which
               he
               hath
               been
               pleased
               to
               make
               of
               himself
               ,
               that
               the
               aforesaid
               humble
               and
               contrite
               addresses
               are
               agreeable
               to
               the
               designs
               of
               his
               wisedom
               ,
               and
               therefore
               required
               by
               him
               as
               the
               conditions
               of
               pardon
               ;
               then
               there
               can
               be
               no
               doubt
               but
               that
               they
               will
               in
               their
               kind
               be
               as
               acceptable
               to
               his
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               and
               as
               successfull
               on
               the
               part
               of
               the
               sinner
               ,
               as
               the
               penitent
               Son's
               submission
               was
               with
               his
               earthly
               Parent
               .
            
             
               AND
               this
               will
               be
               easily
               evident
               if
               we
               consider
               that
               whereas
               the
               evil
               of
               sin
               lies
               principally
               in
               the
               dishonour
               it
               reflects
               upon
               the
               divine
               perfections
               ,
               such
               penitential
               acknowledgments
               as
               we
               have
               described
               ,
               
               do
               in
               great
               measure
               repair
               that
               injury
               ,
               and
               do
               right
               to
               all
               the
               Divine
               Attributes
               ,
               as
               we
               will
               instance
               in
               particular
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               SIN
               is
               an
               invasion
               of
               God's
               Authority
               and
               Sovereignty
               over
               us
               ,
               inasmuch
               as
               he
               that
               willfully
               breaks
               any
               Law
               of
               God
               proclaims
               himself
               
                 sui
                 Juris
              
               ,
               or
               Lawless
               ,
               and
               saith
               with
               those
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               
                 we
                 will
                 not
                 have
                 this
                 Lord
                 to
                 rule
                 over
                 us
                 .
              
               Now
               penitent
               acknowledgment
               though
               it
               cannot
               recall
               the
               act
               which
               is
               past
               ,
               yet
               it
               revokes
               and
               retracts
               the
               affront
               ,
               and
               settles
               God's
               authority
               again
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               SIN
               is
               an
               impeachment
               of
               God's
               wisedom
               ,
               justice
               and
               goodness
               at
               once
               ;
               for
               he
               that
               allows
               himself
               in
               the
               commission
               of
               a
               sin
               ,
               lays
               an
               imputation
               upon
               God
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               had
               either
               not
               foreseen
               what
               liberty
               was
               fit
               to
               be
               allowed
               to
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               or
               had
               not
               ordered
               the
               frame
               and
               constitution
               of
               things
               with
               that
               decency
               and
               benignity
               that
               mankind
               could
               comfortably
               acquiesce
               in
               ,
               without
               temptation
               to
               intrench
               upon
               that
               for
               his
               own
               necessary
               accommodation
               .
               Now
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               confession
               takes
               shame
               and
               folly
               ,
               and
               unreasonableness
               to
               our selves
               ,
               and
               justifies
               the
               wisedom
               and
               equity
               of
               all
               God's
               constitutions
               .
               In
               this
               sense
               we
               may
               take
               that
               expression
               ,
               Luk.
               7.
               29.
               
               
                 The
                 Publicans
                 justified
                 God
                 ,
                 being
                 baptized
                 with
                 the
                 baptism
                 of
                 John.
                 i.
                 e.
              
               They
               entring
               into
               a
               penitential
               state
               which
               
               John's
               baptism
               initiated
               them
               into
               ,
               condemned
               themselves
               ,
               and
               proclaimed
               the
               righteousness
               of
               God's
               methods
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               SIN
               is
               a
               tacit
               denial
               of
               God's
               omniscience
               ,
               the
               sinner
               saith
               with
               them
               in
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               
                 Tush
                 ,
                 doth
                 God
                 see
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 there
                 knowledge
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 ?
              
               Psal
               .
               73.
               11.
               
               And
               with
               those
               other
               in
               
                 Job
                 ,
                 How
                 doth
                 God
                 know
                 ,
                 can
                 he
                 judge
                 through
                 the
                 dark
                 Clouds
                 ?
                 Thick
                 Clouds
                 are
                 a
                 covering
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 he
                 seeth
                 not
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 he
                 walketh
                 in
                 the
                 circuit
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
              
               Job
               22.
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               Either
               they
               conclude
               with
               the
               Epicureans
               that
               it
               is
               below
               the
               Majesty
               of
               God
               to
               mind
               the
               affairs
               of
               men
               ,
               or
               that
               it
               would
               create
               him
               too
               much
               trouble
               and
               business
               ,
               or
               some
               odd
               conceit
               or
               other
               they
               may
               well
               be
               presumed
               to
               have
               ,
               who
               dare
               adventure
               to
               sin
               ,
               forasmuch
               as
               the
               consideration
               of
               an
               all-seeing
               eye
               would
               give
               the
               most
               curbing
               check
               to
               sin
               that
               can
               be
               .
               And
               indeed
               ,
               this
               Attribute
               is
               one
               of
               the
               most
               glorious
               perfections
               of
               the
               Divine
               Nature
               ;
               and
               so
               necessary
               that
               it
               is
               not
               intelligible
               how
               he
               should
               be
               God
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               how
               he
               should
               govern
               the
               world
               for
               the
               present
               ,
               or
               judge
               it
               hereafter
               ,
               without
               it
               :
               and
               consequently
               it
               is
               (
               if
               not
               the
               only
               foundation
               ,
               yet
               )
               the
               immediate
               obligation
               to
               all
               worship
               and
               religious
               observance
               .
               For
               suppose
               a
               God
               as
               the
               Epicureans
               did
               ,
               that
               either
               could
               not
               ,
               or
               would
               not
               mind
               the
               actions
               of
               men
               ,
               and
               make
               him
               otherwise
               as
               great
               ,
               excellent
               and
               adorable
               as
               we
               will
               ,
               yet
               will
               it
               be
               impossible
               to
               restrain
               men
               from
               hypocrisy
               and
               contempt
               of
               him
               whilst
               they
               are
               under
               no
               apprehensions
               that
               their
               actions
               and
               carriage
               towards
               him
               are
               eyed
               by
               him
               .
               Now
               he
               that
               ingenuously
               confesses
               his
               sin
               ,
               and
               takes
               shame
               to
               himself
               for
               it
               ,
               doth
               honour
               to
               this
               Divine
               Perfection
               ,
               and
               upholds
               the
               pillar
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               thereby
               recommends
               himself
               to
               the
               Divine
               mercy
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               the
               saying
               of
               Joshua
               to
               Achan
               ,
               Jos
               .
               7.
               9.
               
               
                 My
                 Son
                 give
                 glory
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 confess
                 thy
                 fault
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               Thou
               hast
               dishonoured
               God
               by
               thy
               sin
               ,
               and
               both
               reproached
               his
               wisedom
               in
               making
               such
               a
               Law
               ,
               and
               also
               called
               in
               question
               his
               Omniscience
               by
               thy
               daring
               to
               violate
               it
               :
               now
               therefore
               make
               him
               the
               best
               amends
               thou
               canst
               by
               an
               ingenuous
               confession
               ,
               and
               make
               it
               appear
               ,
               that
               though
               when
               thou
               wast
               tempted
               to
               doe
               wickedly
               ,
               thou
               wert
               so
               foolish
               as
               to
               promise
               
               thy self
               security
               ;
               yet
               now
               upon
               more
               deliberate
               thoughts
               ,
               thou
               acknowledgest
               there
               is
               nothing
               can
               hide
               thee
               from
               him
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               SUCH
               acknowledgements
               as
               aforesaid
               ,
               do
               right
               to
               the
               holiness
               and
               purity
               of
               God
               :
               for
               thereby
               the
               sinner
               expressing
               his
               shame
               ,
               and
               blushing
               at
               his
               own
               impurity
               ,
               seems
               to
               loath
               himself
               for
               his
               unlikeness
               to
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               chief
               and
               original
               perfection
               .
            
             
               TO
               which
               add
               in
               the
               last
               place
               ,
               that
               besides
               that
               in
               this
               confession
               of
               sin
               ,
               the
               sinner
               places
               himself
               in
               the
               nearest
               posture
               ,
               and
               under
               the
               very
               eye
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               quickest
               apprehensions
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               the
               greatest
               awefullness
               of
               his
               Majesty
               ;
               he
               also
               puts
               a
               brand
               and
               odious
               mark
               upon
               all
               sin
               ,
               and
               by
               his
               thus
               suffering
               for
               sin
               in
               the
               sense
               of
               his
               Soul
               
                 condemns
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
              
               ;
               and
               withal
               expresses
               a
               great
               distast
               of
               it
               ,
               shews
               an
               abhorrence
               ,
               a
               mind
               alienated
               from
               it
               ,
               and
               so
               consequently
               by
               that
               sense
               of
               the
               bitterness
               of
               it
               ,
               gives
               the
               best
               security
               against
               relapses
               into
               it
               again
               .
               Upon
               all
               which
               it
               is
               not
               untruely
               said
               ,
               
                 quem
                 poenitet
                 peccâsse
                 paenè
                 est
                 innocens
              
               ;
               and
               though
               it
               be
               best
               of
               all
               not
               to
               sin
               ,
               yet
               he
               is
               in
               a
               good
               degree
               towards
               innocency
               ,
               who
               is
               thus
               penitent
               for
               his
               offences
               ;
               and
               consequently
               in
               a
               fair
               way
               for
               pardon
               .
            
             
               WITH
               respect
               to
               which
               the
               Psalmist
               who
               both
               could
               and
               would
               (
               if
               that
               would
               have
               done
               as
               well
               )
               have
               brought
               the
               most
               costly
               Sacrifices
               to
               God
               to
               have
               atoned
               his
               sin
               ,
               and
               made
               his
               peace
               with
               him
               ,
               yet
               pronounces
               
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 only
                 a
                 contrite
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 a
                 broken
                 and
                 contrite
                 Spirit
                 God
                 would
                 not
                 despise
                 .
              
               Those
               other
               Sacrifices
               it
               seems
               though
               God
               permitted
               them
               ,
               and
               in
               some
               cases
               accepted
               ,
               yet
               were
               not
               of
               his
               institution
               at
               first
               ,
               only
               they
               were
               ways
               which
               men
               thought
               apt
               to
               express
               their
               homage
               and
               dependance
               
               upon
               God
               ,
               or
               by
               which
               to
               acknowledge
               their
               gratitude
               ,
               or
               by
               the
               cost
               of
               them
               to
               impose
               a
               mulct
               upon
               themselves
               for
               offending
               ,
               or
               otherwise
               by
               being
               converted
               to
               the
               use
               of
               those
               that
               attended
               immediately
               upon
               him
               ,
               might
               be
               supposed
               to
               be
               a
               means
               to
               propitiate
               him
               towards
               them
               ;
               as
               if
               in
               the
               language
               of
               our
               Saviour
               men
               sought
               this
               way
               
                 to
                 make
                 to
                 themselves
                 friends
                 of
                 the
                 Mammon
                 of
                 unrighteousness
                 :
              
               Notwithstanding
               in
               themselves
               all
               those
               costly
               oblations
               seemed
               to
               reflect
               dishonour
               upon
               God
               ;
               as
               representing
               him
               a
               necessitous
               and
               indigent
               Deity
               ;
               for
               which
               cause
               several
               of
               the
               wisest
               and
               best
               Philosophers
               of
               old
               forbad
               all
               costly
               Sacrifices
               ,
               and
               required
               only
               such
               things
               as
               might
               properly
               be
               reputed
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               (
               as
               the
               Platonists
               express
               it
               )
               
                 i.
                 e.
                 the
                 worship
                 of
                 a
                 full
                 and
                 perfect
                 Being
                 :
              
               and
               such
               especially
               is
               this
               of
               a
               broken
               and
               contrite
               heart
               ,
               which
               as
               it
               is
               that
               which
               every
               man
               hath
               to
               give
               that
               will
               ,
               so
               is
               fittest
               to
               be
               the
               sacrifice
               of
               all
               mankind
               to
               the
               common
               Father
               of
               them
               ;
               and
               as
               it
               costs
               them
               least
               ,
               so
               it
               doth
               the
               truest
               honour
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               AND
               whereas
               Paganism
               admitted
               no
               repentance
               ,
               and
               in
               their
               Philosophick
               writings
               we
               meet
               often
               with
               expiations
               ,
               and
               lustrations
               ,
               but
               no
               such
               thing
               as
               repentance
               ;
               the
               reason
               must
               be
               because
               they
               had
               no
               right
               notions
               of
               God
               ,
               commonly
               considering
               him
               only
               under
               the
               notion
               of
               rigid
               fate
               ,
               or
               of
               absolute
               sovereignty
               ,
               without
               any
               apprehension
               of
               benignity
               or
               compassion
               in
               him
               :
               which
               whoso
               rightly
               understands
               God
               ,
               must
               needs
               conceive
               to
               be
               in
               him
               in
               an
               eminent
               degree
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               shewed
               before
               ;
               and
               he
               that
               so
               considers
               him
               ,
               can
               have
               no
               reason
               to
               doubt
               but
               those
               instances
               of
               penitence
               we
               are
               now
               upon
               ,
               are
               very
               acceptable
               to
               him
               ,
               especially
               if
               they
               come
               attended
               with
               real
               reformation
               ,
               which
               we
               come
               now
               in
               the
               next
               place
               
               to
               speak
               of
               ,
               as
               the
               second
               part
               of
               the
               Penitent's
               Resolution
               ,
               and
               the
               last
               and
               principal
               point
               of
               Repentance
               .
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               IV.
               
            
             
               Of
               Actual
               Returing
               ,
               or
               Reformation
               .
            
             
               THE
               CONTENTS
               .
            
             
               
                 Actual
                 Reformation
                 consists
                 in
                 three
                 things
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 Care
                 of
                 God's
                 Worship
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Conscience
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 Commands
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 Submission
                 to
                 his
                 Providence
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 are
                 described
                 according
                 to
                 such
                 measures
                 as
                 are
                 practicable
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 necessarily
                 required
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 conscientiously
                 observed
                 by
                 all
                 true
                 Converts
                 .
              
            
             
               WE
               have
               hitherto
               in
               the
               letter
               of
               the
               Parable
               seen
               the
               (
               formerly
               extravagant
               )
               Son
               performing
               the
               first
               part
               of
               his
               resolution
               ,
               confessing
               his
               fault
               ,
               condemning
               his
               folly
               ,
               falling
               at
               his
               Father's
               feet
               ,
               and
               imploring
               his
               pardon
               .
               But
               there
               was
               something
               else
               meant
               when
               he
               said
               
                 I
                 will
                 return
                 to
                 my
                 Father
              
               ;
               and
               he
               was
               not
               ignorant
               that
               filial
               reverence
               and
               obedience
               for
               the
               future
               ,
               was
               the
               best
               apology
               for
               his
               former
               transgressions
               :
               for
               though
               he
               knew
               how
               great
               an
               interest
               the
               very
               relation
               of
               a
               Son
               gives
               in
               the
               affections
               of
               a
               Father
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               saying
               of
               the
               Apostle
               is
               especially
               and
               most
               remarkably
               verified
               in
               the
               charity
               of
               Parents
               ,
               that
               it
               
                 beareth
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 
                 hopeth
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 believeth
                 all
                 things
              
               ;
               for
               they
               readily
               believe
               well
               of
               their
               Children
               ,
               because
               they
               so
               passionately
               desire
               it
               should
               be
               so
               :
               notwithstanding
               ,
               the
               Son
               could
               not
               think
               his
               Father
               so
               soft
               and
               easy
               as
               to
               be
               imposed
               upon
               with
               words
               and
               ceremonies
               ,
               and
               himself
               was
               not
               now
               so
               ill
               natured
               as
               to
               go
               about
               to
               abuse
               so
               much
               goodness
               ,
               if
               it
               it
               had
               been
               in
               his
               power
               .
               Wherefore
               the
               Text
               saith
               ,
               vers
               .
               20.
               
               
                 So
                 he
                 arose
                 and
                 came
                 to
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               he
               did
               not
               only
               change
               his
               note
               ,
               his
               address
               ,
               his
               countenance
               ,
               but
               he
               changed
               his
               course
               ;
               he
               returned
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               duty
               of
               a
               Son.
               
            
             
               AND
               we
               have
               under
               this
               type
               (
               in
               the
               former
               part
               of
               it
               )
               seen
               described
               the
               preface
               and
               introduction
               to
               repentance
               towards
               God
               ;
               namely
               ,
               the
               sinner
               bewailing
               his
               sin
               ,
               taking
               shame
               to
               himself
               ,
               under
               agonies
               of
               mind
               ,
               pricked
               to
               the
               heart
               ,
               humbly
               imploring
               the
               divine
               favour
               ,
               and
               crying
               earnestly
               for
               mercy
               .
               But
               this
               is
               not
               all
               that
               repentance
               means
               ,
               the
               principal
               part
               of
               it
               is
               yet
               behind
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               Actual
               Reformation
               .
               This
               is
               that
               which
               every
               awakened
               Conscience
               in
               its
               agonies
               promises
               and
               resolves
               upon
               ;
               this
               God
               expects
               ,
               and
               every
               sincere
               Convert
               really
               performs
               :
               For
               without
               this
               all
               the
               rest
               is
               but
               empty
               pomp
               and
               pageantry
               ,
               and
               meer
               hypocrisy
               ,
               as
               we
               shall
               shew
               anon
               .
               But
               when
               this
               is
               added
               to
               the
               former
               ,
               such
               a
               person
               from
               thenceforth
               is
               a
               new
               man
               ,
               and
               in
               a
               new
               estate
               ;
               he
               hath
               compleatly
               made
               his
               return
               to
               God
               ,
               as
               the
               Son
               in
               the
               Text
               is
               said
               to
               have
               actually
               returned
               to
               his
               Father
               .
            
             
               I
               have
               noted
               heretofore
               that
               all
               irreligion
               and
               profaneness
               is
               wont
               in
               the
               language
               of
               the
               Scripture
               to
               be
               expressed
               by
               the
               phrase
               of
               
                 departing
                 from
                 God
              
               ,
               or
               
                 going
                 out
                 from
                 him
              
               ,
               or
               
                 forsaking
                 him
              
               ;
               and
               so
               the
               whole
               practice
               of
               Religion
               is
               contrariwise
               set
               forth
               
               by
               
                 drawing
                 nigh
                 to
              
               ,
               or
               
                 coming
                 to
                 God
              
               ;
               particularly
               Hebr.
               11.
               6.
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 he
                 that
                 cometh
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 q.
                 d.
              
               he
               that
               becomes
               a
               Proselyte
               to
               Religion
               ,
               (
               for
               from
               thence
               doth
               that
               word
               Proselyte
               take
               its
               original
               .
               )
               Wherefore
               now
               we
               will
               first
               observe
               what
               is
               implyed
               by
               this
               phrase
               of
               the
               Son
               's
               returning
               or
               coming
               to
               his
               Father
               ;
               and
               in
               proportion
               thereto
               describe
               this
               most
               important
               business
               of
               the
               Penitent's
               returning
               to
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               his
               Actual
               Conversion
               or
               Reformation
               :
               and
               in
               the
               former
               these
               three
               things
               seem
               plainly
               to
               be
               comprehended
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 the
                 Son
                 now
                 returns
                 home
                 to
                 his
                 Father's
                 family
                 and
                 presence
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 returns
                 to
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 a
                 Son
                 ,
                 by
                 obedience
                 and
                 compliance
                 with
                 his
                 Father's
                 commands
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 submits
                 to
                 his
                 Father's
                 government
                 and
                 provision
                 .
              
            
             
               Therefore
               in
               the
               latter
               ,
               namely
               ,
               conversion
               to
               God
               ,
               these
               three
               things
               must
               semblably
               be
               implied
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 the
                 Penitent
                 puts
                 himself
                 under
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 lives
                 in
                 a
                 constant
                 practice
                 of
                 piety
                 and
                 devotion
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 frames
                 himself
                 to
                 universal
                 obedience
                 to
                 all
                 God's
                 commands
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 gives
                 himself
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 divine
                 disposal
                 ,
                 and
                 intirely
                 submits
                 to
                 his
                 providence
                 and
                 government
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               CONCERNING
               the
               first
               of
               these
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               more
               evident
               or
               remarkable
               to
               all
               experience
               and
               observation
               ,
               then
               the
               great
               fervor
               of
               devotion
               in
               all
               true
               Converts
               from
               an
               evil
               life
               ;
               insomuch
               
               that
               there
               is
               not
               that
               man
               to
               be
               found
               under
               such
               a
               character
               ,
               but
               presently
               with
               great
               solemnity
               and
               seriousness
               he
               sets
               up
               the
               worship
               of
               God
               ;
               to
               which
               purpose
               we
               find
               in
               the
               history
               of
               the
               Acts
               of
               the
               Apostles
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
               Worshippers
               ,
               or
               
                 Devout
                 persons
              
               ,
               to
               be
               the
               common
               name
               by
               which
               Converts
               to
               Religion
               are
               expressed
               ;
               and
               these
               ,
               Acts
               13.
               48.
               are
               said
               to
               be
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 Candidates
                 of
                 eternal
                 life
              
               ,
               or
               
                 put
                 into
                 order
                 and
                 disposed
                 for
                 salvation
                 .
              
               Compare
               vers
               .
               43.
               with
               48.
               
               More
               particularly
               it
               is
               observable
               of
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               that
               when
               from
               a
               superstitious
               Pharisee
               and
               bitter
               enemy
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               he
               was
               reclaimed
               and
               made
               a
               Christian
               ;
               the
               assurance
               that
               God
               gives
               to
               Ananias
               of
               the
               truth
               of
               his
               conversion
               ,
               is
               Acts
               9.
               11.
               
               
                 Behold
                 he
                 prays
              
               .
               And
               so
               of
               
                 Manasses
                 ,
                 2
                 Chron.
              
               33.
               18.
               amongst
               the
               instances
               of
               his
               real
               reformation
               the
               Scripture
               takes
               especial
               notice
               of
               
                 the
                 prayer
                 that
                 he
                 prayed
              
               .
            
             
               AND
               this
               is
               so
               universal
               a
               truth
               ,
               that
               I
               think
               from
               hence
               it
               cometh
               to
               pass
               ,
               that
               those
               who
               have
               a
               mind
               hypocritically
               to
               put
               on
               the
               guise
               and
               appearance
               of
               Religion
               ,
               are
               wont
               to
               be
               notably
               carefull
               in
               this
               point
               :
               for
               so
               the
               Pharisees
               cloaked
               all
               their
               villanies
               with
               this
               garb
               of
               piety
               .
               Now
               hypocrisy
               would
               miss
               altogether
               of
               its
               design
               if
               it
               did
               not
               resemble
               the
               truth
               of
               things
               ;
               and
               usually
               their
               over
               solicitude
               and
               overdoing
               herein
               betrays
               them
               to
               act
               a
               part
               only
               in
               Religion
               .
            
             
               BUT
               it
               is
               not
               only
               the
               duty
               of
               prayer
               which
               the
               true
               Penitent
               expresses
               his
               conversion
               by
               ,
               (
               though
               this
               be
               by
               some
               too
               phantastically
               called
               Duty
               ,
               as
               if
               all
               piety
               consisted
               in
               that
               only
               ,
               )
               for
               as
               the
               literal
               Prodigal
               returns
               to
               his
               Father's
               house
               and
               family
               ,
               so
               the
               mystical
               returns
               to
               God's
               house
               which
               is
               his
               Church
               ,
               and
               associates
               himself
               with
               God's
               servants
               in
               
               all
               the
               offices
               of
               Religion
               :
               (
               viz.
               )
               in
               hearing
               the
               word
               ,
               reading
               ,
               meditation
               ,
               Sacraments
               ,
               &c.
               
               Now
               he
               thinks
               
                 a
                 day
                 spent
                 in
                 God's
                 Courts
                 better
                 then
                 a
                 thousand
                 ;
                 and
                 had
                 rather
                 be
                 a
                 door-keeper
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 tents
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 .
              
               This
               one
               thing
               he
               desires
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               is
               most
               passionate
               in
               ,
               
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 to
                 behold
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               
               
                 and
                 to
                 inquire
                 in
                 his
                 Temple
                 .
              
               And
               he
               so
               highly
               values
               the
               priviledge
               of
               God's
               Church
               ,
               that
               no
               private
               opinion
               ,
               no
               trifling
               scrupulosity
               ,
               nor
               petty
               disgust
               ,
               shall
               ever
               alienate
               him
               from
               it
               .
               Here
               he
               finds
               himself
               fortified
               and
               incouraged
               by
               the
               great
               examples
               of
               holy
               men
               ,
               his
               prayers
               strengthened
               by
               the
               concurrence
               of
               all
               good
               people
               ;
               here
               he
               is
               under
               the
               publick
               dispensations
               of
               the
               means
               of
               grace
               and
               knowledge
               ,
               the
               very
               plainness
               and
               simplicity
               of
               which
               he
               now
               with
               the
               great
               Convert
               St.
               Austin
               values
               ,
               and
               admires
               more
               then
               all
               the
               Greek
               or
               Roman
               eloquence
               of
               Speech
               ,
               or
               subtilty
               of
               Philosophy
               ;
               to
               which
               every
               thing
               else
               seemed
               flat
               and
               insipid
               before
               .
               Above
               all
               ,
               the
               holy
               Sacrament
               puts
               him
               into
               an
               ecstasy
               ;
               in
               this
               he
               thinks
               himself
               in
               God's
               presence
               in
               an
               extraordinary
               manner
               ,
               and
               admitted
               a
               guest
               at
               his
               Table
               ,
               the
               Crums
               of
               which
               he
               thinks
               himself
               unworthy
               of
               :
               here
               he
               refreshes
               his
               hungry
               Soul
               with
               the
               Bread
               of
               Life
               ,
               and
               his
               wounded
               Conscience
               by
               the
               Bloud
               of
               his
               crucified
               Saviour
               ;
               and
               in
               both
               he
               thinks
               he
               sees
               his
               provoked
               ,
               but
               compassionate
               Father
               ,
               stand
               with
               open
               arms
               to
               receive
               him
               .
               This
               he
               approaches
               with
               great
               reverence
               ,
               with
               shame
               and
               sorrow
               for
               his
               sins
               past
               ,
               together
               with
               faith
               and
               hope
               in
               God's
               mercy
               ,
               and
               will
               therefore
               never
               be
               negligent
               of
               it
               .
            
             
               IN
               these
               and
               all
               other
               duties
               of
               Religion
               ,
               both
               publick
               and
               private
               ,
               the
               Convert
               expresses
               such
               an
               
               excellent
               spirit
               ,
               and
               extraordinary
               zeal
               as
               cannot
               but
               be
               very
               observable
               ;
               nay
               ,
               his
               fervor
               is
               so
               great
               in
               these
               things
               ,
               that
               the
               only
               danger
               is
               of
               running
               into
               some
               excess
               ,
               lest
               he
               outgo
               the
               health
               and
               strength
               of
               his
               Body
               ,
               and
               forget
               the
               necessity
               of
               the
               common
               affairs
               of
               life
               .
            
             
               IT
               is
               true
               ,
               there
               is
               great
               diversity
               in
               these
               passionate
               expressions
               of
               devotion
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               difference
               of
               men's
               tempers
               and
               constitutions
               ;
               but
               yet
               in
               every
               true
               Convert
               ,
               it
               is
               at
               the
               lowest
               quite
               another
               thing
               from
               the
               common
               flatness
               and
               formality
               that
               is
               too
               easy
               to
               be
               seen
               in
               other
               men
               :
               nay
               ,
               the
               transports
               of
               this
               kind
               in
               new
               Converts
               are
               usually
               so
               great
               ,
               that
               it
               often
               gives
               them
               occasion
               afterwards
               to
               question
               their
               station
               ,
               and
               to
               doubt
               whether
               they
               have
               not
               apostatized
               and
               
                 faln
                 from
                 their
                 first
                 love
              
               ;
               when
               they
               find
               they
               cannot
               maintain
               those
               spring-tides
               constantly
               at
               the
               same
               height
               through
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               their
               lives
               .
               For
               the
               sake
               of
               which
               this
               is
               to
               be
               added
               ;
               that
               it
               is
               no
               argument
               against
               a
               man's
               sincerity
               ,
               that
               he
               wants
               some
               of
               the
               passionate
               expressions
               of
               devotion
               which
               he
               had
               at
               first
               ,
               in
               regard
               then
               the
               fresh
               sense
               he
               had
               of
               his
               miscarriages
               ,
               of
               his
               horrible
               danger
               ,
               together
               with
               the
               ravishing
               joy
               at
               the
               first
               glimpse
               of
               God's
               mercy
               in
               Christ
               ,
               were
               able
               strangely
               to
               move
               all
               his
               powers
               ,
               and
               to
               draw
               even
               those
               bodily
               passions
               into
               compliance
               with
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               mind
               which
               must
               certainly
               flag
               afterwards
               .
               And
               therefore
               though
               it
               be
               a
               sure
               sign
               he
               is
               no
               Convert
               ,
               (
               I
               mean
               ,
               from
               a
               debauched
               and
               wicked
               life
               )
               who
               had
               no
               experience
               of
               something
               extraordinary
               in
               this
               kind
               at
               first
               ;
               yet
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               it
               is
               no
               sign
               of
               decaying
               in
               grace
               ,
               if
               he
               find
               not
               the
               like
               all
               along
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               BUT
               to
               proceed
               :
               secondly
               ,
               when
               the
               Son
               arose
               and
               went
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               it
               is
               implied
               ,
               that
               he
               became
               
               obedient
               to
               his
               commands
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               that
               he
               lived
               in
               his
               presence
               and
               family
               .
               And
               accordingly
               the
               Penitent
               in
               the
               next
               place
               contents
               not
               himself
               with
               any
               or
               all
               of
               the
               forementioned
               acts
               of
               devotion
               ;
               as
               not
               intending
               to
               put
               off
               God
               with
               complementall
               addresses
               ,
               (
               for
               all
               worship
               without
               obedience
               is
               no
               better
               )
               but
               applies
               himself
               with
               all
               humility
               and
               seriousness
               to
               frame
               his
               life
               according
               to
               his
               commands
               .
               Heretofore
               he
               was
               a
               Son
               of
               Belial
               ,
               lawless
               and
               disobedient
               ,
               but
               now
               he
               saith
               with
               St
               Paul
               upon
               his
               conversion
               ,
               Acts
               9.
               6.
               
               
                 What
                 wilt
                 thou
                 have
                 me
                 to
                 doe
                 Lord
                 ?
              
               He
               hath
               now
               found
               what
               hard
               service
               the
               Devil
               puts
               his
               vassals
               to
               ,
               and
               having
               had
               so
               bad
               a
               Master
               of
               him
               ,
               he
               doth
               not
               discourage
               himself
               with
               suspicions
               ,
               but
               submits
               his
               neck
               to
               the
               yoke
               of
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               ,
               and
               doth
               not
               say
               
                 it
                 is
                 grievous
              
               ,
               as
               being
               of
               opinion
               with
               the
               Falisci
               ,
               
               who
               told
               
                 Fabricius
                 ,
                 Melius
                 nos
                 sub
                 vestro
                 imperio
                 quàm
                 sub
                 nostris
                 legibus
                 victuri
                 sumus
                 .
              
               God's
               service
               is
               perfect
               freedom
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               liberty
               enough
               to
               obey
               wisedom
               and
               goodness
               .
            
             
               ACCORDINGLY
               he
               indeavours
               from
               henceforth
               to
               live
               in
               all
               
                 the
                 statutes
                 and
                 commandments
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 blameless
                 ,
                 and
                 exercises
                 himself
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 Conscience
                 void
                 of
                 offence
                 both
                 towards
                 God
                 and
                 man.
              
               He
               confines
               not
               his
               care
               to
               some
               one
               branch
               or
               part
               of
               his
               duty
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               common
               guise
               of
               hypocrites
               ,
               but
               resolves
               to
               be
               universally
               good
               and
               holy
               :
               For
               he
               not
               only
               considers
               that
               one
               sin
               is
               sufficient
               to
               ruine
               a
               man
               as
               well
               as
               many
               ,
               (
               as
               one
               disease
               may
               destroy
               a
               man's
               life
               as
               well
               as
               a
               complication
               )
               but
               also
               he
               observes
               ,
               that
               the
               main
               difficulty
               of
               vertue
               lies
               in
               that
               men
               do
               not
               uniformly
               carry
               on
               the
               whole
               business
               before
               them
               ,
               and
               so
               the
               Devil
               gets
               that
               ground
               in
               one
               place
               which
               he
               seems
               to
               lose
               in
               another
               .
               Besides
               ,
               the
               very
               principle
               that
               acts
               and
               governs
               him
               is
               
               the
               hearty
               love
               of
               God
               and
               goodness
               ,
               which
               makes
               him
               have
               an
               equal
               hatred
               to
               all
               sin
               ,
               and
               a
               zeal
               of
               every
               duty
               .
            
             
               HE
               forsakes
               all
               his
               debauches
               for
               the
               pleasure
               of
               a
               good
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               makes
               experiment
               whether
               victory
               over
               his
               passions
               be
               not
               as
               delightfull
               as
               the
               gratification
               of
               them
               ;
               and
               whether
               intellectual
               joys
               be
               not
               as
               ravishing
               as
               sensual
               enjoyments
               ;
               and
               a
               regular
               conversation
               as
               easy
               and
               agreeable
               as
               the
               lawless
               and
               licentious
               .
               He
               brings
               his
               senses
               in
               subjection
               to
               his
               reason
               ,
               and
               makes
               all
               those
               powers
               and
               faculties
               tributary
               to
               Religion
               which
               before
               made
               war
               against
               it
               .
               
                 This
                 head
                 of
                 mine
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 which
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 employed
                 in
                 contrivances
                 for
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 catering
                 for
                 my
                 lusts
                 ,
                 shall
                 now
                 be
                 exercised
                 in
                 studying
                 how
                 I
                 may
                 doe
                 most
                 honour
                 to
                 my
                 Maker
                 .
                 This
                 wit
                 which
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 goe
                 out
                 in
                 froth
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 scoffing
                 at
                 all
                 that
                 was
                 serious
                 ,
                 shall
                 now
                 make
                 apologies
                 for
                 what
                 before
                 it
                 blasphemed
                 .
                 This
                 tongue
                 shall
                 learn
                 to
                 bless
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 used
                 to
                 cursing
                 and
                 swearing
                 .
                 My
                 hands
                 shall
                 now
                 dispense
                 as
                 liberally
                 to
                 charitable
                 purposes
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 have
                 sordidly
                 raked
                 together
                 before
                 ;
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 as
                 exemplary
                 for
                 sobriety
                 and
                 chastity
                 ,
                 as
                 ever
                 I
                 was
                 notorious
                 for
                 excesses
                 ;
                 and
                 wherever
                 I
                 have
                 wronged
                 any
                 body
                 in
                 my
                 dealings
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 now
                 spare
                 from
                 my self
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 a
                 recompence
                 .
                 In
                 short
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 henceforward
                 there
                 is
                 neither
                 pleasure
                 shall
                 tempt
                 me
                 ,
                 nor
                 profit
                 allure
                 me
                 ,
                 nor
                 ambition
                 corrupt
                 me
                 ,
                 nor
                 example
                 sway
                 me
                 to
                 doe
                 any
                 thing
                 which
                 I
                 know
                 to
                 be
                 evil
                 ;
                 and
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 there
                 shall
                 neither
                 difficulty
                 discourage
                 me
                 ,
                 nor
                 tediousness
                 of
                 the
                 course
                 weary
                 me
                 in
                 the
                 race
                 of
                 vertue
                 and
                 holiness
                 .
              
            
             
             
               And
               to
               the
               intent
               that
               he
               may
               always
               make
               good
               this
               ground
               ,
               and
               persevere
               in
               this
               course
               ,
               he
               calls
               in
               all
               the
               Auxiliaries
               of
               Divine
               Grace
               ,
               places
               himself
               under
               the
               most
               advantageous
               circumstances
               ,
               and
               retrenches
               himself
               against
               all
               assaults
               or
               surprisals
               .
               Herewithal
               he
               hath
               a
               principal
               care
               to
               keep
               his
               thoughts
               pure
               and
               holy
               ,
               that
               there
               may
               be
               no
               combustible
               matter
               in
               him
               for
               the
               
                 Devil
                 's
                 fiery
                 darts
              
               to
               take
               hold
               of
               ,
               nor
               any
               beginning
               of
               a
               mutiny
               within
               him
               of
               the
               flesh
               against
               the
               spirit
               ,
               by
               which
               means
               a
               passage
               may
               be
               opened
               to
               the
               enemy
               .
               And
               yet
               when
               this
               is
               done
               he
               will
               be
               always
               upon
               his
               guard
               too
               ,
               not
               trusting
               wholly
               to
               the
               innocency
               of
               his
               intentions
               ,
               as
               knowing
               both
               the
               subtilty
               and
               enterprizing
               nature
               of
               the
               Devil
               .
               And
               that
               this
               watch
               may
               be
               constantly
               kept
               up
               ,
               he
               is
               sure
               not
               to
               allow
               himself
               the
               least
               degree
               of
               intemperance
               which
               would
               at
               least
               weaken
               his
               reason
               ,
               and
               inflame
               his
               passion
               :
               and
               farther
               ,
               he
               is
               very
               choice
               of
               his
               company
               ,
               and
               very
               desirous
               to
               fortify
               himself
               by
               good
               neighbourhood
               and
               acquaintance
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               be
               quickened
               by
               their
               examples
               :
               and
               lastly
               ,
               he
               will
               be
               always
               doing
               some
               good
               thing
               or
               other
               ,
               that
               temptation
               may
               not
               find
               him
               at
               leisure
               to
               give
               it
               entertainment
               .
            
             
               MOREOVER
               ,
               in
               consideration
               that
               he
               hath
               lived
               a
               great
               while
               unprofitably
               ,
               and
               done
               far
               less
               then
               his
               duty
               ,
               he
               will
               strive
               if
               it
               be
               possible
               to
               do
               more
               then
               is
               matter
               of
               express
               duty
               now
               to
               make
               amends
               for
               fomer
               failing
               ,
               and
               therefore
               is
               far
               from
               the
               cold
               and
               frugal
               piety
               of
               those
               men
               that
               make
               a
               great
               stirr
               in
               seeking
               the
               
                 minimum
                 quod
                 sic
              
               ,
               as
               if
               they
               would
               divide
               a
               hair
               in
               Religion
               ,
               and
               be
               sure
               to
               do
               no
               more
               then
               needs
               must
               ;
               and
               were
               afraid
               of
               loving
               God
               too
               much
               ,
               or
               bidding
               too
               high
               for
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               :
               for
               though
               it
               be
               true
               that
               there
               are
               no
               works
               of
               supererogation
               ,
               
               erogation
               ,
               as
               some
               vainly
               speak
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               whereby
               we
               may
               make
               God
               a
               debter
               to
               us
               ,
               or
               that
               we
               shall
               have
               an
               overplus
               ,
               and
               be
               able
               to
               contribute
               towards
               a
               publick
               stock
               besides
               our
               own
               necessitie
               ;
               yet
               if
               a
               man
               ,
               conscious
               of
               his
               own
               many
               failings
               ,
               shall
               therefore
               (
               to
               shew
               that
               notwithstanding
               he
               loves
               God
               sincerely
               )
               oblige
               himself
               ,
               suppose
               to
               pray
               oftener
               ,
               or
               give
               alms
               more
               liberally
               then
               is
               expresly
               required
               of
               him
               ,
               this
               sure
               will
               not
               be
               blameable
               .
            
             
               AND
               again
               ,
               being
               heartily
               troubled
               for
               what
               evils
               he
               hath
               committed
               heretofore
               ,
               he
               indeavours
               to
               retract
               and
               undoe
               them
               as
               much
               as
               is
               possible
               ,
               not
               only
               labouring
               to
               prevent
               the
               contagion
               of
               his
               example
               ,
               but
               where
               the
               case
               will
               admit
               it
               rescinding
               and
               nullifying
               the
               very
               effects
               .
               So
               Manasses
               ,
               that
               had
               set
               up
               Idolatry
               ,
               effectually
               reformed
               it
               ;
               and
               Zacheus
               ,
               besides
               the
               half
               of
               his
               goods
               which
               he
               gave
               to
               the
               poor
               ,
               made
               a
               fourfold
               restitution
               wherever
               he
               had
               wronged
               nay
               .
               The
               Jaylor
               washes
               the
               stripes
               he
               had
               inflicted
               ,
               &
               S.
               Paul
               zealously
               preached
               the
               doctrine
               which
               before
               he
               persecuted
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               Such
               is
               the
               indignation
               which
               the
               true
               Convert
               hath
               against
               himself
               for
               his
               former
               rebellions
               ,
               and
               such
               an
               holy
               jealousy
               hath
               he
               over
               himself
               lest
               he
               should
               relapse
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               in
               danger
               of
               another
               extream
               ;
               for
               whereas
               heretofore
               he
               too
               much
               indulged
               the
               humour
               of
               his
               body
               ,
               now
               he
               is
               ready
               to
               abridge
               it
               to
               such
               a
               degree
               as
               to
               indanger
               his
               health
               :
               perhaps
               in
               times
               past
               he
               lived
               in
               too
               much
               gaiety
               ,
               and
               now
               so
               gravely
               that
               there
               is
               some
               danger
               his
               strictness
               should
               sour
               into
               austerity
               ;
               heretofore
               he
               lived
               lawlesly
               ,
               and
               now
               is
               ready
               by
               an
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               a
               vehement
               inclining
               the
               contrary
               way
               to
               fall
               into
               scrupulosity
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               words
               of
               S.
               
                 Austin
                 ,
                 Factum
                 horretur
                 licitum
                 ob
                 vicinitatem
                 illiciti
                 ,
              
               which
               I
               render
               by
               those
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 He
                 strains
                 at
                 a
                 Gnat
                 now
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 swallow
                 a
                 Camel.
                 
              
            
             
             
               THOSE
               that
               have
               had
               experience
               of
               new
               and
               zealous
               Converts
               know
               this
               which
               I
               have
               last
               said
               to
               be
               too
               true
               ,
               and
               therefore
               those
               that
               are
               concerned
               in
               the
               management
               of
               such
               persons
               ,
               find
               it
               becoming
               their
               prudence
               ,
               not
               only
               to
               instruct
               them
               in
               the
               holy
               ways
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               but
               also
               to
               interpret
               to
               them
               the
               liberty
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
               For
               in
               defect
               of
               such
               care
               and
               prudence
               ,
               it
               very
               often
               unhappily
               comes
               to
               pass
               ,
               that
               evil
               men
               and
               seducers
               ,
               working
               upon
               that
               well
               meant
               but
               intemperate
               zeal
               ,
               find
               advantage
               of
               insinuating
               their
               curiosities
               ,
               their
               superstitions
               ,
               nay
               ,
               their
               very
               morosities
               ,
               and
               the
               distinctive
               badges
               of
               their
               peculiar
               factions
               ;
               and
               in
               consequence
               thereof
               both
               indispose
               these
               honest
               minds
               to
               some
               of
               that
               which
               is
               their
               duty
               in
               Church
               and
               State
               ,
               and
               render
               them
               uncomfortable
               in
               themselves
               ,
               and
               scandalous
               to
               Religion
               .
            
             
               BUT
               abating
               this
               last
               thing
               (
               which
               is
               a
               bad
               weed
               ,
               but
               an
               argument
               of
               a
               good
               soil
               )
               all
               that
               which
               I
               have
               been
               saying
               otherwise
               ,
               is
               in
               the
               temper
               and
               practice
               of
               every
               true
               Convert
               ,
               as
               is
               most
               eminently
               to
               be
               seen
               in
               all
               the
               Primitive
               Christians
               ,
               who
               were
               converted
               from
               Paganism
               or
               Judaism
               to
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               ,
               but
               especially
               the
               former
               ;
               the
               whole
               world
               saw
               them
               strangely
               improved
               and
               metamorphosed
               ,
               to
               use
               the
               word
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               
               upon
               which
               account
               the
               Primitive
               Fathers
               ,
               
                 Origen
                 ,
                 Justin
                 Martyr
                 ,
                 Eusebius
                 ,
                 Lactantius
                 ,
              
               &c.
               gloried
               in
               the
               efficacy
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               shamed
               the
               blind
               Pagans
               out
               of
               their
               contempt
               of
               it
               ;
               they
               despised
               it
               for
               the
               plainness
               and
               familiarity
               of
               the
               phrase
               ,
               but
               could
               not
               deny
               but
               it
               was
               mighty
               in
               operation
               ,
               far
               beyond
               all
               the
               admired
               writings
               of
               Philosophers
               ;
               
               for
               whereas
               all
               the
               efficacy
               of
               them
               usually
               extended
               no
               further
               then
               to
               furnish
               men's
               heads
               with
               notions
               ,
               or
               to
               guild
               the
               outside
               ;
               this
               changed
               them
               thoroughly
               ,
               made
               the
               drunkard
               become
               
               grave
               ,
               the
               lascivious
               person
               chaste
               and
               modest
               ,
               the
               griping
               oppressour
               mercifull
               and
               liberal
               ;
               and
               in
               short
               ,
               made
               the
               vicious
               and
               debauched
               become
               uniformly
               holy
               and
               vertuous
               .
               And
               this
               is
               the
               second
               thing
               intimated
               in
               the
               Son
               's
               returning
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               he
               returned
               to
               his
               duty
               and
               obedience
               .
               But
            
             
               3.
               
               THIRDLY
               and
               lastly
               ,
               when
               the
               Son
               returned
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               it
               is
               implied
               that
               he
               then
               submitted
               himself
               to
               his
               Father's
               providence
               and
               accommodations
               ;
               that
               whereas
               heretofore
               the
               way
               of
               his
               Father's
               Family
               was
               too
               frugal
               and
               parsimonious
               for
               him
               ,
               he
               must
               live
               at
               an
               higher
               rate
               ,
               and
               be
               better
               provided
               for
               ;
               and
               therefore
               desired
               to
               have
               his
               portion
               in
               his
               own
               hands
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               please
               himself
               :
               now
               the
               case
               is
               altered
               ,
               for
               he
               found
               that
               his
               prodigality
               had
               brought
               him
               to
               rags
               ,
               and
               his
               riots
               to
               hunger
               ,
               and
               the
               danger
               of
               being
               starved
               :
               this
               therefore
               had
               like
               to
               have
               broke
               his
               heart
               ,
               but
               to
               be
               sure
               it
               hath
               broke
               his
               spirit
               ;
               and
               now
               he
               will
               not
               capitulate
               ,
               nor
               prescribe
               rules
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               but
               be
               content
               with
               any
               thing
               ;
               
                 make
                 me
                 but
                 as
                 one
                 of
                 thy
                 hired
                 servants
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
            
             
               IT
               was
               the
               custom
               of
               Penitents
               of
               old
               to
               put
               on
               Sack-cloth
               ,
               and
               to
               sprinkle
               themselves
               with
               Ashes
               ,
               as
               acknowledging
               themselves
               to
               be
               vile
               Earth
               ,
               and
               unworthy
               of
               the
               meanest
               accommodations
               .
               And
               what
               was
               thus
               done
               Emblematically
               on
               the
               solemn
               times
               of
               humiliation
               ,
               is
               really
               accomplished
               in
               every
               sincere
               Convert
               .
               He
               is
               sensible
               that
               (
               as
               we
               have
               discoursed
               heretofore
               )
               pride
               began
               his
               ruine
               ,
               and
               therefore
               humility
               must
               recover
               him
               .
               Time
               was
               ,
               that
               he
               swelled
               against
               God
               ,
               as
               the
               proud
               waves
               against
               their
               banks
               ,
               strove
               to
               break
               down
               and
               overrun
               all
               the
               restraints
               of
               providence
               ;
               because
               he
               could
               not
               bring
               his
               condition
               to
               his
               mind
               ,
               therefore
               he
               swelled
               and
               
               murmured
               ,
               raged
               and
               blasphemed
               :
               
                 why
                 must
                 he
                 be
                 poor
                 and
                 limited
                 ,
                 sick
                 or
                 of
                 short
                 continuance
                 ?
                 why
                 (
                 since
                 the
                 world
                 was
                 made
                 for
                 man
                 )
                 should
                 not
                 he
                 have
                 his
                 full
                 swing
                 ,
                 and
                 like
                 Leviathan
                 ,
                 sport
                 himself
                 therein
                 ?
              
               He
               was
               ready
               to
               suspect
               some
               malevolent
               or
               evil
               genius
               governed
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               not
               such
               a
               wise
               and
               benign
               Being
               as
               men
               talk
               of
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               as
               the
               laws
               of
               God
               were
               too
               strait
               ,
               so
               was
               his
               providence
               ,
               and
               he
               could
               brook
               neither
               of
               them
               .
            
             
               BUT
               as
               we
               have
               seen
               (
               upon
               this
               change
               )
               his
               compliance
               with
               the
               former
               ,
               so
               we
               shall
               now
               see
               his
               conformity
               to
               the
               latter
               .
               He
               hath
               now
               like
               Nebuchadnezzar
               ,
               been
               turned
               out
               to
               grass
               ,
               till
               by
               his
               afflictions
               he
               was
               brought
               to
               acknowledge
               
                 that
                 the
                 most
                 High
                 ruleth
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdoms
                 of
                 men
              
               ;
               and
               now
               the
               Clay
               hath
               learned
               not
               to
               dispute
               with
               the
               Potter
               ,
               
                 why
                 hast
                 thou
                 made
                 me
                 thus
                 ?
              
               Now
               whatever
               condition
               it
               pleases
               God
               to
               put
               him
               in
               ,
               he
               acknowledges
               it
               is
               better
               then
               he
               deserves
               ;
               if
               he
               will
               that
               he
               be
               a
               beggar
               ,
               in
               disgrace
               ,
               sickness
               ,
               prison
               ;
               where
               and
               what
               he
               pleases
               ,
               so
               he
               have
               mercy
               upon
               his
               Soul.
               He
               hath
               learnt
               to
               say
               with
               
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 Less
                 then
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 all
                 God's
                 mercies
              
               ;
               
               and
               with
               the
               Israelites
               humbled
               by
               their
               captivity
               ;
               
                 Thou
                 always
                 punishest
                 us
                 less
                 then
                 our
                 iniquities
                 have
                 deserved
              
               ;
               or
               with
               the
               same
               in
               the
               Lamentations
               ,
               
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 Lord's
                 mercy
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 consumed
                 ,
                 and
                 wherefore
                 doth
                 a
                 living
                 man
                 complain
                 ,
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 punishment
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 ?
              
               He
               not
               only
               considers
               the
               irresistible
               power
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               yields
               ,
               as
               knowing
               there
               is
               no
               contending
               with
               him
               ;
               but
               he
               acknowledges
               also
               his
               sovereignty
               ,
               and
               the
               right
               which
               the
               great
               Creatour
               of
               the
               world
               hath
               to
               dispose
               of
               him
               and
               all
               other
               Creatures
               as
               he
               pleases
               ;
               and
               therefore
               quarrels
               not
               prerogative
               ,
               but
               saith
               with
               Old
               
                 Eli
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 let
                 
                 him
                 doe
                 what
                 seemeth
                 him
                 good
              
               ;
               and
               with
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               
                 I
                 was
                 dumb
                 and
                 opened
                 not
                 my
                 mouth
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 was
                 thy
                 doing
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
                 
              
               
                 If
                 I
                 saw
                 nothing
                 but
                 rigid
                 fate
                 over-bearing
                 me
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 knew
                 it
                 was
                 even
                 then
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 to
                 contend
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 should
                 be
                 tempted
                 to
                 repine
                 at
                 my
                 hard
                 fortune
                 ;
                 but
                 when
                 I
                 saw
                 God
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 laid
                 my
                 hand
                 upon
                 my
                 mouth
                 ;
                 for
                 that
                 word
                 speaks
                 wisedom
                 ,
                 justice
                 ,
                 and
                 goodness
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 power
                 ;
                 every
                 of
                 which
                 are
                 infinitely
                 above
                 my
                 match
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 I
                 reflect
                 upon
                 my self
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 discover
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 meer
                 power
                 and
                 will
                 in
                 God
                 that
                 oppresses
                 me
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 was
                 just
                 with
                 him
                 to
                 appoint
                 me
                 this
                 adversity
                 ;
                 nay
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 own
                 his
                 wisedom
                 too
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 he
                 understands
                 my
                 frame
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 is
                 best
                 able
                 to
                 judge
                 what
                 is
                 good
                 &
                 necessary
                 for
                 me
                 :
                 
                   My
                   heavenly
                   Father
                   knows
                   what
                   things
                   I
                   have
                   need
                   of
                   :
                
                 And
                 consequently
                 I
                 must
                 conclude
                 (
                 since
                 he
                 hath
                 ordered
                 it
                 so
                 )
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 best
                 for
                 me
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 be
                 put
                 into
                 the
                 condition
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 :
                 He
                 saw
                 I
                 was
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 bear
                 a
                 full
                 tide
                 of
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 sent
                 cross
                 winds
                 to
                 check
                 me
                 ;
                 he
                 foresaw
                 I
                 should
                 be
                 apt
                 to
                 luxuriate
                 and
                 run
                 riot
                 again
                 ,
                 should
                 he
                 have
                 planted
                 me
                 in
                 the
                 warm
                 Sun
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 he
                 made
                 choice
                 of
                 the
                 shade
                 for
                 me
                 .
              
            
             
               UPON
               all
               these
               considerations
               ,
               and
               especially
               that
               which
               I
               first
               suggested
               ;
               namely
               ,
               his
               modest
               reflection
               upon
               his
               own
               demerits
               ,
               and
               therewithall
               the
               contemplation
               of
               that
               transcendent
               happiness
               in
               another
               world
               ,
               which
               will
               abundantly
               compensate
               all
               defects
               in
               this
               ;
               the
               Penitent
               is
               brought
               intirely
               to
               surrender
               himself
               to
               the
               divine
               will.
               So
               that
               he
               doth
               not
               only
               patiently
               abide
               what
               he
               cannot
               help
               ,
               but
               in
               some
               good
               measure
               of
               chearfullness
               ,
               harmoniously
               falls
               in
               with
               the
               divine
               providence
               .
               
                 I
                 will
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 no
                 longer
                 have
                 any
                 will
                 of
                 my
                 own
                 
                   but
                   thy
                   
                   will
                   be
                   done
                   :
                
                 as
                 I
                 will
                 indeavour
                 to
                 frame
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 my
                 life
                 and
                 actions
                 by
                 thy
                 Laws
                 and
                 revealed
                 will
                 ,
                 so
                 my
                 mind
                 ,
                 my
                 will
                 and
                 passions
                 ;
                 shall
                 be
                 shaped
                 in
                 conformity
                 to
                 thy
                 secret
                 will.
                 
              
            
             
               THIS
               temper
               every
               true
               Penitent
               must
               and
               doth
               arrive
               at
               in
               good
               measure
               ,
               for
               untill
               this
               be
               done
               ,
               the
               principle
               of
               pride
               ,
               which
               was
               the
               first
               spring
               of
               apostasie
               ,
               is
               not
               destroyed
               in
               him
               ;
               and
               it
               will
               be
               impossible
               that
               he
               should
               discharge
               the
               former
               part
               of
               active
               obedience
               ,
               unless
               this
               passive
               frame
               be
               in
               conjunction
               with
               it
               ;
               since
               a
               malecontent
               and
               murmuring
               spirit
               can
               never
               become
               a
               good
               and
               dutifull
               subject
               of
               God's
               Kingdom
               ,
               because
               he
               plainly
               betrays
               that
               he
               neither
               loves
               nor
               reverences
               him
               ,
               and
               therefore
               will
               not
               obey
               him
               .
               Besides
               ,
               that
               most
               assuredly
               such
               a
               temper
               affords
               perpetual
               invitation
               and
               incouragement
               to
               the
               Devil
               to
               be
               attempting
               upon
               him
               to
               inflame
               him
               into
               some
               rebellion
               against
               God.
               Whereas
               the
               man
               that
               is
               contented
               with
               his
               condition
               ,
               that
               submits
               to
               God
               ,
               discourages
               Satan
               in
               all
               his
               attempts
               of
               stirring
               up
               sedition
               ,
               he
               gives
               him
               no
               hold
               ,
               he
               disarms
               and
               defeats
               him
               .
            
             
               THIS
               therefore
               with
               the
               two
               former
               make
               up
               the
               summ
               of
               Religion
               ,
               and
               consequently
               the
               intire
               character
               of
               a
               true
               Convert
               ,
               and
               the
               just
               terms
               of
               his
               reconciliation
               with
               the
               offended
               Majesty
               of
               Heaven
               .
               By
               these
               three
               steps
               the
               Son
               recovered
               himself
               and
               his
               Father's
               favour
               :
               And
               thus
               the
               sinner
               returns
               to
               God.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               V.
               
            
             
               Of
               the
               necessity
               of
               Actual
               Reformation
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     A
                     recital
                     of
                     several
                     loose
                     opinions
                     about
                     repentance
                     ,
                     which
                     debauch
                     men's
                     practice
                     in
                     this
                     important
                     affair
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     Four
                     arguments
                     demonstrating
                     the
                     absurdity
                     of
                     all
                     those
                     opinions
                     jointly
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     necessity
                     of
                     bringing
                     forth
                     such
                     fruits
                     of
                     repentance
                     as
                     are
                     described
                     in
                     the
                     former
                     Chapter
                     .
                     1.
                     
                     From
                     Scripture
                     .
                     2.
                     
                     From
                     the
                     nature
                     of
                     God.
                     3.
                     
                     From
                     the
                     nature
                     of
                     Heaven
                     and
                     Hell.
                     4.
                     
                     From
                     the
                     nature
                     of
                     Conscience
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               WHILST
               in
               the
               foregoing
               Chapter
               I
               indeavoured
               in
               three
               instances
               plainly
               and
               accurately
               to
               describe
               actual
               returning
               to
               God
               ,
               as
               the
               condition
               of
               reconciliation
               with
               our
               heavenly
               Father
               ,
               as
               I
               think
               I
               out-went
               not
               the
               figurative
               intimations
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               so
               I
               am
               most
               confident
               that
               therein
               I
               dealt
               faithfully
               with
               the
               Souls
               of
               all
               such
               men
               as
               are
               concerned
               in
               that
               discourse
               ;
               neither
               requiring
               more
               ,
               nor
               admitting
               less
               then
               what
               is
               both
               fit
               for
               God
               to
               accept
               ,
               and
               for
               men
               to
               yield
               to
               him
               :
               therefore
               it
               was
               reasonably
               to
               be
               hoped
               that
               men's
               judgments
               being
               convinced
               herein
               ,
               they
               would
               practise
               accordingly
               ,
               and
               so
               I
               might
               proceed
               immediately
               to
               the
               third
               and
               last
               part
               of
               the
               Parable
               ;
               and
               there
               shew
               the
               admirable
               
               success
               of
               this
               method
               ,
               and
               the
               comfortable
               greeting
               betwixt
               the
               Father
               of
               Spirits
               and
               his
               returning
               Children
               .
            
             
               NOTWITHSTANDING
               ,
               partly
               because
               I
               am
               aware
               in
               the
               general
               how
               willing
               men
               are
               even
               to
               put
               a
               cheat
               upon
               themselves
               for
               a
               cheap
               and
               an
               easy
               cure
               ;
               and
               that
               to
               such
               that
               which
               we
               have
               been
               discoursing
               will
               seem
               to
               be
               
                 durus
                 sermo
                 ,
                 a
                 hard
                 Chapter
                 ,
              
               (
               as
               we
               say
               ;
               )
               and
               partly
               also
               I
               am
               not
               ignorant
               that
               there
               are
               abundance
               of
               Mountebanks
               in
               Theology
               ,
               who
               pretend
               to
               administer
               comfort
               to
               troubled
               Consciences
               upon
               far
               easier
               terms
               :
               that
               therefore
               I
               may
               wholly
               omit
               nothing
               that
               I
               conceive
               usefull
               in
               this
               important
               affair
               ,
               I
               will
               here
               (
               though
               briefly
               )
               demonstrate
               the
               truth
               and
               absolute
               necessity
               of
               what
               we
               have
               now
               laid
               down
               ;
               but
               first
               I
               think
               it
               not
               amiss
               to
               take
               notice
               of
               the
               principal
               of
               those
               mistakes
               which
               make
               it
               necessary
               that
               I
               so
               doe
               ;
               and
               they
               may
               be
               reduced
               to
               these
               four
               heads
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
               IT
               was
               the
               opinion
               of
               some
               of
               the
               Jewish
               Doctours
               that
               when
               the
               Messias
               came
               there
               would
               be
               no
               necessity
               of
               repentance
               at
               all
               ,
               as
               if
               his
               intercession
               should
               perfectly
               excuse
               men
               all
               the
               trouble
               of
               
                 working
                 out
                 their
                 own
                 salvation
                 with
                 fear
                 and
                 trembling
                 .
              
               And
               a
               like
               absurd
               conceit
               hath
               possessed
               some
               Christians
               ,
               that
               nothing
               is
               to
               be
               done
               by
               us
               but
               trusting
               and
               relying
               upon
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               ,
               and
               his
               sacrifice
               and
               satisfaction
               ;
               as
               if
               he
               had
               not
               only
               satisfied
               for
               the
               transgressions
               of
               the
               old
               covenant
               ,
               but
               having
               brought
               in
               no
               new
               one
               ,
               had
               set
               men
               perfectly
               at
               liberty
               from
               all
               moral
               obligation
               ;
               or
               as
               if
               it
               were
               a
               derogation
               from
               the
               merits
               of
               Christ's
               death
               that
               any
               thing
               should
               be
               required
               of
               us
               in
               order
               to
               justification
               .
               This
               is
               the
               doctrine
               of
               the
               Antinomians
               .
               Which
               some
               carry
               yet
               higher
               ,
               and
               suppose
               justification
               from
               eternity
               ,
               founded
               
               meerly
               in
               the
               secret
               decree
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               so
               not
               only
               exclude
               repentance
               ,
               but
               even
               the
               mediation
               of
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               himself
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               THERE
               is
               a
               second
               sort
               of
               men
               ,
               and
               those
               called
               Christians
               too
               ,
               that
               require
               something
               on
               man's
               part
               though
               very
               little
               ,
               and
               that
               they
               call
               Attrition
               ,
               by
               which
               they
               mean
               some
               slight
               sorrow
               for
               sin
               ,
               which
               they
               say
               together
               with
               the
               sacrament
               of
               penance
               or
               confession
               ,
               will
               reconcile
               a
               man
               to
               God
               ,
               without
               so
               much
               as
               contrition
               ,
               or
               true
               and
               hearty
               sorrow
               for
               the
               evil
               of
               sin
               :
               
               this
               is
               the
               express
               doctrine
               of
               the
               Church
               of
               Rome
               ,
               
               and
               is
               very
               like
               the
               common
               doctrine
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               that
               confession
               and
               sacrifice
               were
               sufficient
               for
               repentance
               and
               reconciliation
               ;
               
               as
               if
               sin
               had
               no
               great
               evil
               in
               it self
               ,
               or
               no
               great
               contrariety
               to
               the
               divine
               nature
               ,
               only
               for
               form
               or
               order
               sake
               he
               thought
               fit
               that
               some
               shame
               or
               mulct
               should
               be
               put
               upon
               it
               ;
               and
               so
               a
               few
               tears
               ,
               or
               something
               of
               no
               great
               moment
               ,
               shall
               quit
               all
               the
               old
               score
               ,
               and
               purchase
               a
               new
               licence
               to
               sin
               again
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               ANOTHER
               opinion
               goes
               further
               yet
               ,
               requiring
               not
               only
               external
               expressions
               ,
               and
               the
               forms
               and
               solemnities
               of
               repentance
               ,
               but
               real
               and
               hearty
               sorrow
               for
               sin
               ;
               that
               a
               man's
               Conscience
               be
               really
               troubled
               ,
               and
               in
               great
               anguish
               for
               his
               sin
               ;
               and
               when
               this
               is
               done
               all
               is
               well
               ;
               from
               such
               trouble
               of
               Conscience
               they
               date
               their
               conversion
               ,
               and
               this
               they
               are
               always
               reflecting
               upon
               as
               a
               security
               ,
               not
               only
               against
               the
               sins
               committed
               before
               it
               ,
               but
               that
               from
               that
               time
               God
               sees
               no
               more
               sin
               in
               them
               ;
               as
               if
               ,
               like
               as
               it
               was
               at
               the
               Pool
               of
               Bethesda
               ,
               when
               the
               Angel
               
                 had
                 moved
                 the
                 waters
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 stept
                 in
                 were
                 healed
                 .
              
               These
               men
               ordinarily
               please
               themselves
               with
               melancholy
               complaints
               of
               themselves
               ,
               cry
               out
               of
               a
               naughty
               heart
               ,
               a
               hard
               heart
               ,
               &c.
               and
               think
               this
               will
               doe
               their
               business
               ,
               as
               
               if
               so
               soon
               as
               the
               Patient
               is
               grown
               sensible
               of
               his
               case
               he
               were
               cured
               ,
               and
               to
               feel
               the
               smart
               were
               all
               one
               as
               to
               have
               the
               sore
               healed
               .
            
             
               LASTLY
               ,
               a
               fourth
               sort
               go
               further
               yet
               ,
               and
               require
               not
               only
               contrition
               ,
               but
               resolution
               of
               obedience
               ;
               but
               content
               themselves
               ,
               and
               incourage
               men
               to
               a
               great
               degree
               of
               confidence
               ,
               though
               this
               resolution
               be
               never
               put
               in
               execution
               .
               Thus
               a
               great
               many
               Saints
               are
               canonized
               from
               the
               Gallows
               ,
               and
               the
               Clinick
               or
               death-bed
               repentance
               is
               greatly
               countenanced
               .
               Men
               commence
               Saints
               
                 per
                 saltum
              
               as
               they
               say
               ,
               as
               the
               Romans
               made
               Gentlemen
               ;
               
                 Momento
                 turbinis
                 exit
                 Marcus
                 Dama
              
               ,
               in
               the
               turning
               of
               an
               hand
               a
               lewd
               and
               flagitious
               person
               starts
               up
               a
               great
               Saint
               .
               The
               ground
               of
               this
               opinion
               is
               ,
               they
               suppose
               that
               which
               is
               undoubtedly
               true
               ,
               that
               God
               knows
               men's
               hearts
               ;
               but
               then
               they
               infer
               that
               which
               is
               very
               dangerous
               ,
               that
               therefore
               so
               that
               be
               turned
               right
               ,
               it
               is
               no
               matter
               with
               him
               whether
               there
               proceed
               any
               
                 fruits
                 worthy
                 of
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 amendment
                 of
                 life
                 .
              
            
             
               TO
               all
               these
               I
               might
               further
               adde
               ,
               those
               that
               reckon
               the
               change
               of
               opinion
               ,
               being
               of
               an
               admired
               Sect
               ,
               coming
               over
               with
               great
               zeal
               to
               a
               new
               party
               ,
               a
               demure
               garb
               ,
               an
               austere
               temper
               ,
               or
               at
               most
               some
               partial
               reformation
               to
               be
               sufficient
               signs
               of
               regeneration
               ,
               which
               fancy
               agrees
               too
               well
               to
               the
               humour
               of
               a
               great
               part
               of
               men
               of
               this
               age
               ;
               but
               I
               shall
               not
               need
               to
               proceed
               further
               in
               reckoning
               up
               these
               mistakes
               ,
               nor
               do
               I
               think
               it
               necessary
               to
               apply
               a
               particular
               confutation
               to
               doctrines
               so
               very
               absurd
               at
               the
               first
               view
               :
               but
               I
               will
               now
               ,
               as
               I
               promised
               ,
               demonstrate
               the
               necessity
               of
               the
               doctrine
               I
               have
               asserted
               ,
               which
               will
               be
               an
               effectual
               detection
               of
               the
               fallacy
               of
               all
               these
               other
               now
               recired
               ,
               And
               this
               I
               will
               do
               by
               these
               four
               arguments
               .
            
             
             
               §
               II.
               
                 FIRST
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scripture
                 doth
                 require
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 have
                 lived
                 wickedly
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 their
                 absolution
                 and
                 reconciliation
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 be
                 not
                 only
                 sorry
                 for
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 resolve
                 upon
                 a
                 new
                 course
                 ,
                 but
                 expresly
                 calls
                 for
                 actual
                 performance
                 of
                 such
                 resolutions
                 and
                 real
                 reformation
                 ;
                 then
                 those
                 must
                 be
                 strangely
                 bold
                 and
                 presumptuous
                 men
                 that
                 will
                 conceive
                 hopes
                 of
                 pardon
                 upon
                 any
                 other
                 terms
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 this
                 which
                 we
                 assert
                 ,
                 and
                 nothing
                 less
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 declared
                 condition
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 these
                 following
                 passages
                 amongst
                 innumerable
                 others
                 do
                 abundantly
                 evince
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 I
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 is
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
              
               Isaiah
               ,
               Chap.
               I.
               Vers
               .
               11
               ,
               13
               ,
               &c.
               To
               what
               purpose
               is
               the
               multitude
               of
               your
               sacrices
               unto
               me
               ?
               saith
               the
               Lord
               :
               I
               am
               full
               of
               the
               burnt-offerings
               of
               Rams
               ,
               and
               the
               fat
               of
               fed
               Beasts
               ;
               and
               I
               delight
               not
               in
               the
               bloud
               of
               Bullocks
               ,
               or
               of
               Lambs
               ,
               or
               of
               He-Goats
               .
               Bring
               no
               more
               vain
               oblations
               ,
               incense
               is
               abomination
               to
               me
               ,
               the
               new
               Moons
               and
               Sabbaths
               ,
               the
               calling
               of
               Assemblies
               I
               cannot
               away
               with
               ,
               it
               is
               iniquity
               ,
               even
               the
               solemn
               meeting
               .
               And
               when
               you
               spread
               forth
               your
               hands
               ,
               I
               will
               hide
               mine
               eyes
               from
               you
               ;
               yea
               ,
               when
               ye
               make
               many
               prayers
               ,
               I
               will
               not
               hear
               :
               your
               hands
               are
               full
               of
               bloud
               .
               Wash
               you
               ,
               make
               you
               clean
               ,
               put
               away
               the
               evil
               of
               your
               doings
               from
               before
               mine
               eyes
               ,
               cease
               to
               do
               evil
               ,
               Learn
               to
               doe
               well
               ,
               seek
               judgment
               ,
               relieve
               the
               oppressed
               ,
               judge
               the
               Fatherless
               ,
               plead
               for
               the
               Widow
               .
               Come
               now
               and
               let
               us
               reason
               together
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord
               :
               though
               your
               sins
               be
               as
               searlet
               ,
               they
               shall
               be
               as
               white
               as
               snow
               ,
               
                 &c.
                 
                 Of
                 like
                 import
                 is
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
              
               Ezekiel
               ,
               
                 Chap.
                 18.
                 
                 Vers
              
               .
               21
               ,
               22
               ,
               28.
               
               But
               if
               the
               wicked
               will
               turn
               from
               all
               his
               sins
               that
               he
               hath
               committed
               ,
               and
               keep
               all
               my
               statutes
               ,
               and
               doe
               that
               which
               is
               lawfull
               and
               right
               ,
               he
               shall
               surely
               live
               ,
               he
               shall
               not
               die
               .
               All
               the
               transgressions
               that
               he
               hath
               committed
               ,
               they
               shall
               not
               be
               mentioned
               
               unto
               him
               .
               —
               Because
               he
               considereth
               ,
               and
               turneth
               away
               from
               all
               his
               transgressions
               that
               he
               hath
               committed
               ,
               he
               shall
               surely
               live
               ,
               he
               shall
               not
               die
               .
               
                 So
                 also
              
               Micah
               6.
               6
               ,
               7
               ,
               8.
               
               Wherewithall
               shall
               I
               come
               before
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               bow
               my self
               before
               the
               High
               God
               ?
               shall
               I
               come
               before
               him
               with
               the
               burnt-offerings
               ,
               with
               Calves
               of
               a
               year
               old
               ?
               Will
               the
               Lord
               be
               pleased
               with
               thousands
               of
               Rams
               ,
               or
               with
               ten
               thousand
               rivers
               of
               Oil
               ?
               shall
               I
               give
               my
               first-born
               for
               my
               transgression
               ,
               the
               fruit
               of
               my
               Body
               for
               the
               sin
               of
               my
               Soul
               ?
               He
               hath
               shewed
               thee
               ,
               O
               man
               ,
               what
               is
               good
               ;
               and
               what
               doth
               the
               Lord
               require
               of
               thee
               ,
               but
               to
               doe
               justly
               ,
               and
               to
               love
               mercy
               ,
               and
               to
               walk
               humbly
               with
               thy
               God
               ?
            
             
               IN
               all
               which
               places
               God
               puts
               a
               slight
               upon
               all
               the
               most
               solemn
               expressions
               of
               penitence
               ,
               when
               they
               are
               dis-joined
               from
               actual
               amendment
               of
               life
               .
               And
               touching
               Sacrifice
               ,
               it
               is
               very
               remarkable
               that
               though
               that
               was
               a
               rite
               of
               God's
               own
               allowance
               for
               the
               expiation
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               had
               also
               conjoined
               with
               it
               the
               guilty
               persons
               confession
               of
               his
               fault
               ,
               and
               that
               particularly
               (
               as
               Maimonides
               assures
               us
               )
               and
               considering
               the
               usual
               cost
               of
               the
               oblation
               was
               a
               mulct
               upon
               the
               sinner
               ,
               and
               some
               kind
               of
               reparation
               to
               God
               ,
               yet
               this
               is
               declared
               of
               no
               efficacy
               without
               reformation
               .
            
             
               THUS
               it
               was
               in
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               New
               the
               case
               is
               plainer
               if
               it
               be
               possible
               ;
               for
               thus
               John
               the
               Baptist
               preaches
               ,
               that
               they
               should
               not
               think
               it
               sufficient
               to
               submit
               to
               the
               baptism
               of
               repentance
               :
               
                 But
                 bring
                 forth
                 fruits
                 worthy
                 of
                 repentance
                 ,
              
               Matt.
               3.
               8.
               
               And
               such
               is
               the
               discourse
               of
               our
               Saviour
               himself
               ,
               Matth.
               7.
               21.
               
               
                 Not
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 saith
                 unto
                 me
                 Lord
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 shall
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 doth
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 my
                 Father
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               It
               is
               not
               all
               the
               importunity
               of
               prayers
               or
               addresses
               ,
               that
               will
               avail
               without
               obedience
               .
               So
               the
               
               Apostle
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               2
               Tim.
               2.
               19.
               
               
                 The
                 foundation
                 of
                 God
                 standeth
                 sure
                 ,
                 having
                 this
                 seal
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 knoweth
                 who
                 are
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 him
                 that
                 nameth
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Christ
                 depart
                 from
                 iniquity
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               The
               election
               of
               God
               shall
               not
               be
               frustrate
               ,
               nor
               the
               ends
               of
               
               Christ's
               death
               defeated
               ;
               nevertheless
               let
               no
               man
               pretend
               to
               be
               concerned
               in
               the
               one
               ,
               nor
               interested
               in
               the
               other
               ,
               but
               he
               that
               is
               really
               a
               good
               and
               holy
               man.
               And
               (
               not
               to
               heap
               up
               Scriptures
               unnecessarily
               in
               so
               plain
               a
               case
               )
               upon
               this
               account
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               Religion
               is
               described
               by
               a
               walk
               ,
               a
               course
               ,
               a
               warfare
               ,
               a
               life
               ,
               &c.
               because
               that
               which
               God
               requires
               indispensably
               of
               men
               is
               not
               an
               agony
               or
               passion
               for
               their
               miscarriages
               ,
               or
               a
               resolution
               of
               amendment
               ,
               but
               an
               habit
               of
               vertuous
               conversation
               ;
               and
               all
               this
               is
               graphically
               represented
               by
               our
               Saviour
               in
               a
               Parable
               not
               unlike
               this
               before
               us
               ,
               Matt.
               21.
               vers
               .
               28
               ,
               29
               ,
               &c.
               
                 What
                 think
                 you
                 ?
                 a
                 certain
                 man
                 had
                 two
                 Sons
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 said
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 Son
                 ,
                 go
                 work
                 to
                 day
                 in
                 my
                 Vineyard
                 .
                 He
                 answered
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 :
                 but
                 afterwards
                 he
                 repented
                 and
                 went.
                 And
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 the
                 second
                 ,
                 and
                 said
                 likewise
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 answered
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 goe
                 Sir
                 ,
                 but
                 went
                 not
                 .
                 Whether
                 of
                 them
                 twain
                 did
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               The
               case
               was
               this
               ,
               the
               Scribes
               and
               Pharisees
               ,
               and
               Rulers
               of
               the
               Jews
               made
               a
               great
               shew
               of
               piety
               ;
               they
               complemented
               God
               with
               prayers
               and
               other
               addresses
               ,
               and
               seemed
               ready
               prest
               for
               his
               service
               ,
               whereas
               the
               Publicans
               and
               Harlots
               had
               lived
               with
               as
               little
               pretence
               of
               piety
               as
               morality
               ,
               yet
               these
               at
               last
               being
               convinced
               of
               their
               danger
               come
               to
               repentance
               ,
               and
               really
               perform
               what
               the
               other
               did
               but
               promise
               .
               And
               this
               puts
               me
               in
               mind
               of
               a
               story
               in
               Plutarch
               very
               applicable
               to
               the
               present
               purpose
               .
               
               It
               happened
               that
               the
               Image
               of
               Minerva
               the
               great
               Goddess
               of
               Athens
               was
               to
               be
               new
               made
               ;
               and
               in
               a
               case
               which
               they
               esteemed
               of
               so
               great
               moment
               ,
               all
               
               care
               was
               taken
               to
               employ
               the
               most
               accurate
               and
               able
               Workman
               ;
               whereupon
               every
               Artist
               both
               desirous
               of
               the
               honour
               and
               profit
               ,
               by
               some
               means
               or
               other
               recommends
               himself
               to
               the
               employment
               ;
               but
               amongst
               the
               rest
               ,
               appears
               one
               ,
               who
               in
               a
               long
               and
               eloquent
               Oration
               ,
               magnifies
               his
               own
               ability
               in
               that
               kind
               ,
               and
               drew
               all
               men's
               eyes
               upon
               him
               ,
               till
               at
               last
               another
               rises
               up
               ,
               and
               uses
               only
               this
               short
               ,
               but
               significant
               saying
               ,
               
                 What-ever
                 that
                 man
                 hath
                 said
                 I
                 will
                 perform
                 .
              
               This
               man
               no
               doubt
               was
               entertained
               for
               the
               employment
               ;
               and
               most
               assuredly
               the
               man
               who
               actually
               performs
               his
               vows
               ,
               and
               doth
               what
               others
               talk
               of
               ,
               or
               make
               pretences
               to
               ,
               is
               the
               only
               person
               that
               finds
               acceptance
               with
               the
               Almighty
               .
               For
            
             
               SECONDLY
               ,
               it
               would
               beget
               in
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               very
               mean
               and
               unworthy
               notions
               of
               God
               as
               an
               easy
               Majesty
               ,
               should
               he
               suffer
               himself
               to
               be
               put
               off
               with
               complemental
               addresses
               ,
               or
               divert
               his
               just
               indignation
               without
               honourable
               satisfaction
               ;
               and
               to
               think
               to
               prevail
               with
               him
               by
               costly
               Sacrifices
               and
               Oblations
               would
               speak
               him
               a
               necessitous
               Deity
               ,
               that
               could
               either
               be
               pleased
               with
               such
               trifles
               ,
               or
               were
               fond
               of
               such
               empty
               things
               as
               men
               dote
               upon
               :
               it
               would
               also
               take
               away
               all
               the
               veneration
               of
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               divest
               him
               of
               that
               glorious
               Attribute
               of
               Justice
               ,
               if
               he
               could
               be
               supposed
               to
               dispense
               with
               obedience
               upon
               any
               of
               these
               conditions
               .
               To
               imagine
               that
               sighs
               and
               tears
               ,
               and
               melancholy
               reflections
               upon
               our selves
               would
               propitiate
               him
               ,
               charges
               him
               with
               severity
               and
               cruelty
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               took
               pleasure
               in
               the
               calamities
               and
               sufferings
               of
               his
               Creatures
               ;
               it
               makes
               him
               appear
               like
               to
               the
               Pagan
               Idol
               Baal
               ,
               whose
               Priests
               not
               onely
               with
               vehement
               importunity
               called
               upon
               him
               from
               Morning
               till
               Noon
               ,
               
                 O
                 Baal
                 hear
                 us
              
               ,
               1
               Kings
               18.
               but
               in
               a
               frantick
               mood
               leaped
               upon
               the
               Altar
               ,
               and
               cut
               themselves
               
               with
               Knives
               and
               Lancets
               till
               the
               bloud
               gushed
               out
               ,
               that
               by
               this
               means
               they
               might
               move
               his
               compassion
               towards
               them
               .
               And
               which
               is
               worse
               yet
               ,
               no
               man
               that
               considers
               these
               things
               ,
               can
               reasonably
               doubt
               ,
               but
               God
               may
               abate
               his
               Creatures
               these
               things
               ,
               if
               he
               pleases
               ;
               and
               then
               the
               consequence
               is
               very
               sad
               ,
               for
               if
               he
               be
               supposed
               to
               require
               those
               things
               ,
               as
               the
               conditions
               of
               his
               favour
               ,
               which
               he
               may
               abate
               ,
               all
               Religion
               is
               made
               arbitrary
               ,
               and
               the
               most
               fundamental
               reason
               of
               obedience
               destroyed
               ;
               and
               the
               horrible
               imputation
               laid
               upon
               God
               ,
               that
               if
               he
               damn
               any
               ,
               it
               is
               because
               he
               rigidly
               insists
               upon
               such
               things
               as
               he
               might
               have
               indulged
               .
            
             
               NOW
               all
               these
               things
               being
               intolerable
               ,
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               true
               ,
               that
               the
               only
               way
               of
               propitiating
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               is
               by
               being
               sincerely
               good
               ,
               by
               ingenuous
               compliance
               with
               his
               Laws
               ,
               by
               actual
               reformation
               ;
               for
               this
               renders
               him
               truely
               great
               ,
               and
               just
               ,
               and
               good
               ;
               this
               is
               a
               reasonable
               service
               worthy
               of
               his
               excellency
               ,
               when
               all
               the
               powers
               of
               man
               are
               made
               subject
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               we
               love
               him
               with
               
                 all
                 our
                 might
                 ,
                 and
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 strength
                 .
              
            
             
               BUT
               if
               it
               be
               said
               ,
               all
               this
               may
               be
               done
               by
               the
               resolution
               of
               the
               mind
               to
               amend
               ,
               though
               no
               such
               thing
               actually
               follow
               ,
               because
               God
               sees
               things
               in
               their
               causes
               ,
               and
               knowing
               the
               hearts
               of
               men
               ,
               needs
               not
               the
               fruits
               ,
               since
               he
               foresees
               it
               in
               the
               roots
               .
               To
               this
               I
               answer
               ,
               that
               where
               it
               pleases
               God
               by
               cutting
               off
               the
               thread
               of
               men's
               lives
               to
               interrupt
               the
               prosecution
               of
               their
               intended
               reformation
               ,
               there
               it
               is
               reasonable
               to
               hope
               that
               he
               will
               accept
               the
               will
               for
               the
               deed
               ;
               but
               wherever
               he
               affords
               opportunity
               of
               executing
               men's
               intentions
               ,
               there
               at
               least
               can
               be
               no
               just
               expectation
               that
               he
               should
               admit
               of
               less
               then
               what
               is
               both
               so
               agreeable
               to
               his
               revealed
               will
               ,
               and
               also
               so
               much
               necessary
               
               to
               the
               interest
               of
               his
               glory
               ,
               inasmuch
               as
               it
               is
               fit
               ,
               that
               the
               divine
               sovereignty
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               justice
               and
               wisedom
               of
               his
               Laws
               (
               all
               which
               have
               been
               violated
               by
               sin
               )
               should
               be
               vindicated
               and
               justified
               by
               the
               sinners
               retracting
               his
               own
               act
               ,
               and
               doing
               contrary
               to
               that
               wherein
               he
               had
               offended
               ,
               and
               that
               by
               
                 letting
                 his
                 good
                 works
                 shine
                 before
                 men
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 glorify
                 his
                 heavenly
                 Father
                 ,
              
               as
               heretofore
               he
               hath
               dishonoured
               him
               by
               his
               neglects
               and
               disobedience
               .
               But
            
             
               THIRDLY
               ,
               if
               it
               were
               both
               consistent
               with
               the
               declaration
               of
               the
               divine
               will
               ,
               and
               also
               with
               his
               glory
               and
               interest
               to
               admit
               of
               any
               thing
               less
               then
               actual
               reformation
               at
               the
               hands
               of
               the
               sinner
               ;
               and
               could
               God
               be
               supposed
               inclinable
               to
               dispense
               with
               it
               ,
               yet
               the
               very
               condition
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               the
               state
               and
               condition
               of
               the
               other
               world
               will
               necessarily
               require
               it
               .
               The
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               Hebr.
               6.
               9.
               there
               are
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               some
               things
               that
               carry
               such
               a
               relation
               to
               the
               other
               world
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               cannot
               be
               damned
               with
               them
               nor
               saved
               without
               them
               .
               Or
               as
               the
               same
               Apostle
               saith
               elsewhere
               ,
               1
               Col.
               12.
               there
               are
               certain
               things
               that
               make
               men
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 meet
                 to
                 be
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 inheritance
                 with
                 the
                 saints
                 in
                 light
              
               ;
               and
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               ,
               it
               is
               in
               the
               nature
               of
               other
               things
               to
               make
               men
               
                 vessels
                 of
                 wrath
              
               ,
               and
               to
               
                 sit
                 them
                 for
                 destruction
              
               .
               If
               therefore
               we
               should
               suppose
               sin
               to
               doe
               no
               wrong
               to
               God
               ,
               yet
               it
               doth
               wrong
               to
               our
               own
               nature
               ,
               unfitting
               us
               for
               our
               ends
               ,
               and
               making
               us
               incapable
               of
               our
               happiness
               ;
               and
               if
               a
               course
               of
               vertue
               be
               not
               profitable
               to
               God
               ,
               nor
               can
               make
               him
               any
               amends
               ,
               yet
               it
               amends
               us
               both
               in
               our
               faculties
               ,
               and
               in
               our
               capacities
               .
               For
               certainly
               God
               doth
               not
               by
               a
               fatal
               sentence
               doom
               men
               to
               the
               pit
               of
               Hell
               ,
               nor
               by
               his
               Almighty
               power
               precipitate
               them
               thither
               ,
               untill
               their
               own
               wickedness
               had
               prepared
               them
               ,
               and
               disposed
               them
               for
               that
               state
               .
               In
               
               which
               sense
               I
               see
               no
               reason
               (
               with
               the
               pardon
               of
               a
               late
               Learned
               Person
               )
               but
               to
               take
               that
               passage
               ,
               Acts
               1.
               25.
               where
               it
               is
               said
               of
               Judas
               ,
               that
               
                 he
                 went
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 place
                 .
              
               For
               Hell
               is
               the
               proper
               place
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               sin
               thrusts
               a
               man
               down
               thither
               ;
               or
               the
               Central
               powers
               of
               those
               infernal
               regions
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               draw
               and
               suck
               in
               the
               sinner
               .
               And
               therefore
               the
               very
               damned
               can
               never
               think
               hardly
               of
               God
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               took
               pleasure
               in
               their
               misery
               ,
               but
               must
               for
               ever
               curse
               their
               own
               folly
               ,
               which
               made
               it
               fit
               and
               necessary
               that
               God
               should
               do
               what
               he
               doth
               .
            
             
               THE
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               Rom.
               14.
               17.
               
               
                 The
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 meat
                 and
                 drink
                 ,
                 but
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 peace
                 and
                 joy
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 :
              
               which
               saying
               is
               indeed
               to
               be
               understood
               of
               the
               state
               of
               Christianity
               ;
               notwithstanding
               ,
               if
               we
               will
               consider
               ,
               it
               will
               appear
               to
               us
               that
               Heaven
               it self
               as
               it
               signifies
               the
               state
               of
               blessedness
               in
               the
               other
               world
               ,
               consists
               not
               so
               much
               in
               the
               external
               glory
               of
               a
               palace
               ,
               or
               any
               other
               circumstances
               ,
               either
               to
               accommodate
               the
               body
               ,
               or
               to
               entertain
               the
               imagination
               ,
               as
               in
               a
               state
               of
               perfect
               purity
               ,
               peace
               and
               love
               ,
               clear
               knowledge
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               just
               order
               of
               all
               the
               powers
               ,
               the
               light
               of
               God's
               countenance
               ,
               ready
               and
               chearfull
               compliance
               with
               his
               will
               ,
               comfortable
               reflections
               upon
               our
               former
               carriage
               ,
               blessed
               society
               of
               Saints
               and
               Angels
               ,
               and
               everlasting
               life
               for
               the
               durable
               enjoyment
               of
               all
               these
               unspeakably
               good
               things
               .
               And
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               Hell
               is
               not
               so
               dreadfull
               for
               the
               horrid
               circumstances
               of
               the
               place
               ,
               (
               though
               that
               be
               sad
               enough
               )
               as
               that
               there
               a
               man
               is
               banished
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               all
               his
               powers
               in
               confusion
               ,
               he
               is
               filled
               with
               rage
               ,
               horribly
               and
               perpetually
               lashed
               by
               his
               own
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               scorned
               and
               tortured
               by
               infernal
               Furies
               ,
               to
               whose
               company
               he
               is
               for
               ever
               condemned
               without
               hopes
               of
               recovery
               .
            
             
             
               NOW
               though
               it
               cannot
               be
               said
               that
               every
               holy
               and
               vertuous
               man
               must
               naturally
               and
               necessarily
               be
               intitled
               to
               the
               happiness
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               because
               the
               glories
               of
               that
               state
               are
               of
               God's
               special
               provision
               ,
               and
               therefore
               must
               be
               at
               his
               disposal
               ;
               and
               besides
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               man
               whose
               vertue
               hath
               been
               such
               as
               to
               render
               him
               capable
               thereof
               ,
               without
               the
               interposition
               of
               the
               divine
               mercy
               in
               
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               :
               Yet
               it
               is
               evident
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               a
               great
               suitableness
               between
               the
               temper
               of
               a
               brave
               man
               ,
               and
               the
               state
               of
               Heaven
               ;
               a
               just
               ,
               wise
               ,
               chaste
               ,
               temperate
               and
               peaceable
               person
               ,
               is
               prepared
               and
               disposed
               as
               a
               Candidate
               for
               that
               state
               ;
               and
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               a
               debaucht
               and
               vicious
               man
               is
               utterly
               unfit
               for
               it
               ,
               and
               carries
               the
               very
               ingredients
               of
               Hell
               about
               him
               .
            
             
               TAKE
               for
               example
               a
               cruel
               ,
               malicious
               ,
               and
               mischievous
               man
               ,
               whose
               soul
               is
               in
               his
               spleen
               ,
               and
               who
               continually
               sacrifices
               to
               those
               accursed
               fiends
               ,
               rancour
               and
               revenge
               ;
               let
               any
               man
               be
               judge
               ,
               whether
               such
               a
               man
               can
               be
               a
               fit
               inhabitant
               of
               those
               peacefull
               regions
               above
               ,
               and
               that
               amicable
               society
               of
               Saints
               and
               Angels
               ?
               or
               what
               can
               be
               more
               natural
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               proper
               for
               him
               ,
               then
               the
               company
               of
               Devils
               which
               he
               so
               exactly
               resembles
               ?
               Or
               take
               a
               turbulent
               and
               seditious
               person
               ,
               a
               Boutefeau
               ,
               whose
               only
               pleasure
               hath
               been
               to
               disturb
               the
               world
               ,
               that
               never
               discerned
               the
               beauty
               of
               order
               ,
               nor
               tasted
               the
               sweets
               of
               peace
               ,
               nor
               framed
               himself
               to
               duty
               and
               obedience
               ;
               what
               should
               such
               a
               man
               do
               in
               Heaven
               where
               all
               is
               order
               and
               harmony
               ?
               he
               is
               only
               fit
               for
               the
               infernal
               hurry
               ,
               and
               we
               may
               very
               aptly
               apply
               the
               stately
               expression
               of
               the
               Prophet
               to
               his
               case
               ,
               Isa
               .
               14.
               9.
               
               
                 Hell
                 from
                 beneath
                 is
                 moved
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 to
                 meet
                 thee
                 at
                 thy
                 coming
                 ;
                 it
                 stirreth
                 up
                 the
                 dead
                 for
                 thee
                 :
                 and
                 art
                 thou
                 become
                 like
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Once
               more
               ,
               take
               a
               man
               wholly
               addicted
               to
               sensuality
               ,
               
               and
               the
               beastly
               pleasures
               of
               the
               body
               ,
               to
               eat
               and
               drink
               ,
               and
               live
               voluptuously
               ,
               what
               should
               this
               man
               do
               in
               Heaven
               ?
               What
               is
               there
               for
               him
               ,
               where
               there
               is
               no
               use
               of
               the
               belly
               ;
               and
               where
               the
               pleasures
               are
               sublime
               and
               intellectual
               ?
               what
               delights
               can
               the
               presence
               of
               an
               holy
               Majesty
               ,
               a
               blessed
               Jesus
               ,
               and
               the
               harmony
               of
               an
               heavenly
               Quire
               ,
               minister
               to
               him
               that
               hath
               never
               relished
               other
               musick
               then
               the
               wild
               roarings
               of
               a
               debauch
               ,
               or
               the
               soft
               charms
               of
               sensuality
               ?
               He
               that
               is
               capable
               of
               that
               blessed
               state
               ,
               and
               of
               those
               entertainments
               ,
               must
               be
               such
               an
               one
               as
               hath
               been
               habituate
               to
               sobriety
               and
               chastity
               ,
               that
               hath
               learned
               to
               deny
               and
               castigate
               the
               importunities
               of
               his
               Senses
               ,
               that
               hath
               laboured
               to
               live
               out
               of
               the
               body
               whilest
               he
               was
               in
               it
               .
               Now
               this
               is
               not
               to
               be
               performed
               by
               a
               sudden
               pang
               of
               devotion
               ,
               nor
               by
               a
               meer
               resolution
               or
               intention
               of
               becoming
               vertuous
               ,
               (
               howsoever
               serious
               that
               may
               be
               )
               but
               by
               long
               exercise
               ,
               serious
               indeavour
               ,
               a
               habit
               and
               a
               new
               nature
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               BUT
               in
               the
               fourth
               and
               last
               place
               ,
               if
               we
               could
               suppose
               ,
               that
               neither
               the
               nature
               and
               state
               of
               the
               world
               to
               come
               ,
               did
               necessarily
               require
               such
               habitual
               vertue
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               shewed
               it
               doth
               ;
               nor
               that
               God
               had
               resolved
               to
               insist
               upon
               the
               actual
               performance
               of
               our
               resolutions
               :
               I
               say
               ,
               if
               God
               would
               pardon
               a
               man
               upon
               the
               meer
               acknowledgement
               of
               his
               offence
               ,
               and
               sorrow
               for
               it
               ,
               yet
               would
               not
               the
               penitent
               pardon
               himself
               in
               this
               case
               :
               I
               mean
               ,
               it
               would
               be
               impossible
               for
               him
               to
               find
               any
               quiet
               in
               his
               bosom
               ,
               till
               he
               had
               in
               some
               measure
               effaced
               the
               memory
               of
               his
               former
               wickedness
               by
               a
               course
               of
               generous
               vertue
               .
               For
               when
               once
               a
               man's
               eyes
               are
               open
               to
               see
               his
               shamefull
               folly
               ,
               and
               his
               heart
               made
               so
               sensible
               as
               to
               relent
               at
               his
               misdoing
               ,
               he
               will
               have
               such
               an
               abhorrence
               of
               himself
               for
               his
               own
               unreasonableness
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               be
               so
               far
               from
               
               looking
               up
               to
               God
               with
               comfort
               ,
               or
               towards
               men
               with
               confidence
               ;
               that
               he
               will
               not
               be
               able
               to
               endure
               his
               own
               face
               ,
               untill
               he
               have
               by
               a
               singular
               diligence
               indeavoured
               to
               rescind
               his
               own
               act
               ,
               and
               in
               some
               measure
               repaired
               the
               injuries
               his
               lewd
               extravagancies
               have
               made
               him
               guilty
               of
               .
               Accordingly
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               noted
               before
               ,
               seems
               to
               carry
               about
               him
               a
               bleeding
               sense
               of
               his
               former
               miscarriages
               ,
               but
               1
               Cor.
               15.
               10.
               he
               had
               this
               to
               support
               him
               ,
               that
               although
               he
               was
               as
               
                 one
                 born
                 out
                 of
                 due
                 time
                 ,
              
               coming
               late
               into
               
               Christ's
               service
               ;
               yet
               from
               that
               time
               he
               
                 laboured
                 more
                 abundantly
              
               then
               those
               that
               came
               earlier
               into
               the
               vineyard
               .
            
             
               IT
               is
               a
               most
               impertinent
               inquiry
               which
               some
               melancholy
               persons
               have
               been
               taught
               to
               make
               ;
               have
               I
               been
               humbled
               enough
               for
               sin
               ?
               is
               the
               measure
               of
               my
               sorrow
               sufficient
               for
               my
               guilt
               ?
               have
               I
               lain
               long
               enough
               under
               the
               terrours
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               the
               spirit
               of
               bondage
               ?
               For
               God
               requires
               not
               sorrow
               for
               it self
               ,
               but
               for
               its
               end
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               no
               satisfaction
               to
               him
               that
               his
               Creatures
               lie
               under
               affrightfull
               apprehensions
               ,
               besides
               our
               own
               Consciences
               will
               tell
               us
               ,
               we
               may
               then
               dry
               our
               eyes
               and
               be
               comfortable
               when
               the
               cause
               is
               taken
               away
               ,
               and
               not
               before
               ;
               for
               then
               is
               it
               
                 Godly
                 sorrow
                 when
                 it
                 bringeth
                 forth
                 repentance
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 repented
                 of
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               7.
               10.
               
            
             
               AND
               herein
               lies
               the
               great
               uncomfortableness
               of
               a
               death-bed
               repentance
               ,
               for
               (
               besides
               the
               horrible
               madness
               of
               trusting
               the
               issues
               of
               eternity
               ,
               upon
               extempore
               preparations
               )
               if
               it
               should
               please
               God
               to
               give
               a
               man
               both
               the
               grace
               and
               the
               opportunity
               ,
               then
               at
               last
               seriously
               to
               bethink
               himself
               ,
               to
               feel
               remorse
               for
               his
               sins
               ,
               to
               make
               resolutions
               ,
               and
               to
               renew
               his
               baptismal
               Covenant
               ;
               yet
               then
               he
               can
               give
               no
               proof
               to
               himself
               of
               his
               own
               sincerity
               ,
               because
               he
               cannot
               repair
               God's
               honour
               ,
               he
               can
               make
               no
               conquest
               over
               Satan
               ,
               he
               can
               leave
               no
               
               example
               to
               the
               world
               ,
               he
               cannot
               by
               habit
               and
               exercise
               make
               the
               ways
               of
               God
               become
               easy
               and
               natural
               to
               himself
               ,
               he
               cannot
               be
               said
               to
               have
               lived
               the
               life
               of
               the
               righteous
               ,
               and
               therefore
               cannot
               comfortably
               conclude
               that
               he
               shall
               die
               the
               death
               of
               such
               .
            
             
               AS
               for
               the
               penitent
               Thief
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               that
               accompanied
               our
               Saviour
               in
               his
               sufferings
               upon
               the
               Cross
               ,
               to
               whom
               our
               Saviour
               pronounced
               ,
               
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 that
                 day
                 be
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 Paradise
              
               ;
               his
               case
               was
               peculiar
               ,
               probably
               he
               had
               lived
               in
               great
               darkness
               and
               ignorance
               ,
               and
               never
               had
               the
               means
               of
               grace
               till
               now
               ;
               but
               however
               it
               was
               not
               unagreeable
               to
               the
               divine
               wisedom
               and
               goodness
               to
               do
               something
               extraordinary
               at
               that
               great
               time
               ,
               and
               to
               signalize
               the
               efficacy
               of
               our
               Saviour's
               Mediatourship
               by
               some
               remarkable
               instance
               at
               such
               a
               time
               ,
               when
               the
               dignity
               and
               glory
               of
               his
               person
               was
               most
               clouded
               and
               obscured
               ;
               and
               as
               there
               never
               was
               nor
               will
               be
               such
               another
               occasion
               as
               this
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               great
               and
               desperate
               folly
               for
               any
               man
               to
               trust
               to
               such
               an
               experiment
               .
               And
               whereas
               in
               the
               Parable
               ,
               
                 Matth.
                 20.
                 vers
              
               .
               12.
               those
               Labourers
               that
               came
               into
               the
               Vineyard
               at
               the
               eleventh
               hour
               are
               rewarded
               equally
               with
               
                 those
                 that
                 had
                 born
                 the
                 burden
                 and
                 heat
                 of
                 the
                 day
              
               ;
               It
               is
               in
               the
               first
               place
               to
               be
               observed
               ,
               that
               though
               they
               came
               late
               ,
               yet
               not
               so
               late
               ,
               but
               that
               they
               did
               really
               work
               in
               the
               Vineyard
               ;
               and
               then
               besides
               ,
               here
               is
               nothing
               contrary
               to
               what
               we
               are
               pressing
               ,
               for
               we
               are
               far
               from
               intention
               of
               discouraging
               any
               to
               return
               at
               last
               ,
               or
               from
               limiting
               the
               mercies
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               is
               able
               to
               foresee
               what
               a
               late
               Convert
               would
               have
               done
               if
               he
               had
               opportunity
               ,
               and
               may
               accordingly
               extend
               mercy
               to
               him
               .
               All
               therefore
               which
               I
               say
               ,
               is
               ,
               that
               this
               is
               a
               most
               uncomfortable
               state
               ,
               when
               a
               man's
               Conscience
               cannot
               give
               security
               for
               him
               ;
               nor
               is
               there
               any
               thing
               that
               affords
               him
               positive
               grounds
               of
               hope
               ,
               
               having
               not
               performed
               the
               conditions
               of
               the
               New
               Covenant
               ,
               only
               he
               hath
               a
               general
               refuge
               in
               the
               merits
               of
               Christ
               and
               in
               God's
               mercy
               .
            
             
               WHEREFORE
               there
               is
               all
               the
               reason
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               wisedom
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               should
               not
               trust
               to
               prefaces
               and
               praeludia
               ,
               beginnings
               and
               first
               eslays
               of
               repentance
               ,
               but
               let
               it
               have
               its
               perfect
               work
               ;
               that
               with
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               ,
               he
               not
               only
               sit
               down
               and
               bewail
               his
               misery
               ,
               or
               take
               up
               resolutions
               of
               returning
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               forthwith
               set
               about
               it
               and
               effect
               it
               ;
               
                 So
                 he
                 arose
                 and
                 came
                 to
                 his
                 Father
                 .
              
               What
               entertainment
               he
               meets
               with
               from
               his
               Father
               upon
               so
               doing
               ,
               I
               am
               now
               to
               shew
               in
               the
               third
               and
               last
               Part
               of
               the
               Parable
               .
            
             
               
                 The
                 father
                 said
                 to
                 the
                 servants
                 ,
                 bring
                 forth
                 the
                 best
                 robe
                 and
                 put
                 it
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 &c.
                 S
                 
                 t.
                 LVKE
                 .
                 15.
                 22.
                 
              
               
                 Non
                 patitur
                 contriti
                 cordis
                 holocaustum
                 repulsam
                 .
                 Quotiens
                 te
                 in
                 conspectu
                 Domini
                 video
                 suspirantem
                 ,
                 Spiritum
                 sanctum
                 non
                 dubito
                 aspirantem
                 :
                 cum
                 intu●or
                 flentem
                 ,
                 sentio
                 ignoscentem
                 .
                 Cypr
                 :
                 serm
                 :
                 de
                 coena
                 .
                 Page
                 .
                 240.
                 241.
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
           
             THE
             PARABLE
             OF
             THE
             Prodigal
             Son.
             
          
           
             PART
             III.
             
          
           
             The
             Prodigal
             received
             and
             reconciled
             ,
             or
             God's
             gracious
             reception
             of
             a
             Penitent
             Sinner
             .
          
           
             
               
                 S.
                 Luke
                 15.
                 
                 Vers
                 .
                 22
                 ,
                 23
                 ,
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 the
                 Father
                 said
                 to
                 his
                 servants
                 ,
                 Bring
                 forth
                 the
                 best
                 robe
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 it
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 a
                 ring
                 on
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 shoes
                 on
                 his
                 feet
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 bring
                 hither
                 the
                 fatted
                 Calf
                 ,
                 and
                 kill
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 us
                 eat
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 merry
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 this
                 my
                 Son
                 was
                 dead
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 alive
                 again
                 ;
                 was
                 lost
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 found
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               I.
               
            
             
               Of
               Reconciliation
               ,
               or
               Justification
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     The
                     passionate
                     story
                     of
                     Joseph
                     ,
                     Gen.
                     37.
                     parallel
                     to
                     this
                     Parable
                     before
                     us
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     God
                     takes
                     notice
                     of
                     the
                     first
                     beginnings
                     of
                     good
                     in
                     men
                     .
                     The
                     use
                     of
                     that
                     consideration
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     God's
                     compassion
                     and
                     tenderness
                     to
                     men
                     under
                     agonies
                     of
                     mind
                     ,
                     yet
                     without
                     the
                     weakness
                     of
                     humane
                     passion
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     God
                     not
                     only
                     takes
                     delight
                     in
                     beginnings
                     of
                     good
                     ,
                     but
                     promotes
                     them
                     by
                     his
                     grace
                     .
                     The
                     famous
                     story
                     in
                     Eusebius
                     of
                     St.
                     John
                     ,
                     and
                     a
                     dissolute
                     young
                     man
                     ;
                     and
                     several
                     usefull
                     observations
                     thereupon
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     V.
                     The
                     greatness
                     of
                     God's
                     pardoning
                     mercy
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     fullness
                     and
                     compleatness
                     thereof
                     upon
                     repentance
                     ,
                     set
                     out
                     in
                     several
                     great
                     instances
                     ,
                     full
                     of
                     unspeakable
                     consolation
                     to
                     the
                     Penitent
                     ,
                     and
                     wherein
                     God's
                     mercies
                     outgo
                     those
                     of
                     mercifull
                     men
                     :
                     the
                     greatness
                     of
                     the
                     sin
                     of
                     our
                     first
                     Parents
                     ,
                     and
                     of
                     the
                     Jews
                     in
                     crucifying
                     our
                     Lord
                     ;
                     which
                     notwithstanding
                     were
                     both
                     pardoned
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     VI.
                     Of
                     the
                     Novation
                     Heresy
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     mischiefs
                     of
                     it
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     VII
                     .
                     Practical
                     reflections
                     upon
                     Justification
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               §
               I.
               
               IT
               is
               a
               very
               lively
               and
               pathetick
               story
               which
               Moses
               gives
               us
               concerning
               Jacob
               and
               his
               Sons
               ,
               especially
               his
               beloved
               Son
               Joseph
               ,
               to
               this
               effect
               .
               The
               Brethren
               of
               Joseph
               envying
               him
               that
               great
               share
               he
               
               had
               in
               his
               Father's
               affections
               ,
               resolve
               some
               way
               or
               other
               to
               dispatch
               him
               out
               of
               the
               way
               ;
               but
               that
               they
               might
               not
               imbrue
               their
               hands
               in
               his
               bloud
               they
               conclude
               to
               sell
               him
               a
               slave
               to
               the
               Midianites
               ,
               (
               that
               happened
               at
               that
               time
               to
               come
               in
               the
               way
               )
               and
               to
               hide
               their
               own
               fault
               from
               their
               Father
               ,
               they
               kill
               a
               Kid
               ,
               and
               dip
               
               Joseph's
               Coat
               in
               the
               bloud
               ,
               and
               telling
               a
               demure
               story
               to
               the
               old
               man
               ,
               impose
               upon
               his
               belief
               that
               some
               wild
               Beast
               had
               devoured
               his
               Son.
               Which
               when
               the
               good
               man
               was
               possest
               of
               ,
               he
               most
               tenderly
               resents
               the
               affliction
               ,
               rends
               his
               Cloaths
               ,
               puts
               Sackcloth
               upon
               his
               Loins
               ,
               and
               mourned
               many
               days
               .
               Whereupon
               his
               Sons
               and
               Daughters
               ,
               and
               even
               those
               especially
               that
               had
               raised
               the
               tragedy
               ,
               personate
               so
               well
               as
               to
               take
               upon
               them
               to
               be
               his
               comforters
               ;
               but
               the
               wound
               was
               too
               deep
               to
               be
               easily
               cured
               ,
               for
               he
               refuses
               consolation
               :
               No
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 I
                 will
                 go
                 down
                 to
                 the
                 grave
                 to
                 my
                 Son
                 mourning
                 :
              
               my
               grief
               shall
               only
               wear
               away
               with
               my
               life
               ,
               and
               only
               the
               land
               of
               oblivion
               shall
               make
               me
               forget
               Joseph
               .
               At
               last
               ,
               after
               a
               long
               and
               sad
               time
               of
               lamentation
               ,
               there
               comes
               the
               surprizing
               news
               to
               the
               good
               man
               ,
               
                 Joseph
                 thy
                 Son
                 is
                 yet
                 alive
                 ,
                 and
                 Ruler
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 Aegypt
                 .
              
               The
               aged
               Father
               faints
               at
               the
               tidings
               ,
               the
               News
               was
               too
               good
               to
               be
               true
               ;
               the
               apprehension
               of
               his
               Son's
               death
               had
               seized
               him
               so
               long
               ,
               that
               he
               could
               not
               believe
               any
               thing
               to
               the
               contrary
               now
               ;
               and
               by
               the
               report
               of
               his
               life
               his
               wounds
               bleed
               afresh
               ,
               and
               the
               grief
               for
               the
               loss
               of
               him
               was
               so
               renewed
               ,
               that
               the
               good
               man
               sinks
               into
               a
               Deliquium
               .
            
             
               BUT
               when
               they
               had
               opportunity
               to
               report
               the
               whole
               business
               ,
               to
               relate
               the
               message
               was
               brought
               from
               Joseph
               ,
               and
               especially
               came
               to
               real
               proof
               ,
               shewing
               him
               the
               Wagons
               which
               his
               Son
               had
               sent
               to
               bring
               him
               down
               into
               
                 Aegypt
                 ,
                 Then
              
               (
               saith
               the
               Text
               )
               
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 their
                 
                 Father
                 revived
              
               ;
               and
               he
               is
               as
               ready
               to
               be
               transported
               with
               an
               ecstasy
               of
               joy
               now
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               overwhelmed
               with
               sadness
               before
               ;
               but
               he
               recovers
               himself
               ,
               
                 And
                 Israel
                 said
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 ,
                 Joseph
                 my
                 Son
                 is
                 yet
                 alive
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 goe
                 down
                 and
                 see
                 him
                 before
                 I
                 die
                 .
              
            
             
               THE
               story
               ,
               besides
               the
               unquestionable
               authority
               of
               sacred
               record
               ,
               carries
               the
               natural
               marks
               of
               truth
               upon
               it
               ;
               all
               things
               being
               represented
               so
               done
               ,
               as
               they
               must
               needs
               be
               done
               upon
               supposition
               of
               the
               fact
               .
               And
               for
               the
               lively
               strokes
               of
               passion
               in
               it
               ,
               I
               know
               not
               whether
               any
               thing
               in
               all
               history
               be
               able
               to
               match
               it
               ,
               grief
               and
               joy
               ,
               great
               as
               their
               several
               causes
               ,
               taking
               place
               successively
               ,
               vying
               with
               ,
               and
               setting
               off
               each
               other
               .
            
             
               NOW
               although
               the
               business
               which
               we
               have
               at
               present
               before
               us
               be
               only
               a
               Parable
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               not
               much
               unlike
               that
               history
               ;
               for
               here
               we
               find
               a
               beloved
               Son
               at
               different
               times
               under
               the
               extremities
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ;
               one
               while
               as
               miserable
               as
               folly
               and
               misfortune
               can
               make
               him
               ,
               another
               while
               recovering
               himself
               and
               his
               station
               again
               ,
               and
               in
               all
               this
               diversity
               of
               fortune
               ,
               a
               good
               Father
               passionately
               concerned
               with
               him
               ,
               grieving
               and
               rejoycing
               respectively
               ,
               as
               the
               condition
               of
               his
               Son
               gave
               him
               occasion
               ,
               and
               all
               exprest
               with
               equal
               life
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               former
               history
               ;
               as
               if
               it
               were
               not
               a
               representation
               of
               what
               might
               be
               done
               ,
               but
               what
               was
               really
               matter
               of
               fact
               .
            
             
               WE
               have
               hitherto
               seen
               the
               tragical
               part
               only
               ,
               the
               Son's
               folly
               and
               misery
               ,
               and
               the
               Father's
               grief
               ;
               the
               Son
               running
               on
               from
               one
               intemperance
               to
               another
               till
               his
               Father
               despaired
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               he
               found
               himself
               ruined
               ;
               but
               then
               by
               a
               great
               providence
               he
               comes
               to
               himself
               and
               returns
               ,
               but
               (
               as
               we
               say
               )
               by
               weeping
               cross
               .
            
             
               BUT
               now
               the
               scene
               is
               changed
               ;
               the
               Son
               is
               recovered
               
               and
               the
               Father
               revived
               ,
               and
               all
               is
               joy
               and
               gladness
               .
               Here
               the
               good
               Shepheard
               bringeth
               his
               lost
               Sheep
               home
               on
               his
               shoulders
               rejoycing
               ;
               here
               we
               see
               the
               good
               Samaritan
               pouring
               in
               wine
               and
               oyl
               ,
               and
               binding
               up
               the
               wounds
               of
               him
               that
               was
               miserably
               wounded
               ,
               and
               in
               a
               deplorable
               condition
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               here
               we
               have
               a
               kind
               Father
               owning
               ,
               receiving
               and
               indowing
               his
               returning
               Son
               ;
               and
               here
               we
               have
               God
               Almighty
               the
               Father
               of
               Spirits
               ,
               pardoning
               and
               blessing
               penitent
               sinners
               .
            
             
               §
               II.
               But
               to
               come
               to
               particulars
               ,
               whether
               we
               attend
               to
               the
               literal
               or
               the
               mystical
               sense
               of
               the
               Parable
               ;
               in
               this
               last
               part
               of
               it
               we
               shall
               easily
               observe
               these
               four
               remarkable
               passages
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 passionate
                 interview
                 ,
                 the
                 benign
                 aspect
                 and
                 kind
                 greeting
                 the
                 Father
                 affords
                 his
                 Son
                 upon
                 his
                 first
                 appearance
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 homewards
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 kind
                 and
                 present
                 supply
                 of
                 the
                 Sons
                 wants
                 ,
                 or
                 he
                 ornaments
                 which
                 the
                 Father
                 bestows
                 upon
                 him
                 being
                 t
                 now
                 returned
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 splendid
                 reception
                 and
                 entertainment
                 he
                 makes
                 for
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 fourthly
                 and
                 lastly
                 ,
                 his
                 apology
                 for
                 so
                 doing
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 I
                 begin
                 with
                 the
                 first
              
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               
                 the
                 passionate
                 greeting
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 interview
                 expressed
                 thus
                 ,
                 vers
                 .
              
               20
               ,
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               But
               when
               he
               was
               yet
               a
               great
               way
               off
               his
               Father
               saw
               him
               ,
               and
               had
               compassion
               ,
               and
               ran
               and
               fell
               on
               his
               neck
               and
               kissed
               him
               .
               And
               the
               Son
               said
               to
               his
               Father
               ,
               Father
               ,
               I
               have
               sinned
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               THE
               Son
               relents
               ,
               and
               the
               Father
               melts
               into
               compassion
               ;
               the
               Son
               is
               ashamed
               ,
               and
               the
               Father's
               bowels
               yern
               towards
               him
               ;
               the
               affections
               of
               a
               Father
               prevent
               
               
               
               
               
               the
               Son's
               humiliation
               and
               acknowledgments
               ,
               and
               yet
               the
               Father's
               kindness
               will
               not
               discharge
               or
               supersede
               the
               Son's
               duty
               :
               there
               is
               a
               noble
               contention
               between
               them
               ;
               the
               one
               would
               demonstrate
               more
               love
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               strives
               to
               equal
               that
               with
               ingenuity
               .
               It
               is
               hard
               to
               observe
               order
               in
               passion
               ;
               however
               ,
               in
               the
               Father's
               carriage
               we
               take
               notice
               of
               these
               four
               steps
               .
            
             
               FIRST
               ,
               he
               takes
               knowledge
               of
               his
               Son
               at
               a
               distance
               ,
               
                 whilest
                 he
                 was
                 yet
                 a
                 great
                 way
                 off
                 ,
              
               though
               probably
               his
               former
               vices
               had
               disfigured
               him
               ,
               and
               his
               poverty
               disguised
               him
               ,
               long
               absence
               might
               have
               estranged
               him
               ,
               and
               age
               had
               somewhat
               altered
               him
               ;
               yet
               paternal
               affection
               is
               quick
               and
               sagacious
               ,
               he
               discovered
               and
               distinguished
               him
               notwithstanding
               .
            
             
               SECONDLY
               ,
               his
               sight
               affects
               his
               heart
               ,
               when
               he
               saw
               him
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 he
                 had
                 compassion
              
               ,
               his
               bowels
               yerned
               towards
               him
               ;
               far
               sooner
               is
               the
               heart
               of
               a
               Father
               dissolved
               into
               kindness
               ,
               then
               that
               of
               a
               Son
               into
               obedience
               ;
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               consideration
               and
               resolution
               at
               last
               brings
               the
               Son
               to
               recover
               his
               sense
               of
               duty
               ,
               but
               the
               Father
               takes
               fire
               presently
               ,
               and
               the
               flame
               is
               not
               to
               be
               concealed
               .
               For
            
             
               THIRDLY
               ,
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               passion
               prompts
               him
               beyond
               the
               gravity
               of
               his
               years
               ,
               the
               dignity
               of
               his
               relation
               ,
               and
               above
               the
               remembrance
               of
               his
               just
               offence
               ;
               for
               
                 he
                 ran
                 to
                 meet
                 his
                 Son.
                 
              
            
             
               And
               then
               lastly
               ,
               he
               indulges
               his
               affections
               ,
               or
               cannot
               command
               them
               ;
               
                 he
                 falls
                 on
                 his
                 neck
                 and
                 kisses
                 him
              
               ;
               he
               forgets
               all
               former
               undutifullness
               and
               provocation
               ,
               he
               stands
               not
               rigidly
               expostulating
               the
               matter
               ,
               nor
               scrupulously
               weighing
               formalities
               ,
               but
               makes
               the
               fullest
               expressions
               of
               joy
               and
               indearment
               .
            
             
               NOW
               in
               a
               due
               proportion
               to
               all
               these
               particulars
               (
               making
               only
               a
               just
               allowance
               for
               the
               Majesty
               of
               God
               )
               
               is
               the
               condescension
               of
               our
               heavenly
               Father
               towards
               returning
               sinners
               ,
               as
               I
               will
               shew
               by
               drawing
               the
               parallel
               in
               all
               the
               aforesaid
               particulars
               something
               more
               at
               large
               .
            
             
               FIRST
               ,
               as
               an
               earthly
               Parent
               that
               has
               lost
               a
               Son
               ,
               carries
               the
               image
               of
               him
               in
               his
               thoughts
               ,
               and
               never
               so
               loses
               the
               remembrance
               of
               him
               ,
               but
               that
               upon
               every
               the
               least
               occasion
               he
               occurrs
               to
               his
               mind
               ,
               and
               therefore
               he
               will
               be
               quick
               in
               apprehending
               the
               first
               approaches
               of
               him
               ,
               if
               he
               happen
               to
               return
               :
               so
               God
               our
               heavenly
               Father
               hath
               so
               tender
               a
               love
               to
               men
               ,
               and
               such
               a
               concern
               for
               their
               good
               and
               happiness
               ,
               that
               he
               takes
               notice
               of
               their
               first
               motions
               towards
               himself
               ;
               he
               discerns
               the
               first
               reasonings
               ,
               the
               reletings
               ,
               the
               agonies
               of
               mind
               ,
               the
               first
               dawnings
               towards
               a
               resolution
               of
               returning
               .
            
             
               WE
               see
               not
               the
               Corn
               grow
               ,
               only
               we
               discover
               when
               it
               is
               grown
               ;
               nor
               do
               we
               discern
               how
               our
               own
               members
               are
               fashioned
               in
               the
               womb
               ;
               but
               the
               curious
               eye
               of
               God
               observes
               the
               first
               lines
               and
               traces
               of
               nature
               ,
               the
               first
               essays
               and
               palpitations
               of
               life
               ,
               upon
               which
               account
               the
               Psalmist
               admires
               the
               divine
               providence
               ,
               Psal
               .
               139.
               14
               ,
               15
               ,
               16.
               
               
                 I
                 will
                 praise
                 thee
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 am
                 fearfully
                 and
                 wonderfully
                 made
                 :
                 —
                 My
                 substance
                 was
                 not
                 hid
                 from
                 thee
                 when
                 I
                 was
                 made
                 in
                 secret
                 ,
                 and
                 curiously
                 wrought
                 in
                 the
                 lower
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 Thine
                 eyes
                 did
                 see
                 my
                 substance
                 being
                 yet
                 imperfect
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 thy
                 book
                 all
                 my
                 member
                 were
                 written
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 process
                 of
                 time
                 were
                 fashioned
                 ,
                 when
                 as
                 yet
                 there
                 was
                 none
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               And
               much
               more
               doth
               he
               observe
               the
               most
               weak
               and
               imperfect
               essays
               of
               the
               new
               birth
               ,
               or
               as
               the
               Apostle
               expresses
               it
               when
               Christ
               is
               beginning
               
                 to
                 be
                 formed
                 in
                 men
                 .
                 I
                 saw
                 thee
              
               (
               saith
               our
               Saviour
               to
               Nathanael
               )
               S.
               Joh.
               1.
               48.
               
                 when
                 thou
                 wast
                 under
                 the
                 fig-tree
              
               ;
               when
               thou
               wast
               reasoning
               about
               me
               whether
               I
               
               was
               the
               Messias
               or
               not
               .
               I
               was
               privy
               to
               that
               conflict
               of
               thy
               thoughts
               ,
               between
               the
               report
               of
               the
               miracles
               wrought
               by
               me
               ,
               and
               the
               prejudicate
               opinion
               concerning
               the
               supposed
               place
               of
               my
               nativity
               ;
               I
               was
               not
               so
               much
               offended
               with
               thy
               objections
               ,
               as
               pleased
               with
               thy
               sincerity
               ,
               in
               that
               thou
               didst
               diligently
               inquire
               ,
               honestly
               debate
               ,
               and
               proceed
               to
               resolution
               upon
               rational
               satisfaction
               .
            
             
               
                 Most
                 apposite
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 is
                 that
                 passage
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
              
               Jeremiah
               ,
               
                 Chap.
                 31.
                 vers
              
               .
               18
               ,
               19
               ,
               20.
               
               I
               have
               surely
               heard
               Ephraim
               bemoaning
               himself
               thus
               ;
               Thou
               hast
               chastised
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               was
               chastised
               ,
               as
               a
               bullock
               unaccustomed
               to
               the
               yoke
               :
               Turn
               thou
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               shall
               be
               turned
               ;
               for
               thou
               art
               the
               Lord
               my
               God.
               Surely
               after
               that
               I
               was
               turned
               I
               repented
               ;
               and
               after
               that
               I
               was
               instructed
               ,
               I
               smote
               upon
               my
               thigh
               :
               I
               was
               ashamed
               ,
               yea
               even
               confounded
               ,
               because
               I
               did
               bear
               the
               reproach
               of
               my
               youth
               .
               
                 And
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 thus
                 passionately
                 described
                 the
                 first
                 kindlings
                 of
                 repentance
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 of
              
               Israel
               ,
               
                 he
                 then
                 introduces
                 God
                 ,
                 taking
                 notice
                 and
                 expressing
                 his
                 compassions
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 words
                 .
              
               Is
               Ephraim
               my
               dear
               Son
               ?
               is
               he
               a
               pleasant
               child
               ?
               for
               since
               I
               spake
               against
               him
               ,
               I
               do
               earnestly
               remember
               him
               still
               :
               therefore
               my
               bowels
               are
               troubled
               for
               him
               ;
               I
               will
               surely
               have
               mercy
               upon
               him
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord.
               
                 By
                 all
                 which
                 we
                 see
                 that
                 God
                 despiseth
                 not
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 small
                 things
                 .
              
            
             
               NOW
               the
               consideration
               of
               this
               affords
               mighty
               incouragement
               to
               sinners
               to
               begin
               their
               motion
               to
               God-ward
               ;
               who
               would
               not
               put
               himself
               upon
               the
               way
               ,
               when
               the
               first
               attempt
               of
               returning
               shall
               be
               taken
               notice
               of
               ?
               If
               a
               man
               do
               but
               consider
               ,
               if
               he
               doe
               but
               pray
               ,
               if
               but
               breathe
               and
               pant
               after
               God
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               gracious
               eye
               upon
               him
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               altogether
               lost
               labour
               ;
               Nay
               ,
               (
               saith
               our
               Saviour
               )
               
                 A
                 cup
                 of
                 cold
                 water
                 
                 given
                 to
                 a
                 disciple
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 a
                 disciple
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 lose
                 its
                 reward
                 .
              
               And
               if
               such
               mean
               performances
               pass
               not
               unrewarded
               ,
               much
               less
               doth
               any
               thing
               of
               good
               escape
               God's
               notice
               and
               observation
               .
            
             
               And
               upon
               the
               same
               consideration
               there
               is
               great
               reason
               of
               caution
               ,
               and
               that
               men
               take
               heed
               of
               discouraging
               any
               (
               though
               never
               so
               small
               )
               hopes
               of
               good
               ,
               and
               buddings
               of
               reformation
               in
               others
               ;
               for
               seeing
               God
               takes
               notice
               of
               beginnings
               ,
               he
               must
               needs
               be
               offended
               with
               those
               that
               obstruct
               them
               ,
               and
               will
               be
               sure
               severely
               to
               resent
               it
               .
               Let
               therefore
               those
               that
               scoff
               at
               prayer
               and
               devotion
               as
               preciseness
               ,
               at
               seriousness
               and
               self-reflection
               ,
               as
               melancholy
               degeneracy
               of
               spirit
               ,
               that
               either
               press
               men
               forward
               into
               the
               same
               excess
               of
               riot
               with
               themselves
               ,
               and
               labour
               to
               divert
               or
               stifle
               all
               workings
               of
               Conscience
               by
               the
               means
               of
               sensual
               entertainments
               ,
               or
               treat
               those
               with
               contumely
               ,
               who
               boggle
               at
               their
               extravagancies
               ,
               and
               begin
               to
               take
               up
               and
               reform
               :
               let
               all
               such
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               consider
               well
               what
               they
               doe
               ,
               when
               God's
               eye
               is
               upon
               such
               beginings
               of
               good
               ,
               lest
               they
               be
               found
               fighters
               against
               God.
               And
               let
               all
               that
               have
               any
               sense
               of
               goodness
               themselves
               ,
               or
               but
               so
               much
               as
               a
               reverence
               of
               God's
               all-seeing
               eye
               ,
               think
               it
               becomes
               them
               to
               incourage
               such
               beginnings
               ,
               to
               indeavour
               to
               kindle
               such
               sparks
               ,
               and
               blow
               them
               up
               into
               a
               flame
               of
               love
               to
               God
               and
               goodness
               ;
               to
               which
               purpose
               I
               take
               liberty
               to
               apply
               a
               passage
               of
               the
               Prophet
               Isaiah
               ,
               Chap.
               65.
               vers
               .
               8.
               
               
                 Thus
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 new
                 wine
                 is
                 found
                 in
                 the
                 cluster
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 saith
                 ,
                 Destroy
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 for
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 blessing
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               The
               wise
               Master
               of
               the
               Vineyard
               (
               especially
               in
               an
               unfruitfull
               time
               )
               takes
               special
               notice
               of
               those
               few
               Grapes
               in
               a
               cluster
               that
               have
               good
               juice
               in
               them
               ,
               and
               will
               neither
               permit
               them
               to
               be
               carelesly
               crushed
               with
               the
               hand
               ,
               nor
               cast
               away
               amongst
               refuse
               .
               So
               will
               
               the
               God
               of
               Israel
               do
               by
               his
               Vineyard
               the
               House
               of
               Israel
               ;
               he
               will
               take
               notice
               of
               the
               few
               that
               are
               good
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               a
               bad
               generation
               ,
               and
               not
               destroy
               all
               together
               :
               And
               in
               like
               manner
               ,
               he
               will
               not
               despise
               the
               first
               essays
               of
               emergency
               from
               former
               vice
               and
               wickedness
               .
               But
               thus
               I
               am
               led
               to
               the
               second
               parallel
               .
            
             
               §
               III.
               2.
               
               The
               Father
               as
               soon
               as
               he
               saw
               his
               Son
               ,
               had
               compassion
               ;
               so
               hath
               God
               to
               mankind
               ,
               especially
               when
               he
               sees
               them
               on
               their
               way
               homeward
               .
               He
               had
               always
               good
               will
               towards
               them
               as
               they
               were
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               made
               in
               his
               own
               image
               ,
               designed
               for
               his
               service
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               himself
               ;
               and
               upon
               all
               these
               accounts
               hath
               a
               propension
               to
               do
               them
               good
               .
               But
               so
               long
               as
               any
               man
               continues
               in
               a
               course
               of
               rebellion
               against
               him
               ,
               all
               the
               issues
               and
               expressions
               of
               this
               good
               will
               are
               obstructed
               ;
               which
               nevertheless
               as
               soon
               as
               ever
               he
               begins
               to
               relent
               and
               come
               to
               himself
               ,
               break
               out
               again
               and
               discover
               themselves
               .
               For
               (
               as
               the
               Psalmist
               tells
               us
               ,
               )
               
                 Like
                 as
                 a
                 Father
                 pitieth
                 his
                 Children
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 Lord
                 pitieth
                 them
                 that
                 fear
                 him
                 ,
              
               Psal
               .
               103.
               13.
               
            
             
               NOT
               that
               we
               are
               to
               imagine
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               to
               be
               subject
               to
               the
               weakness
               of
               humane
               passion
               in
               a
               strict
               and
               proper
               sense
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               feel
               any
               pain
               or
               trouble
               upon
               the
               account
               of
               his
               concern
               for
               mankind
               ,
               for
               that
               the
               spirituality
               of
               his
               nature
               ,
               the
               perfection
               of
               his
               understanding
               and
               his
               self-sufficiency
               ,
               will
               by
               no
               means
               admit
               of
               .
               But
               he
               is
               pleased
               in
               Holy
               Scripture
               to
               represent
               himself
               after
               that
               manner
               ,
               to
               the
               intent
               that
               we
               may
               be
               incouraged
               to
               hope
               and
               to
               indeavour
               ,
               since
               we
               are
               assured
               that
               he
               is
               not
               a
               meer
               spectator
               of
               the
               conflicts
               and
               agonies
               of
               a
               Penitent
               ,
               but
               hath
               a
               real
               inclination
               to
               do
               him
               good
               ,
               and
               
               would
               by
               no
               means
               have
               him
               perish
               .
               To
               this
               purpose
               Ezek.
               33.
               11.
               he
               swears
               ,
               
                 As
                 I
                 live
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 pleasure
                 in
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 wicked
                 turn
                 from
                 his
                 way
                 and
                 live
                 .
                 Turn
                 ye
                 ,
                 turn
                 ye
                 ,
                 from
                 your
                 evil
                 ways
                 ,
                 for
                 why
                 will
                 ye
                 die
                 O
                 house
                 of
                 Israel
                 ?
              
               What
               greater
               passion
               can
               any
               Father
               express
               towards
               his
               beloved
               Son
               ,
               then
               God
               here
               condescends
               to
               ?
               and
               what
               greater
               assurance
               can
               God
               give
               of
               his
               earnestness
               and
               reality
               ,
               then
               that
               of
               an
               Oath
               by
               himself
               ?
            
             
               WHILEST
               men
               are
               at
               the
               worst
               ,
               the
               divine
               goodness
               finds
               out
               some
               arguments
               of
               pity
               ,
               for
               he
               considers
               he
               made
               them
               fallible
               Creatures
               ,
               that
               he
               gave
               them
               not
               the
               bright
               and
               piercing
               intellects
               of
               Angels
               ,
               he
               joyned
               matter
               and
               spirit
               together
               in
               their
               composition
               ,
               by
               means
               whereof
               there
               is
               a
               continual
               contest
               between
               sense
               and
               reason
               ,
               a
               constant
               dispute
               betwixt
               
                 bonum
                 utile
              
               ,
               and
               jucundum
               ;
               that
               their
               transgression
               is
               not
               like
               that
               of
               Devils
               ,
               who
               sinned
               
                 proprio
                 motu
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 tempter
              
               ;
               he
               knows
               the
               power
               of
               example
               ,
               the
               prejudices
               of
               education
               ,
               the
               long
               follies
               of
               Child-hood
               ;
               and
               therefore
               ,
               as
               I
               have
               shewed
               before
               ,
               is
               not
               implacable
               towards
               mankind
               ,
               whilest
               the
               state
               of
               life
               and
               this
               world
               lasts
               .
               But
               when
               he
               takes
               notice
               that
               any
               man
               begins
               to
               recollect
               himself
               ,
               to
               emerge
               out
               of
               his
               folly
               ,
               to
               remember
               his
               Father's
               house
               ,
               and
               to
               thirst
               after
               eternal
               life
               ;
               he
               is
               infinitely
               pleased
               with
               it
               ,
               and
               cherishes
               such
               blossoms
               .
            
             
               THUS
               it
               was
               prophesied
               of
               the
               Messias
               ,
               and
               interpreted
               and
               applied
               to
               our
               Saviour
               by
               the
               Evangelist
               ,
               Matth.
               12.
               20.
               
               
                 A
                 bruised
                 reed
                 shall
                 he
                 not
                 break
                 ,
                 and
                 smoaking
                 flax
                 shall
                 he
                 not
                 quench
                 ,
                 untill
                 he
                 send
                 forth
                 judgment
                 into
                 victory
                 .
                 i.
                 e.
              
               He
               will
               neither
               precipitate
               those
               upon
               utter
               ruine
               who
               are
               very
               near
               it
               ,
               and
               have
               cast
               themselves
               upon
               the
               brink
               of
               danger
               ,
               
               so
               long
               as
               there
               is
               any
               hopes
               remaining
               of
               their
               recovery
               ;
               nor
               much
               less
               will
               he
               despise
               and
               extinguish
               the
               least
               sparks
               and
               beginnings
               of
               good
               ,
               but
               incourage
               and
               promote
               them
               .
            
             
               AND
               this
               we
               observe
               to
               be
               verified
               in
               the
               young
               man
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               
               of
               whom
               we
               have
               taken
               notice
               before
               ;
               he
               made
               some
               Conscience
               of
               his
               ways
               ,
               and
               inquired
               after
               eternal
               life
               ,
               and
               was
               willing
               to
               do
               something
               to
               attain
               it
               ;
               wherefore
               though
               he
               was
               far
               from
               being
               generously
               good
               ,
               nevertheless
               the
               Text
               tells
               us
               ,
               
                 Jesus
                 look'd
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 loved
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               IN
               short
               therefore
               ,
               whatsoever
               God's
               proceedings
               shall
               be
               with
               impenitent
               and
               incurable
               sinners
               in
               the
               other
               world
               ,
               who
               have
               withstood
               the
               whole
               day
               of
               grace
               ,
               and
               abused
               all
               his
               patience
               and
               kindness
               ;
               I
               say
               ,
               whatever
               severity
               his
               wisedom
               and
               justice
               may
               then
               require
               ,
               when
               men
               have
               
                 treasured
                 up
                 wrath
                 against
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 wrath
                 ,
              
               and
               fitted
               themselves
               for
               destruction
               :
               yet
               certainly
               in
               this
               life
               ,
               and
               whilst
               there
               is
               any
               hope
               ,
               God
               is
               compassionate
               towards
               them
               ;
               he
               pities
               those
               he
               cannot
               love
               ,
               and
               loves
               those
               that
               pity
               themselves
               ;
               and
               delights
               in
               those
               that
               love
               him
               .
               But
               this
               pity
               of
               the
               Almighty
               ,
               which
               yet
               is
               one
               of
               the
               lowest
               instances
               of
               his
               benignity
               ,
               consists
               not
               as
               it
               doth
               often
               in
               men
               ,
               in
               a
               soft
               sympathy
               with
               the
               miserable
               ,
               or
               ineffective
               wishes
               of
               their
               good
               ;
               but
               is
               like
               himself
               ,
               great
               and
               powerfull
               in
               its
               effects
               .
               For
               in
               the
               next
               place
               ,
            
             
               §
               IV.
               3.
               
               
                 As
                 the
                 Father
                 not
                 only
                 admits
                 his
                 Son
                 when
                 he
                 returns
                 to
                 him
                 ,
              
               but
               runs
               to
               meet
               him
               ;
               
                 so
                 doth
                 the
                 Almighty
                 help
                 and
                 bring
                 on
                 sinners
                 in
                 their
                 way
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 St.
              
               Jerom
               
                 I
                 confess
                 understands
                 this
                 passage
                 (
                 in
                 the
                 mystical
                 sense
                 )
                 to
                 point
                 at
                 the
                 Incarnation
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 wherein
                 God
                 may
                 very
                 properly
                 
                 be
                 said
                 to
                 meet
                 man
                 ,
                 taking
                 our
                 humane
                 nature
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 make
                 us
                 partakers
                 of
                 his
                 Divine
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 rather
                 apply
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 efficacious
                 assistance
                 which
                 God
                 gives
                 by
                 his
                 Grace
                 to
                 all
                 beginnings
                 of
                 good
                 in
                 men
                 .
              
               
               Miraris
               homines
               ad
               Deos
               ire
               (
               saith
               Seneca
               )
               Deus
               ad
               homines
               venit
               ,
               imò
               (
               quod
               propiùs
               est
               )
               in
               homines
               venit
               ,
               nulla
               sine
               Deo
               mens
               bona
               est
               .
               
                 And
                 a
                 little
                 before
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
              
               Non
               sunt
               dii
               fastidiosi
               ,
               non
               invidi
               ,
               admittunt
               ,
               &
               ascendentibus
               manus
               porrigunt
               .
               
                 Which
                 words
                 of
                 his
                 may
                 thus
                 be
                 rendred
                 in
                 a
                 Scripture
                 phrase
                 .
              
               God
               though
               he
               be
               the
               high
               and
               lofty
               one
               ,
               inhabiting
               eternity
               ,
               yet
               is
               not
               stately
               and
               disdainfull
               ;
               he
               neither
               envies
               nor
               grudges
               men's
               happiness
               ;
               and
               though
               he
               dwell
               in
               the
               high
               and
               holy
               place
               ,
               yet
               to
               this
               man
               will
               he
               look
               that
               is
               of
               a
               broken
               and
               contrite
               spirit
               :
               and
               he
               will
               be
               so
               far
               from
               repulsing
               his
               endeavours
               of
               ascending
               up
               to
               him
               ,
               that
               he
               reaches
               out
               a
               hand
               of
               mercy
               to
               pull
               him
               up
               to
               himself
               .
               Wonder
               not
               then
               that
               men
               attain
               to
               God
               ,
               when
               he
               vouchsafes
               to
               come
               down
               to
               them
               ,
               nay
               ,
               to
               come
               in
               to
               them
               ;
               for
               never
               was
               any
               vertuous
               mind
               without
               his
               help
               .
            
             
               TO
               that
               purpose
               speaks
               the
               excellent
               Moralist
               ,
               but
               the
               Holy
               Scripture
               most
               expresly
               ,
               Phil.
               2.
               12.
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 God
                 that
                 worketh
                 both
                 to
                 will
                 and
                 to
                 doe
                 :
              
               and
               Jo.
               6.
               44.
               
               
                 No
                 man
                 cometh
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 except
                 my
                 Father
                 which
                 hath
                 sent
                 me
                 draw
                 him
                 .
              
               And
               this
               temper
               is
               that
               which
               the
               Prophet
               magnificently
               describes
               the
               Messias
               by
               ,
               Isai
               .
               40.
               11.
               
               
                 He
                 shall
                 feed
                 his
                 flock
                 like
                 a
                 Shepheard
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 gather
                 the
                 Lambs
                 with
                 his
                 arms
                 and
                 carry
                 them
                 in
                 his
                 bosome
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 gently
                 lead
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 with
                 young
                 :
              
               And
               thus
               also
               the
               Prophet
               Hosea
               sets
               forth
               God's
               dealing
               with
               his
               people
               Israel
               ,
               Hos
               .
               11.
               3.
               
               
                 I
                 taught
                 Ephraim
                 to
                 goe
                 ,
                 taking
                 them
                 by
                 their
                 arms
                 :
                 I
                 drew
                 them
                 with
                 the
                 cords
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 bands
                 of
                 love
                 .
              
               In
               which
               passages
               ,
               though
               God
               by
               
               the
               Prophets
               describe
               the
               way
               of
               his
               providence
               with
               literal
               Israel
               the
               Jewish
               Nation
               ,
               yet
               as
               that
               People
               was
               a
               type
               of
               the
               spiritual
               Israel
               ,
               so
               did
               God's
               methods
               with
               them
               resemble
               the
               gracious
               condescension
               he
               uses
               towards
               the
               Souls
               of
               men
               in
               their
               conversion
               to
               himself
               .
            
             
               I
               cannot
               upon
               this
               occasion
               omit
               a
               most
               affecting
               and
               remarkable
               story
               which
               Eusebius
               reports
               upon
               the
               credit
               both
               of
               St.
               Irenaeus
               ,
               
               and
               
                 Clemens
                 Alexandrinus
              
               to
               this
               effect
               .
               St.
               John
               the
               Apostle
               in
               his
               visitation
               of
               the
               Churches
               near
               about
               Ephesus
               ,
               happens
               there
               to
               fix
               his
               eyes
               upon
               a
               certain
               young
               man
               ,
               who
               he
               conjectured
               (
               from
               the
               comeliness
               of
               his
               shape
               ,
               vigorous
               chearfullness
               of
               his
               eyes
               ,
               and
               other
               indications
               of
               a
               generous
               spirit
               )
               might
               become
               an
               eminent
               and
               usefull
               person
               ,
               if
               effectual
               care
               was
               taken
               of
               his
               education
               .
               He
               therefore
               calls
               to
               the
               Bishop
               of
               the
               place
               ,
               and
               solemnly
               conjures
               him
               in
               the
               presence
               of
               Christ
               and
               his
               Holy
               Church
               ,
               to
               spare
               no
               pains
               or
               care
               in
               cultivating
               the
               mind
               and
               manners
               of
               the
               young
               man.
               The
               Bishop
               undertakes
               it
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               takes
               him
               into
               his
               own
               house
               ,
               uses
               him
               as
               his
               own
               Son
               ,
               instructs
               him
               ,
               baptizes
               ,
               and
               at
               length
               confirms
               him
               in
               the
               Christian
               Faith
               :
               which
               having
               done
               ,
               he
               thinks
               now
               he
               might
               be
               a
               little
               more
               secure
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               trust
               him
               to
               his
               own
               conduct
               .
               But
               he
               had
               no
               sooner
               done
               so
               ,
               but
               certain
               loose
               young
               men
               presently
               insinuate
               themselves
               into
               his
               acquaintance
               ,
               and
               first
               debauch
               him
               with
               light
               caresses
               ,
               and
               jovial
               assignations
               ;
               and
               then
               (
               as
               it
               often
               happens
               )
               to
               maintain
               those
               excesses
               ,
               they
               draw
               him
               into
               a
               confederacy
               of
               robbery
               :
               and
               in
               that
               flagitious
               society
               ,
               this
               young
               man
               quickly
               becomes
               so
               great
               a
               proficient
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               Captain
               and
               leader
               of
               the
               Fraternity
               .
               At
               this
               season
               (
               as
               God
               would
               have
               it
               )
               the
               Apostle
               returns
               again
               into
               those
               parts
               ,
               and
               
               presently
               requires
               an
               account
               from
               the
               Bishop
               ,
               of
               the
               young
               man
               committed
               to
               his
               trust
               :
               the
               good
               old
               man
               with
               sorrow
               in
               his
               heart
               ,
               and
               tears
               in
               his
               eyes
               ,
               replies
               ,
               Alas
               he
               is
               dead
               !
               dead
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               to
               God
               and
               all
               goodness
               ;
               he
               is
               become
               a
               common
               Thief
               and
               cut-throat
               ,
               hath
               deserted
               the
               Church
               where
               I
               trained
               him
               up
               ,
               and
               now
               keeps
               his
               station
               in
               the
               Mountains
               hard
               by
               ,
               from
               whence
               he
               makes
               his
               frequent
               sallies
               to
               commit
               all
               kind
               of
               villany
               .
               The
               Apostle
               (
               aged
               as
               he
               was
               )
               considers
               not
               his
               own
               infirmity
               ,
               but
               the
               recovery
               of
               the
               young
               man
               ;
               and
               therefore
               calling
               for
               an
               Horse
               and
               a
               Guide
               ,
               presently
               issues
               forth
               into
               the
               Mountains
               where
               he
               had
               been
               told
               his
               haunts
               were
               .
               There
               he
               no
               sooner
               arrives
               ,
               but
               he
               is
               arrested
               by
               the
               Centinel
               Thief
               :
               whereat
               he
               betraying
               no
               fear
               or
               surprizal
               ,
               as
               having
               in
               part
               attained
               what
               he
               sought
               ,
               Shew
               me
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               your
               Captain
               .
               The
               Captain
               hearing
               this
               ,
               and
               wondring
               what
               should
               be
               the
               errand
               ,
               presents
               himself
               armed
               to
               receive
               him
               ,
               till
               he
               soon
               perceived
               who
               it
               was
               ;
               but
               then
               ,
               seized
               with
               shame
               ,
               he
               makes
               from
               him
               with
               all
               the
               speed
               he
               could
               .
               The
               Apostle
               forgetting
               his
               age
               and
               gravity
               ,
               follows
               him
               with
               all
               his
               might
               ,
               crying
               out
               
                 My
                 Son
                 ,
                 my
                 Son
                 ,
                 dost
                 thou
                 fly
                 thy
                 Father
                 ?
                 thy
                 aged
                 unarmed
                 Father
                 ?
                 Fear
                 me
                 not
                 ,
                 I
                 come
                 not
                 armed
                 to
                 destroy
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 desirous
                 to
                 save
                 thee
                 ;
                 I
                 'll
                 pray
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 I
                 'll
                 intercede
                 with
                 
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                
                 on
                 thy
                 behalf
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 ready
                 to
                 lay
                 down
                 my
                 life
                 to
                 save
                 thy
                 Soul.
                 
              
               The
               revolted
               youth
               hearing
               this
               ,
               makes
               a
               stand
               ,
               and
               then
               with
               eyes
               cast
               down
               ,
               and
               weapons
               laid
               aside
               ,
               begins
               to
               tremble
               ,
               and
               at
               last
               weeping
               bitterly
               ,
               is
               in
               the
               words
               of
               the
               Historian
               ,
               Re-baptized
               in
               his
               own
               tears
               .
               Then
               S.
               John
               embracing
               him
               ,
               prays
               for
               him
               ,
               fasts
               with
               him
               ,
               instructs
               him
               ,
               and
               leaves
               him
               not
               till
               he
               had
               not
               only
               restored
               him
               to
               the
               society
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               but
               settled
               him
               in
               the
               publick
               Ministry
               thereof
               .
            
             
             
               THE
               story
               is
               very
               admirable
               in
               all
               the
               parts
               of
               it
               ,
               as
               wherein
               ,
               amongst
               other
               things
               ,
               we
               may
               observe
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               how
               quickly
               bad
               company
               insinuates
               its
               contagion
               ,
               and
               corrupts
               youthfull
               minds
               ;
               and
               that
               neither
               fine
               parts
               ,
               nor
               the
               best
               education
               ,
               are
               sufficient
               security
               for
               a
               vertuous
               course
               ,
               unless
               Apollos
               water
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               Paul
               plant
               ,
               and
               God
               also
               give
               the
               increase
               .
            
             
               AGAIN
               ,
               it
               is
               worth
               observing
               how
               easy
               and
               sudden
               the
               transition
               is
               from
               a
               luxurious
               to
               a
               lawless
               life
               .
               This
               young
               man
               began
               his
               risk
               in
               riot
               ,
               and
               ends
               it
               in
               robbery
               .
               Although
               this
               be
               no
               strange
               thing
               ,
               for
               besides
               that
               intemperance
               makes
               men
               bold
               and
               rash
               ,
               and
               fit
               for
               any
               desperate
               enterprize
               ,
               they
               that
               are
               come
               to
               that
               ,
               that
               they
               care
               not
               what
               they
               spend
               ,
               are
               usually
               forced
               not
               to
               regard
               how
               they
               get
               it
               .
               We
               note
               also
               from
               this
               story
               ,
               that
               great
               Wits
               ,
               and
               curious
               tempers
               are
               like
               razor
               mettle
               quickly
               turned
               ,
               and
               if
               they
               miscarry
               ,
               they
               become
               the
               most
               notorious
               Debauchees
               ;
               but
               if
               they
               be
               well
               set
               ,
               and
               hold
               right
               ,
               become
               most
               eminently
               usefull
               .
               Moreover
               ,
               we
               may
               here
               also
               take
               notice
               how
               a
               sense
               of
               guilt
               and
               dis-ingenuity
               baffles
               a
               man's
               spirit
               ,
               dejects
               his
               courage
               ,
               disarms
               and
               subdues
               him
               ;
               whereas
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               conscience
               of
               sincerity
               and
               good
               designs
               ,
               spirits
               and
               actuates
               a
               man
               above
               his
               age
               ,
               temper
               ,
               and
               common
               capacity
               .
               But
               that
               which
               I
               principally
               remark
               in
               the
               story
               ,
               is
               ,
               the
               paternal
               affection
               in
               the
               aged
               Apostle
               toward
               this
               dissolute
               and
               lost
               young
               man
               ;
               how
               fresh
               the
               concern
               for
               him
               was
               in
               his
               thoughts
               ,
               when
               he
               came
               into
               those
               parts
               again
               where
               he
               left
               him
               ?
               with
               what
               strictness
               he
               requires
               the
               depositum
               of
               the
               Bishop
               ,
               how
               he
               forgets
               himself
               to
               recover
               him
               ;
               what
               charms
               there
               were
               in
               the
               countenance
               ,
               voice
               ,
               motion
               ,
               of
               the
               aged
               Father
               ;
               how
               
               strange
               a
               thing
               it
               was
               to
               be
               young
               Hector
               ,
               running
               away
               from
               an
               old
               Apostle
               ;
               an
               armed
               Captain
               not
               daring
               to
               stand
               before
               unarmed
               and
               infirm
               old
               age
               :
               to
               observe
               the
               spirit
               ,
               the
               passion
               ,
               the
               flaming
               love
               of
               a
               good
               man
               to
               the
               Soul
               of
               a
               desperate
               sinner
               ;
               and
               in
               all
               this
               ,
               to
               see
               a
               lively
               resemblance
               of
               God's
               goodness
               to
               men
               .
               For
               God
               doth
               not
               only
               (
               as
               I
               have
               said
               before
               )
               receive
               men
               upon
               their
               return
               ,
               but
               moves
               towards
               them
               ,
               invites
               ,
               nay
               ,
               draws
               them
               to
               himself
               .
               He
               is
               so
               far
               from
               positively
               hardening
               sinners
               ,
               that
               he
               takes
               off
               their
               hardness
               ;
               he
               allures
               them
               by
               his
               promises
               ,
               prevents
               them
               by
               his
               grace
               ,
               way-lays
               them
               by
               his
               providence
               ,
               calls
               upon
               them
               by
               his
               word
               ,
               melts
               them
               by
               his
               kindness
               ,
               works
               upon
               them
               by
               his
               Spirit
               ;
               and
               this
               Spirit
               takes
               all
               advantageous
               seasons
               ,
               watches
               the
               
                 mollia
                 tempora
                 fandi
              
               ,
               suggests
               thoughts
               to
               their
               minds
               ,
               holds
               their
               minds
               close
               and
               intent
               ,
               gives
               them
               a
               prospect
               of
               the
               other
               world
               ;
               and
               by
               several
               other
               ways
               (
               without
               violence
               to
               their
               faculties
               )
               helps
               forward
               their
               return
               to
               God.
               
            
             
               §
               V.
               4.
               
               LASTLY
               ,
               As
               the
               Earthly
               Father
               for
               joy
               of
               his
               Sons
               return
               ,
               forgets
               all
               his
               anger
               ,
               and
               the
               causes
               of
               it
               ;
               passes
               by
               his
               ingratitude
               and
               dissolution
               of
               manners
               ,
               and
               treats
               him
               with
               infinite
               demonstrations
               of
               kindness
               ,
               
                 falling
                 on
                 his
                 neck
                 ,
                 and
                 kissing
                 him
                 :
              
               So
               doth
               our
               Heavenly
               Father
               
                 cast
                 all
                 the
                 iniquities
                 of
                 the
                 penitent
                 '
                 behind
                 his
                 back
                 ,
                 blots
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 book
              
               ;
               makes
               no
               severe
               reflections
               ,
               no
               bitter
               expostulations
               ,
               no
               upbraidings
               ,
               but
               passes
               an
               act
               of
               perfect
               amnesty
               and
               oblivion
               .
               
                 Justin
                 Martyr
              
               in
               his
               Work
               against
               Trypho
               ,
               brings
               in
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               saying
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               The
               words
               are
               no
               where
               to
               be
               found
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               but
               the
               sense
               is
               ,
               
                 That
                 God
                 takes
                 men
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 considers
                 not
                 how
                 
                 evil
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 now
                 they
                 become
                 sincerely
                 good
                 .
              
               This
               the
               Prophet
               Ezekiel
               frequently
               proclaims
               on
               the
               behalf
               of
               God
               ,
               Chap.
               18.
               especially
               vers
               .
               22.
               
               
                 All
                 his
                 sin
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 committed
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 once
                 mentioned
                 against
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 his
                 righteousness
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 live
                 .
              
               For
               as
               if
               men
               apostatize
               from
               hopefull
               and
               vertuous
               beginnings
               ,
               it
               shall
               not
               at
               all
               avail
               them
               that
               they
               set
               out
               well
               ,
               
                 and
                 began
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               whenas
               
                 they
                 end
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
              
               ,
               (
               upon
               which
               account
               it
               is
               a
               very
               vain
               thing
               for
               them
               to
               goe
               about
               to
               comfort
               themselves
               against
               their
               present
               looseness
               ,
               by
               remembring
               the
               time
               of
               their
               conversion
               ,
               and
               the
               great
               passion
               they
               have
               sometime
               had
               for
               Religion
               ,
               but
               which
               now
               they
               have
               apostatized
               from
               ,
               
               
                 having
                 lost
                 their
                 first
                 love
              
               :
               )
               so
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               he
               that
               was
               a
               sinner
               ,
               but
               now
               is
               not
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               is
               now
               sincerely
               returned
               from
               his
               licentiousness
               to
               his
               duty
               ,
               shall
               never
               have
               his
               former
               disobedience
               imputed
               to
               him
               by
               God.
               
            
             
               
                 THIS
                 truth
              
               Philo
               
                 represents
                 handsomly
                 in
                 his
                 Allegorical
                 way
              
               ;
               
               
                 when
                 glossing
                 upon
                 what
                 the
                 Scripture
                 saith
                 of
              
               Enoch
               ,
               After
               his
               translation
               he
               was
               not
               found
               ,
               because
               God
               had
               translated
               him
               ;
               
                 he
                 paraphrases
                 on
                 this
                 manner
              
               :
               God
               (
               
                 saith
                 he
              
               )
               having
               changed
               him
               from
               an
               evil
               to
               a
               vertuous
               man
               ,
               the
               traces
               of
               his
               former
               wickedness
               were
               no
               more
               to
               be
               found
               ,
               then
               if
               no
               such
               thing
               had
               ever
               been
               committed
               .
            
             
               BUT
               this
               gracious
               procedure
               of
               God
               with
               penitent
               sinners
               deserves
               to
               be
               more
               fully
               and
               particularly
               unfolded
               ;
               and
               if
               we
               diligently
               consider
               what
               the
               Scripture
               assures
               us
               of
               the
               greatness
               of
               God's
               pardoning
               mercy
               ,
               we
               shall
               observe
               these
               three
               remarkable
               circumstances
               all
               pregnant
               of
               unspeakable
               consolation
               .
            
             
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 He
                 pardons
                 great
                 and
                 many
                 sins
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 lighter
                 provocations
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 forgives
                 repeated
                 follies
                 ,
                 and
                 relapsed
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 His
                 pardon
                 is
                 full
                 and
                 absolute
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               FIRST
               ,
               amongst
               men
               there
               are
               some
               sins
               that
               are
               scarcely
               (
               if
               at
               all
               )
               thought
               to
               be
               pardonable
               ,
               as
               where
               there
               is
               malice
               and
               treachery
               involved
               in
               the
               fact
               ,
               or
               where
               there
               is
               contumely
               added
               to
               the
               injury
               .
               And
               sometimes
               the
               greatness
               of
               the
               person
               injured
               so
               inhances
               the
               offence
               ;
               as
               that
               it
               is
               not
               thought
               fit
               to
               pardon
               :
               as
               for
               instance
               ,
               in
               Treason
               against
               the
               Supream
               Power
               .
               But
               most
               certainly
               there
               are
               all
               these
               ,
               and
               many
               more
               aggravations
               in
               most
               voluntary
               sins
               committed
               against
               God
               ,
               and
               yet
               he
               pardons
               :
               Exod.
               34.
               7.
               
               
                 He
                 pardons
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 transgression
                 and
                 sin
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
              
               sin
               of
               all
               kinds
               and
               degrees
               whatsoever
               ,
               excepting
               only
               the
               sin
               against
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ;
               which
               our
               Saviour
               hath
               told
               us
               
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 forgiven
              
               .
               And
               that
               sin
               it self
               (
               whatsoever
               it
               consists
               in
               )
               is
               only
               upon
               this
               account
               unpardonable
               ,
               because
               it
               hath
               a
               finally
               impenitent
               temper
               joyned
               with
               it
               ;
               otherwise
               were
               it
               possible
               that
               such
               a
               sinner
               should
               repent
               ,
               there
               would
               be
               no
               doubt
               of
               his
               pardon
               ;
               but
               bating
               that
               peculiar
               case
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               sin
               but
               God
               hath
               pardoned
               and
               will
               pardon
               .
            
             
               I
               will
               not
               take
               upon
               me
               to
               say
               which
               were
               the
               greatest
               sins
               that
               ever
               were
               committed
               by
               mankind
               ;
               but
               I
               will
               instance
               in
               two
               that
               must
               needs
               be
               acknowledged
               to
               have
               been
               very
               great
               ,
               which
               yet
               have
               obtained
               pardon
               ;
               and
               they
               are
               the
               sin
               of
               our
               first
               Parents
               ,
               and
               the
               sin
               of
               the
               Jews
               in
               crucifying
               our
               Saviour
               .
            
             
             
               IN
               the
               former
               of
               these
               there
               was
               the
               breach
               of
               a
               known
               Law
               ,
               and
               that
               so
               newly
               given
               ,
               as
               that
               it
               could
               not
               be
               forgotten
               ;
               and
               it
               was
               also
               an
               easy
               and
               reasonable
               Law
               :
               God
               having
               allowed
               them
               all
               the
               Trees
               in
               the
               Garden
               ,
               and
               laid
               an
               interdict
               only
               upon
               that
               one
               ;
               and
               it
               was
               no
               hard
               matter
               to
               have
               denied
               themselves
               that
               for
               God's
               sake
               ,
               especially
               considering
               they
               came
               newly
               out
               of
               his
               hands
               ,
               and
               saw
               so
               freshly
               the
               display
               of
               his
               power
               and
               wisedom
               in
               the
               Creation
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               had
               so
               many
               and
               great
               instances
               of
               his
               goodness
               towards
               themselves
               :
               besides
               ,
               they
               had
               as
               yet
               no
               vitiated
               faculties
               ,
               nor
               so
               much
               as
               one
               example
               of
               sin
               before
               them
               ,
               but
               that
               of
               the
               Devils
               ,
               which
               they
               had
               seen
               to
               be
               most
               severely
               vindicated
               .
               It
               was
               a
               hard
               thing
               to
               be
               first
               in
               the
               transgression
               ,
               and
               a
               bold
               thing
               to
               venture
               to
               provoke
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               the
               first
               instance
               of
               sin
               to
               all
               posterity
               :
               they
               had
               the
               concern
               of
               all
               mankind
               upon
               them
               ,
               as
               who
               (
               they
               knew
               )
               must
               stand
               or
               fall
               with
               them
               ;
               and
               having
               frequent
               tokens
               of
               God's
               presence
               with
               them
               ,
               to
               sin
               under
               his
               eye
               ,
               and
               to
               hearken
               to
               the
               suggestions
               of
               a
               vile
               Beast
               ,
               the
               Serpent
               ,
               against
               God
               ,
               was
               prodigiously
               strange
               ,
               and
               yet
               they
               did
               it
               ;
               and
               God
               was
               pleased
               to
               pardon
               them
               .
            
             
               IN
               the
               latter
               of
               the
               instances
               ,
               namely
               ,
               the
               Jews
               crucifying
               our
               Saviour
               ;
               besides
               the
               greatness
               of
               the
               Person
               against
               whom
               they
               sinned
               ,
               putting
               to
               death
               
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 glory
                 ,
              
               there
               was
               designed
               malice
               ,
               perjury
               and
               subornation
               ;
               contumely
               towards
               an
               holy
               Person
               ,
               ingratitude
               towards
               one
               that
               had
               done
               them
               all
               the
               good
               they
               were
               capable
               of
               ;
               there
               was
               contradiction
               to
               the
               plainest
               evidence
               of
               miracles
               of
               all
               kinds
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               conviction
               of
               their
               own
               Consciences
               ;
               Notwithstanding
               all
               which
               ,
               the
               same
               St.
               Peter
               who
               ,
               Acts
               2.
               23.
               had
               charged
               them
               home
               in
               these
               
               words
               ,
               
                 Ye
                 men
                 of
                 Israel
                 have
                 with
                 wicked
                 hands
                 crucified
                 and
                 slain
                 Jesus
                 of
                 Nazareth
                 ,
                 a
                 man
                 approved
                 of
                 God
                 among
                 you
                 by
                 miracles
                 ,
                 and
                 wonders
                 ,
                 and
                 signs
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 by
                 him
                 did
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 as
                 ye
                 your selves
                 know
                 ,
              
               &c.
               yet
               in
               the
               38.
               
               Verse
               ,
               he
               exhorts
               the
               same
               men
               to
               repentance
               ,
               and
               to
               
                 be
                 baptized
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 receive
                 remission
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               singular
               favour
               of
               
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
            
             
               TO
               these
               and
               several
               other
               instances
               of
               great
               sins
               (
               which
               might
               easily
               be
               added
               )
               we
               may
               cast
               in
               for
               the
               greater
               evidence
               of
               the
               vastness
               of
               the
               divine
               mercy
               ,
               that
               he
               pardons
               not
               only
               single
               acts
               of
               sin
               ,
               (
               how
               hainous
               soever
               )
               but
               long
               courses
               and
               habits
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               those
               of
               several
               natures
               and
               kinds
               ;
               as
               in
               Manasses
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Publicans
               and
               Harlots
               ;
               but
               that
               we
               may
               rise
               higher
               yet
               in
               admiration
               of
               the
               divine
               clemency
               ,
               we
               observe
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               IN
               the
               second
               place
               ,
               that
               he
               pardons
               also
               relapsed
               sinners
               .
               They
               have
               a
               saying
               ,
               
                 Non
                 licèt
                 in
                 bello
                 his
                 peccare
                 ,
              
               that
               the
               first
               faults
               in
               war
               are
               severely
               vindicated
               ;
               because
               there
               all
               errours
               are
               fatal
               ,
               and
               searce
               leave
               a
               capacity
               of
               being
               repeated
               .
               And
               there
               are
               some
               relations
               so
               near
               and
               intimate
               ,
               and
               their
               ligaments
               so
               nice
               and
               curious
               ,
               that
               a
               breach
               in
               them
               can
               never
               be
               repaired
               to
               knit
               again
               .
               But
               the
               relation
               of
               a
               Father
               ,
               and
               the
               goodness
               of
               a
               God
               ,
               leave
               always
               room
               for
               pardon
               .
               Nay
               further
               ,
               
                 They
                 say
              
               (
               saith
               the
               Prophet
               
                 Jeremiah
                 )
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 put
                 away
                 his
                 Wife
                 ,
                 and
                 she
                 goe
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 become
                 another
                 man's
                 ,
                 shall
                 he
                 return
                 to
                 her
                 again
                 ?
                 But
                 thou
                 (
                 O
                 Israel
                 )
                 hast
                 plaid
                 the
                 harlot
                 with
                 many
                 lovers
                 ,
                 yet
                 return
                 again
                 unto
                 me
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               Jer.
               2.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
            
             
               §
               VI.
               The
               doctrine
               of
               the
               Navatians
               carried
               a
               great
               breadth
               with
               it
               in
               the
               Primitive
               times
               ,
               which
               denied
               
               repentance
               to
               those
               that
               sinned
               after
               Baptism
               ;
               and
               for
               that
               reason
               it
               is
               thought
               many
               holy
               men
               in
               those
               days
               deferred
               their
               Baptism
               as
               long
               as
               they
               could
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               not
               defile
               their
               garments
               ,
               but
               goe
               from
               that
               washing
               unspotted
               out
               of
               the
               world
               .
               The
               opinion
               seemed
               to
               proceed
               from
               extraordinary
               purity
               and
               holiness
               ,
               and
               therefore
               as
               I
               said
               prevailed
               much
               ,
               and
               had
               a
               great
               reputation
               in
               those
               times
               ,
               and
               it
               seems
               it
               took
               its
               rise
               from
               a
               mistake
               of
               a
               passage
               in
               the
               Epistle
               to
               the
               
                 Hebrews
                 ,
                 Chap.
              
               6.
               4.
               
               However
               ,
               it
               was
               damned
               by
               the
               most
               learned
               and
               holy
               Fathers
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               and
               particularly
               St.
               Basil
               and
               
                 Gr.
                 Nazianzen
              
               call
               it
               a
               damnable
               doctrine
               ,
               and
               destructive
               of
               Souls
               ,
               in
               that
               it
               discouraged
               and
               kept
               men
               off
               from
               repentance
               ,
               which
               God
               is
               always
               ready
               to
               admit
               of
               if
               it
               be
               sincere
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               we
               have
               before
               described
               .
            
             
               IT
               is
               true
               which
               Clemens
               of
               Alexandria
               hath
               said
               ,
               
               that
               to
               make
               a
               common
               practice
               of
               sinning
               ,
               and
               then
               pretending
               repentance
               ,
               (
               as
               if
               we
               would
               give
               God
               and
               the
               Devil
               their
               turns
               )
               is
               an
               argument
               both
               of
               an
               impenitent
               and
               unbelieving
               temper
               ;
               for
               as
               he
               saith
               afterwards
               ,
               *
               
                 These
                 frequent
                 repentances
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 of
                 course
                 ,
                 betray
                 rather
                 an
                 intention
                 of
                 sinning
                 again
                 ,
                 then
                 any
                 design
                 of
                 leaving
                 it
                 ,
              
               and
               therefore
               find
               no
               acceptance
               with
               God.
               And
               it
               is
               also
               certain
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               that
               hath
               frequently
               relapsed
               ,
               having
               thereby
               exceedingly
               multiplied
               his
               guilt
               ,
               must
               needs
               feel
               very
               bitter
               pangs
               and
               sharp
               remorse
               when
               he
               doth
               return
               ,
               and
               will
               be
               ever
               after
               very
               apt
               to
               question
               his
               own
               sincerity
               ;
               and
               which
               is
               worse
               ,
               it
               is
               to
               be
               feared
               ,
               that
               like
               as
               it
               is
               with
               bones
               which
               have
               been
               often
               out
               and
               set
               again
               ,
               they
               will
               be
               very
               apt
               to
               slip
               awry
               ;
               so
               this
               person
               will
               be
               justly
               looked
               upon
               as
               in
               great
               danger
               ,
               and
               therefore
               hath
               a
               necessity
               of
               extraordinary
               
               watchfullness
               over
               himself
               .
               But
               notwithstanding
               all
               this
               ,
               if
               such
               a
               man
               ,
               after
               several
               falls
               and
               slips
               shall
               stand
               right
               and
               firm
               at
               last
               ,
               and
               demonstrate
               the
               truth
               of
               his
               now
               penitent
               state
               by
               the
               following
               course
               of
               an
               holy
               life
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               question
               to
               be
               made
               of
               his
               acceptance
               with
               a
               mercifull
               God.
               For
               God
               doth
               not
               proceed
               with
               men
               upon
               such
               terms
               as
               we
               do
               ,
               our
               passions
               are
               stirred
               many
               times
               ,
               and
               the
               provocation
               is
               too
               great
               for
               us
               to
               be
               able
               to
               concoct
               ;
               but
               he
               is
               pure
               mind
               and
               reason
               ,
               hath
               no
               boiling
               passion
               ,
               no
               revenge
               ,
               seeks
               only
               the
               good
               of
               his
               Creatures
               ,
               and
               so
               they
               become
               at
               last
               capable
               of
               his
               favour
               and
               blessing
               ;
               he
               is
               contented
               ,
               and
               hath
               his
               end
               .
               Besides
               ,
               he
               that
               hath
               made
               it
               our
               duty
               ,
               
               that
               as
               often
               as
               our
               Brother
               offends
               against
               us
               and
               repents
               ,
               so
               often
               we
               should
               forgive
               him
               ,
               doth
               not
               certainly
               intend
               to
               be
               outdone
               by
               us
               in
               mercy
               the
               most
               glorious
               of
               all
               his
               attributes
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               God's
               pardon
               of
               sin
               upon
               repentance
               is
               full
               and
               compleat
               without
               any
               reservation
               ;
               he
               retains
               no
               old
               grudge
               ,
               hath
               no
               concealed
               spite
               ,
               never
               rips
               up
               the
               old
               quarrel
               ,
               never
               upbraids
               men
               with
               former
               follies
               ,
               but
               casts
               all
               behind
               him
               ,
               and
               buries
               them
               in
               oblivion
               .
               It
               is
               not
               usually
               thus
               with
               men
               ,
               they
               have
               a
               distinction
               ,
               
                 they
                 will
                 forgive
              
               (
               they
               say
               )
               
                 but
                 not
                 forget
              
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               common
               with
               Princes
               to
               seem
               to
               pardon
               only
               till
               they
               have
               opportunity
               of
               a
               full
               revenge
               .
               It
               was
               strange
               that
               a
               man
               of
               such
               sincerity
               as
               David
               should
               have
               such
               a
               reserve
               ,
               and
               yet
               so
               it
               was
               ,
               that
               after
               he
               had
               promised
               and
               sworn
               to
               Shimei
               ,
               that
               he
               
                 should
                 not
                 die
              
               ,
               2
               Sam.
               19.
               23.
               notwithstanding
               1
               King.
               2.
               9.
               
               He
               gives
               it
               in
               charge
               to
               his
               Son
               and
               Successor
               Solomon
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               
                 not
                 suffer
                 his
                 hoary
                 head
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 grave
                 without
                 blood
                 .
              
               But
               it
               is
               not
               thus
               with
               God
               ,
               his
               acts
               of
               grace
               are
               without
               repentance
               on
               his
               part
               ,
               he
               never
               retracts
               or
               revokes
               them
               ,
               never
               clogs
               them
               
               with
               conditions
               ,
               nor
               finds
               out
               evasions
               afterwards
               ;
               if
               he
               pardon
               ,
               all
               is
               well
               and
               secure
               ,
               he
               will
               never
               depart
               from
               it
               ,
               unless
               the
               sinner
               depart
               from
               his
               repentance
               ,
               and
               so
               exclude
               himself
               from
               pardon
               .
            
             
               THE
               Italians
               have
               a
               proverbial
               saying
               ,
               that
               they
               will
               forgive
               an
               enemy
               ,
               but
               never
               trust
               him
               ;
               for
               fashion
               sake
               they
               will
               seem
               to
               forgive
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               they
               will
               cease
               to
               quarrel
               ,
               or
               they
               will
               not
               directly
               revenge
               themselves
               ,
               but
               they
               will
               only
               rake
               up
               the
               fire
               in
               its
               own
               ashes
               ;
               they
               will
               retain
               a
               perpetual
               jealousy
               of
               such
               a
               person
               ,
               and
               malign
               him
               ;
               it
               shall
               not
               be
               said
               they
               hate
               him
               ,
               but
               it
               shall
               appear
               they
               do
               not
               love
               him
               .
            
             
               THUS
               like
               those
               long
               burning
               Lamps
               which
               have
               been
               discovered
               in
               old
               monuments
               ,
               whilst
               they
               are
               kept
               close
               under
               ground
               they
               burn
               more
               slowly
               ,
               but
               so
               much
               the
               more
               lastingly
               .
               So
               men
               suppressing
               only
               their
               passion
               perpetuate
               it
               ;
               whereas
               perhaps
               it
               was
               more
               desirable
               they
               should
               give
               it
               vent
               that
               so
               it
               might
               expire
               .
               But
               God
               is
               not
               of
               a
               vindictive
               nature
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               shewed
               before
               ,
               he
               needs
               not
               conceal
               his
               anger
               ,
               because
               he
               can
               execute
               it
               when
               he
               will
               ,
               and
               there
               can
               lie
               no
               necessity
               upon
               his
               affairs
               to
               tempt
               him
               to
               pretend
               reconciliation
               when
               it
               is
               not
               cordial
               ;
               no
               ,
               he
               is
               a
               God
               of
               peace
               and
               of
               truth
               ,
               his
               mercies
               are
               as
               the
               great
               mountains
               ,
               stable
               and
               firm
               ,
               those
               repent
               he
               pardons
               ,
               and
               those
               whom
               he
               pardons
               he
               loves
               ,
               and
               those
               he
               loves
               ,
               he
               will
               trust
               and
               admit
               them
               to
               honour
               ,
               and
               treat
               them
               as
               friends
               ,
               with
               the
               greatest
               security
               and
               confidence
               .
               By
               this
               means
               he
               demonstrates
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               own
               mind
               ,
               the
               largeness
               of
               his
               heart
               ,
               and
               the
               infallibility
               of
               his
               wisedom
               ;
               that
               he
               is
               above
               fear
               ,
               and
               above
               surprizal
               ;
               hereby
               he
               assures
               the
               great
               value
               he
               hath
               for
               true
               goodness
               ,
               that
               it
               alone
               ,
               and
               nothing
               else
               comparably
               
               sways
               with
               him
               :
               and
               hereby
               he
               lays
               the
               mightiest
               obligations
               upon
               men
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               
               and
               to
               persevere
               so
               .
               Thus
               Augustus
               made
               Herod
               of
               a
               formidable
               enemy
               become
               a
               faithfull
               friend
               ,
               
               and
               several
               others
               have
               made
               the
               like
               experiment
               .
               And
               now
               this
               would
               lead
               me
               immediately
               to
               the
               second
               Stage
               of
               this
               part
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               namely
               ,
               the
               accumulative
               kindness
               the
               Father
               shews
               to
               the
               Son
               ;
               but
               I
               will
               crave
               the
               Readers
               patience
               a
               little
               whilst
               I
               make
               a
               few
               practical
               reflections
               upon
               this
               we
               have
               said
               already
               .
            
             
               §
               VII
               .
               And
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               besides
               all
               we
               have
               yet
               behind
               ,
               this
               that
               we
               have
               discoursed
               hitherto
               represents
               to
               us
               the
               blessed
               and
               comfortable
               condition
               of
               justification
               and
               peace
               with
               God.
               
                 O
                 blessed
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 whose
                 transgression
                 is
                 forgiven
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 sin
                 is
                 covered
                 .
                 Blessed
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 Lord
                 imputeth
                 not
                 iniquity
                 ,
              
               Psal
               .
               32.
               1
               ,
               2.
               
            
             
               TO
               have
               all
               a
               man's
               debts
               cancelled
               ,
               his
               follies
               past
               over
               and
               buried
               in
               forgetfullness
               ,
               his
               deformities
               covered
               ,
               his
               Conscience
               quieted
               ,
               and
               the
               light
               of
               God's
               countenance
               to
               shine
               upon
               him
               ;
               to
               have
               no
               frightfull
               reflection
               upon
               what
               is
               past
               ,
               no
               dismal
               prospect
               of
               what
               is
               to
               come
               ,
               no
               old
               story
               ripped
               up
               ,
               no
               former
               quarrel
               revived
               ,
               no
               latent
               displeasure
               ,
               no
               rancour
               nor
               jealousy
               harboured
               against
               us
               :
               This
               must
               needs
               fill
               a
               man
               with
               chearfullness
               in
               all
               conditions
               ,
               and
               bear
               him
               up
               above
               all
               adversities
               ,
               above
               poverty
               ,
               reproach
               ,
               sickness
               ,
               confinement
               ,
               and
               whatsoever
               can
               befall
               us
               in
               this
               world
               .
               Such
               a
               man
               shall
               not
               need
               to
               resort
               to
               drink
               and
               jollity
               ,
               to
               relax
               his
               thoughts
               ,
               to
               divert
               his
               anxiety
               ,
               to
               bear
               up
               his
               spirit
               ;
               he
               hath
               comfort
               from
               within
               ,
               a
               continual
               feast
               in
               his
               own
               Conscience
               .
               
                 Who
                 shall
                 lay
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 his
                 charge
                 ?
                 it
                 
                 is
                 God
                 which
                 justifieth
                 :
                 Who
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 condemneth
                 ?
                 it
                 is
                 Christ
                 that
                 died
                 ,
                 —
                 Who
                 shall
                 separate
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 shall
                 tribulation
                 ,
                 or
                 distress
                 ,
              
               &c.
               Rom.
               8.
               33
               ,
               34
               ,
               35.
               
               The
               sting
               of
               all
               these
               things
               is
               taken
               out
               ,
               since
               God
               hath
               pardoned
               his
               sin
               .
            
             
               BUT
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               when
               a
               man
               knows
               God
               is
               angry
               with
               him
               ,
               and
               his
               own
               Conscience
               upbraids
               and
               dogs
               him
               ,
               the
               sad
               remembrance
               of
               his
               many
               provocations
               terrify
               him
               ,
               and
               the
               fearfull
               expectation
               of
               wrath
               to
               come
               alarms
               him
               ;
               he
               must
               needs
               be
               in
               a
               case
               like
               that
               of
               Belshazzar
               ,
               
               when
               the
               fingers
               of
               an
               hand
               were
               seen
               writing
               upon
               the
               wall
               over
               him
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               all
               his
               jollity
               ,
               
                 His
                 countenance
                 was
                 changed
                 ,
                 his
                 thoughts
                 were
                 troubled
                 ,
                 the
                 joints
                 of
                 his
                 loins
                 were
                 loosed
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 knees
                 smote
                 one
                 against
                 another
                 .
              
               All
               the
               entertainments
               of
               sense
               do
               little
               in
               this
               case
               ;
               nay
               ,
               they
               are
               flat
               and
               insipid
               ,
               and
               the
               smiles
               of
               the
               world
               no
               whit
               chear
               a
               man
               so
               long
               as
               God
               frowns
               upon
               him
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               an
               ingenious
               device
               whereby
               a
               Gentleman
               of
               this
               Nation
               represented
               his
               condition
               in
               a
               public
               entertainment
               at
               Court
               ;
               he
               sets
               out
               a
               Ship
               bitterly
               opprest
               by
               a
               tempest
               ,
               and
               ready
               to
               perish
               under
               its
               difficulties
               ;
               and
               in
               the
               mean
               while
               a
               Rain-bow
               appearing
               ,
               towards
               which
               this
               word
               is
               addressed
               ,
               
                 quid
                 tu
                 si
                 pereo
                 ?
                 q.
                 d.
                 
              
               
                 What
                 am
                 I
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 hopes
                 and
                 smiles
                 ,
                 for
                 Court
                 favour
                 and
                 countenance
                 ,
                 whilst
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 my
                 condition
                 admits
                 no
                 delay
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 ruined
                 in
                 my
                 private
                 fortunes
                 ?
              
            
             
               BUT
               as
               the
               torments
               of
               guilt
               are
               incomparably
               more
               severe
               then
               the
               afflictions
               of
               outward
               fortune
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               far
               more
               unreasonable
               to
               think
               to
               allay
               them
               by
               the
               blandishments
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               then
               the
               other
               by
               Court
               Holy
               Water
               .
               No
               ,
               it
               is
               nothing
               but
               God's
               mercy
               in
               the
               pardon
               of
               sin
               that
               can
               alleviate
               the
               troubles
               ,
               
               and
               abate
               the
               anguish
               of
               Conscience
               ;
               and
               when
               he
               is
               pleased
               upon
               repentance
               to
               do
               that
               ,
               then
               he
               saith
               to
               the
               Soul
               ,
               as
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               said
               to
               the
               Paralytick
               ,
               Matth.
               9.
               2.
               
               
                 Son
                 be
                 of
                 good
                 chear
                 ,
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 forgiven
                 thee
              
               ;
               or
               as
               the
               same
               our
               Saviour
               to
               
                 Zaccheus
                 ,
                 This
                 day
                 is
                 salvation
                 come
                 to
                 thy
                 house
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               SECONDLY
               ,
               since
               God
               pardons
               sinners
               in
               that
               ample
               manner
               we
               have
               before
               exprest
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               so
               frankly
               as
               that
               neither
               the
               greatness
               ,
               multitude
               ,
               repetition
               ,
               or
               other
               aggravation
               of
               sin
               hinders
               him
               ;
               and
               so
               fully
               as
               that
               no
               old
               score
               remains
               upon
               record
               against
               the
               Penitent
               :
               it
               may
               raise
               in
               us
               great
               admiration
               of
               his
               infinite
               goodness
               ,
               beget
               the
               most
               amiable
               notions
               of
               him
               in
               our
               minds
               ,
               and
               provoke
               us
               to
               love
               him
               with
               all
               our
               hearts
               .
               So
               our
               Saviour
               concludes
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               that
               where
               most
               is
               forgiven
               ,
               there
               must
               undoubtedly
               lie
               the
               greatest
               obligations
               of
               love
               and
               gratitude
               .
               The
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               Rom.
               5.
               7.
               
               
                 That
                 scarcely
                 for
                 a
                 righteous
                 man
                 will
                 one
                 die
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 good
                 man
                 some
                 would
                 even
                 dare
                 to
                 die
                 .
              
               All
               God's
               Attributes
               of
               power
               ,
               and
               wisedom
               ,
               and
               holiness
               ,
               are
               very
               amiable
               and
               lovely
               ,
               but
               this
               of
               his
               goodness
               in
               forgiving
               sins
               comes
               most
               home
               to
               us
               ,
               in
               that
               he
               doth
               not
               rigidly
               insist
               on
               his
               own
               right
               ,
               but
               comply
               with
               our
               necessity
               ,
               and
               relieve
               our
               misery
               .
               To
               give
               and
               bestow
               benefits
               upon
               us
               is
               goodness
               ,
               but
               to
               forgive
               is
               greater
               ,
               because
               here
               he
               divests
               himself
               of
               his
               own
               right
               ,
               recedes
               from
               his
               own
               claim
               ,
               and
               that
               for
               our
               unspeakable
               benefit
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               he
               seems
               not
               to
               consider
               himself
               but
               us
               only
               ,
               in
               the
               dispensations
               of
               his
               mercy
               :
               he
               is
               as
               good
               as
               good
               can
               be
               ,
               and
               therefore
               there
               is
               all
               the
               reason
               in
               the
               world
               that
               we
               should
               love
               him
               as
               much
               as
               is
               possible
               .
               And
               one
               of
               the
               best
               and
               most
               acceptable
               ways
               of
               expressing
               that
               is
               that
               which
               .
            
             
             
             
             
             
             
               3.
               
               THIRDLY
               ,
               I
               make
               a
               third
               inference
               ,
               viz.
               that
               we
               imitate
               this
               goodness
               and
               mercifullness
               of
               his
               ;
               this
               is
               prest
               upon
               us
               by
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               
                 Be
                 ye
                 mercifull
                 as
                 your
                 Father
                 in
                 Heaven
                 is
                 mercifull
                 .
              
               It
               is
               said
               of
               Cato
               that
               the
               strict
               sanctity
               of
               his
               own
               life
               made
               him
               a
               severe
               and
               rigid
               Magistrate
               ;
               he
               knew
               not
               how
               to
               pardon
               in
               other
               men
               what
               he
               would
               not
               permit
               in
               himself
               .
               If
               God
               who
               is
               a
               holy
               and
               immaculate
               Being
               should
               severely
               animadvert
               our
               failings
               ,
               we
               could
               not
               blame
               him
               though
               we
               were
               undone
               by
               it
               ;
               nay
               ,
               it
               ought
               to
               be
               the
               greatest
               wonder
               to
               us
               in
               the
               whole
               world
               that
               he
               doth
               not
               do
               so
               ,
               considering
               the
               greatness
               of
               his
               Majesty
               ,
               the
               justice
               and
               wisedom
               of
               his
               Laws
               ,
               and
               such
               other
               things
               of
               this
               nature
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               formerly
               represented
               .
               But
               it
               is
               the
               most
               absurd
               thing
               in
               nature
               ,
               that
               we
               who
               are
               great
               offenders
               our selves
               ,
               that
               have
               infinite
               need
               of
               mercy
               at
               God's
               hands
               ,
               that
               we
               should
               be
               cruel
               and
               vindictive
               towards
               each
               other
               ;
               that
               God
               should
               cover
               our
               follies
               ,
               and
               we
               blazon
               those
               of
               other
               men
               ;
               shall
               he
               pardon
               us
               worms
               ,
               and
               we
               be
               remorsless
               towards
               our
               Brethren
               ?
               doth
               he
               consider
               humane
               infirmity
               ,
               bind
               up
               the
               wounds
               of
               the
               contrite
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               leave
               no
               scar
               or
               blemish
               behind
               of
               all
               their
               former
               miscarriages
               ?
               and
               do
               we
               rake
               in
               the
               wounds
               ,
               proclaim
               the
               follies
               ,
               uncover
               the
               nakedness
               and
               shame
               of
               our
               neighbour
               ?
               is
               it
               tolerable
               for
               us
               to
               equal
               our selves
               with
               God
               ?
               or
               are
               offences
               greater
               against
               us
               then
               against
               him
               ?
               shall
               we
               dare
               to
               do
               what
               we
               dare
               not
               wish
               should
               be
               done
               to
               us
               ?
               
                 Do
                 not
                 we
                 pray
                 ,
                 Enter
                 not
                 into
                 judgment
                 with
                 thy
                 Servants
                 ?
              
               &c.
               and
               confess
               ,
               
                 That
                 if
                 God
                 be
                 extream
                 to
                 mark
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 done
                 amiss
                 ,
                 that
                 none
                 can
                 abide
                 it
              
               ;
               and
               do
               we
               scrupulously
               weigh
               ,
               severely
               aggravate
               ,
               and
               rigorously
               animadvert
               the
               sins
               of
               others
               against
               our selves
               ?
               doth
               God
               forgive
               us
               
               by
               talents
               ,
               and
               we
               unmercifully
               exact
               the
               utmost
               farthing
               ?
            
             
               INDEED
               ,
               we
               may
               observe
               it
               to
               be
               the
               genius
               and
               custom
               of
               evil
               men
               ,
               to
               remember
               invidiously
               the
               faults
               which
               penitent
               men
               have
               forsaken
               ,
               to
               the
               end
               that
               they
               may
               revenge
               themselves
               upon
               them
               for
               that
               change
               which
               condemns
               their
               own
               obstinate
               perseverance
               in
               such
               courses
               ;
               or
               as
               hoping
               to
               excuse
               or
               justify
               their
               constant
               naughtiness
               ,
               by
               remarking
               the
               temporary
               compliance
               of
               those
               other
               with
               them
               ,
               whose
               contrary
               course
               now
               shames
               and
               reproaches
               them
               :
               But
               it
               is
               quite
               otherwise
               with
               all
               good
               men
               ,
               they
               partly
               out
               of
               a
               sense
               of
               humanity
               ,
               partly
               to
               incourage
               men
               to
               repentance
               ,
               and
               partly
               also
               to
               confirm
               and
               secure
               such
               as
               have
               repented
               from
               all
               temptations
               to
               apostasy
               ,
               draw
               a
               curtain
               over
               their
               former
               misdemeanours
               ,
               and
               forget
               what
               they
               have
               forsaken
               and
               God
               hath
               forgiven
               ;
               therefore
               if
               we
               will
               either
               take
               pattern
               by
               God
               or
               them
               ,
               we
               ought
               to
               doe
               so
               too
               .
            
             
               LASTLY
               ,
               but
               above
               all
               the
               rest
               ,
               the
               consideration
               of
               God's
               pardon
               ,
               and
               the
               egregious
               circumstances
               thereof
               ,
               should
               be
               a
               mighty
               incouragement
               to
               all
               sinners
               to
               repentance
               ;
               when
               we
               remember
               how
               gracious
               a
               Father
               we
               grieve
               by
               a
               willfull
               destroying
               of
               our selves
               ,
               how
               much
               he
               pities
               us
               ,
               and
               longs
               for
               our
               return
               ;
               what
               a
               serene
               countenance
               ,
               hearty
               welcome
               ,
               full
               pardon
               ,
               gracious
               reception
               ;
               and
               how
               innumerable
               and
               inestimable
               blessings
               we
               shall
               have
               poured
               out
               upon
               us
               at
               our
               so
               doing
               .
               And
               this
               brings
               me
               again
               to
               the
               second
               part
               of
               the
               penitent
               Son's
               entertainment
               ,
               to
               which
               therefore
               I
               now
               proceed
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               II.
               
            
             
               Of
               Sanctification
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     What
                     is
                     meant
                     by
                     the
                     best
                     Robe
                     :
                     and
                     that
                     it
                     is
                     the
                     usual
                     phrase
                     of
                     Scripture
                     to
                     set
                     out
                     the
                     ornaments
                     of
                     the
                     mind
                     by
                     those
                     of
                     the
                     body
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     Sanctification
                     (
                     in
                     different
                     respects
                     )
                     both
                     goes
                     before
                     ,
                     and
                     follows
                     after
                     Justification
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     Three
                     remarkable
                     differences
                     betwixt
                     the
                     measure
                     of
                     Sanctification
                     which
                     God
                     requires
                     ,
                     and
                     that
                     which
                     he
                     accepts
                     for
                     the
                     present
                     :
                     or
                     the
                     different
                     stature
                     of
                     Grace
                     before
                     Justification
                     and
                     after
                     it
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     The
                     ways
                     by
                     which
                     God
                     works
                     men
                     up
                     to
                     those
                     higher
                     measures
                     of
                     Sanctification
                     which
                     he
                     requires
                     .
                     As
                     1.
                     
                     By
                     mighty
                     obligation
                     ,
                     working
                     upon
                     their
                     gratitude
                     and
                     ingenuity
                     .
                     2.
                     
                     By
                     the
                     efficacy
                     of
                     Faith.
                     
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     By
                     the
                     gift
                     of
                     the
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               §
               1.
               
               THERE
               is
               a
               never
               failing
               spring
               of
               kindness
               and
               good
               will
               in
               Parents
               towards
               their
               Children
               ,
               which
               flows
               with
               that
               life
               and
               vigour
               that
               nothing
               is
               able
               to
               dam
               it
               up
               or
               interrupt
               it
               so
               ,
               but
               that
               if
               it
               be
               obstructed
               one
               way
               ,
               it
               breaks
               out
               and
               discovers
               it self
               another
               .
               If
               the
               Children
               prove
               singularly
               good
               and
               vertuous
               ,
               then
               paternal
               affection
               bears
               a
               mighty
               stream
               ,
               overflows
               all
               its
               banks
               ;
               the
               Parents
               feel
               an
               unspeakable
               delight
               and
               satisfaction
               ,
               and
               their
               Children
               are
               then
               the
               Crown
               of
               their
               age
               ,
               their
               joy
               and
               triumph
               .
               If
               
               they
               happen
               to
               be
               but
               tolerable
               ,
               they
               are
               ready
               to
               interpret
               all
               to
               the
               best
               ,
               and
               prone
               to
               heap
               blessings
               and
               kindnesses
               upon
               them
               .
               And
               if
               they
               degenerate
               and
               prove
               very
               bad
               and
               undutifull
               ,
               this
               though
               it
               checks
               the
               tide
               ,
               yet
               cannot
               divert
               the
               current
               ;
               for
               at
               worst
               they
               cannot
               cease
               to
               pity
               them
               .
               There
               is
               in
               like
               manner
               an
               everlasting
               propension
               in
               Almighty
               God
               to
               do
               good
               to
               men
               ,
               insomuch
               that
               when
               they
               are
               very
               bad
               he
               pities
               them
               ;
               as
               soon
               as
               they
               begin
               to
               be
               good
               he
               loves
               and
               blesses
               them
               ,
               but
               when
               they
               become
               generously
               vertuous
               and
               holy
               ,
               he
               takes
               complacency
               in
               them
               ;
               and
               all
               these
               different
               degrees
               of
               divine
               favour
               we
               have
               lively
               represented
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Parable
               before
               us
               .
               But
               we
               are
               now
               upon
               the
               second
               of
               them
               ,
               namely
               ,
               the
               great
               and
               singular
               blessings
               which
               the
               Father
               frankly
               bestows
               upon
               his
               Son
               now
               that
               he
               hath
               repented
               of
               his
               extravagancy
               ,
               and
               is
               reconciled
               to
               him
               .
               And
               under
               this
               rank
               we
               may
               reckon
               these
               three
               special
               instances
               .
            
             
               FIRST
               ,
               whereas
               the
               Father
               observed
               his
               Son
               to
               return
               in
               a
               very
               pitifull
               plight
               ,
               either
               quite
               naked
               ,
               or
               at
               most
               covered
               with
               rags
               ;
               he
               therefore
               calls
               for
               the
               best
               Robe
               and
               puts
               it
               on
               him
               ,
               that
               not
               only
               necessity
               may
               be
               provided
               for
               ,
               and
               his
               nakedness
               covered
               ,
               but
               he
               will
               have
               him
               appear
               in
               an
               equipage
               suitable
               to
               the
               Son
               of
               such
               a
               Father
               .
            
             
               AGAIN
               Secondly
               ,
               whereas
               the
               Son
               in
               contemplation
               of
               his
               present
               distress
               and
               former
               miscarriages
               ,
               had
               no
               higher
               ambition
               then
               to
               be
               admitted
               into
               the
               condition
               of
               an
               hired
               Servant
               ;
               now
               the
               Father
               on
               the
               other
               side
               will
               have
               him
               adorned
               with
               the
               Ensigns
               of
               a
               person
               of
               quality
               ,
               and
               of
               a
               Son
               ,
               and
               therefore
               puts
               a
               
                 Ring
                 on
                 his
                 Hand
              
               which
               hath
               in
               all
               Ages
               ,
               and
               amongst
               most
               Nations
               been
               used
               to
               denote
               either
               eminent
               quality
               ,
               or
               singular
               favor
               .
            
             
             
               THIRDLY
               ,
               the
               Son
               in
               the
               time
               of
               his
               rebellion
               ,
               amongst
               other
               misfortunes
               became
               a
               slave
               (
               as
               we
               have
               observed
               before
               )
               and
               amongst
               most
               Nations
               it
               hath
               been
               the
               custom
               for
               such
               to
               goe
               bare-foot
               ,
               and
               only
               Freemen
               to
               be
               shod
               ;
               now
               the
               Father
               in
               token
               of
               his
               Son's
               emancipation
               ,
               commands
               
                 to
                 put
                 shooes
                 on
                 his
                 feet
                 .
              
            
             
               ALL
               which
               three
               things
               together
               amount
               to
               this
               ,
               That
               the
               Father
               having
               forgiven
               his
               Son
               upon
               his
               submission
               and
               return
               ,
               now
               puts
               him
               into
               as
               good
               a
               condition
               in
               all
               respects
               as
               he
               was
               in
               before
               his
               rebellion
               .
               And
               from
               thence
               according
               to
               the
               Analogy
               of
               the
               Parable
               we
               may
               infer
               ,
               that
               our
               Heavenly
               Father
               upon
               the
               sincere
               repentance
               of
               sinners
               is
               so
               fully
               reconciled
               to
               them
               ,
               that
               they
               stand
               upon
               the
               same
               terms
               with
               him
               as
               if
               they
               had
               never
               sinned
               ;
               they
               are
               restored
               to
               as
               good
               a
               condition
               as
               that
               of
               Adam
               in
               innocency
               .
               And
               we
               might
               content
               our selves
               with
               this
               general
               application
               ,
               but
               that
               St.
               Chrysostom
               ,
               St.
               Jerom
               ,
               St.
               
                 Austin
                 ,
                 Theophylact
              
               ,
               and
               the
               generality
               of
               the
               Ancients
               carry
               it
               further
               ,
               and
               make
               a
               particular
               interpretation
               of
               these
               several
               passages
               ;
               in
               conformity
               to
               whose
               judgments
               we
               will
               thus
               render
               the
               meaning
               of
               the
               three
               aforesaid
               favours
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 By
                 the
                 best
                 Robe
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 understood
                 the
                 excellent
                 ornament
                 of
                 more
                 compleat
                 holiness
                 and
                 fuller
                 Sanctification
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 works
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 bestows
                 upon
                 a
                 sinner
                 upon
                 his
                 reconciliation
                 to
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 By
                 the
                 Ring
                 is
                 intimated
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 conferred
                 upon
                 those
                 men
                 that
                 are
                 justified
                 and
                 sanctified
                 as
                 the
                 pledge
                 of
                 their
                 adoption
                 ,
                 and
                 earnest
                 of
                 their
                 inheritance
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   By
                   the
                   Shooes
                   ,
                   the
                   honour
                   of
                   being
                   imployed
                   in
                   the
                   service
                   of
                   God
                   for
                   the
                   drawing
                   others
                   home
                   to
                   him
                   .
                
                 The
                 
                 grounds
                 of
                 which
                 interpretations
                 I
                 will
                 assign
                 as
                 I
                 handle
                 the
                 particulars
                 severally
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 begin
                 with
                 the
                 first
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 THE
                 Best
                 Robe
                 ,
                 Stolam
              
               (
               saith
               St.
               
                 Jerom
                 )
                 quam
              
               Adam
               
                 peccando
                 perdiderat
                 ,
                 stolam
                 quae
                 in
                 alia
                 parabola
                 dicitur
                 indumentum
                 nuptiale
                 ,
                 The
                 Robe
                 which
              
               Adam
               
                 lost
                 when
                 he
                 sinned
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 defect
                 of
                 which
                 he
                 covered
                 himself
                 with
                 Fig-leaves
                 ,
                 that
                 Robe
                 which
                 in
                 another
                 Parable
                 is
                 called
                 the
                 Wedding
                 Garment
                 .
              
               
               And
               St.
               Chrysostom
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               &c.
               
                 The
                 Garment
                 of
                 an
                 heavenly
                 contexture
                 ,
                 the
                 white
                 Robe
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 cloathed
                 with
                 that
                 are
                 baptized
                 with
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 and
                 with
                 Fire
              
               ;
               agreeably
               herewith
               Theophylact
               ,
               
                 the
                 best
                 or
                 first
                 Robe
              
               ,
               (
               for
               so
               the
               Greek
               word
               in
               the
               Text
               imports
               )
               that
               is
               ,
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 the
                 ancient
                 Robe
              
               ,
               which
               we
               wore
               before
               we
               sinned
               ,
               that
               which
               the
               Scripture
               means
               when
               it
               saith
               
                 put
                 ye
                 on
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               put
               ye
               off
               the
               old
               vicious
               habits
               and
               practises
               ,
               and
               imitate
               the
               example
               of
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               ,
               and
               put
               on
               the
               holy
               temper
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               WHOSOEVER
               hath
               been
               ever
               so
               little
               conversant
               in
               the
               Holy
               Scripture
               ,
               cannot
               but
               have
               observed
               it
               to
               be
               the
               usual
               stile
               thereof
               ,
               to
               denote
               both
               the
               inward
               qualities
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               and
               the
               outward
               accustomary
               actions
               of
               the
               life
               by
               the
               garments
               of
               the
               body
               ;
               and
               it
               would
               be
               unnecessary
               ,
               and
               therefore
               tedious
               ,
               to
               recite
               the
               many
               passages
               there
               to
               be
               found
               to
               that
               purpose
               .
               But
               I
               cannot
               omit
               that
               in
               the
               Revelations
               ,
               Chap.
               19.
               
               Vers
               .
               8.
               
               
                 To
                 her
                 was
                 given
                 to
                 be
                 arrayed
                 in
                 fine
                 linnen
                 ,
                 clean
                 and
                 white
                 ,
                 for
                 white
                 linnen
                 is
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 Saints
                 .
              
               By
               the
               Woman
               is
               there
               meant
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ
               ,
               called
               the
               Lamb's
               wife
               ,
               whose
               ornaments
               are
               righteousness
               
               and
               holiness
               ,
               and
               they
               are
               metaphorically
               represented
               by
               white
               garments
               .
            
             
               AND
               if
               we
               consider
               all
               the
               uses
               of
               Garments
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               more
               exactly
               corresponds
               therewith
               ,
               nor
               more
               fit
               to
               be
               figuratively
               expressed
               by
               allusion
               to
               them
               ,
               then
               holy
               and
               vertuous
               qualifications
               .
               For
               if
               Garments
               are
               used
               for
               distinction
               ,
               what
               makes
               a
               greater
               and
               truer
               distinction
               betwixt
               man
               and
               man
               then
               their
               lives
               and
               tempers
               ?
               It
               is
               not
               being
               high
               or
               low
               ,
               rich
               or
               poor
               ,
               noble
               or
               ignoble
               ,
               learned
               or
               idiotical
               ,
               which
               makes
               so
               great
               a
               difference
               betwixt
               them
               ;
               as
               when
               one
               is
               good
               and
               vertuous
               ,
               and
               another
               vicious
               and
               prophane
               .
            
             
               IF
               Garments
               are
               for
               ornament
               ,
               and
               to
               cover
               our
               uncomeliness
               ,
               what
               is
               there
               represents
               a
               man
               more
               lovely
               and
               beautifull
               then
               the
               ornament
               of
               a
               quiet
               mind
               ,
               a
               just
               temper
               ,
               an
               holy
               life
               ?
               and
               what
               disguises
               and
               deforms
               men
               like
               to
               vice
               and
               debauchery
               ?
            
             
               IF
               again
               ,
               Garments
               are
               for
               defence
               against
               the
               injuries
               of
               weather
               ,
               and
               other
               accidents
               ,
               what
               is
               there
               that
               gives
               a
               man
               that
               security
               and
               confidence
               which
               innocency
               of
               life
               and
               sincere
               piety
               affords
               him
               ?
               and
               on
               the
               other
               side
               ,
               what
               exposes
               and
               lays
               a
               man
               open
               to
               all
               the
               calamities
               of
               this
               life
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               in
               the
               world
               to
               come
               ,
               but
               naughty
               and
               evil
               practises
               ,
               proceeding
               from
               a
               corrupt
               and
               vicious
               temper
               ?
               Wherefore
               there
               is
               both
               plain
               reason
               ,
               and
               good
               authority
               of
               all
               kinds
               to
               make
               this
               application
               of
               the
               first
               favour
               ,
               which
               the
               reconciled
               Father
               vouchsafes
               his
               returning
               Son
               ,
               and
               to
               say
               that
               thereby
               is
               denoted
               in
               the
               figurative
               sense
               ,
               that
               God
               when
               he
               hath
               pardoned
               the
               penitent
               ,
               then
               confers
               further
               measures
               of
               sanctification
               upon
               him
               .
            
             
             
               §
               II.
               BUT
               if
               it
               shall
               be
               said
               that
               Sanctification
               must
               goe
               before
               Justification
               ,
               inasmuch
               as
               though
               an
               earthly
               Parent
               may
               be
               reconciled
               to
               his
               Son
               that
               is
               not
               truely
               good
               ,
               yet
               God
               cannot
               be
               reconciled
               to
               sinners
               continuing
               so
               ,
               or
               untill
               they
               become
               new
               men
               ;
               and
               therefore
               some
               other
               allegory
               is
               to
               be
               sought
               here
               ,
               and
               not
               that
               which
               we
               (
               concurrently
               with
               the
               Fathers
               )
               have
               pitched
               upon
               .
               I
               answer
               ,
               the
               doctrine
               is
               true
               which
               this
               objection
               is
               grounded
               upon
               ,
               but
               the
               inference
               therefrom
               will
               not
               reach
               us
               ;
               for
               I
               have
               shewed
               already
               ,
               that
               some
               measure
               of
               real
               sanctification
               must
               goe
               before
               justification
               and
               pardon
               ,
               because
               God
               though
               he
               bear
               a
               constant
               good-will
               to
               mankind
               ,
               yet
               (
               as
               the
               objection
               well
               suggests
               ,
               and
               we
               have
               acknowledged
               before
               ,
               )
               is
               he
               not
               transported
               with
               any
               fondness
               towards
               any
               man's
               meer
               person
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               be
               reconciled
               to
               him
               whilst
               he
               stands
               at
               defiance
               with
               himself
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               a
               pure
               ,
               holy
               and
               just
               Majesty
               ,
               and
               consequently
               cannot
               without
               denying
               himself
               ,
               and
               contradiction
               to
               his
               own
               nature
               ,
               either
               delight
               in
               a
               vicious
               person
               ,
               or
               hate
               a
               good
               man.
               And
               besides
               ,
               if
               it
               were
               consistent
               with
               his
               nature
               ,
               yet
               will
               not
               his
               wisedom
               ,
               and
               the
               interest
               of
               his
               government
               of
               the
               world
               permit
               that
               he
               cause
               the
               Sun
               of
               his
               countenance
               and
               favour
               to
               shine
               alike
               upon
               the
               vicious
               and
               the
               vertuous
               ,
               him
               that
               feareth
               him
               ,
               and
               him
               that
               feareth
               him
               not
               .
               And
               therefore
               he
               requires
               of
               all
               those
               sinners
               that
               hope
               to
               recover
               his
               favour
               ,
               that
               they
               have
               not
               only
               a
               serious
               sense
               of
               ,
               and
               hearty
               remorse
               for
               their
               sins
               ;
               but
               actual
               reformation
               of
               their
               evil
               ways
               ,
               at
               least
               so
               far
               as
               they
               have
               opportunity
               ,
               in
               which
               consists
               that
               repentance
               which
               we
               carefully
               described
               under
               the
               second
               part
               of
               this
               Parable
               .
               Notwithstanding
               ,
               it
               is
               true
               also
               ,
               that
               he
               accepts
               beginnings
               ,
               and
               pardons
               as
               soon
               as
               the
               conversion
               is
               true
               
               and
               real
               ,
               and
               before
               those
               vital
               principles
               of
               grace
               attain
               their
               full
               maturity
               and
               perfection
               .
               Wherefore
               being
               both
               an
               holy
               and
               a
               mercifull
               God
               ,
               as
               his
               benignity
               on
               the
               one
               hand
               prompts
               him
               to
               receive
               such
               into
               mercy
               ,
               who
               have
               sincere
               though
               weak
               beginnings
               of
               the
               divine
               life
               ;
               so
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               ,
               the
               purity
               and
               perfection
               of
               his
               nature
               puts
               him
               upon
               requiring
               fuller
               measures
               of
               conformity
               to
               himself
               in
               those
               he
               makes
               the
               objects
               of
               his
               mercy
               and
               favour
               ,
               then
               what
               for
               the
               present
               he
               accepts
               of
               ;
               in
               consequence
               of
               which
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               having
               (
               as
               we
               have
               shewed
               )
               received
               the
               penitent
               to
               pardon
               ,
               he
               then
               proceeds
               to
               make
               him
               a
               vessel
               of
               honour
               fit
               for
               his
               use
               ,
               by
               conferring
               upon
               him
               further
               degrees
               of
               sanctification
               ,
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               putting
               upon
               him
               
                 the
                 best
                 robe
              
               .
            
             
               AGREEABLY
               to
               which
               sense
               speak
               these
               following
               Scriptures
               ,
               Jo.
               15.
               2.
               
               
                 Every
                 branch
                 in
                 me
                 that
                 beareth
                 fruit
                 ,
                 he
                 purgeth
                 it
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 bear
                 more
                 fruit
                 ,
              
               Ephes
               .
               5.
               14.
               
               
                 Awake
                 thou
                 that
                 sleepest
                 ,
                 and
                 arise
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 shall
                 give
                 thee
                 light
                 .
              
               And
               again
               ,
               Phil.
               1.
               6.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 begun
                 a
                 good
                 work
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 will
                 also
                 perform
              
               (
               or
               perfect
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               )
               
                 it
                 till
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 .
              
               All
               which
               Scriptures
               plainly
               intimate
               thus
               much
               ,
               that
               some
               measures
               of
               sincere
               sanctification
               goe
               before
               justification
               ,
               the
               full
               accomplishment
               of
               which
               is
               by
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               to
               be
               gradually
               attained
               afterwards
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               amongst
               the
               well
               known
               Paradoxes
               of
               the
               Stoicks
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               that
               all
               vertues
               were
               equal
               ,
               and
               that
               all
               goodness
               consisted
               in
               puncto
               ,
               in
               a
               very
               point
               ;
               which
               notion
               *
               Seneca
               confirms
               and
               explains
               thus
               ,
               
                 That
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 one
                 truth
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 nothing
                 can
                 be
                 more
                 then
                 true
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 no
                 one
                 thing
                 can
                 be
                 truer
                 then
                 another
                 that
                 is
                 true
                 ;
                 so
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 one
                 rectitude
                 of
                 humane
                 actions
                 ,
              
               
               
                 vertue
                 consists
                 in
                 a
                 certain
                 proportion
                 ,
                 which
                 whatsoever
                 exactly
                 
                 observes
                 not
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 vertue
                 .
              
               And
               agreeably
               hereto
               Plutarch
               reports
               the
               saying
               of
               Aristo
               of
               Chios
               ,
               
               that
               there
               could
               be
               but
               one
               vertue
               ,
               which
               therefore
               he
               calls
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               or
               the
               
                 health
                 of
                 the
                 mind
              
               .
               But
               notwithstanding
               all
               these
               sayings
               of
               that
               stubborn
               Sect
               ,
               and
               whatever
               else
               may
               be
               pretended
               by
               such
               as
               tread
               in
               their
               steps
               ,
               there
               is
               without
               doubt
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               difference
               between
               what
               God
               will
               mercifully
               accept
               ,
               and
               what
               he
               may
               and
               doth
               righteously
               require
               ;
               between
               those
               lower
               degrees
               of
               grace
               that
               may
               be
               sincere
               ,
               and
               find
               acceptance
               for
               the
               present
               ,
               and
               that
               generous
               state
               of
               holiness
               which
               God
               designs
               to
               bring
               men
               to
               by
               the
               methods
               of
               the
               Gospel
               :
               or
               to
               follow
               their
               Metaphor
               ,
               as
               there
               is
               a
               vast
               difference
               betwixt
               Athletick
               health
               ,
               and
               that
               proper
               for
               a
               student
               ,
               so
               is
               there
               no
               less
               between
               the
               strength
               of
               a
               new
               convert
               ,
               and
               the
               attainment
               of
               an
               old
               ,
               stable
               ,
               and
               well
               exercised
               Christian
               ;
               and
               consequently
               allowing
               the
               sincerity
               of
               the
               former
               ,
               there
               is
               still
               room
               for
               further
               improvements
               ,
               and
               this
               fuller
               sanctification
               which
               we
               here
               understand
               by
               the
               
                 Best
                 Robe
              
               .
            
             
               FOR
               the
               clearer
               eviction
               of
               which
               ,
               both
               because
               it
               may
               be
               of
               use
               to
               comfort
               beginners
               for
               the
               present
               ,
               and
               also
               to
               cure
               their
               sloth
               and
               security
               for
               the
               future
               ,
               I
               subjoin
               these
               three
               particulars
               to
               lay
               open
               the
               difference
               betwixt
               the
               usual
               stature
               of
               beginners
               ,
               and
               the
               highest
               attainments
               of
               great
               proficients
               in
               Religion
               .
            
             
               §
               III.
               1.
               
               WHEN
               a
               sinner
               is
               newly
               converted
               from
               his
               evil
               ways
               ,
               although
               the
               change
               be
               very
               sincere
               ,
               and
               such
               as
               in
               time
               will
               draw
               after
               it
               an
               universal
               reformation
               ,
               yet
               usually
               it
               expresses
               it self
               at
               first
               ,
               by
               a
               remarkable
               zeal
               against
               the
               most
               gross
               and
               notorious
               miscarriages
               which
               such
               a
               person
               hath
               been
               
               liable
               to
               ,
               and
               doth
               not
               presently
               amend
               all
               the
               lesser
               deviations
               of
               his
               life
               ,
               partly
               because
               perhaps
               he
               doth
               not
               yet
               discern
               them
               ,
               and
               partly
               because
               it
               is
               possible
               he
               hath
               yet
               so
               much
               to
               doe
               of
               the
               former
               kind
               ,
               as
               to
               employ
               all
               his
               intention
               and
               power
               for
               the
               present
               .
               The
               new
               birth
               is
               frequently
               in
               the
               Scripture
               represented
               by
               the
               natural
               ,
               and
               in
               nothing
               doth
               the
               resemblance
               hold
               more
               true
               then
               in
               this
               ,
               viz.
               as
               in
               nature
               there
               is
               not
               a
               perfect
               man
               formed
               at
               first
               ,
               with
               all
               his
               members
               ,
               and
               in
               his
               just
               dimensions
               ,
               but
               only
               a
               salient
               particle
               ,
               a
               little
               fountain
               of
               life
               that
               bubbles
               up
               ,
               and
               by
               degrees
               displays
               it self
               in
               all
               the
               curious
               lines
               of
               humane
               shape
               ;
               so
               here
               in
               the
               works
               of
               grace
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               vital
               principle
               ,
               a
               divine
               particle
               ,
               that
               in
               its
               first
               essays
               draws
               only
               a
               heart
               or
               some
               of
               the
               great
               viscera
               of
               the
               new
               man
               ,
               but
               being
               lively
               and
               vigorous
               ,
               in
               process
               of
               time
               displays
               it self
               in
               all
               the
               functions
               of
               holy
               life
               .
               They
               therefore
               that
               talk
               of
               an
               instantaneous
               conversion
               in
               such
               sort
               ,
               as
               to
               imagine
               that
               a
               man
               dead
               in
               trespasses
               and
               sins
               should
               presently
               start
               up
               sound
               and
               perfect
               ,
               and
               without
               so
               much
               as
               his
               grave-cloaths
               about
               him
               ,
               neither
               understand
               themselves
               ,
               nor
               have
               any
               experience
               of
               the
               orderly
               and
               almost
               insensible
               progress
               of
               the
               divine
               grace
               .
            
             
               IT
               is
               true
               ,
               in
               every
               regenerate
               person
               there
               is
               from
               the
               very
               beginning
               ,
               a
               resolution
               against
               all
               sin
               ,
               a
               detestation
               of
               ,
               and
               declared
               hostility
               against
               ,
               all
               the
               works
               of
               the
               Devil
               ;
               but
               the
               war
               is
               not
               finished
               as
               soon
               as
               it
               is
               proclaimed
               or
               commenced
               .
               He
               that
               fights
               against
               Principalities
               and
               Powers
               must
               war
               a
               great
               while
               ,
               and
               perhaps
               have
               the
               fortune
               of
               the
               Romans
               ,
               who
               were
               said
               ,
               
                 Praelio
                 saepe
                 ,
                 bello
                 nunquam
                 superati
                 ,
              
               they
               get
               ground
               daily
               upon
               the
               whole
               ,
               though
               sometimes
               defeated
               in
               particular
               designs
               :
               there
               
               is
               no
               decretorian
               battel
               ,
               nor
               is
               the
               business
               decided
               upon
               a
               push
               :
               it
               is
               sincerely
               done
               to
               conquer
               our
               beloved
               lusts
               and
               greater
               enormities
               ,
               though
               yet
               some
               smaller
               infirmities
               be
               not
               vanquished
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               they
               are
               honestly
               resolved
               against
               ;
               for
               it
               is
               well
               and
               wisely
               done
               ,
               first
               to
               break
               the
               head
               and
               main
               body
               of
               the
               enemy
               ,
               and
               then
               it
               will
               be
               easy
               to
               glean
               up
               the
               straglers
               .
               If
               once
               the
               principal
               disease
               be
               remedied
               ,
               the
               symptoms
               will
               by
               degrees
               be
               out-grown
               ,
               and
               most
               men
               of
               that
               rank
               I
               am
               speaking
               of
               ,
               find
               it
               a
               great
               while
               before
               they
               come
               to
               have
               nothing
               to
               doe
               but
               to
               conquer
               wandring
               thoughts
               ,
               imperfect
               duties
               ,
               and
               beginnings
               of
               evil
               .
            
             
               BESIDES
               ,
               it
               is
               very
               considerable
               that
               sins
               are
               not
               only
               contrary
               to
               vertue
               ,
               but
               to
               each
               other
               :
               and
               as
               it
               is
               usual
               with
               wise
               Princes
               against
               a
               powerfull
               enemy
               ,
               to
               associate
               not
               only
               their
               friends
               and
               ancient
               Allies
               ,
               but
               also
               those
               they
               do
               not
               love
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               they
               are
               enemies
               to
               the
               common
               enemy
               ;
               so
               it
               happens
               here
               ,
               that
               a
               Convert
               zealously
               combating
               against
               some
               one
               vice
               ,
               in
               studious
               declension
               of
               that
               ,
               insensibly
               slips
               into
               some
               degrees
               of
               the
               other
               extream
               ,
               and
               then
               finds
               it
               a
               fresh
               difficulty
               ,
               
                 vincere
                 eos
                 per
                 quos
                 vicisti
              
               ,
               to
               conquer
               that
               other
               infirmity
               by
               which
               he
               conquered
               the
               former
               .
            
             
               TO
               which
               purpose
               it
               is
               remarkable
               concerning
               that
               holy
               man
               St.
               Jerom
               ,
               whilst
               he
               lived
               in
               the
               affluence
               of
               the
               City
               ,
               and
               used
               a
               free
               conversation
               ,
               he
               felt
               frequent
               temptations
               of
               the
               flesh
               ,
               and
               setting
               himself
               with
               all
               his
               might
               to
               mortify
               these
               ,
               and
               to
               do
               it
               effectually
               ,
               retired
               into
               a
               desart
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               both
               take
               away
               the
               cause
               ,
               and
               the
               occasions
               of
               those
               dangers
               ;
               but
               whilst
               in
               that
               retirement
               he
               exercises
               himself
               to
               great
               severity
               and
               austerity
               ,
               he
               insensibly
               grew
               into
               a
               blameable
               asperity
               of
               temper
               
               which
               needed
               a
               second
               labour
               to
               subdue
               .
            
             
               I
               will
               not
               say
               as
               some
               do
               ,
               that
               as
               God
               would
               have
               some
               remainders
               of
               the
               seven
               Nations
               preserved
               amongst
               the
               Children
               of
               Israel
               in
               the
               Land
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               to
               be
               continually
               as
               thorns
               in
               their
               eyes
               ,
               and
               goads
               in
               their
               sides
               ;
               so
               he
               orders
               it
               that
               there
               should
               be
               some
               remainders
               of
               the
               old
               Adam
               in
               us
               to
               keep
               us
               always
               humble
               and
               employed
               ;
               for
               certainly
               God
               would
               have
               all
               sin
               expelled
               our
               natures
               .
               But
               this
               I
               say
               ,
               that
               as
               Israel
               was
               truely
               in
               possession
               of
               the
               Land
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               from
               such
               time
               as
               Joshua
               had
               conquered
               those
               powers
               that
               made
               head
               against
               them
               ,
               and
               had
               put
               the
               chief
               Cities
               and
               places
               of
               strength
               into
               their
               hands
               ,
               notwithstanding
               that
               a
               long
               time
               after
               some
               of
               those
               old
               inhabitants
               remained
               amongst
               them
               ,
               and
               were
               no
               very
               good
               Neighbours
               ;
               so
               I
               affirm
               that
               so
               long
               as
               there
               is
               not
               only
               a
               resolution
               against
               all
               sin
               ,
               but
               a
               constant
               hostile
               pursuit
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               that
               a
               man
               goes
               on
               conquering
               and
               to
               conquer
               ;
               such
               a
               man
               is
               a
               true
               Israelite
               ,
               though
               he
               have
               not
               perfected
               his
               conquest
               ;
               nor
               can
               yet
               say
               with
               St.
               
                 Paul
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 fought
                 the
                 good
                 fight
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 finished
                 my
                 course
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 kept
                 the
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 henceforth
                 is
                 laid
                 up
                 for
                 me
                 the
                 crown
                 of
                 righteousness
                 .
              
            
             
               BUT
               now
               forasmuch
               as
               God
               ,
               both
               for
               his
               own
               glory
               and
               service
               ,
               the
               comfort
               of
               the
               Convert's
               own
               Soul
               ,
               and
               his
               greater
               capacity
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               designs
               to
               bring
               men
               to
               higher
               degrees
               of
               sanctification
               then
               what
               he
               was
               pleased
               to
               accept
               of
               when
               he
               first
               received
               the
               Penitent
               to
               mercy
               ,
               therefore
               he
               afterwards
               puts
               upon
               him
               the
               
                 Best
                 Robe
              
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               IT
               is
               to
               be
               considered
               that
               the
               beginnings
               of
               all
               things
               (
               that
               are
               any
               way
               notable
               especially
               )
               are
               wrought
               with
               pain
               and
               difficulty
               ;
               insomuch
               that
               
                 nemo
                 repente
                 fit
                 turpissimus
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 finds
                 it
                 very
                 easy
                 at
                 
                 first
                 to
                 doe
                 any
                 egregious
                 wickedness
                 .
              
               Men
               become
               evil
               by
               degrees
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               proficiency
               even
               in
               the
               Devil's
               school
               ;
               and
               therefore
               much
               more
               reasonably
               may
               it
               be
               expected
               that
               those
               that
               first
               enter
               into
               a
               strict
               course
               of
               vertue
               ,
               should
               be
               sensible
               of
               difficulty
               in
               their
               first
               undertaking
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               an
               ingenious
               answer
               which
               Plutarch
               reports
               to
               have
               been
               given
               by
               a
               Lacedemonian
               Turor
               ,
               
               when
               he
               was
               asked
               what
               he
               pretended
               to
               ,
               and
               of
               what
               avail
               his
               indeavours
               were
               ;
               
                 I
                 make
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 that
                 to
                 become
                 easy
                 and
                 delightfull
                 which
                 is
                 of
                 it self
                 good
                 and
                 necessary
                 .
              
               It
               is
               true
               ,
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               tells
               us
               his
               
                 yoke
                 is
                 easy
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 burden
                 is
                 light
                 ,
              
               and
               without
               doubt
               it
               is
               so
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               a
               yoke
               and
               a
               burden
               still
               ,
               and
               no
               man
               finds
               it
               easy
               untill
               he
               have
               exercised
               himself
               to
               it
               :
               rewards
               and
               punishments
               set
               before
               us
               ,
               and
               reason
               and
               resolution
               working
               thereupon
               will
               prevail
               with
               men
               to
               doe
               their
               duty
               ;
               but
               only
               practice
               and
               assuetude
               makes
               it
               become
               easy
               and
               familiar
               so
               to
               doe
               ;
               especially
               supposing
               (
               as
               we
               do
               in
               the
               present
               case
               )
               a
               man
               but
               lately
               accustomed
               to
               indulge
               himself
               in
               a
               course
               of
               sin
               ,
               let
               such
               a
               man's
               conversion
               be
               never
               so
               real
               and
               hearty
               ,
               however
               it
               cannot
               be
               expected
               that
               he
               should
               presently
               
                 do
                 Christ's
                 commands
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 grievous
                 .
              
               It
               is
               certain
               such
               a
               man
               ,
               if
               he
               be
               what
               we
               suppose
               him
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               sincere
               ,
               will
               resist
               his
               inclination
               ,
               and
               change
               his
               course
               ;
               but
               because
               it
               was
               lately
               a
               course
               ,
               there
               will
               yet
               be
               an
               inclination
               towards
               it
               ,
               and
               consequently
               a
               conflict
               and
               difficulty
               in
               avoyding
               it
               ;
               for
               (
               as
               we
               said
               before
               )
               it
               is
               only
               one
               custome
               can
               perfectly
               supplant
               another
               ,
               and
               only
               habit
               can
               imitate
               nature
               ,
               and
               make
               easy
               :
               the
               cutting
               off
               our
               corrupt
               members
               is
               a
               hard
               task
               ,
               till
               by
               time
               and
               degrees
               they
               become
               mortified
               ,
               and
               then
               it
               is
               done
               without
               any
               considerable
               pain
               or
               difficulty
               .
               
               Whosoever
               hath
               any
               principle
               of
               divine
               life
               ,
               or
               true
               sense
               of
               God
               in
               him
               ,
               will
               not
               allow
               himself
               in
               the
               neglect
               of
               God's
               worship
               ,
               yet
               he
               will
               find
               it
               no
               easy
               business
               to
               hold
               his
               heart
               intent
               and
               constant
               in
               it
               ,
               till
               it
               have
               become
               customary
               and
               natural
               to
               him
               ;
               and
               then
               it
               is
               so
               far
               easy
               and
               delightfull
               to
               him
               ,
               that
               he
               knows
               not
               how
               to
               live
               without
               it
               .
               Now
               although
               that
               state
               which
               tuggs
               at
               the
               Oare
               ,
               and
               draws
               on
               heavily
               ,
               may
               be
               sincere
               ,
               because
               it
               discharges
               its
               duty
               honestly
               ,
               though
               with
               great
               difficulty
               ;
               and
               therefore
               find
               acceptance
               with
               a
               good
               God
               :
               yet
               forasmuch
               as
               his
               intention
               is
               that
               we
               should
               become
               
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 divine
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 be
                 our
                 meat
                 and
                 drink
                 to
                 doe
                 his
                 will
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 his
                 commands
                 be
                 to
                 us
                 as
                 our
                 necessary
                 food
                 ,
              
               that
               we
               should
               do
               his
               will
               with
               that
               alacrity
               on
               earth
               with
               which
               it
               is
               done
               by
               the
               Angels
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               that
               our
               wills
               should
               be
               perfectly
               conformed
               to
               his
               ,
               and
               Religion
               become
               natural
               to
               us
               ,
               partly
               to
               the
               end
               that
               we
               may
               do
               him
               the
               more
               honour
               (
               for
               there
               is
               nothing
               doth
               so
               much
               reputation
               to
               the
               divine
               Law
               and
               government
               ,
               as
               the
               chearfull
               obedience
               of
               his
               Subjects
               )
               partly
               also
               that
               we
               may
               be
               the
               more
               fit
               for
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               for
               those
               most
               easily
               fall
               in
               with
               the
               heavenly
               Quire
               who
               have
               practised
               their
               part
               beforehand
               ;
               therefore
               since
               he
               desires
               that
               we
               should
               not
               only
               be
               not
               evil
               ,
               but
               generously
               good
               ;
               nor
               meerly
               draw
               on
               heavily
               and
               uncomfortably
               ,
               but
               fly
               as
               upon
               the
               wings
               of
               a
               Cherub
               in
               his
               service
               ;
               it
               seems
               good
               to
               him
               when
               he
               hath
               pardoned
               a
               penitent
               to
               confer
               upon
               him
               greater
               measures
               of
               Sanctification
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               A
               young
               Convert
               though
               he
               have
               all
               the
               parts
               and
               members
               of
               a
               perfect
               man
               in
               Christ
               ,
               and
               should
               also
               be
               supposed
               in
               great
               measure
               to
               have
               overcome
               the
               difficulties
               which
               always
               attend
               vertuous
               beginnings
               ,
               
               yet
               he
               is
               but
               a
               beginner
               ,
               and
               must
               needs
               be
               conceived
               weak
               and
               feeble
               in
               his
               whole
               contexture
               ;
               he
               is
               not
               only
               apt
               to
               be
               abused
               with
               Sophistry
               ,
               and
               
                 carried
                 about
                 with
                 every
                 wind
                 of
                 doctrine
                 ,
              
               but
               less
               able
               to
               bear
               the
               burdens
               and
               to
               resist
               the
               temptations
               he
               must
               expect
               to
               meet
               with
               ;
               the
               traces
               of
               his
               former
               course
               are
               not
               yet
               worn
               out
               ,
               and
               so
               he
               is
               the
               apter
               to
               return
               ;
               he
               is
               not
               at
               the
               top
               but
               going
               up
               hill
               ,
               and
               may
               easily
               faint
               or
               slip
               ;
               he
               hath
               not
               such
               experience
               of
               the
               wiles
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               but
               he
               may
               be
               imposed
               upon
               ;
               he
               is
               not
               so
               flesht
               with
               victory
               ,
               but
               his
               heart
               may
               fail
               him
               ;
               in
               short
               ,
               grace
               is
               rather
               a
               disposition
               then
               an
               habit
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               vertue
               more
               an
               inclination
               then
               a
               nature
               ,
               and
               therefore
               he
               may
               fall
               away
               .
               But
               there
               is
               a
               virile
               state
               of
               vertue
               attainable
               when
               duty
               is
               turned
               into
               nature
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               is
               best
               in
               it self
               is
               also
               most
               pleasant
               and
               delectable
               .
               When
               a
               man
               is
               so
               long
               exercised
               in
               the
               ways
               of
               holiness
               that
               it
               is
               as
               much
               a
               road
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               the
               course
               of
               sin
               was
               ,
               either
               heretofore
               to
               him
               ,
               or
               is
               now
               to
               others
               ;
               and
               neither
               the
               length
               of
               the
               race
               is
               tedious
               to
               him
               ,
               nor
               the
               dispatch
               difficult
               ;
               when
               a
               man
               shall
               neither
               stagger
               in
               his
               choice
               ,
               nor
               be
               flat
               and
               formal
               in
               his
               prosecution
               ;
               he
               hath
               tasted
               the
               Grapes
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               and
               never
               more
               longs
               to
               return
               to
               Aegypt
               ,
               but
               disdains
               the
               Flesh-pots
               ,
               the
               Onion
               ,
               and
               the
               Garlick
               thereof
               as
               much
               as
               he
               formerly
               groaned
               under
               the
               servitude
               .
               Such
               a
               man
               having
               
                 put
                 on
                 the
                 whole
                 armour
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               
               
                 is
                 strong
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 his
                 might
                 ,
              
               and
               defies
               all
               the
               powers
               of
               darkness
               :
               the
               Devil
               himself
               is
               ashamed
               to
               tempt
               him
               ,
               having
               been
               so
               often
               baffled
               by
               him
               ;
               and
               he
               stands
               immovable
               as
               a
               Rock
               ,
               stable
               as
               an
               Angel
               ,
               
               and
               all
               
                 the
                 Gates
                 of
                 Hell
                 cannot
                 prevail
                 against
                 him
                 .
              
               Now
               because
               this
               admirable
               condition
               is
               both
               desirable
               and
               possible
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               God
               
               designs
               to
               bring
               men
               to
               ,
               therefore
               he
               proceeds
               to
               super-adde
               to
               the
               Convert
               further
               measures
               of
               sanctification
               .
            
             
               NOW
               for
               the
               way
               of
               effecting
               this
               ,
               besides
               those
               secret
               ways
               of
               working
               which
               we
               cannot
               penetrate
               into
               ,
               by
               which
               it
               pleases
               God
               to
               bring
               about
               this
               glorious
               design
               ,
               there
               are
               these
               three
               ways
               following
               which
               fall
               within
               our
               understanding
               .
            
             
               §
               IV.
               
               FIRST
               ,
               there
               is
               nothing
               more
               plainly
               discernible
               in
               a
               Convert
               then
               that
               the
               first
               workings
               of
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               in
               his
               heart
               revive
               a
               true
               ingenuity
               of
               spirit
               in
               him
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               very
               ground-work
               and
               foundation
               of
               all
               improvements
               ;
               and
               then
               God
               being
               pleased
               graciously
               and
               freely
               to
               give
               him
               the
               pardon
               of
               all
               his
               sins
               ,
               lays
               so
               mighty
               an
               obligation
               upon
               that
               ingenuity
               ,
               as
               is
               of
               force
               to
               put
               all
               the
               powers
               of
               the
               Soul
               upon
               their
               utmost
               activity
               ,
               and
               thereby
               the
               temper
               of
               such
               a
               person
               is
               marvellously
               raised
               and
               improved
               .
               For
               there
               is
               a
               vast
               difference
               betwixt
               the
               efficacy
               of
               a
               spirit
               of
               bondage
               ,
               and
               the
               spirit
               of
               adoption
               :
               if
               the
               former
               may
               be
               able
               to
               restrain
               sin
               ,
               yet
               it
               can
               never
               inflame
               men
               to
               generous
               goodness
               ;
               or
               if
               that
               impresses
               a
               caution
               of
               offending
               out
               of
               apprehension
               of
               the
               wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               latter
               rises
               higher
               ,
               and
               stirs
               up
               indeavour
               of
               returning
               love
               for
               love
               ;
               the
               one
               is
               apt
               to
               inquire
               after
               the
               
                 minimum
                 quod
                 sic
              
               (
               as
               they
               call
               it
               )
               the
               lowest
               measure
               of
               grace
               that
               will
               but
               serve
               the
               turn
               to
               avoid
               Hell
               ;
               the
               other
               seeks
               
                 aliquid
                 eximium
              
               ,
               and
               thinks
               nothing
               enough
               by
               way
               of
               gratefull
               return
               ,
               and
               therefore
               courts
               occasions
               ,
               and
               rejoyces
               in
               difficulties
               as
               happy
               opportunities
               of
               demonstrating
               his
               ingenuous
               sense
               of
               his
               obligations
               .
            
             
             
               WHEN
               Cyrus
               had
               vanquished
               Croesus
               ,
               and
               having
               it
               in
               his
               power
               to
               destroy
               him
               ,
               not
               only
               preserved
               him
               but
               imployed
               him
               ,
               and
               made
               him
               privy
               to
               his
               Counsels
               ;
               meer
               generosity
               provoked
               him
               to
               become
               not
               a
               true
               Prisoner
               ,
               but
               a
               faithfull
               Friend
               and
               usefull
               Counsellor
               .
               But
               our
               Saviour
               gives
               us
               the
               most
               illustrious
               example
               of
               that
               I
               am
               saying
               ,
               Luk.
               7.
               37.
               in
               the
               instance
               of
               a
               certain
               Woman
               that
               had
               been
               a
               great
               sinner
               ,
               who
               finding
               out
               our
               Saviour
               where
               he
               was
               at
               Dinner
               in
               a
               Pharisee's
               House
               ,
               brings
               a
               box
               of
               very
               costly
               ointment
               ,
               and
               having
               washed
               his
               feet
               with
               penitent
               tears
               ,
               wiped
               them
               with
               her
               hair
               and
               kissed
               them
               ;
               she
               anoints
               them
               also
               with
               the
               precious
               balm
               she
               had
               brought
               for
               that
               purpose
               .
               The
               Pharisees
               murmured
               at
               the
               familiar
               approach
               and
               access
               of
               such
               an
               ignominious
               person
               ;
               Judas
               grudged
               the
               cost
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Disciples
               wondred
               at
               the
               novelty
               of
               the
               business
               ,
               but
               our
               Saviour
               applies
               himself
               to
               Simon
               ,
               and
               expounds
               the
               business
               to
               him
               by
               a
               Parable
               ,
               vers
               .
               41
               ,
               &c.
               
                 There
                 was
                 a
                 certain
                 creditour
                 had
                 two
                 debtors
                 ,
                 &c.
              
               whereby
               he
               silences
               the
               murmurs
               of
               the
               one
               ,
               and
               removes
               the
               wonder
               of
               the
               other
               ,
               shewing
               the
               power
               of
               gratitude
               ,
               and
               the
               admirable
               efficacy
               of
               great
               obligation
               upon
               ingenuous
               minds
               .
            
             
               SECONDLY
               ,
               when
               God
               receives
               the
               Penitent
               into
               his
               favour
               ,
               he
               gives
               him
               by
               faith
               a
               full
               persuasion
               of
               the
               great
               things
               in
               another
               world
               ;
               the
               real
               and
               serious
               apprehensions
               of
               which
               are
               able
               not
               only
               to
               place
               him
               above
               all
               the
               charms
               below
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               him
               disdain
               all
               the
               baits
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               but
               also
               to
               transport
               him
               with
               love
               and
               desire
               ,
               and
               to
               carry
               him
               with
               full
               fail
               in
               the
               prosecution
               of
               those
               incomparable
               glories
               thus
               discovered
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               thereby
               marvellously
               heightens
               and
               improves
               him
               in
               holiness
               .
               So
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               Hebr.
               11.
               1.
               pronounces
               of
               
               faith
               that
               it
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 the
                 substance
                 of
                 things
                 hoped
                 for
                 ,
                 the
                 evidence
                 of
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               it
               maks
               those
               things
               that
               seemed
               meer
               fables
               and
               Romances
               to
               other
               men
               ,
               to
               be
               the
               greatest
               realities
               in
               the
               world
               ;
               and
               those
               things
               that
               being
               looked
               upon
               at
               a
               distance
               seemed
               small
               and
               inconsiderable
               ,
               and
               had
               little
               effect
               upon
               men's
               minds
               ,
               now
               being
               made
               near
               and
               present
               are
               of
               mighty
               influence
               ,
               as
               he
               shews
               at
               large
               historically
               throughout
               that
               long
               and
               excellent
               Chapter
               .
            
             
               FOR
               this
               reason
               it
               is
               that
               all
               the
               accomplishments
               of
               a
               Christian
               are
               ascribed
               to
               his
               faith
               ,
               Acts
               15.
               9.
               
               
                 Having
                 purified
                 their
                 hearts
                 by
                 faith
              
               ;
               as
               if
               that
               sublimed
               a
               man
               ,
               and
               drew
               him
               off
               from
               his
               Lees
               ,
               2
               Pet.
               1.
               4.
               
               
                 There
                 are
                 given
                 to
                 us
                 exceeding
                 great
                 and
                 precious
                 promises
                 ,
                 whereby
                 you
                 might
                 be
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 divine
                 nature
              
               ;
               as
               if
               the
               objects
               of
               faith
               duely
               operating
               upon
               us
               were
               able
               not
               only
               to
               raise
               us
               above
               the
               world
               ,
               but
               above
               our selves
               ,
               and
               to
               transfuse
               a
               divine
               temper
               into
               us
               :
               For
               so
               he
               goes
               on
               ,
               vers
               .
               5
               ,
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 Adde
                 to
                 your
                 faith
                 vertue
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 vertue
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 knowledge
                 temperance
                 ,
              
               &c.
               the
               word
               he
               uses
               is
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 q.
                 d.
              
               faith
               will
               lead
               the
               dance
               to
               all
               other
               vertues
               ,
               or
               do
               but
               set
               that
               on
               work
               ,
               and
               it
               will
               draw
               on
               the
               whole
               Encyclopaedy
               ,
               and
               circle
               of
               graces
               .
            
             
               IT
               is
               matter
               of
               daily
               observation
               ,
               that
               not
               only
               men's
               industry
               is
               increased
               (
               which
               is
               a
               great
               matter
               )
               but
               their
               parts
               also
               are
               raised
               and
               inlarged
               proportionably
               to
               the
               incouragements
               set
               before
               them
               ;
               great
               hopes
               make
               great
               men
               ,
               and
               fit
               them
               for
               great
               undertakings
               ,
               insomuch
               that
               Quintilian
               inquiring
               the
               reason
               why
               the
               former
               Ages
               bred
               greater
               wits
               ,
               and
               more
               exquisite
               Orators
               then
               latter
               days
               ,
               resolves
               it
               into
               this
               ,
               that
               those
               times
               afforded
               the
               greatest
               honour
               and
               incouragement
               to
               them
               .
               And
               it
               is
               an
               ordinary
               remark
               in
               
               Historians
               ,
               that
               those
               Princes
               and
               States
               have
               always
               the
               ablest
               Ministers
               ,
               whose
               fortunes
               have
               presented
               to
               them
               the
               most
               honourable
               employments
               and
               greatest
               rewards
               .
               But
               it
               is
               more
               to
               our
               business
               to
               observe
               that
               although
               in
               the
               darker
               times
               of
               the
               Law
               there
               were
               some
               very
               great
               and
               admirable
               persons
               ,
               who
               were
               the
               prodigies
               of
               the
               Ages
               they
               lived
               in
               ,
               yet
               ordinarily
               Christianity
               ought
               to
               doe
               and
               doth
               afford
               far
               the
               most
               and
               bravest
               Hero's
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               mighty
               great
               and
               clear
               promises
               therein
               exhibited
               .
               
                 The
                 Law
              
               (
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               Hebr.
               7.
               19.
               
               )
               
                 made
                 nothing
                 perfect
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 bringing
                 in
                 of
                 a
                 better
                 hope
                 did
                 .
              
               For
               shall
               not
               the
               glories
               of
               Heaven
               out-shine
               the
               felicities
               of
               a
               Land
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               and
               the
               belief
               of
               the
               one
               be
               as
               operative
               as
               that
               of
               the
               other
               ?
               And
               what
               though
               the
               one
               be
               present
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               to
               come
               ?
               yet
               to
               every
               good
               man
               this
               is
               as
               certain
               as
               that
               ,
               and
               to
               every
               wise
               man
               the
               unspeakable
               odds
               in
               the
               things
               ,
               abundantly
               recompences
               that
               disadvantage
               of
               circumstances
               .
               What
               man
               that
               hath
               a
               persuasion
               of
               eternal
               life
               can
               choose
               but
               disdain
               the
               present
               life
               ,
               further
               then
               as
               it
               is
               a
               time
               of
               probation
               for
               the
               other
               ?
               and
               scorn
               that
               the
               mean
               pleasures
               and
               allurements
               here
               should
               interrupt
               his
               course
               thither
               :
               what
               difficulties
               will
               he
               not
               glory
               in
               ,
               and
               what
               duties
               will
               he
               not
               perform
               to
               assure
               his
               interest
               therein
               ?
               1
               Jo.
               3.
               3.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 this
                 hope
                 purifies
                 himself
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 is
                 pure
                 ,
              
               especially
               when
               a
               man
               shall
               find
               these
               things
               not
               only
               made
               certain
               to
               him
               by
               faith
               ,
               but
               made
               near
               to
               him
               also
               .
               When
               he
               shall
               consider
               himself
               now
               in
               a
               fair
               way
               to
               those
               coelestial
               mansions
               ,
               and
               that
               every
               day
               he
               approaches
               nearer
               and
               nearer
               to
               Heaven
               .
               Now
               therefore
               he
               will
               
                 cast
                 off
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 on
                 the
                 armour
                 of
                 light
              
               ;
               when
               he
               remembers
               ,
               Rom.
               13.
               11.
               
               
                 That
                 now
                 his
                 salvation
                 is
                 nearer
                 then
                 when
                 he
                 
                 first
                 believed
                 ,
              
               and
               finds
               that
               a
               little
               more
               exercise
               of
               faith
               and
               patience
               will
               bring
               him
               to
               his
               desired
               haven
               .
            
             
               THIRDLY
               and
               lastly
               ,
               our
               heavenly
               Father
               puts
               this
               
                 Best
                 Robe
              
               upon
               the
               Son
               whom
               he
               hath
               received
               and
               pardoned
               ,
               not
               only
               by
               the
               Ministery
               of
               his
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               ordinary
               advantages
               of
               his
               Church
               and
               Family
               ,
               but
               extraordinarily
               improves
               the
               sanctification
               of
               such
               a
               person
               ,
               by
               the
               especial
               superintendency
               ,
               guidance
               and
               influence
               of
               his
               Holy
               Spirit
               .
               The
               consideration
               of
               which
               brings
               me
               to
               the
               next
               member
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               
                 He
                 put
                 a
                 Ring
                 on
                 his
                 hand
              
               ;
               which
               expresses
               the
               second
               blessing
               the
               reconciled
               Father
               bestows
               upon
               his
               penitent
               Son
               ;
               which
               we
               are
               to
               treat
               of
               in
               the
               next
               Chapter
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               III.
               
            
             
               Of
               the
               Gift
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     The
                     difference
                     between
                     the
                     visits
                     or
                     motions
                     of
                     the
                     Holy
                     Spirit
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     gift
                     or
                     residence
                     of
                     it
                     :
                     and
                     that
                     the
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     doth
                     reside
                     with
                     ,
                     and
                     inhabit
                     very
                     good
                     men
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     The
                     wonderfull
                     comfort
                     and
                     advantages
                     thereof
                     in
                     four
                     respects
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     That
                     although
                     some
                     good
                     men
                     have
                     no
                     experience
                     of
                     this
                     residence
                     of
                     the
                     Holy
                     Spirit
                     ,
                     it
                     is
                     nevertheless
                     certainly
                     attainable
                     in
                     this
                     life
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     reasons
                     of
                     that
                     case
                     .
                     The
                     peculiar
                     qualifications
                     of
                     persons
                     fit
                     for
                     the
                     entertainment
                     of
                     this
                     divine
                     Guest
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     How
                     to
                     distinguish
                     the
                     motions
                     of
                     God's
                     Spirit
                     from
                     the
                     impressions
                     of
                     Sathan
                     ,
                     or
                     the
                     results
                     of
                     our
                     own
                     temper
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               §
               1.
               
               THE
               second
               favour
               which
               the
               Father
               bestows
               upon
               his
               Son
               after
               he
               is
               reconciled
               to
               him
               ,
               is
               ,
               
                 He
                 puts
                 a
                 Ring
                 upon
                 his
                 Hand
                 .
              
               This
               hath
               by
               the
               common
               consent
               of
               the
               world
               been
               symbolical
               either
               of
               freedom
               and
               ingenuity
               ,
               of
               riches
               and
               affluence
               ,
               of
               singular
               favour
               and
               respect
               ,
               or
               of
               quality
               and
               nobility
               .
               Most
               of
               these
               things
               St.
               James
               bears
               testimony
               to
               in
               that
               passage
               of
               his
               ,
               Chap.
               2.
               2.
               
               
                 If
                 there
                 come
                 into
                 your
                 assemblies
                 a
                 man
                 having
                 a
                 gold
                 ring
                 ,
                 and
                 goodly
                 apparel
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 come
                 in
                 also
                 a
                 poor
                 man
                 in
                 vile
                 raiment
                 ,
                 and
                 ye
                 have
                 respect
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 gay
                 cloathing
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               And
               for
               the
               rest
               ,
               at
               the
               famous
               battel
               of
               Cannae
               where
               the
               Romans
               suffered
               a
               total
               defeat
               by
               the
               Carthaginians
               ,
               the
               greatness
               of
               the
               victory
               was
               estimated
               by
               this
               (
               as
               Livy
               observes
               )
               that
               more
               then
               a
               bushel
               of
               Rings
               were
               taken
               by
               the
               Conquerers
               from
               the
               Hands
               of
               the
               slain
               ,
               whereby
               it
               appeared
               how
               many
               principal
               Romans
               and
               persons
               of
               Quality
               fell
               in
               the
               battel
               .
               And
               thus
               the
               Father's
               putting
               a
               Ring
               on
               his
               Son
               ,
               should
               signify
               in
               the
               general
               his
               re-instating
               him
               in
               the
               quality
               and
               honour
               of
               a
               Son
               :
               But
               St.
               Jerom
               ,
               St.
               Austin
               ,
               St.
               
                 Chrysostom
                 ,
                 Theophylact
              
               and
               others
               ,
               consider
               here
               more
               particularly
               ,
               that
               a
               principal
               use
               of
               the
               Ring
               was
               for
               Sealing
               ,
               as
               commonly
               bearing
               the
               image
               ,
               impress
               ,
               or
               cognizance
               of
               him
               that
               wore
               it
               ,
               and
               consequently
               they
               apply
               this
               passage
               in
               the
               mystical
               sense
               to
               the
               gift
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               :
               St.
               Chrysostom
               expresses
               it
               thus
               ;
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 Give
                 my
                 Son
                 a
                 Ring
                 also
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 have
                 the
                 earnest
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 carrying
                 that
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 kept
                 in
                 safe-guard
                 by
                 it
                 ;
                 that
                 bearing
                 my
                 signet
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 both
                 become
                 formidable
                 to
                 all
                 his
                 enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 publickly
                 appear
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 Father
                 .
              
               And
               this
               interpretation
               is
               the
               more
               natural
               because
               this
               is
               the
               usual
               method
               of
               God's
               favours
               ,
               that
               after
               he
               hath
               justified
               ,
               then
               he
               further
               sanctifies
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               completion
               of
               that
               gives
               his
               Holy
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               the
               saying
               of
               one
               of
               the
               Ancients
               ,
               that
               man
               is
               ,
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 The
                 wager
                 which
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 Devil
                 contend
                 about
                 :
              
               But
               when
               a
               man
               hath
               given
               himself
               up
               to
               sensuality
               ,
               or
               any
               kind
               of
               sin
               ,
               then
               the
               title
               is
               decided
               ,
               and
               such
               a
               person
               
               becomes
               the
               Devil's
               peculiar
               ;
               and
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               when
               he
               sincerely
               addicts
               himself
               to
               vertue
               ,
               God
               recovers
               his
               right
               ,
               and
               takes
               possession
               of
               him
               by
               his
               Holy
               Spirit
               :
               agreeably
               hereunto
               we
               reade
               ,
               Ephes
               .
               1.
               13.
               
               
                 After
                 ye
                 believed
                 ,
                 ye
                 were
                 sealed
                 with
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 of
                 promise
                 :
              
               and
               also
               2
               Cor.
               1.
               22.
               
               
                 Who
                 hath
                 also
                 sealed
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 given
                 us
                 the
                 earnest
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 :
              
               and
               again
               Eph.
               4.
               30.
               
               
                 Grieve
                 not
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 whereby
                 ye
                 are
                 sealed
                 unto
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 redemption
                 .
              
               For
               the
               more
               clear
               understanding
               of
               which
               ,
               we
               are
               to
               take
               notice
               ,
               that
               God
               doth
               employ
               his
               Holy
               Spirit
               about
               men
               before
               conversion
               ,
               and
               in
               order
               to
               it
               ;
               so
               Gen.
               6.
               3.
               he
               is
               said
               by
               his
               Spirit
               to
               have
               
                 striven
                 with
                 the
                 old
                 world
              
               ;
               and
               after
               that
               in
               like
               manner
               with
               his
               ancient
               people
               the
               Jews
               ,
               for
               Isa
               .
               63.
               10.
               they
               are
               said
               to
               
                 have
                 vexed
                 his
                 Holy
                 Spirit
              
               :
               and
               in
               general
               to
               all
               sorts
               of
               men
               both
               Jew
               and
               Gentile
               ,
               especially
               such
               as
               have
               been
               baptized
               into
               Christianity
               ,
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               applies
               it self
               ,
               awakening
               Conscience
               ,
               suggesting
               good
               thoughts
               ,
               and
               giving
               check
               to
               their
               course
               of
               sin
               ,
               insomuch
               that
               whatsoever
               degree
               or
               beginnings
               of
               good
               there
               is
               in
               any
               man
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               is
               the
               first
               mover
               of
               it
               .
               For
               as
               no
               good
               can
               come
               but
               from
               God
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               not
               reasonable
               to
               think
               that
               there
               is
               any
               man
               so
               despised
               by
               God
               ,
               but
               that
               some
               overtures
               of
               good
               have
               been
               made
               to
               him
               ;
               nor
               is
               it
               worthy
               of
               God
               to
               imagine
               ,
               that
               this
               good
               Spirit
               doth
               quite
               abandon
               any
               man
               upon
               whom
               it
               hath
               begun
               to
               work
               ,
               till
               such
               person
               hath
               resisted
               ,
               quenched
               ,
               grieved
               ,
               and
               at
               last
               drove
               it
               away
               from
               him
               .
               But
               this
               is
               not
               that
               address
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               which
               we
               are
               considering
               of
               ,
               these
               are
               only
               the
               motions
               or
               visits
               which
               he
               vouchsafes
               to
               make
               (
               
                 pendente
                 lite
              
               ,
               or
               )
               whilst
               it
               is
               yet
               undetermined
               ,
               to
               whom
               men
               will
               ultimately
               belong
               .
               That
               therefore
               which
               we
               are
               concerned
               about
               is
               the
               peculiar
               
               priviledge
               of
               very
               good
               men
               ,
               such
               as
               have
               cherished
               the
               motions
               ,
               entertained
               the
               visits
               ,
               and
               complied
               with
               the
               intimations
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ;
               and
               when
               it
               is
               come
               to
               that
               ,
               from
               thenceforth
               he
               doth
               not
               visit
               them
               
                 in
                 transitu
              
               only
               ,
               or
               call
               upon
               them
               ,
               but
               resides
               and
               inhabits
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               becomes
               as
               it
               were
               a
               constant
               principle
               ,
               a
               Soul
               of
               their
               Souls
               :
               in
               short
               ,
               they
               are
               
                 the
                 temples
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
            
             
               THIS
               I
               take
               to
               be
               that
               which
               our
               Saviour
               means
               ,
               Jo.
               14.
               23.
               
               
                 If
                 any
                 man
                 love
                 me
                 he
                 will
                 keep
                 my
                 word
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 Father
                 will
                 love
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 will
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 our
                 abode
                 with
                 him
              
               ;
               and
               that
               also
               of
               St.
               John
               in
               the
               name
               of
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               Rev.
               3.
               20.
               
               
                 Behold
                 I
                 stand
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 and
                 knock
                 ,
              
               (
               which
               phrase
               signifies
               the
               previous
               and
               more
               ordinary
               motions
               of
               his
               grace
               )
               
                 And
                 if
                 any
                 man
                 open
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 (
                 i.
                 e.
              
               if
               men
               attend
               to
               my
               admonitions
               and
               invitations
               ,
               and
               break
               off
               their
               custom
               of
               sin
               which
               barrs
               the
               door
               of
               their
               Souls
               against
               me
               )
               
                 then
                 I
                 will
                 come
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 sup
                 with
                 him
                 ,
              
               &c.
               (
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               then
               I
               will
               be
               a
               familiar
               guest
               ,
               or
               inhabitant
               with
               him
               )
               and
               this
               is
               both
               interpreted
               and
               confirmed
               by
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               3.
               16.
               
               
                 Know
                 ye
                 not
                 that
                 ye
                 are
                 the
                 temple
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 you
                 ?
                 i.
                 e.
              
               being
               sanctified
               and
               made
               fit
               for
               the
               residence
               of
               that
               heavenly
               Guest
               ,
               he
               hath
               taken
               possession
               of
               you
               as
               his
               house
               and
               temple
               :
               and
               more
               expresly
               yet
               by
               St.
               John
               ,
               1
               Ep.
               3
               ,
               24.
               
               
                 He
                 that
                 keepeth
                 his
                 commandments
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 hereby
                 we
                 know
                 that
                 he
                 abideth
                 with
                 us
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 us
                 .
              
            
             
               §
               II.
               NOW
               this
               inhabitation
               or
               residence
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               is
               called
               a
               Seal
               ,
               and
               men
               are
               said
               to
               be
               sealed
               by
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               because
               as
               seals
               use
               to
               denote
               propriety
               ,
               so
               God
               hereby
               marks
               out
               as
               it
               were
               
               such
               men
               for
               his
               own
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               as
               those
               that
               he
               hath
               a
               peculiar
               concern
               about
               ,
               those
               that
               have
               an
               interest
               in
               him
               and
               he
               in
               them
               ;
               and
               this
               is
               of
               wonderfull
               comfort
               and
               advantage
               ,
               especially
               in
               these
               four
               respects
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               THE
               Spirit
               thus
               inhabiting
               men
               ,
               gives
               them
               a
               title
               not
               only
               to
               God's
               care
               and
               providence
               ,
               but
               to
               an
               inheritance
               of
               Sons
               ,
               to
               a
               participation
               of
               that
               unspeakable
               felicity
               wherewith
               himself
               is
               eternally
               happy
               and
               glorious
               .
               So
               the
               Apostle
               concludes
               in
               the
               forementioned
               place
               ,
               Eph.
               1.
               13
               ,
               14.
               
               
                 After
                 ye
                 believed
                 ye
                 were
                 sealed
                 with
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 of
                 promise
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 earnest
                 of
                 our
                 inheritance
                 untill
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 purchased
                 possession
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               We
               are
               hereby
               assured
               of
               Heaven
               and
               glory
               hereafter
               ,
               though
               we
               are
               not
               yet
               in
               possession
               of
               it
               :
               or
               ,
               this
               is
               the
               pledge
               of
               our
               adoption
               ,
               upon
               which
               the
               inheritance
               is
               intailed
               .
               Hence
               it
               is
               that
               the
               same
               Apostle
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               11.
               makes
               this
               an
               assured
               argument
               of
               our
               resurrection
               ;
               
                 But
                 if
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 raised
                 Jesus
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 dwell
                 in
                 you
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 raised
                 Jesus
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 shall
                 also
                 quicken
                 your
                 mortal
                 bodies
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 that
                 dwelleth
                 in
                 you
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               You
               cannot
               lie
               under
               the
               power
               of
               death
               and
               the
               bonds
               of
               the
               grave
               ,
               but
               God
               will
               assert
               you
               to
               life
               and
               immortality
               ,
               because
               you
               have
               a
               principle
               of
               life
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               in
               you
               ,
               which
               will
               as
               surely
               revive
               you
               ,
               as
               it
               raised
               Jesus
               from
               the
               dead
               ;
               for
               by
               his
               residence
               in
               you
               ,
               you
               are
               marked
               out
               as
               belonging
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               thereby
               he
               hath
               taken
               possession
               of
               you
               for
               himself
               .
            
             
               WHEN
               God
               owned
               the
               Tabernacle
               amongst
               the
               Jews
               built
               by
               Moses
               ,
               and
               after
               that
               the
               Temple
               built
               by
               Solomon
               ,
               and
               solemnly
               dedicated
               to
               him
               ,
               for
               his
               House
               or
               Palace
               wherein
               to
               dwell
               amongst
               that
               people
               ,
               it
               pleased
               him
               as
               it
               were
               to
               take
               livery
               and
               seisin
               ,
               by
               the
               cloud
               which
               on
               the
               behalf
               of
               the
               Divine
               
               Majesty
               hovered
               over
               them
               ,
               and
               was
               therefore
               not
               improperly
               called
               by
               the
               Jews
               the
               Shekinah
               ,
               or
               
                 dwelling
                 presence
              
               ;
               and
               God
               was
               said
               to
               
                 dwell
                 between
                 the
                 Cherubims
              
               ,
               because
               there
               this
               symbol
               of
               the
               divine
               presence
               subsisted
               .
               And
               as
               in
               the
               Christian
               Church
               all
               those
               miracles
               which
               the
               primitive
               Christians
               were
               inabled
               to
               perform
               ,
               were
               principally
               to
               assure
               their
               minds
               that
               God
               owned
               them
               ;
               and
               although
               they
               were
               destitute
               of
               humane
               help
               ,
               and
               persecuted
               both
               by
               Jews
               and
               Gentiles
               ,
               yet
               God
               was
               with
               them
               ,
               in
               which
               respect
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               is
               called
               
                 the
                 Comforter
              
               so
               often
               by
               our
               Saviour
               ;
               I
               say
               ,
               in
               those
               miraculous
               effusions
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               the
               cloud
               as
               it
               were
               sate
               over
               the
               mercy-seat
               in
               the
               Christian
               Church
               ,
               which
               was
               now
               departed
               from
               the
               Temple
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               and
               denoted
               the
               collection
               of
               believers
               ,
               both
               of
               Jews
               and
               Gentiles
               united
               under
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               ,
               to
               be
               now
               God's
               peculiar
               houshold
               and
               family
               :
               So
               also
               to
               all
               holy
               men
               in
               all
               Ages
               God
               is
               present
               by
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               by
               which
               they
               become
               
                 Temples
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               ;
               upon
               which
               the
               Apostle
               pronounces
               peremptorily
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               9.
               
               
                 If
                 any
                 man
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ
                 he
                 is
                 none
                 of
                 his
                 .
              
               Which
               I
               understand
               in
               this
               sense
               .
               
                 q.
                 d.
              
               He
               is
               not
               arrived
               at
               the
               excellent
               state
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               that
               hath
               not
               experience
               of
               the
               residence
               of
               God's
               Holy
               Spirit
               in
               him
               .
            
             
               ONLY
               this
               is
               to
               be
               remembred
               ,
               that
               this
               residence
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               in
               good
               men
               which
               we
               speak
               of
               ,
               is
               not
               to
               be
               judged
               of
               by
               miraculous
               effects
               ,
               nor
               are
               such
               to
               be
               expected
               now
               ,
               because
               those
               were
               proper
               only
               for
               the
               first
               Ages
               ,
               when
               whilst
               the
               Church
               was
               under
               persecuting
               Emperors
               ,
               and
               in
               its
               infancy
               ,
               God
               thought
               fit
               by
               such
               prodigious
               displays
               of
               his
               power
               and
               presence
               to
               make
               all
               the
               world
               see
               his
               concern
               for
               it
               ;
               and
               that
               (
               as
               I
               said
               before
               )
               he
               had
               taken
               possession
               
               of
               it
               :
               but
               ordinarily
               ,
               and
               especially
               in
               the
               case
               of
               private
               Christians
               ,
               the
               presence
               of
               the
               Spirit
               with
               them
               ,
               discovers
               it self
               by
               such
               effects
               as
               these
               following
               .
               For
            
             
               2.
               
               THE
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               though
               he
               doth
               not
               work
               miracles
               now
               ,
               yet
               doth
               he
               not
               meerly
               take
               up
               his
               residence
               in
               the
               hearts
               of
               holy
               men
               ,
               but
               actuates
               them
               ,
               prompts
               them
               forward
               in
               all
               good
               actions
               ,
               helps
               and
               strengthens
               them
               in
               their
               duty
               ,
               and
               inflames
               their
               resolution
               and
               zeal
               in
               all
               brave
               and
               generous
               enterprizes
               ;
               in
               respect
               of
               which
               we
               are
               said
               to
               be
               
                 lead
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 and
                 walk
                 in
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               Which
               is
               not
               so
               to
               be
               understood
               as
               if
               what
               good
               was
               done
               the
               Spirit
               did
               it
               for
               men
               ;
               nor
               much
               less
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               hurried
               men
               on
               whensoever
               they
               did
               well
               ,
               and
               so
               for
               defect
               of
               such
               motion
               were
               liable
               to
               bear
               the
               blame
               of
               their
               irregularities
               when
               they
               did
               evil
               ;
               for
               as
               on
               the
               one
               side
               he
               never
               moves
               but
               to
               that
               which
               is
               certainly
               good
               and
               agreeable
               to
               the
               standing
               rules
               of
               Scripture
               and
               natural
               reason
               ,
               so
               neither
               on
               the
               other
               hand
               ,
               when
               he
               incites
               to
               any
               such
               thing
               doth
               he
               overpower
               men
               ,
               but
               he
               raises
               and
               actuates
               their
               native
               powers
               ;
               removes
               impediments
               ,
               cures
               their
               sloth
               ;
               and
               in
               short
               ,
               concurring
               with
               them
               ,
               helps
               their
               infirmities
               ;
               with
               which
               agrees
               that
               forementioned
               observation
               of
               
                 Cicero
                 ,
                 Nunquam
                 vir
                 magnus
                 sine
                 afflatu
                 divino
                 ,
                 That
                 there
                 never
                 was
                 a
                 brave
                 Hero
                 ,
                 nor
                 any
                 admirable
                 performance
                 without
                 divineinfluence
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               THE
               Holy
               Spirit
               residing
               in
               the
               Souls
               of
               good
               men
               is
               also
               a
               spirit
               of
               confirmation
               ,
               settling
               and
               establishing
               their
               Souls
               against
               revolt
               and
               apostasy
               ,
               and
               giving
               a
               kind
               of
               angelical
               stedfastness
               to
               them
               ,
               that
               ill
               examples
               shall
               not
               draw
               them
               aside
               ,
               nor
               temptation
               prevail
               upon
               them
               ;
               neither
               insinuations
               of
               false
               doctrine
               stagger
               them
               ,
               nor
               prosperity
               and
               the
               blandishments
               
               of
               the
               world
               debauch
               them
               ,
               nor
               afflictions
               and
               persecutions
               shake
               their
               constancy
               :
               for
               they
               are
               now
               
                 built
                 upon
                 a
                 rock
                 ;
                 and
                 though
                 the
                 rains
                 descend
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 waves
                 rise
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 winds
                 blow
                 ,
                 they
                 stand
                 immovable
              
               ;
               or
               as
               St.
               John
               expresses
               it
               ,
               Rev.
               3.
               12.
               they
               having
               overcome
               and
               obtained
               the
               reward
               of
               being
               under
               the
               conduct
               of
               this
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               are
               now
               
                 made
                 pillars
                 of
                 the
                 temple
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 goe
                 no
                 more
                 out
                 .
              
               To
               which
               add
               that
               of
               St.
               
                 Peter
                 ,
                 1
                 Ep.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
                 They
                 are
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               kept
               (
               in
               Garison
               )
               
                 by
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 through
                 faith
                 unto
                 salvation
                 .
              
            
             
               4.
               
               BESIDES
               all
               which
               in
               the
               last
               place
               ,
               it
               is
               usual
               with
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               to
               fill
               the
               hearts
               of
               those
               holy
               men
               he
               inhabits
               with
               inexpressible
               joy
               ,
               giving
               them
               the
               foretasts
               of
               the
               blessedness
               which
               they
               expect
               to
               enjoy
               hereafter
               ;
               insomuch
               that
               they
               do
               not
               altogether
               live
               by
               faith
               (
               which
               is
               their
               usual
               viaticum
               )
               but
               in
               some
               measure
               by
               sense
               also
               ,
               having
               a
               present
               glimpse
               of
               their
               future
               happiness
               ,
               by
               means
               whereof
               they
               
                 rejoyce
                 with
                 joy
                 unspeakable
                 and
                 full
                 of
                 glory
              
               ;
               they
               exult
               ,
               triumph
               and
               applaud
               themselves
               in
               their
               interest
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               their
               glorious
               portion
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               THE
               Holy
               Spirit
               carries
               men
               as
               God
               did
               Moses
               up
               to
               Mount
               Pisgah
               ,
               to
               take
               a
               view
               of
               the
               good
               Land
               of
               promise
               ,
               and
               affords
               them
               the
               prelibations
               of
               Heaven
               ;
               the
               very
               relish
               of
               which
               blessedness
               upon
               their
               spirits
               puts
               them
               into
               a
               kind
               of
               ecstasy
               ,
               that
               they
               fell
               not
               the
               troubles
               and
               vexations
               which
               may
               assault
               them
               from
               below
               ;
               they
               triumph
               over
               mortality
               it self
               ,
               and
               wish
               and
               long
               to
               die
               :
               when
               (
               like
               St.
               
                 Stephen
                 )
                 they
                 see
                 Heaven
                 opened
                 ,
                 and
                 Jesus
                 sitting
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               their
               face
               (
               like
               his
               )
               shines
               like
               that
               of
               Angels
               ,
               and
               a
               glory
               incircles
               them
               ;
               they
               seem
               to
               hear
               the
               blessed
               Quire
               of
               Angels
               ,
               and
               are
               
               ready
               to
               join
               in
               the
               Allelujah
               :
               in
               short
               ,
               their
               Soul
               raises
               it self
               ,
               and
               would
               fain
               take
               wing
               and
               fly
               thither
               presently
               .
            
             
               THIS
               I
               think
               is
               that
               which
               is
               figuratively
               but
               excellently
               set
               forth
               by
               our
               Saviour
               in
               his
               Epistle
               to
               the
               Church
               of
               Pergamos
               ,
               Rev.
               2.
               17.
               
               
                 To
                 him
                 that
                 overcometh
                 will
                 I
                 give
                 to
                 eat
                 of
                 the
                 hidden
                 manna
                 .
                 Manna
              
               was
               called
               Angels
               food
               ,
               and
               as
               the
               Jews
               observe
               ,
               it
               applied
               it self
               to
               every
               man's
               palate
               ,
               and
               had
               that
               relish
               which
               every
               man
               desired
               :
               which
               admirably
               expresses
               the
               joys
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               which
               are
               for
               the
               present
               the
               entertainment
               of
               Angels
               ;
               and
               when
               men
               come
               to
               enjoy
               them
               ,
               shall
               fill
               all
               their
               powers
               ,
               and
               leave
               no
               desire
               unsatisfied
               :
               And
               it
               is
               called
               
                 hidden
                 manna
              
               ,
               because
               (
               as
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               )
               
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 yet
                 appear
                 what
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 :
              
               however
               ,
               it
               seems
               some
               taste
               and
               anticipations
               of
               this
               shall
               those
               have
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               who
               overcome
               .
               But
               that
               which
               I
               principally
               intend
               is
               the
               next
               words
               ,
               
                 And
                 I
                 will
                 give
                 him
                 a
                 white
                 stone
                 with
                 a
                 new
                 name
                 written
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 no
                 man
                 knows
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 receiveth
                 it
                 .
              
               This
               passage
               some
               take
               to
               be
               an
               allusion
               to
               the
               custom
               at
               Athens
               ,
               and
               some
               other
               Greek
               Common-wealths
               ;
               where
               in
               capitall
               causes
               especially
               ,
               the
               Citizens
               gave
               their
               Suffrages
               by
               White
               and
               Black
               Stones
               ;
               and
               when
               the
               number
               of
               White
               Stones
               was
               greatest
               ,
               the
               person
               at
               the
               Bar
               was
               absolved
               or
               acquitted
               .
               And
               thus
               the
               
                 white
                 stone
              
               in
               the
               Text
               should
               in
               the
               mystical
               sense
               import
               justification
               and
               pardon
               of
               sin
               .
               But
               this
               comes
               not
               up
               to
               the
               design
               of
               the
               place
               :
               and
               there
               is
               another
               custome
               which
               fits
               it
               better
               ,
               and
               most
               probably
               was
               here
               alluded
               to
               by
               our
               Saviour
               ;
               (
               viz.
               )
               it
               was
               in
               use
               that
               those
               which
               conquered
               at
               the
               Olympick
               Games
               ,
               had
               a
               token
               or
               ticket
               given
               them
               ,
               expressing
               their
               names
               ,
               and
               specifying
               the
               reward
               they
               were
               to
               have
               for
               
               
               
               
               
               their
               atchievements
               .
               In
               conformity
               to
               which
               our
               Saviour
               here
               seems
               to
               promise
               to
               those
               who
               acquit
               themselves
               manfully
               and
               bravely
               in
               the
               conflict
               ,
               or
               race
               of
               Christianity
               ;
               that
               they
               shall
               receive
               an
               inward
               and
               invisible
               pledge
               and
               assurance
               of
               the
               glorious
               rewards
               in
               the
               other
               world
               ;
               which
               can
               be
               nothing
               else
               but
               this
               which
               we
               are
               speaking
               of
               ,
               namely
               ,
               the
               comforts
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               .
            
             
               THIS
               is
               now
               the
               second
               Boon
               which
               our
               Heavenly
               Father
               bestows
               upon
               the
               Son
               he
               receives
               ,
               and
               is
               a
               very
               great
               and
               glorious
               one
               .
               This
               is
               the
               admirable
               effect
               of
               our
               Saviour's
               ascension
               into
               Heaven
               ;
               the
               accomplishment
               of
               his
               promise
               ,
               and
               the
               supply
               of
               his
               own
               presence
               to
               his
               servants
               till
               he
               take
               them
               up
               to
               himself
               .
               This
               is
               the
               glory
               of
               Christian
               Religion
               ,
               that
               whensoever
               it
               is
               vigorously
               pursued
               ,
               it
               yields
               this
               present
               advantage
               besides
               whatever
               is
               in
               reversion
               .
               And
               this
               is
               the
               mightiest
               incouragement
               to
               men
               to
               be
               generously
               good
               .
            
             
               AND
               although
               things
               of
               this
               nature
               partly
               because
               they
               are
               meerly
               divine
               favours
               ,
               not
               naturally
               due
               to
               men
               ,
               and
               so
               cannot
               be
               proved
               by
               reason
               ;
               partly
               also
               being
               in
               their
               own
               nature
               invisible
               and
               transacted
               in
               secret
               ,
               cannot
               be
               understood
               by
               the
               generality
               of
               men
               who
               have
               no
               part
               nor
               lot
               in
               this
               matter
               ,
               but
               are
               apt
               to
               be
               looked
               upon
               as
               dreams
               and
               phansies
               (
               if
               not
               vain-glorious
               pretences
               and
               forgeries
               )
               yet
               that
               this
               we
               have
               been
               speaking
               of
               is
               a
               great
               reality
               there
               can
               be
               no
               doubt
               ,
               unless
               we
               will
               reject
               both
               the
               testimony
               of
               God
               and
               the
               experience
               of
               the
               best
               of
               men
               ;
               so
               that
               it
               may
               justly
               seem
               either
               unnecessary
               or
               fruitless
               to
               add
               any
               thing
               to
               what
               hath
               been
               already
               said
               on
               this
               point
               .
            
             
               NOTWITHSTANDING
               ,
               because
               I
               observe
               that
               there
               are
               two
               things
               which
               prejudice
               the
               minds
               
               of
               a
               great
               many
               men
               in
               this
               business
               ,
               I
               will
               indeavour
               briefly
               to
               remove
               them
               ,
               and
               then
               pass
               on
               .
            
             
               THE
               first
               is
               grounded
               upon
               an
               observation
               that
               several
               good
               men
               have
               experience
               of
               no
               such
               matter
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               they
               are
               neither
               sensible
               of
               such
               a
               residence
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               in
               them
               ,
               nor
               of
               any
               such
               ravishing
               comforts
               as
               are
               pretended
               to
               accompany
               such
               a
               glorious
               Guest
               :
               and
               therefore
               they
               are
               apt
               to
               suspect
               either
               all
               is
               phansy
               ,
               or
               at
               best
               that
               it
               is
               only
               some
               great
               rarity
               not
               the
               common
               portion
               of
               God's
               Children
               .
            
             
               AGAIN
               ,
               they
               observe
               that
               not
               only
               many
               good
               men
               are
               without
               pretences
               to
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               but
               many
               evil
               men
               lay
               claim
               to
               it
               ,
               and
               therewith
               frequently
               cheat
               themselves
               ;
               and
               besides
               ,
               countenance
               their
               evil
               designs
               by
               it
               ,
               and
               under
               that
               pretence
               do
               a
               great
               deal
               the
               more
               mischief
               in
               the
               world
               .
               Therefore
               though
               they
               do
               not
               doubt
               but
               that
               God
               might
               think
               fit
               at
               the
               first
               planting
               of
               the
               Gospel
               to
               give
               his
               Holy
               Spirit
               as
               aforesaid
               ,
               because
               upon
               many
               accounts
               there
               was
               then
               extraordinary
               necessity
               for
               it
               ;
               and
               also
               the
               Spirit
               then
               given
               was
               so
               plainly
               miraculous
               ,
               and
               gave
               such
               proof
               of
               it self
               ,
               that
               there
               could
               be
               no
               suspicion
               of
               cheat
               in
               the
               case
               :
               yet
               forasmuch
               as
               both
               these
               things
               fail
               now
               ,
               (
               viz.
               both
               the
               occasion
               and
               the
               discrimination
               )
               they
               think
               it
               safer
               to
               reject
               all
               such
               pretensions
               ,
               then
               admitting
               them
               ,
               to
               lay
               open
               a
               way
               for
               so
               much
               cheating
               and
               imposture
               as
               may
               be
               reasonably
               expected
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               no
               certain
               way
               of
               detecting
               it
               .
            
             
               NOW
               therefore
               if
               in
               the
               first
               place
               I
               can
               give
               a
               plain
               account
               how
               it
               may
               come
               to
               pass
               ,
               that
               such
               men
               as
               are
               supposed
               in
               the
               first
               objection
               may
               be
               destitute
               of
               such
               advantages
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               as
               we
               have
               asserted
               to
               be
               the
               tokens
               of
               his
               residence
               ;
               and
               then
               secondly
               ,
               if
               I
               shew
               also
               how
               to
               prevent
               all
               imposture
               ,
               
               by
               distinguishing
               the
               operations
               of
               the
               Spirit
               from
               fancy
               and
               other
               allusions
               ,
               then
               both
               the
               objections
               will
               be
               answered
               ,
               and
               the
               Reader
               will
               not
               be
               offended
               with
               the
               digression
               .
            
             
               §
               III.
               AND
               to
               dispatch
               all
               briefly
               I
               begin
               with
               the
               first
               ,
               to
               which
               I
               say
               ,
               That
               as
               it
               is
               not
               usual
               with
               God
               to
               precipitate
               or
               prevent
               the
               course
               of
               natural
               causes
               ,
               but
               to
               blesse
               and
               succeed
               them
               in
               their
               due
               and
               proper
               order
               ;
               so
               neither
               in
               his
               especial
               providence
               ,
               or
               in
               the
               acts
               of
               his
               grace
               ,
               doth
               he
               delight
               to
               work
               
                 per
                 saltum
              
               ,
               but
               gradually
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               condition
               of
               the
               subject
               ,
               and
               its
               fitness
               to
               receive
               his
               impressions
               :
               accordingly
               though
               he
               be
               always
               ready
               to
               bestow
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               with
               all
               the
               comforts
               and
               advantages
               thereof
               ;
               yet
               he
               expects
               and
               requires
               all
               due
               qualifications
               and
               preparations
               before
               he
               confer
               it
               .
               Now
               there
               are
               these
               three
               especial
               qualifications
               for
               the
               reception
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               in
               the
               sense
               we
               speak
               of
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               (
               AS
               I
               have
               intimated
               already
               )
               That
               a
               man
               be
               not
               only
               purged
               from
               grosser
               pollutions
               ,
               and
               begin
               to
               have
               a
               love
               of
               holiness
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               be
               singularly
               pure
               ,
               so
               as
               at
               least
               not
               to
               admit
               of
               any
               voluntary
               transgression
               ,
               and
               especially
               be
               above
               all
               sensuality
               of
               what
               kind
               soever
               .
               It
               is
               observable
               in
               that
               sad
               miscarriage
               of
               David
               (
               which
               we
               have
               often
               had
               occasion
               to
               refer
               to
               )
               that
               it
               made
               him
               justly
               fear
               ,
               and
               therefore
               earnestly
               pray
               ,
               Psal
               .
               51.
               that
               God
               would
               not
               thereupon
               
                 take
                 his
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 from
                 him
              
               ;
               and
               the
               Apostle
               when
               he
               is
               earnestly
               persuading
               the
               
                 Ephesians
                 ,
                 Not
                 to
                 grieve
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
              
               
               
                 whereby
                 they
                 were
                 seald
                 to
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 redemption
                 ,
              
               solemnly
               warns
               them
               in
               the
               verse
               before
               ,
               
                 That
                 no
                 corrupt
              
               (
               or
               obscene
               and
               filthy
               )
               
                 communication
                 proceed
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 mouths
                 ,
              
               
               as
               that
               which
               would
               assuredly
               argue
               their
               hearts
               to
               be
               no
               temple
               for
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ;
               and
               again
               ,
               in
               the
               verse
               after
               the
               aforesaid
               exhortation
               ,
               he
               with
               the
               same
               earnestness
               gives
               them
               caution
               
                 against
                 all
                 bitterness
                 ,
                 and
                 wrath
                 ,
                 and
                 clamour
                 ,
              
               &c.
               as
               intimating
               that
               those
               also
               defiled
               the
               Soul
               ,
               and
               made
               it
               incapable
               of
               receiving
               the
               blessed
               Spirit
               .
               To
               which
               purpose
               the
               Jews
               have
               a
               common
               saying
               ,
               
                 Super
                 animum
                 turbidum
                 non
                 requiescit
                 Spiritus
                 Sanctus
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 requires
                 a
                 sedate
                 even
                 temper
                 as
                 his
                 quiet
                 habitation
                 .
              
            
             
               2.
               
               THE
               Spirit
               of
               God
               requires
               a
               lovely
               ,
               sweet
               and
               benign
               frame
               of
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               abhors
               that
               Hypochondriack
               sourness
               and
               austerity
               ,
               which
               yet
               some
               place
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               Religion
               in
               ;
               when
               men
               will
               be
               always
               sighing
               and
               complaining
               ,
               and
               peevishly
               refuse
               consolation
               .
               Jonah
               confidently
               told
               God
               
                 he
                 did
                 well
                 to
                 be
                 angry
              
               ;
               and
               so
               these
               men
               seem
               to
               think
               they
               please
               God
               by
               grieving
               his
               Spirit
               ,
               frowardly
               or
               at
               least
               phantastically
               resisting
               his
               consolations
               .
               But
               it
               is
               a
               mighty
               mistake
               to
               think
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               will
               comfort
               men
               whether
               they
               will
               or
               no
               ;
               he
               requires
               a
               persuadeable
               ,
               counsellable
               temper
               ,
               and
               such
               a
               disposition
               as
               will
               work
               with
               him
               ;
               for
               to
               make
               a
               black
               melancholist
               comfortable
               immediately
               ,
               is
               not
               to
               be
               done
               but
               by
               a
               phrenzy
               or
               a
               miracle
               ,
               and
               for
               this
               last
               we
               are
               not
               to
               expect
               it
               now
               at
               God's
               hands
               :
               
               nay
               even
               the
               Prophet
               Elisha
               ,
               when
               he
               desired
               to
               call
               up
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Prophecy
               ,
               called
               for
               an
               Harp
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               put
               his
               mind
               in
               tune
               ,
               and
               dispose
               himself
               to
               become
               the
               instrument
               of
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               so
               it
               is
               here
               ,
               an
               harmonious
               Soul
               added
               to
               the
               former
               qualification
               invites
               down
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God.
               Especially
               if
            
             
               3.
               
               IN
               the
               third
               place
               there
               be
               servent
               prayer
               joined
               herewith
               ;
               for
               since
               God
               expects
               we
               should
               make
               our
               acknowledgments
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               demonstrate
               
               he
               value
               we
               have
               of
               the
               mercy
               we
               seek
               by
               the
               importunity
               of
               our
               addresses
               to
               him
               ,
               even
               then
               when
               we
               address
               our selves
               to
               him
               for
               common
               favours
               ;
               with
               much
               less
               reason
               can
               we
               expect
               that
               he
               should
               bestow
               this
               great
               boon
               upon
               us
               ,
               unless
               it
               be
               sought
               by
               ardent
               and
               instant
               prayer
               :
               so
               our
               Saviour
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               Luk.
               11.
               13.
               that
               though
               he
               have
               a
               fatherly
               affection
               to
               give
               all
               good
               things
               to
               us
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               upon
               condition
               that
               
                 we
                 ask
                 him
              
               .
               And
               St.
               James
               hath
               further
               explained
               to
               us
               the
               manner
               of
               asking
               ,
               Chap.
               1.
               6
               ,
               7.
               that
               it
               
                 must
                 be
                 in
                 faith
                 without
                 wavering
                 ;
                 i.
                 e.
              
               neither
               as
               doubtfull
               of
               God's
               goodness
               ,
               nor
               as
               if
               we
               were
               indifferent
               whether
               he
               granted
               our
               request
               or
               not
               ;
               for
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 Let
                 not
                 such
                 a
                 man
                 think
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 receive
                 any
                 thing
                 at
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
            
             
               NOW
               forasmuch
               as
               the
               comfortable
               portion
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               is
               not
               intailed
               upon
               all
               the
               Children
               which
               God
               receives
               to
               grace
               and
               pardon
               ,
               but
               that
               all
               these
               qualifications
               are
               pre-required
               ;
               since
               it
               is
               also
               evident
               that
               some
               who
               perhaps
               may
               passionately
               desire
               it
               ,
               yet
               have
               an
               unhappy
               temper
               that
               unfits
               them
               for
               the
               entertainment
               of
               this
               heavenly
               Guest
               ;
               and
               many
               others
               that
               have
               some
               good
               measure
               of
               sincerity
               ,
               which
               God
               will
               mercifully
               accept
               in
               order
               to
               eternal
               life
               ,
               are
               not
               yet
               raised
               to
               such
               a
               measure
               of
               holiness
               as
               to
               be
               capable
               of
               this
               favour
               at
               the
               present
               :
               It
               cannot
               seem
               strange
               that
               such
               should
               remain
               strangers
               to
               this
               most
               happy
               priviledge
               ,
               nor
               can
               it
               yet
               be
               reasonable
               that
               their
               want
               of
               experience
               of
               it
               should
               be
               any
               argument
               that
               there
               is
               no
               such
               thing
               to
               be
               expected
               .
            
             
               §
               IV.
               BUT
               then
               for
               the
               other
               difficultie
               ,
               (
               viz.
               )
               how
               to
               distinguish
               the
               moti
               on
               of
               God's
               Spirit
               from
               either
               the
               impressions
               of
               Sathan
               ,
               or
               the
               results
               of
               a
               man
               's
               own
               
               temper
               and
               constitution
               ;
               I
               answer
               there
               are
               these
               properties
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               which
               if
               they
               be
               attended
               to
               and
               laid
               together
               ,
               will
               infallibly
               distinguish
               it
               from
               any
               other
               motion
               ,
               and
               secure
               us
               from
               all
               illusion
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               THE
               Spirit
               of
               God
               never
               moves
               any
               man
               but
               in
               an
               action
               or
               course
               warrantable
               by
               the
               word
               of
               God
               :
               for
               since
               the
               Holy
               Scripture
               is
               given
               for
               a
               rule
               of
               our
               actions
               ,
               and
               as
               such
               confirmed
               in
               the
               most
               ample
               manner
               by
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ;
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               should
               notoriously
               contradict
               it self
               ,
               if
               it
               should
               contradict
               that
               .
            
             
               INDEED
               ,
               in
               former
               Ages
               whilst
               the
               mind
               of
               God
               was
               not
               intierly
               delivered
               ,
               and
               consigned
               in
               holy
               Writ
               ,
               there
               were
               frequent
               intimations
               of
               his
               pleasure
               by
               the
               spirit
               of
               Prophecy
               to
               supply
               that
               defect
               ,
               and
               several
               special
               directions
               given
               upon
               emergencies
               ;
               but
               then
               also
               it
               is
               to
               be
               observed
               ,
               that
               such
               extraordinary
               interpositions
               were
               attended
               with
               miraculous
               circumstances
               ,
               and
               thereby
               brought
               their
               credentials
               along
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               gave
               assurance
               of
               their
               divine
               authority
               :
               but
               now
               those
               miraculous
               attestations
               being
               ceased
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               the
               reason
               of
               them
               ,
               whatsoever
               pretends
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               is
               contrary
               to
               the
               Holy
               Scripture
               ,
               is
               an
               illusion
               of
               the
               Devil
               .
               
                 To
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 speak
                 not
                 according
                 to
                 this
                 Rule
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 because
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 light
                 in
                 them
                 ,
              
               Isa
               .
               8.
               20.
               
            
             
               SECONDLY
               ,
               the
               motions
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               particularly
               in
               comforting
               the
               hearts
               of
               holy
               men
               ,
               are
               rational
               and
               accountable
               ,
               and
               consequently
               of
               that
               are
               also
               even
               and
               constant
               .
               It
               is
               very
               ordinary
               for
               some
               men
               to
               be
               sometimes
               marvellously
               cast
               down
               they
               know
               not
               for
               what
               ,
               and
               then
               raised
               up
               again
               they
               know
               not
               how
               ,
               and
               this
               they
               ignorantly
               call
               
               the
               accessions
               and
               recesses
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               or
               a
               Plerophory
               ,
               and
               a
               state
               of
               desertion
               .
               Whilst
               there
               is
               nothing
               to
               alter
               the
               case
               ,
               no
               change
               in
               themselves
               ,
               neither
               of
               apostasy
               from
               God
               ,
               nor
               of
               improvement
               in
               piety
               ,
               yet
               their
               state
               of
               mind
               is
               altered
               ,
               as
               if
               God
               changed
               ,
               and
               not
               themselves
               ,
            
             
               BUT
               it
               is
               quite
               otherwise
               with
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               that
               never
               causlesly
               withdraws
               from
               men
               ;
               it
               never
               grieves
               those
               who
               have
               not
               first
               grieved
               it
               ,
               nor
               doth
               it
               arbitrarily
               give
               joy
               and
               consolation
               to
               the
               minds
               of
               men
               ,
               but
               upon
               just
               ground
               and
               foundations
               ,
               when
               there
               is
               a
               root
               and
               cause
               of
               it
               within
               ,
               in
               their
               own
               Consciences
               .
               So
               Erasmus
               well
               observes
               upon
               that
               passage
               of
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               Rom.
               8.
               16.
               
               
                 The
                 Spirit
                 witnesseth
                 with
                 our
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God.
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 Vt
                 intelligas
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 geminum
                 esse
                 testimonium
                 duorum
                 Spirituum
                 nostri
                 &
                 Dei
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 The
                 Spirit
                 doth
                 not
                 comfort
                 against
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 our
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 but
                 concurrs
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 confirms
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 spirit
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 see
                 ,
                 and
                 understand
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 give
                 account
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 joys
                 .
              
               And
               consequently
               of
               this
               ,
               these
               comforts
               are
               not
               flashy
               and
               uncertain
               ,
               but
               stable
               and
               certain
               ;
               like
               those
               effects
               that
               proceed
               from
               known
               and
               certain
               causes
               .
               The
               joy
               of
               such
               men
               is
               not
               a
               blaze
               like
               a
               meteor
               ,
               but
               
                 as
                 the
                 shining
                 light
                 which
                 shineth
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 unto
                 the
                 perfect
                 day
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               4.
               18.
               
               But
               on
               the
               contrary
               ,
               those
               that
               have
               their
               ebbings
               and
               flowings
               ,
               their
               sudden
               and
               unaccountable
               dejections
               ,
               and
               their
               as
               sudden
               ecstasies
               and
               transports
               ,
               very
               unworthily
               impute
               these
               motions
               to
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               which
               are
               only
               fits
               of
               the
               body
               ,
               and
               the
               several
               disguises
               of
               hypochondriack
               passions
               .
            
             
               THIRDLY
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               in
               all
               its
               impressions
               upon
               men
               is
               gentle
               ,
               sedate
               ,
               and
               governable
               ;
               puts
               not
               men
               into
               a
               rage
               ,
               nor
               disorders
               their
               
               reason
               ,
               but
               is
               manageable
               by
               it
               ,
               submits
               to
               all
               decorum
               ,
               and
               complies
               with
               all
               decency
               of
               circumstances
               .
               This
               is
               that
               which
               is
               thought
               by
               the
               best
               Interpreters
               to
               be
               the
               meaning
               of
               that
               remarkable
               passage
               of
               the
               Apostle
               to
               the
               
                 Corinthians
                 ,
                 1
                 Ep.
                 Chap.
                 14.
                 vers
                 .
              
               29
               ,
               30
               ,
               32
               ,
               33.
               
               
                 Let
                 the
                 Prophets
                 speak
                 two
                 or
                 three
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 the
                 rest
                 judge
                 .
                 If
                 any
                 thing
                 be
                 revealed
                 to
                 another
                 that
                 sitteth
                 by
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 first
                 hold
                 his
                 peace
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 spirits
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 are
                 subject
                 to
                 the
                 Prophets
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 authour
                 of
                 confusion
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 peace
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               (
               saith
               the
               Learned
               Dr.
               
                 H.
                 Hammond
              
               )
               even
               in
               those
               effusions
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               exercise
               of
               those
               extraordinary
               gifts
               ,
               you
               may
               observe
               method
               and
               order
               .
               
                 For
                 the
                 afflations
                 or
                 inspirations
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 here
                 spoken
                 of
                 may
                 be
                 ruled
                 by
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
                 by
                 them
                 that
                 have
                 them
                 ;
                 these
                 Christian
                 gifts
                 being
                 not
                 like
                 the
                 afflations
                 of
                 evil
                 spirits
                 ,
                 which
                 put
                 men
                 into
                 ecstasies
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
                 for
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 violent
                 ,
                 ecstatical
                 ,
                 impetuous
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 soft
                 ,
                 quiet
                 spirit
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               And
               if
               it
               was
               so
               in
               those
               extraordinary
               impulses
               in
               the
               primitive
               times
               ,
               much
               more
               must
               it
               needs
               be
               so
               now
               ,
               when
               all
               those
               miraculous
               and
               prodigious
               circumstances
               are
               ceased
               ,
               
               as
               I
               said
               before
               .
               Therefore
               wherever
               men
               pretending
               to
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               are
               raving
               and
               furious
               ,
               and
               pervert
               all
               order
               and
               government
               ,
               or
               wheresoever
               such
               persons
               shall
               under
               such
               pretences
               thrust
               themselves
               into
               the
               Ministry
               ,
               or
               put
               the
               Magistrate
               out
               of
               office
               ,
               shall
               take
               upon
               them
               to
               be
               reformers
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               revile
               authority
               ,
               run
               upon
               desperate
               attempts
               ,
               or
               in
               short
               ,
               whereever
               there
               is
               a
               
                 raging
                 whirlwind
              
               instead
               of
               a
               
                 still
                 soft
                 voice
              
               ,
               God
               is
               not
               there
               ,
               but
               either
               the
               Devil
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               a
               Phrenzy
               .
               And
               so
               much
               for
               that
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               CHAP.
               IV.
               
            
             
               Of
               the
               great
               honour
               God
               doth
               to
               a
               true
               Penitent
               ,
               putting
               him
               into
               his
               service
               ,
               and
               the
               peculiar
               usefullness
               of
               such
               a
               person
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     The
                     great
                     trust
                     God
                     reposes
                     in
                     those
                     he
                     pardons
                     ,
                     and
                     their
                     obligations
                     to
                     faithfullness
                     and
                     activity
                     in
                     his
                     service
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     Several
                     ways
                     whereby
                     all
                     good
                     men
                     may
                     be
                     usefull
                     towards
                     the
                     conversion
                     of
                     others
                     ,
                     (
                     without
                     taking
                     upon
                     them
                     to
                     be
                     publick
                     Preachers
                     )
                     and
                     their
                     incouragements
                     thereunto
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     The
                     peculiar
                     aptness
                     of
                     Converts
                     from
                     an
                     evil
                     life
                     ,
                     to
                     be
                     serviceable
                     to
                     God
                     in
                     the
                     reclaiming
                     of
                     others
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     IV.
                     The
                     Character
                     of
                     an
                     accomplisht
                     Christian
                     according
                     to
                     all
                     the
                     ornaments
                     forementioned
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               §
               I.
               WE
               come
               now
               to
               the
               third
               Ornament
               which
               the
               Father
               invests
               his
               returned
               Son
               with
               ,
               
                 He
                 puts
                 Shoes
                 on
                 his
                 Feet
                 ,
              
               which
               were
               the
               habit
               not
               of
               Slaves
               ,
               but
               of
               Free-men
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               noted
               before
               ;
               but
               what
               is
               the
               mystical
               sense
               of
               this
               passage
               ,
               or
               what
               favour
               on
               God's
               part
               towards
               penitent
               sinners
               is
               hereby
               denoted
               ,
               is
               not
               altogether
               so
               easy
               to
               resolve
               upon
               :
               St.
               Chrysostom
               ,
               and
               Theophylact
               ,
               understand
               hereby
               the
               Grace
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               defends
               the
               Convert
               from
               the
               temptations
               of
               the
               Devil
               ;
               
                 Put
                 Shoes
                 on
                 his
                 feet
              
               (
               saith
               the
               former
               )
               
                 that
                 the
                 old
                 Serpent
                 
                 may
                 not
                 find
                 him
                 naked
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 wound
                 his
                 heel
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 tread
                 upon
                 the
                 serpent's
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 disturbance
                 in
                 running
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 God's
                 commandments
                 .
              
               But
               St.
               Jerom
               ,
               and
               St.
               Austin
               apprehend
               ,
               that
               hereby
               is
               signified
               the
               honour
               that
               is
               put
               upon
               eminent
               Converts
               ,
               to
               be
               employed
               by
               God
               as
               usefull
               instruments
               of
               propagating
               his
               Gospell
               ,
               and
               of
               drawing
               in
               others
               from
               the
               evill
               of
               their
               ways
               to
               submission
               and
               obedience
               .
               To
               this
               purpose
               St.
               Jerom
               applies
               that
               circumstance
               of
               the
               Passeover
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               to
               be
               eaten
               
                 with
                 staves
                 in
                 their
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 shoes
                 on
                 their
                 feet
                 ,
              
               as
               well
               as
               with
               
                 bitter
                 herbs
              
               ;
               as
               if
               the
               mystical
               reach
               of
               that
               injunction
               was
               to
               teach
               us
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               delivered
               by
               the
               mighty
               power
               of
               God's
               grace
               out
               of
               Aegypt
               ,
               (
               the
               state
               of
               servility
               to
               sin
               and
               Satan
               ,
               )
               should
               not
               only
               solemnize
               the
               memorial
               of
               God's
               mercy
               with
               a
               sorrowfull
               and
               bitter
               reflection
               upon
               his
               former
               folly
               and
               misery
               ,
               but
               stand
               (
               as
               in
               procinctu
               )
               ready
               to
               run
               on
               God's
               errand
               ,
               and
               to
               call
               in
               others
               to
               him
               .
               And
               indeed
               ,
               this
               same
               Metaphor
               is
               used
               in
               that
               very
               sense
               (
               according
               to
               the
               judgment
               of
               the
               best
               interpreters
               ,
               )
               Eph.
               6.
               16.
               
               
                 Having
                 your
                 feet
                 shod
                 with
                 the
                 preparation
                 of
                 the
                 gospel
                 of
                 peace
                 ,
              
               which
               seems
               to
               allude
               to
               that
               passage
               of
               the
               Prophet
               
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 52.
                 7.
                 
                 How
                 beautifull
                 are
                 the
                 feet
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 preach
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 peace
              
               ;
               and
               the
               intent
               of
               the
               Apostle
               seems
               to
               be
               to
               injoin
               a
               readiness
               to
               promote
               and
               set
               forward
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               .
               And
               in
               this
               sense
               I
               take
               it
               here
               ,
               that
               when
               God
               hath
               pardoned
               a
               sinner
               ,
               and
               sanctified
               and
               adopted
               him
               ,
               he
               then
               fits
               him
               for
               his
               service
               ,
               employs
               him
               in
               it
               ,
               and
               expects
               from
               him
               that
               he
               become
               usefull
               towards
               the
               reclaiming
               of
               others
               .
               
            
             
               A
               great
               Prince
               of
               the
               last
               Age
               had
               upon
               some
               displeasure
               cast
               an
               old
               Captain
               and
               a
               potent
               Minister
               of
               his
               
               into
               Prison
               ,
               where
               he
               continued
               a
               long
               time
               without
               any
               hopes
               of
               restitution
               ;
               untill
               at
               length
               it
               happened
               that
               the
               great
               Monarch
               having
               projected
               the
               adjoining
               a
               neighbour
               Kingdom
               to
               his
               own
               dominions
               ,
               thought
               none
               so
               fit
               to
               execute
               his
               design
               as
               the
               person
               he
               had
               long
               kept
               under
               a
               restraint
               ;
               him
               therefore
               he
               sends
               for
               out
               of
               prison
               ,
               pardons
               him
               ,
               and
               commissions
               him
               for
               so
               great
               an
               affair
               ,
               and
               found
               the
               success
               of
               his
               courage
               and
               conduct
               according
               to
               his
               own
               desires
               .
               It
               is
               not
               easy
               to
               say
               whether
               this
               action
               argued
               more
               the
               wisedom
               of
               the
               Prince
               ,
               (
               who
               knew
               who
               was
               fittest
               for
               his
               turn
               ,
               and
               could
               also
               submit
               his
               own
               passion
               to
               his
               interest
               ;
               )
               or
               whether
               it
               was
               a
               sign
               of
               the
               necessity
               of
               his
               affairs
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               scarcity
               of
               expert
               and
               able
               servants
               ,
               but
               it
               is
               certain
               it
               was
               a
               glorious
               testimony
               to
               the
               gallantry
               of
               him
               he
               so
               employed
               .
            
             
               NOW
               though
               it
               be
               most
               evident
               that
               God
               stands
               in
               need
               of
               no
               man
               for
               the
               execution
               of
               his
               designs
               ,
               yet
               it
               is
               as
               certain
               that
               in
               all
               the
               instances
               of
               his
               providence
               he
               loves
               to
               employ
               the
               capacities
               of
               his
               creatures
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               the
               greatest
               honour
               any
               of
               them
               are
               capable
               of
               to
               be
               so
               made
               use
               of
               by
               him
               .
            
             
               AND
               as
               for
               rational
               Beings
               who
               were
               at
               first
               designed
               ,
               and
               admirably
               fitted
               for
               his
               Service
               ,
               (
               as
               well
               as
               singularly
               obliged
               by
               innumerable
               favours
               to
               be
               faithfull
               to
               his
               interest
               ,
               )
               and
               yet
               have
               forfeited
               their
               allegeance
               and
               served
               against
               him
               :
               it
               is
               an
               instance
               of
               the
               most
               wonderfull
               goodness
               that
               he
               should
               trust
               them
               again
               ;
               for
               it
               was
               very
               much
               to
               forgive
               them
               ,
               but
               to
               trust
               them
               ,
               when
               (
               as
               I
               have
               noted
               heretofore
               ,
               )
               it
               is
               become
               a
               rule
               of
               wisedom
               amongst
               them
               not
               to
               trust
               one
               another
               in
               such
               a
               case
               ,
               is
               very
               admirable
               :
               and
               yet
               God
               doth
               both
               these
               ,
               and
               more
               then
               all
               this
               ;
               for
               he
               pardons
               his
               ingratefull
               rebels
               ,
               he
               fits
               them
               for
               service
               ,
               and
               then
               trusts
               them
               .
               Nay
               ,
               it
               is
               oftentimes
               the
               aim
               of
               
               Princes
               when
               they
               imploy
               one
               in
               any
               eminent
               service
               that
               hath
               been
               formerly
               faulty
               ,
               to
               expose
               him
               to
               such
               difficulties
               ,
               as
               that
               the
               hazard
               of
               the
               imployment
               shall
               either
               revenge
               the
               former
               miscarriage
               ,
               or
               at
               least
               make
               him
               dearly
               earn
               his
               restitution
               to
               favour
               .
               But
               God
               as
               he
               hath
               no
               ends
               of
               his
               own
               ,
               nor
               seeks
               any
               thing
               from
               them
               he
               indeavours
               to
               reclaim
               ,
               but
               their
               own
               good
               and
               happiness
               ;
               so
               in
               those
               he
               employs
               in
               any
               expedition
               ,
               he
               peculiarly
               aims
               at
               their
               honour
               and
               comfort
               therein
               .
            
             
               WHEN
               a
               Man
               of
               God
               came
               to
               old
               Eli
               the
               Priest
               to
               threaten
               him
               and
               his
               Sons
               with
               the
               effects
               of
               God's
               severe
               displeasure
               for
               their
               prophaneness
               ,
               and
               the
               scandal
               they
               gave
               to
               his
               service
               :
               he
               expresses
               it
               in
               these
               words
               ,
               
               
                 Them
                 that
                 honour
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 honour
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 despise
                 me
                 shall
                 be
                 lightly
                 esteemed
                 .
              
               The
               import
               of
               which
               compared
               with
               the
               context
               plainly
               amounted
               to
               this
               ,
               that
               as
               it
               was
               the
               highest
               honour
               and
               dignity
               to
               be
               admitted
               to
               and
               to
               continue
               in
               a
               relation
               of
               service
               to
               God
               ,
               so
               it
               was
               the
               greatest
               debasement
               (
               which
               that
               family
               should
               undergo
               )
               to
               be
               thrust
               from
               it
               .
            
             
               THE
               Prodigal
               Son
               in
               the
               Text
               (
               as
               we
               have
               seen
               )
               acknowledges
               his
               unworthiness
               to
               be
               called
               any
               more
               a
               Son
               ,
               and
               desires
               to
               be
               admitted
               but
               into
               the
               lowest
               rank
               of
               servants
               ,
               and
               into
               so
               mean
               a
               condition
               ,
               as
               that
               he
               was
               so
               far
               from
               expecting
               any
               honour
               by
               it
               ,
               that
               he
               thought
               himself
               incapable
               of
               any
               trust
               ;
               but
               the
               Father
               honours
               him
               with
               the
               highest
               relation
               of
               a
               Son
               ,
               and
               God
               honours
               penitent
               sinners
               with
               the
               most
               weighty
               and
               important
               trust
               ,
               putting
               shoes
               on
               their
               feet
               ;
               
                 i.
                 e.
              
               employing
               them
               in
               his
               vineyard
               .
               St.
               Paul
               had
               a
               mighty
               sense
               of
               this
               ,
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               12.
               and
               breaks
               out
               into
               a
               passionate
               adoration
               of
               the
               divine
               goodness
               ,
               
                 I
                 thank
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 our
                 Lord
                 who
                 hath
                 inabled
                 
                 me
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 he
                 counted
                 me
                 faithfull
                 ,
                 putting
                 me
                 into
                 the
                 ministry
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 before
                 a
                 blasphemer
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
            
             
               BUT
               we
               are
               not
               to
               understand
               any
               thing
               of
               this
               that
               hath
               been
               now
               said
               ,
               as
               if
               all
               Converts
               were
               to
               be
               imployed
               as
               God's
               Ministers
               in
               the
               publick
               dispensation
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               for
               God
               doth
               not
               give
               to
               all
               such
               those
               peculiar
               abilities
               which
               are
               requisite
               to
               the
               discharge
               of
               it
               ,
               nor
               are
               all
               persons
               competent
               judges
               of
               the
               necessary
               qualifications
               thereunto
               ;
               and
               therefore
               it
               is
               made
               a
               special
               office
               by
               God
               ,
               which
               no
               man
               may
               undertake
               ,
               but
               either
               he
               that
               is
               called
               thereto
               miraculously
               by
               God
               himself
               ,
               (
               as
               the
               first
               publishers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               were
               )
               or
               by
               the
               orderly
               approbation
               and
               consecration
               of
               the
               Church
               ;
               (
               as
               hath
               been
               the
               constant
               practice
               ever
               since
               .
               )
               All
               therefore
               that
               is
               hereby
               intended
               is
               partly
               to
               remark
               the
               transcendent
               goodness
               of
               God
               to
               his
               penitent
               Children
               ,
               in
               that
               he
               is
               pleased
               to
               pass
               such
               a
               perfect
               act
               of
               oblivion
               of
               all
               their
               former
               enormities
               ,
               as
               that
               he
               disdains
               not
               to
               admit
               even
               some
               of
               them
               to
               this
               highest
               trust
               and
               employment
               ,
               (
               all
               their
               former
               demerits
               notwithstanding
               ,
               )
               as
               we
               had
               instance
               in
               St.
               Paul
               ;
               but
               principally
               to
               recommend
               it
               to
               the
               care
               and
               Conscience
               of
               all
               those
               whom
               God
               hath
               been
               pleased
               to
               pardon
               ,
               (
               that
               though
               they
               may
               not
               invade
               the
               office
               of
               the
               Ministery
               ,
               yet
               )
               they
               ought
               to
               think
               themselves
               concerned
               to
               use
               their
               utmost
               indeavours
               (
               within
               their
               sphere
               )
               to
               be
               instruments
               of
               spiritual
               good
               to
               others
               .
            
             
               THIS
               seems
               to
               be
               the
               meaning
               of
               that
               charge
               of
               our
               Saviour
               to
               St.
               Peter
               ,
               Luk.
               22.
               32.
               
               
                 Thou
                 when
                 thou
                 art
                 converted
                 strengthen
                 thy
                 Brethren
                 .
              
               Or
               if
               that
               be
               liable
               to
               exception
               ,
               yet
               that
               of
               King
               David
               is
               not
               ,
               Psal
               .
               51.
               13.
               who
               vows
               it
               as
               the
               fruit
               of
               his
               own
               pardon
               ,
               that
               
                 then
                 he
                 would
                 teach
                 God's
                 ways
                 unto
                 sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 transgressours
                 should
                 be
                 converted
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               
               IT
               is
               certain
               Religion
               never
               prospers
               well
               in
               the
               world
               whilst
               doing
               good
               is
               thought
               to
               be
               the
               office
               of
               some
               certain
               persons
               only
               ,
               and
               not
               the
               common
               concern
               of
               all
               good
               men
               ;
               nor
               will
               it
               ever
               be
               a
               good
               world
               till
               men
               think
               themselves
               obliged
               to
               be
               as
               charitable
               to
               the
               Souls
               of
               men
               as
               to
               an
               Oxe
               or
               an
               Ass
               ,
               and
               be
               as
               ready
               to
               help
               them
               out
               of
               the
               snare
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               as
               the
               other
               out
               of
               a
               ditch
               .
               And
               if
               it
               should
               happen
               that
               a
               Priest
               and
               a
               Levite
               should
               pass
               by
               a
               man
               faln
               amongst
               Thieves
               and
               wounded
               ,
               yet
               sure
               every
               good
               Samaritan
               will
               have
               compassion
               on
               him
               ,
               and
               bind
               up
               his
               wounds
               ;
               especially
               he
               that
               hath
               been
               formerly
               a
               great
               sinner
               himself
               ,
               and
               hath
               known
               by
               sad
               experience
               the
               deplorableness
               of
               that
               condition
               ,
               and
               found
               mercy
               at
               God's
               hands
               :
               (
               methinks
               )
               such
               a
               person
               should
               with
               warm
               affections
               and
               tender
               bowels
               ,
               awaken
               that
               man
               into
               an
               apprehension
               of
               his
               danger
               ,
               who
               is
               in
               the
               condition
               he
               himself
               hath
               escaped
               ,
               and
               incourage
               him
               to
               try
               those
               mercies
               of
               God
               which
               he
               himself
               hath
               experimented
               .
               For
               if
               either
               a
               righteous
               man
               
                 that
                 never
                 needed
                 repentance
                 ,
                 (
                 i.
                 e.
              
               such
               a
               change
               of
               his
               whole
               state
               as
               we
               have
               been
               speaking
               of
               )
               should
               be
               less
               sensible
               of
               such
               a
               man's
               case
               ;
               or
               especially
               if
               a
               proud
               self-applauding
               Pharisee
               despise
               him
               ,
               yet
               it
               will
               by
               no
               means
               become
               a
               Convert
               to
               be
               without
               compassion
               .
               For
               besides
               all
               other
               arguments
               to
               this
               purpose
               ,
               it
               may
               be
               such
               a
               man
               may
               have
               just
               cause
               to
               consider
               whether
               his
               own
               example
               (
               when
               he
               did
               goe
               on
               in
               the
               way
               of
               sin
               )
               had
               not
               that
               pernicious
               contagion
               as
               to
               infect
               or
               confirm
               this
               man
               in
               his
               wickedness
               ,
               which
               he
               sees
               him
               now
               lie
               under
               ,
               and
               then
               it
               will
               not
               be
               only
               charity
               but
               justice
               which
               will
               oblige
               him
               to
               this
               duty
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               the
               opinion
               (
               if
               I
               remember
               rightly
               )
               of
               St.
               Basil
               ,
               that
               in
               Hell
               the
               torments
               of
               the
               damned
               are
               
               daily
               increased
               in
               proportion
               as
               the
               evil
               seed
               of
               their
               corrupt
               doctrine
               ,
               (
               or
               the
               evil
               example
               )
               which
               they
               sowed
               whilst
               they
               were
               alive
               ,
               fructifies
               upon
               earth
               ;
               but
               whether
               that
               be
               so
               or
               no
               ,
               it
               is
               certain
               men's
               sins
               are
               aggravated
               by
               the
               mischief
               they
               do
               to
               others
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               by
               other
               circumstances
               ;
               and
               therefore
               every
               such
               Penitent
               as
               we
               speak
               of
               ,
               must
               think
               it
               his
               duty
               and
               concern
               ,
               to
               indeavour
               to
               hinder
               the
               propagation
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               to
               stop
               the
               infection
               in
               others
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               to
               destroy
               the
               malignity
               of
               it
               in
               himself
               .
            
             
               §
               II.
               NOW
               there
               are
               many
               ways
               which
               an
               honest
               heart
               will
               find
               out
               of
               doing
               this
               we
               are
               recommending
               ,
               without
               taking
               upon
               him
               to
               be
               a
               Preacher
               ;
               Solomon
               tells
               us
               ,
               
               
                 A
                 wicked
                 man
                 speaketh
                 with
                 his
                 feet
                 ,
                 and
                 teacheth
                 with
                 his
                 fingers
                 :
              
               that
               is
               ,
               though
               he
               say
               nothing
               with
               his
               lips
               ,
               all
               his
               life
               and
               actions
               do
               teach
               and
               instruct
               the
               world
               in
               wickedness
               :
               and
               there
               is
               no
               question
               but
               that
               holy
               men
               may
               most
               effectually
               recommend
               vertue
               to
               others
               by
               their
               own
               practice
               and
               example
               .
               Example
               insinuates
               gently
               ,
               works
               insensibly
               ,
               but
               powerfully
               ,
               (
               as
               almost
               all
               great
               Engines
               do
               ;
               )
               it
               relieves
               men's
               modesty
               ,
               and
               yet
               shames
               their
               sloth
               ;
               it
               kindles
               emulation
               ,
               presses
               upon
               ingenuity
               ,
               recommends
               the
               excellency
               ,
               convinces
               the
               necessity
               ,
               demonstrates
               the
               possibility
               of
               vertue
               .
               Besides
               ,
               that
               there
               are
               a
               great
               many
               of
               the
               most
               curious
               lines
               thereof
               that
               are
               not
               to
               be
               described
               by
               the
               pencil
               ,
               or
               that
               can
               be
               expressed
               by
               words
               ,
               but
               are
               to
               be
               observed
               in
               the
               life
               and
               conversation
               of
               good
               men
               .
               For
               this
               reason
               (
               amongst
               others
               )
               it
               pleased
               God
               to
               send
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               not
               only
               to
               preach
               the
               divine
               life
               to
               the
               world
               ,
               but
               to
               live
               and
               converse
               with
               men
               ,
               that
               by
               his
               example
               he
               might
               more
               plainly
               convince
               them
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               for
               this
               cause
               also
               we
               solemnly
               thank
               God
               for
               the
               examples
               
               of
               all
               holy
               men
               that
               have
               gone
               before
               us
               .
            
             
               AND
               besides
               example
               ,
               there
               are
               many
               opportunities
               and
               advantages
               ,
               which
               good
               men
               have
               of
               propagating
               a
               sense
               of
               piety
               and
               Religion
               ,
               such
               as
               the
               authority
               of
               Parents
               ,
               influence
               of
               benefactours
               ,
               interest
               of
               relations
               ,
               convenience
               of
               travelling
               together
               ,
               society
               of
               commerce
               ,
               and
               all
               other
               bonds
               of
               conversation
               .
               Every
               of
               which
               a
               mind
               inflamed
               with
               the
               love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               compassion
               to
               the
               Souls
               of
               men
               ,
               will
               find
               usefull
               to
               this
               purpose
               .
               And
               this
               was
               the
               course
               Moses
               advised
               Israel
               for
               the
               keeping
               up
               a
               sense
               of
               God
               and
               his
               Laws
               in
               their
               minds
               ,
               and
               the
               propagation
               of
               it
               to
               posterity
               .
               Deut.
               6.
               6
               ,
               7.
               
               
                 These
                 words
                 which
                 I
                 command
                 thee
                 this
                 day
                 shall
                 be
                 in
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 teach
                 them
                 diligently
                 to
                 thy
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 shalt
                 talk
                 of
                 them
                 when
                 thou
                 sittest
                 in
                 thine
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 thou
                 walkest
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 thou
                 liest
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 thou
                 risest
                 up
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
            
             
               And
               for
               the
               incouragement
               of
               all
               good
               men
               in
               this
               business
               ,
               besides
               the
               great
               honour
               it
               is
               to
               be
               subservient
               to
               God
               in
               so
               important
               an
               affair
               ,
               and
               besides
               the
               unspeakable
               comfort
               to
               our
               own
               Consciences
               ,
               
                 If
                 by
                 converting
                 a
                 sinner
                 from
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 his
                 way
                 we
                 save
                 a
                 Soul
                 from
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 cover
                 a
                 multitude
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
              
               Jam.
               5.
               20.
               and
               that
               by
               such
               an
               act
               of
               zeal
               we
               have
               also
               the
               happiness
               to
               efface
               our
               own
               former
               miscarriages
               :
               Besides
               all
               this
               (
               I
               say
               )
               in
               present
               ,
               we
               shall
               also
               advance
               our
               own
               glory
               and
               crown
               hereafter
               ;
               for
               in
               the
               words
               of
               the
               Prophet
               
                 Daniel
                 ,
                 They
                 that
                 be
                 wise
                 shall
                 shine
                 as
                 the
                 brightness
                 of
                 the
                 Firmament
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 turn
                 many
                 to
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Stars
                 for
                 ever
                 and
                 ever
                 ,
              
               Daniel
               12.
               3.
               
            
             
               IT
               were
               very
               easy
               to
               inlarge
               on
               this
               subject
               ,
               but
               that
               which
               is
               most
               pertinent
               ,
               and
               the
               peculiar
               consideration
               of
               this
               place
               ,
               is
               ,
               to
               shew
               the
               particular
               aptness
               
               of
               those
               ,
               that
               have
               themselves
               been
               converted
               from
               a
               wicked
               life
               ,
               to
               be
               instrumental
               of
               recovering
               others
               ,
               which
               I
               will
               briefly
               give
               account
               of
               in
               the
               following
               particulars
               and
               so
               dismiss
               this
               point
               .
               And
               in
               order
               to
               this
            
             
               §
               III.
               IN
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               it
               is
               considerable
               that
               those
               that
               are
               of
               sickly
               constitutions
               ,
               are
               generally
               observed
               to
               be
               more
               pitifull
               and
               compassionate
               to
               the
               infirm
               ,
               then
               those
               robust
               and
               healthy
               persons
               that
               scarce
               ever
               knew
               what
               sickness
               meant
               ;
               and
               those
               that
               have
               long
               languished
               under
               any
               painfull
               infirmity
               ,
               and
               at
               last
               have
               recovered
               ,
               are
               both
               the
               best
               able
               ,
               and
               most
               willing
               ,
               to
               give
               advice
               to
               others
               under
               the
               same
               distemper
               .
               Upon
               which
               account
               it
               hath
               been
               the
               custom
               of
               some
               Nations
               (
               who
               had
               no
               professed
               Physicians
               )
               to
               bring
               their
               sick
               out
               into
               the
               Market-place
               ,
               (
               where
               all
               persons
               that
               came
               were
               obliged
               by
               Law
               to
               take
               notice
               of
               them
               ,
               )
               that
               by
               this
               means
               the
               experience
               of
               one
               that
               had
               escaped
               a
               disease
               ,
               might
               afford
               a
               relief
               to
               him
               that
               now
               laboured
               under
               it
               .
               And
               so
               it
               is
               reasonable
               to
               think
               ,
               that
               those
               who
               have
               been
               sick
               in
               sin
               ,
               and
               of
               sin
               heretofore
               ,
               must
               needs
               by
               their
               own
               experience
               know
               the
               baits
               that
               allure
               men
               ,
               the
               charms
               that
               bewitch
               them
               ,
               the
               fallacies
               of
               Sathan
               that
               impose
               upon
               them
               ,
               the
               folly
               and
               perverseness
               that
               defixes
               men
               in
               that
               unhappy
               estate
               ;
               the
               workings
               of
               passion
               ,
               the
               regret
               of
               Conscience
               ,
               the
               thoughts
               and
               reasonings
               ,
               the
               objections
               ,
               the
               prejudices
               ,
               and
               the
               very
               inside
               of
               other
               men
               in
               that
               condition
               .
               And
               therefore
               ,
               as
               God
               commands
               Israel
               ,
               Exod.
               23.
               9.
               
               
                 Thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 oppress
                 a
                 stranger
                 ,
                 for
                 ye
                 know
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 a
                 stranger
                 ,
                 seeing
                 ye
                 were
                 strangers
                 in
                 the
                 land
                 of
                 Aegypt
                 .
                 i.
                 e.
              
               they
               knew
               what
               injuries
               ,
               oppressions
               ,
               insolencies
               and
               affronts
               a
               stranger
               was
               exposed
               to
               ;
               and
               what
               fears
               ,
               anxieties
               ,
               and
               jealousies
               ,
               he
               must
               needs
               be
               always
               under
               ;
               
               and
               therefore
               it
               having
               been
               their
               own
               case
               ,
               they
               ought
               to
               think
               it
               reasonable
               to
               pity
               such
               :
               so
               in
               the
               present
               case
               ,
               the
               Convert
               is
               furnished
               both
               with
               more
               observations
               to
               render
               him
               serviceable
               to
               the
               conversion
               of
               Souls
               ,
               and
               more
               compassion
               to
               apply
               and
               make
               use
               of
               his
               experience
               to
               that
               end
               .
            
             
               THEREFORE
               St.
               Paul
               ,
               though
               he
               was
               execrated
               of
               his
               own
               Countrymen
               ,
               because
               he
               forsook
               Moses
               to
               follow
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               shewed
               more
               dexterity
               in
               refuting
               their
               prejudices
               ,
               and
               more
               tenderness
               to
               their
               Souls
               then
               any
               other
               Apostle
               :
               and
               particularly
               Rom.
               9.
               1
               ,
               2
               ,
               3.
               he
               expresses
               himself
               thus
               .
               
                 I
                 say
                 the
                 truth
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 I
                 lie
                 not
                 ,
                 my
                 conscience
                 also
                 bearing
                 me
                 witness
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 great
                 sorrow
                 and
                 heaviness
                 in
                 my
                 heart
                 For
                 I
                 could
                 wish
                 that
                 my self
                 were
                 accursed
                 from
                 Christ
                 for
                 my
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 my
                 Kinsmen
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Where
               whatever
               he
               mean
               by
               the
               expression
               
                 of
                 being
                 accursed
                 from
                 Christ
              
               ,
               he
               certainly
               describes
               the
               deepest
               compassion
               that
               a
               mortal
               breast
               is
               capable
               of
               ;
               and
               that
               he
               had
               a
               sense
               of
               this
               towards
               his
               Brethren
               ,
               he
               confirms
               by
               the
               most
               solemn
               Oath
               that
               can
               be
               made
               .
               I
               need
               not
               here
               add
               (
               because
               I
               have
               touched
               that
               before
               )
               that
               such
               persons
               are
               also
               filled
               usually
               with
               the
               greatest
               zeal
               of
               God's
               glory
               (
               whom
               they
               have
               formerly
               dishonoured
               ,
               )
               and
               the
               greatest
               indignation
               against
               sin
               ,
               (
               by
               which
               they
               have
               been
               abused
               ,
               )
               and
               think
               themselves
               obliged
               to
               a
               double
               diligence
               ,
               by
               the
               consideration
               of
               their
               former
               dis-service
               ,
               of
               all
               which
               St.
               Paul
               is
               also
               an
               example
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               15.
               10.
               
               
                 I
                 laboured
                 more
                 abundantly
                 then
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               But
               I
               observe
            
             
               IN
               the
               second
               place
               ,
               such
               persons
               as
               have
               been
               formerly
               notorious
               for
               a
               course
               of
               wickedness
               ,
               and
               now
               are
               become
               sincerely
               good
               and
               vertuous
               ,
               are
               a
               standing
               reproof
               of
               the
               folly
               of
               sin
               ;
               nay
               ,
               I
               may
               call
               
               them
               the
               very
               credential
               letters
               of
               vertue
               ,
               and
               convincing
               arguments
               of
               the
               necessity
               of
               conversion
               ,
               &
               such
               as
               strangely
               awaken
               men
               to
               consider
               their
               own
               station
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               a
               very
               good
               plea
               that
               the
               Platonist
               makes
               for
               Vertue
               in
               these
               words
               .
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               &c.
               
                 That
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 vertue
                 are
                 more
                 pleasant
                 to
                 a
                 good
                 man
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 licentiousness
                 are
                 to
                 an
                 evil
                 and
                 vicious
                 man
                 (
                 and
                 therefore
                 more
                 amiable
                 and
                 better
                 in
                 themselves
                 )
                 appears
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 by
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 several
                 men
                 who
                 have
                 tasted
                 all
                 the
                 pleasures
                 of
                 sin
                 forsake
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 over
                 to
                 vertue
                 ;
                 but
                 there
                 is
                 scarce
                 an
                 instance
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 of
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 had
                 well
                 experimented
                 the
                 delights
                 of
                 vertue
                 ,
                 that
                 ever
                 could
                 be
                 drawn
                 off
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 find
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 to
                 fall
                 back
                 to
                 his
                 former
                 course
                 .
              
               But
               to
               see
               a
               man
               that
               had
               ran
               into
               all
               excess
               of
               riot
               ,
               to
               tack
               about
               to
               a
               quite
               contrary
               course
               ,
               from
               a
               drunkard
               ,
               to
               become
               sober
               ;
               from
               lascivious
               ,
               to
               become
               chaste
               and
               modest
               ;
               from
               a
               covetous
               person
               ,
               to
               become
               charitable
               ;
               from
               prophaneness
               ,
               to
               set
               himself
               to
               reade
               and
               study
               the
               Scripture
               ;
               and
               from
               cursing
               and
               blaspheming
               ,
               to
               bless
               and
               pray
               :
               and
               this
               change
               to
               be
               wrought
               in
               health
               and
               strength
               ,
               without
               the
               check
               of
               a
               sick-bed
               ,
               or
               the
               dreadfull
               apprehensions
               of
               approaching
               death
               :
               I
               say
               ,
               this
               spectacle
               cannot
               but
               be
               a
               most
               convincing
               argument
               of
               the
               necessity
               of
               repentance
               to
               all
               such
               as
               are
               yet
               
                 in
                 the
                 gall
                 of
                 bitterness
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 the
                 bonds
                 of
                 iniquity
                 .
              
            
             
               LASTLY
               ,
               (
               to
               say
               no
               more
               )
               such
               persons
               so
               changed
               as
               aforesaid
               ,
               are
               standing
               monuments
               of
               the
               divine
               mercy
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               powers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               irrefragable
               arguments
               of
               the
               possibility
               of
               recovering
               the
               greatest
               sinners
               ,
               if
               they
               be
               not
               wanting
               to
               themselves
               ,
               
               or
               rather
               if
               they
               do
               not
               chuse
               their
               own
               destruction
               .
               For
               they
               proclaim
               aloud
               the
               greatness
               of
               the
               divine
               goodness
               ,
               the
               largeness
               of
               his
               heart
               ,
               the
               openness
               of
               his
               arms
               ;
               and
               they
               upbraid
               the
               sinner
               of
               folly
               ,
               of
               madness
               ,
               of
               cruelty
               to
               himself
               if
               yet
               he
               persevere
               .
               It
               is
               said
               Miltiades
               Trophies
               would
               not
               suffer
               Themistocles
               to
               sleep
               ;
               and
               
               Caesar's
               thoughts
               continually
               upbraided
               him
               with
               the
               great
               exploits
               Alexander
               had
               effected
               in
               a
               few
               years
               .
               But
               when
               a
               sinner
               shall
               observe
               such
               a
               man
               that
               was
               as
               foolish
               as
               himself
               ,
               to
               become
               wise
               and
               sober
               ;
               one
               that
               ran
               in
               the
               same
               race
               ,
               and
               was
               as
               near
               the
               pit
               of
               Hell
               as
               he
               ,
               escaped
               ,
               and
               himself
               still
               upon
               the
               brink
               of
               it
               ;
               when
               I
               say
               ,
               he
               shall
               consider
               ,
               that
               such
               a
               man
               that
               had
               all
               the
               temptations
               ,
               pretences
               ,
               excuses
               ,
               examples
               ,
               and
               every
               other
               instance
               of
               debauchment
               that
               himself
               hath
               ,
               to
               find
               just
               reason
               to
               break
               through
               those
               obstacles
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               mercy
               of
               God
               to
               be
               saved
               ,
               and
               as
               a
               
                 fire-brand
                 plucked
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 fire
                 ,
              
               certainly
               if
               any
               thing
               in
               the
               world
               can
               move
               him
               ,
               this
               must
               make
               him
               look
               about
               him
               .
            
             
               IN
               the
               16.
               
               Chapter
               of
               this
               Gospel
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               introduces
               a
               certain
               rich
               man
               in
               Hell
               ,
               interceding
               with
               Abraham
               that
               Lazarus
               might
               be
               sent
               from
               the
               dead
               to
               preach
               repentance
               to
               his
               five
               Brethren
               ,
               supposing
               that
               though
               they
               would
               not
               hearken
               to
               Moses
               and
               the
               Prophets
               ,
               yet
               such
               a
               spectacle
               ,
               and
               so
               certain
               intelligence
               from
               the
               infernal
               regions
               ,
               must
               needs
               rouze
               them
               :
               Father
               Abraham
               denied
               his
               request
               ,
               and
               (
               God
               doth
               not
               use
               to
               gratify
               such
               curiosity
               .
               )
               But
               indeed
               ,
               if
               a
               man
               consider
               well
               ,
               it
               is
               almost
               the
               same
               thing
               ,
               when
               God
               affords
               us
               an
               example
               of
               a
               man
               that
               was
               dead
               in
               trespasses
               and
               sins
               ,
               and
               under
               the
               very
               torments
               of
               Hell
               in
               his
               Conscience
               ,
               but
               now
               redeemed
               and
               recovered
               by
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               sends
               him
               to
               preach
               
               repentance
               to
               us
               .
               And
               I
               think
               I
               may
               say
               in
               this
               case
               as
               the
               afore
               mentioned
               Simplicius
               said
               of
               the
               discourses
               of
               Epictetus
               ,
               
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               .
               
                 i.
                 e.
                 The
                 man
                 that
                 is
                 incorrigible
                 under
                 such
                 a
                 powerfull
                 remedy
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 very
                 torments
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 can
                 work
                 upon
                 him
                 .
              
               And
               so
               much
               also
               for
               that
               point
               .
            
             
               §
               IV.
               WE
               have
               now
               seen
               severally
               the
               three
               Ornaments
               the
               Father
               puts
               upon
               his
               returning
               Son
               ,
               and
               the
               favours
               God
               bestows
               upon
               a
               sincere
               Convert
               represented
               by
               the
               
                 Best
                 Robe
                 ,
                 a
                 Ring
                 on
                 his
                 Hand
                 ,
                 Shoes
                 on
                 his
                 Feet
                 .
              
               Let
               us
               now
               take
               a
               view
               of
               them
               altogether
               ;
               let
               us
               I
               say
               ,
               make
               a
               stand
               a
               little
               ,
               and
               see
               the
               Son
               in
               all
               his
               new
               attire
               ;
               I
               mean
               ,
               let
               us
               suppose
               all
               these
               favours
               of
               God
               bestowed
               upon
               some
               pardoned
               sinner
               ,
               and
               then
               take
               notice
               what
               a
               brave
               and
               excellent
               person
               such
               a
               man
               will
               be
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               a
               noble
               character
               which
               the
               Historian
               gives
               of
               Marcus
               Cato
               ,
               
               
                 homo
                 virtuti
                 simillimus
                 ,
                 &
                 per
                 omnia
                 diis
                 quàm
                 hominibus
                 propior
                 ;
                 qui
                 nunquam
                 rectè
                 fecit
                 ut
                 facere
                 videretur
                 ,
                 sed
                 quia
                 aliter
                 facere
                 non
                 potuit
                 .
              
               Cato
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 was
                 vertue
                 drawn
                 to
                 the
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 resemblance
                 was
                 so
                 exact
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 hard
                 to
                 say
                 whether
                 vertue
                 animated
              
               Cato
               ,
               or
               Cato
               
                 gave
                 subsistence
                 and
                 visibility
                 to
                 vertue
                 ;
                 nay
                 ,
                 such
                 was
                 the
                 unshaken
                 greatness
                 of
                 his
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 purity
                 of
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 seemed
                 more
                 to
                 participate
                 of
                 divine
                 perfection
                 then
                 of
                 humane
                 frailty
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 was
                 both
                 so
                 far
                 above
                 all
                 temptations
                 of
                 doing
                 evil
                 ,
                 and
                 also
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 allay
                 of
                 mean
                 ends
                 and
                 designs
                 in
                 doing
                 good
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 seemed
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 necessity
                 of
                 nature
                 in
                 him
                 to
                 doe
                 well
                 .
              
               This
               was
               bravely
               said
               ,
               had
               it
               not
               been
               somewhat
               too
               Romantick
               .
               But
               the
               man
               we
               are
               speaking
               of
               (
               under
               the
               aforesaid
               qualifications
               )
               
               must
               as
               much
               out
               go
               Cato
               ,
               as
               he
               out-stripped
               other
               men
               ;
               or
               rather
               as
               much
               as
               the
               advantages
               of
               Christianity
               out-went
               those
               of
               Philosophy
               .
               
               For
               this
               man
               is
               not
               only
               improved
               by
               humane
               discourse
               ,
               but
               raised
               by
               divine
               revelation
               ,
               and
               governed
               by
               the
               wisedom
               of
               God
               ;
               is
               not
               under
               the
               faint
               and
               fluctuating
               hopes
               which
               reason
               can
               suggest
               ,
               but
               under
               the
               assurances
               of
               faith
               ;
               is
               not
               only
               eminent
               for
               some
               one
               or
               more
               vertues
               ,
               but
               being
               inflamed
               by
               the
               love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               prospect
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               he
               breaths
               nothing
               but
               greatness
               and
               glory
               ;
               wherever
               he
               goes
               ,
               God
               is
               in
               his
               heart
               ,
               Heaven
               is
               in
               his
               eye
               ,
               joy
               in
               his
               countenance
               ;
               and
               he
               spreads
               the
               sweet
               odours
               of
               piety
               ,
               and
               casts
               a
               lustre
               upon
               Religion
               .
            
             
               FOR
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               he
               is
               sanctified
               throughout
               ,
               the
               image
               of
               God
               is
               restored
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               formed
               in
               him
               .
               All
               the
               maims
               of
               his
               fall
               are
               cured
               ,
               the
               confusion
               of
               his
               powers
               rectified
               ,
               the
               tyranny
               of
               custom
               vanquished
               ,
               his
               Conscience
               is
               inlightned
               ,
               his
               reason
               raised
               ,
               his
               passions
               subdued
               ,
               his
               will
               set
               right
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               inferiour
               powers
               obedient
               .
               Vertue
               is
               made
               natural
               ,
               easy
               and
               delightfull
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               it
               is
               
                 his
                 meat
                 and
                 drink
                 to
                 doe
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 his
                 Heavenly
                 Father
                 .
              
            
             
               FURTHERMORE
               ,
               to
               assure
               his
               station
               ,
               he
               is
               confirmed
               by
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               upheld
               by
               divine
               power
               ;
               he
               is
               the
               peculiar
               care
               of
               God's
               providence
               ,
               the
               special
               charge
               of
               the
               holy
               Angels
               ,
               and
               the
               Temple
               of
               the
               blessed
               Spirit
               ;
               all
               God's
               dispensations
               provide
               for
               his
               safety
               ,
               consider
               his
               strength
               ,
               and
               work
               for
               his
               good
               .
               The
               Devil
               is
               so
               restrained
               that
               he
               shall
               not
               
                 tempt
                 him
                 above
                 what
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 bear
                 ,
              
               and
               hath
               not
               so
               little
               wit
               with
               his
               great
               malice
               ,
               to
               attempt
               where
               he
               is
               sure
               to
               be
               foiled
               .
               Persecutions
               may
               assault
               him
               ,
               and
               flatteries
               may
               undermine
               him
               ;
               prosperity
               may
               indeavour
               to
               blow
               him
               up
               ,
               or
               
               
               
               
               
               adversity
               to
               crush
               him
               down
               ;
               raillery
               may
               goe
               about
               to
               shame
               him
               out
               of
               his
               course
               ,
               or
               buffonry
               to
               laugh
               him
               out
               of
               it
               ;
               but
               his
               race
               is
               as
               certain
               ,
               as
               that
               of
               the
               Sun
               ,
               or
               the
               Stars
               in
               the
               Firmament
               ,
               and
               his
               foundation
               sure
               as
               the
               Mountains
               ;
               
                 for
                 he
                 knows
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 believed
                 .
              
            
             
               AGAIN
               ,
               he
               is
               adopted
               a
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               sealed
               by
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               
                 to
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 redemption
              
               ;
               he
               feels
               himself
               quickned
               by
               his
               vital
               presence
               ,
               warmed
               with
               his
               motions
               ,
               and
               assured
               by
               his
               testimony
               .
               This
               erects
               the
               
                 hands
                 that
                 would
                 hang
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 strengthens
                 the
                 feeble
                 knees
                 :
              
               this
               lifts
               up
               his
               head
               with
               joy
               ,
               because
               he
               knows
               his
               
                 redemption
                 draweth
                 nigh
              
               .
               Every
               day
               he
               walks
               ,
               he
               finds
               himself
               a
               days
               journey
               nearer
               Heaven
               ;
               therefore
               he
               sets
               his
               face
               thitherwards
               ,
               he
               puts
               on
               the
               habit
               ,
               the
               mein
               ,
               the
               joy
               ,
               the
               very
               heart
               of
               Heaven
               :
               he
               goes
               up
               by
               contemplation
               ,
               and
               views
               it
               ;
               he
               ravishes
               his
               heart
               with
               the
               sight
               of
               it
               ;
               he
               falls
               into
               a
               trance
               with
               admiration
               ,
               and
               when
               he
               comes
               to
               himself
               again
               ,
               cries
               out
               ,
               
                 Come
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 come
                 quickly
                 .
              
               He
               needs
               nothing
               ,
               he
               fears
               nothing
               ,
               he
               despises
               the
               world
               ;
               life
               is
               tedious
               ,
               death
               is
               welcome
               ,
               
                 to
                 be
                 dissolved
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 with
                 Christ
                 is
                 best
                 of
                 all
                 .
              
            
             
               WHAT
               can
               trouble
               him
               that
               hath
               peace
               in
               his
               Conscience
               ?
               what
               can
               disturb
               him
               that
               hath
               Heaven
               before
               him
               ?
               what
               can
               dismay
               him
               that
               is
               secure
               of
               immortality
               ?
               what
               can
               affright
               him
               whom
               death
               cannot
               hurt
               ?
               and
               what
               can
               deject
               him
               that
               is
               sure
               of
               a
               crown
               of
               glory
               ?
            
             
               AND
               lastly
               ,
               no
               wonder
               if
               after
               all
               this
               ,
               such
               a
               man
               be
               active
               and
               vigorous
               for
               God
               ,
               if
               he
               be
               used
               by
               God
               ,
               and
               become
               his
               Embassadour
               ,
               
                 beseeching
                 men
                 in
                 Christ's
                 stead
                 to
                 be
                 reconciled
                 to
                 God.
              
               For
               all
               those
               comforts
               and
               incouragements
               afore
               mentioned
               inlarge
               his
               Soul
               like
               an
               Angel
               ,
               put
               wings
               upon
               
               him
               like
               a
               Cherub
               ,
               and
               set
               him
               on
               fire
               like
               one
               of
               the
               Seraphim
               ,
               with
               holy
               zeal
               of
               God's
               glory
               ,
               and
               the
               good
               of
               men
               .
               Therefore
               with
               David
               he
               tells
               the
               unbelieving
               world
               
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 done
                 for
                 his
                 Soul
              
               ;
               and
               with
               his
               Lord
               and
               Master
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 he
                 goes
                 about
                 doing
                 good
              
               ;
               and
               in
               this
               flame
               of
               holy
               love
               is
               contented
               to
               offer
               up
               himself
               
                 a
                 sacrifice
                 of
                 a
                 sweet
                 smell
                 to
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               HERE
               is
               
                 adulta
                 virtus
              
               ,
               Religion
               and
               Piety
               at
               their
               highest
               pitch
               and
               fullest
               maturity
               that
               is
               attainable
               in
               this
               world
               ;
               the
               next
               step
               is
               Heaven
               ,
               one
               degree
               more
               commences
               Glory
               .
               Let
               the
               envious
               world
               now
               (
               if
               they
               dare
               )
               reproach
               Religion
               as
               hypocrisy
               ,
               or
               as
               meer
               pretences
               and
               great
               words
               ;
               when
               they
               observe
               that
               this
               glorious
               state
               is
               the
               design
               and
               the
               attainment
               of
               it
               ,
               whenever
               it
               is
               wisely
               and
               worthily
               prosecuted
               ;
               or
               let
               them
               say
               ,
               all
               this
               is
               impossible
               ,
               who
               as
               Tully
               well
               expresses
               it
               ,
               
                 Ex
                 sua
                 ignavia
                 &
                 inertia
                 ,
                 &
                 non
                 ex
                 ipsa
                 virtute
                 de
                 virtutis
                 robore
                 existimant
                 .
              
               These
               things
               are
               no
               Romances
               ,
               nor
               have
               I
               dressed
               up
               any
               Legendary
               Hero
               :
               the
               things
               are
               true
               and
               real
               ;
               
                 Thus
                 shall
                 it
                 be
                 done
                 to
                 the
                 man
                 whom
                 God
                 delights
                 to
                 honour
                 .
              
               All
               this
               hath
               been
               attained
               ,
               and
               might
               be
               attained
               again
               ,
               would
               men
               but
               cease
               to
               take
               up
               an
               opinion
               of
               their
               own
               goodness
               from
               the
               extream
               badness
               of
               others
               ,
               and
               take
               their
               measures
               rather
               from
               the
               rules
               ,
               and
               motives
               ,
               and
               assistances
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               then
               from
               the
               examples
               and
               customs
               of
               the
               world
               ;
               then
               without
               doubt
               others
               besides
               St.
               Paul
               might
               be
               able
               to
               say
               ,
               
                 I
                 have
                 fought
                 the
                 good
                 fight
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 finished
                 my
                 course
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 kept
                 the
                 faith
                 ,
                 from
                 henceforth
                 there
                 is
                 laid
                 up
                 for
                 me
                 a
                 crown
                 of
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Lord
                 the
                 righteous
                 Judge
                 shall
                 give
                 me
                 at
                 that
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 me
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 all
                 them
                 also
                 that
                 love
                 his
                 appearing
                 ,
              
               2
               Tim.
               4.
               7
               ,
               8.
               
               And
               that
               brings
               me
               to
               the
               
               last
               instance
               of
               the
               Father's
               kindness
               ,
               and
               the
               top
               of
               that
               glory
               which
               God
               bestows
               upon
               truely
               good
               men
               .
            
          
           
             
               CHAP.
               V.
               
            
             
               The
               splendid
               Entertainment
               ,
               or
               the
               joys
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   St.
                   Luk.
                   Chap.
                   15.
                   
                   Vers
                   .
                   23.
                   
                
                 
                   And
                   bring
                   hither
                   the
                   fatted
                   Calf
                   ,
                   and
                   kill
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   us
                   eat
                   and
                   be
                   merry
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     THE
                     CONTENTS
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     I.
                     The
                     peculiar
                     intendment
                     of
                     this
                     passage
                     of
                     the
                     Parable
                     .
                     That
                     by
                     the
                     feast
                     upon
                     the
                     fatted
                     Calf
                     are
                     represented
                     the
                     joys
                     of
                     Heaven
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     II.
                     The
                     several
                     figurative
                     expressions
                     which
                     the
                     joys
                     of
                     Heaven
                     are
                     set
                     out
                     by
                     in
                     holy
                     Scripture
                     ,
                     (
                     viz.
                     )
                     Paradise
                     ,
                     Rest
                     ,
                     a
                     City
                     ,
                     a
                     Kingdom
                     ,
                     a
                     Feast
                     .
                  
                   
                     §
                     III.
                     A
                     more
                     plain
                     and
                     literal
                     account
                     of
                     the
                     felicities
                     of
                     the
                     other
                     world
                     ;
                     especially
                     in
                     four
                     particulars
                     .
                  
                   
                     1.
                     
                     The
                     resurrection
                     of
                     the
                     Body
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Provision
                     of
                     objects
                     fit
                     to
                     entertain
                     and
                     satisfy
                     all
                     the
                     powers
                     both
                     of
                     Soul
                     and
                     Body
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                     3.
                     
                     The
                     eternity
                     of
                     that
                     state
                     of
                     life
                     and
                     happiness
                     .
                  
                   
                     4.
                     
                     The
                     blessed
                     presence
                     of
                     God
                     and
                     our
                     Saviour
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     happy
                     society
                     of
                     Angels
                     and
                     Saints
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               §
               I.
               
               IT
               was
               thought
               to
               be
               a
               just
               civility
               amongst
               the
               more
               soft
               and
               voluptuous
               Nations
               (
               especially
               those
               of
               the
               East
               )
               that
               those
               who
               were
               to
               be
               the
               Guests
               at
               a
               Feast
               ,
               should
               be
               as
               curious
               in
               the
               preparation
               of
               themselves
               for
               the
               solemnity
               ,
               as
               he
               that
               made
               the
               entertainment
               was
               for
               their
               accommodation
               ;
               and
               for
               that
               cause
               usually
               a
               considerable
               time
               of
               notice
               was
               given
               them
               before-hand
               ,
               that
               they
               might
               be
               in
               such
               circumstances
               as
               should
               both
               do
               honour
               to
               him
               that
               invited
               them
               ,
               and
               also
               render
               them
               gratefull
               to
               all
               the
               society
               :
               upon
               which
               account
               ,
               they
               were
               wont
               to
               bath
               ,
               anoint
               ,
               exercise
               ,
               and
               perfume
               themselves
               before-hand
               ;
               and
               amongst
               other
               curiosities
               ,
               to
               put
               on
               a
               habit
               which
               was
               both
               sumptuous
               ,
               and
               significant
               of
               respect
               .
               Agreeable
               whereunto
               is
               that
               passage
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               Matt.
               22.
               11.
               where
               the
               Master
               of
               the
               Feast
               takes
               it
               extream
               ill
               of
               one
               of
               his
               guests
               ,
               that
               he
               appeared
               there
               
                 not
                 having
                 on
                 a
                 wedding
                 garment
                 .
              
               And
               with
               this
               accords
               the
               contrivance
               of
               this
               Parable
               ;
               for
               the
               Father
               having
               (
               as
               we
               have
               seen
               )
               put
               his
               Son
               into
               a
               befitting
               garb
               ,
               now
               proceeds
               to
               his
               entertainment
               ;
               which
               is
               the
               third
               and
               last
               expression
               of
               his
               reconciliation
               .
               
                 Bring
                 hither
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 the
                 fatted
                 Calf
              
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               THAT
               he
               intends
               a
               Feast
               for
               joy
               of
               the
               recovery
               of
               his
               lost
               Son
               is
               very
               plain
               ,
               wherein
               he
               designs
               that
               all
               his
               family
               shall
               bear
               a
               part
               with
               him
               ;
               the
               fatted
               Calf
               being
               the
               ancient
               most
               sumptuous
               treatment
               ,
               as
               appears
               Gen.
               18.
               7.
               for
               therewith
               Abraham
               solemnly
               entertained
               the
               three
               Angels
               that
               came
               to
               visit
               him
               in
               
               the
               habit
               of
               way-faring
               men
               ;
               and
               as
               the
               afore-named
               Stuckius
               ,
               and
               the
               learned
               Bochart
               observe
               ,
               there
               was
               not
               a
               Feast
               of
               old
               times
               ,
               especially
               amongst
               those
               mentioned
               by
               Homer
               ,
               where
               this
               was
               not
               the
               principal
               Dish
               :
               and
               the
               Text
               lays
               the
               Emphasis
               of
               a
               double
               article
               upon
               it
               here
               in
               the
               Parable
               .
               But
               what
               is
               mystically
               meant
               by
               this
               passage
               ,
               or
               what
               peculiar
               favour
               of
               God
               to
               penitent
               sinners
               our
               Saviour
               intends
               hereby
               to
               express
               ,
               is
               not
               very
               easy
               to
               determine
               .
            
             
               IN
               the
               foregoing
               particulars
               we
               have
               had
               the
               concurrent
               opinion
               of
               the
               Fathers
               for
               the
               countenance
               of
               our
               applications
               ;
               but
               here
               I
               doubt
               we
               shall
               be
               deserted
               by
               them
               ,
               and
               therefore
               if
               we
               walk
               alone
               must
               proceed
               the
               more
               warily
               .
            
             
               THE
               Ancients
               agree
               in
               the
               general
               ,
               that
               hereby
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               understood
               the
               great
               and
               inestimable
               gift
               of
               our
               Lord
               
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               .
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               (
               saith
               St.
               Chrysostom
               )
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               &c.
               
               
                 What
                 fatted
                 Calf
                 doth
                 the
                 Father
                 call
                 for
                 ?
                 what
                 but
                 his
                 only
                 Son
                 born
                 of
                 the
                 Virgin
                 Mary
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               And
               in
               like
               manner
               the
               rest
               only
               with
               this
               difference
               ,
               that
               St.
               Chrysostom
               especially
               applies
               it
               to
               the
               sacrifice
               of
               Christ
               represented
               in
               the
               Sacrament
               ,
               and
               St.
               Austin
               to
               the
               same
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               preached
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               but
               with
               the
               leave
               of
               such
               great
               men
               ,
               it
               may
               perhaps
               seem
               reasonable
               to
               pitch
               upon
               another
               interpretation
               ,
               namely
               ,
               that
               hereby
               is
               meant
               the
               joys
               and
               glories
               of
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ;
               for
               the
               confirmation
               of
               which
               I
               offer
               these
               following
               considerations
               .
            
             
               FIRST
               ,
               it
               is
               well
               enough
               known
               that
               the
               Jews
               had
               commonly
               such
               a
               crass
               notion
               of
               the
               happiness
               of
               the
               world
               to
               come
               ;
               as
               to
               think
               it
               to
               consist
               in
               the
               pleasures
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               and
               particularly
               of
               eating
               and
               drinking
               ;
               agreeable
               to
               which
               is
               the
               fable
               amongst
               
               them
               of
               Behemoth
               and
               Leviathan
               ,
               the
               one
               a
               prodigious
               Beast
               ,
               and
               the
               other
               a
               Fish
               ;
               which
               together
               with
               great
               quantities
               of
               delicious
               wine
               ,
               they
               report
               to
               be
               laid
               in
               store
               by
               God
               ,
               for
               the
               entertainments
               of
               the
               life
               to
               come
               ;
               which
               ridiculous
               conceit
               of
               theirs
               seems
               to
               have
               given
               countenance
               ,
               if
               not
               rise
               ,
               to
               the
               sensual
               Paradise
               of
               the
               Mahumetans
               ,
               and
               some
               of
               the
               Eastern
               Nations
               .
               
               And
               though
               Menasse-Ben-Israel
               ,
               a
               late
               learned
               Jew
               ,
               indeavours
               to
               mince
               the
               matter
               ,
               and
               to
               turn
               the
               story
               into
               an
               Allegory
               ,
               yet
               he
               confesses
               ,
               and
               strongly
               contends
               ,
               that
               a
               great
               part
               of
               the
               Paradisiacal
               felicity
               must
               consist
               in
               the
               pleasures
               of
               eating
               and
               drinking
               .
               Now
               it
               is
               no
               strange
               thing
               to
               imagin
               ,
               that
               our
               Saviour
               speaking
               to
               the
               Jews
               ,
               should
               make
               use
               of
               their
               own
               language
               ,
               and
               allude
               to
               their
               customs
               and
               conceits
               ,
               how
               gross
               soever
               they
               were
               .
            
             
               AND
               that
               he
               did
               so
               ,
               will
               be
               the
               more
               probable
               if
               in
               the
               second
               place
               we
               consider
               ,
               that
               he
               compares
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               to
               a
               Feast
               ,
               Matt.
               2.
               22.
               that
               he
               tells
               his
               Disciples
               he
               will
               
                 drink
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 the
                 vine
                 till
                 he
                 drink
                 it
                 new
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 his
                 Father's
                 Kingdom
                 ,
              
               Matt.
               26.
               29.
               and
               allowed
               the
               expression
               of
               him
               that
               esteemed
               it
               to
               be
               the
               greatest
               blessedness
               
                 to
                 eat
                 bread
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
              
               Luk.
               14.
               15.
               
            
             
               THIRDLY
               ,
               even
               in
               this
               very
               Chapter
               ,
               our
               Saviour
               telling
               us
               there
               is
               joy
               in
               Heaven
               at
               the
               conversion
               of
               a
               sinner
               ,
               vers
               .
               7.
               and
               amongst
               the
               holy
               Angels
               ,
               vers
               .
               10.
               he
               by
               those
               expressions
               invites
               and
               leads
               our
               thoughts
               to
               this
               sense
               ,
               and
               in
               this
               very
               Parable
               ,
               vers
               .
               25.
               the
               entertainment
               of
               the
               penitent
               is
               expressed
               as
               accompanied
               with
               dancing
               and
               mirth
               ;
               by
               all
               which
               ,
               he
               seems
               to
               give
               us
               sufficient
               ground
               to
               think
               the
               entertainment
               we
               are
               now
               speaking
               of
               is
               no
               other
               then
               that
               of
               the
               joys
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             
             
               BUT
               especially
               if
               we
               observe
               in
               the
               last
               place
               ,
               that
               the
               order
               of
               the
               Parable
               requires
               such
               a
               sense
               of
               these
               words
               as
               this
               we
               have
               suggested
               .
               For
               according
               to
               the
               scheme
               of
               the
               Parable
               ,
               God
               having
               been
               hitherto
               represented
               ,
               as
               bestowing
               all
               those
               favours
               and
               blessings
               upon
               the
               penitent
               ,
               which
               render
               him
               fit
               for
               ,
               and
               capable
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               (
               as
               we
               have
               seen
               already
               )
               what
               can
               now
               follow
               more
               properly
               ,
               or
               what
               would
               one
               expect
               to
               be
               intimated
               in
               the
               next
               place
               ,
               but
               that
               he
               should
               thenceforward
               be
               described
               conferring
               that
               happiness
               ,
               and
               actually
               placing
               him
               in
               that
               state
               he
               had
               by
               all
               his
               former
               unspeakable
               favours
               made
               way
               for
               .
               Besides
               ,
               God's
               giving
               his
               Son
               is
               the
               foundation
               of
               all
               his
               other
               favours
               ,
               and
               our
               Saviour's
               giving
               himself
               for
               us
               ,
               is
               the
               meritorious
               and
               procuring
               cause
               of
               justification
               ,
               adoption
               ,
               sanctification
               ;
               the
               giving
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               great
               things
               forementioned
               ;
               and
               therefore
               it
               would
               not
               be
               agreeable
               to
               the
               wisedom
               of
               our
               Saviour
               in
               the
               contrivance
               of
               this
               scene
               ,
               to
               represent
               this
               in
               the
               last
               place
               ,
               when
               all
               those
               benefits
               which
               flow
               from
               it
               had
               before
               been
               supposed
               to
               be
               conferred
               .
               This
               therefore
               upon
               the
               whole
               matter
               seems
               to
               be
               the
               intent
               of
               our
               Saviour
               in
               the
               words
               we
               are
               upon
               ,
               to
               personate
               our
               Heavenly
               Father
               ,
               crowning
               all
               those
               former
               gifts
               he
               had
               bestowed
               upon
               sincere
               converts
               in
               this
               life
               ,
               with
               glory
               and
               blessedness
               ,
               and
               the
               joys
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               in
               the
               conclusion
               .
               As
               if
               in
               the
               literal
               sense
               the
               Father
               of
               the
               Prodigal
               Son
               had
               said
               ,
               
                 I
                 remember
                 the
                 misery
                 ,
                 the
                 hunger
                 and
                 hardship
                 my
                 Son
                 hath
                 indured
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 pitied
                 him
                 ,
                 even
                 then
                 when
                 he
                 well
                 deserved
                 all
                 he
                 suffered
                 ;
                 but
                 since
                 the
                 time
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 seen
                 him
                 returning
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 pale
                 looks
                 ,
                 sharp
                 countenance
                 ,
                 dejected
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 arguments
                 of
                 his
                 former
                 calamities
                 which
                 I
                 
                 have
                 observed
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 run
                 in
                 my
                 mind
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 think
                 also
                 of
                 the
                 conflicts
                 he
                 hath
                 had
                 with
                 himself
                 upon
                 the
                 point
                 of
                 returning
                 ;
                 fear
                 turning
                 him
                 back
                 ,
                 and
                 hope
                 incouraging
                 him
                 to
                 goe
                 on
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 latter
                 with
                 great
                 difficulty
                 vanquishing
                 the
                 former
                 :
                 methinks
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 anguish
                 of
                 his
                 mind
                 ,
                 his
                 indignation
                 against
                 himself
                 ,
                 his
                 shame
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 folly
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 awefull
                 reverence
                 he
                 had
                 of
                 my
                 presence
                 ,
                 between
                 all
                 which
                 I
                 know
                 how
                 his
                 heart
                 panted
                 and
                 laboured
                 ,
                 till
                 at
                 last
                 the
                 reviving
                 sense
                 of
                 his
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 benignity
                 of
                 a
                 Father
                 carried
                 him
                 through
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 returned
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 fit
                 to
                 heap
                 sorrow
                 upon
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 wipe
                 away
                 all
                 his
                 tears
                 ,
                 and
                 repair
                 all
                 his
                 sufferings
                 ;
                 he
                 shall
                 take
                 his
                 fill
                 of
                 refreshment
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 my
                 heart
                 but
                 my
                 hand
                 ,
                 my
                 purse
                 ,
                 all
                 my
                 stores
                 are
                 open
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 forgotten
                 his
                 rebellion
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 shall
                 forget
                 his
                 sorrows
                 ;
                 he
                 hath
                 by
                 this
                 last
                 act
                 effaced
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 had
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 take
                 care
                 there
                 shall
                 remain
                 no
                 marks
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 suffered
                 ;
                 and
                 because
                 all
                 my
                 family
                 heretofore
                 sorrowed
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 all
                 now
                 rejoice
                 with
                 me
                 and
                 him
                 .
                 Enter
                 O
                 Son
                 into
                 thy
                 Father's
                 joy
                 ;
                 reap
                 now
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 thy
                 repentance
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 satisfied
                 with
                 thy
                 return
                 ,
                 satisfy
                 thy self
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 I
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 belong
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 shall
                 speak
                 thy
                 welcom
                 .
              
            
             
               OR
               as
               if
               in
               the
               mystical
               sense
               our
               Heavenly
               Father
               should
               thus
               bespeak
               his
               penitent
               Children
               :
               
                 I
                 am
                 sensible
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 you
                 what
                 husks
                 you
                 have
                 lived
                 upon
                 since
                 you
                 forsook
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 you
                 neither
                 loved
                 me
                 nor
                 your selves
                 ,
                 I
                 pitied
                 you
                 ;
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 long
                 time
                 before
                 you
                 would
                 understand
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 forsaking
                 me
                 you
                 departed
                 from
                 your
                 own
                 happiness
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 believed
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 good
                 for
                 you
                 to
                 return
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 find
                 your
                 
                 selves
                 deceived
                 ,
                 your
                 own
                 experience
                 shall
                 justify
                 your
                 choice
                 ;
                 you
                 came
                 indeed
                 late
                 into
                 my
                 vineyard
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 will
                 reward
                 you
                 equally
                 with
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 born
                 the
                 burden
                 and
                 heat
                 of
                 the
                 day
                 ;
                 and
                 though
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 great
                 while
                 before
                 you
                 would
                 be
                 perswaded
                 over
                 to
                 my
                 side
                 ,
                 yet
                 now
                 having
                 acquitted
                 your selves
                 well
                 I
                 will
                 crown
                 you
                 .
                 I
                 have
                 already
                 set
                 some
                 marks
                 of
                 favour
                 upon
                 you
                 ,
                 but
                 those
                 are
                 but
                 earnests
                 of
                 greater
                 which
                 I
                 intend
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 I
                 sought
                 not
                 my self
                 but
                 you
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 put
                 the
                 task
                 upon
                 you
                 of
                 living
                 vertuously
                 and
                 holily
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 now
                 appear
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 only
                 educated
                 and
                 trained
                 you
                 up
                 in
                 that
                 School
                 for
                 glory
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 by
                 these
                 preparations
                 fitted
                 you
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 your
                 Lord
                 ;
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 have
                 only
                 the
                 ornaments
                 but
                 the
                 inheritance
                 of
                 Sons
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 partake
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 blessedness
                 which
                 my
                 most
                 dutifull
                 Children
                 (
                 that
                 never
                 went
                 astray
                 from
                 me
                 )
                 and
                 which
                 I
                 my self
                 am
                 happy
                 in
                 ,
                 Isa
                 .
                 25.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   For
                   in
                   this
                   mountain
                   will
                   I
                   make
                   unto
                   all
                   my
                   servants
                   a
                   feast
                   of
                   fat
                   things
                   ,
                   a
                   feast
                   of
                   wines
                   on
                   the
                   Lees
                   ;
                   of
                   fat
                   things
                   full
                   of
                   marrow
                   ,
                   of
                   wines
                   on
                   the
                   Lees
                   well
                   refined
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 Come
                 ye
                 blessed
                 ,
                 inherit
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 prepared
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 live
                 with
                 Saints
                 and
                 Angels
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoice
                 with
                 them
                 to
                 all
                 eternity
                 .
              
            
             
               §
               II.
               BUT
               to
               render
               this
               interpretation
               of
               this
               passage
               in
               the
               Parable
               the
               more
               clear
               and
               satisfactory
               ,
               and
               also
               to
               make
               way
               for
               some
               account
               of
               the
               admirable
               greatness
               of
               this
               favour
               ;
               let
               us
               take
               a
               little
               compass
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               next
               place
               consider
               the
               several
               phrases
               that
               the
               state
               of
               coelestial
               happiness
               is
               expressed
               by
               in
               Scripture
               ;
               and
               the
               most
               remarkable
               are
               these
               four
               :
               it
               is
               called
               Paradise
               ,
               a
               Rest
               ,
               a
               City
               ,
               a
               Kingdom
               .
            
             
             
               IN
               the
               first
               place
               it
               is
               described
               under
               the
               notion
               of
               Paradise
               ,
               
               which
               imports
               a
               Garden
               of
               pleasure
               ;
               and
               this
               name
               took
               its
               rise
               from
               that
               place
               and
               condition
               in
               which
               Almighty
               God
               settled
               our
               first
               Parents
               when
               they
               came
               immediately
               out
               of
               his
               hands
               :
               and
               as
               there
               he
               had
               ordered
               all
               things
               to
               be
               at
               hand
               ,
               which
               ministred
               either
               to
               man's
               necessity
               or
               delight
               ,
               and
               had
               fenced
               him
               from
               all
               that
               could
               disturb
               and
               annoy
               him
               ;
               so
               it
               is
               here
               ,
               but
               in
               a
               far
               higher
               degree
               both
               of
               gratification
               and
               security
               ,
               as
               we
               shall
               see
               by
               and
               by
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               IT
               is
               called
               a
               Rest
               ,
               Hebr.
               4.
               9.
               
               
                 There
                 remaineth
                 a
                 rest
                 for
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
              
               ;
               alluding
               to
               the
               Land
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               where
               God
               gave
               the
               Children
               of
               Israel
               rest
               and
               quiet
               habitation
               after
               a
               long
               servitude
               in
               Aegypt
               ,
               and
               a
               tedious
               pilgrimage
               through
               the
               Wilderness
               .
               So
               in
               the
               world
               to
               come
               ,
               God
               gives
               all
               good
               men
               repose
               from
               all
               the
               troubles
               of
               life
               ,
               and
               from
               all
               the
               solicitation
               and
               disturbances
               of
               their
               enemies
               of
               all
               kinds
               .
               Rev.
               14.
               13.
               
               
                 Blessed
                 are
                 the
                 dead
                 which
                 die
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 rest
                 from
                 their
                 labours
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               IT
               is
               called
               a
               City
               ,
               Hebr.
               11.
               10.
               
               
                 A
                 City
                 which
                 hath
                 foundations
                 ,
                 whose
                 builder
                 and
                 maker
                 is
                 God.
              
               In
               opposition
               to
               that
               temporary
               and
               flitting
               accommodation
               which
               the
               Children
               of
               Israel
               had
               in
               the
               Wilderness
               ;
               and
               to
               note
               the
               stability
               and
               perpetuity
               of
               the
               state
               of
               those
               that
               have
               finished
               their
               course
               ,
               and
               attained
               the
               crown
               of
               immortal
               life
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               IT
               is
               also
               called
               a
               Kingdom
               ,
               Matt.
               25.
               34.
               
               
                 Come
                 ye
                 blessed
                 of
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 inherit
                 a
                 Kingdom
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Principally
               as
               a
               Kingdom
               speaks
               grandeur
               ,
               and
               glory
               ,
               and
               affluence
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               far
               beyond
               the
               reach
               and
               capacity
               of
               a
               private
               fortune
               ;
               and
               so
               in
               the
               world
               to
               come
               ,
               God
               hath
               prepared
               and
               accumulated
               all
               the
               ingredients
               of
               felicity
               and
               glory
               .
            
             
             
               NOW
               with
               all
               these
               figurative
               representations
               of
               the
               state
               of
               happiness
               in
               the
               world
               to
               come
               doth
               this
               in
               the
               Text
               of
               a
               Feast
               very
               well
               accord
               ,
               
               setting
               out
               the
               same
               thing
               in
               like
               manner
               by
               the
               entertainment
               of
               the
               senses
               ,
               wherein
               according
               to
               the
               notion
               of
               it
               ,
               not
               only
               the
               greatest
               delicacies
               ,
               and
               the
               greatest
               plenty
               of
               them
               are
               implied
               ,
               but
               also
               order
               ,
               and
               joy
               ,
               and
               unanimity
               in
               those
               that
               partake
               of
               them
               ,
               which
               together
               marvellously
               well
               represent
               that
               felicity
               we
               speak
               of
               .
            
             
               TO
               speak
               fully
               and
               clearly
               about
               that
               estate
               is
               beyond
               the
               ability
               of
               any
               mortal
               man
               :
               for
               besides
               that
               the
               Apostle
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               2.
               9.
               
               
                 Eye
                 hath
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
                 nor
                 ear
                 heard
                 ,
                 neither
                 hath
                 it
                 entred
                 into
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 to
                 conceive
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 prepared
                 for
                 those
                 that
                 love
                 him
              
               ;
               It
               is
               obvious
               to
               consider
               ,
               that
               infinite
               goodness
               and
               wisedom
               may
               easily
               contrive
               such
               instances
               of
               happiness
               ,
               as
               surpass
               our
               understanding
               ,
               till
               we
               come
               to
               enjoy
               them
               ;
               since
               he
               can
               either
               raise
               up
               new
               objects
               to
               entertain
               those
               faculties
               we
               have
               ,
               or
               create
               new
               powers
               in
               our
               Souls
               ,
               which
               shall
               be
               able
               to
               discover
               fresh
               and
               more
               quick
               and
               admirable
               delights
               then
               any
               we
               are
               now
               capable
               of
               ;
               especially
               when
               he
               sets
               himself
               to
               make
               demonstration
               of
               his
               magnificence
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               miracles
               of
               his
               love
               :
               and
               therefore
               we
               may
               very
               well
               surcease
               our
               curiosity
               ,
               and
               rest
               our selves
               contented
               ,
               since
               we
               have
               both
               assurance
               of
               such
               a
               thing
               in
               general
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               greatness
               and
               compleatness
               thereof
               :
               notwithstanding
               ,
               because
               some
               knowledge
               of
               particulars
               also
               ,
               will
               marvellously
               quicken
               us
               in
               our
               race
               thither
               ,
               and
               support
               us
               under
               the
               burdens
               we
               must
               undergoe
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               ;
               therefore
               I
               will
               by
               the
               guidance
               of
               the
               Scripture
               ,
               lay
               down
               these
               four
               particulars
               touching
               that
               estate
               .
            
             
             
               §
               III.
               IN
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               it
               is
               that
               which
               the
               Holy
               Scripture
               insists
               upon
               as
               a
               principal
               ingredient
               of
               the
               happiness
               of
               the
               other
               world
               ;
               that
               whereas
               death
               had
               made
               a
               separation
               of
               Soul
               and
               Body
               ,
               and
               (
               whatever
               circumstances
               the
               former
               might
               be
               conceived
               to
               be
               in
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               ,
               yet
               )
               the
               latter
               lay
               under
               the
               power
               of
               the
               grave
               ,
               and
               was
               the
               spoil
               and
               triumph
               of
               the
               Prince
               of
               darkness
               ;
               now
               by
               the
               wonderfull
               power
               of
               the
               Almighty
               ,
               this
               is
               raised
               up
               again
               out
               of
               its
               own
               ashes
               ,
               or
               out
               of
               whatever
               more
               desperate
               estate
               it
               might
               seem
               to
               be
               in
               ,
               and
               united
               to
               the
               Soul
               its
               old
               inmate
               again
               ,
               that
               so
               the
               whole
               man
               may
               be
               happy
               .
               This
               is
               a
               point
               of
               felicity
               ,
               which
               as
               it
               is
               not
               naturally
               due
               to
               men
               ,
               but
               depends
               upon
               a
               voluntary
               act
               of
               the
               divine
               goodness
               ,
               so
               also
               it
               can
               no
               otherwise
               be
               proved
               but
               by
               divine
               revelation
               .
               And
               those
               that
               were
               destitute
               of
               that
               light
               (
               whatever
               raised
               apprehensions
               they
               might
               have
               of
               future
               rewards
               ,
               and
               the
               happiness
               of
               the
               other
               life
               )
               could
               never
               with
               all
               their
               Philosophy
               make
               any
               discovery
               of
               this
               :
               nay
               ,
               it
               was
               so
               far
               out
               of
               the
               rode
               of
               their
               thoughts
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               a
               well
               known
               story
               of
               Synesius
               (
               who
               for
               his
               learning
               and
               piety
               was
               made
               of
               a
               Philosopher
               a
               Christian
               Bishop
               )
               that
               he
               confessed
               his
               Philosophy
               represented
               this
               point
               as
               utterly
               incredible
               to
               him
               ;
               upon
               which
               account
               ,
               he
               desired
               to
               be
               excused
               that
               dignity
               in
               the
               Church
               ;
               and
               for
               the
               generality
               of
               the
               greatest
               Pagan
               wits
               ,
               they
               laughed
               at
               and
               derided
               this
               doctrine
               when
               it
               was
               preached
               by
               the
               Apostles
               .
               And
               indeed
               ,
               
               the
               thing
               it self
               is
               so
               very
               wonderfull
               ,
               that
               had
               we
               not
               the
               plain
               and
               infallible
               promise
               of
               him
               to
               whom
               nothing
               is
               impossible
               ,
               and
               therewithall
               a
               satisfaction
               to
               our
               reason
               ,
               that
               he
               that
               could
               bring
               all
               things
               out
               of
               nothing
               at
               first
               ,
               may
               well
               be
               supposed
               able
               to
               effect
               other
               things
               also
               above
               our
               apprehension
               ;
               
               it
               would
               stagger
               Christian
               Faith
               it self
               to
               assent
               to
               it
               :
               therefore
               for
               the
               manner
               of
               doing
               it
               ,
               we
               must
               leave
               that
               to
               him
               ;
               but
               for
               the
               matter
               ,
               it
               is
               (
               as
               I
               said
               )
               as
               certain
               as
               divine
               testimony
               can
               make
               it
               ,
               and
               being
               believed
               is
               of
               unspeakable
               consolation
               .
            
             
               FOR
               what
               can
               be
               more
               comfortable
               then
               to
               be
               asserted
               from
               the
               power
               of
               the
               grave
               ,
               and
               rescued
               from
               death
               and
               mortality
               ,
               to
               have
               our
               Soul
               refitted
               with
               Organs
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               bodily
               powers
               awakened
               again
               so
               as
               to
               lose
               nothing
               by
               our
               fall
               ;
               when
               death
               shall
               like
               a
               faithfull
               depositary
               ,
               restore
               us
               our
               whole
               selves
               perfect
               and
               intire
               ?
               Is
               not
               the
               Spring
               very
               pleasant
               after
               a
               sharp
               and
               severe
               Winter
               ,
               wherein
               though
               the
               seeds
               of
               all
               things
               have
               been
               preserved
               ,
               yet
               they
               have
               been
               benummed
               and
               rendred
               inactive
               ;
               wherein
               the
               Heavens
               frowned
               ,
               the
               Sea
               wrinkled
               her
               face
               ,
               and
               the
               Earth
               grew
               effete
               and
               barren
               ;
               as
               if
               her
               youth
               was
               over
               :
               to
               see
               now
               God
               renewing
               the
               face
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               rendring
               them
               their
               wonted
               vigour
               ,
               and
               cloathing
               them
               with
               their
               former
               verdure
               ;
               to
               observe
               the
               Sea
               smoothing
               her
               brow
               ,
               the
               Fields
               smile
               ,
               every
               thing
               gay
               and
               glorious
               ,
               and
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               singing
               by
               way
               of
               Antiphone's
               ,
               to
               each
               other
               in
               praise
               of
               their
               great
               Creatour
               ;
               and
               in
               a
               word
               ,
               whole
               Nature
               triumphing
               as
               in
               a
               resurrection
               from
               the
               dead
               ?
               But
               now
               to
               see
               man
               after
               diseases
               had
               acted
               all
               their
               spite
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               death
               had
               defloured
               his
               beauty
               and
               bound
               up
               all
               his
               powers
               ,
               and
               the
               grave
               had
               held
               him
               long
               in
               possession
               ,
               wherein
               his
               body
               had
               undergone
               a
               thousand
               changes
               from
               flesh
               to
               earth
               ,
               from
               earth
               to
               grass
               ,
               from
               grass
               to
               the
               substance
               of
               this
               or
               that
               beast
               ,
               &c.
               and
               after
               all
               this
               to
               see
               him
               restored
               again
               fresh
               and
               glorious
               ,
               sprightly
               and
               vigorous
               
                 like
                 a
                 Giant
                 refreshed
                 with
                 wine
                 ,
              
               and
               this
               same
               body
               to
               be
               united
               to
               its
               proper
               Spirit
               ,
               by
               more
               firm
               and
               indissoluble
               
               ligaments
               ,
               and
               be
               again
               usefull
               for
               all
               its
               offices
               and
               purposes
               ;
               how
               happy
               must
               this
               meeting
               ,
               how
               great
               must
               this
               joy
               be
               !
               and
               not
               much
               unlike
               that
               we
               had
               lately
               before
               us
               in
               the
               Parable
               ,
               when
               the
               long
               sorrowfull
               and
               indulgent
               Father
               recovers
               his
               lost
               and
               deplored
               Son.
               
            
             
               I
               do
               not
               doubt
               but
               that
               the
               Souls
               of
               men
               when
               they
               are
               separated
               from
               their
               Bodies
               ,
               are
               able
               to
               understand
               and
               perform
               some
               of
               their
               most
               proper
               and
               spiritual
               functions
               ;
               for
               I
               see
               no
               reason
               why
               the
               Soul
               should
               so
               much
               depend
               upon
               matter
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               utterly
               inactive
               without
               it
               ;
               especially
               when
               I
               consider
               ,
               that
               whilst
               we
               are
               in
               the
               Body
               we
               govern
               it
               ,
               prescribe
               to
               it
               ,
               deny
               it
               ,
               expose
               it
               to
               hardship
               ,
               and
               sometimes
               act
               directly
               cross
               to
               the
               interest
               of
               it
               ;
               and
               besides
               this
               ,
               we
               find
               that
               there
               are
               some
               things
               which
               our
               mind
               takes
               notice
               of
               ,
               which
               the
               Bodily
               faculties
               could
               give
               no
               intelligence
               of
               ,
               and
               other
               things
               which
               our
               mind
               apprehends
               at
               first
               ,
               before
               the
               exercise
               of
               any
               faculty
               at
               all
               ,
               as
               in
               first
               principles
               ,
               &c.
               
               All
               which
               (
               were
               it
               necessary
               to
               insist
               upon
               that
               point
               now
               )
               would
               afford
               sufficient
               arguments
               to
               convince
               the
               mistake
               of
               those
               that
               assert
               the
               sleep
               of
               the
               Soul
               during
               its
               state
               of
               separation
               .
               Nay
               ,
               I
               make
               no
               question
               but
               that
               the
               Souls
               of
               good
               men
               are
               in
               the
               actual
               perception
               and
               enjoyment
               of
               some
               measures
               of
               happiness
               before
               the
               resurrection
               ;
               for
               besides
               ,
               that
               if
               it
               were
               not
               so
               ,
               it
               would
               very
               much
               abate
               their
               joys
               here
               ,
               and
               so
               be
               apt
               to
               take
               off
               the
               edge
               of
               their
               endeavours
               ,
               but
               most
               certainly
               it
               would
               marvellously
               glue
               men
               to
               this
               life
               ,
               and
               make
               them
               extreamly
               unwilling
               to
               die
               ;
               besides
               this
               I
               say
               ,
               and
               all
               other
               arguments
               of
               that
               nature
               ,
               the
               holy
               Scripture
               is
               so
               clear
               and
               express
               in
               several
               places
               touching
               this
               point
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               may
               almost
               with
               as
               good
               confidence
               deny
               the
               world
               to
               come
               as
               disbelieve
               this
               .
            
             
             
               AMONGST
               the
               rest
               I
               will
               only
               offer
               these
               two
               passages
               to
               the
               Reader
               's
               consideration
               ;
               (
               
                 viz.
                 )
                 Phil.
              
               1.
               21
               ,
               22.
               
               &
               2.
               
               Cor.
               5.
               1
               ,
               4.
               
               In
               the
               first
               the
               Apostle
               speaks
               on
               this
               wise
               .
               
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 a
                 strait
                 betwixt
                 two
                 ,
                 having
                 a
                 desire
                 to
                 depart
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 far
                 better
                 .
                 Nevertheless
                 ,
                 to
                 abide
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
                 is
                 more
                 needfull
                 for
                 you
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               I
               cannot
               tell
               whether
               to
               desire
               to
               live
               longer
               or
               to
               die
               sooner
               ,
               being
               prest
               with
               arguments
               on
               both
               sides
               ;
               for
               if
               I
               consult
               my self
               and
               my
               own
               good
               ,
               it
               is
               doubtless
               better
               for
               me
               to
               die
               ,
               and
               to
               enter
               presently
               into
               happiness
               ;
               but
               then
               if
               I
               consult
               your
               convenience
               ,
               it
               were
               better
               I
               should
               live
               longer
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               to
               be
               serviceable
               to
               your
               edification
               .
               Now
               (
               I
               think
               )
               it
               is
               evident
               ,
               that
               if
               the
               Apostle
               could
               have
               supposed
               that
               he
               should
               have
               entered
               into
               a
               state
               of
               silence
               after
               death
               ,
               and
               not
               presently
               been
               in
               the
               fruition
               of
               bliss
               ;
               there
               could
               have
               been
               no
               strait
               in
               the
               case
               ,
               nor
               any
               dispute
               ,
               but
               that
               it
               was
               better
               to
               live
               still
               in
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               continue
               in
               the
               comforts
               of
               a
               good
               Conscience
               ,
               and
               of
               doing
               good
               to
               others
               ,
               rather
               then
               to
               fall
               into
               a
               state
               of
               insensibility
               and
               inactivity
               .
            
             
               IN
               the
               other
               place
               the
               same
               Apostle
               expresses
               himself
               thus
               .
               
                 For
                 we
                 know
                 that
                 if
                 this
                 earthly
                 house
                 of
                 our
                 tabernacle
                 were
                 dissolved
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 a
                 building
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 an
                 house
                 not
                 made
                 with
                 hands
                 ,
                 but
                 eternall
                 in
                 the
                 Heavens
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 this
                 tabernacle
                 do
                 groan
                 being
                 burdened
                 ,
                 not
                 that
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 uncloathed
                 but
                 cloathed
                 upon
                 ,
                 that
                 mortality
                 may
                 be
                 swallowed
                 up
                 of
                 life
                 .
                 q.
                 d.
              
               We
               are
               well
               assured
               that
               from
               such
               time
               as
               these
               Bodies
               of
               ours
               are
               dissolved
               by
               death
               ,
               which
               were
               intended
               but
               as
               tents
               or
               tabernacles
               for
               our
               short
               and
               temporary
               residence
               ,
               thenceforward
               we
               shall
               be
               in
               a
               more
               settled
               state
               of
               life
               and
               happiness
               .
               And
               that
               's
               the
               reason
               why
               we
               groan
               and
               desire
               to
               die
               ,
               not
               meerly
               
               because
               we
               are
               weary
               of
               our
               station
               ,
               and
               impatient
               of
               this
               present
               life
               ,
               but
               because
               we
               have
               then
               hope
               to
               be
               forthwith
               in
               a
               far
               better
               condition
               ,
               being
               put
               into
               an
               unalterable
               estate
               of
               life
               .
            
             
               NOTWITHSTANDING
               the
               truth
               of
               all
               which
               ,
               it
               would
               nevertheless
               be
               uncomfortable
               to
               good
               men
               ,
               if
               they
               had
               not
               a
               prospect
               of
               the
               union
               of
               their
               Souls
               again
               with
               their
               Bodies
               ;
               not
               only
               because
               few
               men
               are
               so
               metaphysical
               as
               to
               have
               any
               clear
               and
               satisfying
               notion
               of
               this
               separate
               state
               ;
               and
               the
               most
               of
               men
               (
               having
               been
               always
               used
               to
               a
               Body
               )
               would
               be
               in
               fear
               of
               losing
               their
               Being
               ,
               if
               they
               were
               not
               relieved
               with
               the
               expectation
               of
               being
               united
               to
               them
               again
               :
               But
               principally
               because
               it
               is
               certain
               ,
               that
               however
               the
               Soul
               can
               exist
               ,
               and
               perform
               some
               actions
               of
               life
               without
               the
               Organs
               of
               the
               Body
               ,
               yet
               it
               being
               created
               in
               a
               middle
               rank
               between
               purely
               spiritual
               and
               meerly
               corporeal
               Beings
               ,
               and
               being
               
                 apta
                 nata
              
               ,
               fit
               and
               ordained
               to
               inform
               a
               Body
               ,
               must
               needs
               have
               an
               inclination
               thereunto
               ,
               and
               especially
               in
               regard
               most
               of
               its
               accustomed
               actions
               do
               require
               the
               help
               of
               the
               bodily
               powers
               ;
               for
               though
               it
               may
               understand
               without
               them
               ,
               love
               God
               ,
               adhere
               to
               goodness
               ,
               reflect
               upon
               it self
               ,
               and
               feel
               the
               comforts
               of
               a
               good
               Conscience
               ,
               upon
               a
               well-performed
               life
               ,
               &c.
               yet
               it
               is
               not
               intelligible
               how
               it
               can
               see
               without
               eyes
               ,
               move
               locally
               ,
               or
               apply
               it self
               to
               society
               without
               them
               .
            
             
               NOW
               forasmuch
               as
               God
               intends
               that
               the
               whole
               man
               should
               be
               happy
               ,
               and
               compleatly
               comfortable
               in
               the
               other
               world
               ,
               therefore
               he
               hath
               resolved
               with
               himself
               ,
               and
               assured
               us
               that
               the
               Body
               shall
               be
               raised
               again
               ,
               and
               therefore
               the
               Scripture
               lays
               so
               much
               stress
               upon
               the
               Resurrection
               ,
               as
               if
               men's
               happiness
               were
               adjourned
               to
               that
               great
               day
               .
            
             
             
               TO
               which
               this
               is
               also
               to
               be
               added
               ,
               that
               the
               Bodies
               we
               then
               are
               incouraged
               to
               expect
               ,
               will
               be
               ,
               as
               the
               Apostle
               calls
               them
               ,
               
                 Spiritual
                 Bodies
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               raised
               and
               sublimed
               from
               this
               drossy
               feculency
               ,
               freed
               from
               sickness
               ,
               pain
               ,
               weariness
               ,
               hunger
               ,
               heaviness
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               other
               imperfections
               of
               gross
               matter
               ,
               and
               so
               be
               fit
               to
               correspond
               with
               the
               vigour
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               and
               the
               glories
               of
               that
               blessed
               state
               .
               In
               all
               which
               together
               I
               place
               the
               first
               instance
               of
               the
               happiness
               of
               the
               other
               world
               ,
               and
               whoever
               well
               considers
               ,
               will
               find
               it
               to
               be
               a
               very
               great
               and
               glorious
               one
               .
               But
            
             
               SECONDLY
               ,
               man
               shall
               not
               only
               be
               restored
               to
               himself
               ,
               and
               to
               all
               his
               capacities
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               world
               to
               come
               there
               shall
               be
               the
               most
               delightfull
               objects
               and
               entertainments
               provided
               for
               ,
               and
               presented
               to
               all
               his
               powers
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               employ
               ,
               fill
               ,
               and
               ravish
               them
               .
               We
               intimated
               under
               the
               former
               Head
               that
               the
               powers
               of
               the
               Body
               should
               be
               raised
               and
               improved
               ,
               the
               Body
               being
               made
               spiritual
               and
               fine
               ,
               by
               which
               means
               also
               the
               intellectual
               powers
               will
               be
               much
               advanced
               ,
               having
               then
               exteriour
               Organs
               capable
               of
               more
               generous
               use
               and
               imployment
               .
               But
               to
               have
               powers
               inlarged
               without
               objects
               whereupon
               to
               imploy
               ,
               and
               wherein
               to
               delight
               themselves
               ,
               would
               be
               a
               torment
               instead
               of
               an
               happiness
               .
               For
               the
               very
               reason
               of
               pain
               and
               grief
               lies
               in
               nothing
               else
               ,
               but
               either
               that
               some
               powers
               are
               destitute
               of
               their
               proper
               objects
               ,
               or
               that
               the
               powers
               and
               objects
               are
               mis-matched
               and
               unproportionate
               to
               each
               other
               .
               Who
               will
               goe
               about
               to
               appease
               hunger
               with
               musick
               ,
               or
               content
               any
               one
               sense
               with
               the
               objects
               of
               another
               ?
               or
               think
               to
               satisfy
               the
               desires
               of
               a
               man
               with
               the
               repast
               of
               a
               Beast
               ?
               We
               see
               ,
               both
               extream
               little
               and
               excessively
               great
               and
               glorious
               objects
               are
               alike
               troublesome
               to
               the
               eye
               ,
               and
               as
               well
               excessive
               joy
               as
               grief
               break
               and
               disturb
               the
               mind
               ;
               
               all
               discontent
               and
               uneasiness
               of
               men's
               spirit
               with
               their
               condition
               is
               from
               hence
               ,
               that
               some
               power
               of
               theirs
               is
               either
               not
               provided
               for
               ,
               or
               less
               benignly
               dealt
               with
               then
               it
               desires
               .
               So
               that
               felicity
               or
               misery
               arise
               neither
               from
               the
               absolute
               nature
               of
               things
               ,
               but
               from
               their
               relative
               consideration
               ;
               nor
               from
               that
               meerly
               ,
               unless
               those
               things
               that
               are
               relatively
               good
               and
               proper
               ,
               be
               also
               proportioned
               to
               the
               capacity
               of
               the
               power
               that
               receives
               and
               feels
               them
               .
            
             
               NOW
               therefore
               as
               the
               wise
               and
               good
               Creatour
               of
               all
               things
               never
               brought
               any
               Creature
               into
               being
               ,
               which
               he
               had
               not
               fitted
               with
               a
               satisfaction
               in
               its
               kind
               ,
               nor
               opened
               any
               power
               for
               which
               he
               had
               not
               provided
               proportionable
               enjoyments
               ;
               because
               had
               he
               done
               otherwise
               he
               had
               been
               the
               authour
               of
               evil
               and
               misery
               ,
               and
               could
               not
               have
               looked
               over
               his
               works
               and
               pronounced
               of
               them
               that
               
                 they
                 were
                 good
              
               :
               So
               much
               less
               will
               he
               permit
               that
               in
               the
               other
               world
               ,
               wherein
               he
               intends
               to
               make
               the
               fullest
               demonstration
               of
               his
               goodness
               ,
               there
               should
               be
               any
               instance
               of
               unhappiness
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               defect
               or
               disproportion
               ;
               or
               especially
               that
               such
               holy
               men
               as
               he
               there
               designs
               to
               reward
               for
               all
               their
               faithfull
               adherence
               and
               service
               to
               him
               ,
               should
               have
               inlarged
               powers
               and
               scanty
               satisfactions
               ,
               but
               the
               one
               answerable
               to
               the
               other
               :
               agreeably
               to
               which
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               that
               state
               is
               represented
               by
               a
               Feast
               ,
               (
               as
               we
               have
               observed
               already
               )
               where
               care
               is
               always
               taken
               that
               there
               be
               nothing
               offensive
               to
               the
               Guests
               ,
               and
               that
               none
               of
               the
               participants
               may
               goe
               away
               without
               full
               measures
               of
               what
               is
               desirable
               to
               them
               ;
               wherewith
               also
               accord
               those
               other
               expressions
               of
               Holy
               Scripture
               ,
               which
               describe
               God
               as
               making
               preparations
               from
               the
               beginning
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               2.
               9.
               
               Matth.
               25.
               34.
               as
               we
               have
               intimated
               before
               .
            
             
             
               IN
               conformity
               to
               this
               notion
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               the
               mind
               of
               man
               will
               be
               adorned
               with
               a
               greater
               measure
               of
               knowledge
               and
               wisedom
               then
               is
               attainable
               in
               this
               life
               ;
               partly
               as
               it
               is
               exercised
               about
               higher
               and
               more
               noble
               objects
               then
               those
               we
               converse
               withall
               here
               below
               ,
               partly
               also
               as
               it
               will
               have
               a
               clearer
               apprehension
               ,
               and
               quicker
               perception
               then
               it
               is
               capable
               of
               whilst
               it
               is
               clouded
               by
               the
               fumes
               of
               a
               gross
               Body
               .
               Hence
               it
               is
               that
               the
               Apostle
               tells
               us
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               13.
               12.
               
               
                 Here
                 we
                 see
                 through
                 a
                 glass
                 darkly
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 we
                 shall
                 see
                 clearly
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 seen
                 .
              
               There
               we
               shall
               contemplate
               things
               in
               themselves
               ,
               and
               in
               their
               causes
               ,
               which
               here
               we
               have
               but
               a
               faint
               reflection
               of
               ;
               there
               we
               shall
               understand
               all
               the
               admirable
               wisedom
               of
               divine
               providence
               ,
               which
               is
               here
               a
               mystery
               to
               us
               .
               Whilst
               we
               were
               in
               this
               world
               we
               modestly
               and
               humbly
               believed
               that
               all
               things
               wrought
               for
               good
               ,
               but
               then
               we
               shall
               clearly
               understand
               the
               manner
               thereof
               :
               here
               we
               have
               a
               narrow
               sphere
               ,
               but
               there
               we
               move
               in
               a
               clear
               and
               free
               air
               ,
               and
               have
               a
               vast
               and
               unbounded
               prospect
               before
               us
               ,
               in
               which
               our
               minds
               may
               ravish
               themselves
               with
               admiration
               ,
               and
               expatiate
               without
               bounds
               or
               limits
               .
               There
               all
               the
               secrets
               of
               nature
               ,
               the
               mysteries
               of
               grace
               ,
               the
               knots
               of
               Theology
               ,
               and
               the
               very
               
                 areana
                 imperii
              
               will
               be
               open
               to
               us
               ,
               as
               being
               now
               
                 interioris
                 admissionis
              
               of
               the
               privy
               Council
               of
               Heaven
               .
            
             
               AND
               this
               will
               be
               as
               much
               more
               pleasant
               then
               the
               entertainments
               of
               sense
               are
               to
               us
               now
               ,
               as
               the
               pleasures
               of
               a
               man
               are
               beyond
               those
               of
               a
               beast
               ;
               or
               the
               faculty
               of
               reason
               is
               above
               the
               powers
               of
               the
               Body
               .
               And
               although
               it
               be
               too
               observable
               ,
               that
               in
               this
               world
               men
               are
               commonly
               more
               taken
               with
               the
               latter
               then
               with
               the
               former
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               because
               this
               is
               greater
               then
               that
               ,
               or
               comparable
               to
               it
               ,
               but
               because
               the
               generality
               of
               
               men
               have
               drowned
               themselves
               in
               the
               Body
               ,
               and
               so
               lost
               all
               relish
               of
               intellectual
               pleasures
               ;
               therefore
               when
               the
               Body
               is
               refined
               ,
               and
               reason
               hath
               recovered
               thereby
               its
               just
               pre-eminence
               ,
               and
               become
               a
               true
               test
               and
               citerion
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               there
               will
               an
               unspeakable
               pleasure
               flow
               in
               this
               way
               .
            
             
               NOR
               will
               the
               delight
               of
               the
               will
               in
               the
               close
               embraces
               of
               true
               and
               indubitable
               goodness
               be
               less
               ravishing
               then
               that
               of
               the
               mind
               in
               the
               apprehension
               of
               truth
               ,
               forasmuch
               as
               the
               former
               is
               as
               natural
               to
               ,
               and
               as
               peculiarly
               the
               entertainment
               of
               the
               one
               ,
               as
               the
               latter
               is
               of
               the
               other
               faculty
               ,
               and
               must
               most
               certainly
               afford
               so
               much
               a
               greater
               pleasure
               ,
               as
               he
               will
               ,
               which
               hath
               a
               kind
               of
               infinity
               in
               it self
               ,
               must
               consequently
               be
               able
               to
               take
               in
               more
               largely
               of
               the
               pleasure
               of
               its
               object
               .
               And
               now
               that
               the
               man
               is
               delivered
               from
               the
               juggling
               and
               sophistry
               of
               Sathan
               ,
               and
               the
               false
               light
               of
               sense
               and
               carnal
               interest
               ,
               so
               that
               he
               apprehends
               true
               good
               in
               its
               native
               beauty
               ,
               it
               cannot
               be
               but
               he
               must
               be
               more
               taken
               with
               it
               ,
               then
               ever
               he
               was
               heretofore
               with
               the
               empty
               and
               guilded
               Pageantry
               of
               corporeal
               delights
               ;
               for
               it
               cannot
               be
               doubted
               but
               God
               hath
               taken
               care
               to
               reconcile
               every
               man's
               duty
               with
               his
               happiness
               ,
               and
               made
               that
               best
               for
               man
               which
               he
               doth
               most
               peculiarly
               require
               of
               him
               ;
               and
               every
               man
               will
               find
               it
               so
               when
               once
               temptation
               being
               removed
               ,
               he
               singly
               and
               sincerely
               applies
               himself
               to
               the
               experiment
               .
            
             
               AND
               then
               for
               Conscience
               ,
               or
               the
               comfortable
               reflexion
               upon
               what
               hath
               been
               done
               well
               and
               vertuously
               .
               I
               need
               say
               the
               less
               of
               that
               ,
               in
               regard
               every
               man
               in
               this
               life
               hath
               experience
               of
               the
               happy
               effects
               of
               it
               .
               But
               alas
               ,
               in
               this
               world
               oftentimes
               melancholy
               of
               Body
               so
               much
               abates
               the
               comforts
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               either
               dark
               thoughts
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               the
               just
               sense
               of
               our
               own
               demerits
               by
               many
               miscarriages
               in
               time
               past
               ,
               do
               so
               
               much
               either
               disturb
               its
               reasonings
               ,
               or
               weaken
               its
               conclusions
               ,
               that
               few
               men
               know
               rightly
               the
               force
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               fewer
               live
               under
               the
               constant
               consolations
               thereof
               .
               But
               when
               men
               come
               to
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               see
               God
               a
               God
               of
               love
               and
               goodness
               ;
               find
               their
               sincerity
               accepted
               ,
               and
               their
               sins
               done
               away
               ;
               have
               no
               cloud
               of
               ignorance
               ,
               nor
               melancholick
               panick
               fear
               upon
               them
               ,
               then
               they
               recount
               with
               triumph
               all
               the
               difficulties
               they
               have
               conquered
               ,
               the
               temptations
               they
               have
               resisted
               ,
               the
               afflictions
               they
               have
               sustained
               ,
               the
               self-denial
               they
               have
               used
               ,
               the
               vertuous
               choice
               they
               have
               made
               ,
               the
               manly
               prosecution
               they
               have
               performed
               ,
               the
               brave
               examples
               they
               have
               left
               behind
               them
               ,
               and
               the
               many
               evil
               ones
               they
               despised
               and
               escaped
               ;
               in
               short
               ,
               the
               good
               they
               have
               done
               ,
               and
               the
               evil
               they
               have
               eschewed
               ;
               and
               by
               all
               together
               ,
               the
               demonstration
               they
               have
               given
               of
               sincere
               love
               and
               loyalty
               to
               God
               ;
               which
               affords
               them
               a
               
                 continual
                 feast
              
               within
               themselves
               ,
               and
               then
               
                 rejoice
                 with
                 joy
                 unspeakable
                 and
                 full
                 of
                 glory
                 .
              
            
             
               AND
               then
               in
               the
               last
               place
               ,
               since
               (
               as
               we
               have
               shewed
               )
               the
               Body
               it self
               shall
               be
               raised
               again
               and
               glorified
               ;
               the
               meaning
               is
               not
               surely
               ,
               that
               it
               shall
               only
               become
               an
               accession
               to
               the
               felicity
               of
               the
               Soul
               ,
               or
               be
               happy
               by
               reflection
               only
               ;
               but
               doubtless
               all
               such
               bodily
               powers
               as
               are
               fit
               to
               be
               restored
               in
               this
               glorified
               state
               of
               a
               spiritual
               Body
               ,
               shall
               be
               accommodated
               with
               their
               proper
               and
               peculiar
               entertainments
               :
               that
               so
               as
               that
               hath
               been
               denied
               and
               mortified
               in
               subserviency
               to
               the
               interest
               of
               the
               Soul
               in
               its
               former
               state
               ,
               it
               may
               now
               have
               its
               amends
               here
               .
               And
               whereas
               it
               is
               certain
               some
               of
               the
               more
               gross
               powers
               of
               the
               Body
               shall
               be
               laid
               aside
               in
               this
               renovation
               of
               things
               ,
               because
               our
               Saviour
               hath
               told
               us
               ,
               that
               
                 in
                 the
                 resurrection
                 they
                 neither
                 marry
                 ,
                 nor
                 are
                 given
                 in
                 marriage
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 as
                 the
                 
                 Angels
                 of
                 God
                 :
              
               Mat.
               22.
               30.
               and
               the
               Apostle
               S.
               Paul
               expresses
               himself
               thus
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               6.
               13.
               
               
                 Meats
                 for
                 the
                 belly
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 belly
                 for
                 meats
                 ,
                 but
                 God
                 shall
                 destroy
                 both
                 it
                 and
                 them
                 :
              
               It
               seems
               therefore
               not
               improbable
               ,
               that
               as
               some
               of
               those
               offices
               shall
               cease
               ,
               so
               others
               more
               generous
               and
               excellent
               ,
               shall
               then
               be
               discovered
               in
               their
               stead
               .
               And
               for
               all
               those
               that
               are
               restored
               with
               the
               Body
               ,
               they
               shall
               not
               be
               in
               vain
               ,
               but
               have
               their
               use
               ,
               their
               objects
               ,
               and
               their
               delights
               .
               The
               Eyes
               shall
               probably
               please
               themselves
               with
               delightfull
               prospects
               ,
               the
               Ears
               be
               entertained
               with
               harmonies
               ;
               there
               shall
               be
               a
               kindly
               and
               delicious
               motion
               of
               the
               Spirits
               ,
               the
               whole
               Fabrick
               shall
               shine
               with
               light
               and
               beauty
               ,
               and
               shall
               have
               a
               wonderfull
               agility
               and
               vigorous
               motion
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               be
               able
               to
               mount
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               as
               we
               know
               the
               Body
               of
               our
               Saviour
               did
               after
               his
               Resurrection
               .
               All
               this
               ,
               and
               whatsoever
               else
               is
               good
               ,
               or
               desirable
               ,
               or
               glorious
               ,
               or
               possible
               ,
               shall
               be
               the
               portion
               of
               good
               men
               in
               the
               other
               world
               .
            
             
               TO
               which
               add
               ,
               that
               as
               that
               happiness
               shall
               be
               of
               the
               whole
               man
               ,
               and
               of
               all
               his
               powers
               and
               capacities
               ,
               and
               with
               the
               highest
               gratifications
               ;
               so
               that
               it
               may
               be
               meer
               sincere
               and
               perfect
               happiness
               indeed
               ,
               there
               shall
               be
               no
               allay
               or
               mixture
               of
               any
               thing
               that
               may
               give
               the
               least
               trouble
               or
               disturbance
               ;
               there
               shall
               be
               all
               the
               instances
               of
               joy
               ,
               all
               the
               ingredients
               of
               felicity
               ,
               and
               nothing
               else
               to
               the
               contrary
               .
               No
               sad
               circumstance
               to
               imbitter
               his
               delights
               ,
               nothing
               to
               divert
               him
               ,
               or
               call
               him
               off
               from
               his
               enjoyments
               ,
               no
               weariness
               to
               interrupt
               his
               prosecutions
               ,
               nor
               satiety
               to
               make
               the
               fruition
               loathsom
               and
               tedious
               ;
               no
               fear
               or
               solicitude
               to
               abate
               his
               delight
               ,
               no
               temptation
               to
               disturb
               or
               molest
               him
               ,
               no
               danger
               of
               excesses
               to
               check
               and
               restrain
               him
               .
               Here
               the
               former
               Prodigal
               may
               now
               swim
               in
               the
               highest
               and
               most
               generous
               pleasures
               without
               
               riot
               or
               intemperance
               ;
               without
               danger
               of
               exhausting
               either
               himself
               or
               them
               :
               in
               a
               word
               ,
               here
               there
               is
               no
               fatal
               interchanges
               and
               vicissitudes
               of
               good
               and
               evil
               ,
               bitter
               and
               sweet
               ,
               as
               is
               usual
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               but
               simple
               ,
               unmixt
               ,
               constant
               joy
               and
               happiness
               .
            
             
               IT
               was
               a
               rare
               and
               unparalleled
               happiness
               of
               
                 Quintus
                 Metellus
              
               ,
               of
               whom
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               that
               he
               had
               such
               a
               benign
               gale
               of
               prosperity
               constantly
               attended
               him
               ,
               that
               in
               all
               the
               tedious
               and
               perillous
               voyage
               of
               a
               very
               long
               life
               ,
               he
               never
               met
               with
               storm
               nor
               calm
               ,
               rock
               nor
               shelf
               ,
               but
               arrived
               at
               his
               Port
               in
               peace
               ,
               full
               of
               days
               ,
               
               and
               laden
               with
               blessings
               .
               For
               (
               saith
               the
               Historian
               )
               he
               lived
               in
               the
               greatest
               honour
               and
               affluence
               ,
               having
               had
               the
               glory
               of
               being
               Consul
               (
               the
               highest
               Magistracy
               )
               of
               being
               General
               of
               a
               Roman
               Army
               ,
               (
               the
               highest
               trust
               )
               and
               of
               a
               triumph
               ,
               (
               the
               greatest
               honour
               and
               felicity
               .
               )
               He
               lived
               to
               see
               his
               three
               Sons
               all
               arrive
               at
               the
               highest
               dignities
               and
               preferments
               that
               magnificent
               State
               of
               Rome
               could
               yield
               them
               ;
               his
               three
               Daughters
               all
               married
               to
               the
               best
               Families
               :
               and
               by
               all
               these
               he
               had
               a
               numerous
               and
               hopefull
               progeny
               of
               Grandchildren
               descending
               from
               himself
               ,
               and
               trained
               up
               under
               his
               eye
               .
               In
               all
               his
               life
               there
               was
               no
               other
               news
               in
               his
               Family
               but
               of
               weddings
               ,
               births
               ,
               successes
               ,
               jollities
               and
               triumphs
               ;
               no
               such
               thing
               as
               a
               funeral
               ,
               mourning
               ,
               or
               any
               disaster
               all
               his
               days
               :
               and
               all
               this
               crowned
               with
               an
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               a
               gentle
               and
               easy
               death
               at
               last
               in
               the
               presence
               and
               imbraces
               of
               all
               his
               dearest
               Friends
               ,
               Children
               ,
               and
               Family
               .
            
             
               BUT
               this
               (
               as
               I
               said
               )
               was
               a
               rare
               and
               extraordinary
               case
               ,
               not
               to
               be
               matched
               again
               in
               all
               History
               ;
               the
               common
               method
               of
               providence
               in
               this
               world
               is
               to
               mingle
               sweet
               with
               bitter
               ,
               grief
               with
               joy
               ;
               and
               so
               light
               and
               darkness
               ,
               day
               and
               night
               ,
               prosperity
               and
               adversity
               
               intercept
               and
               succeed
               each
               other
               ;
               he
               that
               is
               now
               miserable
               may
               expect
               to
               be
               one
               day
               happy
               ,
               and
               he
               that
               is
               happy
               now
               ,
               must
               expect
               his
               turn
               of
               misery
               .
               It
               was
               therefore
               worthily
               esteemed
               a
               brave
               and
               noble
               carriage
               of
               
                 Paulus
                 Aemilius
              
               ,
               when
               he
               had
               conquered
               and
               taken
               captive
               the
               potent
               Prince
               Perseus
               ,
               after
               he
               had
               gently
               treated
               and
               comforted
               the
               unfortunate
               Prince
               ,
               he
               turns
               himself
               to
               admonish
               the
               unexperienced
               young
               Men
               of
               his
               Train
               and
               Family
               .
               
               
                 Exemplum
                 insigne
                 cernitis
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 mutationis
                 rerum
                 humanarum
                 ,
                 vobis
                 haec
                 praecipue
                 dico
                 Juvenes
                 ,
                 ideo
                 in
                 secundis
                 rebus
                 nihil
                 in
                 quenquam
                 superbe
                 ac
                 violenter
                 consulere
                 ,
                 nec
                 praesenti
                 credere
                 fortunae
                 ,
                 cum
                 quid
                 vesper
                 ferat
                 incertum
                 sit
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 You
                 see
                 here
                 before
                 you
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 a
                 remarkable
                 example
                 of
                 the
                 mutability
                 of
                 humane
                 affairs
                 ,
                 a
                 Prince
                 that
                 was
                 lately
                 a
                 terrour
                 to
                 the
                 Roman
                 name
                 now
                 in
                 chains
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 our
                 mercy
                 ;
                 learn
                 hereby
                 you
                 young
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 neither
                 suffer
                 your selves
                 to
                 be
                 transported
                 with
                 pride
                 ,
                 nor
                 trust
                 too
                 much
                 to
                 fortune
                 ,
                 since
                 you
                 see
                 by
                 this
                 spectacle
                 what
                 changes
                 a
                 little
                 time
                 may
                 produce
                 .
              
               But
               most
               memorable
               of
               all
               ,
               and
               most
               accommodate
               to
               my
               purpose
               ,
               is
               that
               carriage
               of
               the
               same
               Paulus
               ,
               when
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               all
               his
               glories
               and
               successes
               ,
               the
               news
               was
               brought
               him
               that
               his
               two
               Sons
               were
               dead
               ,
               he
               recollecteth
               himself
               ,
               and
               addresses
               himself
               to
               the
               people
               of
               Rome
               in
               this
               sort
               .
               
               
                 Mihi
                 quoque
                 ipsi
                 nimia
                 jam
                 fortuna
                 mea
                 ,
                 edque
                 suspecta
                 esse
                 coepit
                 ,
                 &
                 postquam
                 omnia
                 secundo
                 cursu
                 fluxissent
                 ,
                 neque
                 erat
                 quod
                 ultra
                 precarer
                 ,
                 illud
                 optavi
                 ut
                 cùm
                 ex
                 summo
                 retrò
                 volvi
                 fortuna
                 consuescit
                 ,
                 mutationem
                 ejus
                 domus
                 mea
                 potiùs
                 quam
                 respublica
                 sentiret
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 I
                 was
                 aware
              
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               
                 that
                 my
                 fortune
                 was
                 too
                 great
                 to
                 hold
                 on
                 at
                 that
                 rate
                 ,
                 and
                 since
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 expect
                 an
                 ebbe
                 to
                 succeed
                 such
                 tide
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 glad
                 it
                 hath
                 pleased
                 God
                 that
                 the
                 change
                 hath
                 happened
                 in
                 my
                 private
                 family
                 rather
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 publick
                 affairs
                 .
              
            
             
             
               THIS
               great
               man
               well
               understood
               the
               course
               of
               this
               world
               ,
               in
               which
               nothing
               is
               so
               certain
               as
               uncertainty
               it self
               ,
               nothing
               so
               sad
               but
               hath
               some
               qualifications
               or
               abatements
               ;
               nothing
               so
               perfectly
               happy
               ,
               but
               it
               hath
               some
               grievous
               consequents
               or
               appendages
               .
               But
               in
               those
               happy
               regions
               we
               speak
               of
               ,
               a
               constant
               gale
               breaths
               always
               from
               the
               same
               point
               ;
               a
               man
               is
               evenly
               carried
               along
               his
               course
               ,
               without
               interruptions
               and
               turnings
               ;
               I
               say
               ,
               in
               the
               world
               to
               come
               only
               ,
               there
               is
               pure
               and
               unmixed
               joy
               ,
               and
               there
               it
               is
               in
               the
               truest
               and
               fullest
               measures
               .
            
             
               NOW
               the
               result
               of
               all
               these
               things
               together
               must
               make
               it
               a
               most
               glorious
               and
               comfortable
               estate
               ;
               when
               a
               man
               shall
               arrive
               at
               the
               summ
               of
               all
               his
               wishes
               ,
               when
               he
               shall
               not
               be
               put
               to
               contentment
               but
               receive
               satisfaction
               ;
               not
               shrink
               himself
               ,
               and
               contract
               his
               mind
               to
               his
               condition
               ,
               but
               his
               condition
               be
               fitted
               to
               his
               mind
               ;
               when
               there
               shall
               not
               be
               that
               thing
               which
               is
               possible
               ,
               and
               can
               minister
               any
               delight
               ,
               but
               shall
               be
               poured
               out
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               such
               full
               measure
               ,
               as
               to
               replenish
               and
               overflow
               all
               his
               powers
               and
               capacities
               ;
               and
               where
               his
               powers
               shall
               be
               all
               inlarged
               and
               refined
               to
               that
               very
               end
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               receive
               in
               more
               of
               happiness
               ,
               and
               that
               of
               the
               noblest
               purest
               kind
               without
               mixture
               or
               allay
               .
               
                 O
                 happy
                 and
                 glorious
                 state
                 of
                 things
                 !
                 O
                 happy
                 day
                 when
                 these
                 things
                 shall
                 come
                 to
                 pass
                 !
                 and
                 most
                 happy
                 they
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 thought
                 worthy
                 of
                 it
                 !
                 Stay
                 my
                 Soul
                 ,
                 and
                 wonder
                 at
                 thy
                 Father's
                 bounty
                 and
                 goodness
                 ;
                 ravish
                 thy self
                 with
                 admiration
                 of
                 these
                 glorious
                 preparations
                 for
                 thy
                 entertainment
                 .
                 Look
                 up
                 hither
                 ,
                 and
                 comfort
                 thy self
                 under
                 all
                 the
                 uncertainties
                 ,
                 disappointments
                 ,
                 adversities
                 ,
                 conflicts
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 turn
                 thy
                 eyes
                 this
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 loath
                 the
                 husks
                 of
                 sinfull
                 pleasure
                 ;
                 despise
                 the
                 unsincere
                 ,
                 the
                 guilded
                 hypocritical
                 treatments
                 
                 of
                 the
                 lower
                 world
                 ,
                 trample
                 upon
                 all
                 the
                 glories
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 reach
                 after
                 this
                 and
                 hasten
                 hither
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               BUT
               this
               is
               not
               all
               yet
               ,
               the
               joys
               of
               Heaven
               are
               as
               lasting
               as
               they
               are
               great
               and
               full
               .
               When
               God
               hath
               recovered
               his
               lost
               Son
               (
               as
               aforesaid
               )
               he
               shall
               never
               be
               lost
               again
               ,
               he
               shall
               never
               be
               miserable
               more
               ,
               he
               now
               gives
               him
               an
               inheritance
               by
               an
               indefecible
               title
               ;
               
                 A
                 Crown
                 immortal
                 that
                 fadeth
                 not
                 away
                 ,
                 a
                 Kingdom
                 that
                 cannot
                 be
                 shaken
                 .
                 A
                 house
                 not
                 made
                 with
                 hands
                 ,
                 but
                 eternal
                 in
                 the
                 Heavens
                 :
              
               Stronger
               then
               the
               foundations
               of
               the
               Earth
               ,
               or
               the
               poles
               of
               Heaven
               ;
               for
               those
               shall
               be
               dissolved
               ,
               and
               these
               shall
               melt
               away
               with
               fervent
               heat
               ,
               
                 But
                 thy
                 throne
                 ,
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 indureth
                 for
                 ever
                 and
                 ever
                 .
              
            
             
               LET
               there
               be
               never
               so
               many
               and
               great
               ingredients
               of
               felicity
               otherwise
               ,
               if
               this
               be
               wanting
               of
               the
               duration
               of
               it
               ,
               it
               answers
               not
               the
               desires
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               and
               is
               very
               short
               and
               defective
               .
               For
               whenever
               it
               shall
               expire
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               as
               if
               it
               never
               had
               been
               ;
               nay
               ,
               if
               any
               sense
               of
               things
               remain
               afterwards
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               great
               aggravation
               of
               unhappiness
               
                 fuisse
                 foelicem
              
               ,
               that
               a
               man
               hath
               out-lived
               his
               own
               comforts
               ;
               and
               the
               comparing
               his
               present
               destitution
               with
               his
               former
               injoyments
               ,
               is
               really
               a
               torment
               to
               him
               .
               Therefore
               it
               is
               observed
               to
               be
               the
               humour
               of
               some
               of
               the
               wisest
               Nations
               ,
               to
               bestow
               as
               little
               cost
               as
               they
               possibly
               can
               upon
               feasting
               ,
               and
               the
               bodily
               entertainments
               of
               eating
               and
               drinking
               ,
               who
               yet
               are
               very
               sumptuous
               and
               magnificent
               in
               buildings
               ,
               and
               such
               other
               things
               as
               are
               durable
               ,
               because
               they
               consider
               those
               former
               
                 perish
                 in
                 the
                 using
              
               .
               And
               this
               is
               the
               very
               argument
               upon
               which
               the
               Holy
               Scripture
               slurs
               all
               the
               glories
               of
               this
               world
               ,
               
               that
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               the
               Scene
               changes
               ;
               all
               is
               but
               acting
               a
               part
               for
               a
               while
               ,
               and
               shortly
               the
               lights
               are
               put
               out
               ,
               the
               curtain
               drawn
               ,
               
               and
               
                 sic
                 transit
                 gloria
                 mundi
              
               ;
               in
               whatever
               gallantry
               a
               man
               appeared
               upon
               the
               Stage
               ,
               he
               must
               retire
               and
               be
               undrest
               ,
               and
               be
               what
               he
               was
               before
               ;
               upon
               which
               account
               he
               must
               be
               a
               very
               vain
               and
               silly
               man
               ,
               who
               so
               little
               forethinks
               what
               will
               shortly
               befall
               him
               ,
               as
               to
               bear
               himself
               high
               upon
               his
               present
               ornaments
               .
            
             
               BUT
               it
               was
               without
               doubt
               a
               cutting
               saying
               to
               the
               Glutton
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               
                 Son
                 remember
                 thou
                 hast
                 had
                 thy
                 good
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 Lazarus
                 evil
                 things
                 ;
                 now
                 therefore
                 he
                 is
                 comforted
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 art
                 tormented
                 .
              
               For
               although
               (
               as
               we
               noted
               before
               )
               it
               be
               the
               common
               fate
               of
               this
               world
               that
               good
               and
               evil
               take
               their
               turns
               ,
               yet
               most
               certainly
               the
               relish
               and
               remembrance
               of
               good
               things
               past
               makes
               the
               succession
               of
               evil
               most
               pungent
               and
               intolerable
               .
               Nay
               ,
               which
               is
               more
               ,
               the
               very
               fears
               and
               expectation
               of
               this
               vicissitude
               makes
               the
               sense
               of
               the
               greatest
               present
               flat
               and
               insignificant
               .
            
             
               IT
               would
               questionless
               be
               a
               great
               relief
               to
               the
               Souls
               in
               Hell
               ,
               and
               a
               remission
               of
               their
               torments
               ,
               if
               they
               could
               conceive
               any
               hopes
               of
               emerging
               at
               last
               out
               of
               that
               condition
               ;
               and
               it
               would
               be
               a
               great
               abatement
               of
               the
               joys
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               if
               any
               suspicion
               should
               enter
               there
               ,
               that
               possibly
               that
               felicity
               might
               one
               time
               or
               other
               expire
               .
               But
               this
               is
               the
               very
               Hell
               of
               Hell
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               not
               the
               least
               crany
               through
               which
               to
               spy
               light
               beyond
               those
               dark
               regions
               ;
               no
               hopes
               ,
               but
               they
               that
               come
               thither
               are
               for
               ever
               abandoned
               by
               God
               ,
               and
               made
               the
               triumphs
               of
               his
               vengeance
               .
               And
               it
               is
               the
               glory
               of
               coelestial
               glory
               ,
               the
               crown
               of
               the
               Heavenly
               Kingdom
               that
               it
               is
               eternal
               ,
               that
               the
               river
               of
               life
               is
               inexhaustible
               ,
               that
               the
               glorious
               enjoyments
               of
               that
               blessed
               state
               never
               fail
               ,
               and
               that
               men
               shall
               ever
               live
               to
               enjoy
               them
               .
            
             
               O
               Eternal
               ,
               eternal
               !
               that
               word
               speaks
               Seas
               of
               comfort
               and
               a
               boundless
               glory
               ;
               it
               fills
               us
               with
               wonder
               
               and
               astonishment
               ,
               it
               is
               that
               which
               we
               cannot
               comprehend
               ,
               and
               therefore
               fit
               to
               be
               the
               supream
               happiness
               .
               Eternal
               life
               is
               all
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               more
               then
               ten
               thousand
               worlds
               in
               one
               word
               .
               It
               is
               higher
               then
               the
               Heavens
               ,
               greater
               then
               the
               Universe
               ,
               it
               is
               all
               things
               .
               It
               is
               the
               flower
               of
               joy
               ,
               the
               quintessence
               of
               comfort
               ,
               the
               pinnacle
               of
               glory
               ,
               the
               crown
               of
               blessedness
               ,
               the
               very
               soul
               and
               spirit
               of
               Heaven
               .
               It
               is
               all
               miracle
               ,
               all
               ecstasy
               ,
               all
               that
               we
               can
               wish
               ,
               all
               that
               we
               can
               receive
               ,
               all
               that
               God
               can
               give
               ;
               nay
               ,
               all
               that
               he
               himself
               can
               enjoy
               .
            
             
               BUT
               the
               wonder
               rises
               higher
               yet
               ,
               if
               we
               consider
               who
               it
               is
               that
               is
               made
               the
               subject
               of
               this
               blessed
               eternity
               .
               If
               it
               had
               been
               some
               glorious
               Angelical
               Being
               ,
               who
               was
               by
               nature
               removed
               from
               all
               matter
               ,
               out
               of
               the
               reach
               of
               bodily
               contagion
               or
               infirmity
               ;
               a
               pure
               bright
               shining
               intellect
               :
               or
               if
               it
               had
               been
               man
               that
               had
               never
               faln
               from
               Paradise
               ,
               that
               had
               contracted
               no
               sickliness
               and
               infirmity
               ,
               no
               disorder
               of
               passions
               ,
               nor
               violence
               of
               humours
               ,
               nor
               other
               presage
               of
               mortality
               ;
               or
               especially
               ,
               if
               it
               had
               been
               a
               man
               that
               never
               had
               voluntarily
               sinned
               against
               his
               Maker
               ,
               but
               such
               an
               one
               as
               by
               prudent
               management
               and
               subjugation
               of
               his
               Body
               under
               all
               the
               difficulties
               he
               is
               thereby
               exposed
               to
               ,
               had
               merited
               some
               extraordinary
               favour
               at
               God's
               hand
               ;
               if
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               any
               of
               these
               had
               been
               the
               case
               ,
               eternal
               life
               had
               been
               less
               admirable
               .
            
             
               BUT
               that
               man
               cloathed
               with
               a
               Body
               ,
               clogged
               with
               flesh
               ,
               that
               faln
               and
               degenerate
               man
               ,
               nay
               ,
               sickly
               ,
               infirm
               man
               ,
               a
               meer
               bundle
               of
               a
               thousand
               diseases
               ,
               the
               triumph
               of
               death
               ,
               and
               the
               prisoner
               of
               the
               grave
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               become
               the
               subject
               of
               eternity
               ,
               and
               be
               placed
               in
               a
               condition
               out
               of
               the
               reach
               of
               fate
               ,
               beyond
               the
               sphere
               of
               chance
               and
               contingency
               ,
               above
               mortality
               ,
               where
               no
               time
               shall
               wear
               him
               away
               ,
               no
               violence
               
               shall
               touch
               him
               ,
               no
               strife
               of
               principles
               shall
               gradually
               work
               his
               destruction
               :
            
             
               WHEN
               the
               everlasting
               Springs
               are
               dried
               up
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               have
               life
               in
               himself
               ;
               when
               the
               Mountains
               shall
               be
               removed
               ,
               the
               Earth
               abolished
               ,
               and
               the
               Heavens
               pass
               away
               as
               a
               smoak
               ,
               that
               he
               should
               survive
               all
               this
               ,
               and
               be
               fresh
               and
               vigorous
               to
               a
               thousand
               Ages
               ,
               and
               feel
               a
               perpetual
               motion
               ,
               a
               constant
               circulation
               of
               the
               principles
               of
               life
               and
               joy
               in
               himself
               ;
               this
               is
               the
               wonder
               of
               all
               wonders
               ,
               and
               here
               we
               may
               cry
               out
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 O
                 the
                 height
                 ,
                 and
                 depth
                 ,
                 and
                 breadth
                 of
                 the
                 power
                 and
                 goodness
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               NOTWITHSTANDING
               all
               these
               multitudes
               of
               wonders
               ,
               this
               shall
               be
               done
               ;
               for
               besides
               that
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               made
               the
               Soul
               of
               an
               immortal
               nature
               from
               the
               beginning
               ,
               that
               it
               cannot
               perish
               but
               by
               an
               act
               of
               his
               Omnipotency
               ,
               he
               will
               be
               so
               far
               from
               destroying
               it
               violently
               ,
               that
               he
               will
               everlastingly
               irradiate
               it
               by
               his
               own
               vital
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               thereby
               perpetually
               improve
               that
               energy
               he
               first
               gave
               it
               ;
               and
               then
               for
               the
               Body
               ,
               that
               shall
               be
               sublimed
               to
               such
               a
               purity
               and
               perfection
               ,
               that
               it
               shall
               admit
               of
               no
               corruptive
               fermentation
               ,
               nothing
               shall
               weaken
               ,
               weary
               or
               disorder
               it
               ,
               but
               it
               shall
               be
               plainly
               indissoluble
               as
               the
               Soul
               it self
               .
               This
               is
               the
               third
               step
               of
               Heavens
               glory
               ;
               but
               there
               is
               a
               fourth
               yet
               behind
               which
               must
               not
               be
               forgotten
               .
               And
               that
               is
            
             
               4.
               
               THE
               consideration
               of
               the
               incomparably
               sweet
               and
               blessed
               society
               there
               to
               be
               enjoyed
               .
               When
               God
               had
               first
               made
               man
               ,
               and
               placed
               him
               in
               the
               terrestrial
               Paradise
               ,
               where
               to
               the
               perfection
               of
               his
               nature
               he
               had
               furnished
               him
               also
               ,
               with
               all
               things
               of
               necessary
               use
               ,
               or
               delightfull
               entertainment
               ,
               he
               considered
               yet
               
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 good
                 for
                 man
                 to
                 be
                 alone
                 ,
              
               and
               therefore
               provided
               a
               companion
               for
               him
               ;
               for
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               all
               affluence
               
               of
               other
               things
               solitude
               is
               most
               uncomfortable
               to
               humane
               nature
               ,
               insomuch
               that
               it
               is
               not
               to
               be
               doubted
               ,
               but
               that
               any
               man
               in
               his
               right
               wits
               ,
               would
               rather
               chuse
               very
               mean
               and
               hard
               circumstances
               in
               society
               ,
               then
               the
               most
               plentifull
               and
               commodious
               ,
               with
               seclusion
               from
               the
               conversation
               of
               men
               like
               himself
               .
               For
               society
               not
               only
               relieves
               men's
               impotency
               ,
               and
               secures
               them
               against
               danger
               ,
               but
               fortifies
               the
               spirits
               ,
               and
               raises
               the
               parts
               of
               men
               ,
               as
               we
               see
               by
               daily
               experience
               ;
               and
               above
               all
               ,
               it
               eases
               the
               burdens
               ,
               and
               multiplies
               the
               joys
               of
               humane
               life
               :
               and
               touching
               this
               last
               ,
               as
               the
               Earth
               is
               not
               so
               much
               warmed
               and
               inriched
               by
               the
               direct
               ,
               as
               by
               the
               reflected
               beams
               of
               the
               Sun
               ,
               so
               we
               find
               by
               experience
               that
               there
               is
               no
               happy
               accident
               or
               success
               equally
               refreshes
               us
               in
               its
               direct
               contingency
               ,
               as
               when
               we
               perceive
               it
               in
               the
               rebound
               or
               sally
               ,
               and
               find
               other
               men
               (
               especially
               our
               Friends
               )
               take
               notice
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               reflect
               it
               upon
               us
               :
               And
               for
               this
               reason
               it
               is
               ,
               that
               though
               the
               world
               be
               full
               enough
               of
               men
               ,
               yet
               men
               (
               not
               content
               with
               that
               common
               alliance
               )
               enter
               besides
               into
               more
               strict
               confederations
               ,
               which
               we
               call
               Friendships
               ,
               (
               which
               are
               therefore
               not
               unfitly
               called
               by
               some
               body
               
                 sal
                 societatis
                 ,
                 infirmitatis
                 praesidium
                 &
                 vitae
                 humanae
                 portus
                 ,
              
               )
               as
               if
               life
               was
               not
               only
               an
               unsafe
               but
               an
               insipid
               and
               flat
               thing
               without
               Friendship
               .
            
             
               AND
               this
               is
               not
               only
               so
               amongst
               men
               ,
               but
               something
               of
               it
               is
               discoverable
               even
               amongst
               those
               higher
               and
               more
               noble
               Beings
               the
               Angels
               themselves
               ,
               touching
               whom
               though
               some
               have
               been
               too
               phantastical
               and
               
                 boldly
                 intruded
                 into
                 things
                 they
                 understand
                 not
                 ,
              
               peremptorily
               defining
               their
               distinct
               Orders
               and
               Colledges
               ,
               yet
               it
               's
               plain
               enough
               that
               God
               placed
               not
               them
               in
               solitude
               ,
               but
               made
               several
               Orders
               and
               Societies
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               they
               find
               delight
               in
               one
               another
               ,
               not
               only
               in
               the
               mutual
               assistance
               they
               give
               each
               
               other
               in
               the
               discharge
               of
               their
               Ministeries
               here
               below
               ,
               but
               in
               joyning
               together
               in
               blessed
               Quires
               above
               ,
               to
               admire
               and
               praise
               their
               ever
               glorious
               Creatour
               .
               And
               perhaps
               it
               is
               not
               impertinent
               to
               add
               this
               also
               ,
               that
               even
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               it self
               ,
               who
               by
               reason
               of
               his
               infinite
               perfections
               is
               
                 seipso
                 contentus
              
               ,
               and
               can
               have
               no
               need
               of
               any
               thing
               without
               or
               besides
               himself
               ;
               yet
               when
               we
               say
               (
               and
               that
               truely
               )
               of
               him
               ,
               that
               he
               made
               all
               things
               for
               himself
               ,
               and
               his
               own
               glory
               ,
               the
               meaning
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               takes
               delight
               in
               the
               reflection
               of
               his
               own
               image
               ,
               and
               feels
               his
               own
               perfections
               reverberated
               upon
               him
               from
               his
               Creatures
               .
            
             
               BUT
               there
               is
               no
               necessity
               we
               should
               goe
               so
               far
               ,
               since
               all
               I
               am
               concerned
               in
               at
               present
               is
               sufficiently
               manifest
               ;
               namely
               ,
               that
               the
               happiness
               of
               men
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               could
               not
               be
               compleat
               and
               full
               without
               the
               advantage
               of
               that
               blessed
               society
               which
               there
               they
               shall
               enjoy
               ,
               and
               that
               added
               to
               the
               forementioned
               ingredients
               ,
               raises
               it
               to
               the
               highest
               pitch
               of
               felicity
               that
               we
               can
               apprehend
               or
               imagine
               .
            
             
               FOR
               in
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               there
               we
               shall
               enjoy
               the
               glorious
               presence
               of
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               ,
               without
               consternation
               or
               affrightment
               ;
               whilst
               men
               are
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               only
               impossible
               for
               weak
               eyes
               to
               behold
               so
               bright
               a
               glory
               ,
               but
               every
               approach
               of
               him
               strikes
               them
               with
               terrour
               .
               When
               God
               had
               appeared
               to
               Jacob
               in
               a
               vision
               only
               ,
               it
               filled
               him
               with
               great
               apprehensions
               of
               so
               august
               a
               Majesty
               ,
               and
               he
               breaks
               out
               ,
               Gen.
               28.
               17.
               
               
                 How
                 dreadfull
                 is
                 this
                 place
              
               ,
               &c.
               
               And
               the
               Prophet
               
                 I
                 saiah
              
               ,
               when
               he
               saw
               a
               stately
               scene
               of
               the
               Divine
               Glory
               ,
               cries
               out
               ,
               
                 Woe
                 is
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 undone
                 ;
                 for
                 mine
                 eyes
                 have
                 seen
                 the
                 King
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Hosts
                 :
              
               Isa
               .
               6.
               5.
               
               For
               besides
               that
               the
               very
               glory
               of
               such
               displays
               of
               the
               Divinity
               ,
               were
               wont
               to
               be
               very
               wonderfull
               and
               surprizing
               ,
               the
               consideration
               also
               of
               
               what
               men
               had
               deserved
               at
               God's
               hands
               ,
               and
               the
               reflection
               upon
               their
               own
               miscarriages
               ,
               made
               all
               such
               appearances
               very
               formidable
               and
               suspicious
               to
               them
               .
               But
               now
               in
               Heaven
               we
               shall
               
                 see
                 him
                 and
                 live
              
               ;
               he
               will
               not
               oppress
               us
               with
               his
               Majesty
               ,
               nor
               confound
               us
               with
               his
               Glory
               ;
               there
               shall
               be
               no
               guilt
               to
               affright
               us
               ,
               nor
               object
               to
               amaze
               us
               ;
               he
               will
               either
               fortify
               and
               sharpen
               our
               sight
               ,
               or
               submit
               himself
               to
               our
               capacity
               ,
               and
               shine
               out
               in
               all
               sweetness
               ,
               delight
               and
               complacency
               towards
               us
               .
            
             
               NOW
               this
               must
               needs
               afford
               unspeakable
               felicity
               ,
               for
               in
               enjoying
               him
               we
               enjoy
               all
               things
               ;
               forasmuch
               as
               all
               that
               is
               any
               where
               good
               and
               delectable
               ,
               did
               flow
               from
               him
               ,
               and
               is
               to
               be
               found
               in
               him
               ,
               as
               in
               its
               source
               and
               original
               .
               All
               that
               can
               charess
               our
               powers
               ,
               that
               can
               ravish
               our
               hearts
               ,
               all
               that
               is
               good
               ,
               all
               that
               is
               lovely
               and
               desirable
               ,
               are
               here
               in
               their
               greatest
               perfection
               ,
               and
               compendiously
               to
               be
               enjoyed
               .
               So
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               Psal
               .
               16.
               11.
               
               
                 In
                 thy
                 presence
                 there
                 is
                 fullness
                 of
                 joy
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 thy
                 right
                 hand
                 there
                 are
                 pleasures
                 for
                 evermore
                 .
              
            
             
               AGAIN
               ,
               we
               shall
               there
               also
               enjoy
               the
               society
               of
               the
               blessed
               Jesus
               ,
               we
               shall
               see
               him
               
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 behold
                 his
                 glory
              
               ;
               and
               be
               with
               him
               for
               ever
               .
               What
               a
               ravishment
               was
               it
               to
               the
               Disciples
               ,
               and
               what
               an
               ecstasy
               did
               it
               put
               them
               into
               ,
               when
               he
               appeared
               again
               to
               them
               after
               his
               Resurrection
               ?
               he
               had
               promised
               them
               he
               would
               do
               so
               ,
               and
               they
               had
               reason
               to
               believe
               him
               ;
               having
               seen
               the
               miracles
               he
               had
               wrought
               already
               ,
               and
               the
               wonderfull
               attestations
               to
               his
               divine
               power
               ;
               notwithstanding
               ,
               when
               they
               saw
               with
               what
               malice
               the
               Jews
               persecuted
               him
               ,
               and
               with
               what
               success
               ,
               that
               they
               stigmatized
               his
               reputation
               ,
               insulted
               over
               his
               person
               ,
               derided
               his
               doctrine
               ,
               and
               put
               him
               to
               death
               ,
               which
               he
               had
               now
               for
               some
               time
               
               lien
               under
               the
               power
               of
               ;
               their
               hearts
               mis-gave
               them
               ,
               and
               they
               began
               now
               to
               mistrust
               they
               should
               never
               see
               him
               again
               ,
               
                 who
                 they
                 had
                 hoped
                 should
                 have
                 redeemed
                 Israel
                 .
              
               However
               ,
               they
               resolve
               to
               see
               what
               is
               become
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               between
               hopes
               and
               fears
               they
               come
               to
               his
               Sepulchre
               on
               the
               third
               day
               ,
               but
               with
               more
               of
               the
               latter
               then
               the
               former
               ,
               as
               appears
               by
               the
               spices
               they
               brought
               with
               them
               to
               imbalm
               him
               ;
               as
               if
               they
               resolved
               his
               memorial
               should
               be
               precious
               with
               them
               though
               they
               never
               saw
               him
               more
               .
               Thither
               being
               come
               they
               find
               the
               Watch
               dismayed
               and
               fled
               ,
               the
               Sepulchre
               open
               ,
               the
               Grave-cloaths
               laid
               in
               order
               ,
               all
               which
               somewhat
               revived
               them
               ;
               and
               besides
               ,
               they
               see
               an
               Angel
               standing
               at
               the
               door
               ,
               telling
               them
               that
               he
               was
               indeed
               risen
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               this
               more
               incourages
               them
               :
               but
               when
               himself
               appears
               to
               them
               as
               they
               were
               going
               pensive
               into
               Galilee
               ,
               and
               convinces
               them
               that
               it
               was
               indeed
               he
               ,
               by
               entertaining
               them
               with
               the
               same
               discourses
               he
               used
               to
               have
               with
               them
               ,
               by
               eating
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               by
               shewing
               to
               Thomas
               especially
               his
               Hands
               and
               his
               Feet
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Characters
               of
               the
               same
               person
               :
            
             
               THEN
               what
               joy
               were
               they
               in
               !
               Lord
               how
               were
               they
               transported
               !
               how
               do
               they
               wonder
               at
               their
               own
               stupidity
               and
               incredulity
               hitherto
               ,
               and
               admire
               their
               own
               felicity
               now
               !
               But
               when
               at
               the
               last
               day
               after
               many
               hundred
               years
               interruption
               of
               his
               bodily
               appearance
               ,
               nay
               ,
               when
               those
               good
               men
               that
               
                 have
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 believed
              
               ;
               that
               have
               lived
               to
               him
               ,
               denied
               themselves
               ,
               been
               persecuted
               ,
               have
               died
               for
               him
               ,
               shall
               see
               him
               in
               glory
               ,
               shall
               behold
               that
               image
               of
               perfect
               goodness
               and
               loveliness
               ,
               shall
               injoy
               him
               that
               died
               for
               them
               ,
               that
               purchased
               them
               by
               his
               bloud
               ,
               that
               opened
               Heaven
               to
               them
               ,
               shall
               hear
               him
               say
               ,
               
                 Come
                 ye
                 blessed
                 of
                 my
                 Father
                 ,
                 receive
                 a
                 Kingdom
                 prepared
                 for
                 
                 you
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               
                 You
                 who
                 have
                 imitated
                 me
                 in
                 holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 followed
                 me
                 in
                 my
                 sufferings
                 ;
                 you
                 who
                 have
                 not
                 been
                 discouraged
                 by
                 the
                 meanness
                 of
                 my
                 first
                 appearance
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 long
                 expectation
                 of
                 my
                 second
                 coming
                 ;
                 whose
                 love
                 and
                 resolution
                 for
                 me
                 was
                 not
                 baffled
                 by
                 the
                 contempt
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 debauched
                 by
                 the
                 examples
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 nor
                 abated
                 by
                 the
                 pretended
                 difficulty
                 of
                 my
                 institutions
                 ;
                 you
                 shall
                 now
                 see
                 my
                 glory
                 ,
                 be
                 like
                 me
                 ,
                 rejoice
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 live
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 be
                 separated
                 from
                 me
                 more
                 .
              
               It
               is
               in
               vain
               for
               me
               to
               goe
               about
               to
               express
               the
               transcendency
               of
               this
               joy
               ,
               which
               no
               tongue
               can
               utter
               ,
               nor
               any
               pen
               can
               describe
               ;
               we
               can
               think
               a
               great
               deal
               more
               then
               we
               can
               speak
               ,
               but
               we
               shall
               then
               feel
               what
               we
               cannot
               now
               conceive
               ;
               when
               every
               face
               shall
               shine
               with
               chearfullness
               ,
               every
               eye
               sparkle
               with
               joy
               ,
               every
               heart
               overflow
               with
               gladness
               ,
               and
               every
               mouth
               be
               filled
               with
               Allelujah
               ,
               and
               the
               whole
               Quire
               sing
               together
               the
               
                 new
                 song
                 ,
                 the
                 song
                 of
                 Moses
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Lamb.
                 
              
            
             
               BUT
               this
               is
               not
               all
               yet
               ,
               for
               in
               Heaven
               holy
               men
               shall
               not
               only
               enjoy
               the
               presence
               of
               their
               Lord
               ,
               but
               the
               comfortable
               society
               of
               all
               his
               train
               ,
               the
               glorious
               host
               of
               Angels
               ;
               these
               as
               they
               have
               condescended
               to
               minister
               to
               men
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               and
               diligently
               to
               imploy
               themselves
               for
               the
               protection
               of
               good
               men
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               recovering
               of
               evil
               men
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               raising
               them
               from
               the
               dead
               ,
               and
               presenting
               them
               before
               God
               in
               Heaven
               ;
               so
               having
               now
               successfully
               finished
               all
               that
               ministry
               ,
               shall
               now
               wellcome
               them
               to
               glory
               ;
               rejoice
               with
               them
               ,
               and
               entertain
               them
               in
               friendly
               and
               familiar
               conversation
               :
               those
               great
               ,
               and
               wise
               ,
               and
               holy
               Spirits
               shall
               recount
               to
               them
               all
               the
               wonders
               of
               divine
               providence
               past
               ,
               which
               they
               have
               been
               imployed
               in
               ,
               discover
               to
               them
               all
               the
               secrets
               of
               
               the
               other
               world
               ,
               and
               as
               Praecentors
               ,
               goe
               before
               and
               guide
               them
               in
               all
               the
               joys
               and
               triumphs
               of
               that
               blessed
               Kingdom
               .
            
             
               AND
               lastly
               ,
               holy
               men
               shall
               rejoice
               in
               the
               happy
               society
               of
               one
               another
               .
               Some
               men
               call
               the
               betaking
               themselves
               to
               a
               Cloister
               or
               Monastery
               ,
               by
               the
               name
               of
               forsaking
               the
               world
               ,
               as
               if
               that
               was
               the
               greatest
               instance
               of
               self-denial
               and
               mortification
               ;
               whereas
               in
               truth
               if
               things
               be
               well
               considered
               (
               especially
               if
               that
               state
               of
               retirement
               be
               ordered
               as
               it
               should
               ,
               and
               pretends
               to
               be
               ,
               )
               it
               is
               so
               far
               from
               a
               severity
               to
               ones
               self
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               the
               most
               effectually
               to
               consult
               a
               man's
               ease
               and
               comfort
               ;
               it
               is
               to
               forsake
               the
               hurry
               ,
               the
               trouble
               ,
               vexation
               and
               care
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               to
               enjoy
               freely
               and
               without
               interruption
               the
               best
               thing
               this
               world
               hath
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               company
               of
               persons
               just
               like
               a
               man's
               self
               ,
               without
               the
               annoyance
               of
               different
               humours
               ,
               qualities
               and
               interests
               ;
               and
               doubtless
               were
               such
               a
               thing
               to
               be
               hoped
               for
               in
               this
               world
               (
               which
               that
               sort
               of
               men
               pretend
               )
               it
               were
               the
               most
               lovely
               and
               desirable
               thing
               that
               can
               be
               here
               ,
               that
               so
               many
               good
               and
               wise
               men
               who
               destine
               themselves
               only
               to
               the
               study
               of
               vertue
               and
               knowledge
               ,
               who
               are
               all
               of
               a
               mind
               ,
               all
               in
               a
               like
               condition
               ;
               who
               have
               no
               cross
               or
               interfering
               interests
               amongst
               them
               ,
               should
               enjoy
               one
               another
               constantly
               ,
               under
               the
               same
               roof
               ,
               relieve
               one
               anothers
               necessities
               ,
               improve
               one
               anothers
               parts
               ,
               and
               comfort
               each
               others
               minds
               .
               Such
               a
               condition
               I
               say
               ,
               were
               it
               any
               where
               to
               be
               found
               on
               this
               side
               Heaven
               ,
               would
               tempt
               men
               to
               say
               with
               St.
               
                 Peter
                 ,
                 Master
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 here
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               But
               alas
               ,
               whatever
               men
               talk
               or
               fancy
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               so
               select
               company
               ,
               but
               there
               is
               some
               weakness
               and
               folly
               amongst
               them
               ;
               there
               is
               no
               such
               recess
               ,
               but
               emulation
               and
               passion
               finds
               entrance
               ;
               no
               wilderness
               without
               a
               Devil
               and
               temptation
               ,
               
               nor
               any
               life
               whatsoever
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               that
               is
               wholly
               free
               from
               care
               and
               vexation
               .
               Because
               there
               is
               sickliness
               and
               passion
               ,
               divers
               humours
               of
               Body
               and
               different
               constitutions
               of
               mind
               ,
               the
               understandings
               of
               men
               are
               of
               several
               statures
               ,
               their
               interests
               thwart
               one
               another
               ;
               there
               will
               be
               peevishness
               and
               mis-understanding
               ,
               whisperings
               and
               jealousy
               ,
               passion
               and
               parties
               amongst
               men
               while
               they
               are
               here
               .
            
             
               BUT
               in
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               there
               meet
               
                 the
                 spirits
                 only
                 of
                 just
                 men
                 made
                 perfect
                 ,
              
               holy
               men
               freed
               from
               mis-understanding
               ,
               passion
               ,
               or
               imperfection
               ;
               no
               annoyance
               either
               by
               the
               vicinage
               of
               the
               wicked
               ,
               or
               the
               infirmities
               of
               the
               sincerely
               vertuous
               .
               All
               are
               of
               one
               mind
               ,
               of
               one
               lip
               ,
               one
               heart
               ,
               no
               saying
               I
               am
               of
               Paul
               ,
               I
               of
               Cephas
               ,
               or
               I
               of
               Christ
               ,
               for
               Christ
               is
               all
               ,
               and
               in
               them
               all
               .
            
             
               AND
               what
               a
               felicity
               this
               is
               like
               to
               be
               we
               may
               partly
               guess
               by
               the
               distractions
               of
               the
               Church
               here
               below
               ,
               for
               want
               of
               it
               ,
               which
               are
               such
               as
               that
               it
               's
               hard
               to
               say
               whether
               Religion
               suffer
               more
               by
               its
               united
               enemies
               ,
               or
               by
               its
               divided
               friends
               ;
               and
               whether
               the
               uncharitableness
               of
               Christians
               be
               not
               as
               lamentable
               ,
               as
               the
               persecutions
               of
               Pagans
               .
               But
               there
               disputes
               shall
               cease
               ,
               all
               heats
               be
               abated
               ,
               all
               controversies
               umpired
               ,
               and
               all
               having
               one
               end
               and
               interest
               ,
               the
               only
               emulation
               shall
               be
               who
               shall
               imbrace
               the
               other
               with
               the
               more
               ardent
               love
               ,
               and
               more
               adore
               and
               magnify
               the
               Divine
               Majesty
               .
            
             
               THERE
               shall
               be
               the
               glorious
               Panegyris
               ,
               the
               Assembly
               and
               Church
               of
               the
               first
               born
               ,
               a
               collection
               of
               all
               the
               good
               men
               that
               ever
               were
               from
               the
               foundation
               of
               the
               world
               ;
               and
               men
               shall
               come
               from
               the
               
                 East
                 and
                 West
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 North
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 South
                 ,
                 and
                 sit
                 down
                 with
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 Isaac
                 and
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God.
              
               Here
               shall
               be
               no
               private
               spirit
               ,
               no
               
               narrow
               hide-bound
               mind
               that
               can
               love
               only
               their
               own
               opinion
               ,
               or
               party
               ,
               or
               kindred
               ,
               or
               benefactours
               ;
               but
               a
               generous
               love
               ,
               an
               universal
               good-will
               :
               those
               shall
               imbrace
               that
               never
               saw
               each
               other
               before
               ,
               because
               the
               same
               image
               of
               God
               and
               goodness
               runs
               through
               the
               whole
               society
               .
               
                 Who
                 would
                 not
                 make
                 one
                 of
                 this
                 Assembly
                 ?
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 get
                 into
                 this
                 Ark
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 troublesome
                 ,
                 froward
                 ,
                 contentious
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 live
                 in
                 love
                 ,
                 in
                 joy
                 ,
                 in
                 peace
                 to
                 all
                 eternity
                 ?
              
            
             
               THESE
               are
               some
               Clusters
               of
               the
               Land
               of
               Canaan
               ,
               this
               is
               a
               rude
               and
               imperfect
               draught
               of
               the
               New
               Jerusalem
               ;
               this
               (
               I
               say
               ,
               )
               is
               (
               according
               as
               I
               am
               able
               to
               set
               it
               forth
               )
               the
               entertainment
               which
               God
               gives
               his
               Children
               when
               they
               come
               home
               to
               him
               .
               And
               so
               much
               for
               the
               third
               and
               last
               part
               of
               the
               Parable
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             THE
             FATHER'S
             APOLOGY
             ,
             OR
             A
             VINDICATION
             OF
             THE
             Divine
             Goodness
             In
             the
             aforesaid
             Dispensation
             .
          
           
             WE
             have
             now
             gone
             through
             all
             the
             three
             Parts
             of
             the
             Parable
             which
             we
             observed
             at
             our
             entrance
             upon
             it
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             first
             of
             them
             under
             the
             type
             of
             a
             loose
             and
             undutifull
             Son
             ,
             we
             have
             seen
             the
             extravagant
             folly
             and
             madness
             of
             a
             course
             of
             sin
             .
             In
             the
             second
             ,
             under
             the
             figure
             of
             the
             same
             Son
             ,
             recovering
             his
             right
             mind
             ,
             and
             returning
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             we
             have
             had
             set
             before
             us
             a
             lively
             draught
             of
             true
             repentance
             .
             And
             in
             the
             last
             ,
             by
             the
             compassions
             and
             kindness
             of
             an
             earthly
             Parent
             ,
             in
             receiving
             ,
             blessing
             ,
             and
             rejoicing
             in
             such
             a
             Son
             upon
             his
             return
             ,
             we
             have
             had
             some
             resemblance
             of
             the
             unspeakable
             mercies
             of
             God
             in
             pardoning
             ,
             sanctifying
             ,
             and
             saving
             penitent
             sinners
             .
             And
             now
             we
             are
             come
             to
             the
             Epilogue
             or
             Conclusion
             of
             the
             whole
             ,
             which
             in
             the
             letter
             contains
             the
             Apology
             which
             the
             Father
             
             makes
             for
             this
             his
             indulgent
             proceedings
             with
             his
             Son
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             mystery
             and
             scope
             of
             it
             ,
             a
             vindication
             of
             God's
             justice
             ,
             wisedom
             and
             goodness
             ,
             in
             treating
             great
             sinners
             ,
             upon
             their
             repentance
             with
             all
             those
             demonstrations
             of
             favour
             and
             bounty
             which
             we
             have
             lately
             discoursed
             of
             .
          
           
             FOR
             (
             as
             we
             have
             noted
             in
             the
             entrance
             upon
             this
             Parable
             )
             the
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             took
             great
             offence
             ,
             both
             at
             the
             kind
             and
             obliging
             conversation
             which
             our
             Saviour
             used
             towards
             Publicans
             and
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             at
             the
             incouragement
             he
             gave
             them
             (
             in
             his
             doctrine
             )
             to
             hope
             for
             pardon
             and
             reception
             with
             God
             upon
             their
             repentance
             ;
             the
             latter
             of
             these
             was
             the
             immediate
             discharge
             of
             that
             gracious
             Embassy
             our
             Saviour
             came
             into
             the
             world
             upon
             ;
             (
             viz.
             )
             to
             amend
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             reconciliation
             between
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             and
             the
             former
             was
             only
             a
             prudent
             Oeconomy
             of
             his
             to
             oblige
             their
             attention
             and
             to
             gain
             opportunities
             of
             treating
             with
             men
             in
             order
             to
             their
             reformation
             .
          
           
             BUT
             those
             ill-natured
             and
             self-weening
             persons
             who
             would
             ingross
             all
             God's
             favours
             to
             themselves
             and
             their
             own
             character
             ,
             interpret
             this
             condescension
             of
             our
             Saviour
             to
             bad
             men
             ,
             to
             be
             in
             derogation
             to
             those
             that
             were
             good
             ,
             and
             traduce
             the
             comfortableness
             of
             his
             Gospel
             as
             an
             incouragement
             to
             looseness
             .
             
               For
               why
               (
               say
               they
               )
               should
               God
               the
               King
               of
               glory
               be
               thought
               to
               debase
               himself
               so
               far
               as
               to
               send
               Embassadours
               to
               Rebels
               ?
               hath
               he
               more
               kindness
               for
               them
               then
               for
               his
               most
               dutifull
               Subjects
               ?
               hath
               he
               (
               like
               David
               )
               such
               soft
               indulgence
               towards
               a
               comely
               but
               disobedient
               Absolom
               ,
               that
               he
               prefers
               his
               safety
               before
               the
               whole
               host
               of
               his
               most
               loyal
               Servants
               ?
               can
               it
               be
               that
               the
               Almighty
               should
               (
               like
               some
               good
               natured
               persons
               )
               be
               so
               ready
               to
               forgive
               their
               enemies
               
               that
               ,
               they
               forget
               their
               friends
               and
               themselves
               too
               ?
               what
               is
               there
               no
               difference
               between
               the
               good
               and
               the
               bad
               ?
               no
               distinction
               ?
               is
               Heaven
               prepared
               for
               the
               one
               as
               well
               as
               for
               the
               other
               ?
               is
               he
               likely
               to
               be
               a
               messenger
               sent
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               reform
               the
               world
               ,
               that
               is
               found
               in
               conversation
               ,
               and
               maintaining
               friendship
               with
               those
               that
               are
               the
               scandal
               of
               it
               ?
               or
               why
               doth
               he
               not
               preach
               hell
               and
               damnation
               to
               such
               ,
               rather
               then
               hopes
               and
               comfort
               ?
               why
               doth
               he
               not
               proclaim
               the
               glorious
               priviledges
               of
               good
               and
               holy
               men
               ,
               rather
               then
               pardon
               to
               the
               bad
               and
               vicious
               ?
               at
               least
               ,
               why
               doth
               he
               not
               reprove
               debauchery
               and
               prophaneness
               ,
               rather
               then
               expose
               hypocrisy
               ,
               and
               be
               always
               girding
               at
               the
               sanctified
               party
               ?
               We
               Scribes
               and
               Pharisees
               fast
               and
               pray
               ,
               and
               oblige
               our selves
               to
               a
               thousand
               nice
               and
               difficult
               observances
               :
               we
               wear
               God's
               livery
               ,
               and
               call
               our selves
               by
               his
               name
               ;
               insomuch
               that
               all
               the
               world
               takes
               us
               for
               his
               servants
               :
               But
               these
               Publicans
               and
               Sinners
               are
               meer
               Sons
               of
               Belial
               ,
               have
               acknowledged
               no
               Lord
               ,
               submitted
               to
               no
               yoke
               ,
               but
               given
               themselves
               up
               to
               their
               own
               will
               and
               pleasure
               .
               AND
               we
               have
               always
               maintained
               the
               same
               tenour
               ,
               kept
               up
               our
               profession
               ,
               and
               drawn
               the
               eyes
               of
               all
               men
               upon
               us
               for
               our
               zeal
               and
               accuracy
               in
               our
               Religion
               ;
               but
               these
               men
               with
               whom
               this
               pretended
               Messias
               is
               so
               familiar
               ,
               and
               whom
               he
               so
               much
               incourages
               ,
               if
               they
               are
               good
               ,
               it
               is
               very
               lately
               come
               upon
               them
               ,
               and
               the
               scars
               of
               their
               former
               life
               must
               needs
               reflect
               as
               much
               scandal
               upon
               his
               institution
               ,
               as
               their
               present
               discipleship
               can
               do
               honour
               to
               his
               skill
               in
               their
               cure
               and
               reformation
               .
               What
               reason
               can
               there
               be
               that
               he
               should
               be
               so
               fond
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               so
               neglectfull
               of
               us
               ?
               how
               can
               they
               have
               equal
               title
               to
               ,
               or
               the
               same
               shares
               in
               the
               other
               world
               with
               our selves
               ?
               
               such
               equality
               is
               the
               greatest
               inequality
               ;
               such
               arithmetical
               justice
               ,
               would
               be
               the
               greatest
               injustice
               ,
               and
               argue
               God
               guilty
               of
               accepting
               persons
               ,
               which
               he
               declares
               against
               .
            
          
           
             THIS
             is
             a
             true
             Copy
             of
             the
             thoughts
             of
             these
             self-conceited
             Jews
             that
             murmured
             against
             our
             Saviour's
             doctrine
             and
             management
             ,
             and
             this
             is
             the
             best
             that
             can
             be
             made
             of
             their
             pretences
             for
             so
             doing
             ;
             TO
             convince
             them
             of
             the
             weakness
             and
             absurdity
             whereof
             our
             Saviour
             turns
             the
             Tables
             ,
             and
             (
             as
             we
             have
             seen
             )
             having
             introduced
             a
             foolish
             ,
             disobedient
             ,
             and
             vicious
             man
             ,
             after
             a
             long
             course
             of
             wildness
             and
             extravagancy
             ,
             coming
             at
             last
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             then
             returning
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             his
             duty
             ,
             pardoned
             ,
             and
             joyfully
             received
             by
             him
             .
          
           
             THIS
             (
             saith
             our
             Saviour
             )
             is
             the
             image
             or
             likeness
             of
             the
             case
             we
             dispute
             about
             .
             But
             then
             suppose
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             this
             Father
             having
             another
             Son
             ,
             who
             had
             not
             as
             the
             former
             ,
             ever
             run
             into
             rebellion
             against
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             should
             now
             expostulate
             with
             his
             Father
             after
             this
             manner
             .
             
               Lo
               these
               many
               years
               do
               I
               serve
               thee
               ,
               neither
               transgressed
               I
               at
               any
               time
               thy
               commandment
               :
               And
               yet
               thou
               never
               gavest
               me
               a
               kid
               ,
               that
               I
               might
               make
               merry
               with
               my
               friends
               :
               But
               as
               soon
               as
               this
               thy
               son
               was
               come
               ,
               which
               had
               devoured
               thy
               living
               with
               harlots
               ,
               thou
               hast
               killed
               for
               him
               the
               fatted
               Calf
               .
               q.
               d.
               
            
             
               Sir
               ,
               I
               call
               your self
               to
               witness
               the
               sincerity
               and
               constancy
               of
               my
               duty
               towards
               you
               ;
               did
               I
               ever
               dispute
               your
               authority
               ,
               boggle
               at
               your
               commands
               ,
               or
               express
               a
               weariness
               of
               your
               service
               ?
               I
               never
               to
               this
               day
               rebelled
               against
               you
               ,
               as
               this
               your
               younger
               Son
               hath
               done
               ;
               who
               after
               he
               had
               mis-spent
               your
               substance
               by
               riot
               and
               debauches
               ,
               made
               himself
               a
               shame
               to
               your
               name
               and
               family
               ;
               and
               now
               reduced
               to
               extremity
               (
               having
               no
               other
               way
               to
               betake
               himself
               to
               )
               
               is
               returned
               to
               you
               ,
               and
               received
               by
               you
               with
               such
               demonstrations
               of
               unusual
               joy
               and
               favour
               .
               Was
               I
               ever
               he
               ,
               that
               by
               any
               wilfull
               miscarriage
               deserved
               your
               just
               displeasure
               ?
               or
               were
               you
               ever
               so
               kind
               a
               Father
               to
               me
               ,
               as
               to
               express
               your
               resentment
               of
               my
               duty
               and
               diligence
               ,
               by
               any
               such
               instance
               as
               you
               have
               made
               to
               him
               after
               an
               extraordinary
               manner
               ?
               Give
               me
               leave
               therefore
               to
               say
               ,
               I
               cannot
               but
               wonder
               at
               the
               different
               measures
               you
               make
               use
               of
               towards
               him
               and
               me
               ;
               if
               this
               indeed
               be
               your
               act
               ,
               and
               not
               rather
               the
               unlicensed
               profusion
               of
               your
               Steward
               and
               Servants
               ,
               for
               joy
               that
               they
               have
               now
               found
               a
               Son
               of
               your
               like
               themselves
               ,
               to
               countenance
               and
               incourage
               their
               excesses
               !
               Sure
               it
               is
               not
               all
               one
               with
               you
               whether
               your
               Children
               be
               good
               or
               bad
               ,
               obedient
               or
               disobedient
               .
               I
               cannot
               suspect
               it
               should
               be
               with
               you
               as
               with
               common
               persons
               ,
               who
               remember
               the
               last
               and
               freshest
               kindnesses
               ,
               but
               forget
               old
               and
               faithfull
               services
               ;
               or
               who
               value
               their
               hopes
               above
               their
               experiences
               ;
               nor
               can
               I
               think
               it
               becomes
               me
               to
               accuse
               you
               of
               fondness
               and
               partiality
               ,
               as
               the
               present
               face
               of
               things
               would
               give
               some
               colour
               for
               .
               It
               is
               true
               ,
               your
               younger
               Son
               is
               returned
               ,
               but
               he
               went
               away
               first
               ;
               he
               is
               found
               ,
               but
               I
               was
               never
               lost
               .
               In
               short
               ,
               the
               present
               scene
               of
               jollity
               is
               of
               dangerous
               example
               ,
               apt
               to
               incourage
               looseness
               ,
               and
               discourage
               obedience
               ;
               therefore
               I
               hope
               it
               hath
               not
               your
               allowance
               ;
               or
               however
               ,
               I
               cannot
               bear
               the
               reflection
               it
               makes
               upon
               my self
               ,
               and
               therefore
               will
               bear
               no
               part
               in
               it
               .
            
          
           
             AND
             now
             (
             saith
             our
             Saviour
             )
             look
             what
             answer
             you
             would
             think
             the
             Father
             would
             make
             in
             this
             case
             to
             the
             discontents
             of
             his
             elder
             Son
             :
             and
             the
             same
             will
             both
             justify
             God
             ,
             and
             vindicate
             me
             in
             the
             point
             in
             hand
             .
             And
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             you
             imagin
             the
             Father
             
             would
             reply
             thus
             ,
             
               Son
               thou
               art
               ever
               with
               me
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               I
               have
               is
               thine
               ;
               but
               it
               was
               meet
               that
               we
               should
               make
               merry
               and
               be
               glad
               ;
               for
               this
               thy
               Brother
               was
               dead
               ,
               and
               is
               alive
               again
               ;
               was
               lost
               ,
               and
               is
               found
               .
            
             And
             this
             answer
             will
             as
             well
             justify
             God
             in
             his
             proceedings
             with
             the
             Sons
             of
             men
             against
             the
             murmurings
             of
             Scribes
             and
             Pharisees
             ,
             as
             it
             will
             do
             an
             earthly
             Parent
             in
             his
             dealings
             with
             his
             Children
             :
             for
             whether
             we
             consider
             the
             literal
             ,
             or
             the
             more
             recondite
             sense
             of
             the
             words
             ,
             we
             shall
             easily
             observe
             these
             three
             things
             to
             be
             contained
             in
             them
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               An
               assertion
               of
               prerogative
               ,
               in
               that
               in
               both
               the
               cases
               supposed
               ,
               as
               well
               the
               Heavenly
               Father
               as
               the
               Earthly
               ,
               do
               but
               dispose
               of
               their
               own
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               A
               declaration
               of
               justice
               in
               those
               words
               ,
               
                 All
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 is
                 thine
                 .
              
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 A
                 demonstration
                 of
                 wisedom
              
               ,
               It
               was
               meet
               that
               we
               should
               make
               merry
               and
               be
               glad
               ,
               &c.
               
               But
               these
               deserve
               to
               be
               more
               fully
               explained
               .
            
          
           
             FIRST
             then
             in
             the
             cases
             forementioned
             ,
             both
             the
             Earthly
             Parent
             ,
             and
             especially
             God
             Almighty
             ,
             have
             just
             right
             to
             dispose
             as
             they
             please
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             (
             saith
             St.
             
               Chrysostom
               )
               I
               took
               nothing
               from
               thee
            
             (
             my
             elder
             Son
             )
             
               to
               give
               to
               my
               younger
               ;
               I
               did
               not
               strip
               one
               to
               adorn
               another
               ;
               all
               was
               my
               own
               grace
               and
               favour
               .
            
             There
             is
             a
             vast
             difference
             betwixt
             matters
             of
             strict
             justice
             ,
             and
             matters
             of
             bounty
             ;
             or
             between
             merit
             and
             free
             gift
             .
             If
             an
             Earthly
             Parent
             should
             deprive
             one
             Son
             of
             his
             right
             out
             of
             fondness
             or
             indulgence
             to
             the
             other
             ,
             or
             should
             give
             the
             first
             less
             then
             he
             deserves
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             give
             the
             second
             more
             ,
             this
             were
             apparent
             injustice
             ;
             but
             so
             long
             as
             the
             one
             hath
             no
             
             wrong
             done
             him
             ,
             though
             the
             other
             have
             more
             then
             is
             necessarily
             due
             to
             him
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             cause
             of
             complaint
             .
             And
             so
             should
             God
             do
             as
             the
             people
             of
             Israel
             charged
             him
             ,
             Ezek.
             18.
             that
             is
             ,
             should
             he
             make
             one
             man
             a
             sufferer
             for
             anothers
             sin
             ,
             and
             order
             it
             that
             
               Whereas
               the
               Fathers
               have
               eaten
               sour
               grapes
               ,
               the
               Children's
               teeth
               should
               be
               set
               on
               edge
            
             ;
             This
             he
             himself
             acknowledges
             would
             represent
             his
             ways
             unequal
             ;
             or
             if
             he
             should
             (
             as
             some
             have
             had
             the
             confidence
             to
             assert
             )
             by
             an
             horrible
             decree
             ,
             pre-judge
             a
             great
             part
             of
             mankind
             to
             eternal
             torments
             before
             they
             had
             done
             good
             or
             evil
             ,
             or
             without
             respect
             to
             their
             carriage
             in
             times
             to
             come
             ,
             meerly
             for
             the
             demonstration
             of
             his
             Sovereignty
             ,
             or
             the
             inhansing
             of
             his
             favour
             to
             others
             ,
             whom
             he
             alike
             absoluetely
             decrees
             to
             save
             ;
             this
             would
             notoriously
             blemish
             his
             justice
             :
             and
             therefore
             he
             neither
             can
             nor
             will
             ever
             do
             any
             such
             thing
             .
             But
             now
             to
             resolve
             to
             punish
             one
             less
             then
             another
             ,
             when
             both
             have
             deserved
             ill
             alike
             ;
             or
             to
             give
             more
             and
             greater
             favours
             to
             one
             then
             to
             another
             ,
             when
             both
             have
             deserved
             equally
             well
             ,
             is
             very
             agreeable
             to
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             we
             see
             instances
             of
             in
             common
             experience
             .
             For
             who
             shall
             say
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Galileans
             were
             not
             as
             bad
             as
             those
             
               Eighteen
               upon
               whom
               the
               Tower
               of
               Siloam
               fell
               ,
               or
               those
               other
               whose
               bloud
               Pilat
               mingled
               with
               their
               sacrifices
               ?
            
             Or
             who
             will
             be
             so
             uncharitable
             as
             to
             affirm
             ,
             that
             every
             man
             whom
             we
             observe
             to
             be
             rich
             and
             prosperous
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             is
             a
             better
             and
             more
             vertuous
             man
             ,
             then
             he
             whose
             fortune
             is
             lower
             and
             less
             comfortable
             ?
             In
             neither
             of
             these
             cases
             any
             man
             is
             wronged
             ,
             only
             some
             are
             favoured
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             first
             of
             these
             two
             cases
             God
             remits
             of
             his
             own
             right
             to
             punish
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             latter
             he
             exercises
             his
             bounty
             and
             liberality
             .
             So
             our
             Saviour
             hath
             determined
             the
             case
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             when
             those
             that
             
             came
             early
             into
             the
             Vineyard
             expostulated
             ,
             when
             they
             observed
             that
             those
             which
             came
             in
             at
             the
             last
             hour
             fared
             as
             well
             as
             they
             ,
             Matt.
             20.
             12.
             
             
               Is
               thine
               eye
               evil
               because
               mine
               is
               good
               ?
               shall
               I
               not
               do
               what
               I
               will
               with
               my
               own
               ?
               q.
               d.
            
             Is
             it
             any
             wrong
             to
             you
             that
             another
             speeds
             better
             then
             he
             deserves
             ?
             or
             must
             God
             not
             only
             give
             account
             of
             his
             justice
             ,
             but
             of
             his
             bounty
             too
             ?
             And
             this
             will
             be
             as
             apparent
             if
             we
             suppose
             two
             persons
             to
             have
             deserved
             unequally
             ,
             (
             that
             is
             to
             say
             )
             when
             one
             hath
             indeed
             deserved
             better
             in
             the
             same
             kind
             then
             another
             ,
             but
             neither
             of
             them
             have
             been
             in
             any
             sort
             proportionable
             to
             the
             reward
             which
             is
             bestowed
             ,
             for
             then
             it
             is
             plain
             that
             there
             can
             be
             no
             wrong
             because
             there
             is
             no
             merit
             properly
             so
             called
             .
          
           
             AND
             this
             is
             the
             very
             case
             in
             hand
             ,
             suppose
             a
             very
             holy
             man
             that
             hath
             constantly
             persevered
             in
             a
             course
             of
             the
             strictest
             vertue
             ,
             if
             now
             another
             man
             that
             becomes
             vertuous
             at
             last
             be
             admitted
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             as
             well
             as
             he
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             ground
             of
             murmuring
             because
             Heaven
             is
             no
             man's
             due
             ,
             no
             man
             deserves
             it
             but
             in
             the
             words
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             St.
             Luk.
             17.
             10.
             
             
               When
               we
               have
               done
               all
               that
               we
               can
               we
               must
               say
               we
               are
               unprofitable
               servants
               ,
               and
               have
               only
               done
               what
               was
               our
               duty
               to
               do
               .
            
             In
             short
             ,
             the
             great
             blessings
             of
             the
             Gospel
             (
             which
             we
             not
             long
             since
             spoke
             of
             )
             namely
             ,
             the
             gift
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             the
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             and
             the
             glories
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             are
             all
             the
             effects
             of
             meer
             and
             unspeakable
             grace
             ,
             to
             which
             no
             man
             hath
             any
             right
             antecedent
             to
             God's
             promise
             ;
             and
             therefore
             since
             no
             man
             could
             have
             complained
             of
             God
             if
             he
             had
             not
             propounded
             them
             to
             us
             ,
             no
             more
             then
             the
             posterity
             of
             Esau
             could
             challenge
             God
             that
             he
             promised
             not
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             to
             them
             as
             well
             as
             to
             the
             off-spring
             of
             Jacob
             ;
             consequently
             lest
             of
             all
             can
             any
             man
             reasonably
             
             think
             himself
             injured
             if
             God
             by
             prerogative
             admit
             other
             men
             besides
             himself
             into
             the
             participation
             thereof
             .
             Especially
             if
             we
             consider
          
           
             2.
             
             IN
             the
             second
             place
             ,
             that
             one
             man's
             injoyment
             of
             those
             glories
             is
             no
             abatement
             of
             another
             man's
             happiness
             that
             partakes
             of
             them
             .
             For
             thus
             saith
             the
             Father
             ,
             
               Son
               ,
               all
               that
               I
               have
               is
               thine
               .
               q.
               d.
               
            
             
               I
               am
               still
               able
               to
               reward
               thee
               ,
               though
               I
               have
               been
               thus
               liberal
               to
               thy
               Brother
               ;
               I
               will
               be
               just
               to
               thee
               though
               I
               have
               been
               thus
               kind
               to
               him
               .
            
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             
               I
               esteem
               thee
               for
               thy
               vertuous
               course
               ,
               and
               have
               mercy
               on
               him
               for
               his
               wise
               recourse
               or
               return
               :
               I
               love
               thee
               for
               thy
               constant
               holy
               life
               ,
               and
               him
               for
               his
               happy
               conclusion
               .
            
             Thou
             shalt
             have
             never
             the
             less
             then
             I
             promised
             ,
             though
             he
             have
             more
             then
             he
             could
             expect
             .
          
           
             NOw
             although
             it
             be
             somewhat
             difficult
             to
             make
             this
             literally
             true
             in
             the
             narrow
             condition
             of
             humane
             affairs
             ;
             for
             first
             it
             is
             very
             common
             for
             Parents
             to
             take
             off
             that
             love
             from
             one
             Child
             which
             they
             bestow
             immoderately
             upon
             another
             ;
             and
             again
             ,
             if
             their
             affections
             were
             infinite
             ,
             yet
             their
             fortunes
             are
             not
             ;
             and
             a
             great
             liberality
             to
             one
             must
             make
             the
             other
             fare
             the
             worse
             :
             yet
             the
             mystical
             sense
             is
             very
             easy
             ,
             for
             God
             is
             neither
             narrow
             hearted
             nor
             strait
             handed
             ;
             he
             can
             imbrace
             infinite
             Souls
             ,
             and
             reward
             innumerable
             observances
             :
             He
             neither
             despises
             one
             when
             he
             loves
             another
             ,
             nor
             is
             disabled
             to
             requite
             an
             old
             Servant
             when
             he
             shews
             favour
             to
             a
             new
             Convert
             .
             He
             (
             like
             Isaac
             )
             hath
             more
             then
             one
             blessing
             ,
             so
             that
             Jacob
             need
             not
             plot
             to
             supplant
             Esau
             ,
             nor
             Esau
             despair
             because
             Jacob
             hath
             been
             first
             blessed
             .
             The
             feast
             of
             good
             things
             God
             hath
             prepared
             is
             sufficient
             to
             accommodate
             all
             
             the
             Guests
             whether
             they
             come
             early
             or
             late
             ,
             Heaven
             is
             wide
             enough
             to
             hold
             both
             the
             one
             and
             the
             other
             .
          
           
             WITH
             this
             consideration
             our
             Saviour
             comforts
             his
             Disciples
             ,
             Jo.
             14.
             2.
             
             
               In
               my
               Father's
               house
               are
               many
               mansions
               ,
               if
               it
               were
               not
               so
               ,
               I
               would
               have
               told
               you
               before
               .
               q.
               d.
            
             I
             will
             not
             deceive
             you
             with
             vain
             hopes
             ,
             Heaven
             is
             capacious
             enough
             to
             receive
             all
             you
             my
             Disciples
             ,
             and
             though
             I
             leave
             you
             for
             the
             present
             ,
             there
             I
             will
             entertain
             you
             all
             ;
             and
             if
             there
             be
             different
             degrees
             of
             glory
             ,
             yet
             no
             vessel
             shall
             be
             empty
             ;
             every
             man
             shall
             be
             as
             full
             of
             happiness
             as
             it
             is
             possible
             .
             Therefore
             there
             can
             be
             no
             cause
             of
             emulation
             ,
             no
             room
             for
             discontent
             where
             there
             is
             no
             power
             or
             capacity
             unsatisfied
             .
             Besides
             ,
             (
             as
             I
             have
             shewed
             already
             )
             the
             society
             in
             Heaven
             is
             a
             principal
             ingredient
             of
             the
             happiness
             thereof
             ,
             where
             blessed
             Spirits
             communicate
             with
             ,
             delight
             in
             ,
             exhilarate
             and
             ravish
             each
             other
             :
             and
             therefore
             the
             more
             arrive
             at
             that
             state
             ,
             the
             more
             glorious
             is
             the
             appearance
             ,
             the
             fuller
             is
             the
             harmony
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             redoubled
             and
             multiplied
             are
             the
             reflections
             of
             joy
             and
             blessedness
             .
          
           
             ENVY
             is
             common
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             where
             because
             there
             is
             not
             enough
             for
             all
             ,
             one
             man
             's
             excessive
             happiness
             proves
             the
             disappointment
             of
             the
             hopes
             of
             another
             ;
             for
             the
             same
             wheel
             that
             brings
             one
             man
             up
             must
             cast
             another
             down
             :
             And
             the
             Courts
             of
             Princes
             are
             full
             of
             jealousies
             ,
             rivalties
             and
             emulations
             ,
             because
             the
             hearts
             of
             the
             greatest
             men
             are
             narrow
             ,
             and
             cannot
             admit
             several
             competitors
             in
             any
             eminent
             degree
             of
             sincere
             affection
             .
             But
             where
             both
             these
             and
             all
             other
             causes
             of
             discontent
             are
             removed
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             where
             the
             heart
             and
             good
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             confers
             this
             happiness
             ,
             is
             infinite
             ;
             where
             the
             powers
             of
             those
             that
             receive
             it
             are
             inlarged
             ;
             where
             the
             objects
             to
             be
             enjoyed
             are
             unlimited
             and
             unmeasurably
             great
             ,
             and
             
             lastly
             ,
             where
             the
             duration
             is
             eternal
             ;
             no
             wrong
             is
             done
             to
             one
             man
             when
             another
             is
             happy
             as
             well
             as
             himself
             ,
             nor
             can
             any
             complaint
             ,
             murmur
             ,
             or
             animosity
             enter
             there
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             BUT
             thirdly
             ,
             if
             it
             appear
             that
             there
             was
             great
             reason
             why
             the
             Father
             should
             thus
             dispose
             ,
             then
             his
             apology
             is
             the
             more
             perfect
             ,
             and
             the
             murmurs
             of
             the
             elder
             Brother
             utterly
             absurd
             .
             Now
             for
             this
             the
             Father
             adds
             ,
             
               It
               was
               meet
               that
               we
               should
               make
               merry
               and
               be
               glad
               ,
               for
               this
               thy
               Brother
               was
               dead
               and
               is
               alive
               again
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             As
             if
             he
             had
             said
             ,
             
               Son
               ,
               though
               the
               prerogative
               of
               a
               Father
               ought
               to
               bear
               down
               the
               pretensions
               of
               a
               Son
               ,
               and
               I
               might
               without
               your
               leave
               dispose
               as
               I
               will
               of
               my
               own
               ,
               yet
               I
               have
               taken
               care
               of
               your
               interest
               as
               well
               as
               of
               my
               own
               authority
               ,
               and
               have
               shewed
               you
               that
               your
               Brothers
               gain
               shall
               not
               be
               your
               loss
               ;
               and
               now
               I
               will
               condescend
               further
               to
               you
               ,
               and
               shew
               you
               what
               equitable
               considerations
               there
               were
               on
               the
               part
               of
               your
               Brother
               ,
               which
               made
               it
               becoming
               my
               wisedom
               to
               do
               as
               I
               have
               done
               .
            
          
           
             
               IN
               the
               first
               place
               ,
               when
               I
               saw
               in
               how
               sad
               and
               pitifull
               a
               plight
               your
               poor
               Brother
               was
               ,
               (
               who
               was
               my
               own
               flesh
               and
               bloud
               as
               well
               as
               your self
               )
               and
               thereby
               collected
               what
               hardships
               he
               had
               undergone
               ,
               I
               should
               have
               forgotten
               my self
               as
               well
               as
               him
               ,
               and
               not
               have
               deserved
               the
               name
               of
               Father
               ,
               if
               seeing
               his
               contrition
               as
               well
               as
               his
               distress
               ,
               I
               had
               not
               had
               compassion
               on
               him
               .
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             St.
             
               Chrysost
               .
               When
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Father
             )
             
               I
               saw
               my
               Son
               ,
               observed
               his
               submission
               ,
               and
               heard
               his
               humble
               address
               ,
               what
               could
               I
               do
               less
               then
               I
               did
               ?
               was
               
               it
               in
               my
               power
               not
               to
               pity
               my
               own
               Son
               ?
               be
               thou
               judge
               that
               art
               angry
               at
               it
               .
               It
               was
               not
               in
               my
               nature
               to
               be
               cruel
               to
               him
               that
               proceeded
               from
               my
               own
               loins
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             
               And
               by
               the
               favours
               which
               you
               see
               I
               have
               conferred
               upon
               him
               ,
               I
               have
               not
               only
               melted
               down
               all
               the
               hardness
               of
               his
               heart
               ,
               and
               assured
               him
               to
               my self
               for
               the
               future
               against
               all
               relapses
               ,
               but
               also
               set
               open
               a
               door
               of
               hope
               to
               others
               of
               my
               family
               (
               if
               ever
               such
               a
               case
               should
               happen
               again
               )
               that
               they
               may
               have
               no
               invincible
               temptation
               to
               be
               obstinate
               and
               incurable
               .
               And
               if
               perchance
               you
               may
               think
               that
               by
               this
               means
               I
               as
               well
               incourage
               others
               to
               rebell
               as
               to
               return
               ,
               I
               tell
               you
               that
               I
               for
               my
               part
               had
               rather
               (
               if
               it
               must
               be
               so
               )
               that
               many
               should
               presume
               upon
               my
               goodness
               ,
               then
               that
               one
               should
               despair
               of
               mercy
               ;
               since
               the
               latter
               would
               seem
               to
               perish
               by
               my
               default
               ,
               but
               the
               other
               only
               by
               their
               own
               folly
               .
            
          
           
             
               AND
               again
               ,
               when
               I
               considered
               how
               difficult
               a
               matter
               it
               is
               for
               any
               that
               are
               once
               intangled
               in
               a
               course
               of
               sin
               to
               dis-engage
               themselves
               again
               ,
               because
               
                 rebellion
                 is
                 as
                 the
                 sin
                 of
                 witchcraft
              
               ;
               and
               that
               to
               sip
               of
               the
               cup
               of
               meer
               liberty
               is
               intoxicating
               ,
               and
               stirs
               up
               an
               unquenchable
               thirst
               after
               more
               ;
               that
               there
               are
               charms
               in
               debauchery
               ,
               and
               the
               lips
               of
               an
               whorish-woman
               are
               snares
               and
               bird-lime
               :
               when
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               I
               consider
               that
               a
               young
               man
               who
               hath
               once
               cast
               off
               the
               awe
               and
               reverence
               of
               his
               Father
               ,
               and
               the
               reins
               of
               government
               is
               like
               the
               Raven
               out
               of
               the
               Ark
               ,
               who
               though
               she
               found
               not
               where
               to
               set
               her
               foot
               ,
               but
               saw
               the
               face
               of
               all
               things
               full
               of
               horrour
               and
               desolation
               ,
               yet
               hovered
               to
               and
               fro
               ,
               and
               returned
               not
               to
               the
               Ark
               again
               ;
               and
               I
               have
               observed
               the
               way
               of
               riot
               and
               licentiousness
               usually
               to
               end
               in
               death
               ,
               and
               the
               very
               mouth
               of
               Hell
               :
               I
               was
               therefore
               not
               only
               seised
               with
               admiration
               ,
               and
               transported
               
               with
               joy
               to
               see
               your
               Brother
               emerge
               out
               of
               all
               these
               difficulties
               ;
               but
               I
               thought
               it
               fit
               to
               set
               up
               a
               monument
               of
               so
               rare
               an
               accident
               ,
               and
               to
               place
               some
               marks
               of
               favour
               upon
               him
               ,
               that
               had
               with
               such
               resolution
               broke
               through
               and
               recovered
               .
            
          
           
             
               MOREOVER
               ,
               (
               saith
               the
               Father
               )
               as
               this
               event
               was
               rare
               and
               extraordinary
               in
               it self
               ,
               so
               it
               will
               have
               a
               very
               happy
               influence
               upon
               the
               reputation
               of
               my
               family
               and
               government
               ;
               for
               as
               insuccessfull
               rebellions
               in
               the
               conclusion
               tend
               to
               the
               greatning
               of
               the
               Prince
               or
               State
               ,
               from
               whom
               the
               secession
               was
               made
               ,
               so
               this
               return
               of
               my
               Son
               will
               repair
               the
               honour
               of
               my
               discipline
               and
               management
               as
               much
               as
               his
               miscarriage
               had
               aspersed
               it
               .
               And
               lastly
               ,
               I
               have
               great
               reason
               to
               believe
               that
               he
               who
               hath
               made
               trial
               of
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               knows
               so
               throughly
               both
               the
               miseries
               that
               attend
               an
               extravagant
               course
               ,
               and
               the
               good
               and
               comfort
               as
               well
               as
               the
               burdens
               of
               obedience
               ,
               and
               hath
               by
               the
               severity
               of
               the
               former
               been
               driven
               to
               return
               to
               the
               latter
               ,
               will
               for
               ever
               after
               prove
               most
               dutifull
               and
               governable
               .
               Wherefore
               upon
               the
               whole
               matter
               I
               think
               there
               is
               just
               grounds
               for
               my
               joy
               at
               my
               Son's
               return
               ,
               and
               that
               you
               should
               rejoice
               also
               .
            
          
           
             AND
             now
             this
             Apology
             of
             the
             Father
             suggests
             to
             us
             these
             four
             things
             in
             justification
             of
             the
             divine
             wisedom
             as
             well
             as
             his
             goodness
             ,
             in
             bestowing
             all
             the
             unspeakable
             favours
             (
             mentioned
             in
             the
             former
             Chapters
             )
             upon
             penitent
             sinners
             .
          
           
             
               1.
               
               The
               great
               interests
               and
               happy
               influence
               of
               such
               demonstrations
               of
               kindness
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               extream
               difficulty
               ,
               and
               consequently
               the
               rarity
               of
               such
               recoveries
               make
               it
               very
               well
               worth
               a
               memorial
               when
               any
               such
               thing
               happens
               .
            
             
               
               3.
               
               It
               is
               a
               vast
               honour
               to
               Religion
               ,
               and
               demonstrates
               both
               the
               efficacy
               of
               its
               methods
               ,
               and
               the
               comfortableness
               and
               sureness
               of
               its
               incouragements
               when
               such
               persons
               are
               reclaimed
               .
            
             
               Lastly
               ,
               such
               persons
               are
               commonly
               very
               eminent
               and
               remarkably
               usefull
               afterwards
               ,
               and
               therefore
               are
               fit
               objects
               of
               the
               divine
               bounty
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             FIRST
             ,
             such
             demonstrations
             of
             favour
             and
             kindness
             to
             penitent
             sinners
             is
             greatly
             the
             interest
             of
             God's
             Family
             and
             Kingdom
             ,
             in
             order
             both
             to
             the
             bringing
             men
             into
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             assuring
             their
             station
             therein
             .
             For
             God
             (
             as
             we
             have
             said
             heretofore
             )
             neither
             forcibly
             draws
             any
             into
             his
             service
             ,
             nor
             violently
             detains
             them
             in
             his
             family
             ,
             but
             leaves
             them
             to
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             own
             liberty
             ;
             
               his
               people
               are
               a
               willing
               people
               ,
            
             and
             that
             obedience
             is
             not
             worthy
             of
             God
             that
             is
             not
             voluntary
             and
             chearfull
             .
             Therefore
             it
             is
             necessary
             that
             he
             propound
             great
             and
             mighty
             motives
             and
             inducements
             ,
             that
             so
             he
             may
             out-bid
             the
             Devil
             ,
             and
             convince
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             that
             it
             is
             their
             interest
             as
             well
             as
             their
             duty
             ,
             to
             forsake
             sin
             ,
             to
             turn
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             adhere
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             THE
             Founder
             of
             Rome
             that
             he
             might
             quickly
             furnish
             it
             with
             Inhabitants
             ,
             made
             it
             an
             Asylum
             or
             Sanctuary
             to
             all
             that
             were
             in
             danger
             or
             distress
             ,
             that
             so
             men
             finding
             that
             security
             ,
             and
             those
             advantages
             abroad
             which
             they
             could
             not
             expect
             at
             home
             ,
             might
             make
             that
             their
             Country
             where
             they
             found
             best
             entertainment
             .
             
             Not
             unlike
             to
             this
             is
             the
             meaning
             of
             our
             Saviour
             in
             the
             Parable
             of
             the
             King
             which
             made
             a
             Marriage
             Feast
             for
             his
             Son
             ,
             and
             having
             invited
             his
             Guests
             but
             they
             refusing
             ,
             he
             sends
             his
             Servants
             into
             the
             High-ways
             and
             Hedges
             ,
             commanding
             them
             to
             bring
             those
             in
             which
             they
             found
             there
             ,
             
               that
               his
               house
               
               might
               be
               furnished
               with
               guests
            
             ;
             not
             doubting
             but
             partly
             the
             great
             necessity
             such
             persons
             were
             in
             ,
             and
             partly
             the
             honour
             and
             happiness
             of
             such
             an
             entertainment
             would
             
               compell
               them
               to
               come
               in
            
             .
             Upon
             this
             account
             God
             propounds
             not
             only
             pardon
             of
             sin
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             forementioned
             inestimable
             benefits
             to
             repenting
             sinners
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             to
             those
             
               just
               men
               that
               need
               no
               repentance
               .
            
          
           
             AND
             although
             it
             be
             certain
             ,
             that
             God
             hath
             neither
             such
             need
             of
             men's
             service
             ,
             as
             to
             oblige
             him
             to
             resort
             to
             these
             great
             inducements
             ;
             and
             it
             be
             also
             very
             true
             ,
             that
             there
             are
             but
             a
             small
             number
             of
             those
             that
             make
             up
             the
             Quire
             in
             glory
             ,
             who
             upon
             such
             motives
             were
             converted
             from
             extream
             debauchery
             :
             yet
             such
             is
             the
             graciousness
             of
             the
             good
             Shepherd
             ,
             that
             he
             
               carries
               the
               lost
               Sheep
               home
               on
               his
               Shoulders
               rejoicing
            
             ;
             and
             such
             is
             the
             goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             sticks
             not
             at
             this
             price
             for
             the
             redemption
             of
             any
             one
             Soul.
             Besides
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             be
             considered
             ,
             that
             as
             we
             noted
             from
             the
             Historian
             formerly
             ,
             
               Difficile
               est
               in
               tot
               humanis
               erroribus
               solâ
               innocentiâ
               vivere
               ,
            
             that
             though
             no
             good
             Subject
             will
             voluntarily
             transgress
             the
             laws
             of
             his
             Country
             ,
             and
             fall
             into
             the
             displeasure
             of
             the
             Prince
             ,
             yet
             the
             most
             wary
             and
             inoffensive
             person
             ,
             that
             is
             most
             secure
             of
             his
             own
             integrity
             ,
             would
             desire
             to
             live
             under
             such
             a
             government
             where
             there
             was
             room
             for
             mercy
             and
             pardon
             if
             he
             should
             offend
             ;
             and
             the
             best
             of
             men
             are
             so
             sensible
             of
             the
             power
             of
             temptation
             ,
             and
             the
             slipperiness
             of
             their
             station
             (
             as
             well
             as
             conscious
             of
             their
             own
             sincerity
             )
             that
             they
             are
             marvellously
             comforted
             and
             incouraged
             by
             this
             admirable
             grace
             and
             goodness
             of
             God
             to
             sinners
             .
          
           
             AND
             whereas
             the
             fear
             of
             Hell
             may
             be
             thought
             sufficient
             both
             to
             reclaim
             sinners
             from
             their
             evil
             ways
             ,
             and
             to
             preserve
             good
             men
             from
             apostasy
             ,
             we
             shall
             
             find
             upon
             due
             consideration
             ,
             that
             fear
             ,
             let
             it
             be
             of
             what
             object
             it
             will
             ,
             is
             neither
             so
             lasting
             a
             principle
             ,
             nor
             so
             potent
             and
             effective
             a
             motive
             as
             hope
             ;
             for
             this
             last
             raises
             generosity
             ,
             inflames
             the
             mind
             ,
             spirits
             all
             the
             powers
             ,
             despises
             or
             glories
             in
             difficulty
             ;
             and
             therefore
             all
             wise
             men
             imploy
             this
             Engine
             ,
             (
             especially
             in
             all
             great
             enterprizes
             )
             and
             indeavour
             to
             make
             men's
             hopes
             greater
             then
             their
             fears
             ,
             and
             so
             order
             the
             matter
             ,
             that
             those
             they
             employ
             may
             have
             a
             prospect
             of
             so
             great
             a
             good
             by
             success
             in
             their
             attempts
             ,
             as
             shall
             outweigh
             all
             their
             apprehensions
             of
             difficulty
             or
             danger
             in
             the
             atchievement
             .
             And
             this
             will
             be
             the
             more
             remarkable
             if
             we
             observe
             in
             that
             famous
             encounter
             of
             David
             with
             Goliah
             the
             Giant
             of
             Gath
             ,
             that
             although
             there
             was
             doubtless
             some
             extraordinary
             impulse
             upon
             
             David's
             heart
             to
             undertake
             that
             business
             ,
             
             yet
             the
             holy
             Text
             intimates
             that
             he
             listned
             to
             the
             discourses
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             and
             was
             inflamed
             by
             the
             general
             assurance
             was
             given
             him
             of
             a
             mighty
             and
             glorious
             reward
             to
             him
             that
             should
             effect
             it
             .
             Since
             therefore
             the
             proposition
             of
             great
             and
             glorious
             hopes
             is
             so
             necessary
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             draw
             men
             off
             from
             the
             present
             allurements
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             to
             dissolve
             the
             charms
             of
             sense
             which
             habituate
             sinners
             are
             bound
             in
             ;
             but
             also
             to
             comfort
             and
             incourage
             even
             good
             men
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             ingage
             both
             the
             one
             and
             the
             other
             in
             a
             generous
             course
             of
             vertue
             :
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             considering
             he
             hath
             to
             do
             with
             men
             ,
             and
             resolving
             to
             deal
             with
             them
             agreeably
             to
             their
             natures
             ,
             thinks
             it
             as
             well
             becoming
             his
             wisedom
             as
             his
             goodness
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             proclaim
             impunity
             to
             his
             rebels
             upon
             their
             submission
             ,
             but
             to
             assure
             them
             of
             the
             highest
             favours
             and
             preferments
             in
             the
             Court
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             SECONDLY
             ,
             the
             extream
             difficulty
             ,
             and
             consequently
             the
             wonderfull
             rarity
             of
             examples
             of
             
             great
             sinners
             recovered
             to
             sincere
             piety
             makes
             such
             happy
             accidents
             deserve
             to
             be
             solemnized
             with
             the
             greater
             joy
             and
             triumph
             .
             St.
             
               Gregory
               Nazianzen
            
             making
             an
             oration
             in
             commemoration
             of
             St.
             Cyprian
             ,
             as
             well
             reports
             his
             flagitious
             life
             before
             his
             conversion
             to
             Christianity
             ,
             as
             his
             admirable
             vertues
             and
             piety
             afterwards
             ,
             and
             makes
             the
             former
             a
             shadow
             to
             heighten
             and
             set
             off
             the
             latter
             :
             
             For
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
               It
               is
               nothing
               so
               great
               a
               matter
               to
               maintain
               the
               Character
               of
               a
               good
               man
               when
               a
               man
               hath
               once
               attained
               to
               it
               ,
               as
               to
               begin
               a
               whole
               new
               course
               of
               piety
               ;
               for
               now
               the
               one
               is
               but
               to
               be
               like
               a
               man's
               self
               ,
               and
               to
               pursue
               a
               custom
               or
               habit
               ;
               but
               the
               other
               requires
               a
               vertuous
               choice
               ,
               and
               a
               manly
               resolution
               able
               to
               bear
               down
               former
               habits
               ,
               and
               therefore
               there
               are
               but
               few
               examples
               of
               the
               one
               ,
               but
               many
               of
               the
               other
               .
            
          
           
             INDEED
             ,
             it
             is
             an
             unspeakable
             advantage
             to
             be
             early
             ingaged
             in
             the
             ways
             of
             vertue
             ,
             for
             then
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             easiness
             of
             doing
             good
             ,
             which
             is
             consequent
             of
             custom
             ,
             a
             man
             seems
             to
             be
             under
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             a
             divine
             fate
             ,
             a
             peculiar
             predestination
             to
             happiness
             ;
             and
             therefore
             (
             if
             it
             be
             well
             considered
             )
             there
             is
             nothing
             in
             all
             a
             man's
             whole
             life
             that
             he
             hath
             greater
             reason
             to
             thank
             God
             for
             ,
             then
             that
             good
             providence
             of
             his
             which
             takes
             hold
             of
             our
             tender
             years
             ,
             and
             forms
             them
             to
             a
             sense
             of
             Religion
             :
             for
             hereby
             sin
             is
             made
             dreadfull
             to
             our
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             matter
             vertue
             is
             as
             easy
             as
             vice
             ,
             and
             the
             narrow
             way
             to
             Heaven
             as
             ready
             to
             our
             feet
             as
             the
             broad
             way
             of
             destruction
             .
             But
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             
               Revocare
               gradus
               hic
               labor
               hoc
               opus
               ,
            
             to
             reduce
             an
             old
             dislocation
             is
             very
             painfull
             ,
             to
             put
             off
             the
             old
             man
             ,
             to
             change
             customs
             ,
             
             to
             cast
             out
             Satan
             out
             of
             his
             old
             possession
             must
             be
             very
             difficult
             ,
             and
             require
             a
             very
             brave
             and
             generous
             resolution
             .
          
           
             AND
             although
             to
             omnipotent
             power
             all
             things
             are
             alike
             easy
             ,
             yet
             forasmuch
             as
             God
             not
             only
             speaks
             after
             the
             manner
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             also
             proceeds
             ordinarily
             by
             the
             course
             of
             natural
             causes
             ,
             and
             doth
             not
             supersede
             their
             activity
             ,
             but
             assist
             them
             proportionably
             to
             their
             natures
             ,
             it
             must
             needs
             (
             notwithstanding
             the
             divine
             grace
             )
             be
             a
             very
             difficult
             thing
             to
             recover
             an
             old
             and
             deplored
             sinner
             ,
             in
             whom
             all
             the
             powers
             of
             the
             mind
             are
             enfeebled
             ,
             the
             sense
             of
             Conscience
             stupified
             ,
             and
             the
             very
             Synteresis
             and
             natural
             notions
             of
             the
             Soul
             are
             corrupted
             ,
             and
             consequently
             a
             through
             reformation
             of
             such
             a
             person
             is
             like
             to
             life
             from
             the
             grave
             ,
             and
             must
             needs
             draw
             after
             it
             ,
             not
             only
             the
             eyes
             and
             admiration
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             also
             the
             vexation
             of
             Hell
             ,
             and
             make
             the
             Devil
             rage
             as
             disappointed
             of
             the
             prey
             he
             thought
             himself
             sure
             of
             ,
             but
             especially
             must
             produce
             
               joy
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               amongst
               the
               holy
               Angels
               .
            
          
           
             IT
             can
             indeed
             be
             no
             surprizal
             to
             Almighty
             God
             who
             foreknows
             all
             things
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             and
             is
             as
             far
             from
             admiration
             as
             from
             mutability
             of
             passions
             (
             both
             which
             proceed
             from
             shortness
             of
             understanding
             )
             nor
             to
             our
             Lord
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             now
             in
             glory
             ;
             for
             we
             see
             that
             whilst
             he
             was
             upon
             earth
             he
             knew
             when
             vertue-proceeded
             from
             him
             to
             cure
             the
             woman
             of
             her
             inveterate
             distemper
             .
             But
             whereas
             men
             are
             wont
             to
             make
             some
             passionate
             expressions
             of
             their
             resentment
             of
             every
             new
             and
             admirable
             event
             ,
             God
             thinks
             fit
             also
             in
             such
             an
             extraordinary
             recovery
             as
             this
             we
             are
             speaking
             of
             to
             set
             up
             a
             monument
             ,
             crowning
             him
             that
             overcomes
             the
             aforesaid
             difficulties
             with
             immortal
             glory
             :
             inasmuch
             as
             such
             a
             vertue
             though
             it
             
             run
             a
             shorter
             race
             ,
             yet
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             aforesaid
             difficulties
             it
             encounters
             withall
             ,
             equalls
             if
             not
             exceeds
             that
             of
             the
             earliest
             setting
             out
             ,
             and
             the
             longest
             course
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             THIRDLY
             ,
             it
             pleaseth
             God
             so
             plentifully
             to
             reward
             those
             that
             come
             into
             his
             Vineyard
             at
             the
             last
             hour
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             the
             condition
             of
             sincere
             Converts
             equall
             to
             that
             of
             those
             who
             continued
             always
             in
             his
             service
             ,
             because
             the
             return
             of
             such
             demonstrates
             both
             the
             excellency
             of
             vertue
             ,
             the
             great
             comforts
             of
             religion
             ,
             and
             the
             mighty
             efficacy
             of
             the
             methods
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           
             TO
             begin
             with
             that
             first
             which
             we
             named
             last
             ,
             what
             can
             be
             a
             more
             irrefragable
             proof
             of
             the
             power
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             then
             to
             see
             men
             who
             were
             given
             up
             to
             all
             debauchery
             ,
             abandoned
             of
             all
             true
             reason
             ,
             drowned
             in
             sensuality
             ,
             careless
             of
             eternity
             ;
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             
               dead
               in
               trespasses
               and
               sins
            
             ,
             recover
             their
             right
             minds
             ,
             and
             come
             to
             life
             again
             ?
             Doth
             not
             this
             evince
             that
             which
             the
             foolish
             world
             called
             foolishness
             ,
             to
             be
             
               the
               power
               of
               God
               to
               salvation
               ?
            
             Doth
             it
             not
             bear
             an
             illustrious
             testimony
             to
             that
             divine
             institution
             in
             shewing
             such
             effects
             of
             it
             as
             all
             Philosophy
             and
             humane
             Rhetorick
             despaired
             of
             ?
             To
             preserve
             those
             that
             are
             in
             health
             is
             valuable
             ,
             but
             to
             recover
             the
             sick
             ,
             and
             especially
             to
             raise
             the
             dead
             is
             admirable
             .
             To
             civilize
             some
             part
             of
             mankind
             is
             all
             that
             humane
             wisedom
             can
             pretend
             to
             ;
             but
             to
             make
             men
             substantially
             and
             compleatly
             vertuous
             ,
             to
             alter
             men's
             tempers
             ,
             to
             correct
             their
             course
             ,
             to
             reclaim
             the
             desperate
             ,
             to
             make
             lewd
             and
             profligate
             wretches
             become
             grave
             ,
             and
             sober
             ,
             and
             chaste
             ,
             and
             holy
             :
             this
             is
             a
             noble
             atchievement
             ,
             and
             this
             is
             the
             pretence
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             such
             Converts
             as
             we
             speak
             of
             verify
             all
             its
             pretensions
             .
             Is
             it
             not
             therefore
             agreeable
             to
             the
             divine
             wisedom
             to
             cast
             a
             
             glory
             upon
             that
             which
             glorifies
             the
             wisedom
             of
             his
             invention
             ?
          
           
             AND
             then
             for
             the
             other
             point
             ,
             that
             by
             such
             conversions
             as
             we
             speak
             of
             ,
             the
             native
             excellency
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             solidity
             of
             the
             comforts
             of
             vertue
             ,
             are
             demonstrated
             to
             be
             above
             all
             the
             gaudy
             outside
             and
             empty
             pageantry
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             or
             all
             the
             temptations
             to
             sin
             whatsoever
             ,
             is
             clear
             as
             the
             light
             ,
             since
             these
             men
             who
             have
             made
             experiment
             of
             both
             ,
             forsake
             the
             one
             for
             the
             other
             ;
             and
             having
             found
             the
             reasonableness
             of
             its
             injunctions
             ,
             the
             plainness
             and
             evenness
             of
             its
             path
             ,
             and
             the
             certainty
             of
             its
             upshot
             ,
             the
             present
             comforts
             ,
             and
             the
             future
             rewards
             ,
             stick
             firmly
             and
             immovably
             to
             vertue
             .
          
           
             THE
             Apostle
             St.
             
               Peter
               ,
               Ep.
               2.
               
               Chap.
               2.
               
               Vers
               .
            
             20.
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             
               if
               after
               a
               man
               hath
               escaped
               the
               pollutions
               of
               the
               world
               through
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               he
               be
               again
               intangled
               therein
               ,
               and
               overcome
               ,
               the
               latter
               end
               of
               such
               a
               man
               is
               worse
               then
               the
               beginning
               ;
               and
               that
               it
               had
               been
               better
               for
               him
               not
               to
               have
               known
               the
               way
               of
               righteousness
               ,
               then
               after
               he
               hath
               known
               it
               to
               turn
               from
               the
               holy
               commandment
               ,
            
             &c.
             And
             St.
             Paul
             complains
             of
             the
             Galatians
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             seemed
             to
             be
             bewitched
             ,
             
               that
               having
               begun
               in
               the
               Spirit
               they
               would
               goe
               about
               to
               end
               in
               the
               flesh
               ,
            
             Gal.
             3.
             1.
             3.
             
             For
             besides
             that
             such
             apostasies
             render
             their
             second
             recovery
             most
             desperate
             ,
             having
             eluded
             all
             the
             divine
             methods
             ,
             they
             also
             sadly
             aggravate
             their
             own
             guilt
             ,
             
               Trampling
               under
               foot
               the
               bloud
               of
               the
               Covenant
            
             ;
             giving
             the
             lie
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             belying
             their
             own
             Consciences
             in
             going
             cross
             to
             the
             convictions
             of
             their
             reason
             ,
             and
             their
             experience
             of
             the
             comforts
             of
             Religion
             ;
             in
             which
             doing
             they
             cannot
             seem
             other
             then
             inchanted
             or
             infatuated
             .
             On
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             those
             that
             having
             tried
             all
             the
             pleasures
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             considered
             and
             cast
             up
             all
             the
             gains
             of
             the
             
             Devil's
             service
             ,
             forsake
             him
             and
             seriously
             devote
             themselves
             from
             thenceforth
             to
             God
             and
             his
             holy
             ways
             ,
             utterly
             disparage
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Sathan
             ,
             and
             betray
             the
             secret
             weakness
             ,
             the
             falshood
             ,
             the
             beggery
             and
             tyranny
             thereof
             .
             Namely
             ,
             they
             declare
             that
             the
             Devil
             performs
             not
             what
             he
             promises
             ,
             nor
             sin
             what
             it
             pretends
             to
             ;
             that
             all
             the
             allurements
             of
             ease
             ,
             mirth
             ,
             pleasure
             ,
             profit
             ,
             which
             men
             were
             drawn
             to
             sin
             by
             ,
             were
             nothing
             but
             vain
             boasts
             ,
             all
             cheat
             and
             imposture
             .
             And
             they
             confute
             all
             the
             scandals
             cast
             upon
             Religion
             ,
             all
             the
             calumnies
             against
             God
             ,
             (
             as
             if
             he
             were
             an
             hard
             Master
             )
             and
             answer
             all
             the
             objections
             which
             men
             take
             up
             against
             his
             service
             ,
             (
             as
             difficult
             or
             uncomfortable
             )
             as
             proceeding
             from
             meer
             cowardise
             and
             effeminacy
             of
             spirit
             .
             Wherefore
             since
             such
             men
             who
             heretofore
             like
             Sampson
             whilest
             their
             locks
             were
             shorn
             ,
             and
             their
             eyes
             put
             out
             ,
             made
             sport
             for
             those
             Philistins
             the
             infernal
             spirits
             ;
             now
             calling
             upon
             God
             ,
             and
             collecting
             themselves
             in
             one
             great
             effort
             subvert
             the
             very
             pillars
             of
             that
             Kingdom
             ;
             and
             by
             this
             last
             act
             ,
             giving
             a
             more
             fatal
             blow
             to
             it
             then
             otherwise
             they
             could
             have
             done
             in
             all
             their
             lives
             ,
             it
             seems
             good
             to
             God
             to
             crown
             them
             as
             if
             they
             had
             always
             fought
             under
             his
             banners
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             assisted
             his
             conquest
             at
             the
             last
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             LASTLY
             ,
             such
             men
             as
             have
             formerly
             lived
             flagitiously
             and
             wickedly
             ,
             and
             are
             at
             last
             brought
             over
             effectually
             to
             hearty
             piety
             and
             devotion
             ,
             prove
             commonly
             very
             eminent
             and
             remarkable
             for
             several
             vertues
             ,
             to
             such
             a
             degree
             as
             is
             scarcely
             attainable
             or
             imitable
             by
             any
             others
             .
             And
             therefore
             though
             they
             come
             in
             late
             ,
             they
             are
             crowned
             with
             the
             first
             .
             Namely
             ,
             such
             persons
             are
             generally
             extraordinary
             humble
             and
             modest
             in
             their
             sense
             of
             themselves
             ,
             they
             are
             very
             charitable
             and
             free
             from
             censoriousness
             and
             severe
             reflection
             
             upon
             others
             ,
             they
             are
             exceeding
             watchfull
             and
             cautious
             for
             the
             time
             to
             come
             ,
             they
             have
             both
             a
             great
             compassion
             to
             the
             Souls
             of
             men
             of
             whom
             there
             is
             any
             hope
             of
             recovery
             ,
             and
             they
             have
             a
             wonderfull
             zeal
             of
             God's
             glory
             ;
             which
             things
             together
             render
             them
             both
             very
             beautifull
             in
             the
             eyes
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             very
             usefull
             in
             the
             world
             .
             They
             are
             very
             modest
             and
             humble
             ,
             as
             reflecting
             upon
             their
             former
             miscarriages
             ,
             and
             being
             ashamed
             of
             themselves
             ,
             their
             present
             attainments
             do
             not
             puff
             them
             up
             ,
             by
             reason
             they
             
               have
               a
               thorn
               in
               the
               flesh
            
             ;
             a
             fresh
             and
             quick
             sense
             of
             their
             former
             follies
             and
             disobedience
             ;
             they
             remember
             that
             when
             they
             were
             lately
             
               in
               their
               bloud
               ,
               God
               said
               to
               them
               Live.
            
             And
             this
             makes
             them
             not
             only
             most
             highly
             to
             admire
             and
             adore
             the
             riches
             of
             God's
             grace
             to
             them
             ,
             that
             he
             snatcht
             them
             as
             a
             brand
             out
             of
             the
             fire
             ;
             but
             also
             exceedingly
             contented
             with
             any
             condition
             of
             life
             his
             providence
             thinks
             fit
             to
             put
             them
             in
             .
             
               Let
               those
               (
               saith
               the
               Convert
               )
               who
               never
               defiled
               their
               garments
               ,
               stand
               upon
               their
               own
               justification
               ,
               and
               plead
               their
               own
               righteousness
               ;
               for
               my
               part
               ,
               
                 mine
                 is
                 but
                 filthy
                 rags
              
               :
               If
               I
               had
               not
               found
               a
               mercifull
               God
               and
               a
               gracious
               Saviour
               ,
               I
               had
               perished
               everlastingly
               .
               And
               if
               there
               be
               any
               can
               think
               God
               a
               debtor
               to
               them
               ,
               they
               may
               expostulate
               with
               him
               about
               his
               providences
               ;
               but
               I
               of
               all
               men
               have
               least
               reason
               to
               do
               it
               ,
               who
               
                 am
                 less
                 then
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 mercies
                 .
              
            
             Now
             these
             things
             containing
             a
             full
             compliance
             with
             all
             God's
             designs
             ,
             and
             being
             the
             most
             real
             advancement
             of
             his
             glory
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             very
             acceptable
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             AGAIN
             ,
             in
             consequence
             of
             this
             humble
             sense
             of
             himself
             ,
             the
             Convert
             is
             also
             the
             most
             charitable
             and
             favourable
             Judge
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             the
             furthest
             from
             censoriousness
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             more
             unbecoming
             
             that
             modesty
             which
             should
             be
             in
             all
             men
             ,
             then
             to
             be
             Critical
             and
             curious
             in
             espying
             the
             failings
             of
             others
             ;
             and
             nothing
             can
             be
             more
             arrogantly
             done
             towards
             God
             ,
             then
             to
             take
             the
             judgment
             out
             of
             his
             hand
             ,
             and
             place
             our selves
             in
             the
             Tribunal
             :
             nay
             ,
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             infests
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             world
             then
             this
             pragmatical
             humour
             of
             censoriousness
             ;
             but
             (
             saith
             the
             Convert
             )
             
               
                 Let
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 without
                 sin
                 cast
                 the
                 first
                 stone
                 at
                 others
              
               ;
               for
               my
               part
               I
               have
               enough
               to
               do
               at
               home
               ,
               and
               see
               more
               evil
               in
               my self
               then
               in
               all
               the
               world
               besides
               :
               I
               have
               learnt
               of
               the
               Apostle
               to
               
                 Speak
                 evil
                 of
                 no
                 man
                 ,
                 considering
                 that
                 I
                 my self
                 was
                 sometime
                 foolish
                 ,
                 disobedient
                 ,
                 deceived
                 ,
                 serving
                 divers
                 lusts
                 and
                 pleasures
                 ,
              
            
             Tit.
             3.
             3.
             
             Thus
             he
             composes
             himself
             to
             be
             an
             example
             to
             the
             world
             of
             that
             temper
             ,
             then
             which
             nothing
             is
             more
             conducent
             to
             better
             the
             estate
             of
             mankind
             ;
             he
             will
             not
             rake
             in
             men's
             wounds
             ,
             nor
             rip
             up
             their
             old
             sores
             ,
             but
             forgives
             as
             he
             hopes
             to
             be
             forgiven
             ;
             he
             will
             not
             give
             ear
             to
             malicious
             whispers
             ,
             which
             like
             
               the
               arrow
               of
               the
               pestilence
               flies
               in
               the
               dark
               ,
            
             and
             kills
             without
             noise
             :
             he
             will
             entertain
             no
             uncharitable
             surmises
             ,
             but
             hopes
             the
             best
             ;
             nor
             aggravate
             men's
             follies
             ,
             but
             makes
             the
             most
             benign
             and
             candid
             interpretation
             that
             that
             the
             case
             can
             bear
             ;
             and
             thus
             not
             
               judging
               others
               ,
               he
               shall
               not
               be
               condemned
               of
               the
               Lord.
            
             Nay
             further
             ,
             the
             Convert
             is
             so
             far
             from
             all
             the
             aforesaid
             instances
             of
             uncharitableness
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             the
             most
             compassionate
             man
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             both
             towards
             those
             that
             are
             yet
             in
             a
             state
             of
             sin
             ,
             and
             those
             also
             who
             have
             stumbled
             and
             faln
             in
             their
             race
             of
             vertue
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             ready
             and
             officious
             to
             bring
             the
             former
             to
             an
             apprehension
             of
             his
             danger
             ,
             and
             to
             restore
             the
             latter
             
               in
               the
               spirit
               of
               meekness
            
             :
             he
             knows
             the
             wretchedness
             of
             a
             sinfull
             condition
             ;
             he
             hath
             felt
             the
             pangs
             of
             a
             guilty
             Conscience
             ;
             
             his
             heart
             trembles
             at
             the
             thoughts
             of
             Hell
             ,
             and
             therefore
             his
             Soul
             is
             troubled
             for
             those
             that
             are
             insensible
             of
             their
             own
             case
             ;
             his
             Bowels
             yern
             ,
             his
             Eyes
             weep
             in
             secret
             ,
             and
             his
             Heart
             bleeds
             for
             them
             ;
             he
             counsels
             ,
             persuades
             ,
             forewarns
             them
             ,
             prays
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             Prophet
             towards
             the
             Widows
             Son
             ,
             he
             as
             it
             were
             
               stretches
               himself
               upon
               their
               dead
            
             Souls
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             application
             of
             a
             lively
             example
             ,
             indeavours
             to
             bring
             spiritual
             warmth
             and
             life
             into
             them
             .
             And
             now
             it
             cannot
             be
             imagined
             that
             such
             affection
             to
             Souls
             should
             be
             unrewarded
             by
             the
             great
             lover
             of
             Souls
             our
             
               Lord
               Jesus
            
             .
          
           
             BESIDES
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             to
             be
             doubted
             but
             the
             Convert
             who
             hath
             this
             compassion
             to
             the
             Souls
             of
             others
             ,
             will
             be
             infinitely
             cautious
             of
             indangering
             his
             own
             ;
             he
             knows
             the
             Devil
             
               continually
               goes
               about
               as
               a
               roaring
               Lion
               seeking
               whom
               he
               may
               devour
            
             ;
             he
             understands
             how
             many
             artifices
             and
             strategems
             he
             hath
             to
             deceive
             Souls
             ,
             and
             is
             sensible
             how
             full
             the
             world
             is
             of
             charms
             and
             allurements
             ;
             he
             is
             well
             aware
             of
             the
             pit
             which
             he
             hath
             but
             lately
             escaped
             ;
             and
             therefore
             is
             always
             watchful
             and
             sollicitous
             of
             himself
             ,
             careful
             to
             resist
             beginnings
             ,
             and
             cautious
             of
             all
             appearance
             of
             evil
             ;
             and
             in
             all
             these
             things
             his
             care
             and
             circumspection
             surpasses
             that
             of
             those
             happy
             men
             who
             never
             foully
             miscarried
             .
             
               No
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               let
               those
               be
               secure
               that
               never
               knew
               what
               danger
               was
               but
               in
               contemplation
               only
               ;
               't
               is
               not
               for
               me
               to
               live
               at
               ease
               ,
               it
               was
               too
               much
               to
               hazard
               a
               Soul
               once
               ,
               God
               forbid
               I
               should
               do
               it
               again
               ;
               O
               my
               heart
               akes
               at
               the
               very
               danger
               it
               hath
               escaped
               !
               methinks
               I
               am
               not
               yet
               safe
               till
               I
               am
               in
               Heaven
               !
               stand
               upon
               thy
               guard
               O
               my
               Soul
               !
               keep
               God
               in
               thy
               eye
               !
               trust
               not
               thy self
               a
               moment
               ,
               but
               in
               his
               and
               thy
               own
               keeping
               !
            
          
           
           
             LASTLY
             ,
             (
             to
             add
             no
             more
             )
             such
             a
             person
             hath
             constantly
             in
             his
             bosom
             a
             burning
             zeal
             of
             God's
             glory
             ,
             which
             the
             consideration
             of
             God's
             wonderfull
             mercy
             to
             him
             hath
             kindled
             in
             him
             .
             He
             therefore
             
               loves
               much
               ,
               because
               much
               was
               forgiven
               him
            
             ;
             others
             that
             have
             not
             incurred
             such
             dangers
             ,
             nor
             been
             sensible
             of
             such
             deliverances
             ,
             cannot
             have
             such
             raised
             affections
             as
             he
             hath
             .
             They
             do
             not
             
               hunger
               and
               thirst
               after
               righteousness
            
             as
             he
             doth
             ,
             find
             not
             that
             savour
             and
             relish
             in
             the
             means
             of
             grace
             that
             he
             feels
             ,
             perceives
             not
             those
             obligations
             upon
             themselves
             to
             redeem
             their
             time
             ,
             and
             repair
             their
             former
             omissions
             by
             a
             double
             diligence
             in
             God's
             service
             .
          
           
             IN
             consideration
             of
             all
             these
             things
             together
             (
             to
             which
             severall
             others
             might
             have
             been
             added
             of
             like
             nature
             )
             the
             Jews
             have
             a
             saying
             in
             their
             
               Talmud
               ,
               That
               the
               most
               just
               and
               perfect
               men
               cannot
               be
               able
               to
               stand
               in
               judgment
               with
               the
               Penitents
            
             ;
             and
             a
             Rabbine
             of
             theirs
             Commenting
             upon
             that
             saying
             ,
             adds
             further
             ,
             
               That
               no
               Creature
               ,
               no
               not
               the
               very
               Angels
               themselves
               that
               never
               sinned
               ,
               are
               able
               to
               compare
               with
               them
               .
            
             But
             most
             assuredly
             (
             without
             Hyperbole
             )
             they
             are
             by
             all
             the
             qualifications
             forementioned
             ,
             prepared
             for
             vessels
             of
             honour
             ,
             fit
             objects
             of
             the
             divine
             favour
             ,
             and
             shall
             be
             received
             with
             the
             joy
             and
             triumph
             of
             Angels
             and
             all
             the
             celestial
             Host
             into
             those
             glorious
             mansions
             ,
             whither
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             the
             friend
             of
             Penitent
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             the
             Authour
             of
             eternall
             salvation
             is
             gone
             before
             .
             To
             whom
             with
             the
             Father
             and
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             be
             glory
             and
             adoration
             ,
             world
             without
             end
             .
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           PAge
           16.
           
           In
           the
           Contents
           of
           §
           2.
           for
           his
           reade
           
             our
             Saviour's
          
           .
        
         
           P.
           27.
           l.
           2.
           
             after
             the
             word
          
           maker
           ,
           add
           to
           which
           the
           Almighty
           replies
           .
        
         
           P.
           40.
           l.
           2.
           for
           duely
           ,
           r.
           daily
           .
           ibid.
           l.
           22.
           r.
           follows
           .
        
         
           P.
           50.
           l.
           12.
           after
           rule
           ,
           adde
           ,
           as
           if
           .
        
         
           P.
           56.
           l.
           22.
           for
           not
           ,
           r.
           or
           .
           ibid.
           after
           evil
           ,
           adde
           but
           not
           having
           such
           imperative
           power
           ,
           as
           to
           enforce
           the
           execution
           of
           its
           own
           dictates
           .
        
         
           P.
           93.
           l.
           10.
           
             instead
             of
          
           worshipfull
           ,
           r.
           worship
           .
        
         
           P.
           135.
           l.
           34.
           dele
           ,
           it
           .
        
         
           P.
           136.
           in
           
             Marg.
             for
          
           quum
           ,
           r.
           quam
           .
        
         
           P.
           184.
           l.
           13.
           dele
           ,
           or
           .
           ibid.
           l.
           19.
           dele
           ,
           when
           .
        
         
           P.
           245.
           l.
           19.
           for
           he
           ,
           r.
           the.
           
        
         
           P.
           257.
           l.
           1.
           for
           he
           ,
           r.
           see
           .
        
      
       
         
           A
           Catalogue
           of
           some
           Books
           Re-printed
           ,
           and
           of
           other
           New
           Books
           Printed
           since
           the
           Fire
           ,
           and
           sold
           by
           R.
           Royston
           ,
           (
           viz.
           )
        
         
           
             Books
             written
             by
             H.
             Hammond
             ,
             D.
             D.
             
          
           
             A
             Paraphrase
             and
             Annotations
             upon
             all
             the
             Books
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             in
             Folio
             .
             Fourth
             Edition
             .
          
           
             The
             Works
             of
             the
             said
             Reverend
             and
             Learned
             Authour
             ,
             containing
             a
             Collection
             of
             Discourses
             chiefly
             Practical
             ,
             with
             many
             Additions
             and
             Corrections
             from
             the
             Author
             's
             own
             hand
             ;
             together
             with
             the
             Life
             of
             the
             Authour
             ,
             enlarged
             by
             the
             Reverend
             Dr.
             Fell
             ,
             Dean
             of
             
               Christ
               Church
            
             in
             Oxford
             .
             I
             large
             Fol.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             Books
             written
             by
             Jer.
             Taylor
             ,
             D.
             D.
             and
             late
             Lord
             Bishop
             of
             Down
             and
             Connor
             .
          
           
             
               Ductor
               Dubitantium
            
             ,
             or
             ,
             The
             Rule
             of
             Conscience
             ,
             in
             Five
             Books
             ,
             in
             Fol.
             
          
           
             The
             
               Great
               Exemplar
            
             ,
             or
             ,
             the
             Life
             and
             Death
             of
             the
             Holy
             Jesus
             ,
             in
             Fol.
             with
             Figures
             suitable
             to
             every
             story
             ,
             ingrav'd
             in
             Copper
             :
             Whereunto
             is
             added
             ,
             the
             Lives
             and
             Martyrdoms
             of
             the
             Apostles
             :
             By
             
               Will.
               Cave
            
             ,
             D.
             D.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             or
             ,
             A
             Collection
             of
             Polemical
             Discourses
             addressed
             against
             the
             enemies
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             both
             Papists
             and
             Fanaticks
             ,
             in
             large
             Fol.
             The
             Third
             Edition
             .
          
           
             The
             Rules
             and
             Exercises
             of
             Holy
             Living
             ,
             and
             Holy
             Dying
             .
             The
             Eleventh
             Edition
             ,
             newly
             Printed
             ,
             in
             Octav.
             
          
        
         
           
             Books
             written
             by
             the
             Reverend
             Dr.
             Patrick
             .
          
           
             The
             Christian
             Sacrifice
             :
             A
             Treatise
             shewing
             the
             Necessity
             ,
             End
             ,
             and
             Manner
             of
             receiving
             the
             Holy
             Communion
             :
             together
             with
             suitable
             Prayers
             and
             Meditations
             for
             every
             Month
             in
             the
             Year
             ;
             and
             the
             principal
             Festivals
             in
             memory
             of
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             ,
             in
             Four
             Parts
             .
             The
             Third
             Edition
             corrected
             .
          
           
             The
             Devout
             Christian
             instructed
             how
             to
             pray
             and
             give
             thanks
             to
             God
             :
             or
             a
             Book
             of
             Devotions
             for
             Families
             ,
             and
             particular
             persons
             in
             most
             of
             the
             concerns
             of
             Humane
             life
             .
             The
             Second
             Edition
             in
             Twelves
             .
          
           
             An
             Advice
             to
             a
             Friend
             .
             The
             3.
             
             Edition
             in
             Twelves
             .
          
           
             A
             Friendly
             Debate
             between
             a
             Conformist
             and
             a
             Non-Conformist
             ,
             in
             Octavo
             ,
             Two
             Parts
             .
          
           
             Jesus
             and
             the
             Resurrection
             justified
             by
             Witnesses
             in
             Heaven
             and
             in
             Earth
             ,
             in
             Two
             Parts
             ,
             in
             Octavo
             New.
             
          
           
             The
             Glorious
             Epiphany
             ,
             with
             the
             Devout
             Christian's
             Love
             to
             it
             ,
             in
             Octavo
             New.
             
          
           
           
             The
             Sinner
             Impleaded
             in
             his
             own
             Court
             ,
             to
             which
             is
             now
             added
             The
             Signal
             Diagnostick
             ;
             by
             
               Tho.
               Pierce
            
             ,
             D.
             D.
             Dean
             of
             Sarum
             ,
             in
             Quarto
             .
             The
             4.
             
             Edition
             .
          
           
             Also
             a
             Collection
             of
             Sermons
             upon
             several
             occasions
             ,
             together
             with
             a
             correct
             Copy
             of
             some
             Notes
             concerning
             God's
             Decrees
             ,
             in
             Quarto
             .
             Enlarged
             by
             the
             same
             Authour
             .
          
           
             The
             History
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Scotland
             ,
             by
             Bishop
             Spotswood
             .
             The
             Fourth
             Edition
             ,
             enlarged
             .
             Fol.
             
          
           
             Memoyres
             of
             the
             late
             Duke
             Hamilton
             ,
             or
             a
             Continuation
             of
             the
             History
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Scotland
             ,
             beginning
             in
             the
             year
             1625.
             where
             Bishop
             Spotswood
             ends
             ,
             and
             continued
             to
             the
             year
             1653.
             
             Fol.
             New.
             
          
           
             The
             Lives
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             in
             Folio
             ,
             alone
             :
             by
             
               William
               Cave
               ,
               D.
               D.
            
             
          
           
             Chirurgical
             Treatises
             ;
             by
             
               R.
               Wiseman
            
             ,
             Serjeant-Surgeon
             to
             his
             Majesty
             ,
             Fol.
             New.
             
          
           
             Go
             in
             Peace
             .
             Containing
             some
             brief
             directions
             for
             Young
             Ministers
             in
             their
             Visitation
             of
             the
             Sick.
             Vsefull
             for
             the
             people
             ,
             in
             their
             state
             both
             of
             Health
             and
             Sickness
             .
             In
             Twelves
             New.
             
          
           
             The
             Practical
             Christian
             ;
             in
             Four
             Parts
             :
             or
             a
             Book
             of
             Devotions
             and
             Meditations
             .
             Also
             with
             Meditations
             and
             Psalms
             upon
             the
             four
             last
             things
             ;
             1.
             
             Death
             ,
             2.
             
             Judgment
             ,
             3.
             
             Hell
             ,
             4.
             
             Heaven
             .
             By
             
               R.
               Sherlock
               ,
               D.
               D.
            
             Rector
             of
             Winwick
             .
             In
             Twelves
             .
          
           
             The
             Life
             and
             Death
             of
             K.
             Charles
             the
             First
             :
             By
             
               R.
               Perenchief
               ,
               D.
               D.
               Octavo
               .
            
          
           
             Bishop
             
             Cozen
             's
             Devotions
             :
             In
             Twelves
             .
          
           
             The
             true
             Intellectual
             Systeme
             of
             the
             Vniverse
             ,
             the
             First
             Part
             :
             wherein
             all
             the
             Reason
             and
             Philosophy
             of
             Atheism
             is
             confuted
             ,
             and
             its
             Impossibility
             demonstrated
             :
             By
             
               R.
               Cudworth
               ,
               D.
               D.
               Fol.
            
             New.
             
          
           
             The
             End
             of
             the
             Catalogue
             .
          
           
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A41445-e3650
           
             Inter
             omnes
             Christi
             Parabolas
             ,
             haec
             sanè
             est
             eximia
             ,
             plena
             affectuum
             ,
             &
             pulcherrimis
             picta
             coloribus
             .
          
           
             H.
             Grot.
             in
             v.
             20.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             1.
             6.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             25.
             11.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Clem.
             Alex
             .
             
               Strom.
               lib.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             Justin
             in
             dial
             .
             cum
             Tryphone
             Judaeo
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam
             14.
             
          
           
             L.
             Bacon
             Advanc
             .
          
           
             Videtur
             autem
             praeter
             similitudinem
             totius
             ,
             etiam
             partibus
             inesse
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Sicut
             non
             anxiè
             conquirendae
             sunt
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             in
             partibus
             comparationum
             ;
             ita
             hic
             non
             negligendae
             ,
             cùm
             cas
             aliorum
             locorum
             comparatio
             suggerat
             .
          
           
             Arias
             Montanus
             
               in
               dilucid
            
             .
          
           
             Vid.
             Quistorp
             .
             in
             loc
             .
          
           
             Vid.
             Grot.
             in
             ver
             .
             2.
             
          
           
             Jon.
             4.
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Theophylact
             .
             
               in
               loc
            
             .
          
           
             St.
             Austin
             Q.
             Evang.
             l.
             2.
             
          
           
             Praeproperâ
             pieratis
             velocitate
             ,
             paenè
             antè
             coepit
             perfectus
             esse
             quàm
             disceret
             .
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             Pont.
             Diac.
             in
             vit
             .
             S.
             Cyprian
             .
          
           
             Greg.
             Naz.
             Orat.
             19.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Touching
             this
             matter
             let
             the
             Learned
             Reader
             consult
             Mr.
             Cumberland
             de
             
               Leg.
               Nat.
            
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Porphyr
             .
             de
             abst
             .
             lib.
             1.
             
          
           
             Magnum
             humanae
             imbecillitatis
             patrocinium
             ,
             necessitas
             ,
             quae
             quicquid
             cogit
             excusat
             .
             Sen.
             
          
           
             Mentem
             peccare
             non
             corpus
             ,
             &
             unde
             consilium
             abfuerit
             ,
             peccatum
             abesse
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Clem.
             Alex
             .
             
               paedag
               l.
               1.
               c.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Clem.
             Alex.
             
               paedag
               .
               lib.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             Sciendum
             est
             non
             locorum
             distantiâ
             ,
             sed
             affectu
             nos
             esse
             cum
             Deo
             ,
             vel
             ab
             eo
             recedere
             .
          
           
             S.
             Hierom.
             ep
             .
             146.
             
          
           
             *
             Dedit
             eis
             liberum
             arbitrium
             ,
             dedit
             mentis
             propriae
             libertatem
             ,
             &
             ut
             viveret
             unusquisque
             non
             ex
             imperio
             Dei
             ,
             sed
             ex
             obsequio
             suo
             .
             
               i.
               e.
            
             non
             ex
             necessitate
             sed
             ex
             voluntate
             ,
             ut
             virtus
             haberet
             locum
             ,
             ut
             à
             caeteris
             animantibus
             distaremus
             ,
             dum
             ad
             exemplum
             Dei
             ,
             permissum
             est
             robis
             facere
             quod
             velimus
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             3.
             
          
           
             Sect.
             3.
             
          
           
             Just
             .
             Mart.
             Apol.
             1.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             Quod
             comprehensionem
             dedisset
             quasi
             nor
             mam
             scientiae
             &
             principium
             sui
             .
          
           
             *
             Sine
             quibus
             nec
             intelligi
             quicquam
             ,
             nec
             quaeri
             nec
             disputari
             possit
             .
          
           
             Tully
             Acad
             .
             lib.
             1.
             
             &
             4.
             
          
           
             See
             Euseb
             .
             praepar
             ,
             Evang
             .
             l.
             6.
             c.
             6.
             
          
           
             Tully
             de
             Divinat
             .
          
           
             Tanta
             autem
             est
             corruptela
             malae
             consuetudinis
             ut
             ab
             eatanquam
             igniculi
             à
             natura
             dati
             extinguuntur
             ,
             Cic.
             de
             leg
             .
             l.
             1.
             
          
           
             Tit.
             Liv.
             lib.
             40.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             &c.
             Chrysost
             .
             
               in
               locum
            
             .
          
           
             Salvus
             esse
             non
             potuit
             ,
             si
             sanus
             esse
             coepisset
             .
             Tuse
             .
             Q.
             5.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.
             26.
             
          
           
             1
             Jo.
             3.
             8.
             
          
           
             Ecce
             quid
             faciat
             praeceps
             cupidit
             as
             ,
             civem
             in
             peregrinum
             ,
             locupletem
             in
             egenum
             ,
             filiumin
             mercenarium
             convertit
             ,
             junxit
             porcis
             quem
             à
             patre
             piissimo
             sejunxit
             ,
             ut
             serviret
             coenoso
             pecori
             ,
             qui
             pietati
             sanctae
             parere
             contemserit
             .
          
           
             Plin.
             Nat.
             hist
             .
             l.
             15.
             c.
             24.
             
          
           
             Cum
             ipse
             omnium
             notarum
             sim
             peccator
             &
             nulli
             rei
             natus
             nisi
             poenitentiae
             ,
             non
             facile
             possum
             super
             illâ
             ●acere
             ,
             quum
             ipse
             quoque
             &
             stirpis
             humanae
             ,
             &
             offensae
             in
             dominum
             princeps
             Adam
             ,
             exomologesi
             restitutus
             in
             Paradisum
             suum
             non
             tacet
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             S.
             Chrys
             .
             loc
             .
             priks
             citat
             .
          
           
             Infigi
             debet
             persuasio
             ad
             totam
             vitam
             pertinens
             ,
             hoc
             est
             quod
             decretum
             voco
             .
             Sen.
             Ep.
             95.
             
          
           
             Jos
             .
             24.
             15.
             
          
           
             Luk
             14.
             28
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Matt.
             4.
             8.
             
          
           
             Matt.
             13.
             
          
           
             The
             Reader
             is
             desired
             to
             peruse
             three
             short
             but
             sad
             stories
             to
             this
             purpose
             in
             
               Dr.
               J.
               Taylor
               's
            
             Great
             Exemplar
             .
          
           
             Part
             3.
             
          
           
             Disc
             .
             19.
             
          
           
             Sect.
             5.
             
          
           
             Matt.
             22.
             35.
             
          
           
             Mark
             12.
             28.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             18.
             18.
             
          
           
             Soli
             vos
             Tus●ulani
             veras
             vires
             ,
             vera
             arma
             quibus
             abira
             Romanorum
             vos
             ●u●aremini
             invenistis
             .
          
           
             *
             Crimina
             nostra
             vel
             fateri
             tu
             tum
             censemus
             ,
             cùm
             tam
             serio
             poenituit
             .
             Livy
             Hist
             .
             lib.
             6.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             24.
             
          
           
             St.
             James
             2.
             13.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Apud
             Regem
             esse
             gratiae
             locum
             ,
             esse
             beneficio
             ,
             &
             irasci
             ,
             &
             ign●scere
             posse
             .
          
           
             Leges
             verè
             rem
             surdam
             &
             inexorabilem
             esse
             ,
             nihil
             laxamenti
             neceveniae
             habere
             ,
             periculosum
             esse
             in
             tot
             humanis
             erroribus
             ,
             solâ
             innocentiâ
             vivere
             .
             Liv.
             Hist
             .
             lib.
             2.
             
          
           
             Judg.
             13.
             23.
             
          
           
             Judg
             7.
             
          
           
             Lact
             lib
             6.
             de
             vero
             Cultu
             ,
             cites
             such
             a
             passage
             out
             of
             
             Tullie's
             Third
             Book
             of
             Academies
             ,
             which
             is
             lost
             .
          
           
             2
             King.
             21.
             
          
           
             3
             Joh.
             3.
             
          
           
             S.
             Joh
             3.
             8.
             
          
           
             S.
             Luke
             11.
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             4.
             4.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             2.
             13.
             
          
           
             Pythag.
             
          
           
             Aurea
             Carmina
             .
          
           
             Hierocl
             .
             in
             Aurea
             Carmina
             .
          
           
             2
             Kings
             7.
             3.
             
          
           
             Tert.
             de
             Poenit.
             
          
           
             V.
             Mede
             ,
             disc
             .
             3.
             in
             Act.
             17.
             4.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             27.
             4.
             
          
           
             Livy
             ,
             lib.
             5.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             12.
             2.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Non
             abscendit
             vitia
             sed
             abscindit
             .
             Lact.
             li
             3.
             cap.
             26.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             32.
             10.
             
          
           
             Kimch
             .
             
               in
               Isa
            
             .
             59.
             
          
           
             C.
             Trent
             .
          
           
             Sess
             .
             4.
             cap.
             4.
             
          
           
             Maim
             .
             in
             Teshubha
             apud
             Lightf
             .
             Hor.
             Hebr.
             
          
           
             Plutarch
             .
             Reip.
             ger
             .
             praecept
             .
          
           
             Gen
             Chap.
             37
             continued
             to
             Chap.
             45.
             
          
           
             Mark.
             10.
             21.
             
          
           
             Senec.
             Ep.
             73.
             
          
           
             Euseb
             .
             Eccles
             .
             Hist
             .
             li.
             3.
             cap.
             17.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             2.
             4.
             
          
           
             Philo
             
               lib.
               de
            
             Abrahamo
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             17.
             4.
             
          
           
             Joseph
             .
          
           
             Antiqu.
             li.
             15.
             c.
             10.
             
          
           
             Daniel
             5.
             
          
           
             Chrysost
             .
             homilia
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Nihil
             invenies
             rectius
             recto
             non
             magìs
             quàm
             vero
             verius
             ;
             omnis
             in
             modo
             virtus
             est
             ,
             modus
             est
             certa
             mensura
             .
          
           
             Senec.
             Ep.
             65.
             
          
           
             Plutarch
             ,
             de
             virt
             .
             moral
             .
          
           
             Plutarch
             .
             de
             prof
             .
             in
             virt
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             
               Just
               .
               Mart.
            
             Ep.
             ad
             Diognet
             .
          
           
             By
             what
             means
             the
             further
             sanctification
             of
             the
             penitent
             is
             carried
             on
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4.
             30.
             
          
           
             2
             Kings
             3.
             15.
             
          
           
             Vide
             Gal.
             5.
             22.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             II.
             of
             Sp.
             
               D.
               of
            
             Alva
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             2.
             30.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             6.
             13.
             
          
           
             Simpl.
             in
             Epict.
             
          
           
             Simpl.
             in
             Praef.
             ad
             Epict.
             
          
           
             Vell.
             Paterc
             .
             
               hist
               .
               lib.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             A
             brief
             description
             of
             a
             perfect
             Christian
             .
          
           
             Vide
             Struckium
             de
             Conviv
             .
             lib.
             2.
             cap.
             24.
             
          
           
             
               Menasse
               .
               Ben
               Isr
            
             .
             de
             Resurrect
             .
             lib.
             3.
             cap.
             9.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             23.
             43.
             2
             
             Cor.
             12.
             4.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             &c.
             Phil.
             Jud.
             
               de
               Alleg.
            
             
          
           
             Acts
             17.
             18.
             32.
             
          
           
             Valerius
             Maxim.
             
               lib.
               7.
               cap.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             Livy
             Hist
             .
             lib.
             45.
             cap.
             7.
             
          
           
             Ibid.
             cap.
             41.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             7.
             31.
             
          
           
             S.
             Chrys
             .
             ubi
             priús
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             22.
             2.
             
             Luk.
             14.
             16.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             Sam.
             17.
             26
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Greg.
             Naz.
             orat
             .
             18.